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Posted on Oct 17, 2013 in Guest Posts, Travel |

A Quickie in the City: Transportation to Help you Get the Most out of Your Stay

There’s a lot of hype surrounding certain global cities, cities that you “must see before you die”—London, Paris, Tokyo, San Francisco. But oftentimes we find ourselves jetting in and out of these bustling metropolises in a matter of days due to scheduling or budget restraints. And getting around these places can be exceedingly difficult if you’re not familiar with them, leaving you unable to reap the rewards of having visited in the first place. We may spend hours scouring the streets by foot, only to find ourselves disappointed at day’s end with the amount of stuff we actually saw. That’s why it’s best to plan ahead when traveling, and to pay particularly close attention to how you plan on getting around the cities you visit. Wandering by foot around a new environment may provide a certain type of enjoyment for the vagabond adventurer within us, but it’s not particularly efficient. If you’re intent on seeing as many sights as possible, you may have to consider a few of these more mobile alternatives. Walking Tours If you are going to keep both feet planted on the ground, you would be wise to ensure that they are at least moving in the right direction. Walking tours have always been popular, and have only proliferated more in recent years due to their relative affordability and accessibility. It’s unlikely that you’ll have to book a walking tour in advance—there are plenty of local tour guides in cities who would be happy to show you around. And if you’re really savvy and outgoing, you don’t even need to hire a professional—just walk into a local pub, order a few rounds, and find yourself some new friends to help get you from one landmark to the next. Public Transportation This is an industry that is truly experiencing a revolutionary boon in the 21st century. Overall growth in government-funded public transportation is seen by many as a natural byproduct of increased global gas prices, from the development of high-speed rails to increased construction of inner-city transit. This is good news for the traveler, looking to save...

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Posted on Oct 15, 2013 in New Zealand, Travel Destinations |

Wellington – a charming city of great culture and scenic natural beauty

New Zealand’s coolest little capital Wellington is nestled between sparkling harbour and rolling green hills is renowned for its art, heritage, culture and native beauty which all makes it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the world. It is a buzzing city which is nicknamed as “Culinary Capital” of New Zealand is known for its elegant bars, quirky cafes, award-winning restaurants and welcoming delicatessens. Wellington has small village charm but at the same time boasts big city sophistication. Built on the edge of a deep harbour and steep surrounding hills, Wellington is the creative capital of country which has many museums, art galleries, thriving theatre and film scene. It hosts some of the grandest events in the world such as International Arts Festival, Wellington Sevens Rugby Tournament and World of Wearable Arts Award etc. So make a plan and book business class flight to Wellington where you can enjoy culture to coffee, music to movie-making, adventure activities to picturesque walks beautiful harbour to hills that will surely leave you wanting for more. Whatever reasons for your visit to Wellington but rest assure you’ll never come across even a single dull moment. Great heritage buildings Being the political centre of country, Wellington is a home to some great heritage buildings that tells stories of New Zealand’s nationhood and culture. A visit to Wellington would not be complete without a visit to NZ’s beautifully refurbished Parliament Buildings. Located in historic suburb of Thorndon, it is made up of three architecturally distinctive buildings, the Edwardian neo-classical Parliament House, the Victorian Gothic Parliamentary Library and a unique Beehive building which are worth visit. The Colonial Cottage located in central Wellington is oldest identified building in the city which was built in 1858 is a family home by William Wallis. It has now been preserved as a museum to show living in 19th century. Don’t miss a visit to Old St Paul which is one of country’s greatest heritage places and is one of the best examples of timber Gothic Revival architecture is a great experience for its visitors. Popular attractions Don’t ever...

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Posted on Oct 15, 2013 in Travel Destinations |

Discover the Extraordinary Streaks of Ethiopia

Ethiopia is a nation full of amazing contrasts.  This country has all the elements a tourist looks for-historical, natural and cultural.  The best way to tour this northeastern African nation is by road.  Contrary to perception, Ethiopia’s roads are one of the finest on this continent, thanks to huge Chinese investment in the country a few years back.  A drive on this high quality tarmac surrounded by Ethiopia’s vast stretches of natural beauty was one of the best experiences I have had. I landed in Addis Ababa on a lovely clear day and headed straight to meet Lucy. The fossilized skeleton of the earliest hominid was one of the many interesting relics to see at the Ethiopian National Museum. Addis Ababa houses the Imperial Palace, Grand Anwar Mosque and an impressive array of cathedrals; but I had a grand date with Ethiopia’s history, for which I had to visit the older cities that are still brimming with culture and architecture from all ages! As we exited Addis Ababa, the Ethiopia tour guide told me to keep an eye out for tanks.  Though surprised, my worries were swiftly laid to rest when we came across the first of them.  These defunct war machines were actually burnt out remnants of the Eritrean-Ethiopian war, now used as climbing frames by local kids.  As we went along, there was another surprise.  Even the most dilapidated roadside shack had an espresso machine!  Thanks to Italian troops from the occupation of Ethiopia during the Second World War, coffee has become a national past time.  Ethiopia has been home to some of the most exotic coffees and every café and restaurant in the cities has an extensive coffee menu. Ethiopia is a treasure trove of historical treats; the most outstanding being the eleven monolithic rock-cut churches at Lalibela (originally known as Roha). They were constructed in the 12th century to represent Jerusalem and are still used as places of worship, along with being listed in the Ethiopia travel guides as the 8th most incredible historical site in the world by UNESCO. On exiting Lalibela towards Aksum,...

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Posted on Oct 11, 2013 in Guest Posts, Travel Destinations |

Top Ten Destinations for your Bucket List

What do you want to experience in your lifetime? If money was no object, travelling more would top a great many bucket lists. But strip away the excuses, and how many of us actually do it? One reason for this might be that with so much to see and do in the world, it’s hard to know where to start. The bright lights of New York City and sprawling Great Wall of China feature on a great many to-do list, but there’s so much to see and experience that some absolutely must-see gems go largely unacknowledged. We’ve narrowed down ten ultimate bucket list destinations… Witness the Northern Lights Nature’s own magnificent lightshow, the aurora borealis, is a treasure best experienced from the northerly coast of Norway. Set against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains, there’s no more humbling or mysterious sight than the gently twisting multi-coloured display. And as Senior NASA Scientists predict the current period of solar maximum activity will reach a new peak in December 2013, there’s no better time than this winter to witness this brilliant spectacle. Safari on Elephant-back Set in the shadow of the magnificent Himalayan Mountains, and home to eight of the world’s ten highest peaks, Nepal is a trekker’s haven. But it’s also home to subtropical lowlands; rich areas of forestry accommodating spectacular wildlife, from spotted dear and rare birds, to rhinos, leopards and tigers. Chitwan National Park runs elephant-back jungle safaris where travellers have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with these phenomenal jungle creatures. Fiddle, Feast, Dance & Drink “Fiddling, feasting, dancing, drinking, masking, and other things which may be had for asking” so Lord Byron described it. The annual Carnevale di Venezia, is an extravaganza of Venetian culture played out over seventeen days. A celebration of local historical tradition, the festival harks back to the 12th century and is characterised by fantastical masks and costumes, adopted to allow the Venetian people to assume a different persona. Most events take place in Piazza San Marco, from concerts to large masked balls building up to the grand dance on...

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Posted on Oct 10, 2013 in Travel Destinations |

Famous Destinations for Adventure Freaks

Every one of us wants to enjoy enthralling fun and adventure activities during our holidays and relax in the lap of nature. Of course, our mother earth is blessed with various magnificent places, which are highly acknowledged for their natural beauty, breathtaking landscape, rich flora and fauna. Furthermore, it is replete with plenty of adventurous destinations that grab the attention of the travelers who want to undertake exciting adventure sports. Apart from the scenic beauty and peaceful ambience, tourists always look for adventure and thrill offered by certain destinations  before deciding whether to visit them  during the vacations or not. Well, there are many such places located around the world that can be visited by the travelers who want to experience endless joy and fun. However, traveling to the splendid islands is always a great option. This is because it allows the visitors to enjoy refreshing water activities and spend some quality time near the calm and clean sea. Here is a list of famous islands located across the globe that the adventure freaks should consider for amazing international holiday destinations. 1. Bali: Listed among the world’s best island, this destination is most preferred among the beach lovers. The place offers diverse view of landscape of hills, mountains, barren volcanic hillside, rugged coastline and sandy beaches. This beautiful island of the God offers a chance of experiencing fascinating adventure activities such as the mountain hiking, surfing, river rafting and many others. Further, the pleasant and favorable climatic condition of Bali makes it one of the best holiday places for the vacationers. 2. San Juan: San Juan is a capital city of Puerto Rico Island and well-known for its water-related thrilling activities. The island offers a world-class scuba diving and surfing experience along with its appealing Puerto Rican culture. Additionally, the water waves of low intensity and various other tropical natural experiences contribute in making the place more suitable option for the adventure seekers. The mixed Spanish and Latin American culture, ancient architecture, magnificent beaches and Spanish military forts are some of the major attractions of the place. 3. Kailua-Kona:...

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Posted on Oct 10, 2013 in Travel Destinations |

Top Six Destinations for a Want-Away Winter

Love it or hate it, the nights are quickly turning in, the mornings are getting colder, and the sun is disappearing fast. There’s no doubt about it: the festive season is fast approaching, so it’s time to think about where you’ll jet off for your winter break. But where will you journey to lift the winter blues? 1. New York City When Christmas is fast approaching there is no more magical place in the world than New York City to celebrate in style. From spectacular shop window displays to outdoor ice rinks, the city is transformed into a whimsical wonderland. What better way to shop for gifts than being carried by the buzz of Fifth Avenue under the enchanting glow of twinkling fairy lights. And when you’re done, head to Broadway to take in a seasonal show, or head to one of the many bustling markets and craft fairs to seek out festive treasures. 2. Budapest, Hungary Budapest comes to life when the weather gets cold. Wrap up warm and sip steaming mugs of coffee and mulled wine to take in the live entertainment at the famous Gőzölgő food festival, or Fridge Festival if you like action snow-sports. With its sparkling lights and scent of roasting chestnuts, the Christmas Fair is a must-visit for fans of the festive season. 3. Trans-Siberian Railway The Trans-Siberian Railway runs right through Russia connecting the European and Chinese rail networks.   Strictly speaking, the summer months have the most daylight hours and tend to be the more popular time to rattle through the breath-taking Russian landscape. But in the winter there’s something quite magical about looking out onto the Siberian scenery blanketed in a coating of glistening snow from the warmth of a heated compartment. Wrap up warm to wander round the city stops as the Russian air will be crisp at this time of year. 4. Marrakech, Morocco If you’re sick of the ice and snow and desperate for a bit of sun, the cosmopolitan city of Marrakech, Morocco, is gloriously rich in both culture and history. By day, head out into...

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Posted on Oct 9, 2013 in Travel |

Mall Attack threatens the tourism industry in Kenya

The deadliest terrorist attack in the last 15 years which happened in shopping mall in Kenya is threatening the tourism industry, which is the second largest source of revenue for the African country. Various tourist attraction in Kenya attract more than 1,8 million tourist every year who contribute for 10% of the GDP of the country. The four day terrorist attack in the capital Nairobi left dead at least 67 visitors and security personnel.  “Some of the images that have come out of Kenya are really harrowing and it’s going to affect the perceptions in quite a negative way,” Shilan Shah, an economist at Capital Economics in London, said in a phone interview yesterday. “The length of time it went on, the live coverage, the severity of the attack; it’s definitely affecting perceptions.” The attack is one of the series of setbacks which the Kenyan hospitality sector is facing during the current year as s visitors held back on trips before elections in March and after a fire at the country’s main airport in Nairobi in August gutted the international arrivals hall. Despite the fact that the tourism industry suffered a pullback, the country’s economy has proven itself as very resilient and should be able to pull back. Those investors who are mainly looking for the long term perspective will not be scared by the attack. In spite of the attack for example, The kenyan shilling has strengthened 1.6 percent against the dollar since the shopping mall attack and was trading as high as 85.60 in Nairobi today. The FTSE Kenya NSE 25 Index has climbed 4.6 percent to 172.26 in the same period. blog.visafirst.comMore...

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