I think this is not the first time when I write about Jamaica as a possible tourist destination, but this hot island in the Caribbean just seems too good to be true. Although places that are not too easy to get too tend to receive, despite their potential, a relatively small number o tourists, this is no longer the case of Jamaica. Recent numbers are indicating that Jamaica just crossed the 1 million tourists per year check point, and is rapidly developing into a popular destination. The indigenous population of the island used to call it the “Island Of Springs”, and Jamaica is indeed a tropical paradise, with beaches, luxuriant woods, waterfalls and rugged mountains everywhere you look. Jamaica’s culture is even more famous than the island itself: If you picture yourself in a long chair, listening to traditional music and sipping from a rum-based cocktail, then you probably have know what I’m talking about. There are lively beach clubs, infinite opportunities to practice water sports, together with some of the finest sand in the Caribbean. Some introductory information regarding Jamaica’s attractions and culture is to be found in this Jamaica Travel Guide, however only by visiting the place yourself you will be able to understand its true nature.
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Galway might be one of the biggest cities in the ever cheerful Ireland, but when compared to other European cities, which are 10 times bigger Galway seems to be a touristic El Dorado. Galway doesn’t lack the history, not the landscape, nor the thrill, which is why the city receives no less than 2 million visits each year.. Although the population of Galway can be rounded up to a mere 75 k, this picturesque city bu the sea is growing at a very fast rate. Galway is one of the oldest Irish ports, but its economical importance looses its meaning when compared to the city’s artistic and cultural life. A city with less than 100 000 inhabitants and so many theaters, galleries, ballet companies and events is not a common sight, no matter what country we speak of. Even the pubs serve as cultural institutions in Galway, as many tourists praise the lively atmosphere and first quality live music the had the chance to encounter in Galway’s numerous bars and pubs. And you can always count on Galway to surprise you with some dance festival or local fair, no matter what time of the year you happed to be there. In case I stirred your curiosity with this short post, you can find more about Galway from this Galway Travel Guide.
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This year’s biggest air travel news comes form an unexpected direction. It concerns Air operator Kenya Airlines, who decided to extend operations to Australia, following an agreement with Qantas. Thus, Kenyans can to the home of the Emu and koala in a one stop flight. According to breakingnews.com, the flight form Nairobi (Kenya’s capital city) to Bangkok will be operated by Kenya Airlines, while the second half of the journey will be provided by Qantas. Considering that both flights will be operated on a daily basis, we are talking of a big step for the Kenyan company here. This is not the first connection between Australia and Kenya, but it is very important form many aspects, as it opens Kenya to travelers from two continents, Australia and Africa. According to the representative of Kenya Airways, Mr. Titus Naikuni, Managing Director, the company “seeks to strengthen its presence in Australia by offering better connection options to its passengers from Africa and our association with Qantas gives us an opportunity to offer our customers a seamless connection to and from Australia.” Such initiatives are always welcome on a developing market such of Africa’s, where transportation by any means represents a priority on the list of ‘do to’ government policies.
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Aleppo is considered by many as the most cosmopolitan city in the Middle East. And we can only consider it as a common sense assumption: during its millennial history, Aleppo has had constant commercial connections with both Europe and the rest of Asia. Which, of course, resulted in a splendid mix of architectural styles, which gives modern Aleppo its much appreciated eclecticism. The tumultuous history was yet another factor to contribute to Aleppo’s variety of styles. The city has faced many attacks and was in many times determined to raise from its own ashes. And last, not least, one can observe an interesting mix between the islamic influences and the christian and jewish influences. Aleppo has never lost its status as a commercial hub in the Middle East, so it actually never ceased to attract business men, adventurers and traders from all corners of the world, many of them decoded to settle here, which resulted in various ethnic groups living together and a prolific cultural climate. Nowadays Aleppo awaits visitors with an abundance of historic buildings and museums, as well as that unique mix of colors and scents that one can only find in the Middle East. If you want to find out more about what you can actually visit here, all you need to do is take a look at this Alepo Sights guide.
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Musical Washington
Most Americans and not only would usually think of Washington DC as a symbol of national pride, a place with free museums where the President lives. But many tent to neglect Washington’s internationalism, which can be hard to understand sometimes, considering that the place has several embassies per square mile. And since it’s an embassy’s main duty to promote thr culture of the mother country, a open mind will find the most fertile ground in Washington to explore new cultures. The embassy soirees that take place each Oktober are a well-established event on the musical scene of Washington. Those looking for unique musical experience are invited by the different embasies to sample traditional and classical music, along with foods and drinks from the respective country. The whole deal might cost up to 100$ dollars sometimes, but considering that is audience is so exquisite, we think it’s worth the price. Considering that it would take way much more to taste all those ethnic goodies on the spot, the deal sounds even better. And if you are a happy little snob, the fact that you will meet important peopel makes the fee seem almost inexistent. Should you be interested in other, less know aspects of Washington, like, let’s say, clubs and bars, this Washington Nightlife guide might be of great use to you.
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Now that I mentioned Hanoi I feel like I have opened Pandora’s Box and thus started a new series of articles on Asia. And since the small country of Laos (officially, the Lao People’s Republic) is far less visited than Vietnam or Thailand, I thought I should start form here. In case you are a backpacker looking for adventure, then Laos is first hand material. Although Laos is generally seen as a very poor country with underdeveloped tourism industry, it doesn’t mean that it lacks attractions. Actually, this country might surprise you both in terms of natural wonders and cultural heritage. You probably won’t find too many five-star, all inclusive hotels and could as well forget about taxis or limousines, but the country compensates in terms of stunning views and unique traditions. All these for very little money, of course. Not counting the plane ticket (which can be pretty expensive, considering the country’s exoticism), you can survive with a few dollars a day in Laos (and when I say dollar I mean dollars, the US currency is most appreciated here). There are, of course, guided tours, cruises and all kind of travel packages you can find at a travel agency – they will diminish the adrenaline, but also save you some trouble (in case you are not a very experienced traveler, this may be the best solution). Just remember that no matter what your choice, life-changing experiences are guaranteed.
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1000 years of Hanoi
Whenever I hear the name Hanoi, I often think about something really exotic and mysterious. Even though many people around the world (or at least, those raised in the Hollywood movies tradition) see Vietnam as a jungle ravished by the war, let us not forget that almost half a century has passed since the US-Vietnamese wars and that this Asian country has some of the biggest and most fascinating cities on the continent. With its crammed streets, scooters and neon lights, Hanoi in one of the liveliest cities you will ever have the chance to encounter. And just like any metropolis around the world, Hanoi is charmingly cosmopolitan: you can find together the cute Vietnamese girl wearing an Ao Dai, a skyscraper, a French bistro and a McDonalds. From a cultural perspective, Hanoi is the kind of city where you could spend weeks just discovering the art pieces, architecture and lifestyle. Last, but not least, Hanoi just celebrated its 1000th anniversary two days ago. A millennium is not an age that one can ignore, so the Hanoi administration is making sure that everything is made with style. For a few key facts and travel tips regarding this celebrated Asian capital, don’t hesitate to take a look at this Hanoi Travel Guide.
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Say ‘pod’, from ‘pod hotel
I-pod, pod-cast …everything pod. Wander what’s next? Well, the answer to this is very simple: a pod hotel. And it is not even new, as pos hotels are spreading around the world like bed bugs (sorry, I couldn’t help it:))…Well, my comparison can be a little exaggerated, but it is equally true that you wouldn’t hear about it if it wasn’t true. So what, more exactly, is a pod hotel? It is some kind of hybrid between an unexpensive hotel and an RV. Pod hotels are those kind of hotels that offer cheap, yet fully equipped rooms for those travelers who are not exactly looking for imperial suites. They sacrifice space for money and comfort, offering a good deal for a weekend’s stay. It all had to do with the concept of ‘small living’, which Japan learned how to exploit with so much success. But it is not only Japan where this is happening. Such is New York, where many people have decided to sacrifice space for the luxury of living in the fabulous Manhattan. And the same works for hotels? Why not take a 50 square feet room and pay a few tenths of dollars while making the most of your stay rather than spending the whole amount for a super expensive hotel?
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New York without New York
One must admit it, when it comes to vacation planning, stereotypes play an essential role. Provided we heard at least once about some touristy destination, we will immediately associate it with a friend’s opinion, a piece of news or a memorable image. So when it comes to the State of New York, most people would probably envision Manhattan’s sky scrappers. The good news it that, in addition to its main attraction NYC being so undeniably gorgeous, New York the state has so many other treasures to offer. Let us just start with the one and only Niagara, the largest waterfall on the continent and a widely popular attraction in the US. The numerous beaches also worth mentioning: in summer, the water is just as clean as in the South, with the exception that you won’t find the same crowds. If you are more of an eater that a nature lover, you shouldn’t miss Buffalo, the birth place of the hot Buffalo wings. Last, but not least, any guide or anthology has to mention New York’s liberal spirit, which lead in the glorious 60’s to the organization of the most emblematic festival of them all – Woodstock. For more info on the state’s history, attractions or other key facts, I suggest this brief New York Travel Guide.
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We so far spoke a lot about aircrafts and air companies on his blog. We had posts on the BA strike, on the new improvements and demands announced by major air operators, as well as sun fun, trivial stuff. Just as airplanes continue to influence our lives to a larger exempt, news from the industry tend to be given more and more attention. This being said, here comes this week’s bummer: a new economy class seat is on the verge of being released, and it is not the massage armchair you’ve been expected. In compensation, the new seat has a saddle-shaped bottom, which forces the passenger’s legs to sit at an angle. The result of this interesting position is that it will force passengers to keep their feet tucked under the chair, and will help airlines squeeze in some extra rows. At a first look, it doesn’t seem like a very comfortable way to travel, but you never know what one can accept for saving a couple of bucks? However, for those of you economy class travelers who care about their comfort, the good news is that the innovation, despite the air companies’ obvious interest, still needs to be accepted by the respective authorities.
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