What is Chinese New Year anyway? When does it start? When does it end? What do people do to celebrate? I’m going to give you some answers! I love the pageantry of Chinese New Year, and one of these days, I’m going to San Francisco’s Chinatown to see their celebrations. I did get a taste in Los Angeles, however, enough to whet my appetite.
[Read more…] about What Chinese New Year is All About! It’s the Year of the Pig!How To Make The Most Out Of Your Trip To Vietnam
If you’re thinking about a trip to Vietnam, or you’ve booked your flights and you’re already there (mentally) then you’re in for a real treat. Not only are you about to experience some of the most beautiful scenery that the world has to offer (hello, Ha Long Bay) but you’re also going to meet some lovely people, eat some delicious food, and bask in the warm sunlight in this stunning country. Honestly, if you’re going to be saying ‘good morning Vietnam’ sooner than any of us are, we’re not jealous at all. At. All.
We’ve made a super simple list, so that you can make the most of your time in Vietnam.
Stay in hostels (sometimes)
The hotels in Vietnam can be pretty affordable, but don’t make the mistake of staying in them all of the time. Not only are the hostels really cheap, but they give you an opportunity to meet other people who are travelling around the country. You won’t only be meeting people who speak English, and you’ll be able to make friendships with people from all over the world. This is great if you’re a travel lover, as you’ll have friends on every corner of the globe who can show you around. If you stay in hostels, you can also find out all of the interesting stuff that is happening wherever you are, which is great if you’ve only just arrived.
Hire (or buy) a motorcycle
Whether you hire one (which is good if you’re only staying for a short period of time) or just go all out and buy one (which won’t be too expensive anyway) you need to get a motorcycle if you’re going to see Vietnam in all of its glory. There are some beautiful, winding roads on the coast and up the mountains, and you can only really experience this on a motorcycle. You should make sure that you plan out some kind of route, as you don’t want to find yourself lost in the mountains, especially if you’re alone and you don’t know any Vietnamese. Apart from that, you’re all good to go!
Street food, street food, and more street food
Many foreigners are cautious about eating street food in the countries that they visit, and there are some places where it can make you quite ill. However, Vietnamese cuisine is not likely to cause you any trouble (don’t quote us on that) and if you’re really worried, stick to a vegetarian diet. This is doable in most of the countries across Asia, especially if they’re predominantly Buddhist, but whatever you choose, you need to try some of the street food delicacies in Vietnam. Not only are they really cheap, but they taste delicious, and you’ll be waiting for dinnertime to come around every day…
So, if you’re looking to take a trip to Vietnam, you’re going to have the vacation of a lifetime. If you want to get it right, however, you should stay in hostels where you can, hire a motorcycle so that you can experience different sides of the country, and eat the wonderful street food on offer here. You’ll never want to leave!
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Basic Vocabulary to Know When You Travel!
You have to know basic vocabulary when you travel!
Solo traveling is one of the most wonderful experiences you can have. Sure, it’s daunting when you first set off, even if you’ve researched everything you can possibly think of! But once you are on your way there are so many amazing new people to meet, and so many sights and experiences to share, that you’ll forget you were ever nervous about leaving home! [Read more…] about Basic Vocabulary to Know When You Travel!
Scandinavian Dreams: Planning A Once In A Lifetime Trip To Norway
Scandinavian Dreams: Planning A Once In A Lifetime Trip To Norway!! Can you imagine a place that is full of wild and untamed spaces, yet has some of the most modern and stylish cities in the world? Well, that place really exists, and it is Norway, on the southern tip of Scandinavia. It’s also pretty easy to visit from the United States, too. In fact, you can have the trip of a lifetime to this fabulous location, and the info in this post can help you. [Read more…] about Scandinavian Dreams: Planning A Once In A Lifetime Trip To Norway
5 Fabulous Reasons to Take a Viking River Cruise!
Here are 5 fabulous reasons to take a Viking River Cruise! Of course, I cannot imagine a reason not to take a Viking River Cruise because there are no negatives. My travel buddy, Suzanne, of Adventures of Empty Nesters, and I loved it! [Read more…] about 5 Fabulous Reasons to Take a Viking River Cruise!
6 Reasons to Visit Russia Right Now
The recent world cup festivities highlighted the beauty and welcoming atmosphere Russia has to offer. It’s not always easy for people to grasp just how large Russia is. Covering an area of over 17 million square kilometers, and with a population of just over 144 million people, there isn’t much Russia doesn’t have to offer visitors.
A rich heritage
Russia is home to thousands of museums full of interesting and important works of art from some of the world’s most influential artists, which is why it is the perfect travel destination for culture vultures. The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg is home to more than 3 million pieces alone. Expect to see artworks from Michelangelo, Raphael, and Matisse, to name but a few.
In addition to the more traditional pieces of art, Russian architecture is rich and varied. With gold and ornate palaces to marvel at, expect to be blown away by the opulence and cleanliness of even the most everyday buildings. Even the subway in Moscow is special.
Interesting Fact: Russia occupies 10% of all the land on earth.
Tantalise your taste buds
Despite not being particularly well known for its cuisine, Russia offers a tasty and simple range of traditionally cooked dishes. Even the homemade Russian soup, Borscht, is a real treat.
If your taste buds have trouble adjusting to the Russian cuisine then you can always numb them a little with some famous Russian vodka. Going to Russia and not trying the vodka is like going to Italy and not trying the pizza. You haven’t tried vodka until you’ve had a shot in the land of its origin.
Interesting Fact: Russia spans two continents and 11 time zones.
Cover more ground
When you’re visiting such a large and diverse country you want to experience as much as possible. Enjoying several stops from the comfort of one of the many cruise holidays in the region, or enjoying the scenery while cruising up the river Volga, offers the perfect solution to the adventurous tourist. You get to enjoy all of the main sites without being constantly sitting on transport or packing and unpacking.
The Volga is the largest river in Europe, being equal in size to the Ganges and the Nile. A cruise up the Volga takes in many attractions and places of interest, such as Volgograd and Moscow, as well as letting you soak up the scenery at your own pace.
If you want to reach some of the more remote parts of Russia, there is an excellent railway infrastructure. The Trans-Siberian line is renowned as the world’s longest railway line. You can also learn about the surrounding countryside while you travel.
Interesting Fact: Russia has a coastline on three oceans, the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic oceans.
An abundance of culture and literature
Russia is well known for the quality of its theatres. The Bolshoi, in particular, is world-renowned and provides an excellent opportunity for you to enjoy an opera or drama. Theatres and Opera are a lot more common in Russia, with large portions of the population regularly attending a local theatre.
If you’re a fan of classic Russian literature, you will come across the places dedicated to the likes of Tolstoy, Pushkin, and Chekhov, and can even visit many of the places mentioned in their books.
Interesting Fact: Russia is home to Europe’s two largest lakes, Onega and Ladoga.
Supercharged nature
As well as being home to over 100,000 rivers and Europe’s two largest lakes, Russia offers a surprising diversity of nature. Whether you want to experience the peaks of a mountain looking over the vast pine forests or a vast desert, Russia has it all.
When a country has such a diverse landscape, it is also home to a varied selection of wildlife. Snow leopards, polar bears, and pikas are just a few of the animals you may get to see in their natural habitat if you’re adventurous. The Siberian tiger is possibly Russia’s most famous four-legged inhabitant. Growing to over 3 metres in length and weighing more than 300kg, we suggest you don’t try to stroke the world’s biggest cat.
Interesting Fact: Russia is home to about 120 ethnic groups speaking more than 100 languages.
Religious significance
Whether you’re a fan of colourful and amazing architecture, or interested in the history of the Orthodox Church, Russia offers an abundance of amazing cathedrals. Situated in the Red Square in Moscow, St. Basil’s Cathedral is a magnificent structure covered in blue domes and gold, while the Cathedral of the Annunciation features spectacular gold domes. Many of the cathedrals and other building of significance cost very little (or are free) to visit.
Interesting Fact: There are 75 million members of the Russian orthodoxy religion in the country.
Time to get packing?
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