From Globetrotter to Backpacker: Tips For Your First Outdoor Expedition

Written by Julien Heron & Gaby Pilson

For many of us, traveling is an addiction. The more we travel, the more we want to get out and explore.

If you’ve spent quite a bit of time living out of a suitcase, however, you may find that you’re interested in getting a bit further off the beaten path, perhaps on a backpacking or trekking trip.

Going from globetrotter to backpacker, though, can seem like a daunting task, so it’s important that you know what you’re getting into before you head off into the great outdoors. To get you started, here are our top tips for making the most of your first outdoor expedition.

1. Plan Ahead And Be Prepared

Although experienced travelers can often string together a fantastic metropolitan getaway at a moment’s notice with relative ease, you’ll want to put a bit more effort into planning your first backpacking trip.

Where on Earth can you find Puerto Princesa

This blog was previously published on Terra Incognita whose mission is to empower a global community that travels for good. 

It is an honour to be invited to compete in the Travel Blogger of the Year 2020. The submission of entries has ended. Voting and judging of blogs are on-going.

I chose a story about Puerto Princesa in the island of Palawan.  A wonder that can be found only in the Philippines. Please read my entry and Vote.

My story begins...

I find myself in the roof deck restaurant sipping a local mango juice. Puerto Bay is very visible. It is a good view as I watch people stroll along the boardwalk.

The best island hopping happens. I use a motorboat with a guide and see the white sand beaches in Honda Bay.

Dubai Offers Excellent Facilities to Tourists

Written by Shezaa Nehal

Dubai suits to every mood, every age and every group.  

The city has everything with packages that are offered to keep every need that a tourist has in mind. The city of excellence never neglects any aspect of entertainment. Its peaceful atmosphere, singing waters, silent desert and luxurious resorts entertain tourists with their special needs and their wish to roam around the city.

Tourists With Unique Needs

The Dubai International Airport manages a place for tourists with unique needs. that travellers on wheelchair will get customized service. Several hotels have areas particularly intended for use of the impaired and even shopping centres have excellent access and features for people with special needs. Cabs in Dubai are equipped with motorized wheelchair for the best interest of the travelling public.

Things to Do for Free in Bern

Bern, the capital of Switzerland, is a diversed

 and beautiful city. 

Bern has quite a few attractions and historic sites, as well as active cultural life. 
I had the chance to visit the city and see its natural beauty....and the memories goes on and on...

It is easy to get around by foot in Bern and the tourist attractions are mainly in the city centre.  Switzerland is known to be an expensive travellers destination and Bern is not an exception. Though it is an expensive city, that is not the focus of this article. We will identify places that is free to enjoy, places that you can visit without spending entrance fees. If you are into it, go ahead and continue reading...

The only place that our host spent his Swiss francs was when we had our lunch and dinner at restaurants. One of the most beautiful places and explicit ambiance is the Rosegarten or Rose Garden Restaurant overlooking the Münster-Cathedral in the Old Town. Our space in this restaurant is truly great that I took pictures of my hosts leaving no doubt that they will always be remembered.

The city was built with local sandstone in Gothic style with gables, bay windows, and more arcades than any of the city in Europe.

A Taste of Filipino Recipe at Christmas time in the Philippines

Philippine food and culture have distinct mixes of the East and the West.

You are in the Philippines because you want to see its beauty, experience culture and tradition of the local people and have a taste of the best Filipino dishes.

Philippine cuisine was greatly influenced by the American especially the names of the dish. Asian countries like China, India and other Southeast Asian countries has contributed to how the Philippine food is prepared and evolved throughout time.

Like some Asian countries, rice is the Philippines' staple food. It is always part of the meal whether it is homemade, or dining in a feast or holiday season. In any occasion, meals are generally served with rice.

Filipinos typically accompany their meals with complementing sauces, spices and condiments. It is common for each diner to put his preferred sauce, spice, or condiment in his own plate. Popular ones used in a meal include: Patis (fermented fish sauce) or soy sauce (usually blended with calamansi, a green Philippine citrus fruit similar to lemon); native vinegar; and alamang (cream-style shrimp paste).

I identified some of the Filipino dishes that you must try while in the Philippines at Christmas time, festivals or important events. I guarantee the following are the best and can be found in most local dining table.

Adobo (Chicken or Pork)
The signature Filipino dish adobo used pork or chicken cooked in oil, vinegar, pepper, bay leaf and soy sauce. In some cases, dried banana blossoms is added for a distinct aroma and sweetness. It is one of the most popular Filipino dishes commonly prepared in both Philippine homes and restaurants.

Why Did I Travel to Karachi?

Karachi may not be a popular tourist destination, but I wish I would have extended my stay. When you see the good side of Karachi, you will be able to paint a picture of a cosmopolitan and urban city different from other major Pakistani cities.

And you probably be asking why.....

Being in a geographical location on a bay, you too will enjoy its prominent position that made Karachi the financial capital of Pakistan. In spite of violence in certain parts of Karachi, the Karachiites are determined to carry on with their lives.  

Karachi is not the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad is.

I will tell you a bit about Karachi before I go on with my short escapade of the city. It is located on the coast of Arabian Sea, north west of the River Delta. The way I see, it is practically large and really busy of a city.

You have no idea how I feel when I set foot at the Jinnah International Airport early morning at 5:00 o'clock. Just in time to catch the locals getting ready for the morning prayers. I am used to this, as I always hear them due to the fact that I was coming from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

What You Should Know Before Travelling to Dubai

Written by Shezaa Nehal

The most sophisticated place in the Arabian Gulf, Dubai is famous in the world due to its beaches and most shining and amazing structures. A place where elegance moves, Dubai is almost an isle of excitement enclosed by real rich waters. An amazing Dubai shopping area, Dubai is the centre of the purchasing mania that holds the world with its greatest shopping events. Switching desire into reality, the place is presenting its greatest and the best shopping malls, resorts and structures to the world.

Photo Credit : Pixabay Creative Commons CC0

It Is An Awesome Place

The second greatest emirate in United Arab Emirates, Dubai has amazing scenery too. Fantastic seaside pieces enclosed by aqua blue rich waters are a cure to the eyes. Having a warm environment throughout, Dubai is always pleasant to the tourists. Mostly a wasteland place is home to vast beaches and hills. The high-rising city and its endless styles however make it like a haven.

Best Hostels for Backpackers in Santiago, Chile

Written by: Alexia Wolker

Santiago is the capital of Chile and the largest metropolis of South America which is located in the basin, surrounded by mountains on all sides.

Santiago is primarily a city with rich history. Therefore, the main attractions here are rare artifacts, colonial buildings and places of recent historical events. It is a modern megalopolis, which develops in a frenzied rhythm, and the miracles still appeared here.

Two Cities in Israel that are Entirely Different

A visit to Israel can be overwhelming and it is surprising that this is my longest stay in a country. The memories is endless. 

You won't believe it, I explored and have stayed in two cities which are entirely different in many aspects. Though some of you may not agree, they are both memorable in spite of their differences.

The distance of 60 kilometres between the two major cities is not the reason why I see a very different feeling from the time I leave the bus station in Jerusalem. My barely one hour travel takes me into another dimension, one that defies distance and time.

5 Fun Off-the-Beaten-Path Things to Do in New York City

Written by: Ray Chin

There are so many fun things to do in New York City. You have Central Park, the Empire State Building, Times Square, the Brooklyn Bridge, etc. But here are a few fun off the beaten path things to do in New York City that may not be on your radar when you are visiting NYC.

Bryant Park

Bryant Park is just two blocks away from Times Square and there are so many things to do. You can play ping pong, golf, chess, board games, and there is even an art cart. It also offers fun daily events such as movies at night, yoga meetings and concerts seasonally. During the winter, there is even an ice skating rink.

The Ultimate Guide to Italy's Best Yoga Destinations

Written by: Miriam Cihodariu

One of the best things about Italy as a vacation destination is that it's not something you simply scratch off your bucket list. You can return to Italy again and again and still not have enough of this picturesque land and its delicious fares, nor be bored with its history and culture.

Such is the charm of this Mediterranean gem of a country that offers almost any type of vacation you can think of. The present guide will focus on Italian yoga destinations. But even if you're going for a yoga retreat, it's hard to ignore the rest of Italy's wonders.

How You can Avoid Scammers and Thieves on Your Travel

Scammers and thieves are everywhere - in every country - no exception. Watch out while you're travelling.

There are many scams at your destination, so don't let your guard down. Here are some of their tricks that should be avoided.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Free trip
Don't fall for the 'free trip' scam and avoid too-good-to-be-true offers.

Spot the fakes
When it comes to petty crime, tourists are easy target because they're not familiar with the surroundings and not aware of culture and tradition. It's easy to lure an unsuspecting tourist who can't tell what is fake and what is not.

Fake cops
You're in a foreign country and an official-looking person asks to see your documentation, your currency, credit cards and other valuables. As soon as you dig them out, the thief grabs them and runs. Fake cops have also been known to pull over cars for a "search".

7 Reasons Why India is a Perfect Place During Monsoons

Written by: Rohit Agarwal

You should be ready for the weeks of rain that will come around with the monsoon season in June. Enjoying the rainy weather is not difficult, as the rain alleviates the summer heat and brings on a refreshing change. Rain can remind you of fun times during childhood where you could jump into puddles and play football on the muddy field.

With monsoon being such a big deal in India, here are some great places to enjoy the rainy season in. So remember to pack up your raincoats and umbrellas!

1. Shantiniketan, West Bengal

A small town owned by the Tagore family, Shantiniketan is famous for the ashram Rabindranath Tagore. A centre for culture and arts, its full glory comes out during the monsoon season.

Photo by Kaustav das Modak CC0 1.0

If you want to learn more about the local culture and food, it is best that you lodge at a homestay. Classes in the university established by Sir Tagore are held in an ancient gurukul style, out in the open underneath a tree. You can find many local artisans who sell handicrafts here for cheap prices as well. Shantiniketan really makes monsoons beautiful and enjoyable.

Money Saving Travel Tips That You Must Know

Written by Kyle Doran

Travelling and experiencing novel adventure is a great way to escape your daily routine and expand your perspective in life. Boosting your mental health, reconnecting with loved ones, or discovering a new and exciting culture are just few reasons to set aside time to travel. However, taking a vacation can also be a very expensive pursuit. Along with the added costs of travel, you will also be missing out on wages that you'd normally be earning. As a result, it may leave you more stressed out than relieved. 

That's why learning how to travel smarter and make your money go further, is essential. In this article, we'll detail a few money saving travel tips that will help relieve your wallet.

Credit Card Airline Miles

Want to fly for free for your next vacation? Of course you do, but you think "what's the catch?" No catch, just a little spending discipline and responsible planning and you can cut your flying costs significantly. By signing up for an airline credit card, and using it to pay for all of your regular monthly expenses, you can accrue airline miles to cover your travel costs. 

For instance, if you spend $1000 within the first 3 months of signing up, you will earn x amount of points. These points can be used in exchange for free air travel. You just want to be sure to stick to two rules. To pay off your credit card's balance each month and avoid impulse buying. That way, you're not stuck with any of the late fees or spending any more than you would have regularly. As long as you stick to these two rules, you will reap the benefits of having an airline credit card, while avoiding the interest rate pitfalls.

How to Make Your Family Getaway Memorable

Written by Cloe Matheson

Photo Credit: Pexels

Whether young or old, we all dream about going on one of those picture-perfect family getaways that promises a million kodak moments. Although, as a parent, you may have had a few less-than-golden experiences of holidaying with the kids - don't let that ruin your belief in a fun family vacation. Here are six brief tips to make your getaways more memorable and enjoyable for the entire family. 

1. Go Slow

Firstly, try not to rush. This goes not only for individual activities, but also for your general mindset regarding the holiday. We, as parents, tend to make life more difficult for ourselves by either trying to pack too many activities and pit-stops into each day or by rushing through the holiday because we're eager to get back to pressing work matters or other pressures of daily life.

6 Must-Do Tips to Avoid Loss of Your Baggage

Lost luggages keep piling up most especially during the holiday season

I am lucky to be spared with these stressful situation on most of my travels. No, I was not totally spared as there was one incident on my trip from Toronto to Hamburg where we had to stop and change flight with a domestic aircraft in Frankfurt bound for Hamburg.

And guess what happened when we arrived at the Hamburg Airport. Yes, your guess is as good as mine. One of our checked in baggages was lost.

Photo Credit : Twenty20

Our host did not waste time and called the airline, Lufthansa if I remember it right. The lost and found section of the airline was not much of a problem. The night after, our luggages were delivered right to our door. A bad experience that turned to a good impression of the airline.

10 Action Packed Road Trips in India

Written by Rohit Agarwal

Travelling is getaway from our dull boring routine life. Thus, we seek unconventional unique experience when we travel. Road trips are one avenue which provides a life changing treat to us.  It is one of those sojourns of life where we reinvent and discover ourselves. India, with its large networks of roads spanning the length and breadth of this country offer a range of possibilities.

Today, we are seeking to redeem some of the most thrilling road trips available in India.

1. The Exotic North-East, Gangtok-Tsomgo Road Trip

The north-east beckons with its wide arm. The charm of the hills of the country is out, totally out of this world. People vouch for road trips in this area and it is the only way to travel here. This will be a thrilling experience in Gangtok, along the ancient silk route in Nathula pass region. This 55-km long road trip along the Indo-China border has a rare scenic beauty.

Tsomgo Lake, Photo Credit: Varun Pratap CC BY-SA4.0

2. The Mesmerizing Srinagar to Leh Road Trip

This is a 417-km trail starting from Srinagar in Kashmir and ending at Leh which is ideal for campers and bike tours. The road moves along the Zojila pass covering the picturesque hilly terrains of Kargil and Grass Valley. It is considered as one of the most taken road trips in India that offers a unique challenge to travellers.

Why I Chose to Travel and Live my Life in Toronto

Toronto is not perfect as with other cities in the world.

While I agree that my city is one of the best places to visit and live, there are of course pros and cons that should be considered.

I have been rubbing elbows with Torontonians for more than two decades and find it appealing in many ways. I have travelled, lived, worked and play in this city for over twenty years and I can tell you that it deserve the honour. It is, yes, Toronto still is at its best.

Pros:

• Suburbs is one of the best ways to travel and get away from the big city
• The transport system is so convenient and spans a large area
• Many prestigious schools in and near the city
• A great opportunity for the educated
• The country's financial and manufacturing hub
• Longer, hot summer though too humid for some people
• Parks, lakes and recreation are some of the best leisure options

How to Travel with a Pet All Over the World

Written by: Rebecca Crawford

How to Travel with a Pet all Over the World

It's summer and time for vacation! The world is your oyster on where you want to go, whether you want to fly to a distant land, or take a road trip to see everything your country has to offer. But there's just one problem: what to do with Fido?

Many people choose to have their dogs left at kennels or hire pet sitters to watch their pooches for them while they're on vacation, but that can cost a lot of money. Instead, you should consider taking your dog with you on your trip! After all, he's only going to be depressed while you're gone, so why not keep his doldrums away and share in your exciting trip?

Keep in mind, you're going to need some special accommodations and some extra gear to make your trip work. However, once everything is set, you're going to wonder why you never considered taking your dog on vacation with you in the first place. So what are some important things to keep in mind.

5 Places in India that are Ruins of Royal Palaces

Written by Himanshu Agarwal

It is no secret that India is a land of dense history with bottomless roots. From the very beginning, India has been a witness to the rules of kings and the show of their riches, their lavishness, their enviable lifestyle and their unbelievable creations.

A part of such creations, a big part, were palaces. Huge, magnificent, beautiful, grand and extremely royal. The grandeur of these palaces got their names inked in golden letters in the scriptures of Indian architectural history, with the names of their creators. They were a matter of pride amongst the royalty then. These forts stood through the highs and lows of the empires and have seen many wars and rules. And with the passage of time, they have withered and nothing but their ruins are left to be marvelled upon.

Here are some places in India which are ruins of those once splendid examples of architecture and design, definitely worth a visit!

1. Daulatabad Fort, Aurangabad

Photo by cool_spark, CC BY 2.0

Believed to have been built in 1857, by Yadav king Bhilan, Daulatabad Fort once stood tall in Daulatabad, the capital of Tughluq Dynasty since 1327. Muhammad Bin Tughluq, who shifted his capital here from Delhi because he was smitten by the beauty and the architecture, but later he shifted back to Delhi due to the scarcity of water. Tughluq was a far-sighted ruler, owner of the moniker "Mad King". He is known for shifting his capital from Daulatabad to Delhi and from Delhi to Daulatabad, quite a few times.