Wednesday

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.

Sunday

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.

Saturday

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

Thursday

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.

Saturday

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.

One Thing I Did Not Like on my First Trip to Malmö?

I have high regard about Sweden. I always thought of it as a very nice, beautiful environment and more importantly good people.


Oresund Bridge between Malmo SWEDEN and Copenhagen DENMARK
Photo Credit: hpgruesen


Just like Switzerland, It's been my dream to have a glimpse of Sweden. So, when I went on a trip to several cities in Switzerland, which I enjoyed every part of this peaceful country, I have decided to visit Sweden when I get the chance.

Now comes my trip to some European countries. The opportunity to be close to Sweden when in Denmark, I booked for a day tour of Malmo originating from Copenhagen.

Sunday

5 Tips for a Successful Business Trip to India

Written by Himanshu Agarwal

Photo Credit : Keep Your Documents Handy, CC0 1.0


The New York Stock Exchange becomes the talking point for the whole world when it opens at 9:30 A.M. everyday, when the strength of world's most powerful economies is measured. But today, another name which can be heard amongst those is that of India.

With the massive work force and growing economy, India is emerging as one of the new advanced business hubs. So, sometime or the other, you might find yourself off to the country to attend a business meet. In that case, here are a few quick tips that would be useful.

1. Always Keep Your Documents Handy

You really don't want to imagine the terrible fix you would be in if you were to be lost in a foreign country, without any proof of your identity, or existence. So always keep your important documents, like your passport and visa in a separate folder, apart from your usual documents. By doing this, you can avoid misplacing them among other things. Also, make a separate folder for your business documents.

Thursday

13 Airlines that Stand Out Through the Years

These days, it is not easy to find an airline that suits our taste, satisfaction ... and safety. 

Scandals in flight happens - - incidents that should not be happening! The United Airlines' brutal dragging is for real - - really unacceptable. And so with Delta, an airline who kicked off a passenger from the aircraft that is getting ready to take off. A situation that a male passenger can no longer control the call of nature - - and it just happened at the wrong time and at the wrong place.

The above happened in domestic flights in the United States, a journey that will take only few hours. If these scandals took place in short-haul flights, how can we expect that it won't happen in a long-haul?

Photo Credit: Thai Airways
Let's not focus on the bad experiences encountered on airlines though. Let's now go to its positive side. In most airlines, scandals never happen, on the ground and in-flight. I have used different airlines in my more than two decades of travelling. I will start with those that I did fly at least once or twice.

The 13 airlines that stand out - - with the best customer service are:  Drum rollllllllll . . .

Friday

An Overlooked Island Called Vieques

Written by JP Chartier

Join me for a short visit to an often overlooked island just off the coast of Puerto Rico called Vieques

Hidden seven miles off the coast of Puerto Rico, a tiny speck of an island silently exists today much like it has for millennia. Basking in the Caribbean sun and surrounded by the azure waters of the Atlantic Ocean to its north, and the cerulean blue of the Caribbean Sea to its south, Vieques (Bee-ay-kus) is the perfect place to step back in time and get away from your hectic and chaotic life for a while.

It's a short 20-minute flight from San Juan International Airport on the mainland of Puerto Rico to the single runway airport on Vieques. If riding in one of the tiny, 6-seater, puddle jumping airplanes doesn't suit you, you can take a boat over. A passport isn't required to visit the island.

Shoreline of Vieques


The Visques of today is a much different place than it was only 15 years ago. Two-thirds of the small island was used as a bombing range by the United States Navy since WWII. They pulled out in 2003 and are in the process of making the whole island a safe place by removing all unexploded ordinances.

Tuesday

How and Why is it Happening in Egypt

The Streets of Cairo


My advice to you: Don't ever drive a rented car in Cairo. It is dangerous for you as a tourist to drive on the street of this city.

I have seen a very heavy traffic and witnessed many reckless drivers. Mind you, traffic rules and regulations are not followed in the city and you will not see traffic lights and road signage even in strategic street that needs one.


The Street of Cairo


How to Go Around Cairo

Many places in Cairo are too historical to miss and to go around the city and its neighbouring towns, you can hire a private/rented car with a driver, a taxi, a boat, a mini bus or a tourist bus.

Friday

5 Top Tech Tools for Travellers to Keep in Touch with Loved Ones

Written by Jason Gordon

When travelling abroad, it can be difficult to keep in touch with your loved ones. On many phone plans, the ability to call internationally is not an option.

If you want to add that service to your phone, you can end up paying hundreds of extra dollars for just minutes of calling. However, with our app-driven digital economy, there are tech tools that can keep you in touch with your loved ones easily without any additional cost.

  • Google Docs
When you want to share pictures and stories of your travels with your loved ones while hearing their opinions, Google docs and similar document sharing apps can be a great solution.

With desktop and mobile device access, you can create a shared document that loved ones of all ages can access and add to. With a shared Google Document, you can see who is adding their two cents, with the different coloured text allotted to each loved one. You can even set up scheduled online meetings where live chats can happen real time.

This is a fun and affordable alternative to costly international calling.

Wednesday

What to See and Do in Bohol

Why a trip to Bohol? What can you see in Bohol that you don't see in other places?

The story that you are about to read will give you a bird's-eye view of what Bohol is all about. A memorable journey you can only find in this central part of Northern Visayas in the Philippines.




If you are coming from Cebu, take a fast ferry that will take you to Tagbilaran, Bohol in only two hours. The schedule of Oceanjet is flexible for clients visiting Bohol, so you may book with them online. The other two ferry operators offering daily services that suits your need are 2GO and Weesam.

The island province of Bohol is the tenth largest in the Philippines. It is a tropical paradise that you have to experience. This is a perfect destination for snorkeling, dolphin watching and island hopping.

Sunday

5 Items to Collect from Around the World

Written by Jason Gordon

It's natural for travellers to collect souvenirs of their trips. For many people, expanding their collection is the entire point of the journey. Those travellers can find something of value in any nation, since every culture creates its own artifacts. However, there are a few items that stand out above the rest.


1. Limoges Box

Limoges Box with Dog Design
The French town of Limoges is famous for producing elaborate porcelain boxes. These Limoges boxes are richly decorated, to the point where many of them are better described as sculptures that hide a small storage space than as boxes. Expert artisans make all of them by hand, and they come in a huge number of shapes and sizes. Every collector can find something that reflects both the traditional culture of Limoges and their own preferences.

A box must come from Limoges to be considered authentic. Since that restricts production to a small number of artisans, collectors need to make sure that they are getting an authentic box. Verifying the authenticity of a box is relatively easy for anyone who knows the sign to look for, so there's no excuse not to do your homework and research the basics of Limoges boxes.

Friday

Andrea Capaccioni from Naples ITALY

45. Featured Traveller 
Andrea Capaccioni

Youtuber : Traveller  
(Naples, ITALY)
       
                       
“ Have a good life ” 

Don't Be Afraid of Failure

This will be your first time to read in this blog a story about a very interesting young woman who fail to give up and strive instead to make her dream a reality. We are happy to share with you the life, love and adventures of Andrea. We hope that her story will serve as an inspiration to other women of her age. "Don't be afraid if you fail at first," she says.


Andrea on a Beach in Australia


Our friend has been travelling for many years and have started her escapades at the age of 22. She learns the art of video recording to document and share her moments with the world via Youtube. Let's join Andrea as she encounters the challenge on her journey and at the same time making friends with people she meets along the way.

After reading her story, you may be asking why Andrea left her hometown of Napoli and moved to Sydney, where everything is new to her.

But, why did she take the risk?

Tuesday

7 Historical Megastructures in India You Must Visit

Written by  Rohit Agarwal

India has been ruled by various dynasties, captured by foreign invaders and been a colony of the British. Thus, the country has various specimens of architectural brilliance reflecting native as well as foreign styles. Though it is impossible to point out any one as the best, we have put in efforts to compile a list of seven megastructures that should be on your list.

1. Taj Mahal, Agra

One of the major attractions of Agra, Taj Mahal is an Epitome of Love. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal upon her death. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, it has a beautiful history attached to it. The mausoleum is made of white marble and it stands on the banks of the river Yamuna. One of the Seven Wonders of the World, it is a confluence of Indian, Mughal, Turkish and Persian architecture.
Taj Mahal - Agra
Photo Credit wiganparky CC0 1.0


2. Mysore Palace, Mysore

The Mysore Palace has doors that have been magnificently carved and rooms that have been elegantly decorated to showcase the royalty. It has alluring pink domes and an octagonal marriage hall which has a stunning glass ceiling. The palace is adorned with peacock motifs, chandeliers and glistening tiles. It leaves visitors spellbound especially during the Dussehra Festival when it is all lit up.

Sunday

Flavio Nemen from Sao Paolo, BRAZIL

44. Featured Traveller 
Flavio Nemen

Travel Blogger : Traveller  
(Sao Paolo, Brazil)
                               
“ Travel ” 

Adventurous Travels

While most travellers go to Paris, London or Thailand, our friend Flavio, who hails from Brazil and currently residing in Ireland, is trying to show the unpopular and unknown side of the world. No tourists, no con artists. A paradise just for oneself that will turn out much better.

Flavio knows that budget is important and it is one of the factors why he has no regrets in choosing Albania and the Balkans in his last journey. "To cut costs, I try to get various deals, cheap flights and local accommodation which is way better than hotels that are identical in every country. I also travel light, without any excess of luggage", he says. 

ALBANIA ~ Blue Eye Spring
There are many things about travel that we can learn from our featured traveller. His advice is for us to go out of our comfort zone and not believe in what is trendy. He further suggests to explore the world beyond the well-known tourists spots and see how rewarding to travel this way.

And why did he like Albania that much? Let's find out!

Friday

7 Tips for a Successful Whale Watching Tour

Written by Cris Puscas

Did you know that South Africa is one of the best places in the world to go whale watching? You can even see whales as you walk on the coast paths or enjoy a meal at a restaurant with an ocean view! How cool is that?

Majestic animals that still intrigue us with their behaviour, whales have been part of the popular folklore and made appearances in books for centuries. If you are also fascinated by the fictional white whale from Herman Melville's novel "Moby-Dick; or, The Whale" and have always wanted to see whales in their natural habitat, a team has put together a useful list of tips to know before you go whale watching.





1. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience
Going on a whale watching safari is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Of course, each experience is unique and it really depends on luck, but even seeing the whales from a distance is a magnificent sight.

Saturday

The Truth About the Happy People of Copenhagen

I was here in Copenhagen once. I made my booking on my own which is my way of travelling. I visited the city for the second time,  very recently.  I was with Adventure of the Seas' cruise ship. Honestly, I did not like it. The cruise is too long for two weeks. I was sick for the last three days at sea. I suspect it was due to boredom. Cruising, I guess, is not my cup of tea.

Copenhagen is an easy access to Denmark close to Hamburg where I travelled last. It was a week short wandering around the city of Danes - one of the happiest people in the world. 

What made the Danes happier than people of other countries? Let's find out.

Before I jumped to the conclusion, let me tell you what happened and what I have seen in the city during my stay. The things that I am going to describe to you might be your deciding factor in visiting Copenhagen for the first time.


City Hall Square (Radhuspladsen) 

Let me start my story from the time I set foot in the Eurocity Rail Station. People are helpful. A local couple helps in finding our hotel, Sct Thomas which is a walking distance from the central train station. "Go walk straight and turn left and you will find your hotel in that street. You will pass through the City Hall Square (Radhuspladsen), so you won't miss it", she says in a very helpful manner.

Tuesday

Why Am I Revisiting Berlin?

Are you going back to a country if you have had bad experience on your last?

In my case, I would. 

And that is the reason why I am writing this to give justice to Berlin. I visited this city for a whole day tour with the intention of seeing its historical architecture. It was a brief stay but just enough to experience interaction with the local people. The good and the bad side of it.




I should have stayed at least three days because of its size. Berlin is Germany's largest city and the most populated. There are places that I missed and regret it up until now.

Thursday

Cameron Cobb of Arizona U.S.A.

43. Featured Traveller 
Cameron Cobb

Food & Travel Blogger : Administrator - Social Work : Traveller  
(Arizona, USA)
                               
Where Will I Eat Next 

Our friend Cameron has been travelling for many years and this time, we are highlighting his journey for the entire year.  Let's join him in exploring the culinary world and making friends with people he meets along the way. Whether it is street food or incredible dishes from a budget restaurant, he always find ways to make sure it is within his budget and at affordable prices. 

Travelling for one year to eat and learn the local food? How does it sounds to you?


Cam knows very well that a year of travelling needs careful planning, budgeting and managing finances to cut cost. "Budget is almost always a leading factor for travel", he says. Here are his tips on travel expenses on how he save, enjoy more and spend less.

Friday

5 Sports Destinations That Are Worth the Trip

Written by Jason Gordon

It isn't uncommon for sports fans to brag about visiting every NFL stadium or going to all of their favourite team's road games. However, you can be a dedicated fan even if you don't spend thousands of dollars to attend professional sporting events.

What are the five of the best cities to visit if you want to see the important sites on the professional sports landscape?

  • You Have to Spend Time in Boston


Whether you love them or hate them, you have to admit that Boston is home to many iconic teams. While there, you have to visit Fenway Park for a Red Sox game or Gillette Stadium to watch Tom Brady and the Patriots. The Boston Celtics also have a championship pedigree dating back to the 1960s while the Bruins are routinely in the hunt for a Stanley Cup.