The Advantage of Booking A Cruise Trip

When most people go on holiday, they buy a plane ticket to their destination, fly there, and stay at that stop for the duration of the trip. They may travel around a bit, but the cost of getting there is usually so high that they decide to stay to save money. Even if they love that location, it is the only one that they get to see. For example, they could take a flight to Punta Cana, stay in a resort, and spend each day walking along the white sand beaches or swimming in the warm, blue-green water.

A cruise, on the other hand, is far different. You are essentially going to many different locations, all at the same time. You will board the ship at a port city, so that is the first place that you get to see. Many people will even fly to the port a few days early so that their trip can include an extended time there. After the boat leaves the port, you have a day or two at sea. This can be very entertaining if you have never been on the ocean before, or at least not that far out. After traveling, you get to your first stop.

However, you are certainly not going to stay there like those who flew in. You will probably just go on a day trip. A smaller craft will take you from the cruise ship to the shore, and you can then spend a few hours there, looking around, shopping, and having a good time. You may even stay for a meal. Then you get back on the ship and it continues to your next destination. There is more entertainment on the ship - games, performances, drinks, and much else. This process repeats itself at a few different places and then the ship returns to the original port and you disembark for good.

The upside of traveling with a cruise line like Royal Holiday is that you get to see and do a lot more for your money. Rather than paying for a single trip to get you to your destination, you are paying for a continuous voyage. You are paying for transportation every single day. The downside is that this is slower than flying, but you have to think of it like your accommodations and your transportation all rolled into one. When you look at it that way, it makes more sense. Much of the traveling will happen while you are asleep, and then you get to spend your days in exciting new locations. This is just as fast - if not faster - as flying every day, and it comes with a much smaller price tag.

As you plan your next vacation, you should look at both options and decide which one is best for you. Some people do not want the excitement of moving around; they just want to go to one place and stay there until they go home, and that's fine. Most people, though, have more places on their list of places to see than they can possibly get to in the near future, so they are looking for ways to see more and do more with each trip. That is what a cruise can offer, so it may be the best choice.

Wanting to Be a Successful Travel Blogger?

I believed I am already a successful travel blogger. Having been to over 30 countries and still counting, there are some things you must consider on how to become a successful travel blogger. Here are the very important points;

First you have got to remember – before becoming a travel blogger or starting a travel blog, you should first become a regular and passionate traveler. In other case there is no point writing about stuff you didn't experienced yourself. Then go buy yourself a good camera and keep looking for unusual photo opportunities. Don't forget to write about everything you see and experiences in your journal. Yes  you read it right, because sometimes we travel to places with no wifi (there are places witn no internet in this world). Our memory is not a computer, so its better to write it down and then upload to the blog.

Top healthy activities in London

With summer upon us and the unseasonable weather finally receding; outdoor activities are definitely on the menu, as the schools break up and the family can enjoy sunny weekends and longer evenings. So, to burn off any excess stress from work – or to give the kids a break from their games consoles – here are a few of London’s top destinations for healthy, active fun.  

Cycling The capital’s roads can be hair-raising for cyclists, but there are some wonderfully picturesque and safe cycling routes in the city. The Richmond to Hampton Court route along the Thames Path is a lovely eight-mile ride, culminating at the magnificent Hampton Court Palace, where you can grab a bite to eat or a cool drink. The Wandle Trail from the Thames to Croydon is another pleasant off-road route, this time along the River Wandle, with parks and interesting National Trust properties along the way. Cycling is also a great calorie burner: you can burn off between 200 and 800 calories in an hour, so your leisurely ride will have bonus benefits.

River Thames in London.

Canoeing Don’t be daunted: canoeing and kayaking aren’t necessarily the extreme sports you’ve seen on the telly – it’s actually quite a relaxing form of exercise and a great way to enjoy the water on a fine day. The West Reservoir Centre is a good place to learn the basics, along with the numerous canoe clubs on the Thames. It’s also a relatively easy skill to master, so there’s need to worry if you’re not a natural athlete.  

Swimming London has a number of gorgeous lidos, which offer a fun and relatively cheap day out for the family. Frolicking around in an outside pool on a sunny day is terrifically relaxing and a great way to get your arms and legs moving. Swimming is an all-round body toner and uses a large variety of muscles. Above all, kids never seemed to get bored in a pool and you can enjoy the sun (hopefully) while playing countless different games in the water.

These are just some of the hidden gems in the London area uncovered by the In the Know Telegraph Partnership with American Express, bringing you some of the best activities and days out that the capital has to offer. To make the most of your free time in the great outdoors, why not opt for one of the great credit cards with rewards from American Express, and earn exclusive reward points virtually every time you use your card.

Destination weddings in Florida - Choosing the right Wedding planner or contractor

The concept of holding destination weddings in Florida is truly exciting and one can truly have lots of fun. Planning your wedding is very important and the couple has to actually sit down and decide with their family about how to plan the wedding arrangements. If they have help and there are people to do the running about, separate contractors may be hired for looking after the catering, flower arrangements, food, music and dance, and so on. But if there are few people to handle the arrangements, the best way out is to choose a wedding planner who will help you plan everything from the start till the end.

The moments of destination weddings in Florida is surely going to be cherished for a lifetime and your guests are also going to enjoy all the arrangements if it would be done and arranged very tastefully and beautifully.

A lot of organizing and planning goes into arranging the destination weddings. There has to be a lot of coordination with the contractors so that there is nothing left out or amiss on the wedding. The couple also gets a lot of time to spend with each other and so are the parents who would be more relaxed and stress free. This however does not mean that the couple does not take any interest in the wedding preparations. They can express their thoughts and give their ideas concerning catering, flower arrangements, gift packing and return gift ideas and so on. You obviously do not want things and arrangements to go haywire on the most important day of your life.

You may also speak to couples who have had destination weddings in Florida and their views on it. This gives you some tips and suggestions and if something has not worked for them, you can refrain from doing those activities. Also, this saves a lot of your efforts, time and money.

Thanks to The Breakers Palm Beach weddingsbythebreakers.com

6 Must-Do Outdoor Activities in Canada

Canada is known for its cold winters, pristine landscape and variety of outdoor activities to keep even the most adventurous traveller busy. Canada's wilderness is usually accessed via aeroplane or through long drives into the countryside.

One of the must-do activities for the nature lover is whale watching off the Victoria coast. Orcas are frequently found in these waters and offer a magnificent spectacle not to be missed. There are many tours are organised by a variety of agencies, and some even offer aeroplane flights on a seaplane from the major city of Vancouver.

Canada is known for its amazing glaciers and there are many tours that traverse these glaciers. The most popular locales in the Columbia Ice fields include Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake and Mistaya Canyon. It's worth joining a tour group if you want to learn more about the history and geography of the region, as well as taking in the splendid views.

For those who want a bit more excitement, Canada also has spectacular white-water rafting opportunities in British Columbia. The season usually lasts from June to September in the south, while the north the season peaks in July/August. Arctic rafting is also popular, and is predominantly done during the summer. Rafting down the Alesk river provides ample opportunity for animal watching, with sightings of grizzly bear, wolverine and arctic fox almost guaranteed.

Cycling is a popular activity in southern Quebec. There are over 4000km of bicycle paths and routes on the "La Route Verte" passing through plains and farmland as well as the Appalachian mountains. Most cyclists plan their season in summer, where there is less rainfall and the weather is milder than in winter.

Vancouver Island offers prime hiking routes in the West Coast Trail, a 76km route that traverses coastline, bridges and ladders. The route takes three weeks to complete and registration is essential. The trail is open from May to September and stormy weather is to be expected. The rest of Canada offers many other hiking trails which are worth investigating.

One cannot consider visiting Canada without going skiing, and British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec provide ample opportunity. Whistler is the most popular resort, catering to both novices and experts. Kicking Horse in the Rockies is great for people looking for a challenge since the snow is powdery and dry. The Sunshine Village in Alberta is known for having longest season.

If thinking about flying to Canada to see these magnificent sights then why not save money on flights by cutting the cost while you shop? The Aeroplan rewards program from Amex allows you to save for flights while paying for other things you love.

Planning For You Trip- Things To Remember

The spring weather is getting friendlier now and summer in Europe is almost coming. I believed many of you would love to get out and relax for awhile and want to go away from the corners of your workplace or home. Some might be planning for summer trips in any destinations in Europe or even worldwide.

I love to travel and from the many experiences that I gathered during my trips, I would love to share some things to remember when you are planning to go for a holiday.

Plan Your Trip Ahead- You are very lucky if you can get some really cheap last minute holidays. This is the reason why you need to plan your trip ahead in order for you to save time and money. Besides you can also avoid stress and hassles when your trip is planned ahead. If you are planning to go for a group trip especially bus trips, it is better to book it ahead to get your desired seats on the bus. Sometimes if you book it earlier, you also get discounts.


Book Flights and Hotels in Advance- I remember our Europe trip last 2010. A friend from the United States of America visited me in Europe and we explored some cities and countries here. We booked our flights and hotels five months before and we truly saved a lot of money from it.

Travellers who are planning to explore Europe have advantage now because there are a lot of low-cost airlines that offers cheap flights to many European destinations. Easyjet, virgin atlantic, Ryanair, Air Berlin, Wizz Air, Vueling and German Wings are only some of these. Booking a flybe flight is also very convenient and affordable.

There are also a lot of travel sites online who offer all sorts of accommodation depending on your type and budget.

Bring The Most Important Things You Need- Do you know anybody who forgot to bring his/her Identification card or passport when he/she is already lining-up on the check-in area at the airport. This can be a worst thing you do. Always check your bag or wallet since an ID card or a passport is a very indispensable document when you travel. If you are taking medication, always bring it with you.

If you want to document your travel, bringing journal papers or notebook and pens are a must. Taking pictures with your cameras will surely bring you a lot of travel memories. Whatever things that are very important for you to bring, be sure to have it in your luggage the day or week before you leave.

Mountain Bike Holidays: Enjoy the Ride

A mountain biking holiday offers a great opportunity to explore some exciting and beautiful destinations in a way that’s impossible to do by car.

Whether a gentle cruise through a rural landscape suits you, or something more challenging such as off-roading or hill riding, Neilson has amazing mountain bike holidays to suit every ability and inclination.

For Adrenalin Junkies

Those who believe in the motto ‘go hard or go home’ will love getting stuck into an amazing eight day Austrian activity holiday. You can cycle through stunning Austrian mountain scenery, taking in the Otztaler river and some magnificent views.

When you’re beginning to feel saddle-sore, why not change tack and try your hand at one of the other great activities offered, including rafting, canyoning, trekking, paragliding and more. Activity adventure holidays are what Neilson does best, so you can be sure of only the best facilities, equipment and instruction staff.

When it comes to relaxing at the end of an exciting day, guests have the choice of staying in the Nature Resort rooms and apartments, which are furnished with all modern creature comforts.

Or, for more privacy and something that bit different, you can choose an Adventure Cottage. These natural wood ‘A frame’ tent style structures have bed space for two to three people, with shared toilet and showering facilities nearby.

For Easy Riders

Those who prefer to take it easy when mountain biking will love getting on their bike in Selva in the heart of the Dolomiti mountain range, Italy. With cycle paths and routes to suit all levels of ability, this area is an absolute joy to explore by bike, with breathtaking scenery at every turn.

There are also many lifts that will accept bikes, so that you can take advantage of the spectacular mountain vistas without doing a hard, uphill slog.

Whether you’re an easy rider or an adrenalin junkie, Neilson has mountain bike holidays to suit. Simply speak to a Neilson advisor and prepare to enjoy the ride.

If mountain biking is not your thing check out a scooter from stuntscootersmart.com .

Family Holidays for Every Budget: From Cheap Ibiza Holidays to Florida Breaks

Planning a summer family holiday that fits your budget can be costly. Whether you are looking at 2012 Florida holidays or cheap Ibiza holidays, there’s a destination to suit every family’s pocket.

Ibiza

If your budget is small but your dreams are big, look online for cheap Ibiza holidays. Known for its lively night scene, Ibiza has made a successful attempt in recent years to make main resorts family friendly.

For an active family break with watersports, playgrounds and beautiful beaches Playa Den Bossa is the place to go. Older teens in the family will be happy with the resort's selection of bars and clubs, while the younger children will be more than happy with the vast amount of activities on offer.

Cala Llonga is the perfect setting for a relaxing family holiday. Its shallow waters, snorkelling opportunities and calming ambiance are perfect for parents who want to kick back while the kids splash in the sea.

Cyprus

Mid budget breaks with the brood are well spent in Cyprus.

Protaras, just outside the lively resort of Ayia Napa, lies in complete juxtaposition to its neighbour. Located near to a selection of shops and eateries, set on stunning beaches, including Flamingo Bay and Fig Tree Bay, Portaras is a child friendly place to stay.

With Ayia Napa in close proximity, visits to waterparks are also on the cards.

Florida

When you’ve got a big budget to blow, there’s nowhere better than to spend it than on 2012 Florida holidays. The last three years have seen some major additions to the Orlando area meaning that the resort is bigger and better than ever.

As well as the long standing must-sees, Disney and Universal Studios, families must experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the brand new LEGOLAND® Florida.

Whether you’re looking at Cheap Ibiza Holidays or Florida breaks, search online for the best deals to suit all travel budgets.

Singapore In My Travel Wishlist

It is always nice to travel and travel when I only can but I need to consider some things before spending a trip or a vacation. First and foremost, I need to consider my budget. Time is not a problem for me because I am always on the go unless if there are other appointments or trips.

There are a lot of places and countries that are included in my travel wishlist. One of these is Singapore. The other day, I was exchanging messages through facebook with my friend who is currently living and working in Singapore. I told her that if I can find one of those cheap flights to Singapore in Autumn this year, I would surely book it to visit this country.

I already have a list on what to do when visiting one of the most prosperous countries in the world and that is Singapore.

I want to ride the Singapore Flyer- I can't believed that I had the pleasure to ride Europe's highest ferris wheel, the London Eye. If I will visit Singapore, I would surely love to experience the highest and the world’s largest observation wheel, the Singapore Flyer. It is 165 meters high surpassing both the Star of Nanchang (160 m) and London Eye (135 m). From there, I would love to see the beautiful cityscape of Singapore.

The Merlion in Singapore. taken by my sister during her 3-months stay in Singapore.

Visit to Singapore Botanical Gardens- This is a perfect place to go for nature-lovers like me. I love gardening and nature and seeing this sight in Singapore will truly make sense for me. I would love to see their selection and wide variety of flora and fauna. I hope a visitor or tourist is allowed to take pictures inside.

Southern Ridges Walk- I believed I can handle a nine-kilometer stroll across the hills of southern Singapore. It is not only an active and outdoor trip but I will also have the chance to see the nature around this area. I would prefer an afternoon walk there so that I can witness the stunning setting down of the sun. Some friends who visited Singapore told me that it is a very safe place to visit. Besides most of the tail in Southern Ridges Walk is lit at night until midnight or beyond. Anyone want to go walking with me there?

Singapore River Cruise- This is one thing I would surely do when visiting Singapore. If I was able to do it in Seine River in Paris or in Danube River in Germany and Austria or in Bosphorus in Turkey and even a Canal Cruise in Venice, I can surely do it in Singapore also. I guess the 60 minutes New River Experience and the 40 minutes Singapore River Experience would be perfect. I believed taking a cruise there is also one of the best ways to see some if not most of the sights in Singapore.

Tops Sights to Visit in Delhi

If there are a lot of beautiful places to visit in Europe, there are also a lot of exotic and interesting ones in Asia. Let me also tell you this, "One life is not enough to see and to explore all corners of this world. If you have the chance now to see its charm and beauty, grab it because this is only once in a lifetime". This is also the reason why I am always taking my chance to travel especially when time and budget are available.

India is also included in my travel wishlist. It is a vast land ranking the seventh-largest country by geographical area and the second-most populous country in the world. Delhi is one of the cities I wish to visit in India. That is why from time to time, I am searching for cheap flights to Delhi. When I find one including affordable accommodation, I would surely go there immediately.

Akshardham- One of the sights not to miss when visiting Delhi. Also know as as Delhi Akshardham or Swaminarayan Akshardham, it is a Hindu temple known for its Indian and Hindu culture, architecture and spirituality. Akshardham was presented as the World’s Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple by Guinness World Book of Records in 2007.

Qutub Minar- known for Indians as Qutb Minar or Qutub in English, it is the tallest minaret in India. It was constructed with red sandstone and marble. It has a soaring tower of 72.5 meters (237.8 ft)and contains 379 stairs to reach the top. It is now listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Lotus Temple- Also known as Bahia temple, this building is visited by millions of locals and tourists every year. This this gleaming lotus- like marble structure is located on Bahapur Hills in South Delhi. This modern architecture which was completed in 1986 is a must visit for every tourist who comes to Delhi. You can go inside to pray and meditate. Entrance is free.

Lotus Temple in Delhi, India. thanks to my friend Joy for this image.

Red Fort- This is considered to be one of the most magnificent palaces in the world. It is called Red Fort due to the red stone with which it is built. It showcases the very high level of art form and ornamental work combining European, Persian and Indian art works.

Other interesting sights worth to see are India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhawan,Purana Quila, Humayun's Tomb, Rajghat, Lakshmi Narayan Mandir and many many more!

Getting From Madrid to Lisbon

There are a lot of ways in getting from Madrid, the capital city of Spain to Lisbon, Portugal's capital city. I have been researching for the best, the cheapest and the most convenient way to travel from Madrid to Lisbon. Since two weeks now, I have been searching online on how to get to Lisbon and vice versa considering my time and budget.

Here are the the results of the research I made the past weeks in getting from Madrid to Spain for March 2012 travel.

Travel With the Train

You can surely travel from Madrid to Lisbon with the train. Spain's Renfe trains has a daily train travelling to Lisbon. They also have a night train called Trenhotel which departs at 22:25 from Madrid Chamartin train station and arrives in Lisbon at 7:41 a.m which is around 9 hours and 16 minutes travel time. Fares vary from 60.10 € to 203.40 € depending on the type of seats you want to reserve. The train has cafeteria and restaurant, and departs from Madrid Chamartín station (subway: Chamartín, line 10). You can visit their site at renfe.com.

Travel By Plane

I believed this is the most convenient and the most cheapest way for me to go to Lisbon or Lisboa departing from Madrid. I have been searching for the cheapest flights since two weeks now and the most cheapest one I found was from Easyjet. As of today, I found a flight departing from Madrid at 7:40 a.m. on March 13, 2012 cost 12.99 € , return flight on March 15, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. cost 15.99 €. Together with admin fee of 11.00 € and a 20-kilo baggage fee of 20.00 €, all in all the return flight only cost 61.98 €. I found the standard fare in Easyjet flight the cheapest of all.

Other airlines that serve the route Madrid-Lisboa are the Portuguese airlines Bra, Portugalia, Tap Air Portugal. The Spanish low-cost airlines Iberia and Vueling also have good reputation in this route.

By Bus

If you prefer to travel by bus or coach from Madrid to Lisbon, ALSA (alsa.es) run buses to this route. Avanza Bus (avanzabus.com) also runs a service between the two capitals. There are two departures daily from Madrid at 12:00 and 21:00. Departures from Lisbon every 10:30 a.m. and 20:15 daily.

The bus travel time from Madrid to Lisbon takes 7.5 to 8.5 hours or more depending on the traffic situation and what time the bus departs Madrid.

Driving With a Car

If you want to have more freedom when travelling, driving with a car might be the best option for you. Madrid is around 628 km from Lisbon which takes around 6-8 hours depending on the traffic and also depends on the stops and rests you want to make in between your driving. One way estimated fuel cost ranging from 70.00 to 100.00 €.

I believed I am taking the plane when I decided to go to Lisbon next month. I have to finalized this before the end of this week.

Travel trip:
Plan your trip ahead in order to avoid hassles and stress.

Where to Find Cheap Holidays

It seems that the cold breeze is here now. You can no longer wear shirt outside because it is getting cold again. The Autumn season is fast approaching! This is the time of the year where you can spend a holiday in a warmer region of this planet.

That is also the reason why we will be spending our holiday in warm Turkey in more than a week from now. Sometimes you can just find very cheap holiday packages anywhere. Included in our trip are the international flights, hotels, tour to different places in Turkey, tour guide, breakfast , dinner and the tourist guide.

Here are some tips on where to find or book your budget holidays.

Browse the Internet

This is one of the best way in searching for your next travel or vacation. Whether you are looking for cheap flights, affordable hotels, holiday packages, rental villas, apartments, all you need to do is simply move your mouse and with a click of it, you can already search a lot in the internet.

I remembered my Europe tour with a friend last year. We booked everything in internet and we were lucky to minimize our travel expenses. You know why? We planned it ahead and booked everything earlier. Imagine visiting seven countries in Europe for three weeks with less money? That was a record for me. It was the most interesting and memorable trip that I had so far.

taking-off in Nuremberg airport going to Rome. taken during our Europe tour last August 2010.

You can also browse for cheap flights online. Some cheap airlines in Europe include Easyjet, Air Berlin, Ryanair, Tuifly, Alitalia and a lot more.

Travel magazines, catalogues and Newspapers

I always found some affordable trips in newspapers and travel magazines. In fact I found this incoming trip to Turkey in a magazine that was sent to us sometimes in May 2011. I booked it immediately because there are only 8 seats left. I am happy that hubby is finally going with me.

Visiting a Travel Agency

Sometimes you are also lucky to find cheap vacation packages, cruise trips and last minute trips in a travel agency. I usually go there to pick-up travel catalogues.

Friends and Acquaintances

Through your friends or acquaintances, you can get sometimes cheap travel and holidays. This is the the so-called word of the mouth. I always tell friends if I find cheap trips anywhere especially in Europe. In return, they also tell me if they find cheap ones.

Five Things You Must Experience in the Himalayas

Since Sir Edmund Hillary climbed the highest mountain on earth, taking a trip to Himalaya has been a dream of many adventurers. It is no fluke that Himalayas enjoy a lofty reputation among the places of a lifetime. The fact that Himalayas are immense makes it difficult to decide which sites to visit. Still, each visitor should at least try to experience the following:

1) Mount Everest

No trip should be complete without a visit to the base camp of the highest mountain the world. Although, this is one of the most frequented sites in Nepal but many tourists feel an amazing urge to climb the mountain. Amazingly, the urge to conquer Mount Everest is so great that many climbers, once came to the base camp as ordinary visitors, without a real interest of mountaineering.

2) Village Walks

There is so much to experience on foot, rather than by car or train in most regions, and the Himalayas is no different. Village walks through Ladakh, Kumaon and Sikkim are beautiful, authentic and allow visitors to get a real ‘feel’ of the area. Himalayan walking tours, taken with a local guide, allow visitors to have a village experience, which can include following in villagers’ own ancient footpaths, meandering through pine forests and terraced fields of rice and wheat. You’ll be greeted by children, excited by your presence and you’ll see how the locals go about their daily tasks – just as they have done for centuries.

3) Potala Palace

Today, the Palace is converted into a museum but tourists are spell bound before even reaching the Palace grounds. Rising approximately 1000 feet, this huge complex is thirteen stories high and contains more than 1000 rooms, 10000 shrines and 100000 statues. Once inside the complex, it is easy to get lost among hundreds of galleries and alleyways.

4) Himalaya River Rafting

Nowhere in the world are there so many grade 5 white water river spans than Himalayas. If adventure is that you seek then it is necessary to try the famed river rafting of Himalayan rivers that challenge the body and spirit of ordinary people. If you don't like to spend time climbing mountains, white river rafting on grade 5 rapids is as close to the thrill of climbing as it gets.

5) Baltoro Glacier

If you can plan a visit to Pakistan then there is nothing more special than spending a night in Baltoro Glacier. This 70 km long stretch is one of the longest glaciers outside the polar region. What makes Baltoro Glacier special is the fact that it is surrounded by five 8000 meter high mountains and is considered to be the only place on earth with such a high concentration of mountains. Just imagine how would it feel to stand in the middle of 'almost nowhere' surrounded by mountains thousands of feet high. The silence is daunting as well as truly captivating. Maybe, it is the best place on earth to meditate.

Photos by: Himalaya reurinkjan

Five Unique Vacation Destinations

Our world contains some truly amazing places to visit! For a vacation that will create memories that will truly last a lifetime, check one (or more!) of these places out today.

1) NEW YORK CITY (UNITED STATES)

From strolling through Central Park to visiting the Statue of Liberty to just taking in the incredible sites and sounds on Times Square, this city truly has it all! New York City has a nightlife that is beyond compare. From taking in a show on Broadway to visiting one of the city's famous nightclubs, there is something for everyone.

2) CAPE TOWN (SOUTH AFRICA)

In terms of uniqueness, Cape Town is high up on the list. The beauty of Table Mountain and the stunning Western Cape meet a buzzing, melting pot of cultures, alongside awe inspiring wine lands. On the southern tip of Africa, Cape Town offers a night life to rival major capital cities but has a warm climate, amazing flora and fauna, beaches and countryside. With a low cost of living, plentiful Cape Town holiday villas to rent and friendly residents, visitors find themselves astounded with all that Cape Town has to offer.

3) PARIS (FRANCE)

World class cuisine, the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral are the main attractions that most people think of when they think of "Paris". But this city has so much more to offer! Consider a trip though the ancient Parisian catacombs for an unforgetable adventure. As far as nightlife is concerned, why not take a trip through the red light district and check out the Moulon Rouge? While there you can see the home of Pablo Picasso.

4) TOKYO (JAPAN)

Exotic beauty abounds in this effervescent, thriving jewel of the Far East. Many believe the history of Tokyo actually goes all the way back to the 7th century, BC. This gives the city a rather unique history. While in Tokyo be sure to check out the Kabukiza Theatre to see traditional Japanese Kubuki performances, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. At nightfall, make it a point to see if Tokyo really is the most haunted city in the world by seeking out one of the haunted Tokyo tours.

5) SYDNEY (AUSTRALIA)

Where else in the world can you experience both ancient, unique mountains and incredible beaches? Sydney's mountains are rich in eucalyptus filled valleys and are part of the second oldest national park in the world. The beaches of Sydney and New South Wales are known the world over as a mecca for incredible surfing.
We live in a world full of incredibly beautiful places. Be sure to take some time out from the busy lives we all seem to lead these days and appreciate it.

Photos by: Ferguson

Travel Journaling: 4 Things to Bring to Help Record Your Trip

When you are traveling or on vacation, it can be easy to get caught up in all of the excitement of everything that's happening in the moment. However, once the trip is over you will wish that you recorded more of what happened, because it can be hard to remember every detail after the trip. There are several items you can bring with you on a vacation to ensure that you remember as much of it as possible, even after it is over.

1) Journal

Though you might be able to remember places you visited and what you did, one of the most important things that people tend to forget is how they felt as they visited a place or viewed a famous piece of history. Having a journal will give you a place to not only to write down what it is that you did, but how you felt about it. Looking back on it years later, you'll be able to relive the same feelings by reflecting on your memories and what you wrote.

2) Pens and Pencils

It might seem obvious, but if you don't have a pen or a pencil you won't be able to record the important things during your trip. If you have some downtime during your trip, such as a bus ride or a wait for an attraction, which can be the perfect time to write things down while they are still fresh in your mind. If you buy a pen, make sure it’s a good one that lasts–one you can keep forever, like a german-made lamy pen. However, if you don't carry a good pen or pencil with you then you may miss the opportunity to record it, and memories might fade before you can write them down.

3) Folder

Having some sort of small folder or envelope to collect important papers and scraps of your trip is a great way to record your trip. You can save pamphlets, ticket stubs, and any other small items that you acquired during your trip. These can later be used just to reflect on the good time you had, or to use in a scrapbook or journal.

4) Digital Camera

Most people have digital cameras in today's day and age, but many people don't take as many pictures on vacation as they should. Though you may not be able to quite capture that beautiful sunset as well as you saw it in real life, just having the picture of it will bring back your own memory of it. Photographs are also one of the best ways to let other people that weren't there see what you experienced.

photo by: swim parallel