Contents 2-5 About Travel 6-9 Isle Japan 10-15 New Zealand 16-19 Ninh Binh 20-21 Greece 22-27 Norway 28-32 Amsterdam 1
About Travel Alone 2
Are you one of those wanderlust souls who loves traveling? Looking for someone of a similar mindset but couldn’t find someone that resonates with your frequency. Are you determined to travel solo? But you are unsure of the requisites for the same. That’s quite normal as you must be intimidated by the thoughts of what if something goes wrong. What if your luggage gets stolen, your ids, the food, linguistic issues. Well here are some of the tips to be kept in mind when u are going solo. Because solo is how we were all born, weren’t we? Travel Light and Comfort Keep your cash well-distributed Since you are all alone, you never know if you When you go outside your own area, the will be finding some random kind stranger vulnerability of pickpockets mustn’t be over- to carry your bags for you. And you surely do looked. Though pay cards are a commonly not want to be creating a fuss of yourself at the used currency exchange medium, some cash airport, tumbling down with your bags. could be kept so as to be well equipped in No one is going to come and ask why you emergent cases. wore the same T-shirt twice or why you didn’t You might distribute your money in your wear better attire. After all, it’s your choice to pockets, some in baggage, some of it in the enjoy alone. As you wish to and how you wish back cover of your mobile. So as even in case to. So, go free and feel free! of a mishap you don’t get completely broke. Valuable safety Awareness about linguistics We know howsoever hard you try to avoid, In case you are traveling to some linguisti- some jewelry will find its way to your luggage. cally different place, make sure you know the Or it might be laptops or other gadgets. You basics. Not just the basics of the language, won’t be carrying it all around, would you? but also the traditions, the dos, and don’ts of Say if you are traveling to London, you can the native people must be kept in known well find luggage lockers in London prior to your beforehand. visit and easily save your sanity by noting Plan! down their numbers. In fact, even having a And the most vital aspect is Planning. With- forehand chat with them might not be a bad out plans, your trip is as good as not un- idea. dertaken. You wouldn’t want to miss out on In fact, if you are a nightlife spectator, then the places you so deeply thought to visit but hiring a motel room for the whole day might didn’t. turn a useless expense for you. After all, the Things can get faded out quite easily in excite- less worried you are, the more purposeful ment. So plan precise and time-based. your trip will get. With these basic aspects covered, you can go on any voyage be it to the remote most of the most well-known areas. 3
How to Meet People when You Travel Alone When you travel alone, you travel on your terms. You get to do what you want when you want. You can connect with people if you wish or avoid them completely if you want. Those are the obvious benefits for going solo as a trav- eler. But there are so many benefits of solo travel that affect your whole life. The experience encourages you to stretch and grow as a per- son. As you travel solo you can have as much alone time as you want. But what many peo- ple don’t realize is that you can have a lot of really social time as well. As you travel solo you can have as much alone time as you want. But what many peo- ple don’t realize is that you can have a lot of really social time as well. Let’s face it, not everyone likes the same thing. Some people will travel alone and, for one reason or another, not enjoy it. The first thing I suggest is that you be pa- tient. You’re not going to find your solo travel groove on the first day of your first trip. You need to give yourself some time to settle into your destination and apply some of the many travel alone tips above 4
About Travel Learn how to travel alone and you’ll open the door to one of life’s most enriching experienc- Travel Alone and Love It es. They tend to be more independent than those in their middle adult years and less central to meeting the needs of others. This puts them in a position to truly explore who they are and make decisions about who they want to be. One of the best ways to explore all your poten- tial strengths, weaknesses, and options in life is to travel alone. 5
Welcome to Isle Japan 6
Japan is an archipelago, or string of Japan can be a dangerous place. islands, on the eastern edge of Asia. Three of the tectonic plates that form There are four main islands: Hokkai- Earth’s crust meet nearby and often do, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. move against each other, causing There are also nearly 4,000 smaller is- earthquakes. More than a thousand lands! Japan’s nearest mainland neigh- earthquakes hit Japan every year. Ja- bors are the Siberian region of Russia pan also has about 200 volcanoes, 60 in the north and Korea and China far- of which are active. ther south. The Japanese are famous for their Almost four-fifths of Japan is covered willingness to work very hard. Chil- with mountains. The Japanese Alps run dren are taught to show respect for down the center of the largest island, others, especially parents and boss- Honshu. The highest peak is Mount es. They learn to do what’s best for Fuji, a cone-shaped volcano consid- their family or company and worry ered sacred by many Japanese. less about their own needs. 7
Most of Japan is covered by countryside. But with more than 100 million people living in such a small place, wildlife has suffered. The Japanese people have a deep af- in the world with a reigning emper- fection for the beauty of the land- or. Emperors have no real power, scape. The ancient Shinto religion but they are still revered as a sym- says natural features like mountains, bol of the country’s traditions and waterfalls, and forests have their own unity. spirits, like souls. Pollution is now tightly controlled, World War II devastated Japan’s but road building and other human economy. But the Japanese people’s activities have harmed natural habi- hard work and clever innovation tats. About 136 species in Japan are turned it around, making it the sec- listed as endangered. ond largest economy in the world. The warm Tsushima Current flows Japan’s high-tech industry makes from the south into the Sea of Japan, some of the most popular electronic where it meets a colder current from products in the world. the north. The mixing of waters makes the seas around Japan very rich in fish and other sea life. Japan is the only country 8
People first came to Japan about 30,000 years ago. At the time, the main islands were connected to Siberia and Ko- rea by bridges of dry land, so people crossed on foot. 9
Total Exploring In New Zealand A developed country, New Zealand ranks highly in international comparisons of national performance, such as quality of life, education, protection of civ- il liberties, government transparency, and economic freedom. New Zealand underwent major economic changes during the 1980s, which transformed it from a protectionist to a liberalised free-trade economy New Zealand is an island country Owing to their remoteness, the is- in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. lands of New Zealand were the last It consists of two main landmass- large habitable lands to be settled by es—the North Island (Te Ika-a- humans. Between about 1280 and Māui) and the South Island (Te 1350, Polynesians began to settle Waipounamu)—and more than 700 in the islands and then developed a smaller islands,[13] covering a to- distinctive Māori culture. In 1642, tal area of 268,021 square kilome- the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman tres (103,500 sq mi). New Zealand became the first European to sight is about 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) New Zealand. east of Australia across the Tasman Sea and 1,000 kilometres (600 mi) south of the islands of New Caledo- 10
A developed country, New Zealand Nationally, legislative authority is ranks highly in international com- vested in an elected, unicameral parisons of national performance, Parliament, while executive political such as quality of life, education, power is exercised by the Cabinet, protection of civil liberties, govern- led by the prime minister, currently ment transparency, and economic Jacinda Ardern. Queen Elizabeth II freedom. New Zealand underwent is the country’s monarch and is rep- major economic changes during the resented by a governor-general, cur- 1980s, which transformed it from rently Dame Patsy Reddy. In addi- a protectionist to a liberalised free- tion, New Zealand is organised into trade economy. The service sector 11 regional councils and 67 territo- dominates the national economy, rial authorities for local government followed by the industrial sector, and purposes. agriculture; international tourism is a significant source of revenue 11
Must visit places In New Zealand Kayaking is an amazing way to ex- perience Fiordland, allowing you to explore the quietest corners of the sounds and see rare wildlife up close. Kayaking trips in Milford Sound range from 1 hour to all day, and can be in- cluded as part of an overnight boat cruise. If you want a longer escape, Go Orange Kayaks(opens in new window) offer multi-day trips through Doubtful Sound, with ovenight camping in the widlerness.. 12
Check Beneath the green farmland of Waitomo lies a subter- out ranean maze of spectacular limestone caverns. Take a glow guided tour into the heart of the Waitomo Caves and be worms amazed by the limestone formations and huge cavern in before exiting via boat-ride under thousands of twin- kling glowworms. Waitomo 13
The Beauty Of Mountain The highest pass over the Southern Alps, Arthur’s Pass Arthur’s Pass National Park is a great spot for Most people arrive in Arthur’s Pass climbing, hiking, hunting and skiing adven- National Park by road - a spectacular tures. On the other side of the pass lies Grey- piece of extreme civil engineering in- mouth, a town steeped in gold mining history. volving viaducts, bridges, rock shel- Check out the Monteith brewery tours or take a ters and waterfalls redirected into side trip up the coast to famous Punakaiki Pan- chutes. When Arthur Dobson first cake Rocks. encountered the precipitous Otira The eastern side of Arthur’s Pass National Park Gorge, the pass was almost impass- is characterised by wide, shingle-filled riverbeds able - he had to leave his horse at the and vast beech forests. The western side of the top and lower his dog on a rope. park, where wet weather is more common than dry, has deeply gorged rivers flowing through dense rainforest. Down the middle of ‘the great divide’ is an alpine dreamland of snow-covered peaks, glaciers and scree slopes. 14
Dramatic West Coast views line the Waterfalls and river scenery popu- road between Greymouth and Hoki- late your journey as you climb up tika. Take a short detour to the beach to Haast Pass. From here, the road where you can watch waves crash snakes through Mount Aspiring and breathe salt spray air. National Park and on to the lakeside First settled in 1860, during the west town of Wanaka. coast gold rush, Hokitika still has the Wanaka is packed with restaurants, feel of a ‘frontier town’. These days it boutique shops and unique attrac- is known for pounamu (NZ jade), tions, like Puzzling World and the with specialist carving workshops quirky Paradiso Cinema. In winter, and galleries scattered throughout nearby ski fields make this a top spot the town. Further south Franz Josef for skiers and snowboarders. and Fox Glaciers are relics of the last ice age. Each is an easy walk from the road, making them some of the most accessible glaciers in the world. 15
Welcome to the Ninh Binh All Things Need To Know Before Travelling To Ninh Binh Ninh Binh is a tourist destination Such as Trang An, Tam Coc-Bich that attracts not only local tourists. Dong, Van Long lagoon, … Each Almost visitors travel to Ninh Binh Ninh Binh’s destinations all have admire the beauty and tenderness extremely different and profound of poetry. But also very spectacular characteristics, creating a highlight with a series of scenic spots. to attract more and more tourists come to visit. 16
How Ninh Binh Is Unique? If you come to this ancient land but This place is intersected by different you do not visit Trang An Ninh Binh cultures and also owns its World-Rec- tourist area. It will be indeed a huge ognizedHeritage. omission. With its spectacular scen- The ancient land of Ninh Binh was ery, Trang An is a UNESCO-recog- the capital of Vietnam in the period nized cultural heritage site so many 968 – 1010 with three dynasties. Dinh foreign tourists often want to explore dynasty, Le dynasty and Ly dynasty. this place. If you are still not sure It’s also very important military areas which Ninh Binh belongs to, the an- through historical periods. Currently, swer is that Ninh Binh is a piece of with a special position on transpor- land located between the three re- tation, terrain, cultural history and at gions of the Northwest, North Central the same time owns two world heri- and Red River Delta. It only 90km tage sites and biosphere reserves in the away from the center of Hanoi capital. world. Ninh Binh is now a hot tourist Perhaps because it is located in such a destination. Potential rich and diverse. favorable location. 17
TRAVELBEST PLACES FOR Trang An Hoa Lu Cuc Phuong Ancient Capital National Park To enjoy the view to Trang An. You will be sitting on a Hoa Lu was originally an an- It’s Vietnam’s largest Nation- boat to admire the scenery cient capital of three Viet- al Park with many endan- and sometimes go through namese dynasties. So it still gered species of plants and caves to admire the stones retains architectural features animals. Located deep in the with fancy shapes. However, from ancient times. Go to Tam Diep mountain range. according to Trang An Ninh Hoa Lu ancient capital, you Cuc Phuong National Park Binh travel experience will visit the temple of King is characterized by tropical, Dinh, King Le and other ar- green rainforest year-round. chitectural works. 18
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Trang An Cuc Phuong National Park 19
GREECE Greece is a country in southeastern Europe with thousands of islands throughout the Aegean and Ionian seas. Influential in ancient times, it’s often called the cradle of Western civilization. Athens, its capital, retains landmarks including the 5th-century B.C. Acropolis citadel with the Parthenon temple. Greece is also known for its beaches, from the black sands of Santorini to the party resorts of Mykonos. The Aegean Sea lies to the east of the mainland, the Ionian Sea to the west, the Cretan Sea and the Mediterra- nean Sea to the south About Greece Greece is a unitary parliamentary republic, and a developed country, with an advanced high-in- come economy, and a high quality of life, rank- ing simultaneously very high in the Human De- velopment Index. Its economy is the largest in the Balkans, where it is an important regional investor. A founding member of the United Na- tions, Greece was the tenth member to join the European Communities (precursor to the Euro- pean Union) and has been part of the Eurozone since 2001. It is also a member of numerous other international institutions, including the Coun- cil of Europe, the North Atlantic Treaty Organi- zation (NATO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Organi- zation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF). Greece’s unique cultur- al heritage, large tourism industry, prominent shipping sector and geostrategic importance classify it as a middle power. 20
Greece Experiences Unique things to do in Greece You’ll board your catamaran at Vly- This area features lava caves and chada’s port and enjoy drinks and a black sand beaches. As you contin- welcome treat as you make your way ue and pass charming villages, enjoy into the caldera’s lagoon. Your first scenes of the Oia’s lively ports, Fira’s stop is the scenic Red Beach, where white-washed buildings, and Ak- you can swim or snorkel in the sea. rotiri’s Venetian castle. Then, as you continue through the Your final stop is one of Santori- crater, enjoy views of White Beach, ni’s best-kept secrets: Mesa Pigadia Indian Rock, and the Venetian Beach. Here, you’ll enjoy a freshly Lighthouse. All this scenery stands prepared Greek BBQ onboard the before a lunar-like backdrop of sur- catamaran. After lunch, you’ll return real rock formations. Next, relax in to Vlychada. natural hot springs, where thermal sulfurous water from the volcano soothes your body. 21
NORWAY Norway is one of my favourite places in Europe to visit especially in the deep cold of winter and the afore mentioned glorious sunshine of summer. 22
Explore Stavanger This city is a perfect way to experience Nordic life albeit in a more intimate setting that say the capital, Oslo. It’s also got lots of fantastic little cafes and bars where you can easily spend far too many hours sipping of alcoholic Discover The UNESCO This beautifully preserved wooden houses and alleyways are a great place to spend a few hours exploring the heritage of the city. 23
Let’s Rewind For A Second: THE EXPERIENCES YOU NEED TO HAVE IN Our 48 Hour Nordics Chal- NORWAY lenge There are so many things to see and do You might remember that Yaya and when you visit the Nordics that it can be I undertook our incredibly exciting hard to pin down a select few that really 48 hour Nordic Challenge which was stand out but we have, after much debat fun-filled, action packed few days… not to mention the amount of Freia Melkesjokolade we ate along our way! Norway is an amazing to explore, with a breadth of delicious food, very friendly people and awe inspir- ing, Instagram worthy landscapes that will leave your ‘gram feed look- ing less ‘Kim Kardashian’ and more ‘National Geographic’ This trip most definitely cemented our love for Norway (and Finland, too of course) and left us on the lookout for more reasons to visit Norway! Before You Go: Save Money Planning Your Trip Every adventure needs a little plan- ning. It doesn’t have to be a big ol’ itinerary mapped out to the last sec- ond but it does help to get certain regions nailed down… particularly so you can keep travel and accom- modation costs lower. Getting to Norway is a lot easier than it’s ever been (Norwegian Airlines is doing a cracking job with the flight prices at the moment) but do plan ahead and lock those cheaper flights down! Norway is definitely one of the most expensive in Europe (totally worth it though) so another way to save money on your own adventure is to take advantage of local offers – for instance, Scandic Hotels have several offers and deals on many of their locations, that’s perfect if your looking to save on what is arguably one of the biggest travel costs – ac- commodation. The rooms are pret- ty sweet here and there are quite a few dotted across the land so you’ll have a decent range to choose from leaving you to save your money for some famous Norwegian cod… or for chocolate 24
Climb The Epic Pulpit Rocka Go Thrill Seeking With A Fjord Sa- fari Ride The Flam Railway Discover Bergen’s Secret Forest Arguably one of the prettiest train journeys in the world, the Flåms- Ride The Flam Railway bana is a 12 mile train journey in the magical and pristine land- 25 scape of Aurland in Norway. You can arrive in Bergen or Oslo and take the train from Myrdal direct- ly to the stunning fjord lined town of Flåm that will leave you breath- less. There are multiple trains going back and forth so this can make for the perfect day trip! As the train climbs over 800 me- tres, you will be transported into a whole new world (seriously – the landscape transforms from snow capped mountains as far as the eye can see to dramatic lush greenery in minutes)! It really is even more stunning than you can imagine and we can’t recommend it enough. Discover Bergen’s Secret Forest he forest is tucked in Fløyen which is the hill where you can get the best view of the city which in- volves a pretty decent hike. Thankfully, there’s also a funicular (a train of sorts) that takes you right up to the top so you can skip the hike.
Norway Polar Night Season happens every There will be no shortage of activ- year in Tromsø. It begins on No- ities available to visitors of Tromsø vember 27th and lasts until Janu- during the Polar Night Season. Of ary 15th. However, due to the high course, many people travel to Tromsø mountain ranges around the city, during the Polar Night Season in the it actually gets dark beginning No- hopes of catching a glimpse of the vember 21st until about January Aurora Borealis. For your best shot, 21st. During this time, the sun does consider booking a tour guide to not rise at all. There is a subtle twi- help you locate these stunning lights light light from about 9 AM to 2 PM, for a once in a lifetime experience. but otherwise, the city is dark. While Perhaps you are looking to get out this may sound a bit dreary, Tromsø on the water during your time in locals actually report lower levels of Tromsø. If so, you’ll be able to choose wintertime depression than expect- from a wide variety of activities in- ed which may be related to a more cluding tours of the fjords as well as positive wintertime mindset. whale watching. 26
at night It doesn’t get as cold in Norway’s Typically, the first snowfall of the Arctic as it does in neighboring season happens in September or Oc- Finland. This is due to the warmer tober, however, in recent years, this breeze coming off of the Atlantic. has been delayed. It’s good to keep However, you’ll still want to come this in mind if you are booking ac- prepared with plenty of warm layers tivities that require snow. if you’re visiting Tromsø in the win- ter. Tourists should bring a thermal Dogsledding and skiing are both base layer, a comfortable mid-layer popular activities in Tromsø, but if and a warm, water-resistant shell. they are booked too early in the sea- You’ll also want to have a number of son, there might not be enough snow cold-weather accessories to choose and you risk having your reservation from including a hat, mittens, a scarf, canceled. and warm, waterproof footwear, and socks. 27
Amsterdam The Ultimate Amsterdam Travel Blog Amsterdam features on the Spring, from April to May, is hands bucket list of travelers from down the best time to visit Amster- across the globe. More than dam. 18 million tourists visit the city each year, ranging from The weather is perfect and it is the weekend tourists to tulip Tulip season! September to No- chasers, and those who want vember is also a great time to visit to experience Dutch culture. Amsterdam as the weather is idyl- The city has fantastic infra- lic, especially to explore the canals structure and is extremely and countryside and you have fewer tourist-friendly but it is also tourists to contend with. grappling with an explosion of tourism. Summer from June to August is al- ways a fun time in Amsterdam with We have listed our top travel music concerts and summer festi- tips that have been vetted by vals. the locals to help you navi- gate the city for the first time. In winter, the city gets cold and drea- Read these Amsterdam trav- ry but airfares are cheap and you will el tips to travel cheaper, ex- have very few tourists, leaving ample plore better, and enjoy your time to explore the city’s museums time in the city (away from and indoor attractions. the tourist traps). 28
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The canal cruise Things you One of the ways to see Amsterdam is by taking a canal cruise. And yes, you need to explore those 165 canals, 1753 bridges and see Boat- houses, where some people live and where you can also stay, just have a look at AirBNB! You can book a private tour, rent a pedalo or go on a big canal cruise. The tours are well worth the money. Cheese, cheese, cheese Netherlands is known for their cheese, the most typical one be- ing Gouda. The spectrum doesn’t end there though, there is a large number of cheeses you can try like goat cheese, Boerenkaas, Maas- damer, ect. Visit one of the cheese companies stores, where you can try and explore a variety of delicious styles which will tingle your taste buds. Yummy! You can buy them in neat quantities packaged to fit for your suitcase. 30
The smallest house The tinnie tinny house is located in the old city centre, was built in 1738, is only 2.02 meters wide and 5 meters deep. Walk inside and find a shop on the ground floor and the smallest tearoom on the first floor. You can’t believe how much you can store in such a small place. One of the Amsterdams most known areas is the Red light district where barely anything is left to imagina- tion. Walk through it during the day and night, so you can experience the different vibes of the district. Are you a bit uncomfortable with the scenery? Visit one of the many cof- fee shops first! Anne Frank’s House To get a perspective on how dreadful the 2nd World War was, visit Anne Frank’s House. The museum takes you through the exhibition where Anne and her family were hiding in for two years during the war, it’s a rollercoaster of emotions and really worth taking the time for. u must experience 31
For Saving Money On Transportation In Amsterdam 1.Amsterdam is considered as the bike capital of the world and you will find cycles or ‘fiets’ everywhere in the city. You can rent a cycle for about €7 for a couple of hours or €9.50 for 24 hours at most bike rentals; however it gets cheaper renting for multiple days. 2.The I Amsterdam Card is perfect for sightseeing because it also includes free transport (bus, tram and metro) for the duration of the card. You can choose from five variants of the card – 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, 96 hours and 120 hours. 3.If you choose to travel by public transport you will have to buy a ticket or use the transport card. Make sure you validate both; in case of the card tap it on the reader in the transport. If you fail to do so and are checked you will be fined, leading to unnecessary fines! 32
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