Most U.S. car rental agreements do not allow you to drive the car across international borders. Additionally, your U.S. car insurance rarely covers international car rentals, so you will likely want to purchase insurance from the rental company at the time of rental.
Credit card companies may help here, as most do offer coverage in many international destinations. Read More …
Kathmandu, the capital and largest city in Nepal, is like no other city in the world. The decaying buildings in the heart of the city are a contrast to the lively atmosphere that permeates the streets. The smell of incense wafts from the stores while street sellers push their wares, and people go about their daily lives, all against a backdrop of historic temples and carved statues. For several hundred years, Kathmandu was one of three rival royal cities, along with Bhaktapur and Patan. Situated in close proximity to each other, today these three almost run together. The highlight of Kathmandu has long been Durbar Square, the largest of the palace squares in the three royal cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Temples and monuments of varying shapes, sizes, styles, and faiths can be found here.
Top advices : The best views are in the morning (at least when we were there). The clouds roll in quickly and obscure the panoramas, so take your photos early. You can see Everest from a few points on the Everest Base Camp trek. From Namche Bazaar and at Tengboche are two awesome sites. Take your photos early for memories to last forever.
Stay Out of the Sun Whenever Possible. The higher you go up in altitude, the lower the levels of UV Protection you are getting. Some days on the trail, the sun can be brutal, giving you solar radiation from its powerful rays. Staying out of the sun is not only good for minimizing those pesky wrinkles and avoiding skin cancer, but it can also improve your chance of being successful on the trek. When you get sunburned you become dehydrated, and back to the tip of keeping yourself hydrated, being dehydrated can cause all sorts of problems in the mountains and eventually limiting your chance of success. Of course, when you are walking during the day, there may be no cover from those potent rays, but you need to take as much care as possible to minimize those harsh emissions. The first way to protect yourself if by applying a factor 50 sunblock throughout the day. The mountain is not the place to top up that holiday tan you are hoping to bring back to work with you on your return home, when you get back to Kathmandu after the climb, you can do as you please, but while in the mountains, you need to block those harmful rays from your skin. The second way of protecting yourself is to always wear your goofy looking, yet extremely important, sun hat. Get yourself a light weight, brimmed sunhat to wear on days when the sun is shining and you will save yourself from some of the dreaded headaches you so adamantly want to avoid. Read more on Himalaya trekking.
We recommend : Give Yaks and Sherpa’s the right of way at all times. When a yak train comes, move to the mountainside to get out of the way. You don’t want to be nudged off a cliff by a yak. Sherpa’s and porters work hard on Everest, they are constantly taking supplies up and down the mountain. Help make their life easier by staying out of their way.
Don’t Carry too Much – When you arrive in Kathmandu we will provide you with a duffel bag that porters will carry for you on the mountain. You just need to carry a day pack with the things you need during the day as you won’t have access to your duffel until you reach the tea house in the evening. Make sure to carry your valuables, prescriptions, extra layers, rain gear, water, camera, snacks and sunblock as well as mole skin or duct tape in case of blisters. Don’t overpack your day pack and your trekking will be easier. If you’re feeling bad about having someone carry your stuff consider that your porter probably travelled several days from his village just to get to Lukla so he could get some work and take care of his family. The money you spend on salaries and the tips are an important part of the local economy.
At Adventure Great Himalaya Treks & Expeditions, we believe in responsible tourism and giving back to the community. Adventure Great Himalaya Treks & Expeditions has always taken a pro-active stance to combat some of society’s issues, which is why we also run various charity programs to help and support poor rural villages that are deprived of proper healthcare facilities, including sanitation, hygiene, and safe drinking water. Adventure Great Himalaya Treks & Expeditions has also played an active part in providing schools with educational materials along with raising awareness on the need to protect the environment and the beautiful, thick forests of Nepal from deforestation. This commitment has become an integral part of our company’s philosophy and the way we do business. More info on https://www.adventuregreathimalaya.com/.
Northern Europe and especially Denmark is an amazing travel destination. Sweden’s Ice Hotel – There is truly nothing else like it. The hotel contains 70 deluxe suites all kept at 23 degrees Fahrenheit. Not only is it a hotel, but it’s an art exhibit made of ice from the river Torne. Every year it is recreated for the public’s eye. You can choose to check it out or brave the night in a suite and if you’re worried about freezing in your sleep, not to worry you will be bundled up in a heavy duty sleeping bag covered in reindeer skins. Read More …
Although officially part of the Angkor complex, Banteay Srei lies 25 km (15 miles) north-east of the main group of temples, and therefore often considered a separate Cambodia attraction. The temple was completed in 967 AD and is built largely of red sandstone, a medium that lends itself to the elaborate decorative wall carvings which are still clearly visible today. Banteay Srei is the only major temple at Angkor not built for a king, instead it was constructed by one of king Rajendravarman’s counselors, Yajnyavahara. Read More …
The luxuriously appointed, privately owned “Rocky Mountaineer” runs between Calgary (or Jasper) and Vancouver, cutting westward on the historic Canadian Pacific line through the soaring mountain wall of the Rockies. At Canmore, providing the weather is good, there is a fine view of the snow-capped “Three Sisters.” Soon afterwards, the popular winter resort of Banff is reached. Other highlights on this mountainous section (where peaks top 3,600 meters) include Lake Louise, Kicking Horse Pass, and Rogers Pass. Read More …
How do you know if you’ll be OK with a home swap? ‘It’s a gut feeling. It does boil down to having someone you have never physically met in your home. To help minimize your concerns, consider that prior to the exchange there will be extensive discussion of the swap. Read More …
Udawalawe National Park Being located on the boundary of Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces of Sri Lanka. Udawalawe National Park is situated about 200 km south-east of Colombo. You can easily reach Udawalawa National Park from Colombo via Rathnapura – Pelmadulla – Colombage Ara – Thanamalwila Road and access to Udawalawe park entrance. Read More …
Prospecting the best luxury holiday and you need to book tours for a luxury trip at affordable prices ? Here is a checkpoint list :
What’s better than crossing the ocean in upper class? Fly business or first class in a sleeper seat – even your own mini-suite – and arrive rested and refreshed. It almost guarantees expedited boarding, nice wine, a tasty meal, and a few hours of shuteye. If you really want to be spoiled then book yourself on Emirates’ A380 aircraft from New York to Milan in an indulgent first class suite with privacy doors, its own personal mini bar, meals served on Royal Doulton bone china, and access to one of the two on-board showers stocked with Bvlgari toiletries and organic Voya products. Read More …
Sri Lanka is a small country, yet teemed with wildlife. It has 26 national parks, The most famous ones are Yala National park, Wilpattu National Park, Udawalawe National Park and Minneriya National park. Holding Eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Sinharaja Forest biosphere reserve, designated by UNESCO. It covers only a small portion of the island, 88.64 km2 to be precise, but they’re home to half of all endemic and native species in Sri Lanka, including elusive cats and slender loris.
When it comes to wildlife tours, Sri Lanka is most famous for majestic Asian elephant and leopards, (one of the five “big cats”). Sri Lanka holds the world record for highest leopard density in the world, here leopard are super large since they are the highest ranking formidable predators in Sri Lanka, they have evolved more like a jaguar with more muscular, more powerful may be even more powerful than a jaguar, they roam National parks proudly with no idea of fear whatsoever. Not to mention Sri Lanka has the highest density of elephants in Asia. Also World largest elephant gathering happens here in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lank attractions include :
See mystic caves adorned with alluring frescoes and elaborately carved statues at the ancient Dambulla Cave Temple, featuring over 150 stunning Buddha statues and religious artworks created over 2,000 years ago and beautifully preserved. Various kings have contributed to this magnificence over the centuries, and King Nissanka Malla had the cave interiors gilded thus earning the temple earned its name, Rangiri Dambulu (Golden Temple of Dambulla), now an UNESCO World Heritage site.
Ever seen hundreds of majestic tuskers frolicking about at one spot? The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is truly astounding. At this place that cares for wild orphaned elephants, visitors are treated to sights of these playful giants bathing in the river, while a lucky few will even get the chance to bottle feed some adorable young ones.
The main attraction is Wilpattu National Park, i visited it with help from https://www.go4safari.com/, a travel experts agency specialized in Sri Lanka tours,
Wilpattu means ‘natural lakes’ in Sinhala and ’10 lakes’ in Tamil and lakes are exactly what you’ll find at Wilpattu National Park. Visitor numbers remain low, even in high season, which gives Wilpattu a genuine sense of wilderness. On the flip side, however, the dense forest and general skittishness of the animals means that actually sighting wildlife is less of a sure thing than in the country’s more-visited parks. This is a place for the more dedicated safari-goer.
The largest of Sri Lankas national parks at 1,085 square kilometres, Wilpattu National Park (Land of Lakes) is now enjoying a renaissance following the declaration of peace in the country; opening its doors to visitors again after 16 years of closure, with a new visitor centre established in 2003. Before visitor numbers fully return to Wilpattu (it was at one point the most visited of all Sri Lankas parks), it remains a relatively uncrowded and unhurried park filled with a network of Villu reservoirs, dense scrub jungle and grass-covered clearings.
Why is Greece so special?
What makes the region so special?
With 6,000 islands, 4,000 years of history, great hospitality and scrumptious food. Only in Greece! That’s why Greece is a paradise for yacht owners, and if you are a yach owner you also need a Greece yacht charter.
A Feast for the Senses
Mediterranean Cuisine includes the cuisines of all the countries that border the Mediterranean Sea.
Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Syria, Israel, Egypt, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia and Morocco.
French and Italian foods are so well known in America, its almost like we dont think of them as Mediterranean anymore, even though they are, especially Italy, which as a peninsula is virtually surrounded by the Mediterranean. Though French and Italian foods and to a lesser extent Greek foods have carved out distinct niches of Mediterranean cuisines, Tunisian, Turkish, Lebanese, Morrocan, Egyptian, Spanish cuisine is all Mediterranean cuisine.
Greece Yacht Charter
The best way to see Greece is with your own chartered yacht. The magic of a yacht is that it is an island in itself and you can see things that are impossible to visit otherwise. There are many places in Greece that are not accessible by road or by any other means than by yacht, and these are the most magical places that a person can visit.
Which areas should I visit on a yacht?
There are just so many islands and each one has its own character.The Cyclades group of islands is the popular yachting area because they have everything there. The Cyclades comprise about 220 islands, the major ones being Delos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros and Santorni. Mykonos is of course a famous island popular for it’s nightlife and entertainment. During August the Ionian group of Islands is less windy with calmer seas so it is more relaxed area. Consisting of seven islands with the most populat known as Corfu, Paxos, Lefkas and Cythera.
Instead of mooring in a particular marina, you can sail to a secluded cove around the corner where you can moor in all privacy. Then you wake in the morning to discover an unbelievable bay that is completely unique and unspoilt, ready for you to explore.
The most superyachts with charter rates above 200,000 per week are based in Athens which is one reason why Greece is the most popular yacht charter destination in the world.
It is impossible in a lifetime to see everything in Greece. Therefore experience the life on an island and explore it in its entirety as every island will offer an unique experience to the visitor.
Hospitality
Xenia is a Greek word which means friendship towards the foreigner. It is rooted deep inside the culture of the Greek people who take pride in welcoming their visitors to offer you their best food and wine with generous hospitality. We are always astonished at just how far the Greeks will go to take special care of their guests. I would recommend picking up a Greek language book to learn a few Greek words. They are proud of their language and culture and it always means a great deal if you greet them with the word Yassas.
Geography
Greek geography is as varied as you might imagine. From brilliant white roofs cut against wonderful ravishing blue skies to astonishing sunsets over crystal clear azure waters. The Greeks were historically a sea-faring nation, largely because of the numerous deep water bays in the Greek archipelago that could harbor their ships. These small bays make for a wonderful place to go for a swim or snorkeling where youre always be rewarded with tranquility. The only way to visit these secluded bays is with a private yacht charter.
Greece is filled with many archaeological sites, ancient ruins and buildings that easily date back to the turn of the century. Many of these are very well protected and restored and are a great tourist attraction. The Greeks are very proud of their remarkable history. After all, they gave us modern philosophy and democracy.
Affordability
Greece is not only beautiful with its ocean landscapes, distinct architecture, and delectable food, but its also incredibly affordable. Things cost half what they do in other parts of Europe. As one of the continents most popular destinations during the summer times, people from around the world flock to its famous islands for the sun, and to the cities for the history. I love Greece. Its warm, its cheap, it has delicious food, rugged, windswept but relaxing islands, and lively and friendly locals. Its the perfect summer destination. Everything you have ever seen or heard about Greece is true and I highly recommend you spend some extended time here. Also, try to get off the islands and into the interior as its mostly free of crowds!
Greece is one of the most popular world travelling destinations and for good reason!