Travel destinations in Thailand – Part 10

The air in Bangkok, Thailand’s capital is polluted for sure, but nevertheless the city will dazzle you with its glittering temples, magnificent palaces, fiesta-like markets and a kaleidoscope of tastes. To avoid the traffic and congestion, the best way to navigate Bangkok is to ride the public ferries or water taxis everywhere to the hotels, temples, food markets and shops.

The city’s most famous landmark is the Grand Palace. It is a stunning complex of buildings, which includes Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), the royal residences and government offices. You will be awed by the beautiful architecture and intricate details of these buildings.

After a day of sightseeing in Bangkok, melt away your fatigue and rejuvenate with a traditional Thai massage. Most hotels provide this service, but you can get a better price outside the hotel or at the impressive Wat Po Temple. The largest and oldest of the temples in Bangkok, it is renowned for the enormous reclining Buddha, and for its Thai Traditional Medical and Massage School. Be forewarned that there will be a lot of yanking, pulling, and kneading, but you will feel so good afterwards that you’ll want to come back for more. Besides, $15 or less for a 1 hour massage is a steal!

No trip to Bangkok is complete without a trip to the Chatuchak Weekend Market. The array of goods offered at this enormous bazaar is pretty amazing all kinds of clothing from T-shirts to silk textiles, jewelry, crafts, tools, antiques, food, and even pets! Be prepared to bargain. It doesn’t matter if you don’t speak each other’s language. The universal language is math, and calculators can do all the talking.

To get a glimpse of life in a Thai village, join a tour to the Damnoen Saduak floating market. You get to ride on one of the long-tail boats and see what products the boat vendors have to offer. Be adventurous and savor some of the exotic fruits like mangosteens, rambutans, longans or lychees. They are all delightful as are the mangoes in Thailand. Fried bananas and fried sweet potatoes are yummy too. Do not leave Thailand without sampling the ubiquitous noodle dish Pad Thai. You can get it in a food court, at a street vendor or at a restaurant.

After the frenetic pace in Bangkok, head down south to Phuket Island for some much needed R&R. A popular destination for locals and tourists alike, this island is very touristy. There is a wealth of things to do, or you could choose to do nothing at all. The

Should travelers explore their home country first or travel abroad as often as they can? – Part 1

This question has to be qualified as it depends very much where you come from. Someone from North America is likely to have a different view of that of someone in Western Europe, South Africa or Australia. Geographic location and scale of your home country can dictate whether it needs extra attention compared to the rest of the globe.

Generally speaking you would think it would make more sense to explore your home country first and learn about your personal identity but there is one factor that makes this an incorrect assumption: Age.

I live in Great Britain and am 39 years young. I have to say that with the exception of North West Scotland there is very little of this group of islands that I have yet to see. True, there are undiscovered spots such as coastline and islands, historic building and scenic views, lakes and forests that I haven’t visited yet but it’s unrealistic to see them all. I do though have the flavour of the country having travelled to every English and Welsh county and the majority of Scotland’s.

What have I done beyond these shores? Not much to be honest. I have yet to leave continental Europe with the only stamps on my passport being from France, Belgium, Holland, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Spain, Yugoslavia (as was) and Greece. That’s very nice but when you plot them on the map you realise just how little you’ve seen. What’s more, European cultures are not too dissimilar and that’s what travel is supposed to be all about – understanding how others live.

Back to the age thing…

If I’d decided to travel the world at 20-25 I wouldn’t have the commitments I do now. No young family and mortgage to support. No career and pension plan to worry about. Time constraints are not an issue so I would have no worries but which direction to head next – ‘I’m away for a year after all!’

I had the opportunity to do exactly that 10 years ago this month. My friend asked me to go on a round the world trip with him and I was very tempted. I would’ve had to have sold up but it was possible as I had no ties but I eventually declined because I was six years into a mortgage and I had a decent job I didn’t want to lose. I also didn’t fancy going back to square one 12 months later.

Do I regret this? Yes and no. I would’ve have loved to have shared my friend’s experiences. He went to the Australian outback, Mt Everest base camp, Bangkok and Thailand. He travelled across the US on Greyhound coaches and met some fabulous people – it sounded wonderful.

The reason I say ‘no’ is because within a matter of weeks of my decision not to go I met my now wife and within 18 months she had moved in, we’d got engaged and married and had our first child. How could I regret that?

You never know what life is going to throw at you so all you can do is make your judgments the best you can.

The reason age is the deciding factor of deciding when and where to tour is simply because you can do so much more when you are younger. You have energy and freedom and nothing seems impossible. Take the world route first and become a more rounded human being. Only then should you grasp the fabric of your own country which will make you realise who you really are.

Travel Tips for Thrill Seeking Vacations Abroad

Explore the wild and untouched beauty of Zimbabwe, go rafting on the Andes or explore the Thai forest on elephant back. There are endless places and ways to combine vacation with adventure.

An adventure vacation enables you to test your physical limits while also exploring the natural beauty of the great outdoors. More Americans are opting for abroad vacations that enable them to interact with the culture and environment of the country.

An adventure vacation requires you to prepare for the physical demands of the trip as well as potential emergencies that may require medical attention or even an air ambulance flight back to the US. We’ve compiled a brief list of health related tips that covers a few essentials from research to medical escort services.

Research your destination. You should find out what health and safety precautions to take. What is the political climate? Are there environmental dangers? What is the best season for your adventure vacation? Off seasons are great for pricing deals but may not be the best time for an adventure trip. For example planning a rafting trip when the waters are dangerously high.

Assess the physical demands. Don’t overestimate your physical abilities. If your trip will require 5 miles of daily walking in tough terrain you need to make sure that you’re up to the challenge. An adventure trip is not the time to begin a fitness program. If traveling with an adventure outfitter, discuss your normal fitness routine to ensure that you are in shape for the trip. Online travel forums can be an excellent resource for information from those that have “been there and done that.”

Be prepared for medical emergencies. You could experience chest pain while sitting at your desk. Imagine having that chest pain occur when you are in a foreign country. If you experience a serious illness or injury while traveling, it’s likely you will want to come home for treatment. No one wants to be hospitalized far from friends and family. An air ambulance service can transport you from a foreign hospital to a hospital in your home country. As you prepare for your trip, keep the number to a medical air transportation services with your other emergency numbers. One such number would be 800-863-0312 or 941-536-2002. If something goes wrong, you can call their 24 hour number and arrange a medflight back home.

Read the fine print on your health insurance policy. You may have coverage limitations when traveling outside the U.S. In addition, your policy may exclude coverage for injuries related to adventure sports. If your policy is not clear or you have questions, contact your insurance carrier before you leave home for clarification. You can also ask your company to respond in writing as to how they would handle an injury if it occurred.

The tips above will help you prepare in advance for potential emergencies. While we all hope to travel without incident, it’s nice to know that if you do get hurt, a medical transport plane is only a call away!

Weird travel stories

One of the most remote locations my wife and I found ourselves during our world trip was in the beautiful South East Asian country of Laos. Officially known as Lao People’s Democratic Republic, this landlocked communist state is roughly the size of England but with a population of about five million. Prior to gaining its independence in 1949, Laos was part of the French Indochina empire for over 50 years. The French control influenced the modern culture, most notably in the prevalence of fresh baguettes for breakfast, a sharp contrast to typical Asian cuisine.

My wife and I entered Laos from the Chinese border in the north, a frontier rarely crossed by tourists. The change from the modern industrialism of China to the untouched natural beauty of Laos was immediate and we knew we were entering somewhere very special. As we took the three hour jeep ride along a pot-holed mud track to the nearest town, Luang Nam Tha, we marveled at the lush scenery. We passed many small villages along the way made up of bamboo huts elevated on stilts where beautiful Laotian children ran alongside our vehicle beaming and waving at us as we bounced along. Luang Nam Tha seemed ramshackle yet there was something incredibly chilled out about the place. We would soon discover that Laos was to be the most laid back country we were to visit, as well as having the warmest and most welcoming people.

After finding a very pleasant and clean hostel we ventured into the town to find something to eat. We found a spot and were immediately taken by the menu options, which had all manner of dishes which wouldn’t be out of place in a top Thai restaurant. The functionality of the cuisine in China made for a lot of bland meals, but we were now closer to Thailand which was reflected in the plethora of coconut milk curries and spicy dishes available. A Laos staple was sticky rice which came in a small wicker basket with each dish. This was traditionally eaten by rolling it into little balls with your fingers and dipping it into sauce. During our meal we had our first taste of Beerlao. This infamous lager is owned and produced by the state, one of the few indications we were actually in a communist regime. It is difficult to get the drink outside of Laos, with Thai and Chinese beers dominating international exports, but this state-run beer has received worldwide plaudits, most notably winning Time magazine’s best Asian beer award in 2004. The praise is well deserved as sipping at our cold 640 ml

Ten Off-the-beaten-sand Beaches

Ten Off-The-Beaten-Sand Beaches

1. Konkan coast, Maharashtra, India

Pure white sand, backed by thick, lush forest, characterizes a string of gorgeous beaches running along a 370-km stretch of coast between Vasai and Vengurla. Hedvi, Velneshvar, Takarli, Harihareshwar and Ganpatipule, with its wonderful, red wooden 400-year-old temple, are among the delightful beaches awaiting the traveler ready to go the extra mile to find them. You can get to the coast from Mumbai by train or by air from Goa.

2. Nicoya peninsula, Costa Rica

Reef snorkelling, horseriding, jungle trekking and viewing the forest canopy from a zip-wire, along with the usual beach activities such as surfing, are treats on offer in this fairly remote, far northern region of Costa Rica. The wildlife is extraordinary: half a million turtles lay their eggs on the sand at Ostional beach, every two or three weeks from August to November, and the forests are full of howler monkeys, anteaters, coatis, armadillos and an array of spectacular birds, including the Resplendent Quetzal, with its shimmering green plumage, scarlet belly, white tail feathers and green tail, the rare and rapacious Harpy Eagle and over 50 species of hummingbirds and 75 different flycatchers.

3. Koh Mak, Thailand

Palm trees and the clearest of waters along a stretch of shore 25km long, as well as peace and quiet away from the crowds, are what you can expect on Thailand’s so-called ‘family island’. Set in the Gulf of Thailand, a little less than 50 km from the Cambodian coast, it’s reachable by boat from Trat on the mainland. You can stay here in a bamboo hut, a guesthouse, a thatch and rattan cottage or a good, but budget-priced hotel, and with luck you’ll see no one on the bit of beach you choose.

4. Obzor, Bulgaria

The Black Sea coast of Bulgaria has taken off lately as a destination for beach tourists, and nice and clean the beaches are too. Crowded during high season, however, they may not appeal to those who want something more secluded, who may instead look to Obzor, roughly halfway between Bourgas and Varna, where the E87 highway emerges from forested hills into a brief, open coastal stretch. Despite its convenient location and 6-km-long sandy beach (the largest between Golden Sands and Sunny Beach), this remarkably pleasant spot can be almost yours for the taking, even during peak season.

5. Vik, Iceland

Not a place for sunlovers, the remarkable, 10-km-long, black-sand beach at Vik was named one of the ten most beautiful beaches on Earth by Islands magazine in 1991. It is no less beautiful now, with its setting on the crisp-coloured south coast of Iceland, its bird visitors from a nearby colony and the Reynisdrangar, black lava columns sculpted by the sea, nicknamed The Three Trolls. The sea off this coast is rather wild and stormy: even in summer, it feels cold, it looks cold, it even sounds cold! But it is a marvel and a place of glorious seclusion.

6. Ile Sainte Marie, Madagascar

Ile Sainte Marie is a granite island 57 km long and lies 8 km off the eastern coast of mainland Madagascar. Frequented by pirates between the 17th and 18th centuries, it is now a tourist destination, with enchanting beaches, bordered by coconut palms and backed by rainforest. A long, white beach at Pointe des Cocotiers features a marvelous tropical garden and a 20-bungalow hotel. On the eastern coast’s peninsula of Amphanihy are more beautiful beaches. Between July and September, the island is a fabulous place for viewing humpback whales, which pass through the channel that separates the island from the mainland between July and September. Go later in the year, October to December, and you can enjoy scuba diving near two wrecks. This tropical paradise has one significant drawback: it rains a lot, even in the ‘dry’ season.

7. Wild Coast, South Africa

Relatively untouched, the Wild Coast of Eastern Cape is a well-named wild and rocky, typically African haven, where waterfalls tumble into the sea along a stretch of nearly 100km. Its beaches, open spaces and pristine forest areas provide an opportunity for the adventure traveller to discover a variety of leisure options, including fishing, abseiling, snorkelling, diving and trekking in the hinterland. Tourist accommodation is sparse but intimate, which helps to guarantee a memorable holiday there.

8. Angra dos Reis, Brazil

Tourism is highly developed here, but then with a mainland coastline and 365 islands to choose from, you are always bound to find a wonderful beach to yourself, with pristine waters perfect for swimming – among rainbow-coloured fish, if you like – or scuba diving. The town is 151 km from Rio de Janeiro, from where you can take a coach day tour. Better still, stay in the town and do your own exploring of the 2000 beaches. If you can’t find one to suit you, you’re not looking.

9. Hilton Dahab Resort Beach, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt

OK, you won’t be the first to discover it, but if you want nothing more than a beautiful beach at a comfortable resort with a quiet, remote, end-of-the-world atmosphere, this beach may be the place for you. The mountains of Arabia face you across the water, and the beach itself offers good opportunities for swimming and snorkelling.

10. Cote de Massa, Morocco

A 90-km strip of golden beaches between Agadir and Tiznit, this coast is still almost untouched, with just one recently opened hotel, sited on the dunes that rise away from the sea. To the far right of the beach at Sidi Moussa d’Aglou, there are three prehistoric fishermen’s cave dwellings, but you need to be pretty hardy to visit them. Beware: strong currents make swimming hazardous. The wetland reserves of Souss-Massa National are within near reach.

Travel destinations: South East Asia

The unbelievable smells rising from the markets in Bangkok, riding an Elephant in Cambodia, a bit of Bali belly in Indonesia and the sophisticated night life of Singapore – sit down, buckle up and hold on tight, South East Asia is going to blow your mind and your only one flight away from it.

South East Asia traditionally encompasses the countries of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. From a simple 7 day package to 12 months overlanding, it has been a popular adventure route for many decades. South East Asia came to fame during the sixties when young hippies would travel to Asia for spiritual enlightenment. Once there, they would find civilisations untouched by modern tourism and rough sultry cities full of life, culture and spirituality.

Today, modern South East Asia still offers a range of experiences, perhaps not as rugged as it once was, it can still offer exciting off the beaten track experiences. From five star opulent resorts in Bali and Phuket, to the spiritual hideouts of Chiang Mai in Thailand, there is something to meet everyone’s needs. With such a diverse area it would be ignorant to write an article based on a particular experience as it can differ extremely depending on the travelling style and what experiences you wish to fulfil. However with a general overview of the expectations, one may travel to the area with an understanding of what can be expected.

Eating in South East Asia will tantalise your taste buds, make your stomach twist in anguish and make you laugh in hysterics. However food is paramount to Asian lifestyle and there is no quicker way to meet the locals then to sitting down to a bowl of noodles from a local street vendor. The choices will be endless; from a spicy Tom Yum soup in Thailand to Singapore Noodles, or if your really adventurous, crickets and duck embryos in Cambodia. Make sure your food is cooked well and a good hint is to eat where the locals are, as it’s generally a good sign of the quality of the food.

Travelling through South East Asia can either be a highlight or a nightmare depending on how you approach it. With the exception of Singapore and Malaysia, the buses or trains will never leave on time, the air conditioning won’t be working and there is a chance you will have a chicken on your lap. You can both smile and strike up a conversation with the chicken’s owner, or cry and loose face in front of the people who do this day in and day out. Transport can also

Thailand Land of Smiles

The country s name was Siam until June 24th 1939 then again in 1945 until 11th May 1949. The word Thai means freedom in the Thai language.

Thai boxing muay thai is the national sport in Thailand there are two venues in Bangkok for this sport Ratchadamnoen Stadium and Lumphini Stadium. The muay thai institute was founded in 1997. However association football has taken over muay thai position as most widely viewed and liked sport in Thailand.

Thai cuisine blends five fundamental tastes spicy sour sweet salty and bitter. Some common ingredients used in Thai cuisine are lemon grass garlic lime juice fish sauce and chillies. The staple food in Thailand is rice which is included in many meals. Thai is the largest rice exporter of rice in the world over 5000 varieties of rice from Thailand are stored in rice gene banks.

There are numerous Thai Chinese and English newspapers in circulation and Thailand is the largest newspaper marker in South East Asia.
Thailand has more visitors than any other country in South East Asia.It has many temples and ruins of ancient kingdoms, breathtaking beauty and robust cuisine. Thailand is know as the land of smiles offering something for every travellers and is a sightseer paradise.

Nakhon Pathom is regarded as the oldest city in Thailand and is home to the tallest Buddhist monument in the world. In the south you will discover waterfalls lakes limestone cliffs caves and lots of wildlife.

Bangkok
Bangkok is divided by the Chao Phraya River and is one of the biggest cities in the world. Bangkok has the glittering nightlife and colourful markets. Explore the city by visiting the Grand Palace.
Bangkok has a modern monorail called the sky train and an underground system. The national transport for Thais is the tuk-tuk. There is also long tail boats for island hopping. Trains and coaches link Bangkok with other main cities.

Thailand have monsoons in July and last until late November (rainy season). They can be uncomfortably and sticky. Next is the dry cool time from November until February then comes the higher temperature from March until June. The best time to visit is February to March. If you visit in the low season the rates are cheaper and the rooms cheap.

Thai currency is the Baht. The main language is Thai but English is commonly used.

A visa is not needed if your stay is for 30 days but your passport must be valid for at least 6 months.

International Travel: Sights To See

Some of the world’s best places to see outside the USA are listed below.
First Australia is the global tourist’s favorite for its beautiful beaches, cosmopolitan cities, Great Barrier Reef, vast outback countryside, adventure sports and unique wildlife. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth are Australia’s largest cities, where most holiday makers arrive. In Australia, you can go scuba diving in the Indian or Pacific Oceans, watch cricket, play beach volleyball or go bungee jumping. Experience the wildlife of Australia like koalas and the ubiquitous kangaroo. On a trip to Australia you can learn about the native Aborigine people.

China is not be missed. Sights worth seeing are the historic palaces of the Forbidden City in Beijing, modern cities of Shanghai and Hong Kong, the sandy expanses of the Gobi Desert, the Terracotta Warriors of Xian and the Great Wall of China. Don’t miss the rare Giant Pandas in the forest, try delicious Chinese cuisine, and bargain for traditional Chinese silks, which were transported by camel caravan along the famous Silk Route from ancient India. Travel to Tibet, the rooftop of the world. [URL="http://www.etravelforum.com"]Travel Forum[/URL]

Thailand is one of the most visited tourist destinations in South Asia. Famous for its tropical beaches, pleasant climate, Buddhist pagodas, and friendly people, Thailand is a popular destination for honeymooners, surfers, and backpackers in search of an exotic holiday. The vibrant city of Bangkok, the beaches at Phuket, Pattaya and Ko Samui and the temples at Ayuthaya and Chiang Mai, are popular tourist destinations in Thailand. Thai Cuisine is another delicious attraction that draws tourists to this beach country.

Italy is famous for its art and architecture, its museums and historic cities, sunny Mediterranean climate and Italian food and wine. Italy has many attractions these include Vatican City; the Forum, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, churches, museums, cafes and restaurants in Rome; the canals and Piazza San Marco in Venice; the Renaissance art and architecture of Florence and Naples; the historic cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum; the fashion capital of Milan, and the scenic Amalfi coastline. Rome is a destination with many attractions for lovers of art, culture and beauty.

Argentina is a beautiful country in South America, with graceful colonial buildings, the rolling pampas grasslands, pleasant climate and warm people. Attractions of Argentina include the cobbled streets, restaurants and café’s of Buenos Aires, the colonial architecture of Cordoba, the beaches at Mar del Plata, the expansive pampas grasslands and the stunning Iguazu Waterfall surrounded by tropical rainforest.

The spectacular scenery of New Zealand includes lovely beaches, thick forest, rolling hills, steep fiords, bubbling geysers and volcanic mountain peaks. New Zealand’s unique wildlife such as the Kiwi, the native Maori culture and the opportunities for adventure sports makes New Zealand one of the world’s best travel destinations.

Kenya is located in East Africa, at the base of the horn of Africa. Its capital is Nairobi. It is known as the birthplace of humanity, Kenya is famous for its magnificent wildlife sanctuaries, ancient Swahili culture, beaches and coral reefs. Amboseli, Masai Mara, Tsavo and Mt Kenya National Parks are worth seeing on your trip to Kenya. The busy city of Nairobi, the Rift Valley landscape and Lake Magadi are a must on your travel itinerary. http://www.etravelforum.com

Top Ten Travel Tips – Part 1

Planning for and travelling to a trip abroad can be tiring and stressful. To help relieve those holiday worries we’ve put together our top 10 travel tips, so you can make the most of your time away.

1. Make sure you have a signed, valid passport and visas, if required.

Imagine, you’re at the airport, you’re about to check in, and you notice your passport has expired! Your holiday is over before it’s even begun. Avoid this disappointment by ensuring your passport is up to date. In most cases you’ll find that your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay. If you don’t have a passport, your current passport has expired or is close to expiration, we recommend applying for one now. In the UK it is recommended that you leave at least a month between applying for your passport and arranging travel – this time period may be longer in other countries. Also bear in mind that during summer months your passport office will be inundated with applications, and this may cause a backlog. Be sure to apply for your new passport in plenty of time if you wish to travel during this period.

Also consider the length and type of your trip. Many countries require that you hold a valid visa to work or take an extended stay, and you may find that you are breaking your host county’s laws without one.

2. Read the Consular Information Sheets, public announcements or travel warnings for the areas you plan to visit.

Be sure to read up on the areas you plan to visit with these resources to help ensure your personal safety and make the most of your trip.

3. Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the countries to which you are travelling.

The last thing any of us want while enjoying our travels is to be seen as an obnoxious tourist. We all know the type, and it’s not a good look. This can be easily avoided by finding out about the customs of the country you intend to visit – perhaps even learn a bit of the lingo. Some knowledge along these lines will surely be welcomed by the locals and will help you to enjoy your surroundings that little bit more. Also ensure you’re aware of any differences in local law to your home country, as when you are abroad you are subject to the rules of your host country, and ignorance is rarely accepted as an excuse.

4. Make 2 copies of your passport identification page.

This will help if your passport is lost or stolen while you are away – usually a complete nightmare, but made so much easier just by following this little tip. Leave one copy at home with friends or family, and carry the other with you in a separate place to your passport. Do NOT carry it with your passport.

5. Leave contact details with friends and family so that you can be contacted in case of emergency.

Life at home doesn’t stop while you’re away, and you may need to be quickly contacted by friends or family should there be an emergency. Make sure they can do this by leaving your travel details (address & telephone number of your accommodation, email address & travel itinerary) with selected friends and family.

6. Do not leave your luggage unattended in public areas. Do not accept packages from strangers.

With all the security measures currently in place in public areas such as airports and train stations it is essential to ensure that you keep hold of your luggage at all times. If you’re asked to hold an item for a stranger, politely decline.

7. Avoid being a target of crime. Avoid wearing conspicuous clothing and expensive jewellery, and carrying excessive amounts of money, credit cards or gadgets.

Travellers and tourists are obvious targets for foreign criminals – they usually stick out like a sore thumb and carry plenty of cash and gadgets such as digital cameras, camcorders & iPods. Reduce your chances of being a victim by dressing appropriately and only taking what you need – travellers cheques are much safer than cash, and if you wish to take any pictures or listen to music while you’re out, keep your devices out of reach and out of site!

8. To avoid violating local laws, deal only with authorized agents when exchanging money or making sizable purchases.

The old adage is right – it something’s too good to be true, it usually is. If you’re offered an amazing exchange rate or investment opportunity from a stranger with no credentials, walk away. Even if they seem able to prove their identity or position, remain cautious, and trust your instincts – get out if you feel at all uneasy.

9. If you get into trouble, contact the nearest embassy for your country.

Your county’s embassy is the place to turn if you find yourself a victim of crime or in trouble with the law. If you are a citizen of the EU and your country does not have an embassy, contact the nearest EU member embassy and request guidance from them. Many of them will provide some level of assistance in an emergency.

10. Above all, have fun!

With all the planning that is required for a successful holiday, it can be easy to get bogged down and forget to have fun and relax! With some simple preparation before you go, you can enjoy your holiday with minimum fuss while there. You deserve a break – make sure you get it!

3 Hot Philippines Travel Tips

When traveling to any other country, may it be the Philippines or Holland or Zimbabwe, you’re sure to come across all kinds of hassles and obstacles that could give you a pressing headache and make you wish that you’re back at home sweet home. But it’s really not necessary to go all through that with the right amount of preparation and research. When traveling to another country, you should always expect the unexpected and make sure you have a contingency plan for each situation you might find yourself in. And in your trip to the Philippines, here are a few suggestions you could take to make your trip to the Philippines hassle free.

Philippine Travel Tip #1 – Weather This, Weather That
When you’re in Dubai, you’re sure to expect extreme heat during the day and extreme cold during the night. In the Philippines, however, there are no extremities in temperature to watch out for. If you’re going to travel to the Philippines between the months of March till May, be sure to bring lots of light clothes because it’s the hot and dry season. During the months of June till October, it’s the rainy season that would greet you on your Philippine travel. Lastly, the months of November till February are possibly the best times of the year to travel in the Philippines because it’s cool but dry. But to be more specific, if you want your trip to the Philippines unmarred by the occasional typhoon, set your travel date between the middle of December till mid-May.

Philippine Travel Tip #2 – Everything’s Within A Call Away?
Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, is also dubbed as the texting capital of the world because everyone, and I do mean everyone, has got a cellphone – or two! – in their name. That’s why if you’re lost, you need not worry about looking for the nearest public phone because cellphones are able to work in almost all places in the Philippines. Quite a convenient thing for anyone traveling, isn’t it?

Philippine Travel Tip #3 – Party Time!
One of the most unique and enjoyable experiences you could have when you travel to the Philippines is being part of the fiesta season. The whole town or city usually participates in a fiesta and each and every house is open to all, natives and foreigners alike. Filipino delicacies are prepared in each household and colorful banners are hung everywhere so that you’d know when there’s a fiesta going on. You could also try participating in one of the native games that’s usually played like climbing a tree slick with oil or being blindfolded and try hitting the “palayok” or pot filled with candies and coins for children.

Next Page »