the Travel Enthusiast
- 16 Marevike14 in Travel Planning | NO COMMENTS
Visit sacred sites in India
Varanasi, India
Four of the major religions in the world were born in India, so is it any surprise that you can stumble upon a sacred or religious site anywhere you look? Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism have played a huge role in India’s culture and history, and the many religious sites scattered all over the country are more than just pretty attractions, they are part of people’s lives.
Travelers looking to discover the culture of India will have their work cut out for them, because this country has more interesting sacred site than probably any other place in the world. Visit sacred sites in India for an unforgettable trip. …
- kachou_n in Amazing Places | NO COMMENTS
5 great destinations in Belgium
The gorgeous city center of Leuven
The country of chocolate and medieval architecture, of equal rights and waffles is known around the world mostly for the controversies it sometimes causes, and for a having a rather shady history in the colony. Belgium is not the first country one things of when mentioning Europe and tourism in the same sentence, but in fact Belgium has lots of great sights with which to lure in visitors, not counting its delicious desserts.
The country if far from being a boring and stuffy headquarter for the EU, and it has a surprisingly rich and diverse heritage. The cities are intriguing, the countryside is heavenly, what more could you wish for? Here are 5 great destinations in Belgium. …
- 14 Mar
Backpacking in Vietnam
Vietnam, Halong Bay, photo by Joseph Hunkins
Read a short summary of Vietnam’s history and what you’ll find is far from being a pleasant read. But for a country whose most recent and most horrific war ended a scant three and a half decades ago, Vietnam is remarkably fun, light-hearted and welcoming.
Like many of its Southeast Asian neighbors, Vietnam is a popular backpacking destination, where travelers with not much money but with a thirst for new sights and experiences have have the trip of a lifetime. The cities are a flurry of activity, the countryside is scenic beyond belief and the culture is fascinating. If you want an exotic holiday, or the craziest adventure you’ve ever experienced, try backpacking in Vietnam. …
- itachan in Amazing Places | NO COMMENTS
The natural wonders of Turkey
Pamukkale, photo by Esther Lee on Flickr
Turkey has become one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations in the past few decades, and whenever anyone talks about the appeals of Turkey there will be mentions of bazaars, hookah bars, kebabs and a wealth of historical and archaeological sites.
But as interesting as Turkish culture is, the natural beauty of the country also plays a part in attracting tourists. Turkey is surrounded on three sides by sea and one side by mountains, so it is graced with a nice climate and some interesting quirks of nature. While exploring Turkish culture and its delights, take some time to check out some of the natural wonders of Turkey as well. …
- papillon in Amazing Places | NO COMMENTS
Visiting the oldest cities in the world
Luxor
It might seem almost strange that the neon colored jungles that are modern big cities could be anything but brand new, and living completely in the present.
But most cities don’t need to look old in order to be old, and while you might be walking down a newly paved alley fringed with modern cafes and restaurants, it’s possible that others have walked on the same streets a few millennia ago. …
- 13 Martibi60 in Amazing Places | NO COMMENTS
Bhutan’s scenic monasteries
Taktsang Monastery, photo by taxidesign on Flickr
Bhutan is a tiny patch of land lodged between Tibet and India, two nations that get significantly more international attention, and lots more tourists too. But Bhutan has its fair share of enthusiast despite not being part of the mainstream resort circuit.
For a backpacker or an indie traveler, Bhutan is a treasure trove of natural beauty and cultural experiences, and one of the last remaining places in Asia that can truly be called unspoiled.
One might say that Bhutan is poor, but in a country where they actually have something called an indicator of Gross National Happiness it is easy to find things that are more important than luxurious hotels and resorts. Discover the beauty of Bhutanese culture and nature by visiting some of Bhutan’s scenic monasteries. …
- 12 Martylerd in Travel Planning | NO COMMENTS
A traveler’s guide to the Northern Mariana Islands
photo by ctsnow on Flickr
The Northern Mariana Islands are either a tourist’s paradise, or a nightmare, depending on how you travel. This Micronesian archipelago is not the typical tropical island paradise with abandoned beaches and interesting local culture, or at least not anymore, and not in a very obvious way.
The Mariana Islands are often seen as a package tour machine, where there is little authentic culture left and all most of the island’s assets have been mobilized for the benefit of tourism. If you are looking for a package tour destination with giant hotels and some good scuba diving spots, you will love these islands, but even if you travel independently there’s no reason to completely dismiss them.
If you travel off season and avoid the heavily touristy areas, you can find historical sites and quiet beaches. Here is a traveler’s guide to the Northern Mariana Islands, if you’re wondering what you can expect. …
- andra88 in Travel Planning | NO COMMENTS
Top 5 most gigantic hotels in the world
Luxor Las Vegas, photo by Steve Cadman on Flickr
Imagine thousands upon thousands of rooms in one single building, with bathrooms, hallways, bars and restaurants in tow. Sounds bigger than anything humanity has ever built? Buildings capable of housing a small town are not a figment of the imagination, but pure reality. Buildings of such a size are obviously not family homes, but sprawling hotels in some of the biggest and busiest cities of the world.
As a guest lodging in a hotel this big, you would need some very good maps, but if you are ever in the situation of not being able to find the exit in some of the top 5 most gigantic hotels in the world, at least you’ll have the certainty that they are a beautiful place to get lost in. …
- 11 Martylerd in Travel Planning | 2 COMMENTS
The best hiking trails in Asia
Tiger Leaping Gorge, photo by Hector Garcia on Flickr
From the tallest mountains in the world to the most idyllic tropical islands, Asia has it all. The sheer geographical diversity of the continent is incredible, and naturally the scenery can be more beautiful than you thought you could imagine.
So it figures that Asia would be chock full of opportunities for hiking, climbing and trekking, and it’s a wonder that any of the routes are ever free of eager travelers.
Hiking is not all about physical effort and pushing your boundaries, but also about discovering natural wonders small or large, animals, plants and minerals, and getting a bit closer to nature than you were at the start. These trails can do just that and so much more – here are some of the best hiking trails in Asia. …
- 10 Mar
Adventure travel in Ukraine
Kiev
For many travelers, Ukraine is like a blank spot on the map, remembered for past disasters or political unrest. But for those who have visited it, Ukraine is a treasure trove of mystery, adventure, and most of all, culture.
As a former Russian country, Ukraine has a fair number of cities brimming with chunky Soviet architecture, grandiose monuments, and gloomy grey forests of apartment blocks.
But Ukraine also has incredible scenery that remained out of the grasp of mainstream tourism, with few facilities and hard to find – that is, Ukraine has the perfect setting for an adventure. With the country’s dramatic landscapes and many natural wonders, adventure travel in Ukraine is some of the best you could find anywhere. …
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