Easter traditions around the world

Even if you’re not a particularly religious person, you’ve probably celebrated Easter at some point in your life. And besides its religious meaning, Easter is always a great opportunity to visit friends and family, eat loads of home cooked food and generally be merry.

But Easter is also a great time for traveling, especially if you are planning to go to countries where Easter is celebrated in a completely different way. Easter traditions around the world vary a great deal, despite the fact that the essence of the holiday is the same. Here are some interesting Easter traditions from around the world. …

10 things you probably didn’t know about Orlando

Orlando is a great tourist destination, especially if there’s still a bit of childishness left in your weathered traveler heart. The city has quite a few gardens and museums, but clearly the major attractions are the many theme parks, shopping centers and the great nightlife.

Even if you are tempted to think that you’re too old for attractions like Ripley’s Believe it or Not, Disneyland or the Discovery Cove, but you’ll be missing a lot of fun if you don’t go.  But don’t be deceived into thinking that this is all there is to Orlando, just like any other cities, it has its little quirks and secrets. Here are 10 things that you probably didn’t know about Orlando. …

A short guide to slum tourism

Slum tourism is one of the new trends in the world of traveling, although it’s not really clear whether it is a good one. If you haven’t heard about it yet, here’s slum tourism in a nutshell: it supposes guided tours in the slums of big cities. It is popular in places like New Delhi, Buenos Aires, Johannesburg or Nairobi, where poverty is already a big issue.

The favelas in South America and slums in India, despite their economic misfortunes, seem to be genuine tourist magnets lately. So here’s a short guide to slum tourism, and its pros and cons. …

10 cultural mistakes to avoid while traveling

When you’re traveling to another country, you find yourself in the middle of a different culture, whose conventions, norms and customs might be radically different from your own. It’s only natural that you make some mistakes when your in a foreign place, but there are a few things that can help you cope better with the culture clash. It can save you from a lot of embarrassment (and even trouble, in some cases). So here are 10 cultural mistakes to avoid while traveling. …

10 tips for bushwalking in Australia

The bush generally refers to any kind of wild countryside where there’s no sign of civilization, but in Australia, the term has acquired a meaning of its own, and it has become downright iconic. The bush is made up of all sorts of shrubs that grow on dry soil, but in Australia it usually comes with a canopy of eucalyptus trees overhead.

But really, the bush can mean any unpopulated area in the countryside where there’s potential for hiking, walking and admiring the wilderness. But as any adventure, bushwalking is not without risks, so you should read up on it before going. And to help you get started, here are 10 tips for bushwalking in Australia. …

Best places for Hanami in Japan

Hanami, which translates as ‘flower viewing’, is an old Japanese custom that is religiously observed every spring. When the famous Japanese cherry trees bloom, people gather under cherry trees in parks and hold picnics and parties days and night. Hanami is so popular among the Japanese that companies will even organize hanami parties for their employees, and there’s even a flower viewing weather forecast so that people can plan their parties accordingly.

Hanami lasts for about 2 weeks only, and usually starts at the end of March, so if you want to get to Japan in time for the flower viewing, it’s time to start planning! Here are some of the best places for hanami in Japan. …

Best wine regions in California

Monterey

Someone who hasn’t been in California (or hasn’t been much in California) might think that there is not that much there except for beaches and urban jungles and Hollywood celebrities. But the wine lover can find something much more to his or her taste there: vineyards all over the place.

There are no less than 107 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) in California, and although Napa Valley is probably the most well known on them, it is merely the tip of the iceberg. So if wine is your passion, California will be a dream come true for your tastebuds, nose and eyes. Here are the best wine regions in California. …

Top 5 islands you have to see before you die

Vieques

Islands are cool place to visit for at least to reasons. One, there’s the possibility that you have to (or can) take the boat to get to your destination. Two, they are (most of the time, and we are not talking about giants like Greenland) small enough so that you can explore them properly over the span of one holiday.

Besides that, the stereotypical island has beaches, palm trees and sunny weather, what’s not to like about that? But regardless of your tastes in island climate and geography, here are some bits of land that you must be crazy not to like. Here are the top 5 islands you have to see before you die. …

Best resort towns for off-piste skiing

When you’re just learning the ropes of skiing, cross country and alpine skiing are  enough to raise your adrenaline levels through the roof. But as you get better, your appetite for skiing will probably change, and you will find yourself looking for something a bit more adventurous.

Off-piste skiing (also known as backcountry skiing) is the perfect mix of freedom, exhilaration, untouched snow and wild scenery. It involves more effort than regular skiing, not only because you’re completely on your own (no supervision or maintenance crews), and sometimes no mechanized access to the slopes. So if this is the thing for you, here are the best resort towns for off-piste skiing. …

Top 10 huge statues in the world

Monuments, whether they were built specifically to commemorate a person or event, or they’ve simply become significant throughout history, are one of those things that tourists usually hunt during their travels.

Oftentimes, monuments are important from a historical point of view (and you might learn a thing or two, and boast to your fellow travelers later), or maybe they are just so impressive that you’ve got to see them. Regardless of your motives, here are the top 10  huge statues in the world, in case you want to visit them. …