the Travel Enthusiast
- 21 Mar
The backpacker’s guide to Ecuador
Quito
Ecuador is small and somewhat overshadowed by its larger and more touristy neighbors Colombia and Peru, but even as the second smallest country on the continent has more natural diversity and more culture to offer than many larger places. Ecuador packs a huge punch: it has the tallest active volcano on the planet (Cotopaxi), it straddles the equator, and it has the lovely and always surprising Galapagos Islands.
If you’re into nature exploration and wildlife watching, the stunning geography and the endemic species of Ecuador are just the thing for you. If you’re more interested in historic sites and colonial heritage, then you can take your pick of several great world heritage sites. And the best part is that Ecuador is backpacker friendly, and it’s easy to see all these wonders on a shoestring. Here is a backpacker’s guide to Ecuador for travelers longing for something special. …
- 19 Maritachan in Travel Planning | NO COMMENTS
The best whale watching destinations in the world
Monterey
The giants of the deep, the largest mammals on the planet, are not quite as easy to spot as one might think, considering their size. Although whales live in many parts of the world ocean, but their populations are constantly dropping due to whaling and pollution, so seeing a whale in its natural habitat is a very special experience.
Whale watching is among the most popular wildlife watching activities in the world, and it’s not difficult to arrange or book a whale watching expedition once you know where to look. If you want to see some of these majestic creatures in action, here are some of the best whale watching destinations in the world. …
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The weirdest food festivals in the world
Waikiki Spam Jam, photo by madmarv00 on Flickr
Food festivals are happy occasions when foodies from all over the world can give into their cravings and stuff themselves full of all sorts of delicious things.
Although most food festivals cater for your stomach and taste buds, some food festivals can be a bit strange, and either make you choke with laughter or show you the ways in which food can be used for various unorthodox purposes. Celebrate the weird side of food, either by eating it or just laughing at it, while attending some of the weirdest food festivals in the world. …
- 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. …
- 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. …
- 08 Markachou_n in Travel Planning | NO COMMENTS
The best walking trails in New Zealand
Tongariro, photo by andrewcparnell on Flickr
New Zealand is a relatively small island nation, and very remote, but like many small and secluded places, it packs a huge punch. Aotearoa’s landscapes are so pretty it’s downright outlandish, hence their appearance in movies that depict imaginary places.
The natural scenery of New Zealand has been celebrate long before the Lord of the Rings Trilogy made it known worldwide, and movie fans are far from the only travelers who come to see these amazing places.
New Zealand is a paradise for walkers and hikers, and the nine Great Walks designated by the department of conservation now have a booking system in over to avoid overcrowding and damage to the environment caused by the tourist hordes. Here are some of the best walking trails in New Zealand, so remember to book the one you like best! …
- 07 Marandra88 in Travel Planning | NO COMMENTS
5 great ethnic neighborhoods from around the world
Tokyo sur Seine, photo by firepile on Flickr
One of the best things about large cities is that they are not uniform, and behind every street corner you might as well find something new, something that you haven’t encountered before. And large cities tend to have little pockets of culture where people have retained their own sense of style, and sometimes language and culture.
Ethnic enclaves might have started out as something else, but today they tend to be oases of color and uniqueness inside cities. Plus, they are the go-to place if you are in search of ‘authentic’ cuisine and products, as well as interesting sights. Here are 5 great ethnic neighborhoods from around the world, for travelers who want to break the monotony. …
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