the Travel Enthusiast
- 06 Marpapillon in Travel Planning | NO COMMENTS
The spookiest buildings in the world
Wat Rong Khun, photo by beggs on Flickr
Buildings can favor function over form, or be a feast for the eyes, or both, but in some cases the form seems to be intended not to give architects and architecture fans shiver or delight, but shivers of a different kind. To put it simply, some buildings in the world are creepy, so much that many would prefer to sleep without a roof over their head rather than spend the night in these monstrous structures.
Whether the creepy factor was an accident or an attempt to instill awe in onlookers and residents is a matter of debate. What’s certain is that some of the spookiest buildings in the world can easily become nightmare fodder for those with impressionable imaginations. …
- 05 Marandra88 in Travel Planning | NO COMMENTS
The best green travel experiences you can try
Elephant Nature Park, Thailand, photo by kafka4prez on Flickr
Staying at a nice hotel, enjoying fine food at fancy restaurants and lounging by the poolside is not the kind of holiday that many can refuse, but as pleasant as it sounds, it does take a toll on the planet. If you are trying to make your travels a bit greener, it doesn’t mean that you have to give up all luxury, all the time, because even a few eco-activities every now and then can make a difference too.
And even if you decide to go green all the way, you will hardly get bored – there are more than enough green ways to enjoy your holiday! Here are some of the best green travel experiences you can try. …
- 01 Mar
The most fascinating greenhouses from around the world
Royal Greenhouses of Laeken, photo by Luc Viatour on Flickr
Just because an exotic plant native to some remote Pacific island could not possibly survive a temperate weather with its unavoidable cold rains and snows didn’t mean that enthusiastic botanists didn’t try their best to find ways to keep their hobbies alive.
Greenhouses were already being built in the 13th century, but even the ancient Roman new a thing or two about growing plants in controlled spaces.
Nowadays, you can find industrial sized greenhouses in many countries (Holland has some of the biggest greenhouses in the world), but it’s the greenhouses that were built for fun, style, or science that are really worth visiting. Here are some of the most fascinating greenhouses from around the world that make visit-worthy travel attractions. …
- 29 Febandra88 in Travel Planning | NO COMMENTS
Top 5 Asian city breaks
Singapore, photo by William Cho
Asia is home to some of the greatest sites wonders and man-made wonders in the world, the tallest mountains and some of the lowest plains, the smallest villages and the world’s most hectic and developed cities.
Picking just one urban travel destination from this vast continent is like finding the perfect straw in the haystack – there are just too many of them that fit the bill.
It’s not much use to choose the most touristy city you can find if you are only planning on a short break, but as a long as a city really excellent at one specific, two or three days will be enough to get the most out of your holiday. Here are our picks for the top 5 Asian city breaks, for travelers who want a short holiday that packs a punch. …
- 24 Feb
Remote Baltic islands you’ve (probably) never heard of
Saaremaa, photo by Ekke on Flickr
Islands like Bali, the Maldives, Fiji and other tropical wonders get all the attention on the travel scene, and even a few islands with temperate climate are quite popular with mainstream travelers as long as they are famous.But what about the scores of islands that are located in parts of the world that are slightly off the beaten path?
The Baltic Sea is bordered by countries with huge touristic potential, like Denmark, Finland, Sweden or Germany, and sticking to dry land will reward you with amazing sights, but there is a bunch of islands scattered over the pond that are just as worthy of interest. If you want an island holiday that goes beyond the conventional, here are some remote Baltic islands you’ve (probably) never heard of.
- 22 Febtylerd in Travel Planning | NO COMMENTS
The stunning nature reserves of Suriname
photo by borderlys on Flickr
South Africa has such amazingly well known tourist attractions, and natural wonders that the whole world has heard about, and yet there’s always some spot to be found on the map where few tourist tread.
Suriname is located in one such forgotten corner of the continent, sandwiched between Brazil, Guyana and French Guyana. Suriname calls itself the beating heart of the Amazon, and this is no mere overstatement. The country can best be described as a lush and green patch of forests crisscrossed by rivers, hiding an extraordinary cultural diversity.
Suriname’s people is a mix and match of people descended from British and Dutch colonists, African slaves, Indian and Indonesian indentured workers and indigenous people, and while the cultural makeup has changed over the centuries, one thing stayed the same: the country’s natural beauty. Here is a short guide to the stunning nature reserves of Suriname. …
- tibi60 in Travel Planning | 4 COMMENTS
Montenegro, a backpacker’s paradise
Montenegro, photo by BBM Explorer
Montenegro is another one of those Balkan countries that few people get to hear about nowadays. Maybe it’s not surprising that Montenegro dropped off the tourist map following the Yugoslavian War, but luckily it has started to edge its way back into tourist guides and recommendations.
Montenegro is the kind of place that binds you with it spell, and compels you to visit it again and again, and it’s not difficult to see where its charm lies. Montenegro has a good chunk of that lovely Adriatic coastline that made Croatia such a hit with tourists, and it also has mountains, old monasteries, deep woods and countless historical attractions. And the best part is that you will not have to squander your life savings to be allowed to see the beauties of this Balkan country: welcome to Montenegro, a backpacker’s paradise. …
- 20 Febitachan in Travel Planning | NO COMMENTS
5 reasons to visit Taiwan
Taiwan
Although China is a pretty popular travel destination nowadays, the same can’t really be said about Taiwan, otherwise known the Republic of China. The island of Taiwan has traded hands several times throughout history, and it’s a tricky place: its government is on mainland China, but Taiwan is an entirely different nation.
If you think that if you’ve seen China there’s not much reason to visit Taiwan, a visit to this beautiful island (called in the past Formosa, meaning ‘beautiful’ in Portuguese) will change your mind. Taiwan is one of the most densely populated places on the planet, and yet there’s still enough space for breathtaking natural beauty. Mountains, beaches, exotic small towns and crowded neon-lit cities will give you plenty of incentives to travel. Here are 5 reasons to visit Taiwan, but there are many more than that! …
- 17 Febkachou_n in Travel Planning | 1 COMMENT
The best independent travel destinations in the world
Lisbon
Tours have their advantages, like less headaches when the time comes to look for accommodation, book travel tickets and make sure that you get safely to your destination and back.
But independent travel also has its advantages, and it is getting more and more popular with travelers of all ages. You can stay at unusual and unusually nice hotels, or you can rough it, stay at a hostel, and mingle with locals – the beauty of independent travel is that you do exactly what you want, when you want.
Of course, the cheapest the destination the better it is for the indie traveler, but the attractions and things you can do are also a huge factor. If you’re wondering which places are suited for your next indie expedition, here are some of the best independent travel destinations in the world. …
- evike14 in Travel Planning | NO COMMENTS
The world’s best cities for romance
Seville
Valentine’s Day has come and gone, and if you’ve missed your chance to engage in some travel romance on February 14, there’s no reason not to seek out some romantic destinations at other times of the year too.
A romantic getaway for two is never a bad idea, especially if you choose the right destination that can combine the right atmosphere for wooing with some interesting attractions, dining options and nightlife.
Although Paris, the world capital or romance is the most obvious choice, there are lots of other cities in the world that manage to tickle a traveler’s romantic bone. Here are some of the world’s best cities for romance, for those who need a bit of sentimentality in their travels. …
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