the Travel Enthusiast
- 29 Mar
5 Polynesian islands to see before you die
Savaii, photo by Jorje P. Price on Flickr
Polynesia is made up of about a thousand islands of all sizes scattered over the Pacific Ocean – even if you visited one island per day, it would still take years to explore all the interesting nooks and crannies of this remote part of Oceania. Although the islands are split among a handful of nations, many of the islands are so small that few people (save for geography buffs and Polynesians) have even heard of them.
Some of the most popular travel destinations on the planet are located in Polynesia, but for every Bora Bora or Oahu there are hundreds of other islands that are much less famous, but equally wonderful. Here are 5 Polynesian islands to see before you die, even if you don’t manage to visit all of them. …
- 24 Martibi60 in Amazing Places | NO COMMENTS
5 amazing things to do in Tonga
photo by Sarah Kelemen on Flickr
Tonga is one of those places that stand out from the crowd, so if you want to experience something unique in the already fascinating Polynesian islands, you can’t go wrong with this island nation. As opposed to most neighboring nations, Tonga has managed to escape colonization, and thanks to the warm welcome it gave to its would be colonizers in the 18th century, it was nicknamed the ‘Friendly Islands’.
And apart from heart-stoppingly beautiful, friendly is the best word to describe Tonga even now. Traditional culture lives alongside every modern amenity you could imagine in Tonga, and while there are plenty of high class resorts for luxury travelers, the appeal of Tonga lies in its untainted culture. Here are 5 amazing things to do in Tonga, for the curious traveler. …
- 22 Marandra88 in News | NO COMMENTS
Tourist attractions in Tuvalu
photo by mrlins on Flickr
How does the fourth smallest country in the world manage to still be a huge tourist destination? Tuvalu has the natural advantage of being midway between Hawaii and Australia, so the tropical climate is already reason enough to visit it, but laying on the beach and scuba diving is not all you can do in this beautiful archipelago.
These low islands covered in forest don’t have many attractions that are jaw-droppingly spectacular, but there are quite a few interesting things to see when you get tired of relaxing too much. Discover the low-key yet interesting tourist attractions in Tuvalu. …
- 21 Febandra88 in Amazing Places | NO COMMENTS
A traveler’s guide to East Timor
photo by yeowatzup on Flickr
East Timor is another one of those Pacific islands that people rarely get to hear about, but for travelers visiting this island nation, it is hardly a bad thing. East Timor shares an island with Indonesian West Timor, and it also comprises the islands of Atauro, Jaco and Oecusse.
As a fairly new country, East Timor has had its fair share of unrest and domination by bigger and more powerful nations, but now things have finally calmed down, and a slow trickle of adventurous travelers has started to make its way to this ‘undiscovered’ corner of the planet.
Don’t expect a well developed tourist infrastructure with tons of resorts and amenities, but if you are in search of pure nature beauty, an interesting culture, and really welcoming people, a traveler’s guide to East Timor might just convince you to visit. …
- 13 Feblizzy_a in Amazing Places | NO COMMENTS
The traveler’s guide to Palau
photo by Stefan Krasowski
Palau, a small cluster of islands in Micronesia, is easy to miss on the map, and even easier to miss when it comes to politics. Except the occasional guidebook praising the wonders of the Pacific Islands, this small island nation is rarely heard of.
Palau is a new country (it became independent in 1994), but it is slowly and steadily making a name for itself among the connoisseurs of exotic islands and interesting cultures. Whether you prefer to spend your time on land or underwater, Palau is fully equipped to surprise even the most well-traveled tourist.
Unique wildlife, rich flora, stunning beaches and breath-taking coral reefs make these islands a haven for anyone who needs a break from day to day life. Here’s a traveler’s guide to Palau, for those who are ready to discover the marvels of this island nation. …
- 19 Janitachan in Amazing Places | 1 COMMENT
5 amazing sights in Samoa
Lalomanu Beach, photo by NeilsPhotography on Flickr
Samoa is an island nation halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii, with a population that could fill a medium-sized city. Small and still mysterious for good many travelers, Samoa has some of the most striking landscapes in the Pacific thanks to its volcanic origin, and a culture that is unique, enticing, and shocking for many.
The islands are lush and wild, surrounded by an aura of mystique that inspired Robert Louis Stevenson (quite a famous figure in Samoa, honored with the title of ‘teller of tales’) to write his famous adventure stories. Samoa is a place that inspires the traveler, and it’s difficult not to stay longer on the islands than you initially planned. Here are 5 amazing sights in Samoa, but these are merely the tip of the iceberg. …
- 21 Octtibi60 in Amazing Places | NO COMMENTS
Top 5 amazing islands to visit before they sink
Kiribati, photo by Luigi Guarino on Flickr
Global warming is a huge threat to the planet, and the short end of the stick was drawn by several islands and island nations which are most likely going to disappear under the water if ocean levels keep rising. Ice caps are steadily melting, and according to environmental research this means that many of the most beautiful places on earth will be a thing of the past.
So don’t wait too long before visiting some of these astounding island destinations, because who knows how long they are going to be around! Here are top 5 amazing islands to visit before they sink. …
- 11 Apr
Amazing tourist attractions in Tonga
photo by Sarah/Rose
Tonga, the ‘Friendly Islands’, are one of those small Micronesian nations that few brochures mention, and most people know very little about them. That doesn’t mean that there is nothing interesting about Micronesian nations, it’s just that they tend to get ‘lost’ amidst the vastness of the Pacific.
Tonga is a fascinating place, although probably not that pleasant for its inhabitants – it is the last absolute monarchy in the world, and the king rules over the people like a feudal lord. This might put off some potential visitors from traveling to Tonga, but this island nation’s nickname is really well deserved, and tourists will be welcomed with open arms. To give you a taste of what this destination has to offer, here are some of the most amazing tourist attractions in Tonga. …
- 05 Janitachan in Travel Planning | 1 COMMENT
The coolest traditions in the world
Kava Ceremony
Christmas is one of the most important traditions in the West (and beyond), and regardless of one’s religious beliefs it is next to impossible to escape the holiday hype. Holidays necessarily involve tradition, and that’s what makes them so much fun. But no matter how big the Christmas celebration is, there are tons of other fascinating traditions that receive less attention.
So here are a couple of lesser known or less important traditions that are nonetheless really cool. A short list of the coolest traditions in the world: …
© Copyright 2004 - 2024 Travelgrove, Inc.