Category: Travel

Joshua Tree National Park Travel Guide

Joshua Tree National Park is an amazing park located just two and a half hours from Los Angeles. There are so many adventures to be had in this park and this guide is just scratching the surface. Here are the top places to explore in this 750,000 acres park.

Ryan Mountain

Ryan Mountain is not the tallest mountain in this park but with the beautiful 360° view from the summit, it is the most prominent. The hike is short, but it is very steep and it goes up all the way, so don’t take it lightly. The summit gives you an incredible view of the entire park; you will see the various rock formations as well as the trees dotting the park’s landscape. It is also a great place for sunset but ensure you bring a flashlight with you for the way down.

Barker Dam

Barker Dam is a short and easy to access trail. It is one of the few trails that have water in the park. The trail leads to a historic dam dating back to the mid 1900s. If you go in the spring, it is usually filled with water and it is always awesome to see the rocks and the reflections upon it. If you only have a short time to spend in the park, Barker Dam is a great place to visit as it lets you see some of the best features of the park.

Hidden Valley

Hidden Valley is another popular hike in the park but for good reason. It is a beautiful place to explore, and it is just about one and a half miles. Walking from the parking lot takes you into the large valley surrounded mostly by rocks. It is a place that will remind you of a smuggler’s campground in the cowboy days. It is awesome to look at the different rocks, walk through the valley, or even watch the sunset or hang out.

Lost Horse Mine

Lost Horse Mine is a longer hike, but it takes you to one of the park’s best-preserved stamp mill. It is about four miles round-trip and you will find a gradual incline most of the time; we don’t recommend going on this hike in the summer but it is a great winter hike with a fantastic payoff. You can also walk to the hill just behind the mine to have a great view of the park.

5 Reasons Why You Need to Visit Greenland

Greenland is not always green, in fact, it’s the opposite because this country is located in the Arctic region where ice is abundant. It’s not all the time that it is covered in white snow, because during their summer months where the sun works until midnight, the snow melts and the plants and trees start to thrive a little. Friends of mine that own Zone Garage Saskatchewan (https://www.zonegaragesaskatchewan.ca/) have made Greenland a regular destination for their family vacations because of it’s sheer beauty and things to see. Nature in Greenland is unspoiled and unchanged but that is not the only reason why you need to visit the place, read through to know more.

Tasiilaq
The postcard-worthy town of Tasiilaq is famous for their colorful and almost identical-looking houses. It is also considered as the main gateway of Greenland to the world with regular flights daily, a busy seaport, and its long tourism history makes it the “face of Greenland towards the world”. You can never go wrong n visiting Tasiilaq because there are multitudes of activities you can do whether it be for summer or winter.

Blue River
The pristine waters of the Blue River is another wonder that Greenland is proud of. Its crystal clear waters from the melting ice of the Peterman Glacier is one of the best place to go kayaking in the country. Kayaks are as old as the first people who came to Greenland, and this culture evolved to tourism as many companies now offer kayaking tours to see the beautiful Inuit sceneries on a different perspective.

Northeast Greenland National Park
The Northeast Greenland National Park is the largest in the whole world, protecting up to 972,000 sq km of undisturbed wildlife and vast landscapes. This Arctic paradise is not built for human accommodation because of its inaccessibility and sheer vastness, which is all the more better to the flora and fauna of this park. Polar bears, musk oxen, barren-ground caribou and the Arctic wolves are just some of the famous inhabitants of the area. Cruises can be booked and are the best mode of experiencing this Arctic sceneries with a big chance of seeing the polar bears and walruses on the coast.

Aurora Borealis
Although Greenland is not the most popular place for Northern Lights chasers, tourists who travel here are still treated with this spectacular light display. As long as you have dark clear skies, you’ll definitely get a chance to see the Northern Lights even amongst the city lights or in an isolated area, the lights will be nonstop in showcasing its magnificence.

Ilulissat Icefjord
By plane or ferry, a visit to this unique natural phenomenon is a must. A trip to Greenland would never be complete if you won’t see a glacier or iceberg. While most of the icebergs are lurking in the icy waters, the Ilulissat Icefjord, however, is the fastest glacier in the world. An aerial view of the many colossal icebergs are just amazing.

Venice in 12 hours

Venice is an incredible “must see” city, but Italy is full of “must see places”, we generally suggest you spend at least one night in Venice, but not every vacation has time for that, we completely understand so we’ll try our best to compose a tour for you, in which you can explore Venice in just 12 hours. Venice is located in the Veneto region in Italy, on the Adriatic Sea, formed from a staggering 118 islands that are a home to over a quarter of a million people. The historical center itself and what we call today the main island is home to just around 55.000 people. It’s known as the most magical island in the world with nicknames like: Serenissima, city of the mask or the floating city. With an average of 30 million visitors per year, it’s a must to plan your trip to Venice accordingly, especially if you only have a day to spare.

St. Mark Square
St. Mark Square is one of the most important and most recognizable squares in all of Italy, its known for its beauty and renaissance architecture. Just around the corner, visitors can spot the spectacular St. marks Basilica, however if you’re planning on going inside the basilica, make sure to get tickets online prior to arriving, as you’ll most likely spend your time waiting in line and with so little on your schedule, you don’t want to be doing that.

Doge’s Palace
On the right hand side of St. Mark Basilica you’ll find the Doge’s Palace, inside you’ll see THE GIANT’s staircase, the grand staircase leads up through the main floor and inside the palace. It not only gets its name for its shire size, but also because on the top staircase, it’s flanked by statues of two ancient Roman Gods, Mars and Neptun.

Clock Tower
The Clock tower has been keeping time in Venice for over 500 years and it was built in the late 15th century, this special clock displays the time, the phase of the moon and the sign of the zodiac. The clock tower is topped by two bronze figures who strike the bell airily. The Venetian Legends tells that when the clock was revealed to the Doge, he was so astonished by its beauty and well refined elegance, he had the designer blinded, so he could never recreate something so beautiful.

Bell Tower
If you are a lover of great views, definitely check out the Campanile or in other words known as the Bell Tower, rising tall 99 meters, visitors can climb up it and see all across Venice and its lagoons. The tower is only open from April to October, so plan your visit well, if you are looking to take a great photo.

Liberia Acqua Alta
This place often flies under the radar and is not among the most popular destinations in Venice, but it’s actually pretty interesting. The name translate to the library of high water, most of the books are protected inside bathtubs or even a gondola as it’s the best way to protect the books , due to the constant flooding of the canals.

Rialto Bridge
Rialto Bridge is among the most recognized and visited attractions in Europe, let alone Venice. It was actually first built as a pontoon bridge in the twelfth century, later they rebuilt it out of wood but it burned down a few times and collapsed on a few occasions, until it was finally completed in 1591.

Jewish Ghetto
The Jewish ghetto is the oldest ghetto in the world and it was created here in 1516, the word “ghetto” literary derives from this area, the new ghetto or otherwise known as the Ghetto Novo, is the oldest part of it and it’s actually a small island within Venice, connected by draw bridges on two sides. Both bridges used to be lifted up every night at midnight, to keep the area safe and prevent women from coming home late.

Best Mexican Food in Eastern Europe

Those of that love to travel are likely the same people that like to eat. Why else would there be so many shows like “Parts Unknown” or “Diners, Drive-ins & Dives”? Part of the fun of traveling is trying the local cuisine and getting to understand a culture through its food. That being said, if you travel often or for extended periods of time, you start to crave the flavors you find at home. Being from California, this means tacos, burritos, fajitas, and tamales. Unfortunately in some parts of the world far from Mexico this can be hard to find. This is why I have made a list for those that are about as far away from their favorite cuisine as they can get (Eastern europe) and are hit with a craving.

Mexican Food

*Disclaimer* Some restaurants are on this list due to painstaking research and not personal verification. I have unfortunately not personally been to each of these restaurants, but hope to visit one day.

Ukraine

As is the case for most of the countries on this list, the best Mexican food in Ukraine is in the capital, Kiev. Most of the restaurants serving Mexican food here have a plethora of other cuisine such as italian or even sushi on the menu as well. Dos Amigos sets itself apart in this way. Serving up traditional Tex-Mex style food coupled with great margaritas and chill atmosphere, Dos Amigos on Mezhyhirska St, 9 is sure to satisfy your craving for a reasonable price.

Bulgaria

If you like traditional Mexican cuisine smothered in cheese with a side of corn on the cob, you need to go to Sombrero at Plovdiv 5, Dunav Blvd. If you’re still hungry after dinner and feeling adventurous try the avocado ice cream.

Czech Republic

Barabizna Restaurant-Cafe at  Pod Špitálem 363 in Prague has everything you want and more. Located in an adorable cottage with outdoor seating and a bright interior, this place brings together traditional Mexican with a modern flare.

Hungary

Go to the Iguana Bar and Grill at V. Budapest, Zoltán u. 16 for the tequila alone. Their selection is like nothing you will find in this part of the world. If you’re not into tequila, no worries, there is plenty more to delight the taste buds at this cantina.

Romania

If overstuffed burritos, crispy quesadillas, and sizzling fajitas are your thing then look no further than Salsa at nr. 27, Strada Sfântul Lazăr, Iași. The interior is not the brightly colored aztec design you would expect from a Mexican joint, but don’t let that deter you. The food is phenomenal.

Russian Federation

Casa Agave at Bol’shoy Cherkasskiy Pereulok, 17, Moscow does a great job of adding a taste Russian cuisine without changing what is so amazing about the traditional Mexican dishes. Add that to a great atmosphere and karaoke nights and you have a great night out.

Slovakia

Los Mexikas at Sedlárska 6, 811 01 Bratislava is owned and operated by a Mexican family and serves up real traditional Mexican food with lively music.

Belarus

Minsk doesn’t offer a multitude of options when it comes to Mexican food but what it lacks in variety it makes up for with spice and atmosphere. Try Kamyanitsa at Sedlárska 6, 811 01 Bratislava and if you’re not impressed with the food, you’ll enjoy the restaurant itself.

Moldova

Being the smallest country in Eastern Europe it is no surprise that there are very few Mexican restaurants here. The best, by far, is El Paso at Armeneasca St 10, Chisinau. In a part of the world where some think ketchup is too spicy one would think ordering “medium” spice would be a cakewalk. Be warned El Paso does hot much hotter than most are used to, but they sure do it right.

Great tips to control travel anxiety

Most of us enjoy the traveling and everything related to it. This is because, it is a great way to get rid of your normal routine life. But, there are people who feel anxiety when it comes to travelling. It is difficult for them to get over it. We are here to help those people.

First of all, we would like to mention that this is not a serious problem or else a disease. Rather, we can say that this is just a fear from the unknown. There are many reasons behind it. There are many people who are afraid of flying. Moreover, some of them are worried about their house and pets. So, we are here to help them out. Read this out if you feel the same way. By reading this out, you will be able to feel the excitement of travelling.

Prepare yourself for the travel:

If you want to avoid the anxiety caused due to traveling, first thing you need to do is to prepare yourself for the traveling. If you are worried about your house, you must hire a house cleaner and give proper instructions. It will make you feel relaxed. Moreover, if the flights frightens you, then you must try to keep yourself busy while in plane. You can watch movies, listen to your favorite playlist or else read your favorite book. You must spend some time in organizing and planning your trip so in the end, you will not be worried about your stuff.

Don’t ever delay:

We have seen many people around us who have travel anxiety yet they prefer to do their tasks at the eleventh hour. By that we mean that if you face these issues, then you must try to book your tickets and do the packing one week before. Most of the people refer to their past bad experience. On the other hand, they can learn from it and don’t repeat the same mistakes. These are just fears and they are never real. You can also gain control over yourselves by meditation.

Great places to travel for your honeymoon

All of us know that our honeymoon is for lifetime. So, you have to make sure that you have chosen the right place for your honeymoon. This is because your honeymoon will allow you to get closer to your partner. You will be leaving all the stress behind and enjoy the incredible place. Here, we are going to help you out. If you are planning to go to your honeymoon. Then, you must read this out. Following are the places which you must keep in mind while deciding the place for your honeymoon.

Mauritius:

If you are willing to go to a romantic honeymoon, then Mauritius is the right place for you. You can take an idea of its beauty that its beauty is often associated with paradise. You can enjoy the blue oceans here with your partner. As its name suggests, this piece of paradise will make your soul calm and relaxed for a long period of time. You can get entertained with your partner by luxurious hotels, white sand beaches as well as with the calm weather of Mauritius. You can watch the spectacular sunset on the cruise.

Bali:

Here, we are going to talk about another tropical spot where you can go to honeymoon with your partner. This is a great place for newlywed couples. You can enjoy the lovely weather of Bali with your partner through cycling. You can do a lot of stuff here. Like the owners of a massage Calgary company, many people have chosen Bali as they post wedding getaway. All you need to do is to start your day with your first meal on the volcanoes. The lush greenery of Bali will make your trip more beautiful. You can also consult with shaman to predict your future with your partner. The fire dance of couples in Bali is another place of attraction for couples. You must add this place in your honeymoon list.

Paris:

If you are looking for a place which offers classical romance, then you must go to Paris. This city is built on the concept of love. If you are interested in Tango, then Paris is the best option. The traditional dinners are the specialty of Paris.

Best tips to make your traveling easier

People love to spend their vacations abroad travelling and visiting their loved ones. But, before you leave, there are a lot of things which you should remember to avoid any problem during the travelling. You should plan everything out. That is why, we are here to help you out. Here, we are going to share the best travel tips in order to make your travelling easier. By following these tips, you will be able to enjoy each and every moment. These are very small things which will give you real comfort.

Following are the best tips for all travelers:

  • If you are planning to visit another country, then you must scan your passport, cruise or else the airline tickets, contact numbers of your friends and family, bank account information as well as your email address. This should be in your access every time. It will help you in case of an emergency.
  • It is highly risky to place all valuables in one bag. You should split these things up. You can put them in different bags or in different pockets. In this way, if you get robbed or any other mishap, you will not lose everything. It will help you to get you home easily.
  • If you want to get the security clearance easily, then you should not take anything liquid with you apart from the edibles. By that we mean that you can take the soap bar instead of liquid face wash. Moreover, toothpaste is also available in the form of powder. Try to get your things aligned for traveling.
  • Now, we are going to share the most important as well as the best tip for travelling. You should always put your stuff in transparent plastic bags. It will help you to see where your stuff is present in the bags. It will be helpful in security clearance at airports as well. You must keep extra plastic bags for emergency.

Batteries are a very important thing for travelers. So, you must take care about their batteries. You should keep extra batteries with you. Try to keep them charged all the time.