RSSJan|21|2008
Learning on Vacation (Part 2)
Posted by Noemi as Arts & Culture, Eco-Friendly, Family
Does the idea of learning while on vacation appeal to you? Maybe not – that is, if you are thinking in terms of traditional classroom education. Yet as I mentioned in my last post, most every vacation can be a learning experience for anyone, as long as you keep an open mind.
The second kind of learning on vacation that I mentioned in the last post is more for families with children. I am talking about homeschooling. Just because you have children does not mean that you cannot follow your dreams and travel for extended periods of time. This is when homeschooling comes in handy. …
Jan|15|2008
Learning on Vacation
Posted by Noemi as Arts & Culture, Family
Yes, going on vacation usually means getting away from it all but who ever said that going on vacation means you cannot go on learning? As a matter of fact, going on a vacation can be an educational experience – both for the parents and the children. This idea is actually starting to become popular and more and more people are considering vacations as a way to enhance themselves and learn more about the world, life, and themselves as well!
Generally speaking, there are four types of learning while on vacation. They are as follow:
-Informal learning
-Homeschooling
-Escorted tours
-Classroom vacations.
This post is the first in a mini-series that will be tackling the concept of …
Jan|08|2008
Doing Good While On Vacation
Posted by Noemi as Announcements, Around The World, Arts & Culture, Eco-Friendly, Family
Why do we go on vacation? If you are anything like me, the primary reason is to enjoy myself and to have a change from my daily life. I suppose that this is the main reason for most people to go on trips, yet have you heard of family volunteer vacations?
This is an alternative type of vacation for families who want to do more on their break than merely enjoy themselves. What happens is that the trip is meant as a get away from the mundane daily life of the family and aims to help other people who are less fortunate at the same time. The …
Dec|13|2007
The Bethlehem Christmas Town Festival
Posted by Noemi as Around The World, Arts & Culture, Destinations, Events, Family, Festivals, Getaways, Shopping, United States
What is the reason for Christmas? Any Christian would readily answer that it is because of the birth of Jesus Christ. Where was he born? In Bethlehem. We all know that this small town is located in Israel. Yet did you know that there is a Bethlehem right here in the United States?
It is actually located in Connecticut and is a picturesque town and boy, do they make the most out of their town’s name when Christmas time comes around! In fact, countless people have already made a visit to Bethlehem, CT a part of their Christmas celebrations.
What can you expect from a visit …
Dec|11|2007
Christmas Destination: The Christ Redeemer
Posted by Noemi as Americas, Around The World, Arts & Culture, Cities, Destinations
If you are thinking of an alternative destination for the holidays, you may want to consider going somewhere which can help you experience the meaning of Christmas all the more. There are many choices all over the world but one good destination – which is not at all that far – is Brazil.
Have you heard of The Christ Redeemer? This amazing statue has in fact been featured in countless documentaries, highlighting its significance and relevance with regard to the Brazilian culture. This statue of Jesus Christ stands 124 feet tall and is located on top of Corcovado Mountain, just overlooking Rio de Janeiro.
For Christians, this would be the …
Nov|26|2007
Christmas Tree Lightings
Posted by Noemi as Arts & Culture, Events, Family
The Christmas season is one of the best times for families to take a trip. Undoubtedly, it may be a little bit crowded and prices may be a bit high. It is not called peak season for no reason. However, there are some scenes and experiences that are well worth the price. More so, if you plan your trip ahead of time, you wouldn’t have to pay as much as if you plan your trip late.
If you were to think about it, the Christmas tree is one of the most recognized symbolisms of the season. Children and adults all over the world look forward to seeing wonderfully …
Oct|17|2007
To Each His or Her Own Halloween
Posted by Jen as Around The World, Arts & Culture, Events, Festivals, Trivia
While Halloween may have originated from the Celts in Ireland, it has spread quite quickly all over the world, reaching continents as far as Asia. It’s also remarkable how different cultures manage to incorporate this old tradition with their own. In this entry, let me take you to some of those places and see how Halloween manifests itself there.
In China, Halloween is called by another name: Teng Chieh. During this day, the Chinese would offer food and drink to their departed ancestors by setting them before old photographs. They also light bonfires or lanterns in order to serve as a guide for the spirits who walk the Earth. In Buddhist temples, many people make “Boats of …
Oct|03|2007
Roll Out The Barrels!
Posted by Camica as Around The World, Arts & Culture, Events, Festivals, Food and Drink
For my husband, the one word that comes to mind when October comes along is Oktoberfest. It’s his idea of heaven, and if he could go to Munich, Germany for that event, he wouldn’t think twice about it. This 14-day festival is world-renowned, not only for the beer and the activities, but also for the celebrities that participate in the revelry. With the traditional words “O’zapft is!” (translation: the barrel has been tapped), the world’s largest beer festival begins. This year, the festival is expected to attract about six million beer drinkers all over the world. But for those who want to make this …
Sep|19|2007
Upcoming Food Festivals in The U.S.
Posted by Noemi as Arts & Culture, Family, Festivals, Food and Drink, United States
In the last post I was talking about the idea of hitting the road to look for good and cheap eats with the family. It got me looking at different food festivals all across the United States. Who knows, there might be one near you?
Oktoberfest, Big Bear Lake, California
This festival is held annually at Big Bear Lake. This year it is slated to run from September 15 till October 27 – yup, it has started. Experience authentic German food and beer and music as well. There are also other activities such as log sawing contests, slam beer drinking, and stein carrying. There will be an area for children as well …
Sep|14|2007
Celebrating Ramadan
Posted by Camica as Around The World, Arts & Culture, Events
The month of Ramadan is a special time of year for the Islamic community. During this month, Muslims all over the world undergo a period of fasting and abstinence. If you’re planning to travel to a Muslim country, you should be aware and respectful of the local and religious customs observed during this month. You should also be aware of how day-to-day living in a Muslim country changes during Ramadan.
During Ramadan, shops, restaurants and tourist attractions are generally closed during daytime, or have shorter opening hours. Train and bus timetables may also be affected. Of course, if you’re staying in a tourist hotspot like Turkey or Marrakech, some establishments will continue to cater …
