Paris
Cliché, but still a must visit. The Eiffel Tower, the River Seine, Le Louvre, Versailles, the Arc de Triomphe, cafes – need I say more? Oh, and I absolutely have to go to the Ice Kube bar. It’s not a new concept, but it would be cool (no pun intended) to go there.

London
Easily accessible from France via the train that goes through the Channel Tunnel, London is definitely a must see. Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and fish and chips! Maybe a visit to the West End as well.

Istanbul
Let’s deviate from the usual stops and take a look at the outer edges of Europe. We always hear talk about “East meeting West,” and there is no better place to discover that than in Istanbul. The culture is certainly unique and exhilarating.

Budapest
Another stop where the old world meets the new. Budapest is known for its night life AND thermal baths. Where else can you find such a combination?

Going to Europe? Make sure you stop by in each of these cities for at least a couple of days.

The fact that it erupted fairly recently and that you can hike right up to the crater is too tempting to resist. Even more so, the sight that greets you at the end of the trek is enough to entice anyone – even those who wouldn’t normally go hiking. I’ll let the photos speak for themselves.

That’s my first view of the crater. The eruption created this gorgeous lake, the depth of which is currently undetermined. I had seen pictures of this view so many times before but nothing prepared me for the real thing.

Yes, you can go swimming in the lake. The water is perfect! At first it may seem too cold but the sun is hot enough to keep you warm.

There are different routes you can take to the crater – we chose the easiest one. We drove all the way to Capas, Tarlac, where the famed Pinatubo Spa is located. We met our guide there, who took us near the crater on a 4×4. That ride lasted about an hour (rough road all the way!), while the trek lasted about 30 minutes. According to the sign below, we’re way older than senior citizens!

I say who cares? The experience was worth everything!

So anyway, the news is that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – that’s the name of the theme park – is set to open its gates on the 28th of May. That’s about 3 months away from now – more than enough time to gather together enough money to afford the cost of entering Harry Potter’s world.

Universal has announced the first travel package for the theme park. It’s a 4-night deal which will cost an adult $258 and a child (between age 3 and 9) $130. For a family of four (two parents and two kids), the package amounts to $829.

What’s included in the package?

• Accommodations at a Universal Partner Hotel (mid-range)
• Early Admission to the theme park
• Park ticket (3 days)
• Breakfast at The Three Broomsticks.

Harry Potter fans better start saving up now!

There are two main groups of islands that are usually visited by tourists – one to the south and one to the north. The southern islands are farther, but a whole lot more beautiful. Manlawi, which I wrote about in the previous post, is located in this area. Another island in this area is Cotivas. It is also beautiful, but smaller than Manlawi. When we got there, there were a small group of people lunching under the shade of a small tree. It was so serene!

Sabitang Laya is also a must visit. The beach is much smaller, but the rock formations are astoundingly beautiful! There is a small cove – if you can call it that – with more rock formations. I could spend a whole afternoon there just breathing it all in!


Islands in the northern part worth visiting are Lahus Island and Matukad Island. Lahus has a relatively long beach in the middle of two groups of rocks.

Matukad is smaller, but has some interesting plants. There is also a lagoon which is accessible by climbing a steep “cliff.” There is supposed to be a “guardian fish” in the lagoon, which cannot be caught by anyone.


Isn’t this place just magical?

This group of islands is located in the southern part of the main island, Luzon, in the Bicol Region. It only became popular in the recent years, especially after the French version of Survivor was held there. Indeed, not much is known about the area, hence the moniker “Secret Paradise.”

From what I have been hearing from people who’ve been there, there are only a handful of resorts in the area. The main one is Gota Village – the exact site of the French Survivor. Naturally, the rates are quite high, although still affordable for some. My travelmates have decided to stay at another place (yeah, I was outvoted) – La Playa Resort. It’s more of a laidback place, so I am not expecting much BUT all I really need is the sun, the sand, and the sea!

So why should anyone go to Caramoan? The pictures I’ve seen – both from people I know and others who have written about the place online – are just gorgeous. The main thing is that there aren’t many people there – peak season it may be, but it shouldn’t be crowded.

Obviously, I have no pictures of my own to show you yet, but by the first week of January, I shall be writing more about this new destination.

For more info on Caramoan, check out these sites:
http://caramoanislands.com/
http://caramoan-paradise.blogspot.com/

Last week, the country experienced a natural disaster of immense magnitude. Typhoon Ketsana (Typhoon Ondoy) hit Luzon, the northernmost island, and left billions worth of damage behind. Countless people were affected: hundreds lost their lives, more lost their homes and their belongings. Even today, there are still areas which are waist deep (or even deeper) in water.

Bottom line: the people of the Philippines welcome your aid. They are some of the most hospitable people in the world, and this time, it is them that need care. The Philippine Red Cross has set up a PayPal account to receive donations. Click below if you feel the desire to help out.

And don’t believe warnings that the Philippines is not suitable as a travel destination these days. The typhoon wreaked havoc and damage, but it is only temporary. Trust me, we will be back on our feet before you know it.

On another note, I saw a promotional video create by Apl De Ap of Black Eyed Peas – you might not have known it but he is Filipino. Here is the video.

That’s the Filipino spirit.

Let’s take a look at the United States, McNeil identified 8 locations that every American should visit. Can you guess what they are?

1. Sears Tower (Willis Tower) – yeah, it has a new name, and it seems no one is used to it yet, but the fact that it’s the country’s tallest tower has not changed. This Chicago landmark is a must visit for every American.

2. Gettysburg – every American child learns about Gettysburg in school. It is the site of one of the worst Civil War battles, as well as one of the most famous speeches of Abraham Lincoln. Definitely an essential part of American history.

3. Yellowstone – nature lovers have to visit this park at least once – and even that wouldn’t be enough with 10,000 hot springs, 300 geysers, and countless species of wildlife.

4. New York Harbor – another historical site, this is where immigrants entered the country many many decades ago.

5. Monticello – owned by the man who penned the Declaration of Independence, the Monticello is another must visit.

6. Graceland – Elvis fan or not, a visit to Graceland is something one will not forget.

7. Pearl Harbor – pay homage to the people who lost their lives in World War II. Pearl Harbor is where it all first started for the U.S.

8. Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church – you may not know about this church, but this is where Martin Luther King Jr. was baptized; in effect, the origins of the fight for racial equality.

How many of these places have you visited?

If there are two figures most attached to Cuba (aside from Fidel Castro), they are Che and Hemingway. Do as they did! Go to the Castillo de Farnes and have a beer or two, just as Che and Castro drank to the success of the revolution. You can also visit La Bodeguita del Medio, which was Hemingway’s old haunt.

Of course, you cannot miss out on a cigar experience when in Cuba. Visit various cigar factories and try your hand at authentic cigar rolling. Perhaps the most famous of these factories is Real Fábrica de Tabacos Partagás in Havana. You can also visit other factories in Pinar del Rio and Trinidad.

If you want to get a taste of the local life, you might want to take a walk along the Malecon. This is actually an old sea wall that connects Old Havana and Vedado. Locals – couples, fishermen, and families – like spending some leisurely time there.

Mountain lovers should go on a trek up the Sierra Maestra. Of the mountains in these ranges, the highest is Pico Turquino. Alternatively, you can explore the Zapata Peninsula, which is rich with wildlife.

The museum at Playa Giron is definitely a must, especially for Americans. This museum is located on the site where the Bay of Pigs invasion happened in 1961. Be prepared to get all emotional during your visit, though.

Carousing around Europe is part of every traveler’s dream. However, we all know just how heavy on the pockets this could be. One critical weapon in the traveler’s arsenal is the city card. Major European cities offer these cards to visitors and locals alike, in an effort to help them make some savings. Here are some city cards that you should take a look at.

Barcelona Card
If you’re heading off to Spain, you might want to get one of these. You have to pay €26 for two days and you get 10 percent off on all online bookings at bcnshop.barcelonaturisme.com. You also get public transport and discounts for the attractions of the cities.

Roma Pass
This card is cheaper at €23 for three days and you get more out of it. All buses, trains, and subways come free. You also get free entrance to two museums and additional discounts for every museum you visit thereafter. One drawback – no discounts for the Vatican.

Paris ComboPass Lite
Pay €42 for two days of traipsing around the city. All public transportation is covered plus you get free entrance to the Louvre and the Musee d’Orsay. Oh, and they threw in an hour cruise on the Seine.

There are more cards available in different cities, just make sure you look for them and compare the actual costs before you get yourself a card.

Some people do not mind being bumped from their flight or having their flight cancelled. This is especially true for those who are in no particular hurry. And why not? More often than not, people in this position find themselves getting a lot of freebies. But this is not always the case. And if ever you do find yourself out of a flight or your flight gets cancelled, it would be great to know your rights as a traveler.

For example, did you know that if you are bumped from a domestic flight in the US, it is within your legal right to receive payment from the airline? The payment is the price of a one-way ticket up to $400 – that is, if you are rescheduled to fly and get to your destination within 2 hours of the original time. If this time period goes beyond 2 hours, you can receive up to $800!

Another example is to look out for the signs that some airlines put right outside the boarding gate. These signs offer cash vouchers for those who volunteer to be bumped off. My tip? Wait till the departure time gets nearer. Usually, the value of the vouchers go higher then. 

Why? Simply because they are also feeling the effects of the economic times. According to a story recently published by the Associate Press, many dude ranches all over the West are experiencing a lack of clients. The main reason, they say, is that the fees for dude ranches can be quite high – up to almost $2000 for a week’s stay.

With the numbers of visitors reaching a record low, people operating dude ranches are starting to adjust quickly. They have slashed their rates significantly. They have added other perks to their packages (read: free massages). They have offered larger group discounts and much lower children’s fees. Another adjustment is in the length of stay. Normally, the minimum stay is a week. Now, shorter stays (for cheaper of course) are possible.

Dude ranch operators are not keen on short stays, however, and it is not because of the money involved. They want their guests to have a meaningful experience of what it is like to be in the West and a couple of days stay may not provide that – and they just might be right.

So, stuck on your vacation plans for the family? Maybe you should head on out to the wild west!

According to auto club AAA, however, this year’s July 4th will not be focused on traveling. Their prediction is that, in spite of the fact that gas prices have gone down considerably and continue to do so, fewer people will be hitting the roads during the holiday period. The rationale behind this prediction is the fact that economic situation is still uncertain and a lot of people have become victims of it. Some may have recently lost employment while others may be in danger of finding themselves in the same boat.

However, AAA seems to be focusing mainly on land travel. They also said something to the effect that air travel might increase by a few percent due to budget airlines and ticket promotions.

What does this mean for you? If you like going on a road trip, then next weekend might be a great time to do so! If fewer people are going to hit the road, then you just might find yourself enjoying the scenery and not worrying about the heavy traffic that is always associated with holidays. Even better, gas prices started decreasing Monday last week, and it does not look like they will go up again soon.

So maybe you should take a look at your options and see where you can go on July 4 weekend.

I am sure that the name is not unfamiliar to many of you. It is an island located at the northern part of Cyprus, shares the same name, but is an independent republic. It has so many things to offer the traveler, best of all its long stretches of sandy beaches.

Since the sun shines in this part of the world almost all year long, you can visit any time you want to. The beaches in North Cyprus are numerous, offering various options ranging from luxurious resorts and hotels to backpackers’ destinations.

The three most popular areas which you can consider visiting are the Kyrenia Beaches, the Famagusta Beaches, and the Karpaz Beaches. All of these beaches offer turquoise waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling. They are all safe for these activities, and some of them are owned by hotels. If you are looking for people and perks that resorts offer, then you should head on to the more popular spots. If you are looking for solitude – just the sun, the water, the sand, and yourself, then you are sure to find a spot in any of these coastlines as well.

Mind you, beaches are not the only reason to visit North Cyprus. The culture in this tiny island has strong roots in ancient civilizations, and you will surely be mesmerized by the array of cultural treats awaiting you. For your next trip, why don’t you consider North Cyprus? It is a veritable treasure trove waiting to be discovered.

If you have teens and you are looking for a unique experience for a family trip, New York would be a good place to consider. It has so many things to offer and would definitely catch the interest of the whole family. With all the things that one can do in New York, where do you start? Here are a few things that you could start with.

Big Apple Greeter
I know, New Yorkers have the reputation of being cold and too busy to be friendly. Yet members of the Big Apple Greeters are doing what they can to dispel this notion. This group is a non-profit organization which offers FREE tours of New York. Yes, FREE. Though not many people may have heard of the group, Big Apple Greeters has been in operation for about 12 years now and has offered many families and individuals a tour of their lives. You should really start with this if you are traveling to New York for vacation. You can visit the Big Apple Greeters web site for particulars.

Empire State Building
What is a visit to New York without a visit to the Empire State Building? Perhaps New York’s most famous landmark, the building has been in so many movies that anyone would recognize it. Just be ready for long lines and crowds of people on the observation deck when you visit. It is not the most famous landmark for nothing.

As early as November, the city plays host to a number of different theater acts. Kids will surely enjoy watching “The Happy Elf” at The Coterie Theater and “The Nutcracker” at the Music Hall. Parents will also be entertained by various musicals and acts like “The Christmas Carol” and “A Christmas Stalking.” What better way to get into the spirit than by seeing all those colorful costumes and hearing all those Christmas songs?

Shoppers will also be delighted by the huge variety of shopping choices in the city. Numerous art galleries make lines at the Crossroads Art District. The community even has something they call “First Fridays–” days when art galleries stay open from 7 to 9 PM. And with the number of bars and restaurants still open, checking out those galleries would be a memorable way to spend a little alone time with a special someone.

Home to millions of tourists each year, the Crown Center is obviously a favorite. It is the home of Hallmark cards and houses a huge skating rink right out in the city. Aside from theaters and cinemas, one-of-a-kind boutiques can also be found here. Children of all ages will also be treated to a long list of activities. Enough to keep them busy and happy. Of course, no one can make the mistake of missing the Mayor’s Christmas Tree! It’s one of the tallest Christmas trees in the nation!

For more shopping opportunities, the Country Club Plaza has it all. From shopping to dining to music! If these aren’t enough to impress you, then the Plaza Lights surely will! Casting a bright glow over the area, guests are even more inclined to make their way around every open door. Also famous for holiday lights are the Crown Plaza and Zona Rosa.

So if you’re thinking about where to spend your Christmas holidays, make sure to keep Kansas City on your list. You wouldn’t want to miss all the wonderful festivities now, would you?

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Remember that interesting dinner in China?

Or the time when Uncle Jack discovered that old barn?

Or that unplanned stop in Havana?

Well, whatever story you have under your sleeve, now is the time to pull it out and share it with everyone! This fall, Traveling Stories Magazine is hosting a travel writing contest for all those with wonderful and interesting stories to tell. The objective of TSM is to encourage travelers to write about their experiences and perhaps, serve as inspiration to others.

The prize at stake is a featured link on the TSM Web site and $125 (courtesy of the travel company, On the Beach Holidays) which will be sent through PayPal. Winners will be chosen by readers and voters through a 5-star scale. The article with the highest rating will be the winner!

However, all hope is not lost for the rest. All submissions automatically have a chance for publication in the quarterly hard copy version of TSM which is to be released in January 2008.

Articles should be between 300-1000 words. They should be creatively written without having to be “destination-based.” Photographs can be included but proper caption and credit should be given. Submissions should also include a brief bio which will be included at the end of the article.

So, if you have something to tell, don’t hesitate to share it with TSM. Remember, all great stories come from the heart. Who knows, you might just be the undiscovered travel writer of the year! Besides, think of the wonderful memories you’ll be reliving as a result of your writing. It might even inspire you to take another trip.

Deadlines of submission is on November 15, 2007. Winners will be announced on November 25, 2007.

For more details, you can go here.

Best of luck, people!!!

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Turkey is rising in popularity as a tourist destination, a perfect place to relax while enjoying nature and immersing oneself in its rich culture. Two of the most popular tourist destinations in Turkey are Istanbul and the Antalya province. A visit to Istanbul, the capital city of Ottoman Empire, is a treat for those who love history and culture. This large sprawling city is full of wonders to behold where the old and new and the East and West sit side by side giving the city a vibrance that only those who have visited it will understand. Antalya, also known as the Turkish Riviera, boasts of world-class resorts situated along the cleanest beaches in the Mediterranean. Antalya is not only for beach lovers though but also for those interested in archeology and history since ancient cities, tombs, and harbours pepper the countryside. The city of Antalya though remains to be the tourist hub of the province with its famous marina and castles amidst a buzzing and very modern city. Although these two destinations are the most popular among those going on a holiday in Turkey there are plenty of other places to visit like the beautiful Cappadocian Region and Aegean Coasts.

Aside from the great places to visit one of the best things about going on a holiday to Turkey is that there are plenty of bargain holidays to be had. As I have said in my previous post, you can save a whole lot of money if you know how to vacation smart and one way to do that is to find cheap holiday packages. If you plan on going on a holiday in Turkey just make sure that you do not regret spending an absurd amount of money only to find out later on that you could have enjoyed the same trip for much less by considering bargain holidays.

Image Source:

Hagia Sofia – Wikipedia.org

Antalya Marina – Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism

Last August, Reader’s Digest analysed which of the world’s 141 countries ranked as the greenest. The criteria Reader’s Digest used meant not only that the greenest countries were the most environmental friendly but that they really are the most desirable places to live, and hence to visit. After all, as they said, “Just because a country or place is environmentally “fit” doesn’t mean you’d want to spend your life there – think jungles or the Antarctic. But finding the perfect balance between what’s green and what’s livable could lead you to paradise.”

So without further ado here’s the greenest countries and cities in the entire world.

Top 10 Countries:

1. Finland
2. Iceland
3. Norway
4. Sweden
5. Austria
6. Switzerland
7. Ireland
8. Australia
9. Uruguay
10. Denmark

Top 10 Cities:

1. Stockholm, Sweden
2. Oslo, Norway
3. Munich, Germany
4. Paris, France
5. Frankfurt, Germany
6. Stuttgart, Germany
7. Lyon, France
8. Dusseldorf, Germany
9. Nantes, France
10. Copenhagen, Denmark

Source: Readers Digest Australia: Living Green: Ranking the best (and worst) countries

Images Sources: Jaunted.com and Wikimedia Commons