Niagara Falls is one of North America’s most impressive natural attractions, and, one that literally separates the United States and Canada, it happens to be the name of two cities; one in the state of New York and one in Ontario just over the border.
Niagara Falls is actually made up of three separate falls, two of which lie on the NY side. Canada may have been blessed with a more impressive panoramic view, but you can easily get up close and personal with the falls from either side. The American side is also packed with a number of attractions besides just the Falls.
While there’s much debate about which side is better, today we’ve partnered with Hotels.com to introduce you to the American side of Niagara Falls.
From exploring America’s oldest state park to enjoying a fascinating aquarium, gorgeous golf courses, great shopping, and a delicious wine region, Niagara Falls New York offers something for everyone.
And, there are plenty of great Niagara Falls hotels that are within walking distance of Niagara’s top attractions and just a short drive from many more of the hidden gems.
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Let’s be honest, the internet is full of articles about things to do in London! But what if you want to experience the city like an actual Londoner?
Whether you’re a visitor the the city, have recently migrated, or maybe you’re a Londoner yourself who’s never explored your city, there are many fabulous experiences in London beyond the famous attractions.
So in this list we’re excluding everything you’ve probably already seen, and everything you’ve already been told to do, to bring you some fabulous ideas for experiencing London like a local.
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As international travel restrictions begin to ease and we all look to go on a much needed holiday, it’s important to remember that many countries around the world require you to obtain a visa.
Each country has its own unique visa requirements, and whether or not you will need a visa will largely depend on where you are travelling and what nationality you are. A travel visa will allow you to pass through or remain in a country for a set amount of time and for a specific purpose.
The different visas available to travellers include those designed specifically for tourists, journalists, students, doctors, volunteers, and diplomats. Should you wish to work in a foreign country, you will need to make sure your visa allows you to do so.
Whether you need a transit visa or a longer tourist/migration visa, it’s vital to understand the visa process, as you’re not getting into a foreign country without one!
So, let’s take a look at where you can get your visa, when you should get your visa, and what you may need to successfully obtain your required visa.
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While everybody would like to indulge on a regular vacation, time taken off for a wellness holiday to restore the body and soul calls for a different packing list altogether.
And while we might say we travel to relax, let’s be honest – most of our regular vacations are so jam packed with activities that we end up needing another vacation the minute we’re home! That vacation you always seem to need at the end of your typical vacations to relax and unwind? That’s a wellness break.
Though don’t fall into the trap of thinking that wellness just means sitting at the spa; there are a wide range of holiday types that are considered a health getaway today. Here’s a basic packing list for each of them.
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Self-care has become a part of everyone’s vocabulary recently. But just a few years ago, this act was a revolutionary idea that very few dabbled in – or dared to even indulge in and brag about!
People than ever are prioritizing activities and routines that promote health, happiness, relaxation and excitement now more than ever, though for many people, their preferred self care activity was travel.
Circumstances have obviously changed right now, and for most people travel is off the table. Even after borders re-open the economic impact of the pandemic means travel might be off the cards for a while.
So what are some self-care activities you can practice when you’re not traveling? Things you can do to ignite your energy again, just as travel would usually do.
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Traveling alone can be nerve-racking even when you’ve done it many times before, but especially for first time travelers, the one thing that’s most challenging is finding the confidence.
But it’s not only about finding the confidence to book the tickets and get on the plane (of which there has been much written on) – once you’re out there traveling, confidence is something you have to maintain.
Fortunately, confidence is quite like riding a bike – you get better with practice. And even if you’ve fallen out of practice, it’s a skill which naturally comes back to you once you get going.
But like anything in life, you can lay down the groundwork in advance to put yourself in a better position once you’re in the thick of things. So, with that in mind, here are tips for maintaining your confidence when traveling alone.
You’ve already booked your tickets and committed to go. But now how do you ride that wave and keep that surge of confidence going?
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Ever wondered what it takes to be the world’s most traveled woman? Or what it’s like to visit every country in the world? What about every country and every territory?!
This mighty achievement is something that few people have ever done – and even fewer women. But Audrey Walsworth has.
Having visited all 193 UN recognized countries, and all 327 Travelers Century Club (TCC) territories (only 3 women in the world can make the claim of having completed the TCC list), at 86 years old Audrey is the world’s most well traveled woman.
This is her story!
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Beverages are a big part of the camping experience, and there’s often no better way to quench your thirst than with some delicious libations out in the woods!
Sharing a beer after kayaking, sipping a wine as the sun sets, or passing natural weed around the campfire as you strum the guitar and crack some jokes; these are all camping traditions that make the adventure a memorable one.
But when you’re camping with beverages you can get certain things wrong. As such we’ve put together this handy resource.
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Many of us dream of taking an African safari at least once in our lives. Though packing for a safari is totally different than packing for a normal vacation.
After-all, you’re spending time in extremely different climates, maybe even camping in the wild, and have to ensure your gear is wildlife friendly, while still being safe and comfortable.
While you may not need all the technical outdoor wear shown in the glossy brochures, you will have to pack strategically, and with special thought to your activities. Kenya safari holidays are a once-in-a-lifetime experience – but are only enjoyable if you pack the right gear! Here’s what you need to pack.
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Don’t let the beauty influencers fool you – great skin doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg; especially when you’re traveling and would prefer to spend the money on experiences!
Travel exposes our bodies to many different climates, extremities and environments, so while skincare is something you may not prioritize as highly as your passport, it is something which may hit you unexpectedly on your trip.
Sudden changes in climate can irritate your skin, from exposure to the sun (i.e. Australia) to harsh, wintery conditions (i.e. Antarctica), or polluted cities (ie Beijing), every new destination brings new challenges for our skin.
You can find plenty of affordable brands at the drugstore that offer effective treatments for any type of skin. Even DIY skincare can be great for the face and the wallet.
The trick is knowing what ingredients to look for and how to treat your skin type. Which is exactly what this post will cover!
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Pondicherry is a beautiful beach town on the southeastern coastline of India. A French colony until 1954, even today you can still see the impact and influence the French have left.
Here you’ll find colourful alleys, french cafes and heritage hotels. There are European mansions, bougainvillaea laden walls, and chic boutiques in what has become known as the French Capital of India.
From authentic French food to beautiful colonial villas around town, everything in Pondicherry screams France … and French is still largely spoken – the official language throughout town.
One beautiful thing about Pondicherry is that it slows time down for you – the place has such a calm vibe to it, and will leave you with a different experience to the normally chaotic and hectic cities India is more well known for.
From long walks on the beach, or exploring its cobblestone streets (the French call them boulevards and rues), here are 10 things you can do around town.
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Unless you’re a streaming or home delivery service, no business has found itself untouched by the impact of the current pandemic. And among the worst affected has been the travel industry.
But at some point, this pandemic will end and we’ll all be eager to get away to different places again. And while the social and cultural fabric of our societies may change due to the impacts of the crisis, one thing will be exactly the same: History!
The world is full of rich and fascinating history, which will always remain exactly the same (albeit may vary depending on the perspective it’s told from!).
So if you’re disheartened by what the future travel experience may be – don’t be. There will always be the opportunity to travel through time, by diving into each country/culture’s unique history. Here are some of our favorites.
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One of America’s greatest natural treasures, Yellowstone National Park was the first declared national park in the U.S. and one of the first government-protected natural areas in the world.
The enormous park covers over two million acres, most of which lies within the state of Wyoming, and with plenty of nature trails and wide open spaces, is the perfect way to enjoy the outdoors while maintaining socially distancing.
Yellowstone’s untamed land is home to canyons, rivers, mountains, and half of the world’s hydrothermal features. Five entrances provide access to nearly a hundred different hiking trailheads and hundreds of miles of park roads. Many of America’s largest animals including bears, bison, and elk can be seen, in addition to Yellowstone’s many iconic natural landmarks.
I hope to inspire you to visit Yellowstone National Park and its surrounds by sharing the park’s most famous natural features and the wildlife you can expect to see during your visit.
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It’s estimated that over 150 million people worldwide wear contact lenses. Most people wear contacts to correct impaired vision, but many others do so for aesthetic reasons such as wearing artificially colored lenses.
Unlike eyeglasses, contact lenses make activities like playing sports, snorkeling, and simply wearing sunglasses much easier for those with eyesight problems. We contact lens wearers can, however, run into a few annoyances when flying.
Airplanes present an environment that isn’t the most ideal place for wearing contacts. However, there are several tips you can follow that will allow you to continue wearing your contacts while flying, without suffering from dry and irritated eyes.
If you also wear contacts, check out my top recommendations for things you should do the next time you’re flying.
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Of all the addictions of modern society, I never fell into any seriously bad vices. Though I am addicted to power. Not the type that ‘goes to your head’, but the type that powers your devices, keeps your light on, and your fridge active!
I’m talking about electricity. I cannot go without it! I want it when I’m camping, when living the RV life, and I want it during a power outage, like when you’re visiting a region with recurrent blackouts, or caught in a natural disaster.
Portable power stations have become my best friend – especially those with clean solar recharge. And my favorite brand MAXOAK has just announced their highest capacity portable power station yet.
Eco-friendly, reliable, cost-effective, and with a continuous 2000W AC Output / 1700Wh capacity, this portable solar powered generator can power 17 devices simultaneously, and is powerful enough to charge a Tesla!
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One of the biggest dilemmas pet-owners face when planning travel is whether you take your beloved pet with you, or if they’re better off left at home.
But for most people these days, pets form an intimate part of our lives, and the latter is simply unthinkable (according to Condor Ferries, 53% of travelers take holidays with their pets).
While it may not be a question of whether or not your pet comes with you, it’s very normal for anxiety to set in once you start planning out your trip; traveling with pets presents a range of challenges, especially when it comes to keeping them safe.
The good news is that regardless of whether you’re traveling by car, plane, bus, or train, there are some very simple and easy steps to ensuring your fur baby’s safety.
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When I decided to visit Vietnam, trekking and homestay with a local H’mong hill tribe was at the top of my list.
Have you ever traveled to a destination where you felt transformed by the experience? A place so distant from your reality, but at the same time, so connected and simple?
My time with a Black H’mong family in Sapa allowed for total immersion into a tribal culture, while having the opportunity to appreciate little things that we take for granted like a comfortable bed, and a daily hot shower.
My experiences in Sapa are up there with some of the best travel experiences I’ve ever had; while sharing a house with a hill tribe in the mysterious misty mountains of north-western Vietnam.
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When you think of wine, you probably think of France and Italy, or maybe Spain, Portugal, New Zealand or Chile. But there are wonderful wine regions in Canada and the United States too!
If you’re planning a trip to North America, and you’re interested in doing some tasting, here’s a select wine list to choose from.
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When thinking about where to go for your summer break, it’s likely that you’ll overlook Poland. However, as the 9th largest country in Europe, there really is an endless of supply of things to do!
From gold sandy beaches and snow-topped mountains, to a distinctly unique urban cityscape (ie Kraków and Warsaw), you’ll surely soon realize how perfect a summer getaway Poland is. And, to be honest, you’ll probably even struggle to fit everything in!
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You’re finally booked for that dream vacation you’ve been wanting for a while but now the question arises – what are you going to do on the plane?
Granted, most flights provide in-transit entertainment these days in the form of movies or television shows, but the selections aren’t always the best or the most up-to-date. So what can you do?
Why not take your traveling time to finish off a craft project you’ve been working on or maybe use the time to try something new? It’s 100% possible to do crafts while on a plane (maybe barring woodwork!), but you do have to choose the best ones for the space available.
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In recent years, timesharing (also known as vacation ownership) has become one of the most popular ways to take a holiday. Because ultimately, there are a huge amount of perks.
Yet for many intrepid travelers, a definite downside of investing in a timeshare is being locked to vacation in the same place every year, or, in the instance of a Points-based ownership (more about that below), locked to large resorts, and a specific set of destinations. Depending on the presence of your vacation club, you may not have the option of traveling too far off the beaten path.
But the good news is that it doesn’t have to be that black and white. For those wanting to take advantage of the perks of timeshare accommodation without the long term commitment, timeshare rental sites provide a fantastic solution.
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Waterfalls are one of the most beautiful creations of Mother Nature. They are often a source of freshwater for local communities, while at the same time, attract tourists for their beauty, which naturally boosts local economies.
World famous for their scenic beauty, prominent falls include Angel Falls in Venezuela, Niagara Falls in the United States / Canada, and Victoria Falls on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. Incredible falls are present throughout the globe, and the same is true for India.
A subcontient often considered to be a microcosm of the world, and home to some of the wettest places on earth, India is home to thousands of falls ranging from a few meters to hundreds of meters in height.
Of course, you won’t have the chance to visit every single one, so here we’ve listed 10 of the best waterfalls; the most renowned for their beauty, of which you absolutely shouldn’t miss!
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In recent years, rumors have begun to spread about the existence of a wildlife rich island off the coast of South Australia, in the Southern Ocean / Great Australian Bite.
A natural, rugged island where native animals like kangaroos, sea lions, koalas, and penguins roam freely, through an interior of sand dunes, bush-land, and pink lakes; one surrounded with impeccably clear waters where you can swim with wild dolphins, while feasting on mouth-watering food and wine at the end of the day.
Kangaroo Island is Australia’s third largest island, and while it feels like you’re a million miles from the rest of the world, the SeaLink Kangaroo Island ferry takes only 45 minutes from the mainland.
Australia’s very own Galapagos, this is one of the world’s greatest nature based destinations, and this year is the perfect time to visit!
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Alabama Hills California is not your typical tourist hot-spot. Located in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, this recreational gem is well known to photographers and camping lovers who come here to relax and take in scenic views.
To imagine what the region looks like, just picture a collection of rock formations and sandstone hills sitting against the backdrop of snow-powdered Sierras. Seeing the mountain and desert landscapes blend into one picture is pretty unbelievable.
When you wander around Alabama Hills, you will find gorgeous arches, quirky boulders, and fairly easy hiking trails. But beyond being a photographer’s dream, this place is also a gateway to Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States.
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Boston may not be as overwhelming as NYC or have the a festive atmosphere of Miami, but it’s definitely a one-of-a-kind city with the chance to relive history, cheer for hometown sports, explore interesting museums and tour one of the most important universities in the world.
If you’re visiting Boston for the first time, you’ll definitely find Massachusetts’ capital fascinating. As one of the oldest cities in the country, it has played a prominent role in US history and it’s a great city to visit.
During your stay in Boston you’ll discover plenty of things to see and do and, regardless of your interests, you’ll be fully entertained. However for the history buff in particular, there are some pretty remarkable attractions!
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