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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It’s true that the way we travel has changed as a direct result of the current pandemic, and will likely continue to change as we navigate the new world of travel post COVID-19.
While future travel is set to see increased safety precautions, social distancing, and face masks become the norm, just as the way we travel will evolve, so to have the destinations which are trending.
Mass tourism has been one of the biggest social and environmental issues of the 21st century, though this has seen a swift death, and where destinations like Venice, Barcelona, and Bali were once constantly at the top of the trending list, post pandemic we’re set to see new front runners.
With a swing towards destinations that can provide you with a bit of distance, we expect these 5 destinations to be topping the list of trending travel once borders reopen.
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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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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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Europe has long been a continent to inspire romanticism and fantasy; from stealing a kiss under the Eiffel Tower, to sailing freely throughout the Greek Islands, and eating your body weight in Spanish tapas, there’s no continent on earth quite like it.
A continent that stretches from Turkey to Portugal, and then north up to Iceland, Europe is full of ancient wonders, medieval structures, mouthwatering menus, modern cities, fairy-tale landscapes, and Mediterranean beaches. It’s also a massive smorgasbord of culture.
There’s much to love about this region, and in fact, when we think about it, there’s never a day when we’re not in love with Europe!
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Up until this coin’s release, Belarus was one of the few countries in the world that had never issued coins. While the coin’s date may read 2009, it interestingly wasn’t released into circulation until 2016, roughly 8 years after they were initially minted!
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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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Travelling for a weekend in North Carolina but don’t know how to spend your time?
From urban adventure in cities life Raleigh and Charlotte, to the tranquility of the Outer Banks, the following are weekend getaway ideas for 48 hours in North Carolina!
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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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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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When visiting the UK from abroad, be that for work, pleasure, to study or to live, it’s important to make sure that you have the right visa.
Whether you need a visa depends on where you are travelling from, how long you intend to stay in the UK and what you intend to do while you are visiting. Here’s a quick guide to the different types of UK visa.
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Australian figures from the recent pandemic are looking much more positive, and as the country starts making its way out of lock-down, smaller workplaces are returning to work, and state wide restrictions are starting to lift.
But while the country is opening up to domestic tourism, and family businesses can open up shop, international tourism is far further off, and larger Australian industries like casino resorts are still under lock-down.
Casino tourism had recently become travel’s largest sector, with casinos like Crown Melbourne attracting more tourists per year than the likes of the Sydney Opera House!
Supporters of the online gaming industry speculate that the pandemic will be the final blow to traditional gaming; one of the serious implications of the coronavirus at Australia Casinos is the cultural shift towards online gambling.
So with this significant source of revenue and employment suddenly out, the question then becomes: will casino tourism in Australia recover?
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Did you know that South Australia is home to the nation’s oldest surviving German settlement? Set in the Adelaide Hills, Hahndorf is what you get when early German migrants travel to Australia on a Zebra!
Yes, you read that correctly! Though the migrants fleeing religious prosecution in 1839 didn’t saddle up on the black and white kind, rather a ship named Zebra which was captained by Dirk Meinerts Hahn.
The slice of heaven in the Adelaide Hills where the passengers and crew would eventually settle would end up being named after the Captain. Today, visitors to Hahndorf experience a traditional European village blended with Aussie spirit.
Set along leafy Main Street in the heart of town are three unique properties by The Haus Group. We stayed at the award-winning The Studios by Haus this past autumn (boutique self-contained apartments), and were totally charmed by this historic yet contemporary Australian town.
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There’s nothing quite like stepping out onto the summit of Masada, the sun beating down on you and the Dead Sea stretching out before you.
This stunning ancient fortress is one of the most visited sites in Israel for a reason, and everyone should aim to visit at least once if planning a visit to the country.
A magnificent 2,000 year old fortification atop a rugged rocky plateau, Masada is one of the world’s most beautiful ruins. However this is not the type of site where you can just step off the tour bus, admire for twenty minutes, and then get back on.
Making the most out of a trip to Masada requires a little bit of forward planning, so here are some of the things you can do before your visit, an introduction to the history of the site, and whether or not you should hike!
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From hiking through national parks to experiencing the Alaskan wildlife and wilderness, there are plenty of walking holiday destinations in the USA to consider before jetting off.
Here’s a quick guide to the best locations for hiking holidays in the USA and what kinds of things you can expect from each.
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Uyuni, the land of wonders, is almost at hand’s reach. We’ve heard so much about it, at every table of every hostel throughout South America.
We’re ecstatic, exhilarated and exquisitely excited. But we’ve also thought long and hard about which tour we should take. Should we stick to the salt flats, or indulge in the 3-day excursion?
Honestly, if we had known about the myriad stunning landscapes we would go through on the 3-day Uyuni tour, it would have saved a lot of time and effort. The South of Bolivia has so much more to it than the salt flats.
Truth is, what you’re about to read is exactly the kind of post we would have needed.
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When we embarked on our ‘Road Trip for Good‘ at the beginning of March, the purpose was to visit bushfire affected parts of the country, and do our bit to support struggling local economies.
The start of 2020 saw unprecedented bushfires rip through Australia; millions of people were affected, but the devastation wasn’t just limited to property, wildlife, and land. It also decimated local economies across the country, as travelers cancelled their plans.
Summer is peak season for tourism in Australia, and many small businesses rely on the visitor economy. Even if the fire didn’t reach their doors, the sudden drought of tourism was a heart aching pill to swallow.
Our gratitude can’t be expressed deeply enough for the outpouring of love, donations, and support which flooded in from around the world, and from around the country. But the bushfire recovery is far from over, especially for those who have lost their income.
By mid March a pandemic swept in, and we were forced to rush home. But as Australia went into lockdown and we cut our trip short, the residents of bushfire affected Australia had a clear message:
‘Please don’t forget about us’.
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Southeast Queensland’s Gold Coast has a reputation as a gaudy family friendly holiday destination with theme parks, beaches and wild nightlife.
While it is indeed all of those things, for those that venture outside of the usual tourist hotspots, it has so much more to offer, from great food to endless outdoor activities.
Locals feel that just by living here, it’s like winning one of those giant American lottery jackpots – there’s a reason so many Aussies move to the Gold Coast, though it’s not for the typical tourist haunts!
Check out our list of things to do on the Gold Coast beyond the theme parks and Surfers. You may find that you’re the next person wanting to move!
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