Thailand is an exciting and exotic destination, but you do yourself a disservice if you show up unprepared; it’s important to properly plan in advance, for everything from the practical side of what to pack, to preparing for cultural differences.
Thailand is a glorious, mysterious, and wild country, full of things to do, places to visit, and experiences to be had. Traveling this year? Here are a few things you need to know before your plane lands.
Read MoreBeing a populous city, Phoenix always has something exciting going on; a huge range of special events and festivals throughout the year, which is why I’ve partnered with Hotels.com to bring you a list of my annual favorites, returning in 2020!
This year will see music festivals, big name concerts including Post Malone and Maroon 5, exciting expos, beer and wine festivals, food festivals, professional golf tournaments, special holiday events, and more!
Here are the best 20 events in Phoenix in 2020!
Read MoreSeychelles is an archipelago located in the Indian Ocean, made up of 115 islands. It’s an extremely beautiful place, and one of the world’s top honeymoon picks, due to its serene natural environment and those stunningly picturesque beaches.
Picture this: gently swaying palms, pure white powdery sand, and unrealistic blue seas; Seychelles invented the romantic vacation!
After having recently taken my honeymoon on the islands, I’ve put together some important tips you should keep in mind for your trip. This will help you prevent avoidable mistakes so you can maximize your bonding!
Oh, and congratulations!
Read MoreLet’s be honest. When you’re visiting Amsterdam, you have to see the Dam Square, Red Light District and Rijksmuseum. But is it also a must to hop on a hop-on hop-off bus to check off all main tourist attractions like the typical tourist?
Even though many tourists still jump on that double decker bus, Amsterdam is a city brimming with local secrets and hidden gems that are off the beaten path. So what better way to explore the real city (and avoid the crowds!) than to go on a walking tour with a local?!
Local Amsterdammers are filled with pride for their city; they know its in and outs, know it’s beautiful nooks and crannies, and know which parts of the city offer incredible experiences without any tour groups or crowds.
But where can you find a local Amsterdammer, willing to take you around?
Hi,hi Guide (www.hihiguide.com) is a platform that connects travelers with locals from all over the world. You get to choose a local you like, who will customize a tour itinerary matching your interests. It’s 100% private and pretty cheap too – you can hire a local from €12,50 per hour!
Visiting Amsterdam? Here are 7 reasons you should take a walking tour with a local Amsterdammer!
Read MoreAs far as travel trends go, gambling has become one of the most popular pastimes for tourists in recent years, regardless of which country or city they’re visiting.
From the dazzling lights of Vegas, to playing poker with celebs in Macau, the business of betting has really taken off, and a global movement of casino tourists have seen land based casinos emerge as massive tourism hotspots.
Land based casinos these days are much more than a dark, seedy place to gamble – they are often luxurious resorts and dazzling entertainment complexes, which have seen whole cities spring up around them.
Whether you’re looking for an exclusive casino experience, or one where you can gamble with the locals, the following are the world’s top gambling cities – just remember to gamble responsibly (and stay on top of those currency conversions!).
Read MoreA Spanish volcanic archipelago of seven major islands, the Canary Islands is one of the world’s most beloved cruise stops. While the Canary Islands may belong to Spain, they sit just off the coast of north-western Africa, geographically part of the African continent.
The largest and most populous of the islands, Tenerife offers up a year-round destination with ideal weather and abundant natural beauty; from the north to south, the island is blessed with diverse landscapes and range of unique micro-climates.
There are readily available direct flights from Europe to the Canary Islands, but the most popular way to travel is by cruise. Luxurious Canary Island Cruises not only take in the islands but also often include incredible destinations such as Portugal’s Madeira archipelago and the stunning Cape Verde islands.
While there are a number of beautiful islands to explore in the Canary Islands including Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and La Palma, Tenerife is often considered the most exciting and beautiful.
Traveling to Tenerife by cruise? Whether you’re into nature, outdoor adrenaline sports, archaeology, or simply relaxing, check out these amazing things to do!
Read MoreOrlando is in an interesting position when it comes to holiday destinations. Most people know the city is synonymous with vacations, but when push comes to shove, few people go to Orlando for the sake of visiting.
Most tourists come to Orlando for Disney’s many theme parks (which is not a bad thing, as the parks are truly amazing!), however there are many other sites worth seeing and doing in and around Orlando.
It’s worth noting that both Orlando and South Florida in general are very tricky when it comes to transport, and getting around almost always requires you to have access to a car. The distance between attractions can be shockingly huge, and public transport is often not enough.
We highly recommend booking a rental car in Orlando, and once you have that all sorted, you can map out an itinerary with the following fun things to do!
Read MoreLos Angeles is one of those cities known for its wacky and fun places. In a good day of urban exploration, you can find all types of wild and downright weird stores, museums and cultural sites; being quirky is a big part of the LA identity.
Such wackiness may be due to the city’s cultural inclination, or perhaps due to the influence of Hollywood magic seeping into the streets, but no matter where it comes from, it’s worth making space on your itinerary to experience a bit of the oddity.
Read MoreEgypt is one of the world’s oldest and culturally rich civilizations. And there’s no doubt that, at the top of your list of things to do, is going to be the pyramids.
It’s stating the obvious, but if you go to Egypt without seeing the Pyramids, you’re wasting your journey! I mean, can you even say you’ve visited?!
Yes, the pyramids of Giza and the tombs of the various Pharaohs are a vital part of Egypt’s history and allure. But Egypt has a lot more to offer beyond the Great Sphinx.
So, after you’ve ridden a camel alongside the Great Pyramids of Giza, and spent time wondering how on earth they were built, here are another four things to do!
Read MoreEurope is an incredible holiday destination; from stealing a kiss under the Eiffel Tower, to eating your body weight in Spanish tapas, and running scenes from Gladiator in Rome, there’s no continent on earth quite like it.
Whether you stick to the classics like Paris, Rome and Barcelona, or spice it up with some East-meets-West in Istanbul or Russia, there’s literally no end to your options when planning a trip to Europe. So we don’t blame you for not knowing where to start.
Europe is a vast continent, and the logistics involved with planning a trip can feel overwhelming – from hotels to activities, transport, and train tickets; if only there was one site to manage it all.
Spoiler alert: planning a trip to Europe is very easy if you bookmark Klook.com! (worth noting that Klook is for travel all over the world, not just Europe).
If you’re struggling to plan, or wondering about how to start, the following is a step by step guide that covers exactly how to plan a trip to Europe, from setting your budget, to choosing your destinations, planning out your itinerary, and the great news is that you can research, compare, and book everything on ONE website.
Read MoreNew Zealand (NZ) is in quite a unique position in the world. It is one of the most Southernmost countries that is fully inhabited, yet is almost completely isolated in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, some 2,500 miles from it’s nearest neighbor (Australia).
Despite these odds, New Zealand is one of the most popular destinations for tourists the world over, with its enchanted landscapes, breathtaking beaches, incredible glaciers, and a rich and fascinating indigenous culture.
Whether it’s worthwhile to visit New Zealand isn’t a question. It is.
Obviously!
The main question is how to get there.
Given its unusual location and distance from more populous regions, arriving in the country seems trickier than it actually is. But this guide will show you that getting to New Zealand and is easier than many would imagine.
Read MoreWhile France may be among the most popular tourist destinations in the world, what with the lure of Notre-Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre, many travellers sadly don’t venture beyond the nation’s capital.
While it may be easy to fall in love with Paris, France is full of plenty of other worthy destinations; smaller cities and rural towns that are bursting with authentic French culture and intriguing history.
One such city is Metz.
Known as the “Ville d’Art et d’Histoire” (City of Art and History), and named as one of France’s ‘Top French Cities‘ for 2020, Metz is the capital of the Lorraine region in north-eastern France, set along the beautiful Moselle River.
Just three hours by car from Paris, or half that by train, Metz elegantly blends a rich past and priceless monuments with modern innovation, and is especially well suited for pedestrians and bikes. Its lively atmosphere and perfect size makes it ideal for short breaks, though you could easily find more than enough to keep you entertained for weeks.
No idea where to start? Here’s a list of things to do; a full run down of churches, parks, museums, festivals, and food!
Read MoreKnown as the roulette capitol of the world, France is considered to be among the leading casino destinations on earth. There are a massive 186 legal gaming places in France, spread across 175 towns, and they truly are spread out; in fact, you’ll only find one casino in the capitol of Paris!
You obviously won’t have time to visit all 186 properties, so we’ve put together a list of the best in the country.
Read MoreOman is a country of contrasts, from the steep mountains of Jebel Shams to the clear waters of the Arabian Peninsula, from the dunes of the Wahiba Sands Desert to the azure blue wadis.
The untouched beauty of Oman is only just starting to be recognised by world travellers, and the best way to immerse yourself in this amazing country and its culture is by wild camping on a self drive, cross country adventure.
With savagely beautiful landscapes that are untouched by both modern development and tourism, and laws that mean wild camping is entirely legal anywhere (with a few exceptions), you will likely have these amazing spots to yourself!
The following is everything you need to know about wild camping across Oman, complete with a full 7 day itinerary for a self guided roadtrip, 4WD adventure.
Read MoreThe capital of Portugal, Lisbon is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It is a dynamic city with a reputation for food, and one where a vibrant, modern society exists among cobbled alleyways, white-domed cathedrals, and ancient ruins.
Lisbon is a city that just feels European; a classic capitol where grand 18th century buildings line narrow cobblestone streets, historic squares connect to palaces, churches, and Moorish castles, and where glossy tiled facades and red rooftops form a distinctive cityscape.
Being so close to the sea, Lisbon is the ideal summer getaway, with a vibe resting somewhere between that of Western Europe and the Mediterranean. It’s bursting with culture and is a great place to museum hop, eat, rest, and party.
There are many fascinating things to do in Lisbon, from riding the tram, to getting lost in the Alfama District, though don’t miss these 5 highlights. You’ll be disappointed if you do!
Read MoreImagine endless blue waters dotted with beautiful islands just waiting to be explored; one of the best ways to explore the idyllic Greek islands is by yacht charter!
Visiting mainland Greece is one thing, there’s the Acropolis in Athens, ancient Olympic sites in Olympia, and the mouthwatering Greek cuisine – the idea of wrapping your hands around an authentic, juicy souvlaki.
But Greece is most famous for its islands. There are more than 200 to choose from, plus thousands of islands and uninhabited islets to explore, so island hoppers choose to go sailing!
There are many things to think about when planning for yacht holidays in Greece, but one of the most important considerations is making sure you’ve packed everything you’ll need.
Read MoreBeyond Kyrgyzstan and the 3,752 metre high Torugart Pass is China, a country where everything – and I do mean everything – is completely different from what most travellers are accustomed.
Laura and I are so-called “permanent overlanders”. We’ve been non-stop on the road now for many decades; our most recent venture a six-year motorcycle journey from Europe to Australia. And like so many other road-warriors who cross Asia with their own vehicle, we encountered a couple of hurdles along the way.
The greatest logistical challenge, by far, was obtaining legal permission to ride through China without a guide. Very, very few overlanders have managed to achieve this. We may have even been amongst the first, who knows?
But we certainly weren’t the last. A handful of vagabonds on wheels have transited China independently since our crossing in 2014/2015.
This is the story of how we did it …
Read MoreIceland is a breathtaking country, famous for volcanoes, waterfalls, geysers and absolutely stunning nature. And as such, there are a lot of places that are considered a must when you’re visiting.
The Blue Lagoon, Reykjavik, the Golden Circle; if you’ve researched Iceland in the slightest you’ll know the list. But just as there are many incredible ‘musts’, there are also many beautiful spots that are overlooked – undeservedly sacrificed off internet lists!
Granted, you’ll have to step far off the beaten path to find some of the gorgeous places mentioned here, but their beauty will make it definitely worth your time.
From amazing examples of modern architecture to a little known underground cave – here are the best things to see in Iceland, which most other people miss!
Read MoreLas Vegas is now the only US city where land-based gambling is still thriving, as most casinos elsewhere loose the battle with their online counterparts. Though while Vegas is home to many of the world’s top casinos, people are also drawn by its entertainment; beyond the slot machines, roulette, and blackjack are a huge range of other draws, like outlandish productions, and the chance to rub shoulders with celebrities.
Even though many don’t come for the casinos anymore, most travelers to Vegas believe gambling a few dollars is a mandatory experience; after-all, can you really claim you’ve been to Vegas if you haven’t dabbled in at least a little gambling?!
Being that Vegas casinos draw everyone from high rollers to recreational punters, knowing how to fit in is important if you’re one of those people who don’t usually play at all. So we’ve put together the following dress code.
Read MoreFew destinations have undergone quite the transformation that the United Arab Emirates has in the past couple of decades. And Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, more so than the rest.
As an emirate, Abu Dhabi is far more quiet and conservative than Dubai, and offers visitors a more authentic glimpse of the regions’s culture. While tourism is drawn towards the fast-paced cosmopolitan of Dubai, Abu Dhabi has become an attractive hub for expats.
In fact, data from the UN has revealed that 88 per cent of the UAE’s total residents have come from abroad. That’s massive!
So, just what is it about this Emirate which is attracting so many expats?
Read MoreThe Vegas Strip runs like a major artery into the gambling and entertainment heart of America. And if you had to describe the city in one word, that word would be ‘extravagance’.
It’s here, in Vegas, where you’ll find some of the largest and most extravagant hotels in the world, and where both prince and pauper can afford to splurge ($150 for a penthouse?!).
Las Vegas is a city which defines the meaning of YOLO; a city where everyday travelers can dream of winning big and living out outlandish fantasies. And it’s the perfect place to be if one of your fantasies is living large in extravagant hotels.
If you’re looking to escape your everyday life to really overindulge in hotel luxuries, Betway Casino has put together a list of the top 10 most extravagant Las Vegas suites on the strip. Spoiler alert: Caesars Palace’s Nobu Villa has topped the list!
Read MoreUnique natural wonders, unforgettable terrains, spectacular scenic beauty, and a wealth of outdoor activities bring over 300 million visitors to America’s 61 national parks every year.
While every park is a truly worthy destination, some stand out just a little more than others.
Here are some of the best.
Read MoreDespite being Turkey’s first and third largest cities (respectively), the contrast between Istanbul and Izmir couldn’t be more stark or compelling; while Istanbul offers an intense and chaotic energy; a frenetic mix of sights, sounds, tastes, and smells you could easily describe as an assault on the senses, Izmir exudes a more peaceful presence, and an ancient vitality.
It’s only an hour flight from Istanbul, but sheltered by the Gulf of Izmir on the serene coast of the Aegean Sea, the experience is polar opposite, with 8,000 years of history rubbing shoulders with beautiful sandy beaches.
İzmir may be an underrated region, and one of Turkey’s most spectacular hidden gems, but tourism is starting to pick up; rumors have started flying about this buzzing cosmopolitan on the Aegean, with year round sunshine and cheap medical tourism.
So, if you’re planning to visit Turkey, make sure you travel further than Istanbul and Ankаrа. Here are things to do in Turkey’s most westernized and historic city.
Read MoreFlying into or out of Perth Airport?
Perth is one of Australia’s easiest airports to navigate; it’s small in size, close to the city, and doesn’t have the congestion of more popular airports like Melbourne or Sydney.
Though from the parking, to the airline lounges, connecting to Wi-Fi, and finding a place to sleep, we’ve put together the following tips so you can maximize your experience.
Read MoreBoasting two luxuriously long coastlines, lush tropical rainforests, spectacular Buddhist temples, and over 1400 islands anchored in crystal clear waters, there’s no denying that Thailand is a beautiful country.
Thailand has long been a getaway that suits everyone; hermits can relax with a cocktail on a private beach under swaying tropical palms, hedonists can party into the early hours of the morning, and it’s affordable for both prince and pauper.
Truly!
Thailand is a destination where budget travelers can spend as little as $20 USD a day, and where mid-range travelers can find themselves affording luxury private villa stays.
Thailand is one of the popular countries in the world for travelers seeking affordable luxury, and with the unique opportunity for everyday travelers to shoot higher than 5 star hotels, private luxury villas have become the trend.
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I am Megan Jerrard, professional travel blogger/journalist with a focus on adventure, discovery, immersion and inspiring you to explore!
