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!
Read MoreWhile traveling without speaking the language can still be life-changing, when you learn to speak the local language of your destination, even at a basic level, it can help you make the most of your time abroad.
Not only will you be able to navigate your surroundings more easily, and order at restaurants, you’ll build a deeper connection to the culture and people of the country you’re in.
There are a lot of language learning apps you can use before you travel, but you can save yourself a lot of time by using apps that get you speaking from day one.
These 7 language learning apps will do just that, and you’ll be speaking like a local by the time your plane lands!
Read MoreSoutheast 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!
Read MoreRishikesh, a spiritual town located at the foothills of Himalayas, truly represents of the heart and soul of India. And being the country’s epicenter of yoga and meditation retreats, it has earned itself the title of ‘Yoga Capital of the World’.
The town gained worldwide popularity in the 60’s & 70’s with the spreading of transcendental meditation movement, and when The Beatles spent time here on retreat, tourism was definitely helped!
But Rishikesh is not just famous for the peace and tranquility it offers, but also for its range of adventurous adrenaline activities. From white water rafting to bungee jumping, and then back for afternoon yoga, Rishikesh is the perfect place for those seeking both thrill and chill!
Rishikesh is a unique mix of spirituality, yoga, and adventure, so without further ado, here are our top 10 favorite things to do!
Read MoreNew Orleans is one of the best places to visit in the United States if you’re looking to eat your way around the country. It’s a hotpot of different cultures with its own unique fusion of cuisines.
If you’re already reading, it’s unlikely you need much convincing to give New Orleans’ foodie hot spots a try, and so we’re just going to dive straight into the best places for eating!
Read MoreWhen you think of the Caribbean, Jamaica or Cuba might at the top of your mind. However, in the midst of the many stunning islands of this region is a gem that literally stands out from the rest: St.Lucia!
This beautiful mountainous island is well known as the worlds #1 honeymoon destination: its array of luxury hotels with gold sand beaches tucked between green towering hills make St.Lucia appear to be the perfect place for lazy days on the beach and laying in the sun sipping pina coladas.
However, the amazing things to do in St.Lucia go far beyond the beach, and to not partake in anything else here would truly do yourself a disservice.
From 2,619 ft volcanic peaks to warm waterfalls, here are 6 amazing things you can experience in St.Lucia, in addition to enjoying the sand, sun, and sea.
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 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 MoreWhen it comes to food destinations around the world, Portugal is right up there with the best of them; a country where the food scene is just as much part of the cultural experience as it’s history and nature.
While you’ll find most traditional Portuguese dishes served widely across the country, each region has their own specialties, and if we had to choose a favorite, we’d award the title of best foodie experience to Porto.
Porto’s cuisine is defined by its terrain and landscapes; a coastal city in northwest Portugal flanked by mountains, the food scene here is defined by delicious Atlantic seafood, and a hybrid of meats, cheeses and vegetables.
Everything here bursts with character and aroma, and you’ll find hearty meals all over the city. But, if you’re looking to avoid the tourist traps and ensure what you’re eating is truly Portuguese, and authentic to the region, it’s a great idea to take a food tour.
Read MoreThere are over 1,100 UNESCO World Heritage Sites scattered across the globe, though Italy ranks number one when it comes to countries with the most (technically, it shares this top spot with China, but does hold the record when it comes to cultural sites [50]).
Whether you plan on visiting the historic center of Naples, Florence, Rome, or Siena (all of which are UNESCO sites themselves), there are an impressive 55 Italian UNESCO World Heritage sites.
With 55 sites, there’s definitely a lot to choose from, so we’ve put together a list of the best; our top 10 favorites you should start with. So let’s get started!
Read MoreWhether you’re studying in Europe, or taking a short semester abroad, there are plenty of destinations across the continent that are perfect for short weekend breaks, or student holidays.
With plenty of budget accommodation, cheap travel, and a thriving young backpacker scene, Europe is the perfect place to explore as a student – even if you’re quite broke and have limited money!
You’re quite blessed as a student in Europe, because you’ll never be short of cities to visit, and exciting travel opportunities. And, a lot of the time, your trips can actually tie into your studies (Europe is a hub of everything from history to architecture, to world politics!).
Looking for inspiration on cities you should visit during a semester break or school holiday? You can’t go wrong with the following.
Read MoreIf you’re seeking adventure, sunshine, and great food, you really need to journey to the Caribbean!
Bursting with exotic wildlife, warm waters, tropical spices, and friendly locals, these 7,000 odd islands are absolutely packed with activity that will entertain and enamor you.
Witnessing the magic of the Caribbean is an experience that will stay with you forever. With colorful festivals, stunning marine life, and colonial history to explore, the natural beauty of the Caribbean islands is something that you have to see with your own eyes.
Far from being a singular destination, the Caribbean is a collective region with the choice of 28 different nations, though from Cuba to Jamaica, and Curaçao to the Cayman Islands, the following are some of our personal highlights of the region.
Read MoreTravelers to Tasmania have the chance to step back in history, and if it’s history that you’re after, there’s no better place to immerse yourself than the small town of Richmond. Built mostly by the hands of early convicts at the start of the 1800’s, the town’s many historic sandstone buildings remain on display to this day.
There has never been a more exciting time to explore Richmond’s fascinating sandstone heritage, and, for the first time in almost a decade, the town’s most exquisite historic estate is now open to the public.
Offering 12 contemporary-styled rooms on a property with many tales to tell, Prospect House Private Hotel has quickly become one of the most unique luxury hotel experiences in the State.
Having been blown away by the uniqueness of the experience, let me introduce you to a little of the history of Richmond and Prospect House, and why you should include both on your next visit to Tasmania.
Read MoreSo you’ve always wanted to visit Greece, the cradle of Western civilization.
I don’t blame you – the pictures are impressive! The Acropolis in Athens, the picturesque white houses in Santorini, and the mouthwatering Greek cuisine – the idea of wrapping your hands around an authentic, juicy souvlaki.
But Greece is perhaps most famous for its islands. There are more than 200 to choose from, plus thousands of islands and uninhabited islets to explore! So, what’s the best way to experience it all?
There are many ways to island hop, from renting motorboats and sailboats to jet skis and RIBs for shorter trips. But one of the best ways to do this without needing a license is to book a skipper for a yacht charter in Greece.
This is after all a country with a strong boating history, and is one of the world’s leading maritime nations. Many locals who live in Athens for example, rent a boat to visit the small islands of the Saronic Gulf, the likes of Hydra, Spetses and Poros.
A yacht charter is one of the best ways to explore this ancient country, and while you’ll undoubtedly want to experience them all, here are some of the islands you can explore.
Read MoreThe way to most travelers’ hearts is through their stomachs, and when it comes to Italy, this is one of the world’s most delicious food meccas! But not all Italian food is created equally.
From a mouth watering Florentine steak paired with a fine Chianti wine, to the heavenly bliss that is gelato, Florence offers a wide range of delicious flavors to tempt your taste buds, while providing the ideal base for exploring the greater food bowl that is Tuscany. And if you’re a serious foodie, trust me when I say that you want to spend time in Tuscany!
While Florence is the beating heart of the region, basing yourself here also makes it easy to arrange trips from Florence to Pisa or Florence to Siena to explore the culinary scenes offered by these Tuscan cities.
Hungry? Read on to discover some of the top foods and wines you NEED to try in Florence and greater Tuscany.
Read MoreWe’re all warned from a very young age that it’s dangerous to talk to strangers. ‘Stranger danger’ is drilled into us throughout our childhood, that we shouldn’t trust, talk, walk, or accept anything from strangers.
But while this is great advice for children, it’s terrible advice for travelers. Especially when visiting a place with as fascinating a humanscape as Kerala.
Odds are that if you’ve traveled, you’ve returned home with incredible stories of having talked to strangers. Stories of the fascinating characters you met, of the locals who invited you into their home, of the remarkable human connections that you’ll never forget.
Because human interactions are some of the best, and most powerful parts of travel. As Anthony Bourdain said:
“To be treated well in places where you don’t expect to be treated well, to find things in common with people you thought previously you had very, very little in common with, that can’t be a bad thing.”
When you’re a traveller, strangers are just friends you haven’t met yet. And this is especially true in Kerala; a melting pot where the most diverse ideologies, faiths and cultures co-exist like no other place on the planet.
Read MoreWhen you think about booking a trip to the United Arab Emirates, visions of sail-shaped luxury hotels and the world’s tallest building usually come to mind. But while Dubai may serve as your entry point to discovering the UAE, there is far more to experience than just the Burj Al Arab and the Burj Khalifa.
With impressive manmade islands and endless luxurious hotels and resorts, major hubs like Dubai and Abu Dhabi make great introductions to this Persian Gulf nation. However, many of the country’s hidden treasures lie in its lesser known cities.
Read on to discover the hidden corners of the UAE as I introduce you to some truly incredible cities to include on your next itinerary. Experience the country’s authentic culture and history, as well as stunning natural landscapes by visiting cities like Ajman and Al Ain.
The adventure starts with a simple Emirates flight booking. Consistently ranked as one of the world’s Top 10 airlines, flying Emirates mirrors the opulence you can expect across the UAE and makes a great introduction to the hospitality you’re sure to experience within the country.
Read MoreI genuinely believe that accommodation should be an experience. A culturally immersive and authentic affair, that transcends the idea of being just a place to rest your head.
In Mongolia, that means staying in yurts (portable, round tents covered in skins and felt, still used by Mongolian nomads); in Tunisia, an ancient cave house. From reed houses in South America, to igloos in Scandinavia, and turf houses in Iceland, traditional living has never been cookie cutter.
So why should our hotels?
Hotels in Siem Reap are ridiculously cheap. But I wasn’t looking for something forgettable this time around. I had traveled more than 5,000 miles to immerse myself in ancient temples of the Khmer Empire, and I didn’t want to shatter the experience by returning each night to a bland, generic hotel.
But where do you search for authentic accommodation? Through Glamping Hub we found an eco lodge with Unique Bungalows near Angkor Wat Temple, Cambodia, luxuriously refurbished inside, with perfectly preserved architectural heritage on the out.
We would stay in a traditional Khmer stilt house.
Read MoreRussia and France are both trending countries this year, but why settle for one when you can easily visit them both?!
Whether you’re interested in the splendid architecture, the intriguing history, or in the delicious food and drinks, there is always something to keep you going in both of the exciting destinations.
So, find a Russia and France trip planner to map out your itinerary, though make sure you carve out some time for the following experiences; iconic cultural pastimes you won’t want to miss!
Read MoreA safari trip in Africa is by far, one of the most exciting getaways you could ever experience. The vast continent is world famous for its wildlife safaris, incredible landscapes, and options for adventure, from classic jeep safaris, to visiting local tribes.
However, trying to decide on the best destination in Africa can be tricky. Each country that makes up the unique and culture-rich continent provides its own unique experience, though it’s important to decide on a destination that suits your individual requirements.
Both Kenya and Tanzania are the classic options for an African Safari; they both offer breathtaking scenery, amazing wildlife, and a long list of exciting activities from walking safaris to hot air balloon rides.
But, with both destinations sharing a border, they’re both incredibly similar. So, the inevitable question is how do you decide?
Read MoreThere are many reasons to visit Boston; locals call it the ‘Hub of the Universe’, and with a rich cultural scene that includes the Boston Symphony, sporting landmarks like Fenway Park, and institutions like Harvard University, it’s a hard claim to refute.
But for the many reasons to visit Boston, two of the city’s biggest draws are it’s access to history, and nature. Boston is one of the oldest, if not the oldest city in America, and the city is so steeped in history that you don’t have to walk far to discover something historic.
And then there’s nature; despite being a buzzing, bustling metropolis, nature spills into the city, and Boston is perhaps one of the most progressive cities for access to nature in the United States.
So, the following is an overview of our favorite things about Boston; a way to combine history and nature into your itinerary, with these fantastic things to do.
Read MoreIn today’s age, family get-togethers have become a rare occurrence. Even with growing social networks online, distant relatives hardly get the time to meet and spend time with each other.
Family reunions offer a great sense of belongingness, rekindle relationships and an opportunity to bond between the next generation. Though what if your family members are spread out across the world, or across the country?
Toronto (Canada) is a great place to plan a family reunion; a central destination which makes for easy travel, with a number of outdoor places and plenty of activities for everyone in the family.
Here is a short guide on how to plan a successful family reunion in Toronto.
Read MoreWhen you ask people who live to travel about where they would like to go, the answer is probably anywhere possible. Though most frequent travelers agree that there’s a certain mystery and allure that surrounds the Korean Peninsula.
Occasional vacationers might not have considered South Korea as a destination, but the country has emerged from the ashes of the war as a nation determined to develop into one of the world’s fastest moving and most powerful economies.
It’s full of natural beauty that will make anyone forget that massive cities really dominate the scene. Cities are overtaking the countryside but people haven’t forgotten the importance of community and kindness.
South Korea is a fantastic destination that blends modernity and tradition, and allows both to co-exist without watering one of them down. And that’s exactly what makes South Korea such an excellent travel destination.
Read MoreMy first ever trip overseas was to Japan when I was 15. It was a language immersion trip with my High School, and my name was pulled out of a hat for one of the coveted places.
And while this introduction to travel involved many cultural highlights like attendance at a local school, a homestay with a Japanese student, and traveling to Hiroshima to place 1,000 cranes, the one day I was most looking forward to was Tokyo Disneyland.
Fastforward 15 years, and I would find myself traveling back to Tokyo, with the sole purpose of visiting Tokyo DisneySea®. And, in a country where embracing worlds of fantasy is part of the cultural fabric, I discovered the same sense of pure joy and wonder as I had felt at age 15.
Tokyo DisneySea is an incredible theme park inspired by the myths and legends of the sea. And in the lead up to my trip, fellow adults would lose their composure and absolutely gush about how incredible their time at the park had been.
In the fierce debate about the best Disney park in the world, I feel confident awarding the title to Tokyo DisneySea. Here’s why.
Read MoreMy love for Japan is well documented; it’s a timeless country that captures your heart, soul and imagination; a place where ancient traditions come together with futuristic technology and modern culture.
Tokyo is a tourist favorite, but did you know that Japan has a whopping 6,852 islands?!
Most travelers stick to the main island, and take in the classics like Yokohama, Osaka and Kobe. But it’s so easy to travel between islands in Japan, that it’s well worth mixing up your itinerary to explore further out.
One island it would be a shame to miss is Kyushu. This is Japan’s third largest island, though sitting in a sub tropical climate on the southwest end, Kyushu remains a hidden gem.
You might picture ancient temples, neon lights, and dizzying skyscrapers when you think of Tokyo, but Kyushu allows you to discover a side of the country you don’t expect; one of Jurassic looking volcanoes, ultra lush forests, tropical coastlines, and bubbling hot springs.
So, after you’ve experienced everything Tokyo has to offer, let Kyushu show you a different side of Japan. Check out these 6 short videos for a virtual trip to both Tokyo and Kyushu Island.
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I am Megan Jerrard, professional travel blogger/journalist with a focus on adventure, discovery, immersion and inspiring you to explore!
