All You Need to Know about Cancun’s All-Inclusive Resorts

Posted by mirage on Mar 27, 2013 in Travel Tips | 0 comments

Are you thinking of taking a trip out to Cancun for your summer holiday? If not – you should be! Cancun, also known as the nest of snakes, is a popular tourist destination all year round, and for good reason: the beautiful golden sands lend themselves well to holiday makers who like sun, sea, and relaxation, while the incredible ruins of the ancient Mayan civilisation are truly awe-inspiring, whether you’re a history buff or not.

The best way to experience the joys of Cancun is by staying in an all-inclusive resort – this way, you get everything taken care of, from authentic Mexican cuisine to the very best in tropical cocktails.

Summer!

What Makes Cancun Different?

Going to an all-inclusive resort in Cancun will be an experience unlike going to a similar resort somewhere else – because Cancun is neatly placed between the United States and the continent of South America, the people you encounter will be staggeringly diverse, meaning that you’ll get to meet and make friends with people from all over the globe.

Cancun attracts a wide range of travellers – if you like to drink and to party, you may have heard that it’s a popular destination for Spring Breakers: American college students descend on the city over the Easter holidays for some drunken revelry. If that sounds appealing to you, just look at the dates for Spring Break and fly on over then to have a really wild time!

If you would prefer to have an interesting and relaxing break; say, drinking cocktails in the sun, scuba diving down to an underwater art gallery (yes, this really exists!), or exploring ancient ruins, we’d suggest coming in the British summer, which is the Mexican winter. The reason for this is simple – the weather is amazing and tourist season is in full swing. Coming in the Mexican summer will leave you ravaged by hurricanes. Visit World Weather Online for a full breakdown of the typical weather in Cancun.

Why Go All-Inclusive?

Whether you choose to budget and fly with Cheapflights.com or go all out and book a luxury cruise, an all-inclusive resort is simply the best place to stay. For a start, most of the most luxurious places are part of all-inclusive resorts, and you’ll find that they often come with their own private stretches of golden sands or scuba diving spots.

A number of the most famous outdoor markets happen to take place within walking distance of the Hotel District, meaning that you won’t have to travel far to experience the delectable street food or get some amazing bargains! Whether you want some kitschy souvenirs like custom tequila shot glasses or you’re after some authentic fashion items – such as huipiles and huaraches – the markets are the place to go.

Often, your all-inclusive resort will offer you a range of facilities and activities, in addition to the free-flowing food and booze. These may include great things to do like a bunch of different water sports, or even guided tours around the Yucatan Peninsula. Ask around before you book to find the one which best caters to your tastes!

image via http://good-wallpapers.com

1001 Places I’d like to visit before I die #19 – Brisbane

Posted by mirage on Mar 18, 2013 in 1001 Places, Car Rentals | 0 comments

image via http://www.discoverqueensland.com.au

Whenever Sydney, Brisbane or any part of Australia comes up in a conversation, I would be reminded of my first ever childhood friend who gave me a koala plush toy, one that I treasure until now. Yes, 22 years later and I still have the lovely little koala and I’ve associated both of them to anything about Australia. It would be nice to see her once again, perhaps take a trip down memory lane or better, somewhere at the land down under. Australia, and Queensland  have a lot to offer when it comes to tourism and Brisbane is one of the cities worth visiting this summer. What with its many parks and wharves and the first ever koala sanctuary, it’s a must-see city for the adventurous.

Here are some of the top vacation spots one shouldn’t miss when in Brisbane.

1. Brisbane Forest Park. A place where waterways meet, Brisbane forest park is home to the Walk-About Wildlife Centre. The centre in turn features Australian wildlife on display at that includes Australian native birds, a platypus, sugar gliders, wallabies, wombats and other animals we wouldn’t see around or in any other parks.

2.  The Old Museum Building of Brisbane. Originally called the Exhibition Building and Concert Hall, it was built in 1891. It is home to the Queensland Youth Orchestras, who use the building as a rehearsal, performance and office space. The building is also home for theBrisbane Philharmonic Orchestra, Queensland Youth Choir among other performing groups.

3. City Botanic Gardens. The perfect spot to read a good book or have lunch under cycads, palms, figs and bamboo trees. Don’t be surprised to see brides and grooms brimming with happiness as you stroll around this garden, it’s a favorite wedding venue too.

4. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Wanna hold a real koala? This is the only place for it. The sanctuary began with two koalas called Jack and Jill and now holds  kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, wombats, echidnas, and other reptiles as well as kookaburras, emus and cockatoos. This place will be especially enchanting for kids and kids at heart or the animal-love in us all.

5. Kangaroo Point Cliffs. Kangaroos – another lovable creature native to Australia, so popular that a rock climbing area. Try it for yourself or if you ain’t the type then spend some time for barbecue just by the foot of the cliff.

There are a lot more places that one can explore in Brisbane, that a week would not be enough, with all the scenery, river and those, a cruise should also be in order. Or one can book car hire in brisbane with DriveNow and simply drink in the beauty of the surrounding, the sunsets and take a million photos of the wildlife that is native only to the land down under.

image via http://www.insidecolby.com/

Travel Tips for March Break

Posted by mirage on Mar 4, 2013 in Travel Tips | 0 comments

That time passes by is true and something we can’t escape. Even if we want to stay in a certain moment longer, it’s just not possible – unless of course you find the magic nut that will take you back in time as you please.

So March is here and spring is coming – and there’s spring break. What have you planned to do for the week-long (or more) vacation? We plan to visit Berlin, it’s just close so 3 to 4 days would be really fine. If you haven’t decided yet and if tickets and accommodation are still available, here’s some travel tips for March break for you (although they are actually my personal picks).

Around Asia

Spring break is the best time to visit Japan. Do Hanami (flower viewing) and watch hanabi (fireworks) on display. Sakura (cherry blossoms) bloom around March to May and it is Japanese tradition to view them during this season. While you’re at it, join a hanami party and eat bento under one of them mesmerizing cherry tree in full bloom.

enjoy lunch under cherry trees (image via http://shewhoeats.blogspot.com)

Not being biased but March is a great time to visit the beaches of the Philippines as well. Beaches in Palawan, Boracay and Puerto Galera are the more obvious choices but Laiya in Batangas is fast becoming the new tourist destination. What with its whites sand beaches too and unadulterated blue waters, it’s a paradise worth going for a long travel to.

And yes, Panglao in Bohol, Bantayan Island in Cebu, Samal in Davao and Camiguin (no matter where) should not be off the list. But, I personally would love to experience a dive at the UNESCO World heritage site; the Tubbataha reef. And perfect too since it is most easiest to go there from mid-March to mid-June.

Acuatico Resort, Laiya, Batangas image via http://www.acuaticoresort.com.ph

In the U.S.

Washington D.C.’s national flower would also be cherry blossoms. Every year, on March 27, the city commemorates the friendship between Japan and the US with a festival very similar to hanami.  Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo donated cherry trees in 1912 to the US government on that day. Today, the event gathers photographers and enthusiasts all over the world for a view of thousands of blossoming cherry trees with either the Lincoln Memorial or the Washington monument and the Potomac river at the background. It’s the best time to get the chance to visit the White House, rather, get a good view of the lovely architecture, if you’re still into it, probably see America’s first black president.

annual cherry blossom festival, Washington, D.C.
image via http://thefabweb.com/

Orlando and  Palm Springs, Florida; San Francisco and San Diego in California; Las Vegas, Nevada and Houston, Texas are some of my other choices. Definitely warm in those regions by March.

Somewhere in South America

Another World Heritage sight worth visiting come March is Peru’s Macchu Picchu. Well, it’s for history buffs like me and probably second only to the fact that a close friend of mine is from Peru. I would love to visit her hometown of Lima and explore the ancient site and practice my very little knowledge of Spanish, somehow.

ruins seen from Huayna Picchu

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Paraguay…ahhmmm basically all the cities down south are on my list… Just can’t get Peru off the top of the list!

Enjoying Europe

Paris, France; Venice in Italy, London in the UK, and any of Spain’s enchanting city would surely be the first picks but why not try any of Greece’s lovely islands first?

Mykonos, Crete, Corfu, Santorini and of course, had the strikes subsided, Athens are great choices. It doesn’t matter where, it just matters that it’s anywhere in Greece.

image via http://factspod.blogspot.com

1001 Places I’d Like to visit before I die #18 – Bhutan

Posted by mirage on Jan 26, 2013 in 1001 Places | 1 comment

Haa Valley, wikimedia commons

One of the least explored places in Asia and also the happiest country in the region is the Kingdom of Bhutan. That fact alone makes me want to see the place, it is on number 18 in this list of places I want to visit but I won’t mind seeing it first.

 Unassuming yet enchanting. That’s perhaps the best description for Bhutan. The country, one might say, is still unadulterated. The greenery and the mountainous landscape even though seen only in photos would give you a feel of fresh air and cool breeze.

So what do you do in Bhutan in case you decide to visit?  Try the following:

1. Visit Dzongs. Dzongs or Zhongs are a type of fortress architecture.  They serve as the religious, military, administrative, and social centers of their district. Mostly, half is an active government facility and the other half is open to monks and to the public for prayer. Some of them worth seeing are Dzong at Wangdue Phodrang, Trongsa Dzong, the largest dzong fortress, Rinpung Dzong at Paro and the Pungtang Dechen Photrang Dzonga at Punakha which is said to be the most impressive.

2. Buddha Dordenma. See one of the largest Buddha rupas in the world. With a height of 169 feet (51.5 meters), this Buddharupa is made of Bronze and gilded in gold. There’s also the Kuenselphodrang nature park just below the statue for added recreation.

Tiger’s nest

3. Temples and Monasteries. There are a number of temples and monasteries all around Bhutan but one is most especially famous being located at the cliffside of the upper Paro valley that it appears to be hanging. Called Tiger’s nest, the monastery is more popularly known as Paro Taktsang. The visit would be a challenge as you have to walk a lot going up. Consider this a fitness and spiritual visit in one trip.

4. Jigme Dorji National Park and Motithang Takin Preserve. Bhutan’s national animal is called Takin, it looks like a crossover of a cow and a goat that many who have seen one says it’s quite unique. They can be seen mostly at these two locations but more prominent at the preserve. The National Park also houses a number of other animals and birds which nature-lovers would be happy to encounter.

5. Handicrafts and weaving. Bhutanese law requires all Bhutanese citizens to wear the national dress in public areas and as formal wear. Thus, Bhutanese clothing is very unique and the weavers have perfected their hand-weaving traditions to create a fashion sense all their own. You might recall Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck, the queen consort of Bhutan, as the wife of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck during their marriage, though a commoner she was the subject of many magazines for her beautiful Kira wedding dress. The dress was woven from raw silk a, she wore a light yellow tego (long sleeved, short jacket-like garment) and a kira colored red, yellow, green and white, along with red earrings to match her red wonju (long-sleeved blouse).

There are shops were you can buy weaved products and local handicrafts, there are museums where royal clothing are displayed and where you can also buy them.

6. Food. Bhutan is widely vegetarian. This is a good way for one to go on a kinder diet, thus not only becoming healthy in the process…along with a lot of walking, a close encounter to nature and rubbing elbows with monks, you are sure to see the world in a different light after experiencing the life of the happiest people in Asia.

http://the-journeys.com

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To Travel Around the World

Posted by mirage on Jan 17, 2013 in Travel for Less, Travel Tips | 1 comment

Coupon codes have become so diverse, there’s almost always something you can use to get a discount when buying stuff – both online and reel. You can definitely cut the cost of almost everything with voucher codes. I mean, basically everything from clothing to food, infant products to adult needs, household essentials, skin beauty treatment and even tickets – not limited to plays and cinemas. But it is all the more riveting if you get discount codes for travel-related stuff. Like getting 50% off the usual rent on selected hotels or saving up more than 30% off your plane ticket and hotel stay yet enjoying the same services and niceties when you book at other travel agencies.

The Well Stickered Suitcase by http://www.flickr.com/photos/stickergiant/8020583297/in/photostream/

Wouldn’t it be nice (or awesome) to have your luggage well-stickered, each like a stamp representing the cities you visited -plastered on it? Well, that’s not far from becoming reality. With  many a coupons, online deals and discount travel packages offered by sites such as MyVoucherCodes, you can fulfill that dream of becoming a globe-trotter lugging your suitcase full of them stickers.

MyVoucherCodes’ Worldwide Flight offers starting at £80 or less via Expedia is your ticket to seeing your dream cities. And where would you be starting off?

How about Venice, Prague and Vienna?

Walk along the cobblestones of any of these three cities, have either Tramezzini along the Grand Canal, Apfelstrudel by the Danube river or Knedlíky by the Vltava river.

In Venice, ride a gondola and visit the St.Mark’s Basilica and the Piazza de San Marco. Don’t forget to buy some Murano glasses for souvenirs. In Vienna, visit the Habsburg’s castles Schönbrunn and Hofburg and walk/sing along Mozart and Strauss into a waltz. Tread the famous Charles Bridge in Prague and snap as many photos as you can just when the sun is setting.

And of course, don’t forget to buy your souvenir stickers for your luggage!

Savor the history and sights in these cities with the thought that you’d be on your next city of adventure soon enough! Travelling, as you know, could be expensive but with a some research here and there, you can get a really good deal that will save you lots thus, giving you more to spend on another trip. So start planning now and head to your dream city soon! ^_^