Backpacking in China

Travel through China as a backpacker is certainly not without its challenges though, and purchasing travel insurance before you set out will ensure you have peace of mind while making your way through the countryside. You’ll want to try and reach some out-of-the-way destinations and not just stick to the major cities, and guide books like Lonely Planet and Let’s Go make great travel resources.

Recommended routes though China include backpacker favourites such as Guilin, Yangshuo and Longshen. These are all must-see destinations that are slightly off the beaten track but well worth diverging towards.

Named after a karst rock formation near to it, Yangshuo is bordered by the Lijiang (Li) River and often visited in conjunction with nearby Guilin. It’s a sublime destination for relaxing away from the crowds and taking part in outdoor activities like cycling, rock climbing on over 200 routes and cave exploration. Yangshuo has good amenities for travellers located along West street and the pedestrian-only Xian Qian street.

The breathtaking landscape of Guilin is graced with enchanting karsts, mysterious caves and lush tropical growth. The intimate city is popular for its clear waters and natural wonders, some of which you will find on display in the Stone Museum. An ancient city dating back 2,000 years, Guilin also features many cultural highlights.




Also of interest are the many ethnic minorities, which are found in greater numbers here than anywhere else in China. Longshen is also home to a vibrant collection of Dong, Zhuang, Yao and Miao ethnic groups.

Regardless of where you go in China, most who have backpacked in the country agree that it’s a great destination. The country is so massive that it can take at least several months to see all the major sights. As well as offering great value for money, China’s sights are diverse and include exotic gardens, impressive monuments and museums, striking temples and plenty of amazing natural landscapes.

One of the best reasons for travelling in China is the food. Although at times it can be bizarre, it is generally tasty and offers enough variety so as to please almost every palate. Backpackers should be careful of eating raw or suspect foods as good medical care is not available in all locations.

This is another good reason to take out travel insurance before travelling. China is a developing country and the cleanliness is not as you would expect from a Western country. The country relies on coal for its energy and pollution is rife in the big cities.

Likewise, the infrastructure is only slowly improving and roads are not always safe, with the accident rate being extremely high. You should plan your travel route well and know what to expect ahead of time as much as possible.

China is a safe country to visit in terms of crime; however, backpackers should keep an eye on their bags and not be showy with valuable items. The Chinese are generally not physically aggressive. Regardless, it’s recommended that you have travel insurance while backpacking through China.

3 Ways To See Africa On Safari

An African safari trip would be the ultimate vacation for most of us but for the inexperienced, it can be an overwhelming experience on the organization front.

How do you plan for African safari trips; where do you start; where do you go and what do you see? Beginning to see the picture. This article is not so much about how to prepare but what's available for those seeking to head to one of the world's most visited destinations.

The thing to keep in mind about a trip to Africa is it's such a large and diverse place that to see it all and experience everything it has to offer could literally take you years. With that in mind, consider choosing one destination and working your vacation around it.




The big attraction when heading on safari is the wildlife and scenery. There are several ways to experience both including via mobile, self-drive or fly-in safaris. Each has it's own unique characteristics and will differ in cost.

Self-Drive Safaris

These may not be suitable for complete novices to Africa. However, a well orgainized self-drive safari would be a good choice for people travelling in a group with an experienced guide.

A self-drive safari has the advantage of travelling at one's own pace rather than sticking to the strict schedule of an organized tour. You need to be aware though that some destinations may provide conditions which could be considered hazardous.
Understanding the lay of the land, road rules and each destinations political landscape is vital.




Mobile Safaris

These are well organized excursions and can range in length from a few days to weeks. With an experienced guide or guides, mobile safaris are a excellent way to see the landscape in relative safety.

The list of mobile safaris available are too numerous to mention within the scope of this article but they include many options including camping out or staying within the safe confines of motel accomodation.

Fly-In Safaris

For those with limited time, fly-in safaris get you in and out of a destination in good time. However, it doesn't mean you'll miss too much.

One of the advantages of fly-in safaris is seeing the landscape from a wide perspective. These can range in length from four to fourteen days and in many instances, you can spread the trip out over several destinations.

While each of the listed African safari trips offers different aspects, in the end, it is your decision on what to choose. For those who prefer to orgainize their own itinerary, then self-drive and fly-in safaris should be considered.

Indianapolis travel

Indianapolis is the capital city of the State of Indiana. It lies on the White River, near the centre of the state. The city is built on a equal plain surrounded by low, hills. It has numerous monuments, fountains, museums, excellent shops, luxury hotels, its famous speedways, and its White River State Park, Indianapolis is endearing and refreshingly accessible. Come and see for yourself.It has evolved into a flourishing hub for industry, commerce, sports, and entertainment. The capital of Indiana is a city full of great attributes. It has been voted one of Americas Best Places to live and work. It has been ranked among the best cities for small business.It is a great place to be.Indianapolis has a humid continental climate. Here is a very detailed account of the weather in this area. I hope you will find it helpful. Summers are hot and humid, with average high temperatures approaching 90. Spring and autumn are usually pleasant, with temperatures reaching around 65.

Spring, however, is much less predictable than autumn midday temperature drops exceeding 30 are common during March and April, and instances of very warm days followed within 36 hours by snowfall are not unheard of during these months. Winters are cool to cold, with daily highs barely inching above freezing. Temperatures occasionally fall below 0. The rainiest months are in the spring and summer, with average rainfalls of over four inches per month, but these averages fluctuate only slightly throughout the year.There are not many beaches because it is located in the centre of Indiana. Some of the beaches in the city where you can relax in the Sun are Indiana Beach, Cecil M Harden Lake, Indiana Dunes, and Cagles Mills Lake. Indiana Beach is located on Lake Shafer in northwest Indiana. The families of Indiana have been coming to this beach in the summers for decades. The entertainment that is offered here during the summertime includes the boardwalk, amusement park rides and water games. The enjoyment that is in store for you when you visit this beach includes more than 20 adult thrill rides, a water park, a haunted castle, a mini golf course, and an aqua theatre with water stunt shows. It is the place to be and fun is spelt with a capital E.Enjoy your break and have a lot of fun as well. It is a place of the future with many things on offer. Tried it for yourself if you dont believe me. Come any time of year but summer is always great.

Prague vacation

The holiday season - the best time for travelling - has already come and I am ready to invite you to one of the most beautiful cities in the whole world. Do you plan to spend this summer in Prague? Would you like to know how to enjoy your stay in the capital of Czech Republic? Or do you sill hesitate what to do in the late summer? I have some useful tips for you all. Prague is a city of many faces. It has its long and sometimes mysterious history, breathing from each building in the old centre. On the other hand, it is a modern city with a lot of new. The first thing you come across when browsing through any Prague's tour guides is surely Prague Castle, Charles Bridge or Old Town Square. These three places are undoubtedly the main points of Prague's history, connected with many important persons and occasions. They are really worth seeing.

Because of their popularity, they are almost anytime too crowded, therefore not so safe. If you are early bird, I do recommend you to come there in the early morning, when you can walk freely without any noise and people and feel and smell the magic of unforgettable city. For those, who like trips with tour guides, there are some agencies organising various tours through Prague. You can choose the right thematic walk just for you. My second tip is connected with typical Czech cuisine. Czech beer is almost world known, but what about Czech meals? Have you ever tried garlic soup, bouillon with vermicelli, roasted sirloin beef in sour cream sauce with dumplings, roast pork with sauerkraut and dumplings or dill sauce? If your answer is "no", you meet with a part of our culture in any Czech restaurants in Prague. There is a variety of typical Czech restaurants that offer Czech cuisine, Czech beer and Czech folklore as well. In this way you can enjoy your evening with very good meal and also get to know character of local people. Do you prefer night life to sightseeing? Prague is ready to meet your wishes too. You can make a choice for many music clubs in the whole city where you hear music of all genres - everything from jazz, pop & rock, oldies, ska or reggae to dance music, hip hop, house, metal or punk. Whatever you like. Most of them are situated in the centre - on Wenceslas Square or within a walking distance from there. Of course, there are a lot of other possibilities how to spend your night - sailing on the Vltava River, night Ghost tour through Prague or visiting theatre or multiplex cinema. My last tip is mainly for families with children. Small children don't want to sight-see the whole day that's why I recommend you a visit of following places. There is one place that is never failure for small travellers and it is a Zoo. Prague's Zoo belongs to the largest in Europe. It has a lot of programmes for visitors such as feeding of animals, their presentation or training. The popularity of Prague's Zoo still rises. The second possibility is the new aqua park with swimming pools, toboggans, whirlpools or river with back flow. In addition, there is a massage and wellness centre with sauna to your disposal. The new aqua park is very nice place for enjoying the day with the whole family. Prague is an amazing city with a lot of opportunities what to do and you can never be bored there. See you in Prague!

Maldives holiday information and facts

Before booking a luxury holidays in the Maldives, or a cheap holiday in the Maldives, any hotel in the Maldives, or you might just be looking for any island hideaway in the Maldives, it is important that you know where you are going to, and what you will find when you get there. Too many people arrive at their holiday destination having chosen it only for the price, and a dubious guarantee of sunshine, and have never investigated their destination for its suitability for themselves and their family. A disastrous vacation can often be rescued by the surrounding countryside, but this won’t be possible in the Maldives, because you are probably going to be trapped on an island, and that hotel in the Maldives may be on an island you can walk round in a few minutes. So you need to know something about where you are going at the very outset. The Maldives are in fact an archipelago consisting of 1190 low lying coral islands scattered across the equator, in groups of 26 naturally occurring atolls. The Maldives is 45 minutes from Colombo, 3 hours from Dubai, 4 hours from Singapore, and 13 hours from London. On the map it is in the Indian Ocean just south west from Sri Lanka, and you don’t need a visa. The Maldives literally sits on top of the Equator so it is a year round 25-30 degrees Celsius, and has frequently been described as paradise on earth. If your idea of paradise is is a pristine tropical island with swaying palm trees with a pure white sand beach all the way round and then a limpid blue and turquoise sea, then the Maldives is just exactly that.

It is sunny, quite unique, and almost totally unspoiled. The hotels range from the top of the range giving you the perfect luxury holiday in the Maldives to the other end where there are plenty cheap Maldives Holidays, as well as the total hideaway Maldive islands. They all have one thing in common and that is they are perfect for people who are looking for peace and tranquillity, a chance to rejuvenate and relax. This is not the place to go if you have to spend your holiday visiting places. This is however the place to go if snorkelling or diving are your thing. It is little wonder that a huge proportion of tourists in the Maldives are returning for a second or third time, simply the place is addictive, with its sun kissed white sand beaches, crystal clear warm lagoons, and multi coloured coral and incredibly exotic marine life. When you consider out of all of the islands only about 200 are inhabited., and of the remaining islands around 100 have become island hotels, there will be more beautiful deserted atolls than you know what to do with.

Panama Canal travel

This incredible piece of human engineering, dreamt up by the ambitious King Charles V of Spain, took around 75,000 workers over 10 long years to complete and throughout the construction was beleaguered by a range of problems, from financial bankruptcy, very poor project management and serious outbreaks of malaria that killed many of the workers. It was eventually finished however, to worldwide applause and with the enormous gratitude of the thousands of ships that still pass through in huge quantities - some paying up to 30,000 dollars for the privilege. The incredible network of dams and locks spans 50 miles at the shortest point between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, allowing ships to cut out an enormous and treacherous stretch of coastline around South America. The canal is located just 80kms north west of Panama City on the Pacific side and Colon on the Atlantic side. You could have the unique and once-in-a-lifetime chance to jump aboard one of the many fantastic cruise ships and set sail along the length of the canal, preferably between December and April. Lindblad Expeditions runs the 64 passenger MV Sea Voyager through the canal and then continues along the Pacific coast of stunning Costa Rica. An expedition on board the Sea Voyager around Panama is an adventure replete with rewards thanks to the biological diversity and unique opportunities it presents. Wildlife is plentiful and varied and thanks to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, it is are the only passenger ship permitted to overnight during the Panama Canal transit to explore Barro Colorado Nature Monument.

Freeport, Bahamas

History

The Bahamas were discovered by Christopher Columbus during his first voyage. He called the area "baja mar", which means low or shallow sea, and the name stayed to this day. The British arrived in the 1600s after the Spaniards had left in search of gold, and many British fleeing the American Revolution settled there, along with southerners during the American Civil War. The Bahamas became an independent member of the British Commonwealth in 1973. Freeport, and the nearby resort area of Port Lucaya, are located on Grand Bahama Island, which is the fourth largest island of the Bahamas. They were developed over the past 50 years to be resort areas, as opposed to other Caribbean towns which grew out of a historic area.

Things to Do

While docked in Freeport/Port Lucaya, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy, including golf, shopping, snorkeling, boating, and visiting the beaches and casinos. There are also beautiful natural wonders to explore at the Lucayan National Park, the Rand Nature Center and the Garden of the Groves. UNEXSO - which stands for Underwater Exploration Society - offers some of the best snorkel, scuba and dolphin encounter experiences anywhere.

Getting Around

Both Freeport and Port Lucaya are a bit of a hike from the cruise terminal, so if you aren't part of a shore excursion - which includes transportation - you'll need to take a taxi or scooter rental to get around.

Weather

They say that it's 'better in the Bahamas', and concerning the weather - they are generally correct! Temperatures in this subtropical area range from about 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit, with warm ocean breezes.