Other

Why go to Vietnam for your next holiday

Published

10 years ago

August 17, 2014

Looking for a new place to take off to? You have probably heard a lot of people gush about Vietnam. The country has begun to realize its tourist potential and there’s a lot more to see and do than there ever was before.

It’s about time you experienced the splendor of this country by yourself. Here are some things that will definitely lure you into touring Vietnam.

Vietnam 1

A Piece of History on Your Plate

Vietnam has a very long and continuous history. Hominid settlements have been found dating to half a million years ago and the country’s cultural history is around 20,000 years old.

The Complex of Hué Monuments in Hué, was the first site in Vietnam to be recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Hué was established as the capital of Viet Nam in 1802. The city was not only the political center of then unified Viet Nam but also the religious and cultural center. The city was built around the Perfume River and offers beautiful scenic views. There are also monuments, tombs, pagodas, temples, and more to hold your interest.
The ancient town of Hoi An was once a major port. The town is now one of the country’s wealthiest and important tourism destinations. Hoi An is free from traffic and pollution woes and you’ll find the atmosphere here to be pleasant. This delightful town has Chinese temples, Japanese merchant houses, ancient tea warehouses and more to cherish.
The Cu Chi province in Vietnam has an elaborate system of underground tunnels that were built by the Viet Cong guerrillas during the Vietnam War. These tunnels served as living quarters; hiding spots; hospitals; food and weapon caches; and supply routes. The network of tunnels was built over a period of more than two decades and has been turned into a memorial park. Tourists can crawl around in some parts of the tunnel and get a peek into what life was like in the 1950s.

Tour National Parks and Sanctuaries

Vietnam has several national parks and sanctuaries great for one-day trips, camping, or hiking. Vietnam and Cambodia tours are practically guaranteed to never disappoint.

The Cát Bà National Park is situated on the Cát Bà Island in Hạ Long Bay. The tropical rainforest teems with several species of reptiles, birds and mammals. Many plant species found here are unique to the country.
The Cu Lao Cham Marine Park on the Chàm Islands is recognized by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve. The islands are a wonderful place to soak up some sun. The forests are lush and populated with wild monkeys. You can get the best “bird’s nest soup” in the world on the Chàm Islands.
The Cát Tiên National Park is about 90 miles to the north of Ho Chi Minh City. The Park protects a large area of lowland tropical rainforest and is home to 40 species of animals and birds that are listed in the World Red list of threatened species.

Vietnam food

Get a Taste of Vietnamese Cuisine

Vietnamese cuisine consists pretty much entirely of rice, green vegetables, fruits and fish sauce! Vietnam is the world’s second largest exporter of rice in the world and the Vietnamese can eat rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Fish sauce is added to almost all dishes and you could be served an array of fresh fruits as dessert.

Pho is a staple food including rice noodles, broth, herbs and beef or chicken. It is available just about everywhere and has many variations. Try Bún Bò Huế which is beef and vermicelli soup, Bún Riêu which is crab and tomato noodle soup, Canh Chua which is a sour tamarind soup, or Bánh Canh Bột Lọc which is soup including thick noodles.
Bánh Xèo is a crispy crepe filled with shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, and herbs. It is served with sauce and you can even roll lettuce leaves or rice paper over it and relish.
Towards the north of the country, the food is inspired by Chinese cuisine. As such, one can easily find Cơm chiên or fried rice to eat.
Bánh Tét or ‘sticky rice cakes’ are savory rice cakes wrapped in banana leaves. They need to be prepared skillfully and are widely eaten during the Vietnamese New Year.
If you crave for some sandwich in the Far East, Bánh Mì or Vietnamese sandwich will delight you. A French baguette layered with ham, pork, pickled radish, carrots and cilantro gives you everything your taste-buds could ask for.

(http://www.pinterest.com/pin/116249234102856578/)

Indulge in Adventure Sports

With the natural diversity that Vietnam has to offer, there are several options when it comes to enjoying outdoor sports and adventure activities.

You can go kayaking in Hạ Long Bay. During low tides, one can go through low caves and take in the beauty of limestone and volcanic rings.
The South China Sea to the East of the country provides ample opportunities for water-sports such as diving, sailing, snorkeling, jet-skiing and kite-surfing.
Mount Fansipan (the highest peak in the country); the Cát Tiên and Cuc Phuong National Parks; and the Central Highlands are great places to go trekking or hiking.
One can also rent a motorbike and tour the Central Highlands or Far North. Cycling in the Mekong Delta can be enjoyable as most of the routes are quite flat.

Conclusion

Hills, mountains, valleys, beaches- Vietnam has it all. Whether you want a lazy vacation or something action-packed, you will find Vietnam to be the best choice you ever made.

So get your visas and tickets and get packing!

Author bio

Eric Andujar is a freelance writer and traveler. He writes about the best destinations and travel deals. One of his favorite places on Earth is Vietnam and he loves talking to people about the country, how to get a Vietnam visa on arrival and why it’s a country that needs to be visited at all costs.

Other

Top 5 Historical Landmarks of Portugal

Published

3 years ago

April 17, 2022

Guest Author

Portugal is a hive of culture, history, and architecture and is home to fifteen UNESCO World Heritage Sites. If you plan a holiday to Portugal to discover some of its glorious histories, look through our top five Portuguese historical landmarks.

Alcobaça Monastery

This beautiful monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Monastery of Santa Maria de Alcobaça is a prime example of early Gothic architecture. The sanctuary is home to the ornate tombs of Ines de Castro and King Pedro I. There is a tragic love story associated with the burials. Ines de Castro was assassinated in 1355, and the king ordered his tomb to be placed next to hers so that he could face the woman he loved on the day of resurrection. They are considered to be the most beautiful medieval tombs in Portugal. There are also living quarters, including a refectory, dormitory, kitchen, and cloisters that have been inhabited by monks for 800 years.

Convent of Christ

The Convent of Christ is a beautiful roman catholic building located in Tomar. It was initially a stronghold for the Order of the Knights Templar. The building houses impressive art and examples of Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, and Renaissance architecture. The walls inside are exquisitely decorated with paintings, carved stone sculptures, and a window depicting symbols and motifs. This site has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983.

Évora

Évora is a Portuguese city home to several historical sights, some over two thousand years old. The Cathedral of Évora is considered one of Portugal’s most important gothic monuments. Moorish palaces and courtyards, a renaissance fountain built-in 1559, and a one-of-a-kind Roman temple have become the city’s most famous landmarks. It is not surprising that Évorahas is classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

Belém Tower

Belém Tower was built to be a fortress in 1515 to guard the entrance to Lisbon’s harbor. The tower is constructed from lioz limestone that is local to Lisbon. It is considered one of the prominent examples of the late gothic Manueline style. There is a drawbridge, spaces for cannons, turrets, and arches that have been decorated with images of animals, plants, and royal coats of arms. Inside there are statues, pillars, and gargoyle facets. UNESCO has listed the tower as a World Heritage monument.   

Jerónimos Monastery

Jerónimos Monastery is considered one of the most beautiful monasteries in Portugal and Europe. Located in Lisbon, the monastery has various entrances that have been decorated with carved figures, gables, and pinnacles. There is a 16th Century Portuguese sculpture of Our Lady of Belém in the central doorway, a figure of Prince Henry the Navigator in the center of the monastery, and a statue of King Manuel I. The monastery has been classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

We hope this has inspired you to start planning your trip to Portugal today.

Other

Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar

Find out why Sand boarding, Diving and Safaris through the desert are included in the Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar.

Published

3 years ago

April 8, 2022

Guest Author

Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar

Qatar is a country of reinvention. Shimmering towerblocks rise against a desert horizon, and maze-like souks thrive next to 21st-century shopping palaces. It’s also one of the more accessible countries of the Arab Gulf, with a welcoming reputation towards visitors and plenty of attractions to keep them coming. Some of the best holiday activities you’ll find in Qatar are the adventurous kind. And these are the top 5 outdoor adventure activities in Qatar.

Sunset in Qatar – Photo by wj2012

Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar

Diving expeditions

The Gulf Sea is famed for its crystal waters and the exuberant marine life which lurks just beneath the surface. Messaid is a good jumping-off point where you’ll find angelfish and barracuda, while those intrigued by underwater wrecks will love the Hall Island dive site at Al-Sharqi, where bright clownfish circle the abandoned boat.

Sand Adventures

Many of the sports here have been adapted from colder climates, so instead of skiing down a mountain piste, try Khor Al Adaid beach to glide down the impressive dunes on a sand-board. Alternatively, race your blo-kart along the sands of Al Wakrah, south of capital Doha, to experience the thrill of wind-sailing on dry land.

Sand Boarding – Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar – Photo by ground zero

Al Jassasiya

The ancient carvings of Al Jassasiya lie to the north near Al Shamal, amid a truly remote landscape of village ruins and limestone. Hire a 4×4 of your own and make the journey to see the 900 petroglyphs which riddle the rocks here. The carvings denote flowers, animals, fleets of shows, or traditional Arab boats, and to this day, their origins remain a mystery.

Sunset Cruise

When the time comes for a more relaxed excursion, you can do no better than a sunset cruise onboard a wooden dhow as you drift past the super-modern Doha seafront of Al-Corniche and the old harbor at Al Khor. If you’re still hankering after some adventure, rent a smaller vessel and go for a fishing trip the following day.

Desert Safaris

Much of the inland desert in Qatar remains inaccessible on foot, but fortunately, that’s where a 4×4 comes in very handy for a safari trip you won’t easily forget. There are numerous options available from Doha, including day-long excursions, bumping, and rolling to the inland sea at Khor Al Adaid. Or make the trip at dusk for a spot of star-gazing before you settle in Bedouin-style tents for the night.

Desert Safari – Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar – Photo by robertpaulyoung

Most activities can be arranged via a tour company. Although cash has been the predominant payment method in Qatar, this is beginning to change, which is good news for tourists since HSBC offers protection against loss or theft. If you’re planning on taking part in several activities, it can be handy to have some plastic on you to avoid expensive traveler’s cheques, plus credit cards from HSBC and other familiar providers also enable easy access to money at the ATMs. However, it’s wise to exercise caution, using only official bank machines here and sticking with local currency at the market and in smaller shops.

There’s no doubt that Qatar offers some world-class cultural attractions beyond the more energetic highlights, and while you’re in the country, set aside some time for the historic Al Zubarah fort or browse the recreated 19th-century Souk-Waqif, in Doha.

This country has been undervalued in the past but is now coming to the world’s attention. With its desert adventures, ancient sites, and thriving culture, this attention is thoroughly deserved.

This is a travel feature by world traveler, Jose Capelo. He loves exploring the top 5 outdoor adventure activities in Qatar and has spent many trips exploring the wild deserts of Qatar.

Other

Boys will be Boys – Essential Stag Guide to Barcelona

Essential Stag Guide to Barcelona

Published

3 years ago

April 1, 2022

Guest Author

Barcelona has a lot to offer to the quintessential all-boys travel group for a stag weekend in Barcelona. This sunny Spanish city is known for its gorgeous Mediterranean beaches complemented by turquoise waters. In addition to this, this city offers the ideal environment for an all-male party hotspot, considering its vibrant nightlife, football culture, flamenco dance clubs, tattoo parlors, and its delicious sangrias and tapas.

Paella cooking class Barcelona

Barcelona is a widespread consideration for a quick all-boys getaway during the summer. With a variety of heart-thumping activities that can make your trip a memorable one, make sure you take out time to pursue the following –

LTW Tattoo:

If you are looking for a real adventure that will stick with you all your life, there is no better way to commemorate this epic trip than heading to Barcelona’s best tattoo parlor.
Barna Paintball:

Take on your best buddies in a battle of agility by visiting the Barna Paintball. With four thematic areas to choose from, your experience here can be genuinely adventurous.
Bar Crawl Barcelona:

Considered one of the most famous pub crawls globally and the biggest in Europe, the original Bar Crawl Barcelona is a great way to explore the city in its nocturnal state. You and your buddies can visit four bars and then finish at one of the best clubs in Barcelona. Complete with some of the craziest drinking games, this memorable experience costs all but 15 Euros.
FC’s Camp Nou:

If you are a group of football fans visiting the city, you cannot leave without making a trip to Camp Nou, the city’s football ground. With a ticket for the stadium tour, you will have access to the changing rooms, benches, press rooms, and stands. If you are fortunate enough to have a match coinciding with your travel dates, make sure you book your tickets for the game well in advance.
Circuit de Catalunya Racing Track:
If you and your crew are into racing, consider heading to the Circuit de Catalunya, host to various Formula 1 and Moto GP races. Here, you can get a detailed tour of the briefing room, pits, and podium.
Comedy Nights:

Comedy nights are often an option that everybody loves. Especially as a group of single boys, you may love to attend an event organized by the Giggling Guiri program that consists of English-speaking shows.
Al Fresco Drinking on Las Ramblas:

The heart of tourist activity in Barcelona, Las Ramblas, offers unique casual outdoor ambiances for groups of boys to spend hours finishing pitchers of sangria or chugging down buckets of beer bottles. Vibrant as ever, this street located off the Gothic Quarters is a great place to unwind after a long day of sightseeing.

Essential Stag Guide to Barcelona

As a group of boys, you can also research options for day trips to beaches outside of Barcelona that offers relaxing and laid-back environments for your holiday. Many options are available in Barcelona for hiring a car to explore this scenic and exciting city with your friends, such as Thrifty Car Rentals. So when you are in Barcelona with your amigos, nothing stops you from having a great time!