Category: Destinations

Top Tourist Attractions In Thailand

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Deemed as one of the most famous travel destinations in Asia, the top tourist attractions in Thailand keep on flourishing through the years. In Thailand you can experience everything that you could ever imagine to make your holidays as fun as can be. It has pristine clear blue waters, lush tropical rainforests, affordable seaside accommodations and one of the tastiest cuisines in the entire world. Thailand has something great in store even for travellers with the tightest budgets and that’s why it has been considered as one of the most frequented travel destinations in South East Asia just like the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia. Thailand has done a great job of preserving its unique history and culture even in the midst of a massive influx of tourism. Here some of the top tourist attractions in Thailand not to miss.

Belonging to one of the 51 atolls of Tarutato National Marine Park in southern Thailand, Ko Tarutao has made its name in the tourism industry. One of Ko Tarutao’s utmost appeal lies in its beautiful wildlife such as whales, lizards, sea turtles and a whole lot more of fauna and biodiversity. When matched up with the other Andaman Islands, the waters in Ko Tarutao aren’t as ideal for snorkelling but at large, the virgin beaches, waterfalls, awesome trekking routes and picturesque sceneries set it apart in the end.

Situated in close proximity with the boundaries of Cambodia, Ko Chang is the 2nd biggest island in the country and the largest in the Ko Chang Marine Park group of islands. Ko Chang is composed of fine-looking islands with a great number of waterfalls, pristine  corals, forests and extensive white sand coasts which are one of the top tourist attractions in Thailand. The island also houses many unique animals including snakes, deer, birds and elephants.

The creation of the Grand Palace commenced in 1782 when the capital of the country was transferred from Thonburi to Bangkok. Primarily, the palace functioned as the abode of the Royalties of the country until King Ananda Mahidol died puzzlingly. The King’s brother who was the successor relocated lastingly to the Chitralada Palace. At present, the Grand Palace is highly-regarded as one of the top tourist attractions in Thailand with its extraordinary architectural designs such as that of the genuine Ayutthayan style with a great fusion of Western and Thai contemporary architecture. Furthermore, the Grand Palace also comprises the Wat Phra Kaew which is the dwelling of the Emerald Buddha and considered among the most ancient and widely renowned Buddha structures in the entire globe.

There is still so much to see and explore in Thailand and among which are the Similan Islands, Railay Beach, Phang Nga Bay in Phuket and Koh Tao. Wheither your staying in the lap of luxury at the Centara Karon Phuket hotel or spending  a few bucks a night at a hostel in Bangkok, Thailand offers a never-ending array of fun things to do for every budget.

Top Tourist Attractions in Mauritius

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The top tourist attraction in Mauritius mostly visited by outsiders could signify that “size does not always matter”. Mauritius is a relatively small island nation located off the southeast coast of Africa, beside Madagascar and along the fringes of the Indian Ocean. This island nation is one of the atolls that comprise the Mascarene Archipelago. This island nation underwent five historical colonization eras consecutively – the Arabs in early Medieval Era, the Portuguese and Dutch in the Age of Exploration, then the French and British during the length of the Napoleonic Wars. Mauritius remains to be a melting pot of foreign cultures and the continuous influx of tourists will retain its cosmopolitan environment for the succeeding generations to come.

1. Port Louis City

Port Louis City is the capital of the resplendent island nation and the most popular among the top tourist attractions in Mauritius. This is the best place to be for a wider range of traveler types. Well-to-do tourists can always have a memorable time in Port Louis with countless first class hotels, beach resorts, casinos and the sophisticated food and drink scene. Visitors can take part in the awesome nightlife, especially at the popular Le Caudan Waterfront.

2. Pamplemousses Botanical Garden

This grand theme park is one of the most celebrated attractions in Mauritius and the perfect place to have a quiet relaxing stroll surrounded by craftily manicured flora. Aside from being one of the most popular top tourist attractions for taking off heavy vibes of the jaded city people, this place was also a historic retreat venue for world leaders like Indira Gandhi of India, Francois Mitterrand of France and Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe. The Long Beach Mauritius hotel is a great place to stay not too far from the garden.

3. Pere Laval’s Shrine

The Pere Laval’s Shrine is proof of the cosmopolitan spirit of Mauritius. This venue is the seat of the Jummah Masjid, built by the Arab pioneers and home to many Muslims in the island nation. But also in this deeply cultural place lies the noteworthy Fort Adelaide, named after the Queen of England in the 1800’s and a testament of British supremacy in the country

4. Black River Gorges National Park

This national park is the center of ecological preservation in the entire island nation. The Black River Gorges National Park is the most interesting venue for eco tourists. This is one of the only places in Mauritius that is hardly touched by civilization. Only information centers and picnic areas are manicured to sufficiently accommodate visitors, everything is pristine and how Mother Nature created it.

5. Seven Colored Earths of Charmarel

Charmarel Village is one of the top tourist attractions of Mauritius for its peculiar phenomenon of “seven colored earths” around the outlying barren sand dunes. This area stands out starkly against the encircling wilderness; with spectrum shades of red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow. Scholarly tourists with a strong inclination to geology cannot help but buy test tubes and get samples.

Top Reasons To Visit Cabo San Lucas

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It may not be Cancun, but the top reasons to visit Cabo San Lucas will surely leave you wanting to spend your spring break, honeymoon, or family holidays in this laid back paradise.  Located at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, Cabo San Lucas is best known for its iconic El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, a distinctive rock formation found at the very tip of the city.  In addition, this holiday destination is a great place to go whale watching, scuba diving or maybe lounging by the beach.

Here are some of the top reasons to visit Cabo San Lucas.

Cabo, Mexico

Winter?  What winter?  One of the top reasons to visit Cabo San Lucas is its perpetually sunny weather.  Here, you get 365 days of summer.  Now if you’re looking forward to warming your toes in winter, then burying them on the warm sands of Cabo San Lucas may be the most perfect solution.

Romantic getaway.  Honeymooners will get the best week of their lives walking on the fine, golden sands of Cabo San Lucas’s beaches, Admiring the beach scenery from the comforts of their own rented luxury villa, or watching the sun set at the El Arco de Cabo San Lucas.  Eitherway, the sun, sea, surf (and probably the tequila body shots) will leave you and your significant other smiling and glowing when you come back to the real world.

Under the sea.  Cabo San Lucas is one of the best diving destinations in the world, with its long stretches of coral reefs and hiding places of some of the world’s most exotic marine life.  You can approach your hotel front desk to make arrangements for your scuba diving sessions with a qualified guide or instructor.

If scuba diving scares you,  you can always opt for snorkelling.

Nightlife.  Come night time and the city of Cabo de San Lucas comes alive with pubs, clubs, restaurants and bars filling in with locals and gringos alike.  If you are a big rock fan, the Cabo Wabo Cantina is the best place to go especially on October 13 when the owner (none other than rock musician Sammy Hagar of Van Halen) celebrates his birthday and performs with his band, the Wabos.  The show often include famous guests from the music scene.

Top Castles in Northern Ireland

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A sweet escape to the awe-inspiring haven of Ireland wouldn’t be completely fulfilling if you don’t get to see the top castles to visit in Northern Ireland. The castles in North Ireland were built around 800 years ago as medieval fortresses. But others are just modern homes or mansions which were patterned to the old castles. The greatest castles however were built by Normans who conquered England and Wales, and went to Ireland in 1169 to colonize the island as well. It has been said that “The greatest castles were the work of the ever-ambitious Normans”.

Castle exterior

One of the most significant Norman-built castles in the entire Ireland is the Carrickfergus Castle. Built in the mid 1170’s, Carrickfergus is widely-considered as the most impressive among the castles in Ireland. It is remarkable because it represented the Normans’ military strength during the Iron Age. The castle was strategically built in a defensive location, used to be surrounded by the sea, and overlooks Belfast Lough on the east. The castle is marvellously constructed from rough-hewn stone and its structure is exceptional even to contemporary standards. Despite its fearsome look, this castle is not really gigantic to explore. It was besieged several times and was used to be a penitentiary over the centuries. Today, functions to accommodate tourists who enjoy the glimpse of medieval ambience with all the embellished waxworks of the castle.

Another remarkable castle in North Ireland is Dunluce castle. It was built on basalt crag surrounded by wild waves of the sea. And from afar, it looks as if it peeks from below the sea on the edges of the crag which makes a spectacular sight. To get to the castle you have to cross a bridge from the mainland cafe and coffee shop. It’s like the castle is from another era and space or isolated from real world, and it would be almost impossible to intrude from the sea to where it stands. The castle evidently manifests Iron Age strategic stronghold and protection before the times of the Vikings. Today, Dunluce castle remains under the protection of Northern Irish Ministry for the Environment. It is considered to be the most visited among the castles in North Ireland and is open the entire year with an entrance fee that is modestly charged.

Dunseverick Castle is also another noteworthy castle to consider exploring. It has a rich heritage to tell that is why it belongs in the category of top castles in Northern Ireland.  Although there’s nothing much to see on the castle because its remnants have almost completely vanished, the castle’s remaining stone walls create a romantic scenery with flocks of sheep grazing on green grasses overlooking the blue sea down the cliff. Founded well before Normans arrived in Ireland, Dunseverick Castle was the site of the fort during Iron Age. In 500 AD, it was allegedly visited by St. Patrick, it was attacked by Vikings in 900 AD, it was fortified by Normans after they invaded the island, it was held by McCain family in around 1600 who further strengthened the site, and finally destroyed by Cromwellian campaign from England in 1642 when they conquered Ireland. Today, it’s a common stopping point for tourists who travel along Causeway Coast of County Antrim and you don’t even need formal visiting arrangements nor do you have to pay entrance fees to visit the ruins of the castle.

Top Tourist Attractions In American Samoa

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The top tourist attractions in Samoa are easy to reach since American Samoa is relatively small compared to its independent Western counterpart. Since it was an annexed territory similar to Hawaii, the land is also highly developed as a chief American tourist capital. American Samoa is also an excellent alternative to the highly advertised Hawaii or the hardly popular destination of Guam. One can safely say that American Samoa is also a jewel territory of the United States in the Pacific region, and one definitely worth traveling to.

scenery in American Samoa

1. Pago Pago
Our tourist begins his or her excursion usually in a place where all vacations start – in the capital region. Pago Pago is one of the top tourist attractions in Samoa and for a capital region there is not too much urban density. It is clear how the US government is keen about preserving the dominance of greenery in the city despite the presence of civilization. In fact, there are strict guidelines as to the height of the buildings so there clearly is no danger of undermining the natural environment with its development schemes. Our tourist now starts to shop for groceries in the market plazas.

2. American Samoa National Park
It is not very hard for most tourists to question how this remote archipelago became an unincorporated territory of the United States of America. One of the best places to satisfy their curiosity is to start their history lesson in American Samoa National Park. This landmark is also considered a tourist or visitor information center. It is always best to stop by in this place before deciding to head out to other islands. Our adventurous tourist, contemplating on visiting neighboring atolls, decides to learn every piece of valuable information needed. Cruising may take days and it is always important to find a place to crash to enjoy the island-hopping trip.

3. Tula
Tula is one of the top tourist attractions in Samoa for those people who are eager to meet native islanders. Our tourist is very excited to meet the distant relatives of his or her favorite Hollywood actor, Dwayne Johnson (the Rock). Traditional Samoan people are very interesting, since they are known for being very conservative. They can be easily put off with women wearing short shorts, so it is always best to dress decently.

4. Aunu’u Island
If one should look for places that have a deep and strong connection with nature, the Aunu’u Island is a perfect location to visit. One of the fascinating natural landmarks in this atoll is the famous red quick sands around Pala Lake. Our tourist has enjoyed his stay with the natives and he heard about an ideal location to take pictures of sea, where waves slap the rocks of Ma’ama’a Cove.

Top Destinations In Croatia

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The top destinations in Croatia are often overshadowed by its more popular neighbor, Italy.  But this is very good for one main reason:  less popular, less touristy.  With its temperate climate, breathtaking landscapes and the sheer number of fantastic things to see, Croatia is one, underrated tourist destination in Europe that’s worth adding to your bucket list.

travel to Croatia

Here are some of the top destinations in Croatia:

Plitvice Lakes.  Considered one of the most beautiful natural attractions in the continent, the Plitvice Lakes are one of the must-see destinations in Croatia.  This group of interlinked lakes within a large, protected forest are known for their different colored waters, ranging from azure to grey.  The surrounding forests are abundant in unique animal and plant life.  Meet some of the area’s famous residents, such as the European Brown Bear, Lynx and Eagles, or go bird watching as the area around the lakes are home to a great variety of bird species.

Hvar.  From olive groves to a picturesque yacht port, Hvar Island is in itself, is a romantic destination not to miss.  Tour around the island, and see the olive groves, the lavender fields and the fruit orchards which make up the dreamy agricultural landscape of the island’s interior, and enjoy an evening stroll along Hvar Town’s yacht port and the surrounding pedestrian-only roads.  The old villages also add charm to the island and they’re all worth a visit.

Dubrovnik.  Also called Ragusa, this city in the Adriatic Sea is one of the most prominent tourist attractions in the country.  The walled city is known to be the only city-state to rival Venice when it comes to a remarkable development during the 15th and 16th centuries.

Historical infrastructures, from churches to fountains dot the cityscape of Dubrovnik.  The beaches, too, are absolutely exquisite.  The city beach, Banje is a child-friendly destination in Dubrovnik, where they could have fun on the sandy or sometimes pebbly beach, or the clear Adriatic Sea. Dubrovnik is also famous these days as it is the set for Game of Thrones.

The Best Time To Visit Liechtenstein!

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Knowing the best time to visit Liechtenstein will help you make your plans ahead when visiting this cool German-speaking country flanked by Switzerland and Austria.  This small, landlocked country enjoys the a high standard of living, despite its size and is home to some of the most breath-taking natural attractions and landscapes in the world.

landscapes in Lichtenstein, by get down

Liechtenstein has a continental climate with cold and cloudy winters with frequent rain and snow and mild summers which are moderately warm to cool.

Knowing the best time to visit Liechtenstein would greatly depend on what you plan to do in the country.

Skiing and winter sports enthusiasts are better off visiting between December and April, during the peak of the winter season.  Christmas is even more spectacular with all of the lights on many of the homes at night.  But when April arrives, most ski resorts will begin to close down as the snow melts to prepare for summer.

But do be warned:  winter time means more people, which translates to higher accommodation costs.  So it’s wise to save up for a ski trip to Liechtenstein early on and book flights and accommodations early to avoid the rush.

Off season may also offer perks to budget-wise travellers.  Off season falls in summer, from April to November and prices of accommodations often drop during this time of the year.  But if you have no plans on skiing or indulging in winter sports, this may be the best time to visit Liechtenstein for you, where you can enjoy touring the capital, Vaduz, and seeing the sites, or indulging in mountain climbing, hiking and trekking.

But still bring a light coat or a light jacket with you.  Summers in Liechtenstein may still be cool thanks to the country’s continental climate.  Other than that, enjoy the balmy weather without having to bother with thick, winter coats and layering on clothes!