Great Hikes in South America

South America’s diversified and sensational natural attractions, recreational opportunities and archaeological ruins are few reasons that provide trekkers and hikers tremendous choice, however, the suggested treks listed here are the top favorites.

1. Inca Trail
The Inca Trail will take you on one of those unforgettable journeys of your lifetime through the beautiful Peruvian Andes. The trail begins not very far away from Cuzco and was built by the Incas.

It’s almost 3 to 4 days of hiking tour and the level is either moderate or difficult. The highest pass will take you to 13,800 feet. Scenery is magnificent and feel of this lost city will simply make it more exciting for you. On the way, you will encounter some amazing ruins which are enough to double your adventure.

2. Cotopaxi National Park
Cotopaxi National Park is a few hours trip from Ecuador’s capital city, Quito. Undoubtedly, it’s one of the most beautiful parks of South America. It’s most valuable possession is Cotopoxi, the highest as well as the active volcanoes in the world with an approximate height of 19,347 feet.

A three day hike from the Cotopaxi Park’s entrance to the refuge at 15,700 feet at the foot of the volcano is recommended if looking for some real life time experience. It takes almost seven hours to get to the crater. The level is considered to be moderate if you are in a good shape. Natural beauty is simply amazing.

3. Lost City: Ciudad Perdida
For a hike tour to this lost city (Ciudad Perdida) you can start from the hike from Santa Marta (Colombia). Though this Lost City doesn’t match other natural treasures found in South America, the hike to this city is simply stupendous. The journey takes you through coca plantations and lowland jungle. A 3 days hike will get you to the 1,200 stairs that will take you into the city.

4. Santa Cruz
Straight from the Huaraz city situated in Peru, you can march for the Santa Cruz Hiking tours. It will take you on a great expedition through the royal and majestic Andes with few of the highest peaks of the country accompanying you. The level is considered to be moderate one. The highest pass reaches approx 15,583 feet, however before reaching that you will have to face amazing valleys and scenic lakes. It’s a renowned trek so you’ll surely meet some people on the road. Three to four day will definitely exhaust you but promises you a splendid trip.

5. Torres Del Paine
Torres Del Paine is undoubtedly a wonder of nature. It’s one of the most charming places on the earth. The park is situated in the southern part of Chile. It can be reached from the nearby cities Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas. All those who look for an unmatched adventure in traveling, Torres Del Paine will surely challenge your wildest dreams.
Paine Massif is one of the main attractions of the park; it’s composed of granite and is about twelve million years old.

Opening arms for Venice!!

Lucky enough to get some cheap airfares for Venice, a few of us finally made to our dream destination –Venice. Well, the moment of flight landing in Venice was exhilarating. We all jumped in excitement on the airport itself, and to our surprise everyone was gazing us. Ah! What an embarrassing moment, but still so alive in memories.

Our sense of sight completely took over the moment we entered the town. We completely forgot the scorching heat after the glimpse of beautiful and unique Venice. The buildings are worn really perfectly, with paints chipped in, bricks and tiles missing, decorated with hanging flower baskets and with laundry draped around the windows. Alongside in other directions, the boats and the gondolas cruise the waterways were adding extra charm to the whole scene.

The entire area was extremely crowded and by now we felt we were flabbergasted so we decided to take off the some hidden alleyways. Old, Rugged but really gorgeous- just as you have imagined from some pictures till now, however, the smells and sounds to go along with it. Venice is sensory overloaded, with such beauty, such extremes yet crumbling. Buildings are almost 500 years old, alongside displaying some of the latest fashions, trends and tourist trinkets in their windows.

Well, Venice is really an expensive city, so most of the younger population moves to the outskirts. Therefore, the nightlife here is always looking for younger population centers. Mostly, the Venetians love to go for a stroll and have snacks during sunset at this place called Riva degli Schivoni. Most of the eternal fashionable bars are situated in the popular Piazza San Marco. For all those who are gypsies and look for some cheaper ambience San Polo and Cannaregio can be good options, these are mainly preferred by students.

Moreover, the restaurants and pubs that are opened till late are concentrated in the Dordoduro and Cannaregio regions. One region that has gained huge popularity because of its really fashionable crowd is Campo Santa Margherita. We went to this Harry’s Bar, which served us one of the best Bellinis, a cocktail made out of peach, prosecco and tangerine juice. It was a fabulous experience.

We were also able to find a few good clubs in Venice; Disco Club Piccolo Mondo is a good option. Dance to the tunes and rhythms of catchy Latin music. Who says that Venice is not a good choice for night out? You just have to select the perfect place and time and the city is loaded with pure fun and entertainment!

Talking about Grand Canal, it was crowded but impressive. Fast, host, and chaotic with tourists, water busses, boats strongly impregnated with salt. We even saw one UPS boat. Well, Venice being called as Love and Romance city is absolutely correct. Every single piece of building, the magical boats running in salty waters, the melodious music in the air, and beautiful people all around sums up to decorate Venice with threads of love and affection. I promised to come back again, of course this time alone with my love, to surrender myself to the arms of such picturesque and scenic beauty. Honestly – there is no place like Venice in the entire world.
Images sourced from: http://commons.wikimedia.org/

Shanghai: Paris of the East

No other Chinese city has ever thoroughly adopted modernity and technology than Shanghai. Looking it today, any tourist will surely get an illusion that he is in a European city and not in a Communist country of China. Shanghai reflects a cosmopolitan attitude marked by modern-day urban living: western style architecture sky scrapers, industrial and financial districts, one of the active ports in the entire region and extreme-chic trading centers like hotels, shopping malls and museums.

Besides Beijing remains as China capital, the hub of politics, information technology, academia and cultural activities, Shanghai is well known to the entire world as China’s financial hub and of course a growing enterprising city.

In 1800s Shangai was a small, sleepy and sluggish village, however Shanghai has shown a vast transformation by becoming the most decadent, glamorous and cultured city in China and whole of Asia in the early 20th century honored it as the “Paris of the East.”

The former International Settlement, Shanghai’s commercial section, is quite Western and modern in its appearance, with really broad streets and majestic boulevards lined with lordly buildings. Bubbling Well Road, Nanjing Road and the Bund are most notable thoroughfares. If looking for some typical Asian buildings, check out this Chinese town known as Nanshi.

Shanghai is country’s main educational center next to Beijing. It houses Shanghai University of Science and Technology, Fudan University, 3 medical colleges and plenty of technology and scientific institutes. The city also has an astronomical observatory and several research institutes and learned societies. People’s square, rebuilt during late 1990s, is the main site of an opera house and a museum which is containing country’s finest collection of Chinese art.

Chic Boutiques
Well, talking about talent, there’s load of it in Shanghai. Don’t forget out these talented designers on Taikang Road, it’s an upcoming boutique and gallery area. Alongside Guo Chunxiang Family Collection is a magnificent center for shopping which excel in Lin Biao Buttons and retro vinyl Chairman Mao. Laiyin Art Garden has a huge collection of deco lampshades.

Shanghai being the most lively, bustling city: it’s simply immense. It has loads and loads to offer everyone. With over 4000 skyscrapers, Shanghai simply rocks! Feng Shui is hugely considered while constructing all the major architectures here. It has one of the tallest buildings of the world, with almost 102 stories. Shanghai Museum is another example of this city’s versatility and uniqueness. The porcelain displays here are wonderful.

Don’t miss Pearl Tower and to rode that incredibly fast elevator to the observation floor. The restaurant here serves good quality food and can surely fulfill your desire to eat those delicious Chinese delicacies.

Although outshining in modernity and style, Shanghai is proud of its preserved and rich historical sites such as of Dr. Sun Yatsen in Xian Shan Road and revolutionary heroes. The city is a tourist haven presenting plenty of attractions from cultural and antique shops, museums, traditional and stylish restaurants which offer awesome Chinese as well as international cuisines.

Situated in the mid of China’s eastern coastline, it’s one of the country’s largest city with a population of twenty million. Shanghai is accessible through air as well as by sea. From Manila, it hardly takes 3 hours by flight. So, what are you waiting for? Grab inexpensive air tickets this vacation and become a part of this city better known as “Paris of the East.”

A trip to Falling Waters

Magnanimously beautiful Falling Waters is situated in southwest Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands, almost ninety minutes from downtown Pittsburgh. The home sits in a scenic, picturesque wooded setting on PA Route 381 between the erratic and antiquated villages of Mill Run and Ohio Pyle. Since it is situated in a rural area, finding public transportation to Falling waters can be a little problematic. You surely need a car to travel here from your point of travel.

Well, I never ever imagined that a building could arouse or evoke tears in my eyes. Until today when I visited Falling Water.

If you are one of those who know me very well, you will definitely think that it was something else. But you would be wrong at judging me.

My eyes got wet because this home, this building, this piece of cantilevered concrete, glass and steel was so damned glorious, so beautiful, and so ingenious that my entire mind and my soul found no other response than salty water from my eyes.

How could my eyes stop crying, when an unexpected downpour that started during our trip, a shower of water from the height that poured down around us as we started walking under the covered walkway to the guest house actually making us feel that we were within a water fall, altering into a radiant and brimming sun shower and then suddenly stopped when we stepped out onto the topmost terrace?

I was stunned, actually extremely astonished when I learnt that Frank Lloyd Wright was almost sixty seven years of age, at the lowest point of his architecture career when he designed Falling Water. At this age most of us would be marching towards retirement, and this genius jump started the 2nd half of his professional career, the half during which he developed some of his most cherishing designs, which included Guggenheim too.

I stood there watching the woods, gazing at that renowned and popular view of Falling water that we all know, and thought that this man Wright could actually destroy the nature with his concept of building Falling Waters rather enhancing it.

There are few who will say that Falling Water as it was previously conceived and built was not that perfect, and they are somewhat correct. The concrete cantilevers required steel strengthening which Wright didn’t plan before, same goes for the stairs. Cracks occurred in the main floor of cantilever immediately after the construction, continuously sagged for years, with a warning to bring the Falling Waters down. However, Falling Waters was saved by stabilizing it where it had already settled. At last, the building is a bit different but much stronger than before and just as eloquent as when it was built for the first time.

There are plenty of interesting and exciting things to do just a short distance from Falling Waters. Tourists flock to the Laurel Highlands throughout the year to relish some of the most beautiful and scenic natural environments in the East United Sates.

At last, let me say my trip to Falling Waters was one of the most beautiful gifts that I gave to myself and my family. Falling Waters is exceptionally gorgeous!!

A Few Honeymoon Destination Suggestions

Well, Honeymoon is one such beautiful phase of life which should be celebrated in a place where you discover yourself pampered, seduced and relaxed. You and your partner and along with the entire setting makes a perfect honeymoon. Listed below are some of the top honeymoon destinations around the world.

1. Hawaii:Fondled by gentle and soft winds, kissed by delicate weather, and scented by bright reddish and lustrous yellow flowers, Hawaii is undoubtedly the top most romantic honeymoon destination. Who won’t feel that love and chemistry when inhaling those air redolent with a fragrance of plumier and pineapple or while walking along some lonely beach with waving palms holding each other’s hands? You can pamper yourself in every kind of dream luxury or even opt for some simplicity on these islands. You can also relish that big-cities exotic nightlife or cuddle into your private cottage in a calm lagoon.
2. Jamaica:Long time ago, back when nature’s gifts and bounties were being distributed out- Jamaica walked off with far more than her own part of share. Located at about 90 miles south of Cuba, Jamaica is the 3rd largest islands in the Caribbean Sea. It’s flooded with huge waterfalls, deep caves, mysterious grottos, thick mangroves, high mountains, lush rainforests, rivers and plenty of fertile fields. North will impress you with reef-protected white sandy beaches and south will stun you with beautiful black sandy beaches. The gorgeous turquoises seas are splendid getaways.
3. Mexico:The current wave of swine flu scare has put a temporary kibosh on Mexico’s reputation as a honeymoon destination for most of us; however that will pass very soon. Most tourists visiting here love to travel to Mexico’s magnificent coastal regions and place like Cozumel, Los Cabos, and Cancun and of course the Yucatan Peninsula, where you will discover accommodations ranging from cheap to high class luxury. You will discover variety of activities: relish the breath of Mexico’s delicacies, visit World heritage sites, tracking down endless Rivera’s murals and much more. Or you can just lie on the beaches during daytime and disco throughout the night.
4. Paris:Paris popularly called as the capital of love and romance. It has great attractions, beautiful buildings and romantic restaurants which would surely leave you begging for more. Get yourself pampered and fondled in this tremendously wonderful city. Enjoy the ideal and adventurous moment at the top of the Eiffel Tower with your beloved and prove your love to your partner.
5. Las Vegas:Some of the world’s finest restaurants, razzing-dazzling nightlife, simple magnificent resorts and hotels, outdoor adventure and almost endless list of activities, these are some of the few reasons for why Las Vegas is such a renowned and popular honeymoon destination among honeymooners. The recession has hit Las Vegas hard, helping you to reap the advantages.

Images sourced from: http://commons.wikimedia.org

How to find Healthy Food in Airports?

Few days back, while waiting for an air flight at Atlanta Airport, Samantha Jones found herself craving those packed nut mixes, which are full of healthy fats but contains almost 1,200 calories per bag. The renowned dietitian and American Dietetic Association’s spokesperson says that boredom was actually driving her impulse to eat, however she still struggled hard to resist her crave.

As per recent research delayed flights result in airport boredom resulting in unhealthy eating habits. Fliers have very few choices on airports. Most of the major airline companies have stopped serving free meals or have instead replaced them with pre-packaged snacks which are completely nutrient deficient. What’s worst, travelers face frightening challenge of navigating outlets which offer calorie rich comfort food that rule terminals worldwide.

However, it’s still possible for a healthy approach at the airport. Airport management authorities are considering consumer’s growing demands for fresh and nutritious menu options. Considering customer preferences can be sometimes really lucrative in the airport market. Because of the varied options at most of the airports nationwide, even the most anxious traveler can satisfy his or her appetite without jumping on those unhealthy cheeseburgers.

Selecting Right
Most of the airport food courts have decided benefit over the customer. Selection can only be made from a limited stock.

If you are not a regular fast food consumer, the airport isn’t a good place to test your gut. Try to avid things like greasy cheeseburgers. Even if your body is habitual with them while you’re on the ground, the change in air pressures while flying combined with carbohydrates, protein, dairy and grease make them difficult for your body to digest it properly which can actually create a huge problem. In other words it’s called In Flight Flatulence and it’s one of the most common as well as the embarrassing problems that one can face in a packed and confined space like an airplane especially when the seat belt sign is on.

In case you are stuck and the only place available for eating is a fast food outlet, choose something like a salad or grilled chicken sandwich. Alongside, it’s a good idea to substitute BBQ sauce in place of mayo. Opt to eat slowly and chew completely, it will assist in avoiding IFF (In Flight Flatulence).

For Airport dining, the best option is to sit down at some restaurant which has a wide choice of healthy foods however that isn’t always possible may be because of budget or some kind of time restrictions. If you require a quick pick-me-up, coffee stands out the best option. And if it’s early in the days, a good alternative to high calories and high gut-impact breakfasts can be a cup of tea and wholegrain bagel.
The better you will eat in the airport, the better you will feel on the airplane. Feeling exhausted is always a bad start to a vacation.

Lastly, when there are limited options beyond pretzels and potato chips, it’s advised to arrive at the airport with a full stomach. A ravenous individual is always out of control and will mostly make bad choice. Adding to it, fliers must stick to salads, yogurts, sandwiches, and fresh fruits as opposed to, hamburgers, pizzas and hot dogs.
Images sourced from: http://commons.wikimedia.org/

Exotic Snack Streets in Beijing

Beijing is one such place, which has a time-privileged history of producing several kinds of snacks. With strong local flavors, Beijing’s snacks allure almost entire world visitors. Now, let me suggest some popular streets in Beijing where you can relish luscious Beijing Snacks.

• Longfusi Snack Street: Well, almost all snacks of China gather here. Snacks of authentic and genuine Beijing style comes from no other place but Baikui Laohao where trustworthy and genuine soymilk, Luzhu, fried dough and miscellaneous barbeques are being offered. It’s a very average Muslim restaurant getting more luminous when the night curtain falls. A 100 m long snack stall, try buying some fried squid or sausage costing between 2 to 5 Yuan.
• Wangfujing Snack Street:The moment the night curtain falls, diners flock here, among them are a huge number of foreigners. Well, prices are not that too low. Mouth watering and yummy snacks gather at here. You must go to Sun Plaza restaurant 5th Floor if you want to enjoy your food a little more comfortably.
• Gui Jie:Hmm, don’t get frightened by the name, it simply originated from that it is a round the clock food street. More lately it is at night, hotter it becomes. In case you are a night owl, don’t miss to come here. Occupy a seat and relish something tasty while chatting to spend the entire night as an alien visitor at an alien land. Stores are not that large but they are quite suitable for group of friends drinking and chatting together. Because of the updated furnishing, they provide numerous finger licking dishes with an impression of everlasting taste. Poached Fish and Spicy Crab served with Pungent Sauce are tremendously popular here. The courteous services of waiters both inside and outside of the restaurant are enough to attract world wide visitors. Feeling hungry at night? Do not hurt your stomach and appetite, take a taxi and go directly to Gui Jie, relish some of the divine delicacies.
• Donghuamen Night Snack Street:Located at the entrance of north side street of Wangfujing, Donghuamen Snack Street is one of the most bustling and known streets in Beijing, especially enjoyed by foreigners. During night, flavored food and voice of huckster had been a shining spot in Beijing evenings.

Images sourced from: http://commons.wikimedia.org

Relishing Paris without spending a Treasure

Undoubtedly, Paris is one of the most beautiful cities of Europe. From cultural and historic aspect to shopping, nightlife and dinning, Paris will offer only the best but beware of all, as everything here comes with a hefty price tag. Without any pinch of doubt, Paris is really an expensive city to visit but at the same time I would emphasize that its huge paradise for budget travel. Practically speaking, you don’t require a fortune or a huge treasure to explore Paris beauty, all you require is just proper and systematic planning.

Here are some smart tips on” Exploring Paris without possessing a Fortune”.

Reaching Paris: Why waste a treasure on inexpensive airfares when cheap flights and discounted plane tickets can be easily availed these days on the internet?

Getting Around: The best way to communicate in Paris from one point to another, which is cheap as well as fast, is undoubtedly Paris. Well, you can opt to travel by Paris L’Open Bus Tour; its charges are around €26 per person. These city buses are quite tourist friendly. However, for more active and smart travelers, renting a bicycle or even a skate can be an amazing way to explore the city. Besides all, nothing can beat the charm and fun of seeing Paris on foot.

Dining: Paris is known to be Europe’s culinary hub but eating out in Paris can be really costly. If dining out in Paris, make sure you order from the Prix-Fixe menu, eat in those small restaurants where mostly average locales go for lunch. Moreover, if your accommodation has a kitchen, try to cook your meal on your own, this can be real good idea for that budget and low cost Vacation in Paris.

Accommodations: Talking about accommodation, hostels come out to be the cheapest option. But if hostels are not your taste, you can book some hotel in neighborhoods. If visiting in a group, vacation apartment comes out to be the best option.

No matter where you want to go or head, planning in advance, booking cheap flights to Paris, hotel rooms beforehand, doing an intensive research on that place actually pays off.

Exploring Magnificent Eiffel Tower in Paris

Well, Paris without Eiffel Tower is same as life without water. Taking an adventurous ride on the elevator to one of the 3 platforms at the highest point of the tower is one of the must to do things for everyone visiting Paris. This unique and tremendously beautiful iron icon was built in 1889 for a World’s Fair celebration that celebrated the 100 years of the French revolution. It is named after its builder and creator, Gustave Eiffel.

More than 6 million people visit Paris just to have a look of this splendid creation called Eiffel Tower. You can discover ticket booths at the base of the tower so as to get access to the stairs or the elevator up and up to the 3 platforms at the top of the tower. Ah, the scene from the highest platform is awesome and breathtaking. You can choose to descend back down from the second platform either through the lift thing or 340 steps. In case you are looking for some special ticket information as well hours of operation, you can visit the Official website of Eiffel Tower.

Some Useful Tips: The elevator queues and wait lines can be damned long (mainly during the high peak holiday season) so prefer visiting the tower either in early mornings or after 6 PM in evenings so as to save yourself from waiting endless hours in queues. Also queues are quite shorter during the weekdays than on weekends. It can turn out to be quite warm during summer season so getting a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream cones can actually relief you from the scorching heat. If you desire reminder showing Eiffel Tower check out this huge gift shop on the second floor which can be good platform for choosing one.

So, go ahead and rush to this heavenly beautiful place called Paris and explore this unique and magnificent tower called Eiffel Tower.

Flash packing: Backpacking in Style

What is Flash Packing?

Well, Backpacking is one of the most popular forms of travel, but what’s becoming more known in the travel world these days, is Flashpacking. It’s similar as backpacking travel, with the same amount of enthusiasm to experience vast cultures, knowing new languages and making new friends, but all of this is done in style.

We can say Flashpacking is new term for backpacking. It’s not just careful travel with few clothes.

Flashpacking is the 21st century term for backpacking. It’s not about traveling frugally anymore with just few clothes, hitchhiking to destinations or wishing enough money so that you can survive till the last day. It’s about respecting basic tenets of backpacking but also putting little style as well technology to enhance it.

Here are some tips that will help you become the best flashpacker of your times!

Travel Tips for Flash Packing:

1.Packing as per Occasion: Being a flashpacker you got to be very specific about your packing needs. Packing too much can actually spoil your mood. So, the main thing is to pack smartly for your vacation. Check out the essentials first. Don’t forget to check out the weather and climatic conditions of the place you are planning to visit on internet. Alongside, flash packing doesn’t imply traveling light by leaving everything behind. It’s simply about traveling smartly and exploring the world with least burdens and extreme fun.

2.Welcome Change: Flashpacking is similar to backpacking and mean vacationing without a detailed plan. The main reason behind it is flexibility that is involved in it. This is so because being flexible allows you to change plans at any moment. The excursion starts organically and gives you an advantage of unexpected discoveries along the way. It also assists you in researching and learning about places you are visiting during vacation within those places.