Is Central America That Dangerous?

Posted on May 11, 2013 by michael

Due to its climate, interesting culture and the varied activities available, Central America is a popular tourist destination. Central America consists of Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras and Panama. As this is a popular destination there are many airlines providing discount fairs. However, one concern that people have about travelling to this area of the world is their safety and this is something that many tourists enquire about before booking their holiday. Yet are their concerns founded? Here is an overview of the safety of the countries in Central America.

Belize

As a developing nation there is still a lot of crime in Belize including violent crime and muggings, especially in Belize City. However, this is not necessarily aimed at tourists. By using a little common sense they can take measures to avoid being a victim of crime in this country. For example, it is suggested that travellers should store their money safely and that they should not use taxis unless the green license plates are clearly displayed.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is considered one of the safest country in Central America although there are issues with car crime and a disregard for traffic laws. Advice for visitors to this country are not to park their cars in urban streets and to avoid areas with a busy night-life, such as Limon, San Jose, Jaco and Puntarenas.

Guatemala

This is a reasonably safe country to visit with very few visitors having any problems. However, some crimes, such as rape and armed robbery, have increased in recent years. An area that is best avoided is Zone 1 in Guatemala City because this is notoriously the most dangerous area. Antigua is also another area where crime is on the rise and caution should be taken by tourists. In both of these areas of Guatemala it is recommended that you do not travel at night.

Honduras

Honduras has one of the highest murder rates in the world and is possibly the most dangerous of the Central American countries to visit. Travellers are encouraged by the US State Department to be responsible for their own safety by not travelling at night, locking their car doors and not carrying large sums of money around with them.

Nicaragua

Overall, this is probably the safest Central American country. However, as with all countries, there are still some areas where crime is more likely. Reports suggest that violent crime has risen in Managua and this area is best avoid after nightfall. Advice that is specific to safety in this country is to avoid violent political demonstrations, but most travellers to Central America will be going to enjoy their holiday rather than involving themselves in foreign politics!

Panama

Although Panama is known as a country that is involved with drugs due to its proximity to Columbia, it is a relatively safe destination for tourists. Petty theft and credit card fraud are two of the major concerns in Panama so travellers are warned to take care when withdrawing from cash machines and to avoid using credit cards unless it is absolutely necessary.

Conclusion

There are many benefits to visiting Central America including the culture and climate. However, many travellers are concerned about the safety of these countries because of crime. As with most countries some areas have a greater problem with crime and others that are peaceful areas to visit. By avoiding the notorious areas and taking some basic safety precautions, visitors to Central America can have a wonderful and memorable holiday.

Surprising Uruguay

Posted on March 17, 2013 by imrankhan

Geographically, Uruguay is one of the smallest countries in South America nestled between between two giants, Brazil and Argentina, but no less of a country in personality or spirit. It is a great travel destination as there is so much packed into such a tiny place.

Pristine coastlines with miles of white sandy beaches, dotted with hidden lagoons give way to fertile plains and grass lands. Low lying mountains merge into the border of Southern Brazil. In the North West you´ll discover hot springs, wetlands and lush forests, home to an enormous diversity of wildlife.

Uruguay´s culture is rich and diverse and has been influenced by the Spanish, Portuguese and Argentines all struggling to gain control of it since the 16th century and they have all left their mark. Along the coast you will find beautiful but small cities. Montevideo, the cultural and economic centre. To the west is the charming 17th-century city of Colonia with much of its original Portuguese architecture and to the east, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, is Punta del Este, known for it´s surfing and water skiing.

Salto, in the Northern Interior, is one of the best places to witness the natural beauty of Uruguay. You can experience the gaucho life or relax in hot springs. Spend a couple of nights on estancia (livestock estate) horseback riding amidst the majesty of the this area.

Spend some time in the Biosphere Reserve, situated in the east of the country. This region is made up of complex ecosystems of high biological diversity and very rich wild life.

Uruguay boasts an extensive bus network service running throughout the country from Montevideo to other cities and into Brazil. Travelling by bus you receive an outstanding level of service, it is incredibly safe and reliable.

Uruguay was included in the list of “The Developing World’s 10 Best Ethical Destinations” in 2011 and 2012. It has the lowest level of crime in Latin America with friendly people who are ready to open their doors to you. It is a beautiful country, brimming with things to do and places to stay. Look online for a Lowcostholidays promotion code to find great deals to experience this wonderful country

Enjoy a Winter Holiday in Oslo

Posted on January 31, 2013 by imrankhan

Oslo is at its magical best in winter. The fresh air, the tranquil forests that surround the city, the good skiing facilities and the picturesque scenery makes the city a paradise on earth and prompts vacationers from all over the world to book flights to Oslo during winter.

Cross-country Skiing

Come winter, one of the most exciting things to do in Oslo is cross-country skiing.

Oslo is one of the rare cities where the wild and pristine natural beauty of the countryside starts exactly where the city ends. Nordmarka, a dense forest, with more than 2,600 kilometres of cross-country skiing trails, is just half an hour away by tram from the heart of Oslo.

The Tryvann, also known as Oslo Winter Park, is usually open from mid-November to April. The park has an extensive range of facilities, and its own ski school that offers tours, private instruction and classes. There are 18 slopes in all, with special areas for children and beginners.

Ninety kilometres of the skiing tracks are lit up at night, allowing tourists to enjoy this attraction well into the dark. The log-style cabin rooms, complete with alpine coffee shops, add to the charm and attraction of this place.

Ice Skating

Oslo has leveraged its gift of nature well. A noteworthy attraction in the city center is a fairly large ice rink, located at Karl Johans gate, near to the Parliament building. The rink is complete with all facilities, including hot dog and waffles stand, music to suit the occasion, and more.

This open air facility is open from December to March, and provides skates on rent.

Winter walk

Oslo, situated at the head of a long fjord, is a blend of traditional charm and modern style, and the best way to soak in all the sights is through a walking tour. The appealing architecture of the buildings, the wide streets and picturesque squares, livened up by the seasonal revellers and children play in the snow, offers a unique and memorable experience unmatched elsewhere. Watching the millions of lights twinkling in the Oslofjord’s icy waters, as darkness sets in, offers a spectacular sight.

The tourist office offers guided winter walks, in English and Norwegian. These tours operate daily, starting from January and continuing until Easter, and cover the city centre, the traditional tourist tracks through the Akerselva River, and the Akershus Festning that showcase how Oslo lived during the Middle Ages.

Dining

Winter dining, amidst the biting cold and falling snowflakes, has its own charm, and the best place to enjoy it is in a place like Oslo, steeped as it is snow, and having perfect the art of winter dining over ages.

Local Norwegian food such as ribbe (pork belly), lutefisk (cod) and pinnekjøtt (lamb cutlets) make for especially warming and delicious foods. Come December, the juletallerken (Christmas plate) becomes a popular option as well.

True to style, Oslo is known for its innumerable cafes and restaurants, many of them offering excellent choices of the local cuisine. Engebret, the oldest restaurant of Oslo, located on the other side of the Museum of Contemporary Art, lives up to its reputation, and is worthy of visit to enjoy the delicious Norwegian winter cuisine.

Christmas Shopping

Oslo is a city that epitomises the Christmas spirit. The attractive window displays of the department stores, the festive music and revelry in the street, the annual Christmas fair at Folk Museum on Bygdoy with 120+ stalls selling arts and crafts and tasty specialty food, and the revellers on the street, make for a truly enchanting experience. Being near to the North Pole and drowsed in snow, Oslo is a perfect setting for Christmas and Santa Claus.

Top 4 Fun Free Outdoor Activities to Do In Hilo Hawaii

Posted on December 28, 2012 by imrankhan

What else you could ask for the amazing beauties and wonders found Hilo, Hawaii? Your vacation can only be full enjoyment or satisfaction, from the fauna waterfalls, flora gardens and splendid local attractions to the relaxing ambience of beaches and alluring real Hawaiian cultures. The tropical location, very hospitable people and the genuine Polynesian and Asian influences of Hilo have fashioned numerous fun activities to do and magnificent sites to dazzle.

There are voluminous outdoor activities to enjoy in Hilo’s tropical gardens, performances, museums, and cultural occasions. Other can recreational activities like hula, dances, exercises, arts and crafts, swimming and other outdoor adventures, Hawaii Islands are also perfect places for Astronomical activities and tropical agricultural undertakings. Hawaiian people are passionate to preserve and making their culture and traditions alive, and one known part of their culture is the Hawaiian dances.

The Hilo Bay doesn’t only offer you wonderful places to dazzle but also provides you extreme escapades like surfing, fishing, paddling, kayaking, snorkelling, and more fun under the sun. Here are other few fun and interesting free outdoor activities to do in Hilo, Hawaii:

1. Take a walk and be amazed with the lovely Liliuokalani Gardens.

Liliuokalani Gardens is a 30-acre garden, heeds many beautiful tress, chic statues, ponds, bridges and scented flowers. This place is a perfect place for you to have your photo tour and discover more photography ideas. Residents in the area always go fishing in the ponds and other will just sit on the bleachers while viewing the waves and ocean blows on the barriers of Hilo Bay. The garden is absolutely bringing fresh air and cool ambience to its visitors and residents. Walking around the garden will make you feel relax and wonderful without spending any cent.

2. Go sightseeing in Rainbow Falls near the Town of Hilo. If you want to take more beautiful photos as souvenir, go to the Rainbow Falls early morning and capture the fresh a mist of the waterfalls. If you are fortunate, you might capture the lovely appearance of rainbow.

It does not only portray beauty and tranquillity but also embraces mystical and enchanting stories beneath its wall. Hilo mythology believes that the goddess Hina dwells behind the falls and created the Wailuku River.

3. Stride at Banyon Drive under a canopy of dazzling and famous trees. You will be enchanted by the trees you can find Hilo bay. Each tree where planted as a memorial of each famous and common individuals who visited the place and planted it. Babe Ruth’s tree was one of the wooden sign that is most visited by people. Along the way you could stop by and sit within the lobby of Naniloa Volcanoes Hotel or Hilo Hawaiian Hotel and adore the Hilo Bay view.

4. Go Hiking at the Akaka Falls State Park’s falls. The waterfalls are dramatic and very peculiar. When hiking, bring with you your umbrella because the rain in there isn’t uncommon.

Money matters when you are travelling. Truly it is you will never enjoy vacations without spending. By doing the above 4 fun free outdoor activities in Hilo Hawaii, your tight budget will never spoil the fun!

Top 5 Magnificent Places to Visit in Africa

Posted on December 28, 2012 by imrankhan

Africa is not only the second largest most populated continent in the world, but also houses the most magnificent places where ancient civilization and natural history dwells. Africa’s wildlife will really blows your mind, from the sound of desert animals thriving, lions roaring, to the lovely jungle birds sing and a million flamingos flying to a soda lake. There are more to enjoy in Africa that aren’t found in any desert, lake and mountains around the world. Here are the top 5 places you must visit to experience the mystical, natural and historical settings of Africa:

1. Abu Simbel in Egypt – The dazzling magnificent two temples of Abu Simbel Egypt is known for its historic relocation and citation from its original cliff. Its architectural sand stone cliff carvings were built during the time of Egypt’s great Pharaoh, Ramesses II, about over 3 millenniums ago.

Because of the Aswan High Dam construction in 1960, the temples were dismantled and relocated exactly the same as of the original and still infusing the presence of its real history. The new location still imparts the true relationship of the temples to each other and to the sun, surrounded by an artificial mountain. You can see a photo exhibition of Abu Simbel Temples’ historic relocation at the Abu Simbel dome.

2. Mt Kilimanjaro – Mt Kilimanjaro is known to be the highest mountain in Africa which 19,340 ft. high and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. This is a perfect place for mountain climbers and adventure seeker individuals or groups.

The experience to be in the top of the world is very overwhelming, a breath taking and very exciting, much more the same way of experience when reach the peak of Uhuru. Plus you will not only enjoy the view of the African wilderness but you will also adore the premier wildlife reserves and parks in Kilimanjaro region.

3. The Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt – Once belongs to the 7 wonders of the world, the Egyptian pyramids has been the icons of the most historical relics and ancient settings of Egypt. As known by many, the great Pyramids of Giza were built as tombs where the ancient Egyptians used to preserved dead bodies of their pharaohs, in their beliefs that they will continue to received blessings and prosperity.

The tomb of Pharaoh Khufu or Pharaoh Cheops is the greatest Pyramid built among the other 100 pyramids found in Giza. The great Sphinx is another known landmark in Giza which also known as the oldest and the largest statue in the world.

4. Victoria Falls on the Zambia – Aside from the historical and mystical sites, Africa also outlines a countless splendid natural locations and the greatest among these is the Victoria Falls found on the Zambezi River between Zimbabwe and Zambia. The glorious waterfalls are considered to be the “largest curtain of waterfalls on the earth”.

5. Valley of the Kings in Egypt – This was the richest historical valley in Egypt immerged about 500 years during the 16th century and 11th century BC. It was also the place where kings and other nobles were entombed. Today, Valley of the Kings is one of the most famous world’s archaeological sites.

Movies that Inspire People to Travel

Posted on June 21, 2012 by Patrick Jameson

People love watching movies especially when they are shot at some exotic cities. How many of us have watched movies about travel and yearned to see such places in our lifetime? Very often, we get tempted to visit these beautiful places that we see on screen and experience adventures of our own. Listed below are the best travel movies that will definitely release the wanderlust in you!

under-the-tuscan-sun1

Under the Tuscan Sun

Diana Lane, the actress acts a Frances, a young woman who decides to take a vacation to Italy. She falls in love with the place and buys a Villa, in Tuscany, where she hopes to enjoy a better life. The movie is shot in Tuscany and you see beautiful towns which are built on the hill sides with majestic mountains in the background. You can easily get carried away with these amazing views and probably want to head to Tuscany and buy yourself a villa there!

Somethings’ Gotta Give

Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson act as a young couple, Erica Barry and Harry Sanborn, in this romantic comedy. They are brought together by circumstances and end up living together in her beach house in the Hamptons. Erica acts as a playwright who yearns to live in Paris. The beach scenes, the sands and the lovely surroundings makes you wish you were there digging your toes in the sand and enjoying just relaxing on the beach with a bathing suit on! Many scenes are also shot in Paris with fabulous backdrops that make you wish you could head there and enjoy Paris in summer or in winter.

kill bill poster

Kill Bill

Uma Thurman acts in this movie as a bride who travels around the world to find her attackers and seek revenge. She was attacked and loses her unborn child in the mishap. Some of the scenes are shot in Tokyo, Japan where she is able to track down O-Ren Ishii, acted by Lucy Lui. Some of the night life is seen as lived in Tokyo and the last battle is shot in a Japanese garden that is covered in snow. This will certainly set your pulses racing as you see Japan from different angles. Yes, you will certainly wish to travel to Japan and see the place in person.

Ratatouille

This movie is all about a rat, Remy who lives in the countryside of France. He yearns to become as great a chef as Gusteau who firmly believes that cooking is an art everyone can learn. Remy travels to Paris in search of Gusteau’s restaurant and finds a human friend, Linguini. Linguini lives in a tiny studio apartment but the scenes that are shot lets you glimpse some fantastic views of Paris, the Eifel tower and many streets in Paris. If you watch this movie, you will also wish to go to Paris and sample the delicious French cuisine. Imagine the bliss of walking around in Paris with your loved one and dining in one of the fancy French restaurants!

High Road to China

This film starring Tom Selleck has been highly underrated and not everyone has heard of the same. It has been shot in the Himalayas and Central Asia where the views are simply “mind-boggling” You can see biplanes here that are sure to make you want to go there and fly in one!

The Lover

This film is shot in Vietnam during the French colonial era 1929. You see old crumbling ruins and ceiling fans in dark rooms where the afternoon light filters in through slatted wooden blinds. Many exotic scenes have been shot in the streets and the movie has been cleverly shot to let your imagination run riot about the illicit pleasures that are concealed behind those blinds. You feel the pulse of old Hanoi and can almost feel the humidity and heat that has been captured through the lens. This is another place you probably wish you could visit.