Using Plastic When Travelling

If you are a frequent traveller, you will surely need a plastic. How about a jobless traveller? I was surprised two years ago when my application for a credit card was approved. I am jobless but they still approved it. I guess, this is probably the advantage of having a European passport. At first, they gave me a credit limit of 300.00 Euros. It's already enough for me. I can use my debit card when I travel but I prefer using a plastic especially in times of emergency. 

Have you also heard about free debit cards? It probably depends on which bank or financial institution you applied for it but I am surprised to see one online. Don't you know that I don't pay for a yearly payment or card renewal for my credit card. This is one of the reasons why I love my card but take note, it is only use for emergency when I travel. I also use it when booking online for airline tickets.

I therefore conclude that a jobless traveller like me always need a plastic. Cheers!

Read More

Visit to Paris, The World's No. 1 Tourist Destination

Planning to visit Europe? Never ever miss the world's number 1 tourist destination! Yes, Paris is truly world class. France capital city is famous of many things. Well-known sights from Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Arch of Triumph, Sacre Coeur, Louvre Museum and many many more are truly worth to see and experience. It is known for its over 3,000 historical monuments plus four UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Paris, the Capital of Fashion and dubbed as the City of Lights, is home to the world's finest and most luxurious fashion designers and cosmetics. I believed you all love its famous brands especially to those who love shopping. After Tokyo, Japan, Paris has also the second highest number of Michelin-restaurants in the world.

I have been to Paris twice and  I won't say no when I visiting it over and over again.  Don't miss the sights I mentioned above when visiting  Paris. There are still a lot of them!

The Fountain in the Trocadero,  Paris during my second visit last 2010.

The famous Notre Dame  Cathedral which is well-known for its flying buttress.

The foot of the Eiffel Tower..I will surely visit Paris again because I  was not able to climb to the Eiffel Tower yet.

It was raining during  my second visit in Paris. As you can see the sky is gray and you cannot see the sunshine during that summer season.

Read More

5 Best Snowmobile Destinations in Canada

Introduction

The whole of Canada experiences a white winter every year. Therefore a winter vacation in Canada is a great idea if you genuinely enjoy the snow. And indeed, snow mobiles have increased in popularity over the last 90 years. In this article we discuss where the 5 best places in Canada are to enjoy a snowmobile vacation.

Five best Destinations

Haliburton Forest

Haliburton Forest is a privately owned forest in the Haliburton Highlands of Ontario, about 270km northeast of Toronto. Haliburton Forest operates the only privately owned snowmobiling enterprise in the world. Here you will discover 60,000 acres (240 km) of forest wilderness, and dozens of lakes and ponds. Welcoming shelter cabins containing stoves and firewood are also situated along the trail.

ClubRed Grey Bruce

ClubRed Grey Bruce is geographically situated in Ontario stretching from Owen Sound in Durham to Beaver Valley. Grey Bruce is kept in good condition thanks to the work of volunteers. It possesses over one and a half thousand miles of trails… and best time to enjoy driving snow mobiles through these trails is between December and March.

White n Wild Adventures

White n Wild Adventures is situated in the Rocky Mountains… just west of Yoho National Park and relatively close to Alberta. White n Wild Adventures ensure that those going snow mobiling are equipped with quality winter gear, a highly qualified guide and a new skidoo. The advantage of the ‘guided’ aspect of the drive is that you are guaranteed a visually stunning experience. This is because the guides ensure that you drive your snow mobile in view of the beautiful mountain tops. At certain times of the year there is even the opportunity to take the Starlight ride and see the Northern Lights. (Aurora Borealis).

Quebec- Authentic

Quebec-Authentic covers a vast area between Montréal and Québec City.
Quebec-Authentic has a proud reputation for being a perfect place for snowmobiling. Indeed it is called ‘snowmobile country’.
Quebec-Authentic is a vast area with huge mountains, forest and lakes that have frozen over.
Again, the season for enjoying driving snow-mobiles here tends to be between December and March.

Maximage Adventure

Maximage Adventure has been offering snow mobile related packages since 1987. They claim to have returning happy customers year in, year out. Safety is a priority for Maximage Adventures and therefore guides (who are equipped with first aid kits and first aid knowledge) go out with the snow mobile driver. The guides also have phone contact with their base. As for the leisure aspect, those expert guides also know the most visually fantastic regions to show the snow mobile driver, whether they be Quebec, Mauricie or Lac-Saint-Jean or elsewhere.

Conclusion

All-Inclusive Packages are a popular way to service the cost of any planned vacation to Canada. And most will accept credit cards hence a credit card application in Canada for an All-Inclusive Package is an option available to the wannabe snow-mobile driver.

Read More

Countdown to the USA

It seems that I am traveling again soon! I am partially done with my itinerary to the United States of America. This will be my second visit to the States and I am quite excited about it. My last visit was last 2008 and I was there for two months. I stayed most of the time in Las Vegas, Nevada, where my sister currently lives.

I guess I need another travel gadget. Yesterday, I was thinking of buying one of the jansports backpacks on sale online. I need one that fits my laptop. I am thinking if I order it today but since weekend is about to come, I believed it won't be delivered on time. If not, I might go to the next city to find one.

The famous Glitter Gulch in Fremont Street experience during my first visit in Las Vegas last 2008. I will surely see it again!

My second visit is half-shorter than the first one. This time, I already made an itinerary and will be visiting more states in the US. 6 days more to go! See you soon USA!

Read More

Gelato in Rome, Italy

It was actually summer season when we visited Rome, Italy last 2010. I mean "we" because I was with a friend from the United States that time. Together we made a tour in Europe and went to the different cities here. I believed Nonna had a great time during  our Europe tour.

It was actually raining in Italy's capital but since it is not so cold, we decided to buy a gelato. What is actually the difference between a gelato and a regular or commercial ice cream? Italians use the word gelato to mean a sweet treat that is served frozen. It is made of milk, cream, sugar and fresh fruits for flavoring. The difference of factory made ice cream compared to gelato is that, the latter has lighter and lower butterfat.

What is your favorite gelato? I love the strawberry flavor. If there is a mango or avocado flavor, I would surely taste it.

A Gelaterie in Rome, Italy. This is where we bought and tasted gelato.

Read More

Finding Unique Souvenirs Like Jewelry When Travelling

Do you buy souvenirs when you travel? Yes, I always do! Some might be trying to find unique souvenirs when they travel. I remember somebody who went somewhere in Africa just to find a heart shaped diamond as engagement ring for her special someone. Isn't it so sweet and thoughtful? How lucky was my friend when she received it. She was really very happy for that very special present. I know for sure, she can't forget that day when she was engaged.

Finding heart diamonds is quite difficult sometimes but with the help of computer and internet, you can already browse a lot of sites that are legally selling these precious stones. For all we know, diamond has very remarkable characteristics. It has superlative qualities, having the highest hardness to the point that is use for cutting glasses and polishing tools.

I also buy jewelries and accessories sometimes. It depends on my budget when I travel. When I visited Spain with a friend last December 2011, we went to a store in Granada, Andalusia that sells women's accessories like earrings, watches, necklaces, rings, bracelet, armlets, etcetera, I told myself not to buy one. Since the prices are affordable, I ended up buying a lot.

During my visit in Las Vegas, Nevada last 2008, I also ended up shopping for jewelries. For me jewelries are investment especially if you really buy gold, silver or even diamonds. I will see if I can buy again. Yes, I am flying again to Las Vegas next week. I am quite excited about it.

Stores in Istanbul, Turkey during our trip last September 2011.

When I had a short stop-over in Doha, Qatar last 2006, I also went window shopping. Since jewelries are really cheap in this store in Doha Airport, I ended up buying a 22 carat bracelet. When we went to a jewelry store in Istanbul, Turkey last year, the saleslady told me that the bracelet which I bought in Doha costs a thousand Euros now. Imagine I only bought it for around three hundred euros last 2006.

I always find unique souvenirs when I travel. Hopefully in my next travel to a country that sells cheap diamonds, I would love to have a princess diamond cut. For now, I can only afford postcards, fridge magnet, travel books, shot glasses, plates and other souvenirs that are quite cheap.

I will see what I can bring home in my next travel.

Read More

Neumarkt Jura Volksfest

There are a lot of festivals  going on in Bavaria, Germany. Summer time is truly festival time! Sometimes I am confuse which festival to attend first because some are  being held at the same time. One of the very famous  feast in the Oberpfalz or Upper Palatinate part of Bavaria is the Neumarkt Jura Volksfest.  It is an annual festival that takes place every month of August.

The Jura Volksfest has a long tradition in Neumarkt. The first celebration  took place in 1829 and after that, there were festivals that followed in irregular times. Since 1954, the festival was then called the Jura-Volksfest. Now, the festival is visited by over 200,000  locals and visitors. It is an eleven-day celebration. You can experience a truly Bavarian and German culture when visiting festival like this.

Colorful costumes of the participants.

There are a lot of experience during the feast from carnival rides to live bands playing various music, different German and local delicacies and other programs and shows that take place during the festival period.

Participants of the Jura Volksfest Parade last August 2010.

This year's festival takes place from August 10-20, 2012. The highlight of the program is the festival parade that takes place during the first Sunday of the event.

Read More

A Souvenir Shop in La Subbetica, Andalusia

After some hours trip with the bus from Granada, we stopped-by in this souvenir shop in La Subbetica. This district is said to have 14 towns in the south of Cordoba province in Spain. We were actually heading to Cordoba city that time.

The souvenir shop we stopped-by was selling souvenirs of all sorts from magnets to ceramics, olive oil, alcohols and spirits and many more. I already know that they are not selling Rocky Patel there. I should want to give it as present for someone who love to smoke. I only bought a bottle of olive oil, some fridge magnet and ceramic souvenirs. I am happy with what I got because they are not really so expensive.

Here are some souvenir items from La Subbetica.

nice hand made ceramics at the souvenir shop in La Subbetica.

Read More

Passing By in Dürnstein During A Cruise in Danube River

Danube River, called in German as Donau Fluss is the second longest river  in Europe after  Volga. I already  experienced a lot of short cruises on this  river. One of the it was the cruise we had in Austria which started in Spitz. One of the towns we passed-by was Dürnstein.  This beautiful town is located in the Krems-Land district in the state of Lower Austria. It is considered to be one of the most visited town in the region of Wachau.

The town has a medieval castle  on the top of a hill. Dürnstein is a historical town which was first mentioned in 1192.

I took some snapshots during our cruise in this area last summer 2011. It was a wonderful one seeing the nature  that surrounds Danube.

View of the town from the Danube, with the castle seen on top of the hill.

The tower of a Church in Dürnstein. We really  did not had enough time to go inside because we just passed by in this area.

Some people went out from the boat to have some sightseeing. Our group  stayed.

Read More

Listening to the Live Band in Gaubodenvolksfest in Straubing

The little brother of Oktoberfest is almost coming.  I was once  in  Gaubodenvolksfest, a famous festival held every month of August in Straubing. This city is located in lower Bavaria in the southern part of Germany.

Gaubodenvolksfest  is  considered to be the second largest fair in Bavaria, Germany.  This might  probably be the reason why it is called as the little brother of Oktoberfest. I love going to the German festivals because from there, I love listening to the live bands inside the beer tents. I love their sound systems.  One of the live bands in this festival   might be using an EV cab, a kind of powerful speaker.  I  also love tasting  German foods when I go to festivals  like these.

When you are in  Bavaria, Germany  this coming August 10-20, 2012, you might want to visit this  agricultural festival. It is truly worth to experience.

A live band playing  in one of the beer tents at the  Gaubodenvolksfest in Straubing. I once visited it last August 2009.

Read More

London Olympics 2012 Snapshots

August is finally here! And  London Olympics 2012 is still going on.  This is truly a spectacle seeing the best  athlete in the world. I should be in the biggest sport event in history but due to other travel plans, I did not able to make it.  Besides it is not really my priority. Attending another more important  event that might happen only once in one's life is  my priority.  I am glad that my ticket to the US was already booked..yooohoo!

I was not in London but I had the chance to watch over  the television the opening of the London Olympics 2012.  Imagine staying until 2:00 am just to watch the opening ceremony. Without further adieu, let me just share the pictures I  took from the television..Thanks to zdf for covering it.

The Olympic Flame after it was all lit.

The symbol of Olympics

                                            The Olympic Stadium in London. Amazing view!

Read More