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| Photo by Jann Segal |
The
Japanese flock to Nikko, Japan especially on weekends. Yet very few
American tours do. If planning a trip to Japan, this might just be the
highlight of your trip, in an already extraordinary country.
Three Reasons to go to Europe Now
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| Photo by Jann Segal |
With
so much happening in the the world today, it seems that Europe would not be a
safe bet for travel, right? Well, unless your personal safety is at risk (and
for the majority of tourists it is not), the decision not to go right now could
be a mistake. You can always avoid countries (or parts of countries) that are
politically inconvenient for you if that is an issue. Europe is large enough in
geography, cultural diversity, and scope to offer you the vacation you are
looking to have, and at a price you are willing to pay.
Enjoy Pomegranate Seed Oil From Turkey
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| Photo by Jann Segal |
Turkey
is known for many things and many kinds of wonderful foods that are typical of
the Middle East and Balkan countries. They have baklava, various types of
kabobs, and many wonderful teas and coffees. But a first time traveler there
will be surprised to learn about a secret that is a pure joy on salads: pomegranate seed oil.
Unraveling the Mystery of Higher Airfare
With
a government investigation currently underway about the alleged collusion in
airline pricing, this author felt it was tine to share some details on how to
find a better price in airfare.The results are alarming.
Visit Ljubljana, Slovenia and Take a Music Wakng Tour
If
planning a trip to any of the Eastern European capitals that were once part of
the former Yugoslavia, one must-see city is Ljubljana, Slovenia. It is charming beyond belief, everyone speaks
beautiful English, and it sits at the crossroads of more cultural influences
than most people are aware of. Besides the influence of the former Yugoslavia
and its the Russian, Slavic and formerly Communist influences that arose with
those historic relationships, it has also historically been linked to Austria,
Hungary, Italy, and Venice (which was not always part of Italy). So for this
reason, the food is a splendid combination of tastes and ethnicity, and the
musical heritage is outstanding.
Giving Back to the World in Which We Live
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| Photo by Jann Segal |
Many
people like to travel and give to the people in the countries on their journey.
It can be rewarding to lighten your suitcase as you go rather than fill it up
with souvenirs. Some tour companies allow you to do this as part of their
regularly planned activities. If you are traveling solo, you need to seek it
out.
Visit South Korea and Tour the DMZ in the North
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| Photo by Jann Segal |
A trip to South Korea is an exquisite
experience, filled with cherry blossoms, grand palaces, handicraft streets and
whole handicraft villages, as well as an amazing if not somewhat creepy availability
to the DMZ of North Korea just an hour outside
of Seoul. And a visit to the North Korean Demilitarized zone is indeed worth
the effort. No dramatic changing of the guard with the majestic pounding drums
and vibrant color guard as seen at the palaces in the South. Instead, it is an
active military area, with soldiers training on both sides for a possible
confrontation with each other. United Stated military escorts join the bus as
they tour the JSA, or Joint Security Area.
Visit Phoenix and see John Lennon's Piano
There
is so much to see and do in Phoenix that is cultural. You can mix
culture with a little Beatles tourism by visiting the Musical
Instrument Museum (MIM).The piano that John Lennon used to compose
"Imagine" is on display at the Musical Instrument Museum in
North Phoenix. It is not the white Baby Grand piano he used when making the
video. That piano is on display at the Beatles Story Museum in Liverpool. This
more modest Steinway is part of a private collection and is in the Artists
Gallery at MIM.
Tricks for Purchasing Less Expensive Airline Tickets
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| Photo by Jann Segal |
There are many tricks for purchasing less expensive plane tickets, some I leaned from my travel agent mother. Its best not to book a flight
for travel during high season if you want to save money. Shoulder season
(spring and fall relative to hemisphere of course) are always the cheapest for
hotels and airfare. This is true for organized tours as well. As for booking air, well, I
was always taught to avoid Saturdays, Mondays and Fridays, since they have the
highest rates. I read recently that for some destinations Saturdays can be a
better time to book air, so it’s best to check around. And not all hotels or
airlines are created equal when it comes to price. Some carriers purchase
a great hedge contract on fuel and can offer much lower prices than the others.
. They all purchase hedge contracts on fuel, it just depends on who has gotten the
best one. It is typically reflected in the air fare.
Where to go? Deciding Where to Travel Next
How do you
decide where you want to travel? I am pretty much open to going anywhere it is
safe and where there will be no health issues for me. Those are my only two
criteria. In the US I intend to see all 50 states (only a handful left ...yay!!), but
for international destinations, safety and health calls it. I wanted to go to
Peru, but had to pass on Macchu Pichu because I get altitude sickness at about
9200 feet and would not be able to leave the higher attitudes to acclimate. So
since I didn’t feel like dealing with an extreme headache, I took an Amazon River trip instead. I would love to return to the Middle East, but well,
safety and political factors keep putting that trip on hold. Fortunately there is
a whole world out there, so I try to see what I can when the country becomes
available to visit if it was not before. Some Latin and Asian countries are now
open for travel where they were not before, and are getting safer all the time.
As for the rest of the US...I am a presidential library buff, and as luck would
have it, the states I have not yet seen, and which have little else to draw me,
have a presidential library or some other form of presidential history I have
not yet seen.
Mixing and Matching Travel Resources in Asia
I always said I would not write an article about how
I effectively combine hotel and airlines points to create great trips. I
figured that if I did, the travel industry would change how they do things to
make it much more difficult. Well, they have started making things difficult
anyway, so I figured there is no time like the present to share with travelers how
I created the most exotic and wonderful Asian trip
Explore Africa: A World Like No Other in Zimbabwe and Botswana
Africa is a continent, a whole world in fact, like no
other. There are the charming cities in
the southern Garden Route of South Africa as well as their wineries. The scenic
Garden Route, starting in Port Elizabeth, eventually leads to magnificent Cape
Town. There are the townships in Cape Town and Johannesburg that reveal to us
the sordid history of South Africa and how Apartheid forever changed the face of
that country – both the good and the bad of it. And of course, there is stunning
Kruger Park, the largest of all the national parks, and one of the many homes
to the Big Five.
Explore Illustrious Istria
For
travelers with a true wanderlust, Istria and the Istrian Peninsula can be a
revelation. It can be explored from both Croatia as well as Slovenia, and both
sides of Istria are unique. It also has a beautiful Adriatic coastline in
Trieste, which is a very industrial Italian city, and one where locals from the
region go for shopping.
Visit Bali and see their Sacred Spaces
Indonesia
is filled with many temple complexes, and you can certainly get "templed
out" if you are not careful. The major temple complexes in Java, one Hindu and one Buddhist , are among the most important temple complexes
in the world. In Bali there are thousands of temples and
shrines, Hindu and Buddhist alike. A visit to these monuments will likely bring
you a sense of peace regardless of your religion if you go with an open mind
and a caring heart. There is a great deal Westerners can learn from the Eastern
religions, and the experience of visiting these sacred spaces is at once
educational and peaceful. You can see them on your own with private drivers and
other transportation arrangements. However, for a very comprehensive two week
trip to Indonesia to see them including as visit with a local family and
schools, contact Overseas Adventure Travel.
India: Visit the EXotic Temples of Khajuraho
India is perhaps better
known for its temples and monuments than any other country in the world. While
traveling with Overseas Adventure Travel on the Heart of India trip, weary
travelers undertook a long train ride followed by a long bus ride along dry and
dusty terrain without any real understanding of what the fuss was all about.
Upon reaching the site they understood to be a temple complex, they were told
quite plainly, "This is the heart of India."
Lima: Enjoy a Restaurant with a View
Planning
a trip to Peru to see the sights but don’t want to mess with the altitude of
Machu Picchu? There is plenty to see in and around Lima that will more than satisfy your curiosity
for archeological sites. A drive to the city of Caral four hours north of Lima, takes you through some
amazing moonscape to see the oldest civilization lever discovered. Another
site, Pachacámac, is about an hour outside of Lima, and is the start of the
famous Inca trail. But one of the biggest treats of them all awaits you right
in Lima.
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| Photo by Jann Segal |
Explore the World and Discover...How Many Countries has it Been Now?
People travel the world every day, and make a lifetime
career of this wonderful hobby. Many never know how many countries they have
been to. Some don’t even care. However it seems that if one is going to take
the time and effort to see the world over the course of years, it would at least be an interesting
factoid (if nothing more) to know how many countries they have traversed.
Because of the way countries are defined and the separate lists that exist for
this, in many cases it can be more than expected.
The Smart Traveler: Tips for How to Handle Jet Lag
How
your body handles jet lag can make the difference between planning your next
overseas adventure, or deciding to either travel in the US or not not travel at
all. There are however, some very tried and true tricks for beating jet lag,
especially on long overseas flights. It took decades of travel to learn them,
and it was trial and error, but this author finally learned how to overcome a
17 hour time difference literally overnight. It may not work for everyone, but
here are three major things to consider.
Visit Omaha: Union Station, Beatles Tourism and All
Nebraska is not first on everyone's travel to-do list by far. It
is not even second. However, if planning a trip to America's heartland, Omaha
is a must. There is fine food, beautiful homes and mansions worth driving past,
and museums that will delight even the most discerning museum-goer. It is not
New York City by far. It is not even Kansas City. It is very home-spun, with a
great mix of people and a lovely Old Market area that will surprise anyone from
either coast because yes, they have parking. It is a large city in America's
heartland and truly worth the visit.
Hanoi Above and Beyond
A
trip to Hanoi, Vietnam is a journey unto itself, and one that
will provide lasting memories. However, many tour groups often overlook some
parts of Hanoi and surrounding areas that really delve into the nooks and
crannies. There are many of course, and they are offered by many different
companies. However, Vietnam Awesome
Travel in the Old Quarter of Hanoi was easy to
communicate with from the States via email, made reservations over email as
well, was quick to respond, and didn't require payment until we met in Hanoi.
They offer a variety of tours, but here are three locations to consider offered
in two different excursions that many US tours do not include.
Visit Malaysia and Feed the Elephants
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| Photo by Anita LaVasseur |
In
past years, elephants helped build Asia as part of a necessary transportation
infrastructure. Over the years they have been abused. Many elephant orphanages
and sanctuaries have sprung up in various countries to stem the abuse, but much
of it still continues and only now is even recognized as abuse. In Thailand for
instance, it is still possible to ride on the back of an elephant and watch
them perform a show where they paint with their trunks. In Nepal, in Chitwan
National Park, elephant rides are offered as part of a jungle safari. Those
days are quickly coming to an end with more and more people feeling that kind
of activity exploits the animals.
Visit the Truman Presidential Library in Independence
The Harry Truman Presidential
Library is worth a visit to Independence, Missouri, about a half hour
outside of Kansas City.. Independence is a quaint town, where the
visitor goes back in time by just being there. The library and museum itself
are on sprawling grounds. The interior is sleek and modern, and conveys much
about Truman's presidency. As with many of the presidential libraries and
museums, there is a replica of the Oval Office, as well as samples of the china
used during his two terms. However, three items stood out, which made the
library and museum exceptional.
Explore New Ways to Travel with Farm stays and Home stays
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| Photo by Jann Segal |
International travelers
are being exposed to a new concept in accommodations around the world: farm
stays and homestays. Put simply, this is like Air B n B with an extra twist,
since the family actually engages with their guests and gets to know them, even
arranging activities for them in some cases.
Beatles Tourism Up Worldwide
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| Photo by Jann Segal |
With Paul
McCartney and Ringo Starr both still performing live and giving
tours, Beatles tourism is up both nationwide and
worldwide. But any event related to the Fab Four is enough to get people on a
plane to experience the inevitable closing of a remarkable era, and to take in
as much as they can while it is still possible.
The Smart Traveler: Look for Europe Border Changes
With the rise of so much
terrorism worldwide, and no way to stop it any time soon, the European Union is considering bringing back passport controlled
borders. Depending on
the tourist’s country of origin, in some cases, that might also include a
needing visa. In some cases, it might just mean a photo ID.
Enjoy Three of Europe's Most Beautiful Destinations
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| Dubrovnik's Adriatic Coast Jann Segal |
Dubrovnik's Adriatic Coast
Enjoy some local color right off the coast of Lima
If
you want to really take a drive off the beaten path in Lima visit the
fishing village of Pucusan in the Pucuscana district, one of the 43 districts that
constitute Lima. It is a great stop to visit any time of year, and has views
which overlook all of Lima’s coast line. The amount of pelicans you will
see are so staggering you will think you are in one of the Galapagos Islands.
Explore the Culture of Swaziland
There are many wonderful parts of Africa to visit
while on a trip to South Africa, but one of the most beautifully unique is
Swaziland. It is surrounded by both South Africa and Mozambique, and has a
similar shared culture with Zululand, just hours away. The round huts you see
as you drive thought the vast Swazi landscapes are identical to the Zulu huts
in South Africa, but you are in a distinctly different country.
Visit India: An Emotional Experience Like No Other
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| Photos by Jann Segal |
So much
has been written about travel to India it seemed there would be nothing
new to write about after taking the Heart of India trip with Overseas Adventure Travel in November 2014. But India is a land of experiences. A land
where the most unexpected and simple movement by a local can trigger an
unforgettable memory that will not necessarily make it into a camera lens. Its
a land where a local custom, either known worldwide, or unknown to most outside
of India, will bring a tear to of joy, gratitude, or disbelief. India will not
only awaken the senses, it will bring a lump to the throat of any traveler.
India is a land that will generate powerful emotions.
Visit FDR's Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, NY
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| Photo by Jann Segal |
Franklin
D. Roosevelt conceived the idea for the first presidential library to
house all his papers and make them available to the pubic while he was
president. It was one of the many trends he set throughout his four terms in
office, and eventually led to the 1955 Presidential Library Act. The FDR Presidential Library and Museum and the surrounding FDR homes in Hyde Park, New York have
been newly renovated. When you purchase the ticket to the Library and Museum,
you do so at the Henry A. Wallace Visitor and Education Center on the FDR grounds. The ticket is good for
two days, and allows admission to both the Museum as well as the FDR home. The grounds to the rose garden where both
FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt are buried are adjacent to the home, and are free to
visitors.
Visit the Dwight Eisehower Library in Kansas
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| Photo: Jann Segal |
A
visit to the Dwight Eisenhower Presidential Library and
Museum in Abilene, Kansas feels like a visit to the Twilight Zone
and the 1950s. Once on Eisenhower/Buckeye Blvd, the 21st century is gone. This is not only evident
at the Eisenhower Library, but upon visiting the small town of Abilene itself.
Visit America's Presidential Libraries for a Grade A History Leesson
America’s Presidential Libraries and Museums are unique to our country. However, the 13
libraries and museums that are in the presidential library system (Lincoln’s
has not been added but is great to visit so has been included here), provide a
peek into the past of these amazing men, their times, and the challenges they
faced. They also allow us a glimpse into the future of America if you follow
the history closely enough. This article will provide an overview of some of
the Presidential libraries and museums. Subsequent articles will
focus on each of them specifically with details useful for travelers.
Enjoy the Beauty of Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik,
Croatia is possibly one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
Its dramatic and rugged coastline that juts out into the Adriatic will surprise
the unprepared traveler with a jaw-dropping reaction at the first sight of its
magnificent beauty. Many tours only stay one or two days to give tourists a
chance to glimpse at the drama of the scenery. However, for a tourist with
about a week to spare in this glorious part of the world, the experience can be
rewarding, and the food – especially the fresh made apple strudel – can be
life changing. Yes, life changing apple strudel.
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| Photo by Jann Segal |
Cuban Travel Getting Easier Each Year
Cuban travel is getting
easier for Americans by the day. Potential travelers still must be leery of
third party travel agencies in other counties claiming to offer a legitimate
"people-to- people " experience that may not be fully compliant with
standards set by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Asset Control
(OFAC). In fact, this is starting to be so wide spread a problem with
unofficial trips advertised and shown in US dollars, that the OFAC web page
encourages potential travelers to check with them if there is any doubt. This
author has done exactly that.
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