Bosnia and Herzegovina, or just Bosnia for short, is a fascinating tourist destination,
newly emerging as a country to visit after years of war. Signs of the war from
the 1990's are everywhere, with bullet holes remaining in many of the buildings
in Bosnia’s largest city of Sarajevo, as well as other cities where the
war took its toll. The airport area became a place of refuge as people tried to
flee, so the closer the tourist gets to the airport in Sarajevo, the less the
ravages of war. Tunnels remain for tourists to see where the local people tried
to transport goods to safety while they tried to live normally during the
Bosnian war.
The Smart Traveler: Travel Insurance
Travel
Insurance is a necessary evil, especially as you get older, or have less
people in your life who can help you in the event of an emergency. If you plan
a long trip with a complicated itinerary or travel on an organized tour, there
is plenty that can go wrong that could cost you money. So the question is not
really whether or not you should purchase the insurance. It is how to best
maximize that purchase so you will get a return on your money. If you travel
often enough, and if you are smart in the way you make your purchase, travel
insurance can actually pay for itself.
Travel Strategically During Troubled Times
When
times are difficult and world events make you wonder if things have really come
to an end, you may also be wondering where it’s safe to travel next. There is
no stock answer of course; it all depends on where the crises are in the world,
and type of crisis it is. Three primary types of crises come to mind: an
economic or financial crisis; a health crisis, and a geopolitical crisis.
An economic or financial crisis
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| Photos by Jann Segal |
An economic or financial crisis,
such as the Great Recession of 2008 which some are still feeling, can put a
damper on your travel plans. This may also include unemployment or the fear of
unemployment. There is however, no need to stop travelling. Inexpensive
countries, less expensive accommodations such as guest houses, inns and
hostels, or even camping are all options. If you are used to taking the high
road in your travels, taking that different path may open you up to experiences
you may have never encountered otherwise. For inexpensive destinations consider
Central America, South America, and parts of Asia. Less expensive
accommodations and even camp sites are available everywhere. And it truly
creates local color. Staying in the US can be a more expensive option, but if
you do local camping to state of national parks, it can cut back on travel
dollars.
A health crisis
Health crises may cause you to say
home and completely avoid airports until it is over or at least contained. But
if the wanderlust is still veering you overseas, try to avoid routing through
countries where there is the greatest problem. It is international travel that
helps spread illness of any kind. Travel with good hand sanitizers and avoid
budget accommodations. Spend a little more to be in clean and safe
accommodations. Consider it a form of insurance. If you have never stayed in
more upscale European hotels for instance, it can be an eye opener and a
completely different experience.
A geopolitical crisis
In a geopolitical crisis, you have
no choice in terms of what to avoid. After the September 11 terrorist attacks,
attendance at places like Mount Rushmore was up at least 15% from past years.
People avoid other trouble spots like the Middle East, but that does not mean
the entire Middle East. If Israel is having problems go to Egypt or Jordan, and
visa versa. Many second and third world countries have problems, but once the
problems have been taken care of, a new country is open for your travel
business at great prices. Columbia, El Salvador and several others in the
Americas are shining examples of this. A geopolitical crisis is also an
excellent opportunity to see more of the United States. Many people strive to
see all 50 states. If you have that desire, a crisis like this is a perfect
time to do so. National Parks and Presidential Libraries are perfect destinations.
Whatever events unfold and however
you decide to handle them, remember to travel strategically and watch the
national and world news. The BBC is excellent for world travelers and really
keeps you up to date. Follow world events on the internet as well. Wherever you
go in your travels, stay safe and healthy.
Visit North Dakota: Its Not Just Used for Storage!
Nobody
thinks there is much to see in North Dakota. In fact, many people
who have only seen 49 of the 50 states, have done so because they missed seeing
North Dakota when they had the chance on a South Dakota vacation. So if you
plan to go to South Dakota anyway, fly into Bismarck, North Dakota first and
stay at the Rough Riders Hotel in nearly Medora, about two hours away by car.
From there it is just steps to Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Visit Vietnam's Rice Paper Village
On
a recent trip to Vietnam with Overseas
Adventure Travel, this author was exposed to one of the most unique and
extraordinary villages in the world, whose sole function is to produce rice
paper. This village is one of the largest in the country for the creation and
distribution of rice paper and rice noodles. The side trip to Tho Ha is an
optional excursion during the Inside Vietnam trip, and is part
of OAT's enhanced itineraries. The village is worth a visit for its uniqueness
and glimpse into rural life, since it is like no other a traveler will
experience anywhere else in the world. The buildings in the village itself are
also unique, with some going back as far as the late 1800's.
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