Published on: 01 March 2019
Last Updated on: 22 February 2020
After 30 years in the States, I wanted to add more experience to my travel resume than just Rory Brown, Charleston, SC native. Ten years later, I’ve traveled the globe from end to end and collected many experiences that I wouldn’t trade for anything. If you’re planning to take on the open road, here are my ten best travel tips I’ve learned during my time wandering.
It’s amazing how many people travel intending to break out of their comfort zone and find themselves sitting in their hotel room (which by the way, make sure you write down your hotel’s address). Put yourself in situations that you’d normally shy away from. You never know what you may find.
Learn a few local phrases:
Phrases like “hello,””please,” and, “where’s the bathroom?” will go far to ease your travels and avoid potentially awkward encounters. Learning the native language is helpful in your trips and a sign of respect to the local people.
Wander around, and get lost:
Go out intending to wander around without any real idea where you’re going. Some of the best experiences I’ve had traveling I arrived at entirely by accident.
Talk to the locals:
While you’re out wandering, stop in at a local establishment and strike up a conversation with the people there. They know the area and can help you have an authentic experience while you’re in town.
Get travel insurance:
You might think you don’t need travel insurance, especially if your trip isn’t very long, but you really never know what’s going to happen. Travel insurance will protect you if you get sick, injured or even robbed while you’re out of town.
Inform your bank of your travel plans:
Credit card fraud is a big problem these days, so banks always monitor for suspicious activity. The last thing you want is for your card to get declined when you’re halfway across the world.
Travel light when you go out:
Leave most of your belongings where you’re staying and choose just what you need when you go out. This way if the worst should happen, you only lose a small amount of what you have and can recover quickly.
Plan which meals you’ll eat out, and which you’ll make at “home”
Traveling can get expensive. As much as you’ll want to eat the local cuisine every night, if you’re spending long periods on the road or visiting overseas, plan which meals you’ll eat out and ones you’ll have in your hotel or hostel.
Carry a basic first-aid kit:
Like so many other things while you travel, you never know what’s going to happen. Carry band-aids, antibiotic, and tweezers to take care of minor injuries like cuts and splinters.
Remember patience is key:
Unexpected issues are going to pop up. No amount of planning will avoid this. If you’re too rigid about keeping a precise schedule, you won’t actually enjoy your trip. I’ve learned to stay patient throughout my travels and say, “whatever happens, happens.”
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Israel captures a person’s imagination at first sight. This is the place to come across the myriad colors and wonders of nature. If the various sacred sites strewn across the region strike the spiritual chord in you, then the wonderful shiny beaches enliven your stay. This place also displays its cosmopolitan side at its various bars, cafes and beaches at Tel Aviv, and at the boutique wineries of the Galilee region.
Naturally, experiencing the best of what Israel has to offer is a pretty daunting task. However, with the list of things to do in Israel described in this blog, you can be rest assured that every moment in Israel will seem like a celebration.
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Red Sea Star
Image source: Pinimg.com
Ever heard of underwater dining? Red Sea Star, the underwater restaurant, brings that wild imagination to life. Created 10 years ago, it constitutes a combination of two areas. The one above called the Metro Bar, offers splendid views of the Gulf of Aqaba, while the underwater area, called the Red Sea Star (so-called because it resembles the shape of a star), consists of an underground bar, including a floor covered in sand.
Beit Guvrin Caves
Beit Guvrin Caves were excavated from an area that was once called the Israeli cities of Maresha and Beit Guvrin. Archaeologists have come across many caves that spanned across several eras, from the Sidonian and Israelite to the Roman. Some of the caves may have served as hideouts and defenses. The highlight of these caves are the painted burial rooms created by the Sidonians. A Roman amphitheater, standing above the ground ruins of the city of Maresha, is an attraction in its own right.
Rosh HaNikra Grottoes
Image source: ravelingisrael.com
Rosh HaNikra Grottoes, located on the coast in proximity to Lebanon’s border, was once a diver’s delight. The pure blue waters found in the caves here are as much of an attraction as a mystery.
The caves were formed through millennia of strong waves crashing against the soft chalk cliffs on the Mediterranean Sea. The gondola cars that operate here transport the riders from the top of the white cliffs to the bottom in just around two minutes. Naturally, this site is one of the most prominent tourist attractions in Israel.
Shrine of the Book
Israel’s Shrine of the Book, part of Israel Museum, was constructed in 1965. It houses ancient biblical parchments known as the Dead Sea Scrolls. This modern womb-like shrine has been created in the modernist line of architecture.
The exterior assumes a rounded peak with sculpted striations lapping up its walls, while the spacious interiors display the Dead Sea Scrolls the year-round. The glass cases on the outer ring of the shrine contain pages, but, it’s the central display which resembles a giant Torah scroll, that hogs the limelight.
Tel Hazor
A tour to Israel must involve visiting Tel Hazor, a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site located over the ruins of an ancient city. Occupying over 200 acres just north of the Sea of Galilee, this region has yielded some incredible archaeological finds.
Some of the major attractions for the tourists here are the Solomonic city gates, a restored Late Bronze Age Temple and the city acropolis. The Canaanite Orthostat and Stele Temples are other sites that are worth visiting.
Makhtesh Ramon
Image source: igoogledisrael.com
Israel is full of bizarre geological formations called makhteshim (craters), and one of them is Makhtesh Ramon. Extending to 40km in length and possessing a width of almost 10km, it is undoubtedly Israel’s largest national park – Ramon Nature Reserve.
Visits and expeditions to this region can be conducted from the valley’s only town, Mitzpe Ramon (Ramon Observation Point), albeit visitors should avoid the mid-day heat. The best way of experiencing the magic of this place is staying overnight in one of the hand-woven tents and enjoying the company of the Bedouin herders.
Dialogue in the Dark
How about going blind for a day? Well, not literally! Dialogue in the Dark, an exhibition funded by former journalist Andreas Heinecke, consists of a series of pitch-black galleries which require visitors to experience their surroundings through visionless stimuli.
The visitors here are guided by blind or partially sighted persons who orient them to the surroundings, thereby providing a heightened sense of security in the darkened environment. The completion of the tour is followed by a conversation between the guide and vision-restored visitors.
Atlit Yam
Your holidays to Israel are incomplete without a visit to Atlit Yam, which contains the submerged ruins of a Neolithic coastal settlement. Dating back to 6900-6300 BC, these underwater excavations have unearthed wells, graves, and houses.
This historic site was discovered by marine archaeologist Ehud Galili and holds several unique fascinations. One of these is the seven megaliths arranged in a semi-circle encircling a freshwater spring, located in the center of the settlement.
Saba's Little Museum
Saba’s Little Museum is a wonderful museum located in the Jerusalem Hills. Its uniqueness arises from the various items that trace the history of the Jewish people and their way of life from Biblical times until today.
Stuffed in a small cluster of warehouses, this museum contains a collection of items ranging from memorabilia and junk to modern appliances. Children’s toy cars, vintage radio sets, along with some barrels and rusted steel cooking barrels are some of the items that a visitor comes across.
Meah Shearim
To get a glimpse of the ultra-conservative lifestyle of Jews, head to Meah Shearim. This neighborhood in Israel is home to the ultra-orthodox Haredim. A visitor can easily recognize this neighborhood by the community that resides in it – black suits with matching hats, full beards, and long and curling sidelocks known as eyes. You may end up buying Jewish texts with a high discount and gorging on some traditional baked goods.
Golden Calf Altar
The Golden Calf Altar was an idol made by Aaron for the Israelites during the absence of Moses. However, most of Israel’s idols were destroyed by the Assyrians when they raided them for their gold in 722 BC. Although visitors can no longer view the Golden Calf as it once existed, they can explore the ruins of the main sanctuary where the calf could have been located. Besides, visitors can also examine the numerous standing stone shrines that line the gate to the city.
Yad Layeled Children’s Memorial Museum
Among the many tourist places in Israel, this one will move your soul and heart completely. Yad Layeled Children’s Memorial Museum is a moving memorial to the 1.5 million Jewish children who were victims of the Holocaust. Visitors are shown various exhibits which include films, period artifacts and the testimonies of children who had to live during those frightening times.
Ein Bokek beach
Image source:.deadsea.com
The Ein Bokek Beach is a wonderful stretch of fine, golden sand that attracts a steady stream of visitors the year-round. The beach is equipped with various facilities like beach showers, changing rooms, lifeguards, etc. It’s a wonderful place to while your time and enjoy the pleasures of the beach.
Shahrazad
Want to taste some authentic Middle Eastern cuisine? Go to Shahrazad. This Middle Eastern restaurant in Haifa serves authentic cuisine of the region with an indigenous twist. An example of this is the dish “mansaf” (rice with ground lamb, tangy goat yogurt, pine nuts, saffron, and nutmeg), which is served with ordinary falafel balls. The tamarind juice here is another great stuff to try out.
Mount of the Beatitudes
This spectacular Roman Catholic Church, built-in 1937, stands on a site where it’s popularly believed that Lord Jesus delivered his Sermon on the Mount. The sermon’s opening lines begin with the phrase “Blessed are.”
The octagonal church inside which is looked after by Franciscan nuns are commemorated in the stained glass just below the dome, with the seven virtues being represented around the altar. Besides, the wonderful balcony and gardens provide spectacular views of the Sea of Galilee.
Hecht Museum
Hecht Museum is one of the many amazing places to visit in Israel. However, the one collection that stands out is the Ma'agan Mikhael Shipwreck – the well-preserved remains of a 13.5m long merchant ship from 400 BC. Apart from these, the archaeology section also contains an entire section on the Phoenicians. Besides, Israelite, Moabite and Phoenician seals from the First Temple period and an incredible collection of ancient coins can also be found here.
Al-Jazzar Mosque
Al-Jazzar Mosque, built-in 1781 in typical Ottoman Turkish style, is the third most important mosque in Israel and the Palestinian territories. The mosque is distinguished by its enormous green dome and is accented with a graceful pencil minaret. Somewhere around the base of the minaret, one can find the small twin-domed building which contains the sarcophagi of Al-Jazzar and his adopted son and successor, Suleyman.
Tabor Winery
To know the ins and outs of wine processing, and sampling some of the best wine to be found anywhere, visit the Tabor Winery. It has gained a legendary reputation both for its red and white wine and produces almost two million bottles a year. Apart from been given a free tasting of the wine, visitors are provided with guided tours for groups of 10 or more. The winery also runs one-and-a-half-hour grape harvests from late July to August.
Beit She’an National Park
To get a glimpse of what life was like during the Roman Empire, visit the Beit She’ a National Park. The opulence and grandeur that surrounded the everyday life of the Romans is reflected through the colonnaded streets, a 7,000-seat theatre which looks the same as it did 1800 years ago, two stone columns and two bathhouses. The incredible part about all of them is that they lie exactly where they fell during the Galilee earthquake of 749 AD.
Centre International Marie de Nazareth
Any tour to Israel inevitably involves a visit to the Centre International Marie de Nazareth. Located across the street from the Basilica of the Annunciation, this place serves as a venue for ecumenical work among Christians, besides the promotion of inter-faith dialogue. Built by Chemin Neuf, a Roman Catholic community-based in France, this fabulous cultural center consists of peaceful rooftop gardens which contain plants mentioned in the Bible. They offer amazing 360-degree panoramas.
Agamon HaHula
Your holidays in Israel are incomplete without a visit to Agamon HaHula – one of Israel’s favorite parks, located in Hula Valley. To see an unbelievable amount of storks, pelicans, and cranes, you need to head to this place right away. This crane-watching opportunity really comes as a privilege. Comfortably seated in your vehicle, you can view these magnificent creatures from the closest range possible. The other birds that can be seen here occasionally include pelicans and storks.
Bahai Gardens
Visited by over half a million visitors a year, the Bahai Gardens are one of the major tourist attractions in Israel. Their unique design, which combines geometrical shapes with the conservation of natural and historic landscape features, enchants the visitors to no end. In July 2008, these gardens were included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List for being holy places possessing outstanding universal value. The gardens comprise a staircase of 129 terraces which extend all the way up the northern slope of Mount Carmel.
Yad Vashem
A visit to the Yad Vashem memorial in Jerusalem will move your inner spirit and overwhelm your emotions like never before. This memorial is dedicated to the six million Jews who died at the hands of Nazis. One can find the names and personal details of millions of victims recorded in the Hall of Names. The centerpiece of the museum is the Holocaust History Museum, which lies on the lower level. Exploring the entire museum takes about three hours in total.
Ancient Galilee Boat
To come across a fascinating piece of history during your holidays in Israel, visit the Yigal Alon Museum, where you will stumble upon the ancient Galilee boat. The discovery of this boat was made by a local fisherman in 1986 when the waters of the Sea of Galilee were at their lowest ebb. The fishing vessel measures 8.2m in length and is made from 12 kinds of recycled wood. Wall panels and three short films tell the amazing story of its discovery and preservation. It’s said that this boat was used by the members of Jesus’s ministry.
Said Abu Elafia & Sons
You cannot be in Israel and not visit Said Abu Elafia & Sons – one of the best bakeries of Tel Aviv. Established in 1880, this bakery spans across four generations. Visitors love to gorge on its bourekas (stuffed bread with sheep’s cheese), sambusas (filled pastries) and a unique Arab oven-baked pizza-like concoction filled with eggs, tomato, cheese and olives.
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Planning a Caribbean beach vacation with your loved ones? Ocho Rios and Negril are two of the most popular tourist destinations for travelers looking for an exotic beach vacation in the Caribbean island nation of Jamaica.
Here are 30 quick facts about the beautiful coastal town of Ocho Rios, which is home to some of the world’s most breathtaking beaches and luxury all-star beachfront resorts.
Jamaica is the third-largest island in the Caribbean and is famous for its picturesque beach towns Ocho Rios and Negril.
Ocho Rios is a Spanish phrase that translates to “eight rivers.”
Climate: All of Jamaica, including Ocho Rios, has a tropical and humid climate throughout the year. The average annual temperature is a pleasant 26°C or 79°F.
Local weather: Ocho Rios is the hottest in June (at 29°C/84°F) and the coolest in January (at 26°C/79°F). It sees maximum rain in October.
Best time to visit: December, January, and May are when most tourists visit Ocho Rios. December to February, the winter season, is considered the best time to visit Ocho Rios if you don’t mind the crowds and the high prices. Else, go during fall (September to November) or spring (March to May).
Population: Ocho Rios is a port town located on Jamaica’s north coast and has a population of about 10,000.
Language: English is widely spoken and understood across Jamaica.
Ocho Rios is known for its natural beauty of white sand beaches, waterfalls and, botanical gardens.
Time zone: Ocho Rios follows EST (Eastern Standard Time).
Economy: The economy of this quaint resort town survives and thrives on international tourism.
Port town: The town of Ocho Rios serves as a port for cargo and cruise ships.
Airport: The nearest airport is the Sangster International Airport. Other airports that accept international flights are located in Montego Bay and Kingston.
Currency: Locals transact in Jamaican dollars but USD is readily accepted across Jamaica.
Public library: Ocho Rios has its own town library, open all weekdays and also on Saturday.
Emergency number: 119 is the number to call in case of emergencies such as fire or accident or theft.
Jazz Festival: Ocho Rios is famous for its two-week annual Jazz Festival, held mid-June.
Dunn’s: The stunning Dunn’s River Falls in Ocho Rios’ most popular natural attraction, located about 2.5 miles from the cruise ship port.
Post office: The local post office is located on Main Street and is open all weekdays.
Courier: Use UPS for sending mail or packages faster and to avoid the crowds at the post office. The local office is located in Ocean Village.
Hospital: Ocho Rios does have a clinic on Main Street but it does not have a hospital. The nearest hospital is located about 7 miles away in St. Ann’s Bay.
Medication: There are several pharmacies in town and most are open all days of the week.
ATMs: There are several banks and ATMs located throughout town.
Things to do: Snorkeling, white water rafting, water and land sports, Bobsledding at Mystic Mountain, and exploring local markets and street-side cuisine.
Places to see Sun Valley Plantation, Dunns’ River Falls, Fern Gully, Green Grotto Caves, Coyaba Museum and Gardens, Reggae Explosion Museum, Firefly Museum and Bar, Riverhead Adventure Trail, and more.
Shopping: Shop at the local crafts market, shopping plazas, Ocho Rios Craft Park, and several duty-free shops. Be prepared to be pestered by street vendors to buy something and don’t forget to bargain.
Getting around: The best way to get around Ocho Rios is by renting a taxicab through JUTA (Jamaica Union of Travelers Association).
All-inclusive luxury vacations: Ocho Rios is home to some of the Caribbean’s best luxury beach resorts and hotels that offer attractive Jamaica all-inclusive travel deals for families, couples, as well as group travelers.
Safety: Ocho Rios receives a large number of visitors each year and is generally considered safe for tourists. However, it is advisable to not venture out alone in the dark and to avoid traveling with strangers. Check the US Government’s latest travel advisory on traveling to Jamaica.
National Holidays: Independence Day, Good Friday, Easter, Christmas, New Year's Day, Emancipation Day, Ash Wednesday, National Heroes Day, and Boxing Day.
Water: While filtered tap water at your resort may be safe to drink, carry bottled water when going out and also if you’re prone to falling sick.
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Have you ever dreamt of getting away from it all and everyone? Taking a trip across the country can be a rewarding experience. It gives you the opportunity to get to know yourself better. If you are open to new experiences then you may be surprised by who you meet and what activities you will undertake.
If you are truly looking for an experience and a little adventure then you need to find a good motorcycle, such as one of these KTM dirt bikes Sydney, and try one of the loneliest roads in the world.
1. Longyearbyen in Norway:
This strip of tarmac will take you surprisingly close to the North Pole. It is one of the loneliest and coldest roads in the world but also one of the most beautiful. The sun rises over snow-capped mountains and you will get a chance to see the Northern Lights.
However, you should note that this is a beer country, they outnumber humans and you need to keep your eyes open.
2. Trans Taiga in Canada:
The Trans Taiga highway is an impressive 375km long and there isn’t a single fuel station on the road! In other words, you need to make sure you have filled your tank before you leave. There are also very few cafes or any other type of business. You need to overpack before you head off into some of the most beautiful Canadian countrysides you will ever see.
3. Eyre Highway, Australia:
The Eyre Highway stretches across the Nullabor Plain, one of the most brutal parts of Australia. This section of the outback is extremely hot and home to a lot of deadly snakes. It is an incredibly inhospitable region which is why most people fly from one side of the outback to the other.
Of course, it is also an amazing experience and you’re certain to remember the experience.
4. Kolyma Highway in Russia:
Russia is the largest country in the world, it is not surprising it has some impressively long roads stretching over some of the most hostile terrains. One of the best examples is the Kolma Highway that takes you from Magadan to Yakutsk. The road is rarely used, has just a few gas stations, and you are likely to be able to count the number of cars you see on one hand!
5. Summerland Way in New South Wales:
Heading up the Pacific Highway can be difficult, especially when you are in high season and tourists fill the road. But, you can turn off at Grafton and leave the A1 to use the Summerland Way. Few other travelers take this option despite the fact it is far more scenic. You will even pass through a couple of small towns to help ensure you don’t feel too lonely.
There are plenty of roads in the world that will allow you to get lost and feel like you are the only person left in the world. It is good for your mind and body to appreciate these spaces, choose one and plan your loneliest road trip today.
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