A rainy day in Blarney, Ireland
An encounter with a whale at Icy Straight Alaska
Navy divers forgotten in Taormina, Sicily
Driving on a road like no other
An odd story in Jerusalem
Looking for a tee shirt in Tahiti
Room with a Bath in London
Spanish gold in Key Wes
Changing of the Guard in Copenhagen
Going to Somerset Bridge
Blue Footed Boobie in the Galapagos
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Budapest Celebrating 23 October 1956
The 4 Minute Louvre
A Day of Protests in Valencia Spain
Kürtőskalács in Budapest
January starts the season where we beging to daydream of warm breezes, crystal clear water and white sandy beaches. Here’s a little inspiration…
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The History Behind The Celebration Of Easter Without question the holiest site in all of Christendom is located in the Christian Quarter of Jerusalem. It represents the location where Jesus was crucified and where his body was laid to rest. Today there is a high level of certainty that the location has been actually identified.…
A collection of travel bucket lists for 2024. Cities, natural wonders, cruise itineraries and more collected from a number of sources…
with From Cartagena, Columbia to Ushuaia, Argentina the South American continent is an amazing land of natural wonders and human accomplishments. Explore the islands of the Galapagos or hike around Iguazu Falls, climb up to Machu Picchu or cruise through the Panama Canal. You can even cast off for a trip to Antarctica or walk…
It seems so other worldly, like Mars or the Moon but it’s right here on Earth. It’s so alien that the NASA space program uses it to test rovers and other equipment. Find the answer HERE. Here Are A Few Of Our More Recent Postings You might Find Interesting…
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Cruise lines are always expanding their itineraries to attract more passengers. While in the past the vast majority of cruises have been North America, the Caribbean and Europe much is changing. Two rapidly growing destination are Latin America and Asia. By creating more exotic itineraries cruise companies not only bring back loyal cruise passengers looking for new experiences, but also attract new customers from within these regions.
Asia has exploded with cruise itineraries over the past decade with a focus on a number of popular destinations. The center of these itineraries is the South China Sea and by far the most popular departure port is Singapore followed by Hong Kong.
Japan and China Itineraries are another growing market. One of the most popular departure ports on these itineraries is Yokohama, the port servicing Tokyo. Many of these cruises include itineraries that sail around the Japanese Islands along with Taiwan, Korea and ports in China.
The Port of Yokohama and Tokyo – Since this is a popular departure port many cruises add an overnight to allow a visit into Tokyo. If that isn’t the case with your cruise be sure and book a few days before your cruise. Tokyo is an amazing city and represents the heart of modern Japan.
The Port of Osaka -Another popular port to start or finish Japanese cruises, this city is great for shopping, nightlife and sights including a samurai castle. The docks at Tempozan are a ways from the city but on the waterfront is an entertainment district that includes an aquarium and Universal Studios Japan.
Port of Shanghai – Located in East China along the Yangtze River and bordered on the east by the East China Sea, Shanghai is one of the most populated cities in the world and a major cruise destination. It is a vibrant modern day megacity complete with skyscrapers, shopping malls and famous restaurants.
The Cruise Port for Seoul is Inchon South Korea – with Seoul, the bustling capital of South Korea, located approximately 90 minutes by road from the cruise port.
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The Port of Singapore – It’s no wonder Singapore is so popular. This city is actually a sovereign state which boasts one of the highest standards of living in the world. It boasts an incredible international airport and has, at last count, three major cruise terminals. If you book a cruise out of Singapore you absolutely must plan for a few days to explore this amazing city. English is the official laguage.
South China Sea Itineraries – These are by far the most popular Asian itineraries with stops that can include Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Cambodia and Brunei,. For a longer trip combining two cruises is a good option with many back to back itineraries visiting different ports on each cruise.
When looking at these itineraries there are some specific destinations we think should focus on visiting.
Vietnam – This country is experiencing rapid developing and is usually on most South China Sea itineraries. Specifically look for cruises that include Da Nang. This is a major metropolis that includes resort beaches and a vibrant city center with a number of nearby interesting destinations that include Hội An, the historic old trading town only 2 hours away along with the ancient city of Huế nearby.
Thailand – A must on most cruises there are a number of ports but look for Bangkok (or its port of Laem Chabang). Bangkok is over an hours drive from the port but should not be missed. Many cruises overnight in Laem Chabang to provide more time to visit Bangkok. There is also the resort port of Phuket, known for its stunning beaches, Phuket offers a wide range of beach resorts such as Patong Beach, Karon Beach, and Kata Beach.
Hong Kong – Like Singapore this is one of the worlds great cities with much to see and do. It is also a popular departure port for some cruises. Major sights include Victoria Peak, offering breathtaking views of the city’s skyline, Victoria Peak is a must-visit attraction. Tian Tan Buddha, located on Lantau Island, the Tian Tan Buddha is one of the world’s largest outdoor seated bronze Buddhas. The Ten Thousand Buddhas Trail, Ocean Park, a marine-themed park that combines thrilling rides, animal exhibits, and live shows. Enjoy roller coasters, visit the giant pandas, and watch exciting dolphin and sea lion performances. Take a cable car ride to Ngong Ping Village and visit the Big Buddha, explore the Wisdom Path, and enjoy cultural shows and dining options.
Repositioning Asia Cruises – If you interested in seeing more of Asia there are a number of cruises that involve moving ships to Singapore from Japan as well as Europe and the Middle East.
Cruises from Japan usually stop in additional ports in Japan, Korea, and Hong Kong before ending up in Singapore. West bound cruises from Singapore are usually headed to Dubai and normally will make port calls in Thailand, Sri Lanka, and India.
Wishing Everyone Safe Travels And Great Adventures in 2025
The Iconic Windmills Of Mykonos. Traditionally, these windmills are heavy, three-story buildings made of stone, circular in shape, reflecting the simple yet functional design typical of the Cycladic islands.
They were primarily built by Venetians in the 16th century and continued to be constructed into the early 20th century for milling wheat.
One of Greeces most visited islands, it features amazing beaches, great vibes and just enough culture and history to keep visitors engaged.
The Devils Tower, a unique geological feature located in northeastern Wyoming. Rising approximately 867 feet above its base, Devils Tower has a distinctive columnar shape. It consists of vertical columns that are mostly hexagonal in cross-section, creating its iconic appearance.The formation is a volcanic neck or an igneous intrusion. It was formed around 50 million years ago during the Eocene epoch. The tower is composed of phonolite porphyry, a type of igneous rock.
Considered sacred by local Native Americans it is bit remote but still a popular attraction. The Devils Tower gained considerable attention from the 1960s movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind when it was the location of an alien encounter.
But perhaps alien visitations are actually real. Consider the petroglyphs in Utah’s Capitol Reef National Park that were created between 300 and 1300 AD. They consist of both carved images and painted pictographs, and while the Park Service describes the symbols as providing insight into the culture of the regions native inhabitants, some look to me like visiting aliens. Some panels depict a variety of images, including human figures with various headpieces (?) while scenes sho the daily lives and activities of the local native inhabitants.
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The Iconic Windmills Of Mykonos. Traditionally, these windmills are heavy, three-story buildings made of stone, are circular in shape, reflecting the simple yet functional design typical of the Cycladic islands. They were primarily built by Venetians in the 16th century and continued to be constructed into the early 20th century for milling wheat. Mykonos is…
What country claims this baked treat as its own? This is a traditional European pastry made from sweet yeast dough. This unique treat is crafted by wrapping strips of the dough around a conical baking tube, which is then grilled usual over coals till it achieves a golden brown color and crispy exterior. Answer •…
We’re asking for your opinion… I think Clint Eastwood said it best; “If you’re looking for a guarantee in life, buy a toaster.” We have, over the years, visited over one hundred countries and on a few occasions we’ve found ourselves in some touchy situations, but we have always been cautious in selecting when and…
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