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5 Destinations You Must Put on Your Bucket List

To make the most of that time we create our bucket lists or things to do before we “kick the bucket.” When you make yours, these five places better be on it! CONTINUE READING >> 

Six hundred and seventy-two thousand hours — that’s all the time that we have on this earth, and there are more amazing views and experiences than anyone can do. To make the most of that time we create our bucket lists or things to do before we “kick the bucket.” When you make yours, these five places better be on it!

New York City 

A bar crawl in this concrete jungle would take a lifetime to complete, with the Big Apple having approximately 10,000 bars and pubs within its skyscraper-laced streets. From the exotic, chemistry-themed Apotheke bar to the historic Raunces Tavern, you can always find a cocktail before you continue on to view Times Square, watch a play on Broadway or visit Lady Liberty herself.

Hong Kong 


Image via Flickr by Studio Incendo

This eclectic Eastern city has plenty to do to keep your entertained whether it’s day or night. During the day you can visit Sky100, an indoor observation deck on the top floor of a skyscraper, Hong Kong Disneyland or the Stanley Market, a traditional open-air market. If you’re looking to escape the city, there are plenty of scenic nature spots such as Tian Tan Buddha, Nan Lian Garden, or the Dragon’s Back. During the night, there are tons of dive bars to satisfy whatever craving you may have, especially in Wan Chai, known as the city’s party district.

Bora Bora

Imagine it, the smell of the sea, the sand between your toes, and a sweet “sex on the beach” in your hand. That is paradise. After a day filled with swimming, kite surfing, snorkeling, and incredible ocean side views, you can settle down in one of the bungalows on a private island but not before visiting Amanahune to see some of the island’s native culture.

Venice, Italy 

Venice, Italy, is a place to unwind with some of the best wine the globe has to offer. In between the area’s historic canals, you can find entire bars filled with wine. If you’re concerned about finding a good meal to pair with your wine, you won’t have to look far for some of Italy’s best fare. When not partaking in this romantic city’s food and drink, there are hundreds of years of history to soak up in 16th-century chapels and art museums with artwork dating back to the 13th century.

Bali

You’ll find lots of choice alcoholic drinks as you travel across the globe, and Bali is no exception with something you won’t find elsewhere. The region is known for its local spirit, which they call Brem. When you’re not soaking up this local delight, you can soak up the beautiful scenery on one of the many hiking trails that curl around waterfalls and active volcanoes. If you’re looking for a more spiritual experience you can even visit an 11th-century Buddhist temple!

Whether you choose the beaches of Bora Bora, the urban cityscape of Hong Kong, or both, you’re sure to have a great time and cross these locations off your bucket list.

We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

Thrilling Island Activities To Do While on Vacations in Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are known for the landscapes and wildlife that you cannot find anywhere else on the earth. As far as beauty and uniqueness are concerned, they will exceed your expectations… CONTINUE READING >> 

The Galapagos Islands are known for the landscapes and wildlife that you cannot find anywhere else on the earth. It is a chain of 19 islands and some islets which were formed due to volcanic eruptions.

The Galapagos Islands are located in the Pacific Ocean, about 600 miles away from Ecuador and remained untouched for centuries. It was in the 1800s when explorers and pirates started visiting there. And it was in 1835 when Charles Darwin spent 19 days studying the flora and fauna there, then introduced the group of islands to the world.

As far as the beauty and uniqueness of the Galapagos Islands are concerned, they will exceed your expectations when you will actually visit there. It is in the Galapagos Islands only that you will see the birds walking, lizards swimming and the humans will not take the center stage and these experiences are the ones that infatuate the viewers from all around the world to book their trip to the Galapagos Islands through voyager travel agency to make it a memorable one.

Why should you visit the Galapagos Islands?

The group of 10 islands is not less than a paradise where each island offers something unique and special. There are cactus forests, lava formations, turquoise bays, lush green highlands, tropical beaches and a lot more, that you can explore.

The best thing you will like here is overflowing wildlife that you can enjoy at every turn. Just within minutes after you land at this group of islands, you will be face-to-face with fearless animals you will find nowhere else on earth.

As there is a lot to explore in the Galapagos Islands, you must plan in advance the activities you will do there. Advance planning will help you spend your time better and have more fun. To help you get the best experience from your Galapagos Islands tour, we would like to recommend you the activities you must do there. So, here goes the list.

• Plan multi-day cruise

The best way of enjoying your time in Galapagos islands is spending a week on the boat. However, don’t worry if you can’t afford to spend a complete week; spend as many days you can and make the most of your time.

Cruises are available in different shapes and sizes; you can easily find the one meeting your requirements and budget. Choose the itineraries you want to visit and book a cruise accordingly.

• Go birdwatching

You will not need to make special efforts for spotting birds on Galapagos Islands. The fearless birds will not flick the eyes even when you click their pictures. And, you will just be amazed to see them nesting on the National Park pathways.

You will enjoy witnessing the courting and nesting rituals of flightless cormorants, penguins, frigates and all the three species of boobies. It would not be wrong to say that watching the birds building their nests is one of the highlights of the Galapagos trip. In the case you are visiting anytime between May to December, you would be able to see the nesting rituals of albatross.

• Try snorkelling

No matter which island you choose for snorkelling, you will be swimming alongside the Pacific sea turtles, sea lions, hammerhead sharks and colourful fish. Genovesa, Kicker Rock, Gordon Rocks and Isla Lobos are a highway for enjoying snorkelling. Discuss with your tour planner in advance to make sure that the equipment will be provided to you.

• Hiking

Hiking is a must-do activity for those who want to indulge in an active Galapagos adventure. The Galapagos Islands are a home to remarkable hiking excursions. If you want to hike within the national park, you would need the permit for that in order to ensure safety and minimize damage.

Some of the most thrilling hiking opportunities can be found in Santa Cruz, where the guests can enjoy roaming in the lush Scalesia forests and viewing a variety. Another famous hiking spot is Sierra Negra Volcano where you will enjoy a thrilling seven-mile hike while peering into the greatest volcanic calderas.

• Camping

As 97% of the landmass of Galapagos Islands lies within the national park boundaries, the opportunities for camping are just limited. But, still, there are a few options that would let you have a wonderful experience. You can gaze at the sky, can relax around the campfire and enjoy sleeping under the canvas.

You can get a unique camping experience at Wild Tortoise Camp, located in the highlands of Santa Cruz. It will remind you of the classic African safari. Sleeping in the raised walk-in tents or tree houses would be a great experience for you. And just imagine having your dinner served in an open area; you will definitely love that. Another spot where you can enjoy camping is the Galapagos Safari Camp.

There are a range of other activities, like cycling, kayaking, surfing, walking in the lava fields and more that you can enjoy if you have some spare time. However, don’t forget to pack all the essentials. When it comes to indulging in the above-mentioned activities, it’s up to you that whether you want to carry your own gear or would you travel agency to arrange the same for you.

If it is the first time you are planning a tour to the Galapagos Islands, you must prefer booking your tour through the best travel agency. Along with making all the arrangements for your trip (right from flights to accommodation), the travel agency will also offer you guided tours. By recommending you visiting the particular destinations and indulging in the particular activities, they will let you make the maximum of your trip.

We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

Reykjavík has a Famous Phallic Fascination

We had been intrigued, no obsessed, with visiting the isolated island nation for nearly a decade, ever since our eldest sent photos and videos of her trip. In typical Gypsynester fashion went right for the weird stuff… CONTINUE READING >> 

While flying to and from California for a bicycle tour in France, Iceland made for a good place to break up the twelve hours of flight time. Since we were stopping anyway, a two night lay over in Reykjavik on the way back was a natural extension of the plan.

We had been intrigued, no obsessed, with visiting the isolated island nation for nearly a decade, ever since our eldest sent photos and videos of her trip. Luckily a couple of airlines offer deals for staying over anywhere from a day to a fortnight while crossing the Atlantic.

Not only was that perfect for us, it was also the cheapest way to get to Europe.

Even though the island is fairly small, we had a lot to pack into a couple of days, so we spent one of them touring the Golden Circle. This was a perfect overview of the country’s unique natural beauty, but didn’t include the city of Reykjavík at all.

For that exploration we were on our own, and in typical Gypsynester fashion went right for the weird stuff.

That meant beginning at The Icelandic Phallological Museum. Seriously, how could we possibly pass up seeing the world’s largest display of penises and penile parts?

We’re not sure what possessed Sigurður Hjartarson to start his collection, but he has managed to gather nearly 300 examples from almost every animal to ever grace the land or sea around Iceland.

These range from whale specimens he snagged at commercial whaling stations, to an assortment of farm animal phalluses, to tiny mice and hamsters members that can only be seen with a magnifying glass.

Once our childish embarrassed giggling subsided, a strange curiosity kicked in. We found ourselves staring at pickled penises of every imaginable size and shape with the detached concentration of a researcher instead of the goofy immaturity of a Junior High kid.

Looking around, that seemed to be a transformation almost everyone else also experienced after a few minutes.

But that doesn’t mean that the museum takes itself too seriously, at least we hope that the exhibits portraying the organs of elves and trolls were meant to be humorous. You see, according to Icelandic folklore these creatures are invisible, so we may never know if those were just empty jars.

Easily the most disturbing aspect of the gallery was an array of lampshades made from foreskins. These must have been some circumcisions because the light fixtures were not miniature. It’s not a stretch to say these had an unsettling effect.

We won’t be doing any redecorating from this inspiration.

An hour or so of this phallic bombardment was more than enough; it was time to explore the rest of town.

Reykjavík has the distinction of being the northern most capital city in the world, and it is also one of the smallest, making it easy to walk the entire downtown even if it was only forty-five degrees in July.

We took in the handful of famous sites as we walked along Laugavegur, the main street , then checked out the City Hall and especially the massive Lutheran church Hallgrímskirkja, which dominates the skyline, but all the while we had something else in mind.

As we said, our eldest spent some time here and she told a tale of something called kæstur hákarl, which means putrefied shark. It was hard for us to believe that anyone would intentionally consume man-eating beast that had been buried on the beach for several months, but she insisted it was true.

We had to find out for ourselves. A chalk board at the Icelandic Craft Bar announced our fate: “Shark Tale Shot 1000-”

Sure 1000 Icelandic Kronas seemed a bit steep for a small hunk of foul fish, about ten dollars, but it came with a shot of exceedingly strong Brennivin (translates to burnt wine) to wash it down, and more importantly, the story.

The meat of a Greenland shark is poisonous due to its very high concentration of ammonia, but somehow some hungry Icelander discovered that if the fish is buried and allowed to ferment the poison dissipates.

This falls into the long line of things we have encountered that make us wonder why anyone ever thought “We should figure out some very elaborate and involved method of making this inedible stuff edible.”

It makes no sense. All in all we’d rather eat some grass, or seaweed, or dirt.

After about three months some brave soul digs it up, scrapes off all of the black rot, and declares the shark edible. As near as we could tell, no one actually likes it. It’s just one of those things that people keep eating over time… like lutefisk, or fruitcake, or Vegemite.

Our bartender, Dan, gave us the lowdown:

Chef Anthony Bourdain once described kæstur hákarl as “the single worst, most disgusting and terrible tasting thing” he had ever eaten.

We can’t agree, as the silkworms we had in China were much worse.

We can however agree with Chef Ainsley Harriott, who described eating fermented shark as “like chewing a urine-infested mattress.”

Guess that says a lot about just how bad silkworms are.

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

How To Balance the Luxury and Budget in a Beach Wedding

Are you one among those beautiful hearts who dream for a grand beach wedding? A dream wedding on a beach is a lifetime memory, so make it like no other… CONTINUE READING >> 

Are you a nature lover? Are you one among those beautiful hearts who dream for a grand beach wedding? Did you land on this page to plan for your dream wedding? Is the title confusing you? Don’t be confused! It is easy to plan a luxurious and lavish beach wedding within a budget if you have a clear picture in your mind. First, who is going to be the deciding factor for your wedding? If it is you and your partner, well and good! Look out on the internet to find out a beach wedding organizer and talk to them about your dream.

Style Matters

In a beach wedding, the style and the theme is the key. Choose a good style that would suit you and your partner and make all the props and settings of the wedding event to sync with it.  A dream wedding on a beach is a lifetime memory, so make it thrashing like no other. Themes can match up to the mood of the environment because the beach scenario will gel well with a natural theme. Choose colors, properties, and attires that gel with the color and mood of nature. Use informal themes and get as creative as possible. Companies such as Wedding Myrtle Beach will have the experience and expert skills in organizing a beach wedding flawlessly.

Photography and Videography

What else is important in a wedding but for photography and Videography, because capturing the memories is the ultimate. Picturing the event with a poetic sense can be done only by expert hands such as this video production company in Dubai. They will know what to shoot and how to edit to give you the best memory you would love to see forever. Capturing small and beautiful moments is the key to a successful wedding photography/Videography, especially in this open themed beach weddings. Check if your wedding organizer has a good team of photographers and videographers.

Plan the Travel

If you live close to the beach you have chosen for the wedding; travel becomes easier for you, however arranging the travel for your guests would need some clever planning. Travel need not be expensive, because just comfort is enough to transport the guests to the wedding venue. Plan a central location where you can request all your guests to gather, and you can arrange a simple transport from there to the location with a minimal budget.

Props and Settings

Yes, it is the key to treat your guests visually, but it can also be equally challenging. Props and settings that you choose must support the wind and nature and must also be visually good to look and rhythmic with one another. Candles can be very appealing elements in a wedding decoration but choose those type of candles which does not blow off in the wind.

Conclusion

Yes, it is your day, your dream day. Make all your dreams come true on the big day of your life with the help of expert beach wedding organizers.

We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

Hunting the Big 5 with our Camera – Safari South African Style


As luck would have it.

The phrase doesn’t necessarily refer to good luck; sometimes it can preface a lament of ill fortune.

In the case of our photo safari in South Africa, as luck would have it, we were about as (good) lucky as anyone could get… CONTINUE READING >>

The GypsyNesters in Kruger National Park in South Africa

As luck would have it.

The phrase doesn’t necessarily refer to good luck; sometimes it can preface a lament of ill fortune.

In the case of our photo safari in South Africa, as luck would have it, we were about as (good) lucky as anyone could get.

Elephants in Kruger National Park, South Africa

When we set out on Viator’s Best 3-Day Kruger Park Wildlife Safariwe packed our camera into the backpack excited at the prospect of seeing the Big 5.

Especially rhinoceros, since the endangered giants had eluded us in Tanzania.

There are only about 20,000 white rhinos left in the world, and about half of them live in Kruger National Park, so there is no better place to see them.

A rhino covered in birds in Kruger National Park in South Africa

And see them we did, dozens of them.

We saw them on the very first afternoon, and every day of the three-day tour.

We were closer to rhinos than we ever dreamed possible.

In fact, on the last day we were feeling fairly strongly that we might have been too close.

Baby Rhino at Kruger National Park, South Africa
Soooo cute! Look at his little bump of a second horn!

On our way out of the park we came upon a family of rhinos, so we stopped to watch as the momma and baby leisurely strolled across the road in front of us.

Meanwhile several other cars pulled up to take a look, which made the dad downright disturbed as he felt that he was being cut off from his family.

An angry male rhino in Kruger National Park, South Africa
He’s HUGE! And unhappy.

At that point the two-ton beast stepped into the center of the vehicles and got pretty protective, rocking back and forth and staring down each of his mechanical adversaries.

The nearest car to him was a tiny compact that weighed less than half of the gridlocked huge, horned creature.

The big guy could have crushed it in a second, and, and the driver was obviously distressed… with good reason.

Yet the car behind them seemed oblivious to the situation, so our fantastic guide, Phineas, who was feeling the tension, backed us away slowly, opening a path for the rhino and helping to defuse the situation.

The big fellah did an imposing, and less than graceful, backwards walk into the bush before turning to catch up with his family.

WATCH: We captured the whole rhino ordeal on video. It was hairy!

An elephant crosses the road in Kruger National Park, South Africa

As intense as that situation was, it wasn’t the highlight of our safari.

Day two would take that honor.

We set out early for an all-day game drive and immediately came upon more rhinos, then drove deeper into the park and found gorgeous giraffes…

Giraffes grazing on trees in Kruger National Park in South Africa

…and several giant elephants.

Elephants in Kruger National Park in South Africa

A herd of elephants in Kruger National Park, South Africa

Baboons groom each other in Kruger National Park, South Africa

Next we came upon a troop of baboons. There were at least thirty in the group, including several babies.

One looked to be brand newborn, perhaps only a day old, and we caught it nursing while the mother carried it along.

So cute!

A baby baboon clings to its mother in Kruger National Park in South Africa
Just look at that little baby’s face!

Phineas put his sixteen years of guiding experience to good use by spotting animals that we never would have seen on our own.

Our guide, Phineas, on our Kruger National Park Photo Safari in South Africa with Viator

Driving in Kruger National Park, South Africa

He also utilized his ability to speak 12 languages – from Afrikaans to Zulu (and German and English) – to talk with other guides about where to find animals, especially the elusive big cats.

As much as we were focused on rhinos, without a doubt lions are the main attraction at Kruger National Park.

However, they can be a bit reclusive so it is not uncommon for visitors to miss seeing them.

When he heard that two lions had been spotted Phineas hurried us to the area, only to find several other groups looking without any success.

After surveying the situation, he broke off from the pack and spotted the pair of predators lounging under a tree about a quarter of a mile away.

It was one of several times that we wished we had a tripod to get a better shot, but we made due steadying the camera on the truck.

While everyone else was looking for the cats further down the road, Phineas had a hunch that led us right to them.

Once we had enough time watching the lions undisturbed, Phineas kindly went back to alert the other guides to their location (it’s cool to be the ones in the know!) and headed off to lunch.

With lions, rhinos, and elephants already marked off our list in the morning, we needed only two more sightings to complete Africa’s Big 5.

An African Buffalo in Kruger National Park in South Africa

The five animals were chosen because of their desirability to hunters, and their dangerous nature.

They are considered the most aggressive and likely to attack or kill humans.

The next one for us to see, the African buffalo, came soon after our meal.

That left us with only the leopard to complete the set.

A hippo surrounded by birds at Kruger National Park, South Africa

Throughout the afternoon we saw more and more elephants, until we were calling this the day of a hundred elephants.

We also spotted even more rhinos, a jackal, crocodiles, hippos, wildebeest, a myriad of birds, zebras, a few warthogs, steenboks, and endless impalas… but no more cats.

Steenboks and impallas in Kruger National Park, South Africa
Steenboks and impala – Phineas calls them “fast food” – the impala even has the Golden Arches on his flank!

Not that it mattered, with so much to see we had pretty much forgotten about leopards.

A giraffe eating from the treetops in Kruger National Park in South Africa

In fact, we were pretty thrilled because we had observed, and photographed, all of our GypsyNester Big 5: giraffe, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, elephant, and zebra.

A zebra at Kruger National Park, South Africa

So as sundown drew near we headed for camp excitedly discussing what a great day it had been.

Beautiful sunset at Kruger National Park in South Africa

Then we crossed a bridge about a mile from camp and spotted a spotted cat slinking along the riverbed.

A river in Kruger National Park, South Africa

It was a leopard, meaning that we had seen all of the Big 5 in one day!

A leopard in Kruger National Park in South Africa

Phineas assured us that we truly were incredibly lucky, since this almost never happens.

A hornbill in Kruger National Park, South Africa
A hornbill at our camp.

By spending three days in the Park, we felt relaxed with the pace of our explorations.

It helped that the park has all of the necessary accommodations within its boundaries, which saved time and made us feel more connected to our surroundings.

Our cabin at Berg-En-Dal camp in Kruger National Park, South Africa

In the evenings, we sat on the patio of our cabin at the camp at Berg-En-Dal listening to the sounds of wild animals filling the air.

Pretty sweet, and hardly roughing it, with comfy beds and air conditioning, plus a full service restaurant featuring dining under the stars.

Our cabin and patio at Berg-En-Dal camp in Kruger National Park, South Africa

A kudo pot pie at the Berg-En-Dal camp restaurant in Kruger National Park in South Africa

In keeping with our exotic surroundings, the first night we ordered wild kudu cooked in a pot pie, and as a schnitzel.

We had never heard of kudu, but our verdict was that they are quite tasty.

Phineas explained that they are a large antelope that is very prevalent in the park, and sure enough, he hunted some down for us the next day.

A kudu in Kruger National Park in South Africa
The non-shaggy kudu
A kudu on Kruger National Park in South Africa
And the fancy shaggy kind!

At Kruger National Park in South Africa, we ate lunch while watching elephants and hippos in the nearby river!

The restaurant at the Kruger’s Lower-Sabie camp could be the best lunch location we’ve ever experienced.

Seated on the balcony overlooking the Sabie River, we watched hippos, elephants, crocs, and kudus visit for a drink or a bath.

There’s no beating it.

An elephant walks by a river in Kruger National Park, South Africa

Certainly these critters can be dangerous.

To ensure that there aren’t any unwelcome wildlife encounters, all of the camps in the park are fenced off to keep out razor-sharp toothed visitors.

It’s kind of like we humans were the ones in the zoo.

The sun turns into a big round ball every evening in Kruger National Park, South Africa
Every evening, the sun turned into a huge, perfectly round ball.

In addition to our time in Kruger, the drive back and forth from Johannesburg gave us a chance to learn about the history of South Africa and an opportunity to see a good bit of the country’s landscape.

The journey took us through vast, open farmland, rolling foothills, and forested mountains, which was not what we expected to find.

A warthog crosses the road between Johannesburg and Kruger National Park in South Africa
And the animals kept showing up – warthogs are faster than we imagined!
Vervet monkey in South Africa
A vervet monkey in a village along the way.

Phineas discussed everything with the knowledge that living in a place all of his life brings.

He was equally comfortable conversing about South Africa’s origins, politics, Nelson Mandela, and the nation’s rise from apartheid, as he was explaining the ecology and wildlife.

Taking a different route back to Johannesburg gave us the chance to pass through the mountains that we had seen from below on the way over.

Along the road from Johannesburg to Kruger National Park in South Africa

Pilgram's Rest in South Africa

We drove along Bushbuck Ridge, stopped off for an amazing panoramic view from God’s Window, headed over Robbers Pass, and had lunch in the well preserved old mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest.

We considered this all a bonus because the tour really was all about the animals.

As Phineas told us when we were entering the park on the first day, “It’s not a zoo, you never know what you’ll see.”

Well, as luck would have it, we saw it all.

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

Big thanks to Viator for providing this wondrous adventure! As always, all opinions are our own. To see more about this tour, click here.

See all of our adventures in Africa!

YOUR TURN: So how about our Phineas? Is he a font of knowledge or what? What is YOUR personal Big 5?

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Reasons For The Growing Popularity Of Experiential Travel

Experiential travelers seek out to learn new activities like learning the local language, cooking native dishes or undertaking volunteering activities, which gives them the complete experience of living like a native of the place… CONTINUE READING >> 

Travel is meant for exploring new places, escaping from the normal daily activities and for having complete relaxation as an escape activity from the modern-day stressful professional life.  However, the objective of travel has undergone a shift in recent years from an activity of relaxation to that of specifically gaining more immersive, exploratory, and authentic experiences. Experiential travel offers the modern-day travelers with an excellent opportunity to have an authentic experience in terms adapting themselves to their new culture, local heritage, food, occupation and way of living. Experiential travelers seek out to learn new activities like learning the local language, cooking native dishes or undertaking volunteering activities, which gives them the complete experience of living like a native of the place.

Here are some of the important reasons for which travelers are opting for experiential travel as against the conventional prepackaged travel.

Knowledge Of Different Cultures

Every country has their rich tradition and culture and offers experiential travelers with mind-boggling experience when they start exploring areas that are often neglected by the travelers who visit new countries or places for pleasure and leisure.  Reputed adventure operators specializing in experiential travel deliver a wide range of services from offering travelers with the opportunity to live in bungalows of bye gone eras of traveling country or place, along with offering unique travel experiences through hiking, cycling, river bath or playing local games or sports.

 JC Holidays offers a perfect solution for those experiential travelers who are interested in exploring the rich cultural heritage of Srilanka and provide them with an unforgettable and unique lifestyle experience of living in colonial bungalows surrounded by large acres of tea fields.

Changing Motivation And Expectations Of New Age Travelers

Experiential travelers do not look for amenities or travel comforts like regular travelers and generally live like a local person in the traveling community in order gain good experience of the travel. The advantage of experiential travel is that the traveler will have the long-term memory of the places traveled and most likely to remember the language or native cuisine they learned during their traveling days. Modern-day travelers are no longer satisfied with the regular leisure activities, or amenities they enjoy in the new country and seek unique experiences of the traveling country’s rich culture, food and enjoy the interaction with the local public that present them with long-lasting memories.

Emotional Connect

The new-age experiential travelers look for such traveling experiences that are on a deeper emotional and personal level and hence completely shy away from the prepackaged travel brochures of the mainstream travel operators. By learning to live like a local citizen of the place, experiential travels tend to have better emotional connect with the local inhabitants and build a long-term relationship even after their return to the native country.

The Sameness Of Mainstream Travel

Another major reason for the today’s travelers to look for undertaking experiential traveling is that the packaged tourism operates in an overcrowded travel landscape with more and more travel operators offering a similar type of traveling activities and experience. This has led to an ever-growing demand for travel experiences that are distinctive, enriching, immersive and memorable.

We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

7 Reasons To Visit New Zealand Once The Kids Have Flown The Nest

At this stage of life, you now have the freedom to start out on another journey of your own. If you are eager to travel in the near future, one of the best destinations to consider is New Zealand… CONTINUE READING >> 

A new chapter of your life is about to start.

You’ve made it through the journey of parenthood and now your adult children have flown the nest and are ready to start on their own path. At this stage of life, you now have the freedom to start out on another journey of your own.

If you are eager to travel in the near future, one of the best destinations to consider is New Zealand.

The “Land of the Long White Cloud” is an ideal addition to your bucket list for a number of reasons. (A two week getaway is just the right amount of time to see both islands.)

Let’s take a look at why you should be heading to NZ… ASAP!

It’s Wonderfully Safe

New Zealand is one of the safest countries in the world to travel, so you won’t cause anyone back home to worry about you! This nation always ranks up at the top of the Global Peace Index, which is an international study that ranks every country in the world according to its peacefulness.

Levels of health and sanitation are high and the police are not corrupt. No one carries guns (not even law enforcement) and crime levels are quite low. You can relax and enjoy your visit, knowing that the chance of danger is very small.

(Plus, the Kiwi people are very helpful and friendly and will make you feel right at home.)

It’s Naturally Gorgeous

There’s a reason why New Zealand was used as the setting for Middle Earth in the unforgettable Lord of the Rings films – the scenery here is so unusual and stunning that it will make you feel like you have stepped into an epic fantasy.

Surreal volcanic landscapes bubbling with geothermal pools. Dense rainforests shaded by ancient ferns. Craggy mountain ranges where glittering glaciers lie. It’s amazing how many different ecosystems can be found in this relatively small island nation.

30% of the country is made up of national parks and other protected areas, so there’s plenty of pristine nature to explore. From Paparoa to Tongariro to Arthur’s Pass, you’ll have plenty of options when it comes to hiking, camping, kayaking and other outdoor activities.

The Beaches are Superb

Sinking your toes into the sand of a New Zealand beach is an essential part of your kiwi getaway. So much of New Zealand culture revolves around the beach – it’s a place where families can relax and share a picnic, children can frolic and play and the adventurous can enjoy sports like surfing, kayaking and volleyball.

There are hundreds of beaches all around the islands of New Zealand that are worth visiting, so make sure you allow time on your getaway to see them all. They all have their own unique charms – some are better for sunsets while others are ideal for swimming and others are lined with great restaurants. You’re sure to find the perfect beach for you.

The Cities Are Packed with Culture

New Zealand doesn’t just offer stunning nature, it also has many excellent cities that are alive with art, culture, dining and nightlife. The main cities are Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Napier – but there are also many other small towns that are vibrant and interesting.

Whether you’re in the mood for an art exhibition, a poetry reading, a music festival, a theatre performance, a museum tour or even a traditional Maori dance and feast, you’ll find a packed cultural calendar of events in many of New Zealand’s great cities.

It’s Easy to Get Around

Whether you are taking the bus or driving yourself, getting around New Zealand is quite easy. Public transport here is better than in the USA and every major city has a number of bus routes that will take you to the most important places. There are also rail and ferry links throughout the country.

If you choose to rent a car and drive, you’ll find the highways well maintained and the scenery incredibly stunning. Make sure that you give yourself extra time to get between point A and point B, as there will be many points where you’ll want to stop and admire the view.

The History is Fascinating

New Zealand might seem like a relatively young country compared to many nations in Europe, but it has a very intriguing past. The first European settler to land was the Dutch navigator Abel Tasman in 1642, but the island was discovered and settled by Polynesians at least 700 years ago.

When you tour New Zealand, be sure to visit the many museums and historic sites you’ll see along the way. You’ll hear stories of explorers, whalers, traders, Maori chiefs and so much more,

The Food is Delicious

Last but not least, one of the big reasons why you’ll love New Zealand is the excellent food. (In fact, for some passionate foodies this is the main reason for their visit!)

If you love seafood, you’re in for a treat. Surrounded by ocean bounty, New Zealand’s chefs have some of the world’s best fish, oysters, crayfish and mussels to work with.

Try the juicy, succulent oysters from the Hokianga, the Snapper from the Bay of Islands and the Greenshell Mussels from Marlborough. Freshwater fish are plentiful too, including trout, salmon and more.

But seafood isn’t all the New Zealand culinary scene has to offer. You can also enjoy high quality New Zealand lamb, venison and beef. The fruits that are grown in the Nelson and Central Otago region are superb – such as apricots, cherries and nectarines. Oh, and don’t forget to finish off the meal with a scoop of hokey pokey ice cream – a unique New Zealand treat.

Why not add New Zealand to your travel bucket list?

This island nation is the perfect travel destination for empty-nesters who are ready to go on their next big adventure. These are just many of the reasons why you should consider visiting New Zealand once your kids have flown the nest.

ABOUT US:

MoaTrek offers small group tours that take you off the beaten track and show you a friendly, laid back side of New Zealand. Kiwi-owned and focused on personalised, unique experiences – we take care of the details so you can relax and enjoy. Let us help you plan the trip of a lifetime by visiting us a moatrek.com

We are happy to present this post in collaboration with MoaTrek to offer valuable information to our readers.

Who On Earth Would Not Love To Spend Some Time On A Yacht?

It has become a trend to celebrate birthday parties, anniversaries, and special occasions with families on yachts. But for a terrific experience, you must make sure to opt for a professional luxury yachts company… CONTINUE READING >> 

Traveling, it is the most natural source of relaxation in the stressful world we are in. Traveling reintroduces you to yourself, helps in creating meaningful relationship and experiences. There was a time when traveling was very expensive, and the process of planning for travel was intricate. But in modern times, with having various travel websites coming into the business has made traveling plan easier and cheaper.

Increasing Demand For Yacht Parties:

It has become a trend to celebrate birthday parties, anniversaries, and special occasions with families in the yachts. With so many in the business, luxury yachts have become considerably affordable. But for a terrific experience, you must make sure to opt for a professional luxury yachts company in the business. That is why it is best to go for professional luxury yachts like Azzurra, a Yacht charter in Mallorca.

A Flabbergasting Experience:

Yacht parties can pave the way for an everlasting sweet memory, and probably they are the best experience you can have in your travel diary. Especially, if you are a first timer on board, you will have an amazing experience.

A Great Feast To Feed On For Foodies:

Mouthwatering fresh seafood along with numerous varieties of drinks can be experienced in your own leisure time. Not like in normal hotels you dine in, the eateries out there offer various varieties of seafood. The furthermore fun element is that you can taste on your favorite seafood in amazing hip waterside eateries making them an unforgettable and perfect experience for a romantic date.

Fun Water Toys To Add Even More To Your Day:

Avoiding the call of the inviting water can be quite a difficult task. And that is why there is the availability of these water toys like Seabob, Jobe Ringo. If you wish to unleash the craziest experience on board, then there is the fly board for you, in which you will fly through the sky for an amazing experience.

Why Go For A Professional Luxury Yacht?

To have an amazing experience with your family and friends without any interruption, it is sensible to opt for a professional luxury yacht. There are various benefits to hiring a professional luxury yacht company.

Everything will be covered; once you give them your requirements very clearly in advance, they will take care of everything saving up your time to a greater extent.

They come with an experienced captain and crew, with their experience they will have the knowledge to guide you and recommend places to meet your taste. They will provide you a smooth and amazing sailing experience over the blue beauty. In case of emergency, they know how to handle things.

The security measures, a professional company will have all sorts of security measures in hand. In case something should go wrong that will be smoothly solved by them, and you can continue the party with the same energy and enjoyment.

We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.