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4 Not-to-Miss Experiences in Sri Lanka During Christmas

If you plan to spend the Christmas holiday in Sri Lanka, you should prepare to be busy as there are many interesting sites that you really shouldn’t miss. So here’s what you should do when enjoying a real Sri Lankan Christmas…
CONTINUE READING >> 

If you plan to spend the Christmas holiday in Sri Lanka, you should prepare to be busy as there are many interesting sites that you really shouldn’t miss. And that’s not even counting the fact that the Christmas celebration in Colombo, the largest city on the island is a marvelous event you have to see.

In fact, that’s where you should start your trip as the local Christmas fair will allow you to immerse yourself into the festive spirit with its unique Sri Lankan flavor. So, here’s what you should do when enjoying a real Sri Lankan Christmas:

1.      Try the unique Christmas cake

They don’t make Christmas cakes elsewhere as they make them in Sri Lanka, says Orana, a local hub writer. This particular recipe contains ingredients that can only be bought in the country, so it counts as the local delicacy.

You’ll love this fruit cake if you like spices and experiments. The local recipe contains things like pumpkin, ginger, and chow chow preserves, among a dozen other flavorful ingredients. But if you are a traditionalist, you’ll be able to find a perfect cake as well because every bakery will offer a variety of these during the holidays.

2.      Explore all things tea

You’ll have no trouble finding delicious tea to go with your Christmas cake in Sri Lanka as it\s one of the country’s main exported products. But you should not only drink it but also use the opportunity to learn about how your favorite tea is created. Fathima, from T2 Travels Sri Lanka, recommends starting with exploring tea trails so you can see from where the tea journey starts.

Visiting at least one tea factory is a must and if you can, you should see the Ceylon Tea Museum as well. But most importantly, taste as many different teas as you can while there. A multitude of places offer this drink here and each is special in some way.

3.      Watch the wildlife in Yala National Park

Any trip to Sri Lanka should include as many visits to national parks as you can squeeze in. Take a look at some interesting Sri Lanka tours to get a good idea what’s on offer.

However, the first place to visit must be Yala National Park, and December is the best season for it. According to park employees, this is the time when you can see the most exotic birds.

This park is not only a fantastically beautiful place where you can admire the Sri Lankan wildlife but also a visible proof of Mother Nature’s resilience. It was hit extremely hard by the devastating tsunami of 2004. And yet, you won’t be able to tell unless you know about it beforehand. Tragically, 250 people in the area were taken by the giant wave. But animals were all safe, proving that they are able to sense and hide from the oncoming natural threats much better than us, humans.

4.      Go whale watching

Another experience that will have you awed with the magnificence of nature is whale watching in Sri Lanka. The season for it starts in November, so you are sure to witness some incredible marine scenes during your Christmas trip.

However, you should know that this particular adventure is extremely popular. Therefore, if you take one of the big tourist boats, you are setting yourself up for a stampede. It will be best to enjoy the experience from a smaller vessel not overrun by crowds. You should also look for tours away from the main tourist hotspots like Mirissa.

Sri Lanka is magnificent at all times, and all the more so during the festive Christmas season. This is definitely a good time to arrive as you’ll be able to enjoy yourself even just by walking around and soaking up sites of decorated houses and shops. Don’t forget to enjoy the local delicacies as well.

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

Popular Travel Incentive Trends That Every Company Should Know

It is quite evident that incentive travel is one of the highly effective tools that companies harness to encourage their employees. Being aware of the latest trends associated with travel incentives can also help you build an effective scheme that benefits you and your employees… CONTINUE READING >> 

It is quite evident that incentive travel is one of the highly effective tools that companies harness to encourage their employees. Additionally, it is also considered an excellent tool to build team spirit. In order to obtain the maximum benefit out of your travel incentive programs, you must be aware of what your employees expect. Furthermore, being aware of the latest trends associated with travel incentives can also help you build an effective scheme that benefits you and your employees.

Below we have highlighted top travel incentive trends in the market:

1. The Growing Popularity of All-Inclusive Trips

Travel incentive programs have witnessed significant popularity in the past year; however, there are certain challenges that limit their growth. Increasing costs one of the main disadvantages that companies are dealing with when it comes to offering travel incentives. Incentive travel is a business cost, and naturally, companies want to keep their costs as low as possible. This is why all-inclusive trips have become a popular trend. Employees are attracted to travel packages that include trips, transportation, accommodation, etc.

2. Team Building Opportunities are Highly Valued

Along with improved sales and profitability, the opportunity to build team spirit is among the top reasons for setting up an incentive travel program. While it is reward offered to the best-performing employees, it is an effective opportunity to enhance employee engagement and allows your workforce to get to know each other better. Healthy and positive relationships are an excellent tool to ensure productivity.

3. Integration of Wellness Programs

Integration of wellness programs into incentive travel is another important trend that every employee should watch out for. Earlier playing golf was the centre of incentive travel programs. However, today, mental and spiritual health is given more prominence. This might be due to the highly stressful and competitive environment modern employees’ work in. Employees appreciate the break to relax, re-energize themselves in order to maintain their productivity.

4. Destination Appeal

The destination you choose for your travel incentive program is an imperative factor that determines its effectiveness. It is natural that employees will be motivated to perform better if the reward is a trip to some exotic or exciting destination. While employees focus on the top destination, the organization focuses on minimizing the cost as well as ensuring safety.

5. The Environmental Factor

Today travelers have become more environmental-conscious. They are concerned about proper waste management, plastic use, etc. This explains the growing popularity of eco-friendly and sustainable tourism across the globe. Moreover, companies across the globe are also focusing on lowering their ecological footprint. They partner with travel providers like Viktor to provide them with travel incentive programs that ensure unique, authentic and sustainable travel experience.

The Bottom Line

Incentive travel program, when formulated with proper research and understanding can allow both employees and companies to enjoy many prolific benefits. When formulating travel program for your employees, it is important to consider the latest trends associated with it in order to ensure you avail optimum return on investments.

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

The Last Untouched Places On Earth

In the most hidden corners on earth, in the vast magnitude of the forests, in the deepest unexplored places in the ocean, and some areas so remote that they are still unscathed by the catastrophic ways of humans and machines. These places are definitely on any outdoor lover’s bucket lists… CONTINUE READING >> 

We have all heard about the magnificent natural wonders of the world, such as the Grand Canyon, Victoria Falls, and also the Great Barrier Reef. But little did you know that there are tons more eye-catching, breathtaking, jaw-dropping places that you don’t even know yet.

In the most hidden corners on earth, in the vast magnitude of the forests, in the deepest unexplored places in the ocean, and some areas so remote that they are still unscathed by the catastrophic ways of humans and machines.

Have you ever fantasized about traveling the world one day? If you could go anywhere you desire on earth, where in the world would you wander off to? These places are definitely on any outdoor lover’s bucket lists.

Socotra, Yemen

On the Yemeni island of Socotra, the road to its unique woodlands is a harsh one.  Away from the city, away from massive populations, away from pollution, and away from a place where robots dominate the community. The things you will find in this place, cannot be found somewhere else.

The scientific word for it is “Dracaena Cinnabari”, or the most common name, the Socotra Dragon Tree or Dragon Blood Tree. That is what its called because the sap that the tree is producing is red. With the appearance of an uprightly held umbrella with an upturned, dimly congested crown.

Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park

The Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park is located in the Melaky region, northwest of Madagascar. The park is in the middle of two geological formations called the Great Tsingy and the Little Tsingy. And this national park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The rocks known as the “Tsingy” were formed by a deposit of seashells and fossils below the sea over 200 million years ago when layers of calcite under the lagoon formed a broad limestone.

Now, tourists can access the national park under heavy supervision by the park rangers. With the use of the road from Morondava, a town 150km south of the national park. There’s also limited access from the town of Antsalova which can be reached by plane from Antananarivo.

Rock Islands in Palau

With unique island formations that are scattered across a 32 km area of clear turquoise ocean southwest of Koror. Viewing from any vantage point such as underwater, from the air, or from even just lying on the beach. It is mesmerizing to witness limestone islets surrounded by crystal clear waters.

Gangkhar Puensum, Bhutan

Being the highest mountain in Bhutan, its name means the White Peak of the Three Spiritual Brothers and it lies on the disputed border between Bhutan and China. Bhutan prohibited locals and tourists to climb mountains higher than 19,700(6,000m) feet out of respect for local spiritual beliefs.

Son Doong Cave, Vietnam

The Son Doong Cave is located in the center of the Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park in the Quang Binh province of Central Vietnam. It was only recently explored back in 2009 by the British Cave Research Association.

Hang Son Doong or Mountain River Cave is the world’s largest but only a limited number of people can be able to see this unbelievable attraction in Vietnam each year. Because only one tour operator can bring travelers on the trek into the cave.

Honokohau Falls, Maui

Acknowledged as the tallest waterfall on the island of Maui, Hawaii. Honokohau Falls is a beauty to witness with a height of 341 meters. It’s no doubt why this was featured in the Jurassic Park movie because it took the audience’s breath away with its otherworldly presence.

The Forest Lake, Russia

The precise location of this mysterious forest lake remains unknown. According to some people, it can be found in the Tyumen region. Nobody even knows how the lake lies in the middle of a heavy rainforest, and how it was created. It can only be seen from a helicopter and from there, we can savor the beauty it holds.

Takeaway

The human race has left its mark on almost every surface of the planet and also a considerable portion of the oceans as well. Although some places have remained untouched by us due to it being hostile or isolate, nothing is stopping people from venturing into places that no one has ever been before.

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

How the Anne Frank House Made Me Feel

The Diary of a Young Girl was the first coming-of-age story I’d ever read. 

And it hit me hard for a number of reasons.

So, Anne Frank House was at the very top of my list of places to visit when we arrived in Amsterdam.

The house is the actual building where the Anne and her family — and four others — hid before they were betrayed and captured by the Nazis… CONTINUE READING >>

The statue of Anne Frank outside of her hiding place, now The Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, Holland

The Diary of a Young Girl was the first coming-of-age story I’d ever read.

Thankfully, I got my hands on it years prior to a mandatory school assigned reading (as a young voracious reader, I ate those up too – but for some reason those assigned books always lacked shine).

Anne’s diary hit me hard.

I was quite a bit younger than Anne was when I read it and was the first time that I felt true yearning pass through me from the pages of a book.

Yearning for life, for love, for adulthood, for answers — all of these became real emotions in me as I read, then immediately re-read Anne’s words.

I didn’t fully understand what was happening outside of her Secret Annex — the war, the Nazis, the utter awfulness of it all — but it wasn’t necessary, it was the story of Anne herself that captured me.

Vibrant, questioning, precocious, yearning Anne. I felt like I knew her, I wanted to know her. I wanted to be just like her – gutsy, outspoken, introspective, full of life.

The Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, Holland

Anne Frank House was at the very top of my list of places to visit when we arrived in Amsterdam.

The house is the actual building where the Anne and her family –and four others — hid before they were betrayed and captured by the Nazis.

When we arrived, there was a long line of people winding around the building.

The canal that runs in front of Anne Frank's secret annex
The canal that runs in front of the building, church steeple in the background.

Waiting gave me the time to reflect on the surroundings.

The canal that runs in the front of the building.

The nearby church whose bells chimed the time for Anne.

The surreal feeling of standing in a bright world just outside where eight people languished in a dark world, unknown to anyone standing in my very spot in 1942.

Entering the house, the line of people ran single file, slowly, through the offices below the annex. Quotes from Anne’s diary were stenciled on the walls, and led our way.

When I reached the office on this lower level where Anne and her sister were permitted to bathe on the weekend, I read the quote where Anne writes about peeking through the curtain to the world outside. Curious as to how that may have felt I peeked as well.

The view from the building that housed Anne Frank's secret annex in Amsterdam, Holland. GypsyNester.com
Can you imagine how it must have felt to look out at this vivid world from a dark room?

Staircases in these Amsterdam buildings are just a couple of degrees off the angle of a ladder and, as I climbed them, the full weight of Anne’s story hit me.

Then, I saw the infamous bookcase that covers the opening to the Secret Annex.

It was heartbreaking. The whole story took a turn from surreal to painfully real.

Beyond the bookcase, is an awkward passage into the annex. The single file of people move slowly up the ladder-like stairs and through the rooms. It’s strange, but I don’t remember anyone directing our movement – it just seems like everyone, including myself, just stuck close to the walls in an odd sort of reverence.

The rooms are dark, empty of furnishings (as Anne’s father, Otto, wished them to remain) and so, so sad. As I slowly crept through the rooms, I tried to imagine myself being walled up and having to be completely silent at fourteen years old.

Living behind blackout curtains instead of thriving in the sunlight. In constant fear of being discovered.

Just the thought of it was unbearable. There were a lot of tears flowing in that slow, single file line, including mine.

Anne Frank's Diary has been published in over 70 languages
Anne Frank’s diary has been published in over 70 languages

After the annex, there are exhibits about Anne’s discovery by the Nazis and her death at the concentration camp, along with the story of her father’s futile search for his family and his work toward getting Anne’s diary published.

Anne Frank’s story is tragic, and made even more poignant by two facts; that the allied forces were only a matter of weeks away from liberating all of Europe when she passed away, and that she expressed the desire to be a famous author, which she accomplished only after death.

The last exhibit is a beautiful film. People from all over the world share their personal stories of how Anne’s diary and life story touched their lives. It is a collection of hope.

Somehow, rather than leaving the house devastated (emotional sponge that I am), I left with the feeling of that same hope.

The hope that Anne’s life remains in my heart, everyone’s hearts. A hope that reminds us to be kind to each other.

“Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart.” – Anne Frank

Veronica, GypsyNester.com

See our full feature on Amsterdam

Visit the Anne Frank House website

Make sure the you have time to take this must-do, emotional tour when visiting Amsterdam – the line to enter can be hours long. An option is to get advance tickets, but there is often a waiting list, so plan ahead. The link for tickets is here.

How to Make Your Cat Happy: 8 Tips That’ll Keep Fluffy Out of Mischief

One second your cat is purring as you pet him, the next he is viciously attacking your hand. Having a cat that is healthy and happy involves more than cleaning a litter box and putting out food. Here’s a list of 8 tips on how to make your cat happy… CONTINUE READING >> 

Think your cat is bored or unhappy being inside? You’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn how to make your cat happy.

One second your cat is purring as you pet him, the next he is viciously attacking your hand. With cat mood swings being what they are, it can make any cat owner wonder, “Is my cat happy?”

Having a cat that is healthy and happy involves more than cleaning a litter box and putting out food. Read on for a list of 8 tips on how to make your cat happy.

1. Get Your Kitty Tired

A tired cat is a happy cat. Cats are naturally athletic animals. They can go stir crazy just lazing about inside the house.

Outdoor cats typically get enough exercise. But it takes more dedication and effort to ensure that indoor cats get enough minutes of active play.

Find ways to encourage your cat to leap, run, and pounce.

2. Give Her Lots of Toys

Toys are one of the best ways for how to keep cats entertained.

No, your house doesn’t need to be overrun with cat paraphernalia. And you don’t need to spend a lot of money either.

Often, the best kitty toys are simple. Ribbons, strips of fabric or feathers on wands, catnip toys, and squeaking stuffed mice are all good options.

And you can upcycle items from home that your cat will love to play with. Paper bags, baskets, boxes, an old sock, a crumpled piece of paper or a milk jug ring are all great fun for your feline.

The idea is to give her lots of variety. Keep a few toys out for kitty to play with and rotate them often.

You can also hide some toys around the house which will encourage your cat to look for them.

3. Let Her Explore

Your cat’s natural curiosity needs to be fed. That’s why the rotation of interesting toys is important.

Let your cat be part of your everyday routine so he has the chance to check out the things your doing. This means letting your cat climb in and sniff your grocery bins after you’ve filled up the pantry.

4. Give Your Cat a Good Show

Indoor cats don’t get access to as many new sights as outdoor cats do. And there’s no Catflix to fill in the hours. So make sure your furry friend has access to the windows.

Either from the back of the couch or a strategically placed cat perches. Your cat will love watching your neighbors walk their dogs and enjoy the birds that dot your yard looking for worms.

In fact, hang bird and squirrel feeders near your cat’s window to give her a better show.

And don’t forget indoor viewing! An aquarium is great entertainment for cats.

Psst. It doesn’t even have to be real. A mechanical aquarium with plastic fish that “swim” across a screen is great fun for kitty.

You can also show your cat some cat videos (especially the ones that feature cats catching rodents or birds.) It’s a vicarious triumph!

5. Happy Kitties Love the Great Outdoors

Your cat’s sense of smell is 15 times better than yours. Give your cat access to the many scents of the great outdoors.

If you have a screened porch, let your cat sit out there every day. Or, you can build or buy a catio that lets your kitty explore outside without any risks.

Keep in mind that a fence may not keep other animals out of your yard. Always supervise your cat when you let him or her out into your fenced yard.

Also, before you start letting kitty out in the backyard, check that your fence doesn’t have escape routes, chemicals, toxic plants and so on.

Keeping cats indoors doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy the best parts of outdoors. Cats love to chew on plants.

Your local garden center or pet store will have wheat or oat grass seed for you to buy. Plant some in small pots for your indoor cats to enjoy nibbling on. Make sure never to bring toxic plants into your home.

When you can’t let kitty outside, keep a window open so he can still get a whiff of what’s going on out there.

6. Let Kitty Hunt for Her Food

You can help keep your cat’s silhouette trim and healthy by not overfeeding him or her.

It’s great if you can let your cat hunt for his food instead of just grazing on her food bowl all day long (which leads to cat obesity).

It’s easy to let your cat hunt for her food. Just hide her food around the house under or on top of things. He will smell the food and find it.

You can also buy a few food-dispensing toys that your cat has to figure out how to use. This makes your cat have to work for his food and keeps his tummy trim.

There are also timed food dispensers that are great for when you are at work.

7. Play With Your Cat

There’s no substitute for interactive play to keep your cat happy. If you play with your cat every day, you never have to ask yourself “is my cat happy?”

When you play with your cat, it is more energetic and intellectually stimulating than when he plays on his own with a toy.

It’s also a great way to bond with your feline. Let your cat use his predatory instincts by moving toys that look like rodents away from him. He will have to work to hunt them.

Again, wand toys are an excellent tool for one-on-one playtime with your kitty.

8. Keep Kitty Healthy

One of the most important tips for how to make your cat happy is to make sure he or she is healthy so it is important to know about this cat asthma remedy.

A sick or injured cat won’t be able to enjoy a high-caliber lifestyle, no matter how many toys or outdoor time they get.

That’s why pet insurance from reliable companies like Bivvy is so valuable. You never know when your feline friend could get sick or injured. Get more information about feline pancreatitis so you know what to look out for.

Get more information about feline pancreatitis so you know what to look out for.

Final Thoughts on How to Make Your Cat Happy

We hope you enjoyed these 8 tips on how to make your cat happy. With some creativity and planning, your cat can enjoy all seven of her lives to the fullest.

Keep coming back for more articles that you’ll love.

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

Delve Deeper: Tags

Top 7 German Culture Faux Pas To Avoid When Traveling

When you are traveling, you need to remember that there are some faux pas that you could run across that will be very embarrassing for you when you come through Germany…
CONTINUE READING >> 

When you are traveling, you need to remember that there are some faux pas that you could run across that will be very embarrassing for you when you come through Germany. There are some cultural differences that you need to be aware of, and you also need to think about how these things fit into your trip and your daily routine. You also need to make sure that you have prepared accordingly because some of these faux pas could be very bad for you if you do them at the wrong time.

1. Be Careful With Drinking

You might be the kind of person who like to smoke or vape and drink. When you do this, you could bring along your Liquido24 products that will be fun for you to vape while you are at the bar. However, you cannot overdo it. Germans do not like the idea that people think they just drink and smoke all the time. The country is very refined, and you should vape in a refined way. Your ant to vape just a little with one beer, and you could even talk to people about flavor you are vaping because that is more interesting that drinking too many beers.

2. Behaving Badly

You need to be on your best behavior when you are in every foreign country. You have to make sure that you are behaving when you are drinking of eating, and you also need to remember that the police take behavior very seriously.

3. Jaywalking

You might not think that jaywalking is a big deal, but you need to be sure that you have come up with a way to go tot he crosswalk instead of just darting across the road. The Germans do not like it when you feel like you can go whoever you want whenever you want.

4. Being American

You need to not talk about the fact that you are American. Germans do not care, and they will wonder why it is that you think you need to tell everyone that you are American all the time. Plus, you need to stay off hot-button topics like Hitler, World War II, and Nazis because those are verboten in Germany.

5. Small Talking

Germans hate small talk. They do not want to talk about silly things that have no meaning. They are a smart people who would prefer to talk to you about real issues or learn about you as a person.

6. No Tap Water

You cannot ask for tap water in Germany. No one drinks from the tap, and you do not want to insult your host by asking for that instead of a drink they prepared.

7. Eat With A Fork And Knife

You do not even eat pizza with your hands in Germany. You should get used to eating everything with a knife and fork. You can easily eat good food with utensils so that you do not insult your hosts, and you should copy these tips for future trips.

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

Top 5 Things To Do In Yosemite National Park

There are so many things to do when you get to Yosemite National Park, but you should narrow down your options so that you are not trying to do everything in just a few days…
CONTINUE READING >> 

There are so many things to do when you get to Yosemite National Park, but you should narrow down your options so that you are not trying to do everything in just a few days. When you focus on the best things to do, you will have a better time in the park. Plus, you can completely change how you approach your trips when you have already decided exactly what you want to do, how you want to do it, and how you believe you can plan a fun itinerary for everyone.

1. Half Dome

Yosemite has many lovely peaks that you will fall in love with, but Half Dome is a climbers dream. No one would suggest that you automatically try to climb Half Dome, but you can actually hike near it, get some good pictures, and even camp under it just because you want to enjoy how gorgeous this place is. These will be some of the best pictures of your life, and you can hike through here comfortably even if you do not approach the peak at all.

2. Glacier Point

Glacier Point brings you to a nice spot to look over the area and enjoy the scenes of the valley below. People come come here can hike up to elevation if they want to see some fo the remnants of the glacier that was once there, and you will truly enjoy the fact that this place allows you to camp either in the valley or up top where you can see everything.

3. Yosemite Valley

The valley is a glorious place that you could hike through for a couple days if you wanted to. You can sit right in the middle of the valley to get away from it all, and you can hike here over a few days so that you can see wildlife and truly enjoy the nature that is all around you. Plus, you can hike over rivers and through streams that will lead you to interesting places before your trip is over.

4. The Tuolomne Meadows

These meadows are actually at almost 9000 feet up, and they are a gorgeous combination of meadows and marshes that you have to see to believe. This could be a wonderful place to go when you want to keep hiking at elevation, or you could try out these meadows because you want to find nice places to camp with open spaces.

5. Tunnel View Outlook

Tunnel View Outlook gives you just what is describes. This is a lovely place to go where you can look out over the valley and see so many other people hiking, see the wildlife, and take in just how big the park is. This will be a life-changing experience for you.

When you are coming out to Yosemite, you need to pick the best places to visit so that you can see the park and truly enjoy it. Do not clutter your schedule when you have these beautiful locations to choose from.

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