In the United Arab Emirates Islam is of course the main religion, but Dubai especially is a world city, with many non-Muslim residents, and has embraced the more secular trappings of the Yuletide season making them a vibrant part of Dubai in December. Here are 15 excellent examples:
Christmas Grottos
Revolve around kids visiting Santa and his elves, these colorful grottos can be found in places including Al Habtoor Polo Resort, Dubai Mall, Expo City, Media City, and Ski Dubai.
Chris
For several years in the early 1990s, in the wake of the breakup of Yugoslavia, this small country in the Balkans was constantly in the news because of the brutal civil war it suffered between the Muslim Bosniaks and the Orthodox Christian Bosnian Serbs. It has been at peace since December 1995, and more travelers have been discovering its myriad natural, historical, and cultural appeals. But others come for "dark tourism," a trend which involves visiting places associated with trage
When traveling overseas, the best way to get local currency often depends on your destination, preferences, and financial situation. Here’s a breakdown of the most common options:
Automatic Teller Machines (Best Option for Most Travelers)
Why They´re Great
ATMs typically offer the most favorable exchange rates because they use the interbank rate, which is better than the rates at exchange kiosks or hotels.
Widely available in most urban areas and often elsewhere, as well.
Tips
Use ATMs
It took us three days to drive from Cape Town along South Africa’s "Garden Route" to Kariega Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape, but it was well worth the drive. Once it was 27 farms, which have all been returned to the wild, and the reserve now covers 115 square kilometers (44½ sq. miles), owned and operated by two of those original farming families. A fictional British TV series, Wild at Heart, which ran from 2006 to 2012, told about much the same thing. The animals at Kariega were imported as
The "Big Island" of Hawaii is the largest of the state´s eight islands, and full of extraordinary natural, historical, and cultural wonders. and here are ten not to miss on your visit here:
Visiting this 11 miles from Hilo involves a half-mile hike to a pair of lovely waterfalls, Kahuna Falls and the spectacular ´Akaka Falls, plunging from a cliff into a pool 442 feet below. A natural must!
In the island´s northwest, 20 minutes or so north of Kailu
Part of the magic of travel for me is the historical events and life stories of the areas I visit. Aboard Viking Cruises´ 930-passenger Jupiter, we crossed the Baltic Sea from Scandinavia to Rostock, on Germany´s Baltic coast, and popular as a jumping-off port for all of the Nordic countries. Now this coast´s third largest city (pop. 210,000), it was part of Communist East Germany from the end of World War II till German reunification in 1990. The area was bombed by the Allies duri
The legendary U.S. travel journalist and entrepreneur Arthur Frommer passed away November 18 at the age of 95. Born in Virginia and with an early boyhood in a small town in Missouri, Arthur became a lawyer, then ultimately a pioneering and great travel journalist who will be remembered as having helped open the joys of travel to the masses. While serving in the U.S. Army in Europe in the 1950s, he got the travel bug, came out with a travel guide for servicemen, and followed up in 1957 with Eu
Peter Van Bossche; other photos by Fyllis Hockman unless otherwise noted
How often do a toilet and a tea ceremony form perfect metaphors for the culture of a country? But so it is in the Land of the Rising Sun.
The toilet falls into the realm of delightful personal discoveries. First a warm toilet seat along with musical options with a variety of buttons that cleaned more areas with water spray than I have nether-region body parts, a portion of the large bathroom mirror that remained perfect
A two-hour drive from San Francisco, northern California´s Sonoma County with its picturesque landscapes and wineries producing world-class wines is an utterly enchanting haven for oenophiles seeking an unforgettable getaway. There are plenty of historic sites and other fetching spots, including the 201-year old Spanish Mission San Francisco Solano; the former Russian trading post Fort Ross, founded in 1812; the ranch of iconic 20th-century writer Jack London, woodsy resort area Russian River;
We adore Manchester in the north of England and part of the United Kingdom´s third largest metro area (pop. 569,000). Reinventing itself after a gritty industrial past, the city these days blends club vibes with industrial roots and some of the UK's finest dining spots, and it´s a top choice for both living and studying. And given its rich cultural heritage and diverse offerings, it´s catnip for our favoruite social media platform Instagram - a perfect canvas for you to showcase your creativit
Hans-Petter Fjeld
Halloween is once again upon us! It´s a haunted world we live in (in more ways than one), and lots of people travel to experience the adventurous and spooky - and not just around All Hallow´s Eve, either, but all year round . Abandoned houses/hospitals, ancient palaces and fortresses, old cemeteries, dense forests – many of these have a strange, peculiar feeling about them, and more than a few are the sites of tragic events and present-day ghost sightings. Here are ten of th
Friendly, vibrant, and outdoorsy, the Tarheel State´s capital (pop. around 468,000) is filled with attractions for all types of visitors, especially lovers of museums (as home to several fine insitutions of this type); of Victorian and other late-19th and early-20th'century architecture (thanks to its Historic Oakwood neighborhood of gracious Victorian to early-20th-century homes set amid the oaks for which Raleigh is known); of nightlife and culture (it´s home to 11 colleges a
"Overtourism" is a hot topic these days in the travel sector, and the popularity of a number of destinations continues to burgeon, cities especially in Europe such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, Dubrovnik, Prague, and Venice have found themselves grappling increasingly with its challenges. With the influx of visitors, the delicate balance between tourism and local life is at risk. In response, the Czech Republic (aka Czechia) is implementing measures such as bar-crawl bans and str
In today's highly competitive hospitality industry, attracting more direct bookings for your hotel is essential to maximize revenue and build stronger guest relationships. In this article, we'll explore a number of the best strategies to increase direct bookings. We'll also highlight the significance of leveraging hospitality consulting services and the expertise of hotel industry consultants to navigate the challenges associated with third-party hotel management.
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Among the many allures of Argentina´s capital is a vigorous shopping scene, with thousands of options from huge malls like Galerías Pacífico to funky local street markets and international brands to quirky indie offerings. Top shopping areas include the Palermo Soho neighborhood and Avenida Santa Fe, running through Palermo and Recoleta. Visitors especially interested in leather products, jewelry, and of course Malbec and the other superb wines for which the country is famous. An
One level below the city´s streets, the San Antonio River Walk is one of the most popular attractions in Texas, and for good reason. This iconic waterway - a channel bypassing the San Antonio River, dating back to the 1940s - is lined with shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions, offering the proverbial something for everyone, whether you´re a visitor or a local. It's open 24/7 year round (though of course its various businesses and venues keep their own hours) and is divided into four se
Nestled on the southern coast of Spain, the picturesque city of Málaga beckons travellers with its unique blend of Andalusian charm and coastal beauty. From its rich history and vibrant culture to its stunning beaches and delectable cuisine, Malaga has something for everyone. In this blog post, we will take you on a virtual journey through this captivating destination, uncovering its hidden gems and exploring the best ways to experience it.
Lesser known than its stunning landscapes, New Zealand's culinary landscape offers a delectable fusion of flavors that reflect its rich cultural heritage and bountiful natural resources. From succulent seafood to hearty meat dishes, the country's gastronomic offerings are sure to tantalize your taste buds. Join us on a mouthwatering journey as we explore seven must-try foods in New Zealand that are bound to leave you craving more, from traditional Maori specialties to modern Kiwi classics:
Hang
