Posts Tagged ‘Travel’

Where to Go? 8 Ways to Choose Your Next Travel DestinationPerhaps you are like me and have a bucket list a few feet long that taunts you about all the places you haven’t been. Or maybe you would like to travel more but just aren’t sure about where to go. Regardless of which of these two categories fits your current state of travel curiosity, you’ll eventually need to narrow down your choices and make a solid decision about where to go.

I love the idea of spinning a globe and hopping on the next flight headed to that city, region or country. Admittedly, I’ve never chosen to travel that way, though it would make for an interesting adventure. In any case, you’ve got to start somewhere when deciding where to travel next. Here are 8 suggestions on how to choose your next vacation destination:

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The Importance of Food in International TravelI loved the bulgogi—marinated beef on a stick — that we bought on the street in South Korea, but I could definitely pass on another serving of ugali in Kenya. I ate both of these, however, and will continue to sample new foods as I travel the world.

Food is an essential part of international travel, and anyone who passes from one country to another but only eats at the recognizable worldwide joints is definitely missing out on an important cultural experience (though this is not to say that a meal at the local McDonald’s isn’t worth a stop).

It is over a meal that we can truly get to know the people who live in a country. Only by eating at a local hole-in-the-wall a couple blocks off of the main drag do we experience authentic flavors that are masked in the touristy areas of a city. Friendships and business relationships are created over communal meals. Recipes — passed down through generations — ensure the continuation of a culture in the face of all things mainstream.

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7 Questions with a Backyard ExplorerAndreas Susana isn’t your typical travel and tourism writer. He doesn’t live out of a suitcase, hop planes or mark off countries as he makes his way around the world. Instead, Andreas does something that almost seems counter intuitive to the travel writer style: He sticks around his home territory in Graz, Austria, and visits a different castle, museum or exhibit every single day.

I’m intrigued by Andreas’ passion to explore his own backyard and his desire to journey into the culture and history of his neighborhood. And even though he’s not running to catch a plane, I am grateful that he took the time to answer a few questions about his outlook on travel and how we can all benefit from taking advantage of our local tourist attractions.

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Tripbase: Another Fun Website That Inspires TravelFirst, the disclosure: I was originally drawn to Tripbase by its creative writing competition. I dig anything that can net some spare cash to help pay for my next great adventure. But regardless of my desire to walk away with prize money, I thought that readers of Kaleidoscopic Wandering, who have enjoyed previous posts offering six websites that inspire travel and then another one listing five more, would at least appreciate a review of the site that claims you can “travel your way.”

And now, the review …

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Reading: A Womans Passion for Travel: More True Stories from a Womans WorldHere’s what I love about travel: Strangers get a chance to amaze you.”

These words by Tanya Shaffer open the first story, “Looking for Abdelati,” in A Woman’s Passion for Travel: More True Stories from a Woman’s World (Travelers’ Tales). The anthology was published in 1999 by Travelers’ Tales, Inc., but it’s a timeless collection of travel essays, and I frequently pick it up for inspiration, wisdom and companionship.

A compilation of tales by a spectrum of women ranging from well-seasoned travel writers (including Frances Mayes and Jennifer Leo) to women who could easily be your sisters, this collection of stories keeps me laughing, smiling and dreaming every time I read it.

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A Natural High: 6 Tips for Preventing Altitude SicknessTravel takes us to the deepest oceans, most crowded cities and obscure corners around the planet. But when it takes us to the highest mountains, there is more than just a plane ticket and backpack to consider.

Altitude sickness — the body’s reaction to thinning oxygen above 10,000 feet — can leave travelers feeling sick, tired, in pain and frustrated with their experiences. But that’s not to say you can’t trek through the Himalayas or journey up Mt. Kilimanjaro. With a bit of foresight before you travel to higher elevations and self-restraint once you’ve reached the thinning air, you can help control the side effects of this nasty ailment. So buy that plane ticket and strap on your bag … here are six things you can do to help keep altitude sickness at bay the next time you plan to venture to the highest reaches of the earth. 

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