Tag Archives: South America

Nazca Lines in Peru: A Photo Gallery

Nazca is the capital of the Nazca Province located in the Ica District of the Ica region of Peru.

The Nazca Lines are a group of very large geoglyphs made in the soil of the Nazca Desert in southern Peru. They were created between 500 BC and 500 AD by people making depressions or shallow incisions in the desert floor, removing pebbles, and leaving differently colored dirt exposed.

For decades anthropologists, ethnologists, and archaeologists have studied the ancient Nazca culture to try to determine the purpose of the lines. In general, one common hypothesis is that the Nazca people created them to be seen by the deities in the sky.

The Nazca Lines were designated in 1994 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Most lines run straight across the landscape, but there are also figurative designs of animals and plants. The individual figurative geoglyph designs measure between 0.4 and 1.1 km (.2 and .7 mi) across.

The combined length of all the lines is over 1,300 km (800 mi), and the group cover an area of about 50 km2 (19 sq mi).

The lines are typically 4 to 6 inches deep. They were made by removing the top layer of reddish-brown iron oxide-coated pebbles to reveal a yellow-grey subsoil.

The width of the lines varies considerably, but over half are slightly over just over 1 foot wide. In some places they may be only 1 ft wide, and in others they could reach up to 6 feet wide.

Some of the Nazca lines form shapes that are best seen from the air, though they are also visible from the surrounding foothills. The shapes are usually made from one continuous line.

The figures vary in complexity. Hundreds are simple lines and geometric shapes; more than 70 are zoomorphic designs, including a hummingbird, spider, fish, condor, heron, monkey, lizard, dog, cat, and a giant human.

Other shapes include trees and flowers. Furthermore interesting to note, the largest lines are about 370 m long.

Because of its isolation and the dry, windless, stable climate of the plateau, the lines have mostly been preserved naturally for ages.

How To Get Here

The high, arid plateau stretches more than 80 km (50 mi) between the towns of Nazca and Palpa on the Pampas de Jumana, approximately 400 km (250 mi) south of Lima.

The main PE-1S Panamericana Sur runs parallel to it. The main concentration of designs is in a 6 mi by 2 mi rectangle, south of San Miguel de la Pascana hamlet. This is the region where most of the notable geoglyphs are visible.

Nazca People

A Nazca Female Figure (made of sperm whale tooth, shell and hair)

Although some local geoglyphs resemble Paracas glyphs, scholars believe the Nazca Lines were created by the Nazca culture.

Nazca society developed and flourished over 1500 years. Their history can be divided into four phases: the Proto Nazca (100 BC – 1 AD), the Early Nazca (1–450 AD), Middle Nazca (450–550 AD), and Late Nazca (550–750 AD).

Strongly influenced by the preceding Paracas culture, which was known for extremely complex textiles, the Nazca produced an array of crafts and technologies such as ceramics, textiles, and geoglyphs.

They are known for two extensive construction projects that would have required the coordination of large groups of laborers:

  1. Nazca Lines, immense designs in the desert whose purpose is unknown, and
  2. Puquios, underground aqueducts for providing water for irrigation and domestic purposes in the arid environment.

Note: Several dozen Puquios are still function today. Think about that! Talk about ancient engineering!

Palpas glyphs

The Paracas culture is considered by some historians to be the possible precursor that influenced the development of the Nazca Lines. In 2018, drones used by archaeologists revealed 25 geoglyphs in the Palpa province that are being assigned to the Paracas culture.

Many predate the associated Nazca lines by a thousand years.

Some demonstrate a significant difference in the subjects and locations, such as some being on hillsides.

Paracas Candelabra, Peru

Chinchas glyphs

Further north from the Nazca, Palpas region and along the Peruvian coast are other glyphs from the Chincha culture that have also been discovered.

The Fall of Nazca Civilization

From 500 AD, the civilization started to decline and by 750 AD the civilization had fallen completely. This is thought to have occurred when an El Niño triggered widespread and destructive flooding.

Evidence also suggests that the Nazca people may have exacerbated the effects of these floods by gradually cutting down Prosopis pallida trees to make room for maize and cotton agriculture.

These trees play an extremely important role as the ecological keystone of this landscape: in particular preventing river and wind erosion.

Gradual removal of trees would have exposed the landscape to the effects of climate perturbations such as El Niño, leading to erosion and leaving irrigation systems high and dry.

Times have changed 

Read Next

5 Mythical Places You Should Consider Exploring

We have been on this Earth for a long time, but we have always been intrigued by tales of another world. We don’t know if we are the only ones living here or if Earth is occupied by otherworldly creatures.

Many places in the world are shrouded in mystery. These are said to be portals to another realm. They are also believed to be homes to these realms. Travelers can feel the lure of these places in their hearts.

It’s about time we dare to visit some of the most exciting destinations in the world.

Knockma Woods

A walk around this dark forest will pique your interest, You will wander around it. This piece of beauty, which is located in western Ireland is full of unsolved puzzles. Legends say that it is the home to the tomb of warrior queen Maeve. The hill on which Knockma woods rest is also thought to be the entrance to a fairy kingdom.

A traditional story says that once, the king of fairies Finnvara abducted the bride of a lord on the hill. He took her to his kingdom. The Lord followed his bride and started digging his way, but fairies would always repair the work.

Faeries are also said to protect Castle Hackett.

Castle Hackett by Smcq CC BY SA 3.0

This location even contains cairns which date back to 6,000 BC. Imagine fairies living there, all those centuries back! Many stories hide behind this moss covered hills. Want to unlock the gate to the fairy kingdom? This is your chance.

River Styx

Achilles in Water of River Styx

The black waters of Styx are said to bring a painful death to whosoever drinks from them. Flowing through Greece, it’s thought that this river is a way to the most popular Greek netherworld. A sea nymph guards Styx. It runs down between two massive silver pillars.

Zeus used to set this as a test. If any Gods were lying to him then drinking the water from Styx would lead to a loss of their voice. This way of atonement was hard for Gods. When a human drank it, he met death, no matter how great he was. It’s rumored that this is the way Alexander the Great died.

Wouldn’t you want to have a glimpse of lethal waters of Styx? Maybe, we can find a path to Greek otherworld.

Gates Of Guinee

In voodoo language, Guinee is the place of dead. It’s where souls travel above the waters to meet their ancestors. After a person dies, his soul is to pass through seven gates of Guinee. Passage to Guinee is possible only then. It’s believed that the seven gates are present in the French Quarter of New Orleans.

The cemeteries form a circle canal street. The crossroad at Canal Street is the final gateway to Guinee. It’s perilous to open the portals because when you make one mistake, evil spirits could enter this world to possess humans. So you need to open it in the right sequence and also pay tribute to the guardians of gates.

Mardi Gras is the perfect time for you to travel to New Orleans and visit these spooky cemeteries. Good luck if you end up finding a zombie behind you.

Swedish Stonehenge

Ales stenar, which simply means “stones”, is also known as Swedish Stonehenge. It is a megalithic monument in Scania in southern Sweden made up of gigantic stones in the shape of a ship.

You can’t quite tell the formation if you are standing at the ground but if you look at it from above, you can see the oval outline and the stones at each end markedly larger than the rest.

No one knows for certain what function the stones have had through the ages, or what the ship setting symbolized for the people who created it. Plus, the stones and materials used are roughly between 5,500 to 1,400 years old.

Now, go figure that out that how these early civilization managed to create this in the first place? Perhaps it was a sacred viking site with magical powers!

The Lost City Of Z

Movie poster

Nobody knows what haunts the dense forests of South America. Not a single soul was brave enough to venture into this thick woods. The mystery inside them tempted many, but only one person was brave to follow it.

Colonel Percy Fawcett explored the deep forests of South America when he went looking for a mythical city. Many of his speculations were misleading to other explorers. But Fawcett soon disappeared in the jungle.

What waits inside those trees is still a mystery. Satellite images have spotted an establishment around where Fawcett was last seen , dating back to AD 200. Legends tell that there is an entrance to The Lost City of Z between Xingu and Tapajos tributaries.

Are you brave enough to discover the unseen or would you want to just walk on fringes of this lost city?

Related Posts

Visa Free Travel: US Citizens vs. Green Card Holders

Updated: Feb 2020

Are you a US Permanent Resident and someone who loves to travel? If you have been wondering whether to take US Citizenship or not and whether it makes any difference in terms of how many countries you can travel “Visa Free”, then this blog post is for you.

Visa free travel is a big plus when it comes to traveling efficiently. Not having to deal with travel visa saves you money, planning-time, and paperwork. In short, fewer headaches and you can travel on short notice.

Let’s say you are getting a great airline deal or there is a wedding or it’s just that all of your friends are planning a trip, having a US Green Card vs. a US Passport are two totally different things.

Below is the list of countries that lets you enter visa free or provides you a visa on arrival (on the airport) based on your citizen or US permanent residence status.

US Citizens US Green Card
Canada Canada
Mexico Mexico
Guatemala Guatemala
Honduras Honduras
Belize Belize
Nicaragua Nicaragua
Costa Rica Costa Rica
Panama Panama
Bermuda Bermuda
Bahamas Bahamas
Cayman Islands Cayman Islands
Puerto Rico Puerto Rico
American Samoa American Samoa
Guam Guam
Northern Mariana Islands Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands U.S. Virgin Islands
British Virgin Island British Virgin Island
Dominican Republic Dominican Republic
Haiti Haiti
Jamaica Jamaica
Antigua and Barbuda Antigua and Barbuda
Turks and Caicos Turks and Caicos
Dominica Dominica
Aruba Aruba
Curacao Curacao
Bonaire Bonaire
St. Maarten St. Maarten
St. Eustatius St. Eustatius
Saba Saba
Albania Albania
Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina
Georgia Georgia
Serbia Serbia
Montenegro Montenegro
Kosovo Kosovo
Taiwan Taiwan
Antartica Antartica
 
With a US Passport, you can also travel Visa Free to:
Andorra
Anguilla
Antigua & Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belgium
Bolivia
Botswana
Brunei
Bulgaria
Cambodia
Chile
Comoros Islands
Cook Islands
Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Ecuador
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Faroe Islands
Federated States of Micronesia
Fiji
Finland
France
French Guiana
French Polynesia
Germany
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Grenada
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Kenya
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Macedonia
Malawi
Malaysia
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritius
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montserrat
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niue
Norway
Oman
Palau
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Reunion Island
Romania
Rwanda
Samoa
San Marino
Senegal
Seychelles
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Tanzania
Thailand
Timor Leste
Togo
Tonga
Trinidad & Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
Uruguay
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Lastly, I must mention that besides your Green Card status, your home country passport will also avail you some visa free travel benefits.

For example, if you are an Indian Citizen and a US Permanent Resident, besides the above-listed countries, you also get to visit over 50 countries based on your passport power.

Common Question

Question: Can I travel to [XYZ destination] with a Green Card only?

Answer: If you are wondering if you can travel to Canada or Mexico with a Green Card only, unfortunately the answer is you will still need your passport if you are traveling by air. If you are driving through, legally you only need your Green Card but it’s a good practice to carry your passport as well.

Related Posts

The Best Month To Cruise To Antarctica

Oh! when the summer arrives, Antarctica sounds divine, doesn’t it? The summer months and early winter months mark as a travel season for most of the North Americans and Europeans. Many fly halfway across the globe to visit their dream destinations.

If you are planning to visit Antarctica, why fly and spend big bucks when you can immerse yourself in the excitement of an Antartica cruise! Antarctica might be the coldest and the driest, but it is also the queen of polar expeditions.

So, when you get a chance to ditch all the regular tour packages and embark on a polar voyage, why not take it?

Visit in November

Golden sunset in Antarctica

Traveling to Antarctica is not all flowers and the sunshine. That is why most of the travelers tend to visit during the summer months.

But we recommend that you travel in winter. Since Antartica is in the southern hemisphere, it means the months of November and December are warmer while the northern hemis[here begins to get chilly.

Spring Scenery

The Austral Spring is already on the go and you can see the sights that you will seldom see if you take the cruise at any other time of the year.

Emperor penguins 

You see the cute penguins following the courtship rituals, humpback whales feeding on the zooplankton, Crab-eating Seals guarding their younger ones and Southern Elephants on the watchdog duty.

It is only at this time of the year that the entire Antarctic habitat decides to unveil itself.

White Christmas

It is not just the animal habitat that is in its ultimate glory. The white sheet of icebergs shine and glow with the nests of various animals. It is the best time to capture the unadulterated magic of the Southern Pole.

Antartic scenery  

The Hurtigruten Way

Hurtigruten is an age-old cruising company, based in Norway. Instead of flying, you can cruise along in the expertly designed ships and see the frozen beauty of Antarctica up close.

There are many cruise packages that Hurtigruten offers. And that includes three of its leading ships – MS Fram, MS Roald Amundsen, and MS Midnatsol.

MS Fram

  • No of Cruises available – 8
  • Short trips – 5

MS Fram is a trendsetter in the line of adventure travel ships. It offers five short voyages to Antarctica. It’s usually a two-week voyage from Ushuaia. Argentina through the mysterious Drake Passage.

They also have tours in January-February, but it’s more expensive than November. We recommend traveling in November when the price is lower, and the sights are gorgeous.

But the golden deal is in October. It is just the time when the Antarctic ice starts melting and you can see the polar wildlife come out of their hiding. MS Fram departs from Montevideo, Uruguay in South America.

Another season package is available in February, where you get to see the beautiful Chile Coast. As we said earlier the price tag during January – February goes a notch higher.

A golden sunset in Antarctica

MS Midnatsol

  • No of Cruises available – 9
  • Short trips – 9

MS Midnatsol offers shorter voyages than the other two ships. And it gives a luxurious experience even in the remotest of locations. You get a Jacuzzi and a sun deck in the freezing poles, isn’t that exciting?

All the itineraries of MS Midnatsol are short and swanky. The ship offers a two week trip in November and a few trips in February.

If you really want to celebrate White Christmas, then MS Midnatsol does offer a Christmas voyage each year. A two-week adventure trip to Antarctica is the best way to finish strong and start your new year!

If you are interested in seeing the Chilean Fjords or touching the icebergs or if you want to enjoy the views of the Patagonian Coast- then check out MS Midnatsol tours.

Hiking on the slippery ice might sound tempting and MS Midnatsol makes it possible. You can go on circling and enjoying the beauty of the South American coast and may even visit the Falkland Islands.

Light reflecting through frozen polar ice

MS Roald Amundsen

  • No of Cruises available – 3
  • Short trips – 2

This brand new addition to the fleet of Hurtigruten is MS Roald Amundsen. It defines sustainable travel to perfection. It uses modern technology in an environment-friendly design which is commendable.

There are number voyages of MS Roald Amundsen to Antarctica each year. Usually, the tours span to 18- 19 days and are far pricier than the other ships. But as we mentioned earlier, you can’t go wrong on any of these ships!

Related Posts

Safe Traveling: 5 Tips On How To Travel Abroad Safely

Safe Traveling gives you a sense of security. We love going places, meeting new people, seeing beautiful sunsets. That is what travel is about. But in the excitement of it all, we should not forget about staying safe.

Don’t be so immersed in walking down a bustling tourist street that you get pick-pocketed. There are some basic tips you need to follow for safety.

It is not just theft that you are up against, you never know when you face a natural disaster, or God forbid an illness during your trip. In that case, you ought to be prepared for the worse. Below are the safety rules for wise travelers.

Carry a door lock with you

No matter what kind of destination you go and no matter how high end the hotel you stay in, you always need to have your privacy.

That is the key to safe traveling. A door lock helps you keep unwanted visitors at bay and is particularly useful for women who travel solo.

Read Next: Be Bold For Solo Travel: International Women’s Day

Along with a door lock pack a smoke detector with you too. Not all the rooms have smoke detectors.

So it is better to have one with you in the case of an emergency it can be a lifesaver. Many buildings do not have smoke detectors, so to be on the safe side take one with you.

Memorize the Emergency Digits

For safe traveling, You need to be well aware of the emergency numbers before you travel to a new country.

For example, the emergency number for an ambulance in America is 911 but in Cuba, it is 104. Google the emergency numbers of your destination before you head out for being safe. It will be beneficial if you find yourself in any trouble.

Translate Important Documents

Image Link

You might snort and say that “English is Global, Why translate it?”. But just a bit of illness abroad and you will know how important the local language is.

Countries such as China, Japan, South Korea are very serious about their mother tongue. If you give them your health documents in English, they can’t understand it because they don’t know it.

In such cases, download the health app if you haven’t already. And then input the information into it. You can use a translation app to translate all the information, So the translation would not be a biggie.

Prepare all these documents before you head out for your trip, And keep apps like to translate Microsoft Translator, Translator and Google Translator in your phone. They come in handy while traveling.

Sign up with the State Department

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program provides US Nationals with many benefits. But above all in any case of emergency, the US Embassies can help you out in a much faster and swifter way.

It is a free service, so all the US citizens but takes advantage of it. The department also sends travel alerts regarding the country you are about to travel to.

Choose to Stay on Lower Floors

By lower floors, we do not mean the ground floor. You know in case of a break in the ground floor is the most vulnerable floor. But in the event of a fire emergency, the top floor is also going to give you trouble.

The comfy of all floors are the second and the third floor. In the case of break-ins, you are relatively safer, and in the event of a fire emergency, the ladder can reach you.

These are just a few practical tips for those travelers who love their safety. And yes it is also for those paranoid travelers who keep checking their door locks.

Related Posts

Paradise Found at the Galapagos Islands

Let’s admit it, everyone dreams of laying at the white-sand beaches of Hawaii, Fiji, or Bora Bora. While these Islands are without a doubt charming, I have found my own paradise. The volcanic archipelago is known as the Galapagos Islands.

These beautiful islands can be found around 600 miles (1000 km) off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean and are different from a stereotypical island with sandy beaches with palm and coconuts trees.

The Enchanted Islands

These islands are called the “Enchanted Islands” for good reason. Galapagos is full of life and mystery. There are hundreds of types of exotic animals that have made the variety of volcanic rocks, sand, and beaches their home. Charles Darwin famously wrote, “The natural history of these islands is eminently curious”.

Most of the Galapagos archipelago is uninhabited. The Galapagos were the first to be declared a World Heritage Site in 1978 and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1984. The Galapagos National Park covers and protects almost 97% of the islands. As you can guess by now, this is your unspoiled paradise. 

 

Galapagos Animals

There are so many islands in Galapagos, all with different structures, vegetation, and wildlife. Whereas some islands are inhabited by land iguanas and waved albatrosses, others are full of penguins or seals. There is a good reason that the Galapagos islands became Darwin’s laboratory for the study of the origins of life.

The island’s landscape varies from rough volcanic rock to green overgrown areas with sandy beaches. This makes it an excellent destination to do more than just lay on the beach. You can hike, swim, snorkel, dive, mountain bike, kayak, and do so much more at this astonishing paradise.

There are white and red sand beaches that are full of seals, sea lions, and other animals that you don’t get to see usually on most touristy islands. It is not uncommon that the curious animals accompany you on these trips.

These islands, isolated from human colonization have developed unique and abundant wildlife that has no natural fear of humans. Whereas in most other places, wild animals are often scared or are shy from humans, on here they are not afraid at all.

Galapagos Travel

Unfortunately, you often must choose between visiting the west or the eastern part of the Galapagos Islands. Luckily I found a tour operator in Quito that was able to make a tour that included everything I wanted! I loved the comfort of the cruise, alternating with the challenging hikes I did.

I never thought that I would be able to visit and live in my own “real-life nature and wildlife documentary’’, let alone take amazing pictures that make the journey even more memorable.

Arriving at Galapagos Islands

The adventure starts when you arrive at the airport and make your way to the shore (and dock). You can hear the wind blowing and the loud barks of the seals and sea-lions, it’s like they all are welcoming you to this enchanted island.

The sun shines bright, but luckily since you are at the equator and it shines from straight above, it doesn’t block your view. Each following day you will be surprised. Just when you’ll think you know what to expect, there will be something unexpected coming your way that will surprise you.

Whichever islands or parts you explore, I think that Galapagos will never cease to amaze you.

Meeting new people

Whether you are a solo traveler, traveling with your special someone or friends, it’s always nice to meet new people and share your travel experiences.

I met some of the most amazing people in the Galapagos Islands, from world travelers to locals who have spent their lives on these beautiful Islands. Even they admitted that living there never gets boring or ordinary.

To my surprise most of the people spoke multiple languages, so making contact was very easy. We ate some fish at Alfonso’s house, a local we met that lives in Santa Cruz. Honestly, I was a little jealous of his seemingly relaxed and stress-free life in Galapagos.

Protecting nature

I think that nature is very important and that it’s a shame that all the beautiful places on earth go under due to human greed and the commercialization of tourism. Of all the places I’ve visited, I think the Ecuadorian government is setting an example of how to deal with preserving nature.

As noted above, almost 97% of the Galapagos Islands are part of the nature park, and this can be seen everywhere. According to Gulliver Expeditions, “It is obligated to be accompanied by a local guide and nature expert that is certified.’’ 

The guides here tell you awesome facts about the animals and wildlife while making sure that you stick to the rules. A lot of the money you pay for your Galapagos trip will be used to assure its existence in the future.

Galapagos vacation

I would recommend visiting the Galapagos Islands as this is one of the world’s most special places. Thinking about going on a honeymoon to a truly unique romantic place? I think this is it.

Any beach, animal, or nature lover will absolutely fall in love with this virgin paradise that feels like nowhere else on earth. If you want to make sure your experience will be just as unforgettable as mine was, I would advise you to check out a good tour operator and let them do what they do best, making your travel unique.

Guest blog contributed by our reader Mary Wilson.

Read Next

Top 40 Travel and Tourism Niches: Which One Are You?

Not too long ago, travel and adventure meant going out of your small town (be it even to the nearby woods). You left the comfort and safety behind and took significant risks, especially if you traveled solo.

Today, numerous travel niches have become popular, each with its own tourism appeal and unique perspective that it offers.

In this post, I will list the major types of travels that I consider to be broad enough to deserve a mention as a travel niche. These tourism niches have big enough market demand to sustain as an independent category on their own.

Travel Niches & Trends

  • Adventure Travel – Adventure tourism is the fastest growing and biggest travel niche today
  • Nature and Wildlife Tourism (aka Ecotourism) – another trend which will continue to grow
  • Cultural Tourism – traveling for the purpose of exploring various culture, and cultural & world heritage sites 
  • Medical, Dental, & Fertility Tourism – traveling for medical purposes
  • Wellness Tourism – traveling to seek tranquility, healing, meditation, and nature retreats
  • Music (and Music Festivals) Tourism – popular with young adults
  • Culinary Tourism – traveling for food, to eat well is to live well
  • Wine, Cheese, & Beer Tourism – traveling to taste different wines from different regions
  • Nightlife and Party Tourism – traveling to various party destinations 
  • Roadtripping – traveling by car with a group of friends 
  • Extreme Sports Tourism – traveling to mountains
  • Highpointing – Hiking, climbing, or driving to the highest elevation point of a state, country or continent
  • Sports Tourism (Golf, etc.) – either to play or watch
  • Shopping Tourism – traveling exclusively for shopping purposes
  • Religious Pilgrimages – walking, biking, or traveling to religious & spiritual sites

  • Off-the-Grid Travel – traveling to and living off the grid in a minimalistic way
  • Scenic Train Travel – touristy scenic train rides with focus on dining & wining
  • Space Tourism – exploring the outer atmosphere, earth from above, and outer space
  • Bookstores & Literary Tourism – visiting cool bookstores and fictional or real sites related to books and authors
  • Tolkien Tourism – exploration of Tolkien’s middle earth and LOTR related sites
  • Volunteer Travel – traveling & volunteering to work on non-profit charity projects
  • Film & TV Tourism – traveling to various film and TV series filming sites (eg. Game of Thrones)
  • Archaeology & History Tourism – traveling to ancient ruins, archeological sites, and historical places
  • Ghost, UFO, & Haunted Tourism – traveling to haunted places and UFO siting sites
  • Genealogy Tourism – tracing or returning to your roots
  • Jungle Tourism – traveling and camping in the deep and remote jungles 
  • Underwater Tourism – exploring the marine life and ocean through Scuba, Snuba, Snorkeling
  • Shark Tourism – seeking underwater thrills & shark encounters across the globe
  • Rural and Village Tourism – countryside relaxation 
  • Astronomy Tourism – visiting sites that provides excellent views of the stars and night sky
  • Inner city Tourism – exploring your own town or city in great details 
  • Weekend Tourism – traveling every weekend (mostly nearby attractions)
  • Ghetto Tourism – traveling & exploring the living conditions in slums and ghetto

Deviant & Sad Trends

A beautiful ruin 

I was debating at first whether to lost the following sad trends or not? Listing them will give them more exposure, so at first, I thought I will leave them out. But then I thought, these trends are actually growing (financially speaking) so closing my eyes to these problems will not help solve these issues.

The best thing I can do is to use this platform and bring public awareness about these. Some of these may sound harmless or even exciting (drugs and sex for example), but please understand that both drugs and sex causes overall more damage, deaths, and harm to innocent lives (including children).

The best way you can help is first by not participating in them and therefore cutting off the financial incentive. Second, you can be aware that these problems exist and thus help to spread the word. (Fact: Even in Prague or Amsterdam, most of the girls working in the red light district are there against their will via deception, bribery, and manipulation.)

  • Drug Tourism – mostly illegal and unsafe, please use common sense
  • Sex Tourism (Male, Female, Trans) – again, please use common sense. Do not do anything that hurts other humans
  • Dark Voyegeristic Tourism (Underground shady fights, deaths, & stuff) – please do not support or fund this industry by partaking in it. Anyone can be the next innocent victim of it
  • War & Disaster Tourism – visiting sites with tragic past for pleasure (War, disaster, & genocidal sites, Nazi camps, etc.)
  • Suicide Tourism (Important: if you are feeling suicidal, know that you’re not alone and confidential help is available for free. Please seek help. US Helpline | HelpGuide | Resource Center)
  • Hunting Tourism (The Big 5 Games) – traveling to mainly Africa (South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya,
    Zimbabwe, Botswana, etc.) to hunt rare and endangered species such as Elephants, Lions, Rhinos among others. *Hunting* is very common in North America and Europe.

*Hunting is a personal choice. It’s a complex issue and would need an entire blog to discuss the various impacts and issues surrounding it. If you are not a hunter, please do not partake and support this industry.

As a starting point, please follow the first rule of life, do not kill life unless it is for your own or your family’s survival and safety. Also, the above category is about hunting the big animals (man of them endangered and at the point of extinction).

World’s 10 Most Beautiful Train Rides

Train rides are exciting. Enjoying the beautiful scenery never gets old because it is never monotonous. Below are few pictures of the world’s 10 most beautiful train rides from around the globe that will make you want to hop on a train right now.

The Ghan

Want a change of scenery? The red ravines of Australia await you. The Ghan rides through the heart of the dreary landscape, making it look like something out of an alien world movie.

Image Credit

Belmond Grand Hibernian Train

Ride from Dublin to Cork. Get comfy in the happy booths of the Belmond Grand Hibernian which gives you a tour of the Irish countryside.

Image Credit

The Canadian

With the super awesome dome cars that give you an unfiltered view of the rugged scenery of Canadian countryside, you will love a train ride of The Canadian.

Image Credit

Orient Express aka Belmond

It is not always about the gorgeous scenery, sometimes it is about a classy black tie extravagance in the heart of Europe. The Orient Express might be one of the oldest luxury trains but it is also the classiest of all.

The route of this luxury train has changed several times, so if you want to check this off of your bucket list, do a quick search on their website.

As of today, the train operates from London to Istanbul or Paris to Budapest with several other major European cities in between.

Image Credit

Glacier Express

We all know that Switzerland has the best of everything in some sense. For example, who doesn’t enjoy gaping at the snowy peaks?

The Glacier Express takes you on one of the most exhilarating train rides, which connects two mountain resorts St. Moritz and Zermatt in the Swiss Alps.

 

www.artoftravel.store/

Shongololo Express

Are you up for an adventure in the African mainland? Then you may want to experience the rich and exotic natural beauty of Africa.

And, what better way than hopping on one of the affordable trains rides in Africa, and indulge in viewing the diverse wildlife of Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Namibia.

Image Credit

Trans Siberian Railway

As the Shongololo takes you across the Victoria Falls, the Trans Siberian Railways takes you through the Lake Baikal in Russia. It offers a 14 days train ride from Vladivostok and Moscow.

Image Credit

Maharaja Express

You’ll feel like a royal the moment you step into the traditionally decorated cabins of The Maharaja Express. It gives you a taste of the elegant Rajasthani Royalty, while you wind through the golden sand dunes of the Thar Desert in India.

Image Credit

Train to the Clouds

It is aptly named the Train to the Clouds as it is one of the highest trains in the world. It makes it way through the mountainous landscape of Andes.

Let your heart skip a beat by taking one of the dangerous train rides in the world.

Image Credit

California Zephyr

A kaleidoscope of scenery is what you see when you board California Zephyr. It provides you the diverse natural beauty of Western Coastal America.

The train route takes you through the Rockies, Sierra Nevada range, and the Pacific Coast.

Image Credit

 

 

www.artoftravel.store/

Be Bold For Solo Travel: International Women’s Day

Be Bold For Change (#beboldforchange) was the motto of the 106th International Women’s Day 2017. Even after a century of celebrating this day of women empowerment, gender equality is a still a far-off thing in today’s society.

Instead of waiting for the change to happen on its own, let all the women change for themselves. Come out of your shells and comfort zones, and break the stereotype. There is no better way for a woman to realize her power than traveling solo.

This Women’s Day – be bold enough to travel on your own; go traveling solo! To all those adventurous ladies who have already traveled solo, kudos to you!

Be Bold For Solo Travel

There are a lot of hardships that come your way when you decide to travel alone; maybe it is the concerns of your loved ones or the fear of the unknown. As a woman, we have to deal with a lot of issues (and internal chatter) before embarking on a solo trip.

Here are the top 8 concerns woman face and how to overcome the resistance.

Concerns From Loved Ones


When you want to spread your wings, sometimes they get tied down by the concerns of your parents. Their concern (even though annoying) is explainable and mostly reasonable. With the increase in violence towards women in all spheres, it is only fair that parents get concerned for their daughters traveling alone.

But once you make the decision to travel solo, take your time and explain to your parents. They will surely understand, once you put your plans before them and promise to contact them regularly.

Male Oglers

There is no shutter to the eyes of a male, and even if there were one, they would still stare. When you travel to a new country, it is common for women to get male glances.

That is why before traveling to your destination, do extensive research. Read about the culture and traditions so you can dress in an appropriate way. It is okay to wear shorts and a tank top, wandering around the Parisian Lanes.

But in some places (for example in India or a Muslim country) it is not a good idea to attract unwanted attention to yourself. Even if you see some locals wearing modern western clothing, it is not a bad idea to keep a low profile.

Wherever you travel, always make sure to check first what the local custom and cultures regarding clothing are and pack accordingly. You don’t have to be boring. You can still travel in style as well as comfort without attracting unwanted male attention. Here is a hint: try ethnic clothes. 

Get Over the Pitying


In many places around the world, people think traveling alone is pitiful. They label you as a “sad old soul” who needs a partner to settle down. But women who travel alone know well that the road can be the best partner, and new experiences keep you in good company.

It is not impossible to have a family and travel; you can do both if you have enough patience to balance both. Do not feel sorry for yourself or lonely, and when you feel so, think about why you traveled in the first place. It is easy to use just a patient smile and calm voice to let the people know that you don’t care what they think, but you care about what you want.

Periods When Traveling


Traveling is fun, but the change of weather can mess with your menstrual cycle. You cannot enjoy a beach day with cramps annoying you. And if you are enjoying an African Jungle Safari, then God save you! (Please pack some painkillers, just in case.)

Read: How to Travel like a Pro during Periods

In many countries, there are less than safe and unhygienic conditions. Sometimes you have only a bucket of cold water to deal with your problem. In those troublesome times too, we women do not give up. Though it is better that you plan your trips on dates when you are likely period-free, so you can have fun to the fullest.

 

www.artoftravel.store/

Kickass In A New Territory


Solo women travelers are easy targets for desperate men. In countries where men have a chauvinistic mindset, they do not think before pouncing. If you are a beginner, it is better if you avoid dangerous countries like Yemen. In many of the developing countries too, you come across many instances where solo female travelers get abused. Research well, plan and prepare.

Do your research on your destination and rate it on a scale of safety. And if it is above 6/10 then it is okay to take the risk. Once at your destination, put your game face on (reserve a smile for the friendly ones).

A self-defense program comes in handy in case you need to kick ass when the situation arises. Carry weapons for safety with you, like pepper sprays and a penknife just to take your opponent by surprise. And above all look confident even though you are shaking in your boots!

Pack To Look Pretty


After reading this, you must surely want to explore the wild and badass side of your personality. But the biggest superpower of a female traveler is the ability to pack less and travel more. Girls, we know you love to look beautiful. But sometimes blending comfort and beauty is an excellent thing.

A couple of t-shirts, jeans or shorts, jackets, boots and a dress or two is more than enough for your travel wardrobe. Make sure all the combinations work together, so you do not repeat an outfit in your pictures.

Remember there is always that one lovely dress and accessories you buy on your trip to take back home. So, leave some room for them in your luggage as well. Also, do not forget your essential toiletries. You need not carry your makeup kit with you: a Gloss and Kajal will do the trick.

Get Wild and Have Fun


Are you bold enough for a transformative change? If yes, then make your decision and get wild. Traveling alone can get lonely at times and if you meet someone who sets the sparks going, why jinx it by not being prepared?

Please only engage in safe sex. Make sure you put the rubber on and do not forget to take your pills. These small steps give you relief from bigger troubles like STDs and unwanted pregnancy. If you are brave enough to embark on a solo trip, you are brave and matured enough to say “No” if you are not interested. Do the right thing.

Make New Friends


Whether you believe it or not, there are plenty of places around the world where a traveler gets treated like a celebrity. In many places, it is actually easy to make friends; be it an Airbnb or a hostel or a resort. On your way, you meet fellow female travelers. The bond you share becomes stronger when you share your journey and experiences.

This International Women’s Day, add your story to the collection of stories about brave women making bold decisions. Do something and share your stories that will inspire other girls to explore the world on their own.

International Women’s Day

Below are some of the events in March:

1) International Women’s Day Fun Run, Brisbane on March 5th
2) SHEfights – An all-female Muay Thai event in Toronto on March 11th
3) Water for People (a free event in Washington D.C.) on March 8th
4) International Women’s Day Walk in Zurich on March 8th
5) WOW (Women of the World) Festival in London on March 7th

All events focus on the motto of this year’s International Women’s Day: Be Bold For Change! And, one of the best ways to initiate a transformative change is “by traveling”.

 

www.artoftravel.store/

Related Posts

The Rise of Adventure Travel: Are You Brave Enough?

Adventure travel has become an integrated part of the travel industry. It is soon becoming a trend, which people are following blindly. The thirst to discover new cultures and off-the-beaten-path natural treasures is growing in people.

That is why the industry revenue increased by 24% in 2014 as reported by several leading travel research groups. Adventure travel has three elements: connection with nature, interaction with other cultures, and physical activity.

Read: Top 10 Travel Trends That Will Only Grow

Rise of Adventure Travel

Share with your friends the below infographic.

As you can see, adventure travel is not limited to extreme sports. There is a new category which is becoming popular. It’s often called the “soft adventure.” You can ride on a safari in Africa and call it an adventure tourism (because it is).

The hard adventure is for the daredevils. Those who want to go off beat. Scuba diving and paragliding come under hard adventure.

Related: Top 40 Travel and Tourism Niches: Which One Are You?

Women vs Men Adventures

The percentage of travelers involved in the adventure is increasing year after year. It has shown a steady rise since past three years. You will be surprised to know that 53% of adventure travelers are women. Who knew that!? (I certainly did not, but hey, this is the century of women!)

The wrong notion that the mustache is stronger than the braids is slammed right there. Another emerging trend is that more and more people are now exploring new places. Most travelers do not prefer to travel to the same place (as it used to be 20-30 years ago).

Travelers don’t like doing mundane things on their trips anymore. They are exploring new horizons. Maybe that is why only 22% of travelers repeat their adventure activities. According to ATTA research, African countries have shown a steep decline in attracting adventure tourists whereas Latin America and Asia are on the rise.

Adventure travel is widely popular in South America and Southeast Asia. There are hundreds of destinations around the world which can be turned into adventure destination. For example, the Polar cruising is becoming a hot trend.

Traveling without adventure is mundane. Even if you do a bungee jumping on your trip, you become an adventure traveler. So, don’t hold back. Explore the wild and unknown. Embrace the Adventure!

 

www.artoftravel.store/

Top 5 Things to Learn from Brazilians

Brazilians are the most warm-hearted people you are going to meet across the world. Their party anytime attitude or let’s get a cup of tea attitude both stamps them as an easy going bunch of people.

If you are going to visit Brazil just relax because they will welcome you. You can be yourself and not be judged for being a foreigner. There are a few things you can learn from Brazilians.

Image Credit

THEY ARE ALWAYS OPTIMISTIC

The darkest hours of suffering will surely fade away. Brazilians always try to find the greatest good in the greatest evil. They don’t back away from any problem but grab the bull by its horns. That is the thing you will learn when you visit Brazil is they are not quitters. Their country comes together with all positive vibes.

THEY ARE NOT OBJECTIVE

This can be a curse sometimes but as positive as they are it counts in their favor. They will talk to you for hours and not get to the point. Brazilians are very careful with what the person on the other end of the conversation might think. So they keep it polite and subjective. They won’t outright insult you for being wrong like Americans but will find a roundabout way of saying it. Aren’t they so cute? Sensitive to what others feel. We should learn from them to be polite and kind.

Image Credit

THEY KNOW HOW TO PARTY LIKE PROS

When we hear Brazil it is like instantly carnival comes to our minds. But don’t be mistaken Brazilian parties are not limited to the carnival. You can come visit it during June and witness the madness of partying. Here everyone dances their hearts out. Eat what they love. It’s high time for eating local cuisines. Delectable poçoquinha which is a sweet mulled cachaça, which is a drink. The wild energy with which they party is something no other country does. If you are visiting Brazil make friends and party the night out.

HELP THE VULNERABLE

Not only the government but even citizens have this virtue which ought to be respected. In 2011 floods and landslides took around nine hundred lives in Rio de Janeiro. But the people came forward with donations. Even the red cross volunteered for rescue operations. The government has implemented a welfare program Bolsa Familia, which financially supports families whose children go to school. This is how they take care of each other. Brazilians never turn their back on people in need. They are very helpful.

THEY’RE FRIENDLY EVEN WITH FOREIGNERS

You will never see a Brazilian sitting alone drinking caipirinha. They prefer to be with friends rather than alone.In a bar you can’t drink like a loner, a round of drinks is must with friends. Even if they are only work-colleagues, they will stop and talk about family over tea. It’s in them to be extrovert. They are friendly with tourists. They will be understanding and patient in dealing with you. Brazilians will even teach you every curse word along with their language till you don’t learn it. As they will say “Gringo!we Brazilians never quit”

 

www.artoftravel.store/