Top 5 airports for layovers

Traveling by plane is definitely making life easier for many tourists who roam the globe in a matter of days, but that doesn’t mean that flying doesn’t have its disadvantages sometimes. Apart from bad food and cramped seats, there’s something else than earned the title of traveler’s nightmare: layovers.

Having to spend hours on end in a crowded airport, waiting for your next flight, while all you can do is think of how great your trip will be once you finally get to your destination is not exactly fun. But here are some airports where layovers are downright bearable – top 5 airports for layovers. …

Ice fishing spots in Sweden

In many parts of the world, when the snow falls it means that you have stop fishing and wait until spring to finally start angling again. But in Sweden, not even a meter-thick snow can stop passionate fishers from practicing their hobby. Ice fishing is more or less a tradition in Sweden, because in the in the past people did it to earn a living, but nowadays it is something that people do for fun.

Ice fishing is exciting not only because the harsh conditions that will make your catch seem even moe hard earned than usual, but also about the entire ritual of drilling and preparing your fishing hole on ice. For those tourists who are amateur or not so amateur fisher(wo)men, here are the top ice fishing spots in Sweden. …

Visiting Centralia, Pennsylvania

photo by RunTellmanRun

Centralia, a little town in Pennsylvania’s coal region, used to be a bustling mining center, until 1962, when a fire broke out in the mines.

Supposedly the fire started from a waste disposal site, which was burned but not fully extinguished and the fire entered into the coal mine beneath. All attempts to extinguish it failed. The fire is estimated to have now spread over 400 acres and has enough coal to continue burning for another 250 years in its 8 mile mine.

Nobody knew how bad the damage was until the 70’s, and since then people have started abandoning the town. Now, Centralia is a ghost town, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of things to see there.

In addition to the rather creepy history of the town, or the fact that at the first glance it looks like nothing more than a field with some roads on it, Centralia is a very interesting destination to say the least. So here some tips about visiting Centralia, Pennsylvania. …

Easter travel ideas for 2011

Ocho Rios

Easter is approaching fast, and some of you are probably thinking of going on a trip for the Easter weekend. Easter might be a religious holiday at its core, but it is also a chance to celebrate with your family by doing what you love most – traveling.

While some people are lucky enough to have a week or more off work, some travelers will have to make do with only a couple of free days. So here are some Easter travel ideas for 2011 that will be just perfect for a weekend getaway. …

Easter traditions around the world

Even if you’re not a particularly religious person, you’ve probably celebrated Easter at some point in your life. And besides its religious meaning, Easter is always a great opportunity to visit friends and family, eat loads of home cooked food and generally be merry.

But Easter is also a great time for traveling, especially if you are planning to go to countries where Easter is celebrated in a completely different way. Easter traditions around the world vary a great deal, despite the fact that the essence of the holiday is the same. Here are some interesting Easter traditions from around the world. …

10 things you probably didn’t know about Orlando

Orlando is a great tourist destination, especially if there’s still a bit of childishness left in your weathered traveler heart. The city has quite a few gardens and museums, but clearly the major attractions are the many theme parks, shopping centers and the great nightlife.

Even if you are tempted to think that you’re too old for attractions like Ripley’s Believe it or Not, Disneyland or the Discovery Cove, but you’ll be missing a lot of fun if you don’t go.  But don’t be deceived into thinking that this is all there is to Orlando, just like any other cities, it has its little quirks and secrets. Here are 10 things that you probably didn’t know about Orlando. …

A short guide to slum tourism

Slum tourism is one of the new trends in the world of traveling, although it’s not really clear whether it is a good one. If you haven’t heard about it yet, here’s slum tourism in a nutshell: it supposes guided tours in the slums of big cities. It is popular in places like New Delhi, Buenos Aires, Johannesburg or Nairobi, where poverty is already a big issue.

The favelas in South America and slums in India, despite their economic misfortunes, seem to be genuine tourist magnets lately. So here’s a short guide to slum tourism, and its pros and cons. …

10 cultural mistakes to avoid while traveling

When you’re traveling to another country, you find yourself in the middle of a different culture, whose conventions, norms and customs might be radically different from your own. It’s only natural that you make some mistakes when your in a foreign place, but there are a few things that can help you cope better with the culture clash. It can save you from a lot of embarrassment (and even trouble, in some cases). So here are 10 cultural mistakes to avoid while traveling. …

10 tips for bushwalking in Australia

The bush generally refers to any kind of wild countryside where there’s no sign of civilization, but in Australia, the term has acquired a meaning of its own, and it has become downright iconic. The bush is made up of all sorts of shrubs that grow on dry soil, but in Australia it usually comes with a canopy of eucalyptus trees overhead.

But really, the bush can mean any unpopulated area in the countryside where there’s potential for hiking, walking and admiring the wilderness. But as any adventure, bushwalking is not without risks, so you should read up on it before going. And to help you get started, here are 10 tips for bushwalking in Australia. …

Best places for Hanami in Japan

Hanami, which translates as ‘flower viewing’, is an old Japanese custom that is religiously observed every spring. When the famous Japanese cherry trees bloom, people gather under cherry trees in parks and hold picnics and parties days and night. Hanami is so popular among the Japanese that companies will even organize hanami parties for their employees, and there’s even a flower viewing weather forecast so that people can plan their parties accordingly.

Hanami lasts for about 2 weeks only, and usually starts at the end of March, so if you want to get to Japan in time for the flower viewing, it’s time to start planning! Here are some of the best places for hanami in Japan. …