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Authors Posts by Josh Cohen

Josh Cohen

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http://www.travelwithjoshcohen.com

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Milan Tourist Ultimate Guide When Short on Time!

I think Milan is my favorite (modern) city in all of Italy. While Rome is a glorious city filled with illustrious and extraordinary history, Milan has this energy to it that makes it easy to be swept up in. I’ll always remember taking my wife several years ago, she was my girlfriend then, there for the first time. Sitting at a quant little cafe at the Piazza watching people paint, sing, and be really well dressed!

Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery. Milan, Italy
Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery. Milan, Italy

Milan is the second largest city in Italy and is the capital of the region of Lombardy, and as such, has a lot to see for any Milan tourist.

It has a really rich history, having being founded by the Celts, conquered by the Romans and has served as an important commercial center since the middle ages. It became a center for resistance against the Nazis during the Second World War and today is known as an international fashion hotspot.

Milan Tourist – Duomo (Milan Cathedral)

Milan Duomo - Italy
Milan Duomo – Italy

The front of the cathedral is so intricate and so big it is impossible to take in all of the details from the photos. You really do have to see it to believe it. On my first day in Milan I climbed right to the top of the roof to look out over the city of Milan. You do have to pay a small fee to be able to take photos, but this money goes towards the upkeep of the cathedral itself, so I would recommend paying it.

View from the Duomo
View from the Duomo

I didn’t find the climb to the top too bad at all, but there is an option to pay twice as much and take the elevator. The stairs weren’t busy at all even though we were there at a busy time of day, so you have time to take a break if you need it. For me, the views from the top made the climb completely worth it.

Being a Milan tourist, it’s a real experience climbing the stairs and emerging onto the fantastic roof with incredible details and designs.

Be inspired by The Last Supper

Arguably Milan’s most well known attraction, Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper is the place to visit.

L'Ultima Cena di Leonardo da Vinci
L’Ultima Cena di Leonardo da Vinci

But! Getting tickets to go is like getting front row seats to Lady Gaga or another world famous singer! Sometimes it’s tough being a Milan tourist…

If you’re lucky enough or purchase tickets in advance are allowed to enter the hallowed refectory. Normally visiting time is limited to 15 minutes, but those inside get to witness the expression of hostility, despair, and conservation on the faces of Jesus’s disciples moments before his betrayal.

Although here Leonardo used an experimental technique, meaning the painting or fresco is flaky, the quality and experience is superb.

La Scala Opera House

La Scala, an opera house in Milan, Italy
La Scala, an opera house in Milan, Italy

The outside of the Opera House doesn’t look that impressive. Don’t be put off by this because inside it is just as grand and decadent as you would imagine. There is a fantastic museum inside which will talk you through the various different superstars who have conducted and performed in shows at La Scala over the last 200 years.,

If you are an opera fan, see if you can book ahead to get tickets to a performance. Even if you’re not an opera fan, you won’t be disappointed; the standard of everything performed at La Scala is simply world class. Just make sure you adhere to the dress code, the locals can get a bit upset if you don’t.

Inside La Scala
Inside La Scala

Milan Tourist – Shopping

Fashion lovers, beware! Relatives of fashion lovers beware even more! Milan is an amazing place to shop for all of your favorite Italian designers. The best part is you won’t even need to go traipsing all over the city to browse all of the different stores.

All of Milan’s top boutiques and designer stores are all on one square which is known as the Quadrilatero d’Oro, (the rectangle of gold). Here you will find stores such as, Armani, Fendi, Dolce & Gabbana, Miu Miu, Prada, Moschino and many, many more. The amazing thing is, is during off seasons, the price of the clothing can be really inexpensive!

Rectangle of Gold
Rectangle of Gold

These places are only some of the awesome places to visit in Milan! Can you do all of these in a day? Absolutely. But to really see the city, you’ll need a few days. Here are a few more places you can visit and I’ll be writing about each one at length:

  • Get some culture at the Teatro alla Scala
  • Hop on (and have dinner) on a tram
  • Step into a time capsule at Villa Necchi Campiglio
  • Patronize the Sant’Ambrogio
  • And more!

So whether your interests are in opera and ballet, religious architecture, panoramic views or high-end fashion, you will have an amazing time enjoying everything that being a Milan tourist has to offer.

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South Korea Festivals You Would Not Want to Miss

South Korea has a rich culture, acquired from a long history and mix of religions, heritage, cultures, and languages, which makes up different festivals throughout the year. South Korea festivals are lively and have unique characteristics that highlight the vibrance and meanings of customs. Here is what you can experience at different times of the year if you are visiting South Korea.

South Korea Festival: Buddha’s Birthday

A canopy of lotus lanterns on Buddha's birthday.
A canopy of lotus lanterns on Buddha’s birthday.

Buddha’s birthday or Bucheonim osin nal meaning “the day when Buddha came” falls on the eighth day of the fourth month of the Korean lunar calendar. It is the biggest celebration in South Korea when the streets and cities are decorated with lanterns for week long celebrations while special lantern parades are held across the country.

On this South Korea Festival, temples are adorned with lotus lanterns while free meals and tea is served to visitors.

South Korea Festival – Jeongwol Daeboreum

Jeongwol Daeboreum Fire Festiival
Jeongwol Daeboreum Fire Festiival

Jeongwol Daeboreum is an important traditional festival that celebrates the first full moon of the new year of the Korean lunar calendar. The festival is celebrated in the Jeju-do Island where people climb the mountain to catch the first glimpse of the full moon. It is believed that the first person to catch the sight will have good luck throughout the year.

In addition, children fly kites and play traditional game geuybulnori the night before daeboreum, which is said to bring good fortune for the coming year. On this day, special five grain meal and wine are served that are believed to bring good news for one year.

South Korea Festival – Hi Seoul

Hi Seoul Festival
Hi Seoul Festival

Hi Seoul is a seasonal cultural festival held four times a year. The festival features exhibition of national clothes, traditional foods, different forms of art and activities highlighting the different aspects of the life in Seoul. Through this festival, you can experience and see the true fusion of the modern and traditional elements of the country.

Here is the official website for this colorful festival.

Baekje Cultural Festival

Baekje Festival
Baekje Festival

Baekje Cultural Festival is a tribute to Baekje dynasty that ruled the country for nearly 700 years. The festival features a colorful parade as well as more than 100 traditional performances and events to highlight the history and culture of the Baekje Kingdom.

South Korea Festival – The Andong Mask Dance

The Andong Mask Dance festival is a major cultural attraction of the Androng region which offers visitors a chance to enjoy Korea’s traditional mask dances. These dances have great traditional significance and are considered as important intangible assets of Korea.

In addition to mask dance performances, the festival features more than 50 events and hand-on experience programs including, mask dance competitions, world mask exhibition, mask making, and mask dance lessons allowing visitors to participate and get the real feel of this imperative element of South Korean culture.

Andong Mask Festival
Andong Mask Festival

Busan Film Festival

Busan Film Festival is one of the biggest film festivals in Asia. The festival is meant to honor young and celebrated talent of the world as well as promote every aspect of the film industry in the region. This festival is the celebration of modern South Korea and its novel trends and cultural themes.

South Korea Festivals have powerful characteristics that connect you with the many aspects of the culture.

If you are visiting South Korea, you should witness and become part of the vibrant celebrations.

My favorite festival had to have been Hi Seoul Festival. The feeling is joyous, great tasting food, the most realistic costumes ever, and performances all throughout the city and on every block!

South Korea is so filled with amazing culture and history that the country has 5 locations on the UNESCO. Check out my article here to learn about them!

Enjoy!

1 8

Lake Ashi, Pirate Ships, Black Eggs, and More

Spectacular Lake Ashi

I LOVE coming to Lake Ashi. So much so that I wrote this article Cruising along Lake Ashi, worth checking out!

If you are like me, and wish to enjoy the views and scenery of Japan’s tallest mountain without having to climb it then no destination is more perfect than Lake Ashi, and the small, sleepy town it’s nestled in. Although Mt. Fuji is situated only 80 miles from the center of Tokyo, it is still almost impossible to get a view from the city, not unless the day is perfectly clear.

Tokyo city view and tokyo skytree with Mt Fuji
Tokyo city view and tokyo skytree with Mt Fuji

I arrived to the tourist town from Tokyo, after the official climbing season had ended but that wasn’t going to stop me from enjoying other sights that Hakone has to offer. The picturesque town of Hakone is just a little over an hour outside of Tokyo, and offers every activity that you cannot have imagined from a small town.

The average visitor can spend a day shopping in the many quaint stores scattered throughout, explore museums, and relax after a busy day at one of the many hot spring resorts the town is famous for. I did all three, and enjoyed myself immensely. Especially, relaxing in the hot springs and sampling the local delicacies.

Hakone
Hakone

From Tokyo, with Love

I am sure most of you agree that getting to and around a place is half the fun of the whole trip. Finding your own way, in a place where very few people even understand the universal language is a great experience, and one that makes the trip twice as memorable.

I was pressed for time, and therefore could only spare a day to visit the sights of Hakone. Usually, locals who reside in Tokyo often visit Hakone during the weekend, and spend a night there as the distance between is not more than a few hours from the bullet trains.

So, it was on a clear and fine day that I arrived at Shinjuku Station with the intention of boarding a direct train to Hakone, with minimum stopovers.

One of Several Shrines
One of Several Shrines

Hakone, by Romance Express

The most convenient of networks consisting of trains, buses, cable cars, trams, and boats that run to and around the town of Hakone come under the jurisdiction of Odayku Railways. To the first time traveler to Japan, I would highly recommend the Hakone Free Pass that can be easily purchased from the tourism center of Shinjuku station.

Water Slides in Hakone
Water Slides in Hakone

I was able to purchase my Free Pass at the last minute, but those who are visiting the town during the peak climbing season should purchase it at least a week before. My pass included a round trip on the Romance express train from Shinjuku Station, to Hakone Yumoto Station from which I boarded a bus and arrived at the town.

Although economical and hassle free, the visit seemed incomplete without a stopover at the town of Odawara. Next time, definitely.

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Heathrow Airport – Unexpected Adventure to my Terminal

So this little unexpected adventure I had happened a few months back. I had to fly to Berlin from London on a business trip for the company I work for. Anyway, as a habit I generally leave early whenever I have to fly overseas.

I took a cab to the Heathrow Airport, which is quite accessible by road and public transport. The airport is around 15 miles from West London along the M4 motorway.

Anyway, I got off at terminal 2 and there I was told at the check in by an attendant that I ended up at the wrong terminal, as my British Airways flight will depart from terminal 5. Oh man, I just stood there wondering how I could have made such a silly mistake.

The attendant looked at me and even asked, “Sir, are you alright?
I didn’t quite answer but after my little shocking experience, I knew that I was in for a trip!

Heathrow Airport
Heathrow Airport

For those who haven’t yet been to the airport, the Heathrow Airport is massive. It is the busiest airport in UK and Europe. The first three terminals share the same entrance, the fourth terminal is at the southern part of the airport, and the fifth terminal on the Western Perimeter Road with its own separate access road.

After asking around, I found out that the two possible ways for me to get to the fifth terminal is through the Heathrow express or the London underground. So today seemed like a good day to check out the Heathrow express.

While on the train it finally hit me, last time I flew to Berlin from London was through a German airline called the Germanwings, which departed from terminal two. Anyway, upon reaching terminal 5, I went through the check in and went straight to eat. I found a sandwich place and got myself a delicious yet healthy sandwich.

I’ve always had this affinity for airport food and nothing beats the top quality food in the UK.

Finally, I was on the plane and my favorite part of flying from the Heathrow airport had arrived, I simply love looking down at the six runways, arranged in certain angles that it looks like a hexagram.

So for those who have not yet flown from Heathrow Airport, here is a quick guide:

  • There are 5 different terminals at the airport, the first three terminals are all walking distance but the fourth and fifth terminal both have different road routes for entrance.
  • You can access the airport from Heathrow express, a nonstop service direct to the airport from Paddington station.
  • There is a central bus station serving terminals 1 and 3. Both terminals 4 and 5 have their own bus station.
  • Several large duty free shops are available for traveler.
  • Decent eatery is available at the airport.
  • A number of play areas are available for kids.

While I am confident that this is useful information, you will still find yourself a little overwhelmed on your first visit to Heathrow Airport. The size of the airport and the foot traffic here is simply a sight to behold. However, the experience is extremely enjoyable and I recommend you enjoy yourself while you are there.

Enjoy!

1 10

Shop in China – Where Should You Shop and What Products to Buy?

Without a thought, this would be one of the top 3 questions people asked me, no matter where they were going. Where to shop in China and and what to buy?

Okay, so maybe two questions but they go together, right? I mean, there is such diversity of goods to buy in China, but China is also the number 1 country in the world for selling counterfeit goods and plenty of scams (see my article), so you have to be careful, too.

shanghai yuyuan garden

It is a known and well-recognized fact that if you are travelling to a different country, you will come back with a lot of shopping. You will be shopping for your family and your friends back home and also for your own self. This means that a majority of your time will be spent in shopping malls and stores.

I have put together a brief guide in this post to help you become one of the most well informed shoppers in all of China. To start, you should always know what you want to buy, what you have in mind and where you are going to get it.

In a country like China, you can face many difficulties if you end up getting lost, lose your money or end up at the wrong places.

You need to be very well informed about how you can save time and money while shopping for all the things that you need. As a traveller coming to China, you find many things in China to be strange, but here is a very comprehensive list of all the places you can go to and all the things that you can buy when you are travelling in China.

You should also know what skills you need to possess and what steps you need to take whenever you are shopping on your own in China:

  • Shop in China – You need to know how to haggle and bargain with the shopkeeper!
    • This is difficult for many people to grasp for some reason, that almost, except food really, anything you buy from a vendor can be bargained for. Don’t be afraid to push the price down even 50-70% of what was originally asked. I know, sometimes it seems you’re haggling over pennies, which you are, but it is part of the “game.”
    • This reminds me once when I was visiting Beijing with my dad and brother and we went shopping in there flee market. Saw this awesome tie with dark navy blue and crimson red stripes going down vertically. Starting price was 70RMB, which back then was some 10 USD. After haggling for a few min, ended up being 35RMB or around 5 bucks. Laughed the whole time, cause at the end it was over a couple of cents. It can be fun!

    • When you shop in China How do you know when you’ve gone too low? The shopkeeper will turn and walk away from you or he will let you leave his stall.

If there is one thing that you need to know about shopping in China, it is the art of haggling or bargaining with the shopkeepers. I can’t tell you how many times this has helped me get a good deal!

Items to Buy
Items to Buy
  • Shop in China – What to Buy

There are a number of great things that you can bring back from China and here is a list of all the things that you can choose from and many more! I will be posting articles of thing to look for depending upon which city you’re going too:

  • Silk slippers make unique gifts
  • Beijing Opera Masks can be a treat for your friends and family at home.
  • Name, stamp carving shops where you can get your name embossed or carved on different day-to-day things that you use around the house or at work.
  • You can also purchase large jade carvings which are extremely beautiful.
  • Freshwater and sea pearls can be a rare and beautiful find.
  • Silk pajamas for children
  • Chinese tea is a great idea because the Chinese culture (the Asian culture to be exact) is very much concentrated around different types of tea. In fact, tea is served with almost every meal and even between meals. Be sure to check back for my extensive articles on tea!
  • Different Chinese musical instruments that you can enjoy back home.
  • Chinese zodiac signs in jade
  • Ornamental tassels
  • And more!
  • Shop in China – Where do you need to go?

You can go to a number of places such as:

  • The Dong Tai Road Antique Market
  • Hong Qiao New World Pearl Market
  • Shanghai Longhua Fashion and Gift Market
  • Shanghai South Bund Fabric Market
  • Pearl’s Circles
  • Lowu Market
Lowu Market, Shenzhen
Lowu Market, Shenzhen (everything copy)

As mentioned, when you shop in China, be careful for counterfeits. But if you want a world leading Rolex copy, then China is the best place to get it!

I plan on writing about each city and what each city has to offer on things to buy so be sure to check back soon!

Enjoy!

2 8

Discover Jerusalem – The Amazing Treasures of Old and New

One of my favorite directors-Jean Luc Goddard exasperated the critics so much with his absolute disregard for a set format, that one of them is said to have remarked, “But surely Mr. Goddard, a story must have a beginning, a middle, and an end?”

Goddard is said to have quipped, “Yes, definitely–but not necessarily in the same order.” I myself would have wanted to follow this while talking about Jerusalem and its many charms, and what you can do with them; but the city’s past cannot be trifled with, and definitely not by me.

Discover Jerusalem – Listen to the Call of the Old City

Jerusalem Cityscape

The old city, apart from being a storehouse of history, architecture, and faith, is also divided into four quarters. Armenian, Jewish, Christian, and the Muslim areas. Although each quarter is part of the same city, each area is vastly different than one another. It is safe to walk in any area. Each area has such diverse foods to try and eat, gifts to buy, and old sites to see.

You can walk the path trod by Jesus, on the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where he was crucified, and later resurrected from. The Dome of the Rock is one of the ancient shrines in the world for the Muslims, as is the Western Wall for the Jewish. The Jewish Bar-mitzvah (coming of age) ceremony is also celebrated here. My cousin and my best friend James had theirs over here.

It is really fun to walk in the old city, with alleys crisscrossing each other, and then getting separated again at Arab marketplaces called shuks (pronounced shook).

Discover Jerusalem – Story of Life at Machane Yehuda Market (The Shuk)

If the heart of Jerusalem beats in the old city, then it spills over at the Machane Yehuda. The market is famous for cheese, halva, coffee, wine, bread, cookies, savories, and exotic dishes. Fruits and veggies are also available, but its real charm is the people and traditions. It’s like a mirror of Jerusalem, and sparkles at its cosmopolitan best.

Every Thursday Katy and I would go down to do our shopping before the coming weekend. So much energy, life, and excitement. We would meet friends for coffee and the best falafel anywhere! After all these years, it still feels exotic.

Discover Jerusalem – Hear the Skyline Speak at Haas-Sherover-Goldman Promenades

Jerusalem Sherover Promenade
Jerusalem Sherover Promenade

The three promenades sit side by side in the Armon Hanatziv neighbourhood, and offer the best panoramic view of the Old City, West Jerusalem, and parts of the desert. Tourists are up and about here at almost all times.

However, a little unknown location that offers in my opinion the best view of the Old City are from Mount Scopus at the Hebrew University. That is the view that an invading army would see before coming down on the city. Impressive!

Discover Jerusalem – Step Inside Knesset

The Knesset
The Knesset

The Israeli Parliament is open on Thursdays, and Sundays. Step inside to see the Israeli Declaration of Independence; tapestries by Marc Chagall hang on the walls among other illustrious art.

Oh, and if you have time, be sure to check out the Israeli Museum, across from the Knesset. Truly an amazing place to visit, with unbelievable things to see.

Discover Jerusalem – See Israel’s Finest Public Building

The Israeli Supreme Court is seen as being the finest public building in the country. It’s a marvel of modern architecture, and nods to all the distinct styles from the Greek to the British.

Smell the Roses

Wohl Rose Park, Jerusalem
Wohl Rose Park, Jerusalem

The Wohl Rose Park is at the foot of the Supreme Courts, and bang opposite the Knesset. It will be a refreshing feeling after a walk through the architecture, and moments to savour without any doubt.

Watch the Birds

No they are not Hitchcock’s birds; neither they are angry. But if you are in the Supreme Court, Knesset neighborhood, and have gone into the Wohl Rose Park for a breather, then the next step would be to visit the Jerusalem Bird Observatory nearby.

Discover Jerusalem – Pay Respect to those Who Have Been Claimed by the Holocaust

Hall of Names - Yad Vashem, Jerusalem
Hall of Names – Yad Vashem, Jerusalem

Yad Vashem is the memorial to the victims of history, and exhibits film footages, recordings of survivors, documents, artifacts, and installations.

It has moved me every time I have gone in with friends and relatives who are visiting. Believe me, it has got nothing to do with Judaism or Jews. I have seen the same vacant look on every face that has come out of it. Please, be there. I’ll be writing a full article on my experiences going there.

This is just the beginning; you can do a lot of other things in Jerusalem. And if you, like me, are a fan of Goddard, then you can start with other things as long as you keep this on your itinerary. You won’t be disappointed!

So come with me and Discover Jerusalem. From the Via Dolorossa, The City of David, and so much more!

Enjoy!

0 4

Cultural Etiquettes in Singapore – Know The Basics

Ever since I had moved to Hong Kong back in 2003, one of my best friends was from Singapore. Without fail, every story of life, food, language, culture, fascinated me to the point that I needed to go. Go to simply experience the city – country of Singapore. It was great that my friend offered some incredible insights for cultural etiquettes in Singapore.

Buddha Image
Buddha Image

Singapore is a multi-ethnic country with 76 percent Chinese, 15 percent Malay, and 6 percent Indian inhabitants. These ethnic groups enjoy racial harmony and national unity. The younger generation of Singapore considers themselves as Singaporean first and believes in building a common national culture that is beyond individual ethnic differences. Here is a look at some common etiquettes and norms of Singapore.

Cultural Etiquettes in Singapore – Meeting

Greetings usually follow a strict protocol. If you are meeting people with Chinese ethnic background, you may offer a hand shake with a slight bow. Malay men and women do not offer a hand shake to each other due to Islamic traditions while two men and two women can shake hands. Similarly, ethnic Indians shake hands with members of same sex only. Upon meeting the person of opposite sex, nodding with a smile is usually appreciated.

Cultural Etiquettes in Singapore – Non Verbal Cues

Singaporeans pay close attention to non-verbal cues including tone of voice, posture, and facial expression. They tend to be subtle and implicit in their communication to maintain the respect of the other person. Silence is a significant part of their communication as it indicates that you are giving enough consideration before speaking.

The head is considered sacred; therefore, touching someone’s head is impolite and offensive while foot is thought to be the lowest and unclean part and showing the bottom of the feet may offend your Singaporean host.

Cultural Etiquettes in Singapore – Food and Dining

Food and dining is the most common way of interaction among people that gives the best chance to build relationship with your Singaporean host. In Singapore, food is the basis of entertainment. Food is usually served on the table in dishes to be shared by all.

Appetizers and drinks are uncommon and the dinner is usually served immediately without entrée upon arrival of the guests. You are expected to wash your hands before the meal in both Indian and Malay homes. They use the right hand to eat, and some dishes are consumed directly in hand without the involvement of a fork or a spoon. After a meal with an Indian host, you are expected to stay for an hour for conversation.

Dim Sum and Tea
Dim Sum and Tea

Cultural Etiquettes in Singapore – Gift Giving Etiquettes

Gift giving etiquettes vary across ethnic groups of Singapore. If you are giving gifts to ethnic Chinese, make sure to wrap it in colorful wrapping papers like red, pink, and yellow. Giving scissors, knives or any cutting object should be avoided as it indicates that you are severing your relation with the receiver.

Your gift may be refused three times before it is accepted. This is done to show that the receiver is not greedy. The gift of flower is not taken well as they are associated with sickness and funerals.

When you are giving gifts to ethnic Malays, avoid giving alcohol, toy dogs, or anything made of pigskin. Wrap the gift in red or green paper while white should be avoided as it is a sign of death or mourning.

If you are presenting something to ethnic Indians, offer the gift with your right hand. Avoid black and white wrapping papers; rather use bright colors as these are thought to bring good fortune.

Due to the ethnic diversity in Singapore, it is important for you to know the ethnic background of your host to follow the protocols properly. The people of Singapore are generally warm and welcoming and would show great hospitality if you respect their customs well.

However, for all cultural etiquettes in Singapore, I always make the recommendation to ask your host or friend for some advice.

Most of the time, people from Singapore are a real pleasure, very kind, and more than willing to share.

Enjoy!

2 14

Vietnam Outdoor Adventures – The Place for Amazing Fun

If you’re looking for a place that  has opened its doors to tourism fairly recently, Vietnam Outdoor Adventures is the place to see. Slightly different from the laid-back tourist paradise of Thailand, the facilities and structure of the country’s tourism sector is developing rapidly.

It is now in the same category as the other popular travel destinations for the holidays, offering a wide array of experiences that gives visitors a taste of the great flavors of Vietnam in terms of history, culture, and cookery alike.

Vietnam Outdoor Adventures

Vietnam is a country rich in varying degrees of nature, animal, and plant life. Recently, there has been an influx of outdoor sports and adventure activities that have added a more exciting element to the tourism sector, and has given people such as me another reason to visit the island country.

Tourists to Vietnam, raring for an adventure of a lifetime, can now trek the mountains in the north. They can choose rock climbing, go for a canoe ride, or sea kayaking and kits-surfing in the choppy waters of the south of Vietnam.

The visitor can become one in tune with the abundant nature, by walks, cycling, and mountain biking through the numerous and dense forest pathways in the country.

Vietnam Outdoor Adventures – Bird Watching and Other Activities

Black-throated Sunbird
Black-throated Sunbird

Vietnam is the place to go to, if you are an avid bird-watcher. All the national parks in the country, especially in Cuc Phuong, Bach Ma, and Cat Tien are ideal places for some serious bird-watching activity. Vietnam has over 850 species of birds alone, which makes the country a paradise for bird watchers.

In the past few years, a dozen of excellent golf courses have sprouted up in Vietnam, particularly around Ho Chi Minh City, Phan Thiet, Hanoi and Da Lat, all of which offer their services to patrons for a cheaper fee than in the west.

Vietnam Outdoor Adventures – Trekking, Hiking, and Mountain Biking

Rice field and river, NinhBinh, vietnam
Rice field and river, NinhBinh, vietnam

Visitors may have to make arrangements in advance if they want to experience a day of hiking, or they can go off on their own. You can schedule for a hiking and trekking tour package either through a local tours agent, or even before your trip to Vietnam.

Such tailor-made packages offer organized tours by a local guide in English, and are an ideal way to understand and view the sights Vietnam has to offer. Other than this, you can also arrange a night’s day at any of the villages littering the hiking path, but in most cases, the tour packages will also include this feature.

Mountain biking and cycling has also become increasingly popular, with centers for engaging in both the activities throughout the country. Tours offer half day excursions to multi day; the outings include nightly stays in villages. Other good areas to explore the off beaten paths include Mai Chau, Da Lat, and the great Mekong Delta.

Vietnam Outdoor Adventures – Water-Sports – Scuba Diving, Sea Kayaking, Canoe Rides

kayak in halong bay, vietnam
kayak in halong bay, vietnam

Due to a number of reasons, Vietnam doesn’t offer many options in terms of water sports despite having a coastline which stretches throughout much of the country. Be sure to check out my article about the amazing 2000 miles of coasting line.

The island of Phu Quoc situated off the southern coast is popular not only for its amazing beaches but also as the number one provider for activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving.

If you want to combine rock climbing and sightseeing, the place to go is the beautiful Ha Long Bay, on Cat Ba Island.

Go and explore and enjoy the amazing Vietnam Outdoor Adventures and you will soon find out that there is something for everyone there.

Enjoy!

1 3

Neapolitan Riviera – Discover the Beauty of Italy

The Neapolitan Riviera is an extremely popular destination amongst tourists looking for a vacation rich in sunshine, culture and style.

There truly is something for everything along the Neapolitan Riviera, history and culture in the ancient towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum, gastronomy with all of the Italian cuisine on offer in Naples and beautiful natural surroundings such as the volcano, Vesuvius, and the island of Capri.

What the Neapolitan Riviera has to offer

Pompeii

Ruins of Pompeii
Ruins of Pompeii

I was completely blown away by Pompeii. I remember learning about the town at school and being told that you could still visit it today, but in my imagination all that remained was essentially a dusty blueprint of a city, with nothing much going for it. This is not the case at all. The extent to which some of the buildings have been preserved by the volcanic ash is incredible.

Some of the houses still have their ceilings and roofs and even still have paint on the walls!

There are a few examples of the petrified bodies that they found in the city and it is truly harrowing to have walked in their footsteps and imagine how terrifying it must have been to see Vesuvius erupt. You will need at least half a day to explore Pompeii properly, and it is well worth making a trip to the National Archaeological Museum in Naples to see all of the artefacts which were retrieved from the ashes.

Pompeii is easily accessible by train from Naples. Ask your concierge or the information desk in the main train station if you need help on where to buy tickets or get train times.

Herculaneum

Streets of Herculaneum
Streets of Herculaneum

Herculaneum is another city which was preserved after the eruption of Vesuvius nearly 2000 years ago. Pompeii is the more famous city, and although Herculaneum is a smaller site, it is well worth your time and money.

It is even better preserved than Pompeii and in the summer you will be able to see much more as there are far fewer crowds. It is well worth paying the extra few euros to hire a live guide as their knowledge is exceptional and makes the whole experience so much better.

Vesuvius

Vesuvius, Italy
Vesuvius, Italy

Now, I’m normally pretty good when it comes to bus rides and taking sharp corners (just take the bus ride to the Big Buddha in Hong Kong and you’ll know what I mean). But this one was pushing it. Our bus driver didn’t seem to think that braking at corners was at all necessary but he must know the road like the back of his hand by now as we made it to the top in one piece.

The hike up the volcano is quite a gentle one along a well-established path. The red dust from the walk did change the white converse to a rather fetching shade of salmon, so be wary of wearing light colors. It is really worth hiking all the way to the top to see the crater; it’s quite a special view.

And a real WOW moment!

I have two tips for any of you planning to make the hike.

Firstly, they close the volcano to tourists if it is raining, so pick a nice clear day to make the visit. Secondly, if you want to buy any souvenirs, the prices drop to a fraction of the original prices the further up the volcano you get. Ask for prices at every stall and make any purchases on the way back down to get the best deal, otherwise you risk being ripped off completely.

Where to stay

There are two very contrasting choices when it comes to picking a place to stay in the Neapolitan Riviera.

If you like being in a city, with culture, history and shopping opportunities on your doorstep, then you would probably be most at home staying inside the city of Naples. If you are more interested in an exciting beach resort holiday then Sorrento is probably more up your street.

What is certainly true is that wherever you decide to stay, you should definitely take a visit to the other place for the full Neapolitan Riviera experience.

Sorrento

Sorrento, Italy
Sorrento, Italy

The resort of Sorrento will deliver anything and everything you could possibly want from a beach-side holiday and the city of Naples is just around the corner offering the excitement of urban life. Sorrento is a lovely place to stay whether you are on a romantic getaway or a family vacation. There is loads to see and do and there is easy access to all of the major sights of the Neapolitan Riviera.

There are boat cruises, diving trips, fishing opportunities, watersports, hiking trails, azure-blue waters and sandy beaches. It is a very popular spot amongst tourists and attracts a huge number of people to stay there every single year. This means that it can be quite a busy place but you will find everything you could possibly want or need on your vacation.

Naples

Naples, Italy
Naples, Italy

Naples is the largest city in the south of Italy. It is sometimes referred to as an ‘open-air museum’ because there are so many different historic sites, statues and monuments.

It is home to the museums which house the artefacts recovered from the towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum, but I would definitely recommend visiting these museums after having been to the towns themselves. Naples also gives its name to a whole host of different classic Italian foods.

Naples is just two hours south of Italy’s capital, Rome. A day trip to Rome is more than feasible from the Neapolitan Riviera and is definitely worth doing if it is your first time in Italy.

Capri

 

Capri
Capri

Capri is an island in the southern part of the bay of Naples. It is a beautiful haven in the middle of the sea with panoramic views across the whole of the bay and the island itself.

You can take a tour of the island by boat and visit the many grottoes which mark its coastline. The landscape is stunning; it is a truly picturesque spot which is definitely worth taking the boat trip across the bay to pay it a visit.

The historic center of the town of Capri is historically very interesting and is also full of fantastic seafood restaurants and cute little bed and breakfasts should you want to stay for longer than a day. Ferries, catamarans and jetfoils leave several times a day from both Naples and Sorrento to take you across to the island.

So, whatever you are looking for from your vacation to Italy, the Neapolitan Riviera will have something to delight you. It has sunshine, sandy beaches, watersports, ancient history, modern history, cultural and gastronomical wonders and luxury hotel resorts.

Enjoy!

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