Shipwreck, close to Robertspoint* in Liberia, is the ideal surfing getaway, provided you go at the right time of the year.
*The town of Robertspoint, located in western Liberia, lies about 10 miles from the border of Sierra Leone. The town is named after the first president of the country, Joseph Jenkins Roberts. Situated on the Cape Mount peninsula, the town catches the waves of the Atlantic Ocean.
The best time to surf at Shipwreck is during the month of November. At that time, you will experience clean surfable waves about half the time. The winter months are also good times to surf at the exposed reef break.
Otherwise, some waves tend to be lower quality or blown out. In this case, you might consider kitesurfing as an option.
While some waves may be considered too small for surfers at other times of the year, they still may be fine for beginning surfers or groms (young surfers, first learning to surf).
You can learn more about the surfing conditions at Shipwreck here. Read this information first before planning a surfing vacation.
If you have always wanted to take an African safari or want to plan a wildlife journey, you will find that Rwanda is the safest country to visit in this regard. The country is also the cleanest of the African countries.
In fact, Rwanda was listed as the ninth safest country in the world in 2017. Therefore, Rwandans place a high emphasis on security.
Another safe bet is the country of Botswana, where tourists rarely experience crime. Safaris are generally well-managed and guides keep guests protected from possible wildlife encounters. Little corruption exists and the tourism industry is well-established in the country.
If you want to spend a leisurely and safe holiday in Africa, you should head to the island nation of Mauritius. Take a trip during the cooler times of the year, when it is less damp, such as May through November.
Mauritius offers safe family holidays and a welcoming atmosphere for all travelers. If you are looking for a beach vacation for your travel escape, Mauritius should be added to your travel itinerary.
Neuschwanstein castle is indeed a fairy-tale-like landmark. It is located in the German Alps in Bavaria. In fact, the castle is one of the most famous attractions in Europe.
The castle sits on a hill above the village of Hohenschwangau in southwestern Bavaria. It was commissioned to be built by King Ludwig II in 1868. However, the final towers were not completed until 1892. Because the king died in 1886, he did not see the final structure.
Guided day trips are currently available from Munich that feature a Neuschwanstein castle tour. Learn more about the journey here.
Eurostar is the premier way to book train travel in Europe. The standard class of seats are even comfortable. Therefore, you can see all the sights in Europe affordably and with less stress by reserving seats on the rail line.
Plus, you can book seats 180 days before you arrive in Europe, so using Eurostar will help you plan a European holiday by train.
By taking Eurostar, you can see all the great European capitals. London, Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam are all the primary Eurostar destinations.
Trains on the Eurostar line travel 7 days a week, except for Christmas, to and from the stations of St. Pancras International (also known as Kings Cross in the UK), Gare du Nord (in Paris), Brussels Midi, and Amsterdam Central.
The train also stops at other major stops, depending on the season, such as Lyon, Marseille, and Marne-la-Valle (the stop of Disneyland Paris).
You do need to have a Passport to travel by train on Eurostar.
You are allowed to bring 2 pieces of luggage and a small hand type luggage, without weight restrictions.
Train travel as well as train and hotel reservations can be booked on the Eurostar website.
Pierogi are indeed delicious, and come in different variations. Pierogi are filled dumplings that are made by wrapping an unleavened dough around a sweet treat or filling, something more savory, or a meat. The dough is then cooked in boiling water. Frequently, pierogi are pan-fried before they are served.
If you are wondering just how to pronounce pierogi, which is plural for the dumplings, the pronunciation is puh-row-gee, not per-oh-gee, as it is often pronounced in the U.S. Pierogi is plural for the Polish word for the dumpling. The singular, which is rarely used, is perog (puh-rowg).
Pierogi are actually the national dish of Poland. In fact, they are so popular in the country that they are featured at national festivals and events. However, you can find different variations of the dumpling throughout Europe.
While mashed potatoes are the most common and traditional of pierogi fillings, they may also be filled with fried onions, cottage cheese, cabbage, mushrooms, or spinach. In Poland, one variation of perogi, made for weddings, is kurniki, filled with chicken. A popular Polish filling is a mix of quark (which is like cottage cheese) combined with fried onions and potatoes. Meat, mushrooms, and cabbage are also common fillings in Poland, as is berry pierogi.
If you really want to savor pierogi, Poland should be your top destination when planning a “pierogi holiday.”
Balinese hospitality is second to none. It is almost impossible to leave Bali without falling in love with its people. For that reason, we would say that it is absolutely worth it to stay at a luxury hotel in Bali. In many instances, you will hear that luxury hotels are overrated. True, you might come across amazing service and hospitality at a guesthouse, but we have to confess that nothing will compare to the special attention you’re pampered with when staying at a luxury resort in Bali.
There are also many categories of luxury stays in Bali ranging from hotels, to resorts, as well as private villas (which we really recommend for big families or groups). Luxury stays in Bali are also scattered around the island, therefore you will be able to enjoy comfort and an exclusive experience even in less-touristy areas!
To add, it’s always easier when traveling with kids and staying at a luxury resort as chances are you will get lots of help to entertain and keep them busy. The Balinese run a family-centered culture and therefore you will find that their people simply adore kids! Plus, most luxury hotels are equipped with a kids and teens club!
If you’re wondering whether Komodo dragons are dangerous, the answer is ‘yes’! These giant lizards ooze venom that not only weakens but ultimately kills their prey. That being said, you should not fear Komodo dragons when visiting Komodo Island in Indonesia as you will be accompanied by a local tour guide. Throughout the past years, there have been only a few Komodo attacks on humans – of which less than 10 have been fatal. However, we need to highlight that you should always stay on alert and avoid venturing alone while on Komodo Island!
Is Komodo Island closed to tourists?
In 2020, officials in Indonesia had warned about the closure of Komodo Island to tourists, fearing the disruption they would cause to the natural behaviour of the giant lizards. However, after reconsideration, Indonesian authorities cancelled Komodo Island’s closure, considering it is one of the most visited UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Indonesia. As of now, Komodo Island remains open to tourists.
Can you stay on Komodo Island?
No, it is not possible to stay on Komodo Island. There are small bungalows on the island but these are operated by the National Park itself and reserved for special occasions and exclusive guests and media crews. Most people visiting Komodo Island spend the night at the nearby main island of Flores, in Labuan Bajo. Another option is to opt for a liveaboard experience cruising around several islands in the region.
It is true; The Maldives is known for its overwater villas that exude nothing but luxury and tropical opulence! Most tourists visiting The Maldives pick an overwater villa to celebrate a special occasion or simply to enjoy the privacy of having their own deck and sometimes pool. Adding to that, you will be spending most of your time at your villa when on a holiday to The Maldives, so might as well splurge on a once-in-a-lifetime experience if you can as it is totally worth it. What is so special about the overwater villas in The Maldives is that it is a unique experience on its own. When do you ever get the chance to sleep over the ocean?
Having said that, overwater villas in The Maldives might come as very expensive as you’re paying for exclusivity and luxury service (a lot of times your overwater villa comes with a personal butler too).
If cost is something you worry about, then there are definitely other ways to make your honeymoon in The Maldives extra special. There are several beach villas in The Maldives that give you direct access to the stretch of white sand or why not consider a room but upgrade to an all-inclusive basis? That way, you can enjoy unlimited food and beverages (with terms and conditions), as well as fun activities! Another option is to organise a romantic dinner by the beach or sign up for a private tour to a nearby isolated sandbank!
Everyone’s first time in Bali is deemed to be exciting, but the planning can also be overwhelming. The big question is ‘where to stay in Bali’. For your first time in Bali, we recommend you book a hotel in Bali’s most popular areas which include Seminyak, Kuta, Legian or Canggu, and include a day trip to other places like Ubud, Uluwatu and Nusa Dua.
There is just so much to see in Bali, but realistically speaking you will not be able to cover all of the top things to do in Bali on your first trip itself. When travelling to Bali with family for the first time, our suggestion would be to book a family-friendly resort in Seminyak or Legian – these two areas in Bali are ideal for families with kids. They are safe and it is also very convenient to move around Bali from there.
You can read more about the best places to stay in Bali in our blog post. This will give you an idea of what best suits your requirements and also provide you with an overview of the area as a whole.
Is it better to stay in Ubud or Seminyak?
Comparing Ubud to Seminyak is like comparing day and night – you just can’t do that! On one side we have Ubud that’s principally about nature, with attractions like waterfalls, rice paddy fields, jungle clubs and yoga retreats and on the other side we have Seminyak, where pretty much everything happens by the beach – it’s got beach clubs, oceanfront restaurants, surfing schools and amazing sunsets!
For that reason, debating whether it is best to stay in Ubud or Seminyak will only depend on what you want to do on your holiday in Bali. At the end of the day, it is also very much possible to go on a day trip from one place to another, but we have to confess that it is much more convenient to stay in Seminyak if you want to have access to the top attractions and activities in Bali (especially when on your first trip to Bali).
You are not legally required to tip in the USA but it is highly appreciated. In fact, some restaurants do include gratuities as part of your bill, and in such instances, you will not have to tip extra. That being said, it is common for tourists to be chased by waiters if they leave a restaurant without giving a 15-25% tip. For that reason, we recommend you to tip when on holiday to the US as it is part of their culture.
Why do they tip in America?
The reason why they tip in America is that waiters generally do not earn much per hour. Under the American federal law, employees who earn tips are entitled to a minimum wage of approximately US$2.13 while for those who don’t it is US$7.25.
As compared to other countries around the world (like the UK), in the USA, people do not simply tip as a bonus for great service, but actually, pay for the service as a whole (not as an extra). It is a bit like you’re in a social contract with the person. That being said, if you do not want to tip, it is recommended to simply order a meal to go than break America’s tipping culture.
What happens if you don’t tip in the USA?
Since tipping is not compulsory under the law, nothing much can happen to you if you don’t tip in the USA. However, be ready to receive comments from disgruntled waitstaff. Most of the time, if you do not tip in the USA, you will be subjected to some questioning from waiters as well, demanding what went wrong as for them it might come as a sign of bad service. To add, when you do not tip in the USA, restaurants are required to pay the difference to their employees.
