Japan’s Greatest Tourist Attractions

Posted by on Sep 25, 2019 in Adventure Travel, Travel and Leisure | Comments Off on Japan’s Greatest Tourist Attractions

When most people visit Japan for the first time, they are surprised to learn that it boasts of such a fascinating and rich history dating back to many centuries. For instance, many cathedrals were constructed in Japan long before those found in Europe. But, this is not all. Japan has many tourist attractions that draw people from different parts of the world to this Asian country every year. Here are some of Japan’s greatest tourist attractions.

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

You probably know about the horrors of the Hiroshima atomic bombing of August 1945. However, this vibrant city has made incredible efforts in commemorating the victims of this first nuclear attack in the world. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park probably symbolizes a lasting peace. Every year, over one million tourists from overseas visit this attraction.

The park is located at the atomic blast’s epicenter. This point was once the bustling part of this city and it includes important memorials, museums, and monuments that relate to the fateful day’s events. What’s more, the gardens and grounds have a colorful blossoming, cherry that highlights the Peace Memorial Museum, the Memorial Cenotaph, the Flame of Peace, and the Atom Bomb Dome.

The Historic Kyoto

Kyoto is one of the most visited cities in Japan. It’s among the cities that WWII’s devastation spared in this country. Over 10 million people visit this attraction every year to explore its old architecture and streets. Because the imperial families were residing here, much of the architecture of this city has remained unchanged for years.

Nevertheless, Kyoto has remained one of the most crucial cultural centers in Japan. It has many art galleries and museums with important paintings, sculptures, and other forms of art. Its Buddhist-influenced architecture includes the well-preserved temples. Some of these are still used to-date. There are also structures like the 14th Century Golden Pavilion and the Nijo Castle. The Kyoto Imperial Palace and the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove are also beautiful tourist attractions in Japan.

Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji is undoubtedly the most recognizable of Japan’s landmarks. It’s also the highest mountain peak in the country towering 3,776 meters over the east and south landscapes. The height of this mountain makes it easy to spot from Tokyo, over 100 kilometers away.

This mountain has been celebrated in literature and art for centuries. Currently, Mount Fuji is considered an important icon in Japan. It’s recognized by UNESCO for having cultural significance globally. Mount Fuji forms a part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Over a million people climb Fuji every summer as a pilgrimage that culminates in enjoying the sunrise from its summit.

Imperial Tokyo

The Imperial Palace is a famous landmark in Japan due to the 17th Century parks that are surrounded by moats and walls. This is a must-see attraction for visitors in Japan. But, some parts of the palace are not open to the public. However, there is so much to see by simply taking a stroll in the area. You can also have fine views of the Imperial Palace from different points in the nearby parkland.

Most historical sites in Japan are still serving their original purposes. They are also open to the members of the public. What’s more, Japan’s beauty can be enjoyed throughout the year. So, if you plan to travel to this Asian country, consider visiting some of these tourist attractions.

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Going to Vegas? Here are a Few Tips to Limit Your Spending

Posted by on Sep 13, 2018 in Travel and Leisure, Travel Planning | Comments Off on Going to Vegas? Here are a Few Tips to Limit Your Spending

Since the emergence of mega resorts in Las Vegas, the idea of going for a cheap vacation to this city has been lost. However, it’s still possible to limit your spending when you go to Las Vegas. But, if you want to make your vacation cheap, you have to do things somehow differently. Essentially, you have to find ways and options to limit your overall spending.

Here are a few tips to limit your spending during a trip to Vegas:

Get Cheap Accommodation

Perhaps, you have read about hotel deals online. But, where are the hotels with cheap accommodation located in Las Vegas? In some cases, you may find cheap accommodation at a location that will require you to walk miles or use buses to get there from the airport. Therefore, take time to learn more about the location of the hotel with the best deals. Generally, accommodation is cheap in the middle of a week in Las Vegas. It can actually be extremely cheap on Tuesday nights. Factors that influence the cost of accommodation in Vegas include major events and conventions. However, rooms are generally cheap during the week days and expensive over the weekends. That’s because there are higher reservations on restaurants and hotels over the weekends. To limit your spending on accommodation during your trip to Vegas, take time to compare the rates of different hotels. Information is the key to a cheap Las Vegas vacation. Nevertheless, consider the location of a hotel even if it offers the cheapest accommodation in town. Consider hotels that are located at strategic places to make moving around the town easy for you.

Limit Your Spending on Drinks

Las Vegas is the place where people go to drink and engage in behaviors that relate to too much drinking. With this knowledge, focus on saving money on alcohol to avoid going broke for drinking excessively during your trip to Vegas. Some casinos in Vegas offer free drinks. However, you must gamble to get free alcohol. So, if you want to drink, sit around a slot machine and wait to be served cocktail by the waitress. If you tip them well, you will enjoy more drinks without burning a hole in your pocket. To save more during your trip, avoid clubs in Las Vegas. That’s because the cost of drinks in clubs are skyrocketing. Nevertheless, you can always be on the lookout for clubs that offer drink specials. Las Vegas clubs offer more fun and you can find some with great prices for drinks.

Look for Cheap Snacks and Foods

There are many fine dining options to consider in Las Vegas. However, some of them sell overpriced snacks and foods. But you can still enjoy great snacks and foods without spending a fortune. Look for cheap Las Vegas restaurants where you can enjoy fried chicken for less. There are also under $25 restaurants in Las Vegas that serve great meals even for $15. Therefore, take time to do some research and you will find places where you can enjoy great snacks and foods without breaking a bank.

Go for Cheap Thrills

Although the many entertainment options in Las Vegas make going cheap hard, you can find a concert or show that doesn’t require you to spend much. You can also check out free attractions and cheap shows in town. Essentially, seeing the people and the city itself is the best entertainment in Las Vegas.

Try these tips to limit your spending in Las Vegas and you will enjoy your overall experience.

 

Article submitted by: Aaron – A frequent visitor to Las Vegas & owner of the most memorable photo booth rental Winnipeg is known for.

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Travel Tips on Learning another Language

Posted by on Apr 10, 2018 in Adventure Travel, Travel Planning | Comments Off on Travel Tips on Learning another Language

There is no better excuse for learning another language than travel. Fortunately, you can easily learn another language while traveling without taking a linguistic course. And learning another language makes communicating and interacting with the people that you meet while traveling easier.

Here are travel tips that make learning another language easier:

  1. Practice Active Listening
  2. Go to Travel Destinations Where People Speak a Different Language
  3. Practice the Language
  4. Interact with the Locals
  5. Take Lessons.

Active listening is not easy. It requires careful concentration and sustained listening. Nevertheless, active listening is important to learning a new, foreign language. Listening closely enables you to learn the basics of phrases, vocabulary, and repeated speaking patterns. On recognizing familiar words, trying them out becomes easier.

The need to communicate with people that speak a different language necessitates learning it. For instance, when you stay in a hostel where everybody speaks a different language, learning it becomes necessary. Necessity becomes your motivator to learn how to communicate in that language. Therefore, choose a destination where people speak a different language and you will definitely learn to speak it.

Try to speak the language that you are learning. For instance, listen to music in that language or conversations and mimic singers or speakers. You can also talk to people that speak that language in online meet up groups. This will enable you to practice the language even before you travel.

To speak a new language like its native speakers, you must mimic how they speak. Therefore, hang out with the locals whenever you travel and hold conversations with them. For instance, have a drink at a local joint and talk to the locals. This will limit self-consciousness that may arise from making mistakes. It will also make you more outgoing and even help you make new friends.

Taking a few lessons of the language that you want to learn is a form of formal study. It gives you a basic appreciation of the grammar, structure, pronunciation, and verbs rules that build the language that you want to learn. You can take lessons at a local school or take an online course.

Alternatively, download audio programs or podcasts to attune your ears to hearing the foreign language. This will ensure that the language that you want to learn doesn’t sound foreign once you hear it for the first time.

Regardless of your travel destination, it’s wise to learn the language of the locals that you meet and interact with. When people realize that you can or want to speak their language, they will be more welcoming and friendly.

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Top 5 Honeymoon Destinations

Posted by on Mar 11, 2018 in Adventure Travel, Travel and Leisure, Travel Planning | Comments Off on Top 5 Honeymoon Destinations

When you know the top 5 honeymoon destinations, selecting the place to go after tying the knot becomes easier. Honeymoons come in varying sizes and shapes. But, everybody wants to leave everything behind and soak up in the company of their partner and celebrate love after a wedding. After all, the hassles of wedding planning are stressful enough. And the last thing you want to worry about is finding a perfect honeymoon destination.

Here are the top five honeymoon destinations that every wedding couple should consider:

  1. Mauritius

Many people see this honeymoon destination as an earthly heaven. It is characterized by beautiful beaches that extend into a long expanse of the serene blue ocean. Mauritius is tucked away into the Mascarene Islands. Thisis definitely a paradise slice and its name alone evokes the beautiful images of luxury hotels, pristine beaches, balmy weather, and blue seas. This is a perfect destination for celebrating and rekindling love after a tiresome wedding spell.

  1. Bali

This is a tropical paradise. It provides an awesome getaway for newlyweds. Explore the beautiful environment of Bali while cycling with your partner through the roads in the villages. These villages are flanked by naturally beautiful greenery. This honeymoon destination has amazing relaxing beaches that are sprinkled with spirituality, adventure, and culture. You can also laze around or ask a shaman to predict your future. Rest assured that your trip to Bali will provide a unique experience that you will truly love.

  1. Puket and Krabi

Puket and Krabi provide a perfect honeymoon destination for young couples. Located in Southern Thailand, this destination provides many things to do and explore during honeymoon. For instance, you can enjoy an eclectic nightlife of Thailand or go on a kayaking tour through the mangrove forests in Krabi. You can also enjoy the views of exotic marine, snorkel, scuba dive, or dance at the Bangla Road.

  1. Paris and Lucerne

True love is incomplete without a trip to the beautiful Switzerland. And, to ensure that your honeymoon spells ultimate classic romance, head to Paris, the city of eternal love. Honeymoon is generally perfect when it’s accompanied by the best chocolate, cheese and wine to set a perfect mood.

This is the experience that you get when you go to Lucerne. Head to Paris to make the experience complete and come back with perfect pictures. Rest assured that people will envy your honeymoon when you show them gorgeous pictures.

  1. Maldives

This is a perfect honeymoon destination for partners that love going all out. Surprise your partner with a trip to this honeymoon destination and you will sweep her off her feet. Many people think about huts that are suspended over azure water of the ocean. But, this destination provides a truly epic and luxurious experience. Explore the vibrant, amazing coral reefs and dive deep into the ocean. You can also surf or enjoy the amazing views of the Maldives water in complete peace at a never crowded destination.

If you’re planning a wedding, consider any of these top 5 honeymoon destinations and you will enjoy the most unforgettable experience.

A special thanks goes to Tim, a painting contractor (visit his company here sandmanpaintingwinnipeg.com if you’re looking to re-decorate with your new spouse after you get home from your vacation) who shared this article with us who recently came back from his honeymoon to Bali and decided to include a few additional locations to check out.

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Why You Should Travel to Dubai this Year

Posted by on Mar 6, 2018 in Travel and Leisure | Comments Off on Why You Should Travel to Dubai this Year

Dubai is among the few Middle East cities that are open to travellers. This city is one of the seven municipalities that form the United Arab Emirates.

It’s located towards the eastern side of the Arabian Peninsula and to the southwestern side of the Arabian Gulf. Many people travel to this city due to its stunning coastline, constant sunshine, and a vast desert. Nevertheless, there are more reasons to travel to Dubai.

They include:

The tallest building in the world

The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building globally. It measures 828 meters and it makes the downtown Dubai sky stunning. Its architecture was inspired by the beach spiderlilly or Hymenocallis. This is a desert flower. This building appears in steel and glass aluminum as three towers around the central core. Traveling to Dubai gives you an opportunity to go to the top of this building where there is an open air deck on level 124. This gives you stunning views of the entire city at 360 degrees.

Shopping

There are many shopping malls in Dubai. Dubai Mall is the most famous among them. This is the largest mall in the world and it covers a space of 12 million square feet. You can also go shopping in the Mall of the Emirates when you travel to Dubai.

Desert Safari

The Liwa Desert has an unforgettable landscape. It has miles of red sand that stretches endlessly into the furthest horizon. Going on a desert safari provides the best way to enjoy an unforgettable experience in this city. You get a chance to view the rolling sand dunes across the desert. You catch better views of the desert sunset when you go on an evening safari.

Mosques

The Sheikh Zayed Mosque is among the most impressive mosques in the world. Its size alone is simply overwhelming. It has a white marble that luminescent beneath the Arabian sun. The interior of this mosque is equally impressive.

Rest assured that you will live to remember the view of this mosque and tell stories about it once you visit it during your trip to Dubai. Jumeirah Mosque is also a large and impressive mosque that you should visit when you travel to Dubai.

Beaches

Dubai boasts of a coastline that is characterized by sparkling, clear waters and sand beaches. With high sunshine hours and hot temperatures, you can have great time at the beach. There are also coastal hotels with private beaches. Majority of them provide great water sport experiences.

These are some of the major reasons to visit Dubai. Consider traveling to Dubai for these and other reasons.

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Buying Property in Mexico

Posted by on Feb 12, 2018 in Adventure Travel, Travel and Leisure, Travel Planning | Comments Off on Buying Property in Mexico

If you plan to buy property in Mexico it is very important you receive as much information as possible to be well informed in making your decision. Below are some introductory guidelines that can be useful:

  • Property in Mexico
  • Financing your Mexican Property
  • Mexican Law: Property ownership
  • Ejido (Agricultural) Lands
  • The Role of the Notary Public in Mexico
  • Costs and Taxes

Important! The information in this section is provided for outline guidance only. Information, figures and rates change without notice. For updated information please contact us through our Contact Page.

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Property in Mexico

This introductory guide assumes that you are considering the purchase of land or property in Mexico.

Buying property in Mexico, whether it is land, a serviced apartment or a house, can offer good value for money in comparison to prices in the US and Europe. Although, prices in some areas have increased dramatically in recent years, care should be taken in assessing a property’s true value; Mexico’s land costs can be lower, building and maintenance is cheaper and cost of ownership (taxes, utilities) is very low.

The reasons to buy property in Mexico come down to a personal choice, and depend on your individual circumstances. Perhaps you will be living in Mexico for some years and you see long term rental as ‘wasted’ money, or perhaps you’re looking for an overseas property investment that will surrender a rental income, while providing you with a place to stay on a holiday visit…

Property value in México increases year-to-year, as they do in most places. And as with all property, the relative value and appeal of land or property in Mexico comes down to the “Location, Location, Location” factor.

Another important factor to consider when buying property in Mexico is the developed state of local and surrounding infrastructure in the location you are looking at. Not all areas are well developed, and property prices will be cheaper in those that are not. However if, for example, a high speed road is built connecting a previously ‘remote’ location to other, better developed places, you may see a property investment in that area increase substantially. México is a vast country – at nearly 2 million square kilometers – and not all of it is easily accessible. Road infrastructure is improving every year, with most major places now adequately connected, and work continues to connect the more remote areas, but this will take time.

If you’re considering the purchase of property in Baja California, sir you have come to the right professionals. Thousands and thousands of foreigners have successfully purchased land and property in Mexico, there is no reason why you should not become one of them if you want to.

Financing Your Mexican Property Investment

Historically and in many cases today, most property/real-estate deals in México are cash only. Mexican Banks are now beginning to offer mortgage products for the purchase of real-estate in Mexico, although 30-40% deposits are required and interest rates are not as attractive as those in the US, Canada and Europe.

There are some banks in the US, who are now offering mortgages on Mexican Property, but they are usually offered on the back of equity built up in a property in the USA and the rates are higher on the additional loan amount, to reflect the additional risk. Many Americans have mortgaged a house in México using this financial vehicle so it is possible.

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7 Great Spots for a BC Vacation Home

Posted by on Feb 4, 2018 in Adventure Travel, Travel and Leisure, Travel Planning | Comments Off on 7 Great Spots for a BC Vacation Home

Now more than ever, the dream of owning a vacation home in British Columbia is more attainable. With low interest rates and declining house prices, this is truly a buyer’s market. In fact, the most difficult part of taking this step, is deciding where to buy your second home. With so many gorgeous locations available to you, it can be hard to choose. Here is a sampling of a few B.C. vacation home spots and why they are special.

1. Big White

For those looking for an exceptional ski-getaway, Big White is an excellent choice. Great for families and singles, this is the largest ski-in/ski-out resort village in Canada. The resort boasts 15 lifts to access 2,765 acres of prime skiing, with the longest run being 7.2 km.

Big White is located 56 km south east of Kelowna, just off Highway 33 in the Okanagan Valley.

2. Golden

A home in this town will likely boast views of the snowy peaks of the Purcell and Rocky Mountains. In the summer, hiking in this fresh mountain air is sure rejuvenating you on weekend stays. Stroll downtown in the evening and grab a quick bite, or take in free street entertainment at the Fountain Plaza. The nearby Kicking Horse Resort offers world-class skiing, cross-country, and snowboarding in the winter, and mountain biking and hiking in the summer. The Kicking Horse River boasts some of the world’s best whitewater rafting and fly-fishing.

Golden is located at Highway 95 and Highway 1, 281 km north east of Cranbrook.

3. Kelowna

For relaxing lake country living in the heart of the Okanagan, Kelowna is the choice for many. In fact, this place is so hard to leave that many who started out with a vacation home have become permanent residents. Built around Lake Okanagan, it’s easy to find a place with a gorgeous view. For those who enjoy water sports, this is the place. Kelowna is known for its wakeboarding, boating, swimming and fishing. The town is full of charming shops and restaurants and free summer entertainment is available in City Park and Waterfront Park.

Kelowna is located at the junction of Highway 97 and Highway 33 – 395 km northeast of Vancouver.

4. Radium Hot Springs

Tucked between the Purcell and the Rocky Mountain ranges, Radium Hot Springs is the perfect vacation home location especially for the outdoor enthusiast. Hiking, rock climbing, birding, and of course relaxing in warm, mineral hot springs after a long day are popular activities in this scenic area.

Radium Hot Springs is located 143 km north of Cranbrook, at the junction of Highway 93 and 95.

5. Revelstoke

Revelstoke is being hailed as the next “Whistler”. Real estate opportunities here range from scenic properties bordering meadows and forest to Lake Front and mountainside villages. Located between the Monashee and Selkirk Mountains, this is considered the “Gateway to Mountain Adventure and National Parks”. Local attractions include Revelstoke Glacier National Park (home to over 400 glaciers), BC Hydro Revelstoke Dam and Generation Station, world class skiing, hiking and opportunities for wilderness photography.

Revelstoke sits at the junction of Highway 1 and Highway 23; 565 km northeast of Vancouver, and 192 km northeast of Kelowna.

6. Salmon Beach, Tofino

The lots at Salmon Beach offer seasonal cottage living in a remote area on the west coast, bordering Barkley Sound. Residents have access to a community beach and provide a perfect water access for endless hours of kayaking, fishing or prawning. Visit this area on a warm sunny day and you’ll never want to leave.

Salmon Beach is located halfway between Ucluelet and Toquart Bay, off of Highway 4.

7. Ucluelet

For those looking for the rugged shoreline of the west coast, but with more amenities than can be had at Salmon Beach, a vacation home in Ucluelet could fit the bill. With stunning ocean views and access to hiking on the Wild Pacific Trail, luxury resorts such as Oceanwest or Black Rock provide year round getaways with gourmet restaurants, lounges, and spa and fitness facilities. A Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course is currently under construction and located minutes away.

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