Why Do People Travel?

Can you imagine what is life without traveling? Is it possible? Whatever your reason is, traveling is a part of people's life. We all travel. The reason behind that is up to you.

There are different reasons why people travels:.

1.) Most People Travel because they want to see their families and friends who live far away. Invitations from families and friends are seldom so you will decide to travel just to see them.

2.) People Travel because they want to see their soul mates. Some people believe that there is only one person for them and if they haven't had much luck searching in their area, they figured it out that even though there are millions of people around the world, they can still find it in other place.

3.) People travel to seek for work because they want to experience how to work from another place. We must admit that earning money is hard and some people decide to work abroad because they are looking for greener pasture. Other place pays bigger rates than their own place. We may also say that their expertise is not favorable in their own place. Unfortunately, they have to leave their families for awhile for a job opportunities abroad.

4.) People travel because they want to learn others cultures. They want to see the difference between their culture and other cultures. They want to learn others culture because for them traveling is fun while learning. One particular thing about the culture is the food. They want to know how food is prepared and how it is done. Obviously, we all love to eat.

5.) People travel because they are writers. They want to give the readers relevant article to their readers especially when they are making story in that particular place.

6.) People travel because they want to see all beautiful scenery of different countries. Others would want to take pictures because it serves as souvenirs.

7.) When opportunity arise, it is hard to decide whether to leave your family and open a business far away your place. Some businessmen would rather put up business in other place because they want gain and it is more profitable than staying in their place. Business is nothing without profit.

Traveling is not only for rich people. Whether you are poor or in the middle class, you can travel as long as it fits your budget. Some travel for their goals, some travel for fun and relaxation and some travel for experience.  Ramvie Santiago

The Beaches of Puerto Vallarta

The beaches in and around Puerto Vallarta may be the most diverse in Mexico. Located at the midpoint of Banderas Bay, the area surrounding Puerto Vallarta boasts 34 miles of coastline, 26 of which are sandy beaches. Within the city, the beaches are elegant and pristine, bordered by restaurants and resorts.

Beaches to the north of the city tend to be longer and wider, with great opportunities for surfing and swimming. South of Puerto Vallarta, the mountains topple into the sea in places, creating placid coves and intimate sandy pockets.

Playa Los Muertos is the most frequented beach in Puerto Vallarta. This sandy beach is long and wide with small waves perfect for swimming. Despite its popularity, there is usually plenty of room to spread out a towel and soak up rays. Los Muertos is a bustling place full of craft and food vendors; the beach itself is lined by numerous resorts, restaurants and bars. This is also a great place to ride a parasail and get a bird's eye view of the city. The beach has the added attraction of being on the edge of Viejo Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta's beautiful old town.

Several other beautiful beaches lie in close proximity to the city's Hotel Zone. Playa El Saldo, also known as Marina Vallarta, primarily caters to hotel guests. However, the beach is wide and well-maintained, offering stunning views of the city and its mountainous backdrop. Playa Pelicanos is generally quiet, making it a great place to escape the beach crowds while remaining in the heart of the city. Playa Las Glorias is the name of the sandy stretch between Playa Pelicanos and Marina Vallarta. If you're staying in a hotel north of the primary Hotel Zone, you will find this excellent swimming beach outside your back door.

North of the city, the beach of Nuevo Vallarta offers a wider stretch of sand with fewer rocks than most beaches within Banderas Bay. As favorites of families, visitors to Playa Destiladeres and Playa Bucerias can expect mild waves (perfect for boogie-boarding or learning to surf), elegant white sand beaches and fresh seafood at charming palapa-shaded restaurants. To the North, Punta Mita, also known as Playa Anclote, is distinguished for its row of pleasant beach restaurants and gentle slope, making it a perfect beach for all ages. With consistently low, rolling waves, Punta Mita is also celebrated as an excellent place to learn to surf. 

There are even a few surfing schools that offer instruction to travelers. For those with more experience on the waves, the tiny community of Sayulita is the place of choice. A surfing mecca of international renown, the shoreline of this picturesque fishing village is home to abundant coves and beaches where surfers hunt perfect waves and day trippers relax in the sun. 

As Sayulita has developed over the past few years into a surfer's town with a bohemian feel, travelers will be treated to a refreshing, laid-back attitude. A few miles beyond the northern-most point of the bay are the beaches of San Francisco and San Pancho. Sporting a windswept and primitive feeling, with deeper, creamier sand and rougher waters than inside Banderas Bay, these beaches are ideal for travelers who want a taste of pristine nature and the open sea.

To the south of Puerto Vallarta lie such treasures as Playa Gemelas, Playa Garza Blanca, and Playa Punta Negra. Because both are slightly more difficult to access, you'll find beautiful beaches that are fairly secluded and scarcely used, with great rock outcroppings for snorkeling. In this area, you'll also find Playa Mismaloya, where John Huston's The Night of the Iguana was filmed in 1963, putting Puerto Vallarta on the international tourist map. With a rustic South Seas feel, Boca de Tomatlan is a small sandy cove at the jungle's edge three miles south of Mismaloya where the Tomatlan River meets the bay. Boca de Tomatlan is the last beach stop on the primary road heading south from Puerto Vallarta. It is another great site for swimming or snorkeling with a couple of lovely beach restaurants where you can sit under a palapa on the beach and enjoy fresh seafood.

To the south of Boca de Tomatlan are a number of quaint fishing villages, secluded beaches and peaceful coves. Playas Las Caletas and Las Animas are elegant, rock-lined stretches ideal for quiet relaxation. Quimixto, one of the largest fishing villages in the southern half of Banderas Bay, features a number of excellent restaurants and the best surf south of Puerto Vallarta. Near the southern-most point of the bay, Majahuitas and Yelapa allow visitors to feel completely removed from civilization. Bordered by lush jungles, these beaches are the definition of tropical privacy.  Justin Burch

10 Great Beaches in the Dominican Republic

The beaches in the Dominican Republic are dazzling, unspoilt jewels that radiate under the Caribbean sun. Boasting almost 800 glorious miles of beautiful coastline the country possesses some of the best beaches in the whole of the Caribbean. With so many beaches on one island it might be tough to plan a vacation around it. So to help you I have outlined below a list of ten of my favourite beaches in the Dominican Republic.

10. Playa Coson, Las Terrenas

The magnificent Playa Coson beach in Bahia de Samana stretches for more than three glorious miles and accommodates a number of holiday villas as well as restaurants and one large resort. It is a place of awesome natural beauty characterised by crystal waters and a medium grain type of sand that is a rich golden tan colour. A great place to sunbath, the Playa Coson is also a good place to enjoy watersports such as snorkeling and diving.

9. Playa Grande

Nestled between the Cabrera and Rio San Juan the Playa Grande is a real gem. Offering excellent views located in a cove with cliffs surrounding, the beach has rather the feel of a desert island. Clear water and gorgeous lovely sand completes the picture perfect scene which is noted as a very relaxing place to swim, snorkel and sunbath.

8. Isla Saona

Part of the Parque the Parque Nacional del Este, just across from the Bahía de Catalinita, this is a very popular island beach. With over a thousand tourists visiting it every day you certainly won't be alone if you go here but you will soon see why everyone does. Reached by catamaran, sailboat, or speedboat ride the beach features magnificent turquoise waters offset by the rugged beauty of limestone cliffs. A place where dolphins are often spotted, the 22 kilometres of white sand and idyllic palm trees that encircle this island provide the perfect spot to relax whilst you are waiting from them to show up.

7. Cosambar Beach

One of the best beaches in Puerto Plata, Cosamber Beach is a quiet crescent shape of golden sand. A popular hotspot where semi-permanent snowbirds and tourists try to escape the winter cold of home, this beach has a relaxed atmosphere and paradisiacal nature. A decent spot for snorkelling, the best part about this beach is that although the area has a decent number of holiday accommodation units the region is yet to be fully developed to the point that it is overrun with tourists.

6. Playa Caleta

One of the more dramatic beaches in the whole of the Dominican Republic Playa Caleta in La Romana has a really pleasant feel to it. A great beach for children as the water is quite shallow and there is plenty of shade from the tall palms that line the golden sand, the presence of small fishing boats only adds to its charm.

5. Cayo Levantado

Another Samana beauty, the Cayo Levantado is another little piece of paradise that features clean, unspoilt beaches that are lined with giant coconut palms interspersed with lush flowery gardens. With warm water and a largely quiet ambience this is a fantastic place to go for a little solitude.

4. Playa Luperon

Lined with beautiful coconut palms and extending for over a mile in length the Playa Luperon beach is located on the Atlantic Ocean. It is a great place to dive, snorkel or windsurf, although not really to swim. But with plenty of umbrellas, beach loungers, bars and watersport equipment available to rent there is a lot of fun to be had here.

3. Punta Cana

Perhaps the most famous beach in the Dominican Republic, this private, immaculate beach of white sand, azure waters and verdant tropical landscapes is as beautiful as it is enjoyable. As well as being a great place to sunbath, for those who like to be a little more active, catamaran trips, speed boats, banana boats and party boats are readily available here. The marine life in this area, which can be seen more closely by snorkelling or on a glass bottom boat tour, is particular stunning too.

2. Playa Madame

Wild, yet pristine this small, isolated beach is could easily sell a million postcards. A beautiful golden beach surrounded by ragged cliffs and lush, bosky foliage this little gem, although hard to get to at the end of the very rough road that leads in to it, is well worth the trip. Not least because you can explore some of the wonderful caves and lagoons it houses.

1. Playa de Macao

Rightly acclaimed by UNESCO, the Playa beach is a fantastic beach. Home to the quaint fishing village of El Macao, which is located just south of Uvero Alto in Punta Cana, the beach has brilliant white sand and is notable for an offshore shipwreck which is a popular dive site. Rough waters creates good surfing conditions and the views of and atop the cliffs that brood above the beach are simply breathtaking.  Spencer Samaroo

How to Visit Astronomical Observatories In Chile

Renowned for its lush fields, excellent vineyards and beautiful, clear skies, the Elqui Valley in northern Chile is one of the favorite destinations among travelers looking for breathtaking nature and true experience. In this region, you'll find some of the world's best wines, as well as pisco distilleries, producing the national beverage. But what truly distinguishes the Elqui valley from other wine producing region or beautiful countryside is its extremely dry atmosphere which makes for some of the world's clearest skies and the ideal astronomical observation spot.

This is the reason why no less than 3 international observatories can be found in the Valley: La Silla, El Tololo and Las Campanas. Most of them were built by international organizations with large funding from Europe and the United States. All observatories can be visited on your Chile vacation, although none of them allow for observation through their telescopes. Visiting these immense laboratories of astronomical science and admiring their high tech equipment is still an unforgettable experience that will awake the inner child of anyone who has ever owned a telescope.

La Silla is owned by the organization European Southern Observatory (ESO), financed by a coalition of 8 European governments. The observatory is located at over 2,400 meters, about 150 kilometers from La Serena, the largest city in the area. The site can be visited on Saturdays only, except in July and August, and visitors are required to register in advance in Santiago, or through mail/email/phone to the direct reservation office of the observatory in La Serena. La Silla operates 3 major telescopes and several smaller ones. Be aware that procedures to visit the observatory are complex and can take a long time so make sure you plan your trip well in advance.

El Tololo observatory is owned by an association of US and Chilean universities, and until recently, was home to the largest telescope in the Southern Hemisphere, with a 4-meter wide diameter. It also possesses 6 other telescopes and a radio telescope. Located at 2,200 meters above sea level, the observatory can only be reached from La Serena with private transportation, about 87 kilometers away. Just like for La Silla, it's worth it to plan your visit to El Tololo well in advance and apply for a permit, although in the off-season, you may be able to be granted a visitor's permit the day before should there be any cancellations. Visits are only permitted on Saturdays from 9:00am to 13:00pm and free permits can be obtained by writing to their office in La Serena.

Third international observatory in Chile's Elqui Valley and highest one, at 2,500 meters, Las Campanas belongs to the famous Carnegie institute. With 5 telescopes, this is the smallest one of the three.

Visitors who are not willing to go through the lengthy and cumbersome processes to visit these observatories can travel to Mamalluca, a recent observatory specifically built for the public in the area, where you can actually look through the telescopes. Mamalluca is open daily for nocturnal visits (times depend on the season) and booking in advance is strongly recommended.  Hortense Soulier

5 Things You Must Do In Berlin Germany

Berlin, Germany is not one of the major cities in Europe which one associates with the beach life and sunshine holidays, such as one looks for in cities such as Barcelona, Cannes, Faro or Ibiza. Berlin though offers some excellent attractions, a fascinating history, culture and a whole load more, for tourists. Below a look at 5 reasons why the city of Berlin is always worth visiting for a few days.

1. The Berlin Wall and Eastern Berlin - There are few visitors to Berlin who will not appreciate the stunning changes that have taken place in Berlin in recent decades with the fall of the Berlin wall. The wall is an attraction well worth visiting and to get to the best out of your experience, one of the guided walking tours which includes the wall is normally very good. The guides will fill you in on the history of the wall and show you vital landmarks.

2. Wellness and Sauna - Just like in many other Northern European countries, Germans have a passion for sauna and wellness. The city of Berlin has some world class spa and sauna venues The Sultan Hamam, Thermin Berlin and Gewoelbe sauna's are all very well organised and professional wellness places to unwind in for an afternoon or evening. Beware that clothes are not permitted in German saunas and tend to be mixed gender.

3. The Museums - Berlin has a number of excellent museum and none so better than the German Historical Museum. This museums gives one an instant look into Berlin and Germany's past and is a must see museum if you are interested in the local culture.

4. Sports - German people tend to be as passionate as any nation when it comes to sport and football (soccer) and the chance to see a home game when Hertha Berlin are playing in the German Bundesliga is quite an experience. If you really want to fit in, make sure to buy a Hertha Berlin football scarf from outside the ground and then take your seat in the home supporters area and cheer on the local team.

5. Shopping - One might associate London and Paris more so, when it comes to shopping in European cities. If you are interested in the wellness aspect of Berlin culture though or have an interest in attractions such as the Berlin wall, you will find that Berlin certainly has plenty of shopping opportunities. German art and style does exist and does offer something different and this can make shopping in Berlin a fun experience.  Paul Symonds

Rome Travel Information, Rome Travel Tips

Rome is one of the most popular travel destinations in Europe. There ancient city offer great attractions and activities. Here the styles of art is different, it is fascinating and mighty. And also Rome is the most important city of the western antiquity and the cradle of the European civilization, where the past and the present is blended in perfect harmony. The most unique features of this old world city such as magnificent thrill of centuries of turbulent history, natural occurrence, architectural jewelry from the history's greatest artists makes traveler in love with Rome.

Rome is truly an open-air museum, a city that has retained a real architectural uniformity; here, no changes due to industrialization and modernization, but a city that retains much of its charm. No wonder you can enjoy a day walking among the temples, squares, stores, bell-towers and more those will create a memorable and unforgettable images on travelers' mind.

Theaters, Temples and spas next to stunning monuments gave the city a steady growth and a dazzling brightness that concluded in the decay of so great empire. Christian Rome is born then, and the city wearing Renaissance and Baroque art.

Born on seven hills (Capitoline, Quirinal (Quirinale), Esquilino, Viminale, Celia, Palatine, and Aventine), criss-crossed by the River Tiber, Etruscan settlement of brave warriors and powerful imperial metropolis, Rome (founded in 753 BC) is today proud of its immense historical and cultural heritage.

At present, Roma is divided into two fundamental areas: the interior, or historical center, surrounded by the walls of Aurelius, built at the end of the third century AD to fence the area of the Seven Hills, and the area of neighborhoods or suburbs.

In the communal territory of Rome is the State of Vatican City, headquarters of the papacy of the Catholic Church, recognized as independent state by the Italian government in 1929 by the Lateran Pacts. It has a surface of 42 m2. and approximately 1,000 people live there. The majestic Dome of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, the largest in the world, stands on the horizon of the city.

The best time to visit Rome is in April, May, October and November. During these seasons, the landscape of the fields that surround the city is fascinating, the temperatures are pleasant. The visitor should try to avoid August, as this is the month in which the majority of Italians take their holiday and consequently many shops are closed. Although winter can be very cold, the sun appears frequently, there are less people and prices fall considerably.  Beyazit Dere

The Best Way to Travel: Group or Solo?

It depends! There is no one size fits all answer. The best way to travel depends on many things, but here are a few key factors.

• Your REASONS for travelling.
• Are you going solo or with friends from home?
• The duration of the trip.
• Your personality.
• The location.

Reasons!

If you are going to travel to finally take a long deserved break from your 60 hours weeks in a stressful job. Then I highly doubt you want to spend your break cramming your brain with loads and loads of new information. This can be in the form of a new language, new ways to function, new food, and figuring out a new public transit system every other day. In this case you would be far better off going somewhere you are semi-familiar with or travelling with a group. In a group you'll get to chill out. The company guide will take care of all the logistics, bargaining, scams, hotels, bus tickets and taxi rides. You are just there to clear your mind, not play Indiana Jones.

Are you going solo or with friends from home?

If going solo, nothing is stopping you from meeting people on the road. While traveling, you'll meet tons of people but they aren't always going your way. You could meet new people in Bangkok that seem like they are an awesome bunch but they are going to Chiang Mai... the city you just came from. That can be kind of a drag. Unless you are lucky and meet the perfect traveling partner, you'll have to get used to short term friendships. If you want to stay with the same people for the duration of the trip, develop better, longer lasting relationships and start developing inside jokes and all that fun stuff, group travel is definitely the better option.

The duration of the trip

If you are leaving for a very short period of time like 1 or 2 weeks. It would be better to go with a tour because they have years of experience in making the perfect itineraries. You might go solo, hoping to see this and that during your week only to find out that the bus only leaves every other day to that destination. The group travel businesses know this! And they plan for it way in advance allowing you the opportunity to see everything they said you would see... GUARANTEED! On the other hand if you have 4 months, go solo! Take your time, missed the bus? Oh well. Now you know, you have months ahead of you.

Your personality

If you're a very stressed out individual, dislike being out of your element, not a huge fan of change but still want to see beautiful places, going solo might just give you a long headache. You don't want to come back home with anger and new prejudices! Obviously, the group tour option would be a good one for you. If you are easy going, don't mind looking stupid in public, think that getting lost or scammed is part of life and love the growth you'll get out of bad experiences, go solo.

Location

If you are going to hard to reach places where you either need a car (or worse a 4x4 truck) to get to. Going solo is pretty much out of the question (unless you have tons of cash on hand!). Some national parks require a 4x4 vehicle to get around. If you show up with just a tent, and hiking boots, you won't see much! I speak from first hand experience. I tried to visit Kaeng Krachan national park in Thailand by foot. I thought they had hiking trails. I was wrong! I had to turn back. Think also of things like safaris, some last for a few days, some for a few weeks!.

Now if you are heading to an easy access location where you know you'll find someone that can understand you, find English menus etc. Nothing wrong with going by yourself!

So take this into consideration when daydreaming about your next trip. So many things are a factor in determining the perfect vacation. But these are the main issues that should help you figure out what the best way to travel is for you.  Cedric Cobban

Fun Adventures in Bali

The beautiful island of Bali conjures up dreamy images of a tropical paradise, and despite being fairly compact it's the most popular tourist destination in Indonesia. Its appeal is drawn from many sources including the blissful climate, gorgeous beaches, unique culture, delicious food, and relatively inexpensive living costs. Beach lovers could easily while away their entire stay simply soaking up the rays, sipping cocktails out of coconuts, and splashing about in the warm sea, but there's also plenty on offer for more adventurous travellers...

Volcano trekking

A two-hour climb to the summit of active volcano Mount Batur to watch the sun rise is an incredibly memorable experience, and your local guide may add to the fun by cracking and cooking an egg on some lava-heated rock - reminding you just how active the volcano really is. It's a fairly accessible hike if you're reasonably fit, and you're rewarded with views of the sunrise over Bali's tallest mountain, Mount Agung, while to the north you see several steaming, active cones. Registered guides should be members of the Association of Mount Batur Trekking Guides, which has an office in Toyo Bungkah village where the treks begin.

Diving and snorkelling

The best time of year for snorkelling and diving around Bali is from May until September, when the water tends to be clearest and you can see the live coral and tropical marine life in all its glory. At Tulamben, one of Bali's most famous dive sites, you can even explore a sunken World War II ship - the 120-metre-long USS Liberty wreck. On Bali's far east coast there are also some great locations such as Candidasa and the nearby islands of Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan. For more experienced divers there are excellent sites around the rocky islets of Gili Kambing, Gili Biaha and Gili Mimpang.

White water rafting

In central Bali, the island's cultural heart, Ubud offers a good base for white water rafting excursions outside of the dry season. After exploring the town's historical sites and temples, including some of the most beautiful on the island, you can head west to Sayan near the lush Ayung gorge. Whitewater rafting operators will take you for a day on the Class II and Class III rapids, which aren't the most challenging in the world but are set against a spectacularly beautiful backdrop.

Surfing

One of the island's best-known resorts is Kuta, once a sleepy fishing village but today a popular backpacking spot, particularly amongst Australian surfers. The village can get very busy and the surf overcrowded at some times of the year, though, so surfers may prefer to venture to quieter spots elsewhere. With more than 30 surf locations across Bali, once you get chatting to fellow surfers you'll soon hear about favourites such as Ulu Watu for more experienced surfers, and nearby Padang Padang.

These are just a handful of the activities on offer across Bali, and with a bit of research you can have a go at para-sailing, riding an elephant, jungle or rice paddy trekking, fishing, wakeboarding or water skiing.  Joseph Z Williams