10 Haunted Places in the World’s Most Attract Tourists

It is unique, but also sought feared. That picture of the 10 most haunted places and the most frightening in the world. Many people are frightened when talking about ghosts, but many are curious and come to visit. Up until the travel agents selling packages “Ghost Tour”. Wherever the most frightening in the world, following the location is also a story behind the mystery of this place.


1: Catacombs, Paris, France.

In the past, when the government decided to provide a broader place for people to live, then one option is to displace burial places. This alternative was chosen because if evicted illegal settlements, would cause huge protests from residents. While displacing the dead, a smaller protest votes. Most only the heirs of the objection. Then become the city planning experts plan to move the bones of Parisians who number millions. In order not to cause turmoil, transfers carried out secretly. Where transfer of? This is a historical record. It turned out that the bones were posted along the hallway walls of the underground city. Underground city called City of Light. Until now the underground city that was still terrible and popular with the title Empire of the Dead.

The Paris Catacombs is a picture of government atrocities during the period and a record of all time in world history. Uniquely, it is now a major tourist sites most often visited. Every year a million people came to the place to see the horrible sights where human skulls, bones against the wall of a dark and damp. The tourists are of course guided by a guide who will explain the ins and outs of the history of the place.

And the mass grave where her name, of course many ghost stories circulating for reply from there. A number of tourists and the guide told me that during the visit they met with the ghosts that happen to the wandering. They are spirits of the past population of paris, which often follow this tour group. Some of the tourists there even colorable recording ghosts, though previously unaware. Although scary, but still a lot of curious tourists who come here.

Many incoming reports that many tourists are desperate to come alone, no entourage, finally lost alias never came back.


2: The ghosts of New Orleans, Louisiana. The city is famous as the most haunted city in the United States.

Local residents, visitors also psychic agree that New Orleans is the most haunted places in America. That said, this all happened because of past history of this town which became the activities of voodoo, murder and damnation. This legend has been there since 200 years ago. This is then compounded by the outbreak of civil war with the most heinous vicious murders. Locals call, the concentration of the most haunted places in New Orleans was in the middle in which has become a business center, also at home home residents.

Living legend in the community’s most famous ghosts haunt the ghosts of New Orleans Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveau. He said, Marie’s ghost was often appear to walk wearing a red dress with her head a white turban wrapped around seven layers. As he walked, supposedly, the ghost out sounds kind of voodoo curse. So loud noises that people around there can hear. But the ghost is most often seen around the cemetery of St. Louis Cemetery. Many tourists come to the cemetery just to deliver offerings such as voodoo dolls, flowers, candles, to sacrifice animals like monkeys and chickens. Their expectations, can gain blessings and power of the grave supranatura.

Other famous ghosts of New Orleans is also legendary Laularie House, where supposedly used to be a place to live LaLaurie Delphine and her third husband. The house is located at 1140 Royal Street has stood since the 1830s. It is said that the house was often the case that the torture of their servants. And reports of local residents, they often heard screams of pain of people being tortured, crying, crying, and even they have never seen such a reply slammed the door and ran out. Maybe it was the spirits of the dead was reasonable because of torture. Several reports, some people have seen peering from the windows of the house ghost.

New Orleans is one of the oldest cities that have many ‘faces’ in the United States. That’s where a lot of scary stories appeared. Incident horrors and atrocities that happened, there seemed to be shadows of gray shadows of the city that never hit a big storm, to this day. Not to mention the ghost stories of cats and dogs that frequently appeared in the population around.

Some tour guides tell ghost tour, ghost cat or dog is used to guard the tomb which was maintained for the purpose of maintaining the cemetery. It’s only a small part ghost stories are a record of local residents. There are many more other scary stories. That’s why New Orleans was called the most haunted city in America.

3: Forest Aokigahara in Japan: the alleged wilderness ghost center and monsters.

But in the last 60 years, this place became a favorite location for Japanese men, to commit suicide. The highest record was the discovery of 78 corpses who died from suicide. Another uniqueness, this place is also a favorite place for scavengers who try to find ‘treasure sack’. It is said that there was a wallet found in many of the suicide wallet containing money. Chance, collected USD 33 million more from their wallets.

Aokigahara also known as a sea area of trees, the forest is so thick. This forest is located at the base of Mount Fuji in Japan. Uniquely, in this forest many caves found icy rock for years. Local residents claimed that the forest is the center of many supernatural phenomena. Legend of the growing call it saving many forests are difficult to explain the mystery and revealed. There is also a nest of strange animals, monsters, ghosts, goblins, and scary stories has spread throughout Japan and even the whole world.

Another uniqueness of this forest is a forest located in the volcanic rocks are difficult to penetrate heavy equipment. Although it described as the most horrible place, but there were hunters who tried to break through there. As a guide, they just follow the path plastic rope to mark the spot. Deliberately plastic rope line was created so that the hunters did not tersesat.Tempat the most famous tourist attractions in the forest is, Ice Cave and Wind Cave. There have also been hunter / wayward tourists who try not to follow the path string. As a result, he never returned. Their bodies recently found a few years later, it was just a skeleton.

It is said that those who died untimely deaths this location became a ghost wandering in the forest. Ghosts were often reveal themselves in the photographs-made tourist. The news circulating, this place also as a place to poluler suicide, after the Golden Gate Bridge San Francisco. This was reinforced by the data that since the 1950s until now, has more than 500 people died here, mostly due to suicide. On average each year 30 people have committed suicide here. But the biggest record of 2002 which found 78 corpses, is defeated in 1998 in which 73 bodies found in the forest.

High suicide rate in the woods that made local officials gave the signs on the trail in the forest, also put the police in the forest heading. 2007 years ago, 71% of suicides committed by men, many of them aged in their 30s. Thanks to the diligent police there, the suicide rate could be reduced, at least the police managed to secure the 83 people who intend to commit suicide there. Forest mystery and a tendency to want to kill myself, then filmed with the title, Jyukai in 2004.

Also of interest, here the police often find wallets containing cash in considerable amount, which allegedly is the person’s wallet suicide. The money collected from the purses that could reach 370,000 yen, equivalent to 3760 U.S. dollars, or USD 33.8 million. The news reporter who obtained it quickly blew across the country, so surprisingly, many people come there not just a tourist, but to find a treasure trove of purses suicide. This became more stronger with the claims of some visitors who claim to find a wallet, credit cards, subscription cards also train driver’s license. High suicide rate is indeed very concerned about the Japanese government. Because suicide is not only the forest but also in some places in Japan. The main problem of the high estimated suicide in Japan because of high unemployment due to economic recession in the 90’s, depression and social pressures. For the record suicide, Japan is one country that rates the highest suicide rate in the world. Especially since 2008, Japan’s economic situation worsened due to the global financial crisis, and this has encouraged the suicide rate in Japan is higher again.

4: Dome of the Underground, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Far below the streets of busy in Edinburgh, discovered an underground vault in the ground which was once inhabited but had been abandoned for two hundred years. Being in Edinburgh brought south bridge. There are rooms used for storage, meeting rooms and even homes. Underground dome that survived to this day. Reportedly found a place in the mid 1980’s this was the most feared haunted and locals. Number of visitors into the underground site claims to have been attacked by an invisible force of unknown origin, some fainted, and the rest suffered from nausea and vomiting vomiting.

South Bridge was built in 1785, including building underground supporters. In his prime period, this catacomb one citizen activity centers, including a business center that once was called as a city underground. Then slowly the underground vault abandoned because they feel the unhealthy atmosphere in there, you know, it does not get sunlight, damp and wet. The townspeople go, replaced by the slums and poor communities, and the homeless, who choose to stay there until the plague plague and other infectious diseases to attack, and cause of death for most of its inhabitants.

Paranormal investigation at the scene had it, and mentioned there was a force to interfere with there. Edinburgh ghost hunter team has ever tried to do research, no results obtained, but when they refused to go back there. So what is it? Why are they all shut up?

5: Colloseum, Rome, Italy.

This place since time immemorial until now very popular even be inspired Hollywood films about the greatness of Roman empire. Coliseum is a top symbol of Roman imperial glory. This is where inmates made thousands of gladiators and die in vain. So the meanest arena just to entertain the emperor and thousands of citizens who were spectators. They had to fight to the death. If not dead, then they were fed fought against lions and tigers. The inmates are living in the vault under the dome coliseum waiting to be slaughtered in the arena. It is said that their bodies thrown just under the dome coliseum. No wonder that there are reports of many ghosts that haunts the rest of the ruins of the coliseum, they wore clothing ancient roman style.

6: Land of Dracula in Walachia, Transylvania, Romania.

Located on a hill overlooking the beautiful stone flower garlands on the slopes of the mountain. Standing majestically but inviting chilling, eerie impression firmly attached.

One of the famous castle of Dracula in the Transylvanian Alps there. It is said that this castle is difficult to access because there is no main street, also the path to get there. This is surprising because if it’s true men of the castle where there is the road to the place. But not surprising, if it is settled there is not human. Surely they do not need roads to get to the Hall. Moreover, the region often hit by hurricanes mountain until 1974. So, few people dared to visit the place was haunted. That unique anymore, no electronic equipment that can be used when there. Like a blank. Whether it’s radio, or other communication devices.


7: Concentration Camp Auschwitz-Birkenau, Oswiecim, Poland.

Concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp called because rarely do people stay alive when thrown in there. The camp is operated in May 1940 until 1945. That said, this is where 2.5 million people died in the most pathetic that was thrown into a toxic gas chamber. Of that amount, reportedly, 2 million people are Jewish origin, the rest is the Polish community. But historians say the world, estimates that number is a minimum because the actual number who died there not being recorded is clear, but could be more than that.

This camp was established by the German government at the time of Hitler. It is said that the government considers the concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau is an effective place to destroy the enemy State. Operated the first time early in 1941 where the morgue at Crematorium then converted into a gas chamber and popular as the ‘bunker’.

It is no secret that international Hitlet Auschwitz as a factory made mass murder, in which they live or burned alive in the gas chamber. Kapasitan kreamtorium around 4250 people were, they all gathered in one sitting, then there opened the flow of lethal gas. It only took 20 minutes to make these thousands of people die horribly. Other murders carried out in the basement. After that dead bodies were placed in the oven for up to become dipanggan g ash. Before the cremation, all properties victims stripped down, ranging from gold teeth, jewelry to other valuables. This is the most heinous atrocities of Hitler’s most lasting to the world, even leaving the trauma until now had never faded.

Many tourists want to see evidence that violent history, but most of them do not go his way when he got there. They shocked even the cries of them roar roared with no known cause musababnya. Strangely, as if nature had denied the existence of concentration camps. Although there are trees around there, but not a single reply hinggal especially birds could hear the booms, even in the morning. Like the smell of death made them fear across the region. There was only silence the piercing and make chilling. It is said that natural phenomena of this contraption has occurred for many years, until now.

Reports from the visitors, they seemed to have a spiritual experience when visiting there. Like a hand reaching for them, but intangible. Also strange voice whispering flare, ‘please, and leave “. This is really scary. Amazingly, the team has ever studied the paranormal there, never wrote a report about it. But these words do not have to reveal, because the pictures of the tourists had already revealed a lot. Through the media images of ghosts is this curious appearance. In the photos that look strange shadow shadow, light and even the smoke ball.

Given the history and horors trail he left behind, it is worth it included in the list of most haunted places in the world.

8: Whitechapel / Spittalfields London, Scotland, where the legend of sadistic murders by Jack the Ripper.

This case until now unresolved, including who was responsible. Had come rumors that the culprit was the grandson of Queen Victoria, ie, Prince Albert.

Region Whitechapel / Spittalfields, East London, has there existed since Roman times. Many historic buildings built on the ruins of Roman ancient buildings. At residential buildings during the dark ages, and medieval, the area became an active trade area and developed into residential areas for Anglos and Jewish moneylenders. In its development into areas where prostitution center where a variety of criminal activities occur.

Year 1888 has recorded a number of the most brutal murder cases in history. One of the famous and legendary is the case of Jack the Ripper is horrendous world. But until now the identity of unique Jack the Ripper was never successfully revealed. Jack the Ripper remains a mystery. One can only guess what he really thought.

Many theories about Jack the Ripper was, there was the killer who calls his profession as a doctor, but others say the killer is yaknu grandson of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert Victor, though no evidence of substantial evidence to support this theory. Prince Albert somehow connected to the case relate. Surely, if there is no smoke no fire, no? One of the sensational case is five prostitutes dibantainya sadistically by the Ripper, in just 4 months. This case known as The Autumn of Terror. They were all mutilated with a very neat, that’s why the idea had emerged that the Ripper was one of the medical community. Pieces cut his victim’s body was left lying in the hallway corridor only jalan.Satu mutilated victims in a particular room is Mary Kelly, she was the fifth victim, a poor prostitute. But he was also the victim of a slaughtered in the most terrible than the other victims. Had alleged that the bodies pemutilasi Merry is not the Ripper, but other players who modeled the workings Ripper ..

Now the halls where the victims of mutilations were made into one of the world tours location. (There is no course!) But strangely there is only a tourist like this.


9: Unit 731 Experimentation Camp, Harbin, Manchuria, China.

The most horrible place equivalent to the concentration camp Auschwitz Hitler built as a place of extermination of the Jews. Unique 731 in this, the prisoners used as test objects of biological weapons they make.

This place called Auschwitz kampu konsentrasu and Asia, because of the cruelty practiced in it. In contrast to Germany, the place called Unit 731 is a place

making man (the prisoner) as a guinea pig biological weapons. Thousand inmates were affected, these atrocities, the majority of Chinese people from Manchuria and Japan at the beginning of World War 2. Most of the victims had died as a means of biological weapons experiments.

One of the great horror when the prisoners become guinea pigs for biological weapons taken from viruis antrax, cholera and bubonic plague.

Have now reached 731 g unit building is still there, a place where inmates undergo a variety of scientific experiments. Here is the place where the human dignity of a human at that point.

Some psychic who conduct research on this place where it was reported that sartu nest is the most terrible ghost in the world. Ghost ghost is often seen walking in the hallway corridor concentration camps. The group made the BBC documentary about the place, the Chinese Government had indeed been opened this place to be visited by foreign tourists, even the researchers from the west had been allowed to go there. They can come to the lading lading murder in Harbin.

Like most places where murders, then at this location was reported many ghosts wandering around, taking out the voice sound scary. One proof of this ghost hauntings, is that they often appeared in photographs of tourists.

Supranatura experience also experienced the BBC documentary crew who claims suddenly got a problem with the lights and batteries. And it is said, it is a sign that there is ghost activity there. Lots of speculation mentioned, the activity of the spirit of the people who died were tortured and killed secra this tragic, more active and aggressive than those who die naturally. (For this one believe it or not!)

10: Ghost Town, Pennsylvania: The city is reportedly the most haunted ghost activity is not only curious done at night but also during.

Civil war in 1863 in the area of the city of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, make this city one of the most haunted areas in America. Union Army against the Confederate Army. This civil war represented the most brutal and horrible. Growing legend, when the last one battle, when Union Army lost a lot of ammunition, and will soon be finished by the Confederates suddenly the ghost George Washington rode a white horse, appeared in the middle of Union troops, and reverse the situation so that the Union had won the war. Emergence of ghost Peritiwa George Washington was a legend and story hereditary local communities.

Like elsewhere, the town of Gettysburg is the most terrifying place in the American because the locals see ghosts wondering who look like soldiers of war. A mystic, Mark Nesbitt, who for many years doing research on ghosts in Gettysburg finally poured his research in a book called “Ghost of Gettysburg. He also presents his findings in the form of television documentary films and radio programs. He is considered an expert in everything about “Haunted Gettysburg”.

Not only that, his knowledge about Gettysburg ghosts with also founded the tour and travel package tours provided in the town of Gettysburg. To dramatize, he offers a trip into the city ghost tour by using candles and at night, of course. Mentioned, although most ghost activity at the location field terdapt role, but in fact almost any street and alley at Gettysburg has been met by a ghost. One of the places visited by the ghost tour program that is home gettyburg Jenny Wade, the only woman who was killed in the war. That said, the normal to say, this house is one of the center of the ghost in Gettysburg.Hantu also at the pharmacy in downtown Gettysburg and hospitals.

One of the places visited in this tour program is the oldest campus of Gettysburg College of Pennsylvania, where some buildings formerly used as a morgue.

Category: History  One Comment
10 Tips Pennywise Holidays

Very nice to hear the holidays will soon be coming. Especially if we plan to spend it with loved ones while enjoying the atmosphere of different places than usual. Without the money was during the holiday period is no longer just count and realized substantial amount of vacation time is over. How do you plan holidays so as not to be a burden in the future? Here are tips you can do before and during the holidays:

1.  To be sure, prepare far in advance if you have a plan a long vacation out of town let alone abroad. Longer preparation time would have been better. Set aside the auto debit of your monthly income over time according to the amount of funds needed.
2. Usually take a holiday package tours provided by travel can be cheaper. But if you want to travel alone, know the ins and outs first vacation destination place. The cost of transportation, accommodation, recreation and dining places and shopping do not miss the place, became the important points to note.
3. For transportation and accommodation costs, it is good if you can get a promotional package. Even if there is, relative’s house or apartment residents and individual property can be a place to stay. You can save quite a lot, considering this is the second largest cost.
4. carefully in choosing a place for recreation. Find a tourist attraction that is really unique and good and is characteristic of the place. Avoid going to the tourist sites that are not necessary and costly.
5. Just as a recreation, looking for places to eat / restaurants should be in accordance with the budget prepared. It’s better if you choose a place not far from the place of stay or the last place you’re visiting. In addition to time saving, cost-efficient too.
6. Shopping unpopular usually cheaper than a crowded shopping places visited by tourists. Hunting for souvenirs and handicrafts to traditional markets and even directly to the place of production / factory can save you money.
7. Do not forget, always carry supplies such as bread and drink water in the bag. In addition to healthier, avoid unnecessary snacks.
8. Bring your pocket money in accordance with the budget. And keep record of all your expenses during the journey from beginning to end.
9. If you and your family have the flexibility of time, consider traveling in the “low season”. You can get an attractive offer and cheap that can not be obtained in the “high season”.
10. If your current budget does not allow for much travel, vacation in the city can be a choice that is not less interesting. Many alternative vacation spot that is educational for children. Even homes can be a fun vacation spot for families. Make the event / activity that was never done at the family home. What is important, think creatively and feel happy to be the key to be able to enjoy the holidays.

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History of Bali Tourism

If in Roman times people do travel for practical needs, desires and wants to know the religious impulse, then the Hindu era in the Nusantara / Indonesia especially in Bali has happened because travel is also a religious impulse.

Travel Rsi Markandiya around 8th century from Java to Bali, have made travel with keagaman missions. Similarly, the professor who developed the concept Kuturan Tri Sakti in Bali came later 11th century Nirartha Dang Hyang (Pedanda Rawuh Wawu Sakti) in the 16th century came to Bali as a religious mission with emphasis on the concept of Ceremony.

International travel in Bali has begun in the early 20th century that Bali was previously discovered by the Dutch in 1579 that the expedition (Cornellis de Houtman) on his journey around the world in search of spices and then to Indonesia.

From the mission Java sail to the East and from a distance terlihatlah an island merimbun. He thinks the island produces spices. After they landed, they did not find spices.

Only a culture of life in their view is very unique, never seen in other places during their visit around the world, nature is very beautiful and has a magnet / special attraction. The island by its inhabitants called the Bali. This is what they reported to the Dutch king at the time.

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The World’s First Flight Hotels

The world’s first flight hotels was launched by the company “SBCC Company” in June 2009. This hotel was built in the form of helicopters the M-12, the largest helicopter in the world. Its construction took 5 years. “Hotel fly” has 18 luxury rooms equipped with large bed, bathroom, high speed Internet access, coffee maker, and others. In addition to luxurious rooms, there is also room for a spa, entertainment venues, and parks. The length of this helicopter 42 meters, 14 meters high.
The plan is used helicopters to fly cruise from London stopover in Dublin, Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, and then back to London to take a 14 – 16 days.

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Travelling With A Computer

Most people who buy their own laptop or notebook computer will show some care when moving it about, and they should, since their hard earned money is at risk. What about those who are more lucky? Sure: most companies will purchase computer equipment on behalf of their employees, but when you’re 1,000 miles and three days from coming back into the office for a replacement, you may have to rethink your confidence.

Laptop cases come in three categories:

1- The lowest is given to a briefcase or backpack that is not made to carry a laptop, but happens to fit the laptop inside anyways. Needless to say, since the container wasn’t meant for that purpose, you may get lucky, but you may also open up your briefcase to see scratches or dings in the investment you were trying to protect. With a slim enough notebook, you can fit it inside virtually any briefcase – even the Italian slimlines.

2- The middle grade is given to normal, generic laptop bags and cases. They typically are the most expensive option, give a fair amount of protection to the laptop, and usually offer enough pockets and storage areas to carry your paperwork, folders, and even a book and wireless mouse while your at it. For convenience, they are right at hand and ready to be used, but for protection, that same availability means they are more likely to get knocked about or even stolen. Any laptop vendor will have it’s own branded selection – you can often haggle with them at the time of purchase to bring the price from a hundred dollars or more down to $50 or less.

3- The highest grade for protection is given to laptop sleeves. These are highly protective, padded laptop cases meant to snuggle the laptop tightly and then get packed themselves inside your luggage. As a result, they hide the laptop away and keep it far safer on your trip, but by staying so far away when you may need it, can be inconvenient. Typically, it has to be mentioned that sleeves usually have few pockets, if any, and some don’t even have a handle for easy carrying – of course, this means that they pack away in far less space.

Over all, although there are a few laptop sleeves that do have pockets, handles and shoulder straps, you may want to stick with a standard laptop bag. They don’t have the same protection as a proper sleeve, but the wide range of selections mean you can probably find a good compromise between protection and convenience. In case has some of the slimmest sleeves, and Brenthaven offers some of the best protection – both start right around $50, even with handles and pockets.

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Travel Photography

If you’re planning a trip and want to take some great photos while you’re there, a bit of advance planning can often make the difference between frustration and a great photo album. There are also some different techniques that you can use to help get the most out of your limited time.

Plan on bringing an accessory bag or pack – it’s not a problem if you don’t have a custom camera accessory bag, depending on the size of your camera and accessories, a small backpack or purse will do just fine. One essential to bring is an extra charged battery or two – you never want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere, with the perfect shot composed in front of you, and have your battery die – most trips only provide for limited opportunities at a particular photo op, so take full advantage of the time you have. Another must-have accessory is extra storage space – either an additional memory card/stick or two, or some way to download photos while on the road to free up space. A common frustration is being ready to take a photo, realizing that you’re out of space, and being forced to delete previous photos to make room – you never want to be in the position of having to delete one great memory to capture another. Another travel photography accessory that often gets forgotten about is a tripod. Many companies sell small portable tripods that can be thrown in a purse or camera bag, and are invaluable when taking highly composed shots, low light pictures, or capturing a great photo of friends and family at a get-together.

It’s also a good idea to brush up on your photography skills before going on a trip, various photography websites such as Digital Photography Tips provide advice and tips to help improve your picture-taking – the more you practice in advance, the better your travel pictures will turn out.

Different techniques can also be used while traveling to make the most of your photos. One technique that’s easier to do with digital photography is to take multiple photographs of the same scene. As long as you have enough storage to spare, take more than one photograph of the same scene, as it’s too late when you get home to say “I wish I had moved a bit to the right”, or noticing after-the-fact that someone’s eyes were closed. When taking photos of landscapes, objects, or landmarks, a good technique is to start out by taking a photo with the widest angle your camera will allow, and then zoom in closer until you are tightly framing the landmark, people, or objects of interest for your photo. Also try different vantage points for the same scene, and different angles for the composition. This helps to ensure that you have a broader range of compositions to choose from once you’re gone, as many trips only come once, so you might not have the opportunity to go back and take the picture again.

One final thing to remember is that you can’t go back in time. Taking photos is a great way of capturing the memory, but don’t forget to enjoy the trip itself – this sounds like simple advice, but many enthusiast photographers find that they get so caught up in taking all the ‘perfect shots’, that they end up missing the vacation itself, and they lose out on enjoying the trip (as well as missing the time spent with their families or travel companions). So don’t forget to put the camera down, smell the roses, and enjoy the trip – if you miss that perfect shot, you can always buy a postcard!

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Family Travelling by Car

Family trips are memorable, and should be for the joy and not the pain that may be caused during the longs hours waiting to get between point A and point B.

When the kids are jumping around in the back of the car, long trips are made easier with portable DVD players. If your car doesn’t have a DVD player built in, there are still workable options. Powered through a spare cigarette lighter, and quiet with a set of personal headphones for each child, an hour of Dora the Explorer or Finding Nemo can quickly become heaven for parents. These units typically hang from the headrest supports of the seat in front of the passenger, which makes changing the DVDs a little more challenging for the parents in the front seats.

For the adults seeking peace, those without children, those who left their kids behind (presumably in the safest care possible), or those who simply timed the naps well, music is often a good choice. Music, from iPods to satellite radio, can offer hours to days of uninterrupted music. An iPod or other music player can have gigs of music downloaded to them – even the smaller versions can have a few hours of your favourite music which, when occasionally repeated and mixed with available radio stations, can make a trip much better. Satellite radio options, Sirius or XM being the two main options covering the majority of North America, can let you tune into the type of programming you prefer, including news, sports, as well as music – get a portable unit to get versatility of playing satellite radio at your desk at work or in the car, and splurge to get a model that records on a loop to gain pause-and-rewindability like a Tivo.

A nifty trick that can buy some quiet time for younger kids is to bring along a small supply of cheap gifts (a small toy, a short book, a tasty snack, etc.) and to tell the children that they can get one gift each hour if they are good for the complete hour. Surprisingly, it often only takes two or three to last through a full day’s journey.

When all else fails, frequent pit stops, about one every hour or two, to let the kids out of the car and run around enough to tire themselves out, is commonly the last refuge for desperate parents.

All in all, making the trip more about the journey and less about the destination, often with a willingness to make detours, can save the sanity of almost any parent.

Category: General  One Comment
Travelling to Different Climates

Most people will generally think about the climate of their travel destination, but don’t necessarily research/plan enough of the details, which can not only lead to surprises, but can also add frustration to their trip. A little bit of advance planning, research, and preparation can go a long way to ensuring a smooth trip, and can help you enjoy yourself that much more.

A good starting point is to look at the overall climate for a destination for the time of year you’re planning to travel – Ireland, for example, has a reputation for constant rain, but the east coast only sees about half of the number of rainy days as the west coast. Trinidad, on the other hand, has a rainy season running all the way from June to December. Some quick advance research on the normal climate for that location/season might help avoid surprises, and will set reasonable expectations about what you’ll find at your destination – and may even help you to choose your destination in the first place.

Once you’ve settled on a destination, you can do some initial preparation – if the climate is wet, pack a small travel umbrella and some warmer clothing (wool sweaters are ideal), and include a lightweight nylon raincoat/shell. If it’s cold or snowing, plan for wool socks, sweaters, gloves/hat/scarf, and check the average temperature to ensure your outer jacket is suited to the right temperatures – ensuring you plan and pack extra layers is also helpful, as you can always add/remove layers as the temperature changes. Warmer/tropical weather is easier, but plan to bring some of the necessities with you, as they often charge far more to tourists than what you would pay at home for items such as sunglasses, suntan lotion, hats, and towels – plan to bring a supply of high-SPF suntan lotion, a sunburn can quickly ruin a trip if you are overexposed in your first day or two (especially when travelling with children), and even consider visiting a tanning salon before departing from home, as it can help to build a base and prevent burning. As you get closer to departing, double-check the weather to make sure there aren’t any last-minute changes (such as storms, cold fronts, heat waves), and revise your preparations accordingly.

Don’t forget to take the altitude into account as well – many countries have a broad range of high and low altitude regions, so if your itinerary takes you high into the mountains or closer to sea level than the rest of the area, take that into account with your planning (even hotter climates can get much cooler as you go higher in altitude, so bring extra layers of clothing).

Some other areas that often get overlooked deal with adapting to the local climate – if you are an avid photographer, consider a protective pack/case for your camera to prevent damage if travelling to a traditionally wet or cold area. In countries with a lot of rain, be sure not to take anyone else’s umbrella by mistake, it’s considered a major ‘faux pas’. In warmer countries, especially in Europe and the Middle East, take care when dressing for the climate, as there are often more conservative dress codes which may prevent you from entering many churches and institutions (especially for women), and could also go against local customs.

Like anything else, a little advance planning can go a long way to ensuring that you have a smooth comfortable trip with no surprises. If you’re the adventurous type, you can always play things by ear and adapt once you arrive – but for most of us, eliminating some of the more common travel frustrations can help make a trip more memorable, and help us enjoy the destination.

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Top Ten Destinations

If you were looking for fun and excitement, where would you want to travel? Would it be to smell African spices, European architecture, or South American rain forests that grab your attention? Would you even be able to choose between neighbouring countries which all seem the same from the other side of the world? Here are the world’s top tourism destinations based on the World Tourism Organization:

1. France
2. Spain
3. United States
4. Italy
5. China
6. United Kingdom
7. Austria
8. Mexico
9. Germany
10. Canada

For this article, we’ll take a different approach, and take a walk through each region and look at the most popular countries with our visitors – which should provide another view into what people consider the best and most popular destinations.

The most popular continent is Europe, and the most popular destination for world travelers looking for architecture, history and culture. The most frequently visited country is Italy, followed closely by France and the UK, with all three accounting for almost 18% of all visitors exploring the region, and followed by Spain and Germany to round out the top five.

Africa is next, known for a blend of poverty and down to earth living with spices, culture and community strength. The most popular destination is, not surprisingly, Egypt, which alone garners 4% of all African interest, with South Africa, Rwanda, Morocco and Tunisia closely grouped together for the next most popular places to visit.

The far eastern countries of Asia are next in line to garner tourists and visitors to see the societies that have grown with less of a Western influence. There is a strong top three grouping with China, Thailand and Japan the top destinations of choice, and Malaysia and Singapore not far behind.

The Caribbean, with its combination of rich sun, surf and sand and cities with creole cooking and patois tongues, is next on the list of popular destinations. The Bahamas lead the way with more than 10% of visitors, and followed by both Aruba and the Dominican Republic, with Cuba’s popularity with Europeans and Canadian, and finally Jamaica.

Oceania, home to some of the pirate stories that are taught to young children and the diverse marine life swimming next to untouched islets, has Australia as its most popular choice. Beating New Zealand for second is Fiji, with Palau and New Caledonia rounding out the top five destinations.

A popular destination for ecotourists, South America has two strong destination countries. Brazil and Argentina combine for almost 25% of all tourists, trailed by Chile, Colombia and Venezuela, the three of which together combine for just over another 25% of visitors.

The region next most popular with researchers is the Middle East, where politics and religion can make travelling more challenging, but worth the effort to see a rich ancient history. Afghanistan is beginning a revival of interest, followed by Pakistan and Israel, and then Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.

North America, with only 5 main countries has a wide selection of modern architecture, ancient archaeology, frozen tundra and sunny beaches. The United States and Canada lead Mexico, with the often overlooked Bermuda coming closely before Greenland.

The final region is Central America, surprising when considering the rich Mayan and Aztec history that infuses the modern way of life in many areas. El Salvador is the top destination, with over 20% of tourist interest, and Panama, Nicaragua and Honduras follow closely together, and Guatemala and Costa Rica tied for the final fifth position.

Collecting every country together, we finally come down to our list of most popular destinations. A strong European bias can be seen with the first five of the top ten destinations dominated by Western European countries:
1. Italy
2. France
3. United Kingdom
4. Spain
5. Germany
6. United States
7. Bahamas
8. Canada
9. Brazil
10. Australia

Each of these countries has its own prides and joys, and many of the other countries not listed can be considered jewels on their own. At least figuring these countries in on your itinerary will be truly worthwhile if you have the time and are in the area – you will not be disappointed!

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Travelling with Children

If you’ve ever travelled with children, you’ve probably heard the dreaded “Are we there yet?” more than enough for one lifetime, but there are definitely things you can do to keep everyone occupied and happy. With a combination of advance planning and strategies while on your trip, you can avoid frustration, keep everyone busy, and improve the experience for the entire family.

Planning in advance for kids should definitely include more than getting everything packed. Take a trip to a dollar store and buy a collection of small cheap toys, including travel games and things that you know the kids will like (avoid fighting by making sure you buy separate things for each child), then wrap each of them up individually. Once you’re on the plane or in the car, tell the kids that if they’re good they can have one every hour (make sure you have enough for the entire duration of the trip!), this not only gives them an incentive to behave, but it also gives them something to look forward to on a regular basis while in transit, which helps prevent boredom (wrapping everything up drags it out a bit longer, and makes it feel more special). While you’re shopping, pick up a few extras just in case, including travel games that you can pull out if everyone get bored and fidgety – avoiding boredom is the key to ensuring everyone gets there happy.

While on the road, you should also plan regular breaks to give everyone a chance to stretch. If you’re on a plane, get up every hour and take the kids for a walk up and down the aisles, this not only helps with circulation but it also breaks up the flight and offers a different view than the back of an airplane chair. If you’re in a car, plan a little extra time and stop every hour or two for the same reason – if possible, map out your route in advance and look for interesting stops along the way, it not only breaks up the trip but it also allows you to experience more than what you would have seen from the highway (and invariably gives you more of a flavour of your destination than what the standard tourist stops would offer) – if you’re on the road for more than a few hours, stopping in local towns and supermarkets also gives you a way of buying snacks and lunches at a fraction of the cost of gas stations or highway restaurants (but try to avoid buying too many drinks for the car, unless you want to stop at the side of the road every ten minutes).

If you’re driving with more than one child, seating arrangements can make all the difference – pair up children with adults and try to keep them physically separated (unless you’re keen on hearing “Mommy, Susie poked me again”), or at least try to make sure that every child has a window seat to keep them amused. Driving games that involve spotting random objects/signs, or taking turns playing “I Spy”, can make a day of driving seem like a breeze (most game stores offer playing card versions of these games that involve random objects and methods of scoring points) – these activities are great because they not only keep the whole family occupied, but they also cater to kids and adults of any age.

Most of all, ensure that your itinerary includes something for everyone. Try to plan for at least one major stop for just the kids – an amusement park or other attraction geared towards kids does two things: it gives them something to look forward to while they’re visiting grown-up tourist attractions, and also gives them something that they know is just for them (and often becomes the highlight of their trip). If your schedule doesn’t allow for an extra stop, be sure to check for children’s activities at the places you’re visiting (most tourist attractions make an effort to cater to children in some way). If you make a point of looking, you can almost always find enough activities to make every outing special and memorable for the whole family.

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