Is there anything kids love more than playing with toys? Most, if not all, kids enjoy playing with a range of different toys. So leave it to me to introduce you to some of the best toy museums in the world. With toys such as Legos, dolls, Barbie and Ken, Micky Mouse, Lion King, stuffed animals, robots, trains, and Hot Wheels. These are just a
Right at the center of the Indochinese Peninsula is the beautiful country of Thailand. Did you know that in the Thai language, the word “Thailand" means “Land of the Free”? This mirrors Thailand's freedom from all European nations. This is unlike some of its surrounding Asian countries like Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), and Vietnam. Also, Buddhism plays a huge role in Thai society, as nearly
My introduction to Vietnamese grocery markets was not a journey of taste. Instead, the store that was closest to one of my holiday apartments was a local Vietnam Circle K market, sort of like a 7-11 in the United States. Being new to the community, where I was staying for an entire month, I spent much time hunting for new products that I might like
As luck would have it, I finally had a chance to make my very first visit to Japan! It had been on my bucket list for quite some time, as I have always been interested in their culture. Japan's traditions evoke so much mystique and legend about their culture. Thousands of years as an isolated island country allowed Japan to create cultural evolutions in solitude,
Is Laos open to visitors and how has the coronavirus pandemic affected travel? Discover the entry restrictions for Laos and whether the borders are open. Is Laos Open for Travel? Brimming with old-world charm, Laos is the perfect destination for travelers looking to get off the beaten track. While other Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam and Thailand attract more visitors, Laos is relatively undiscovered by
India is a unique place to visit and honestly, I never thought I would make it there. I think everyone should experience this country at least once in their lifetime. It is like going on a journey through your wildest imagination. India is a massive country that is home to more than a billion people with huge cultural wealth, diverse religions, and a history that
Vietnam is an interesting country that is located in the Southeastern part of Asia. It is home to more than 95.5 million people and hosts thousands of tourists each year. Tourists and locals alike try to avoid the busy traffic of the larger cities by traveling around by motorbike. In fact, I heard from my food tour guide that in Ho Chi Minh City
Chora Museum Chora Museum is No Ordinary Museum! The sights and sounds that are Istanbul are so difficult to explain, but I tried to show you this through my streets of Istanbul article. At first, I was so overwhelmed with the mass difference between the USA and Turkey that I had a hard time describing my thoughts about this capital city. It has taken me
I recently took a fascinating trip through Asia where Hong Kong was a stop. I was on a Holland America cruise ship’s “around the world” Asia Pacific Voyage. While on the ship, I would walk the deck on a regular basis. But what joy I found when I was able to step off the ship, step out of the concrete jungle of Hong Kong’s city
✦ Palawan El Nido My arrival into what I call "Heaven on Earth" was nothing short of spectacular! If you're trying to choose where to go on vacation and the Philippines is on your radar, then man, do I have the place for you?! Palawan El Nido Resorts will blow you away! In fact, I have not seen such pure beauty in a tropical island
Raja Ampat, Indonesia Floating up to the stunningly gorgeous jetty at the Raja Ampat Dive Resort on Waigeo Island in West Papua Indonesia, I knew I was in for a special treat. Waigeo Island is the largest of the four main islands of the Raja Ampat Island archipelago. This was THAT kind of place, the epitome of a remote, exotic beach vacation. Raja Ampat is
Due to the quirkiness and unusual flavors of Japanese snacks, it is no wonder they have become a global phenomenon. The Japanese have been able to incorporate simple yet flavorful ingredients to create scrumptious snacks such as strawberry pocky, ice crackers, and soda candy. While traveling in Japan, you are sure to find many places that offer a variety of snacks. Vending machines are a
I've always felt that Japanese drinks should get more attention. The country's cuisine, after all, is among the most celebrated in the world—shouldn't its beverages follow suit? Over the next few paragraphs, I'll highlight some of my go-to drinks in Japan. Although many of these will be familiar to you, others might seem surprising or even strange. Just as many people have limited exposure to Japanese
Palace on Wheels is one of the luxury trains in India that travels through the majestic landscapes of Rajasthan within India’s Golden Triangle. Powered by a traditional steam engine, the Palace on Wheels train made its inaugural journey in 1982. It was THIS train that started the era of luxury trains in India. This train has given rise to other luxury trains, such as the
The magnificent city of Jaipur is the capital and largest city of Rajasthan, India. Jaipur is known as the “Pink City” due to the terracotta pink that was painted on the buildings. The pink color of the city was done as a makeover in 1876 to celebrate the visit of the Prince of Wales. In Indian culture, the color pink represents hospitality and one way
I believe everyone deserves a vacation. Most people think that a vacation should be in a tropical paradise where sometimes your skin seems to melt due to the extreme heat (maybe I exaggerated just a little, but you know what I mean!). Skip the tropical beaches in the Summer and go on a great vacation in the Spring to a warm place instead! I have
White and soft sand, palm trees, impressive size cliffs, and the ocean. At least a few vacation days in one of the seven most beautiful beaches in the world would make a tourist trip just as good as a fairytale. Of course, it is easy to be biased about it, but all of these beaches and places we are going to talk about today are
With more than 10 million international visitors per year, Taiwan is one of the best places to go to find incredible waterfalls, beautiful mountains, and sparkling rivers. If you are ready to get out of the big cities and look for nature to soothe your soul, then have I got a few places for you to visit in Taiwan. Outstanding Waterfalls That People Love in
Map of Indonesia In less than 10 days, I will begin a trip to Indonesia to visit four secret places everyone should add to their bucket list! It is hard for me to hold my excitement in! I have never been to Indonesia before, but looking forward to this trip. Admittedly, my knowledge of Indonesia is limited. Indonesia, to me, is like some
So you saw my gorgeous photos from my luxury train trip to India? Or looked through the latest online magazine and saw something that intrigued you about India? India has a way of mesmerizing those who look for just a bit too long! So before you book that trip to India, or when you do then you will need to know how to get an
I write a lot about luxury, as it is definitely my most preferred way to travel. But I do have to admit that what is luxury to one person may not be luxurious to another, as luxury is different depending on who you ask. Also, luxury varies depending on what country you are in. One country's luxury does not equal a different country, but that
Japan is a food lover’s dream. With Asian cuisine that has often emigrated from its island home, Japanese food is well-known all over the world. Servings of miso soup, tempura, and, of course, sushi are common in any major city. For the traditional and the strange, the elegant and the messy, check out these restaurants in Japan’s capital that will make your mouth water, no
Let me introduce you to a corner of the world that daily transforms lives by delivering an emotional travel experience related to nature that you didn’t even know existed. Flanked by the Arabian Sea, Kerala, India has been known as a spice exporter to the world since 3000 BC! It is dotted with tea plantations, spice gardens, dense green forests, and mystic nature. And I
Leaving the post-modern and futuristic city of Tokyo behind, one might feel the entire country would be paved with unique technologies and cyberpunk innovation, but heading north to the Tochigi region of Japan might also make you think you’ve entered a brand new country. It doesn’t take long to travel out of the city by train. You can head to Nikko Japan, located in the
It's no secret that the cherry blossom season is the best time to visit Japan. Known in the Japanese language as Sakura, these pink-and-white flowers burst open between March and May of every year, with a specific date that depends as much upon where you are in the archipelago as it does the relative warmth of the winter. Japanese people love cherry blossoms (sakura) so
Sometimes it’s a single photo that moves me to seek out a destination. When I came across a shot of Chinese fishing nets silhouetted against a setting sun in Fort Kochi, a city in the southern state of Kerala, India, I knew I needed to be there. I admit to having a love affair with India, so it was with boundless enthusiasm that I
There are many honeymoon destinations around the world to explore, but one that is off-the-beaten-path for Americans is the country of India. I have complied a list of best 10 Indian honeymoon destinations for couples. So ff you ever get a chance to go to an Indian wedding or be invited to one, be sure and go! They are certainly interesting from an American perspective.
Thinking of ways to show someone you love them? A box of chocolates or a fancy night out is great, but what about giving them a massive marble tomb that will take 22 years to build and cost over 30 million rupees? Now that's a display of affection. It also happens to be the story of the Taj Mahal, one of the most famous buildings
It was very late into the wee hours of a rainy morning when my plane landed at the Jiangbei Airport near Chongqing, China. After gathering my luggage, I handed the non-English speaking taxi driver the address to Tongjing Hot Springs Resort. He shrugged his shoulders as if to say he had no idea where to go, then plugged the address into his GPS. Some 45
Things to do in Istanbul For so many years, I have wanted to go to the city of Istanbul. I never really had an idea about what it would be like, but knew that it was a right dab in the middle of the East and the West. Straddling both Europe and Asia, making it the only city in the world to sit across two continents.
Landing in Colombo, I had no idea what riches lie in front of me. Sri Lanka sounded to this American Girl like an exotic, far-off land. This trip for me was intriguing and mysterious all at the same time. Any country’s UNESCO World Heritage sites are always of interest to me, so I was ecstatic to learn I would take a visit to an ancient
Crowded in the back of a forest green jeep with the top down, I was hanging onto the metal bars of the truck. A slight breeze touched my face in the muggy weather when suddenly light droplets began to fall from the sky. Crouching down into the vinyl black seat below the metal racks, I covered my head, iPhone and DSLR camera with my scarf.
Picture yourself in one of the over 17,000 islands in the Republic of Indonesia. One of the most notable and particularly interesting islands is known as the habitat of the Komodo dragon. It is the largest lizard on earth and known as Komodo Island. But no need to worry, the Komodo dragon is not the only species roaming around the island. There are over 2,000 people
Palawan is an archipelago made up of almost 1800 islands in the western part of the Philippines. On a map, it looks like an arm sticking out from the Philippines to Borneo! Palawan has the most number of islands, however, it is the most sparsely populated region in the country. Which is great for me, as I was on my way there! This province is
Batik Art in Malaysia: The Fabric of our Lives My western mind always has a problem wrapping itself around things it cannot understand. This was a new concept for me and I was interested to find out what it was all about. Entering the studio, immediately I was enamored by the skill of the artisan in front of me. He has this instrument in his
