Buying travel insurance might just be the least glamorous part of planning a trip. In fact, it’s so boring that countless travelers skip this step entirely. “It’s a waste of time — and a waste of money. I’ll probably be fine anyway!” And they probably will be. But they won’t know until it’s too late.
What First-Time Visitors Need to Know About Thailand
With the recent Full Moon signaling the start of Yi-Peng & Loy Krathong celebrations in Thailand, I’ve been missing my homeland a lot. Loads of friends have inquired about Thailand’s special long-staying tourist visa and you can find more information about that here. While it’s hard for me personally to write a short blog post about my home country, when blogger and traveler Jennifer Renner asked to do a guest post, I was happy to have her share what she thinks most first-time visitors need to know about Thailand. Although we’re not traveling too much these days, it’s good to plan ahead for when we can finally travel!
What Coronavirus Teaches Us About Travel Insurance
As a travel advisor, I absolutely advise that you do not travel at the moment unless you absolutely must, but I don’t advise against planning that next trip of yours.
Hopefully, we will be able to travel again as soon as the summer, but of course that could always be pushed back so let’s just make sure everything’s covered by your travel insurance. And for the love of god, please use a travel advisor. With government travel and shelter-at-home regulations in the world changing at a dizzying speed for an indeterminate amount of time, you could really use a travel specialist on your team.
Guest Post: Pauline's Secret Guide to Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires has always been a bucket-list destination for me and when Pauline asked to do a guest post I was all psyched up to hear what she had to say about her favorite city and how to see it in the least touristic way as possible.
My stay at Eco Resort Natura Cabana in Cabarete, Dominican Republic
On a Caribbean island that is famous for their all-inclusives, I wanted to get away from all that as much as possible and really get back to nature, and at Natura Cabana Boutique Hotel and Spa, I was able to soak in all the shades of blue of the Caribbean, as well as all the greens of the boutique resort's flora and fauna. I really enjoyed staying at this rustic eco-friendly hideaway tucked in-between the Dominican North Coast town of Cabarete and Sosua, located in a private residential area away from the tourists called Paseo de Sol. I highly recommend it to all who want to really get away from it all and truly rejuvenate.
New York Fashion Week Benefit - Autumn/Winter 2014 Previews - Up and Coming NY Designers Lucina Lu, Autumn Lin Kietponglert, Kristin Costa & Yossi for Kevin Shahroozi
NYC is buzzing with up-and-coming fashion talent. As far as fashion in the North America is concerned, NYC is Mecca. And as part of New York Fashion Week, I had the privilege of attending The Set NYC's Fashion Benefit to raise money for a charity called Love 146, that fights child trafficking worldwide.
[PHOTO ESSAY] One Night in Williamsburg Brooklyn
Brooklyn - 4th Largest City in America
There is nothing quite like the artistic energy that emanates from the heart of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, my favorite borough of New York City.
I spend one night at the Wythe Hotel, a boutique hotel with loft-converted rooms that feature original historic industrial detailing, pine ceilings, and exposed brick walls. My room overlooks the hauntingly peaceful snow-covered Manhattan.
[PHOTO ESSAY] Skiing in Spain at Baqueira-Beret - the Aspen of Spain
I never knew that you could ski in Spain. I always equated skiing with the Alps and Spain with sunshine, beaches, flamenco and bull-fighting. But apparently, you can ski in Spain - up in the stunning Spanish Pyrenees in the Catalonia region of the country.
[PHOTO ESSAY]: 7 Days in Israel
There is a certain initial aggression that permeates the air here in Israel. I'm not certain whether that is because of the harsh syllables of a language I cannot decipher (the raspy Hebrew "hat" and "raish" sounds that come from the back of one's throat), or the centuries of war and bloodshed that were fought over these lands, or the fact that it's mandatory for every Israeli to do military service for three years of their youth, that gives this country the impression of being "playfully aggressive".
The Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem & Typhoon Haiyan in the Phillippines: My Thoughts On Family
I can't sleep. Although, I'm staying at Mount Zion, a beautiful boutique hotel in Jerusalem, I just can't sleep. Being at the Holocaust Memorial at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem earlier yesterday really struck an emotional chord deep inside of me.
30 Comes At You Fast: Follow Your Heart Not Your Ego and How to Tell the Difference
30 Comes At You Fast Aziz Ansari
Now that I have reached 30 years of age... here's the biggest question on my mind: what am I working towards?
That's recently been the main topic of my internal thoughts, mulling and pondering over the purpose of my life and the projects I am working on.
Guest Post: 5 Reasons to Ski in Norway
When Martin Nolan of The Travel Ramble suggested that I go skiing in Norway, my first thought was "I didn't realize that Norway was even considered a skiing destination!" I know there's a lot of snow there, but I don't think about slopes when I think of Norway. I actually hardly think about slopes at all since I'm quite terrible at skiing. I grew up in Thailand for god's sake! I can barely ice-skate. Watching me navigate through ice and snow is like watching a pile of baby rabbits getting shot. Seriously. Martin mentioned that Norway is probably the best place for a novice skier to learn. Enticed, I invited him to write a guest post about skiing in Norway so that I can definitely consider it when I'm thinking about taking a ski trip there.
Get Married at An All-Inclusive Resort
All-inclusives are a good deal if you're looking to book a trip where you don't want to rack up extra dollars on your meals and alcoholic beverages. There's definitely a peace of mind that comes with your vacation when you know your meals and drinks are included. All-inclusives are also a great option for cost-effective weddings. Your guests will be glad to know how much they will have to pay up front and everyone can eat, drink, and get totally trashed, without limits.
My friend Carolyn and her husband got married at an all-inclusive and it was basically a wedding, honeymoon, and a vacation with close friends and family in one. If you're short on time or want to kill three birds with one stone, I totally recommend it.
Here are two all-inclusives I recommend due to their contribution to sustainability.
#1) Turkoise: Club Med's Turks and Caicos All-Inclusive
Turkoise, Club Med's Turks and Caicos All-Inclusive (starting at $US150++/night) offers 290 rooms in two-story bungalows. The resort has held a Green Globe Certification since June 2010 and is one of the best destinations in the world for water sports and scuba diving.
Located on the northeast side of the island of Providenciales in the Caribbean Sea, this adult-only (18 years and older) is located on a white sandy beach that lines the entire length of the resort next to a calm and clear turquoise sea.
Activities at the property include adventure sports such as a flying trapeze (yes, you read correct: a flying trapeze), biking, cardio-tennis, yoga, fishing, hiking, scuba diving (at an extra cost), sailing, snorkeling and more.
A golf course is within range and guided tours of the island are available.
In order to ensure the protection of the area's coral reefs, the property has a responsible scuba diving program in partnership with the organization Beautiful Oceans.
This all-inclusive is the only resort on the island to buy locally-produced table wine (white, red, and rose) and bottles are reused. This reduces transport-related emissions and provides local jobs. It also makes the recycling of glass bottles possible, since there is no available waste treatment on the island yet.Also, through their sustainable purchasing policy, they avoid the purchase of endangered species, especially fish.Club Med also supports Provo Children's Home, a home for abused children, where they teach the children about the environment and recycling.In full support of the environment, Club Med organizes Earth Day activities in the local village and participate in the island clean-up with other hotels and local children.
#2) Palace Isla Mujeres Resort in Mexico
I really enjoyed the feel of Palace Isla Mujeres Resort, an intimate couples-only all-inclusive a short boat ride away from Cancun. It offers 62 beautiful and luxuriously appointed accommodations with double jacuzzi baths offering island, pool or ocean views and balconies, a well-stocked mini bars, 24-hour room service where you can order whole bottles of wine (both red and white if you want), wireless internet and free phone calls to mainland United States, Canada and Mexico (a huge plus!).
The property also offers a fitness center, beach volleyball court, pool volleyball, ping pong tables, and table games.
You can also take part in the daily planned activities such as theme parties, contests, live performances, as well as trips to to the nearby turtle preserve. Daily Spanish lessons are also offered for those who want a quick lesson.
Relaxing and energizing spa services are also available in four spa cabins (including a wedding one) at an additional cost. Spa treatments are not included in the all-inclusive plan at Isla Mujeres Palace, although two 25 minute massages are included if you book a Concierge Level Room.
Another perk: Guests at Palace Isla Mujeres will also have day access to the other larger Palace Resort properties in the Cancun area (Beach Palace, Moon Palace, Sun Palace) where you can enjoy the pools and the activities offered there for the entire duration of your stay.
You can also enjoy the infamous nightlife of Cancun a short boat-ride away.
The Palace Resorts was the first group member globally to join EarthCheck – the environmental sustainability program and has implemented new systems to monitor eco-friendly approaches to operations, conservation measures and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). They are also certified under the Meso American Reef Tourism Initiative (MARTI), which awards companies which protect the region’s natural landscape through sustainable hotel operations.
Palace Resorts created the Palace Foundation, which supports the land and people of Quintana Roo, Yucatán, Jalisco and Nayarit in México and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.
The luxury amenities of the Palace Resort Isla Mujeres plus the private intimacy of this property starts at $US375+/night.
