The World is a Book, Let’s Read

Published on November 22, 2018December 16, 2018 by Marie GizelleLeave a comment

There’s a popular quote that goes, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” Those words couldn’t be any truer especially for people who love to travel. Traveling exposes you to so many wonderful things about the place we call home – earth. Even not-so-wonderful experiences during trips can be considered lessons learned along the way.

Learning Outside Books

Indeed, just as the books we read open our eyes to new things learned and add to an ever-expanding knowledge repository, traveling expands the box you’ve built around yourself. It can change your views of the world, the people in it, and life in general. On the contrary, if you’re afraid to step out of your comfort zone and travel, it’s as if you’re stuck on the cover page of a book. Like being satisfied to just look at the pretty picture in front of you and not bothering to read the content. Continue reading “The World is a Book, Let’s Read” →

A Vacation Home Is the Smart Momma’s Choice

Published on October 10, 2018December 16, 2018 by Marie Gizelle2 Comments

With children spending most of their waking hours in school, there’s not enough opportunity for a family to bond and have fun. The only time they get to enjoy each other’s company is when the kids are home for their summer vacation. This is one reason why many families really plan well and hard to mark a few weeks (even months) off on their calendars. They reserve these dates for a grand family vacation.

Long work hours, homework, and various activities usually prevent a family from enjoying fun activities, or even dinner, together. That’s why it’s very important for a family to schedule a vacation. That’s the only time they can spend uninterrupted time together. The vacation could be for three days or three weeks; the length of time doesn’t really matter. What matters is that they were able to spend quality time together. Continue reading “A Vacation Home Is the Smart Momma’s Choice” →

A Day Well-Spent in Iconic London

Published on October 8, 2018December 6, 2018 by Marie6 Comments

London is an iconic city that continuously draws in travellers from all over the world. But, if for some reasons you find yourself with only a day to spend in this wondrous city (for example a really long layover), make the most of out it and plan your itinerary strategically.

Keep in mind that there’s more to London than just the Buckingham Place and the Westminster Abbey, though they are undoubtedly two of the most impressive landmarks you should see! So here’s how you can make the most of your day and sample some of the best alternatives to touristy spots of this remarkable city (at best 12 hours straight) and some free must-sees.

Continue reading “A Day Well-Spent in Iconic London” →

Five North American River Cruises You Need to Try

Published on August 15, 2018December 16, 2018 by Marie GizelleLeave a comment

Cruising is a choice of vacation that many people opt to, while some people are wary of. It can seem daunting if one thinks of being out in the ocean for days at a time; even if the ports of call are enticing. One solution for people who do not like the idea of having their vacation out in the vast ocean on a cruise liner is to take a smaller river cruise instead. This could be the perfect cruise trip for the family, sightseeing along some of the most famous waterways in North America. Try one of these five North American River Cruises. Continue reading “Five North American River Cruises You Need to Try” →

By Aviator31 - English Wikipedia, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7916951

Guide to Camping in the Great Smoky Mountains

Published on June 22, 2018December 9, 2018 by Marie GizelleLeave a comment

It doesn’t matter whether you are a luxury camper or you like to rough it; there is no disputing that camping is great fun. The fact that it brings you closer to nature and can make you feel like part of your surroundings is simply a bonus!

Of course, you need to decide what kind of camper you are before you can head into the Smoky Mountains. It is also important to consider who you are camping with. Families will particularly enjoy the Maggie Valley attractions which border these mountains. Continue reading “Guide to Camping in the Great Smoky Mountains” →

The Many Things to Love in New Zealand

Published on March 6, 2018December 6, 2018 by Marie Gizelle10 Comments

Located in the southern hemisphere and arguably one of the most beautiful countries in the world, New Zealand is a mecca for travellers who want to experience life pretty much on the edge. It’s where nature and modern life exists pretty much in uniform, and where today meets tomorrow.

New Zealand has one of the most biodiverse range of flora and fauna in the world, largely because it was isolated (in a good way) for much of its existence, even from nearby Australia. As such, a lot of the plants and animals in New Zealand are found nowhere else in the world. An example of this is the Kiwi, the national animal of New Zealand. Almost every sporting team, and even people from the islands, are named after this unique flightless bird. Continue reading “The Many Things to Love in New Zealand” →

Winter Get-Away Cruise Destinations

Published on January 20, 2018December 16, 2018 by Marie1 Comment

Vacations, road trips, and cruise holidays are popular during the summer season. Most people are used to the idea that summers are the best time to spend a holiday. But those who have experienced the cold and wet winter weather in the UK may want to re-consider their holiday schedules. Instead of cruising during the summer why not explore exciting destinations during the winter season. This way you can escape the dull winter weather and exchange it with warm and sunny ones. Here are some nice spots where one can cruise around and get away from the bleak winter weather.

When it comes to beach island holidays the Caribbean is often among the top of the tourists’ list. These islands are perfect for cruises because of the cultural diversity among the different islands. One can simply visit one island after another and enjoy a unique island experience in each of them. However, there are also things that are common in all of the Caribbean Islands and those are the beautiful and clear waters, sandy beaches and lots of sunshine. Continue reading “Winter Get-Away Cruise Destinations” →

Learning About Language and Culture through Travel

Published on January 14, 2018December 6, 2018 by Marie3 Comments

Culture, language and people are three of the things that have always fascinated me. I can’t remember how many times I’ve gone on and on about this fancy of mine but If I had the funds and opportunity to pursue it then I’d probably drop off everything and fly to my dream destinations. I would simply love to immerse myself in their culture and learn their language, and then maybe fulfill my other fancy which is to be a good interpreter or translator. I’d probably pass for a German-English and Spanish-English translator but it’ll also be lovely to add Russian and French translation to my language abilities.

Those who are still young and single are lucky to have opportunities like scholarship grants and language learning experiences offered by governments of some countries. I suggest that they grab this chance to have an educational holiday experience and gain a new language. Here are, in my opinion, some of the best places that offer great cultural experiences and interesting language that one would want learn. Continue reading “Learning About Language and Culture through Travel” →

Downtown Delight: 8 Must-See in Downtown Vancouver

Published on January 3, 2018December 6, 2018 by Marie Gizelle19 Comments

One of the places we visited in Canada that became an instant favourite was the Butchart Gardens, it is located near Victoria on Vancouver Island. It is so picturesque that you can not get enough of taking photos of each floral display and each landscaped area (see above photo). Being a large island and always listed as one of the cities with the best quality of life in the world, Vancouver has a lot to offer for locals and tourists alike. If you find yourself in downtown Vancouver for a few days you will quickly discover that there is no shortage of things to see and do in the area.

Here are some of the top attractions and places that you should consider visiting in downtown Vancouver. Continue reading “Downtown Delight: 8 Must-See in Downtown Vancouver” →

Vacation Destinations for my Girly Gang

Published on October 28, 2017December 9, 2018 by Marie14 Comments

A vacation in any destination is always more fun when it is spent with great company. This is one of the reasons why girly holidays are some of the best vacations that women enjoy. You can expect full attendance among female buddies whenever such excursions are scheduled. The only difficult stage in planning for these holidays is in choosing the destination. Here are some good options I picked for girly getaways that will give the whole gang a good time. Continue reading “Vacation Destinations for my Girly Gang” →

Don’t Let Language Barrier Stop You from Enjoying Your Trip

Published on September 24, 2017December 3, 2018 by MarieLeave a comment

(^Statue of Kalman in Budapest – English and German description provided on tab)

Read in German

Travelling to another country is something that is probably ever-present in people’s bucket lists. After all, there is nothing more surreal than exploring a place that’s foreign to you and immersing yourself in its culture and traditions. Everything does seem dreamlike, that is, until language barrier decides to step in and spoil the fun.

Language Barrier, a problem?

Of course, this wouldn’t be a problem for you if you come from an interracial family and are well versed with a language other than English or your mother tongue. Nevertheless, not all of us are as fortunate. At the same time, not everyone was able to learn some Spanish, a spattering of French, and some other foreign language back in high school. So will you allow this problem to stop you from enjoying your trip? Certainly not! What should you do, then?

Whether your trip is for business or pleasure, it pays to learn the language spoken at the place where you’re going, and you can learn languages without cramming. You don’t have to be an expert linguist; learning just a couple of important words would be enough. You would be surprised how much better your traveling experience would be if you know how to speak even just a few words from the local language. It can actually enhance your experience in ways you never deemed possible. Continue reading “Don’t Let Language Barrier Stop You from Enjoying Your Trip” →

The Perfect Cruise for the Family

Published on August 16, 2017December 16, 2018 by Marie5 Comments

Most people take advantage of summer vacations not just to reconnect with relatives, families, and loved ones. They also want to have that much-needed break from school or work. This is the reason why my family and I take some time off from our busy schedules during summertime. This time we planned for something we dubbed as “The Perfect Cruise for the Family.”

Perhaps you and your family are also planning to take a short vacation this year. There’s a large percentage of families all around the world that would go through extreme lengths just to plan the perfect summer getaway. Consider these cruise tips before you decide on your trip.

Perfect Cruise for the Family in Summer

Many families opt to spend summers in places with plenty of amusement parks, beaches, and campgrounds. They of course, would be doing their favourite activities as camping, experiencing thrill rides, and swimming among others. However, if you want to dare to be different come summertime, you might want to explore a unique option. That is, spending your next family vacation aboard a cruise ship. Here are some of the many beautiful things involved in a cruise. Continue reading “The Perfect Cruise for the Family” →