Posts Tagged ‘china’

15 Most Magical Places in the World

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

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Wizards, sorcerers, hobbits and goblins. This maybe the stuff of fairy-tales but you can bring magic to life! Visit these breath-taking magical destinations and live out your own travel legend!

Travel and make-believe certainly go hand in hand.

Whether it’s royal palaces, enchanted forests or magical lagoons, traveling the world can bring your favorite fairy-tales to life!

So grab your wand, mount your white horse and take a virtual journey through the 15 most magical places in the world!

1. Sorcerer’s Castle, Lausanne, Switzerland

Lausanne Castle

Pear Biter

2. The Enchanted Forest, Oberursel, Germany

Germany taunus forest

Fugue

3. Wizards’ Town, Gent, Belgium

Gent town
pasotraspaso

4. Magical Lagoon, Mount Cook, New Zealand

Lake Pukaki

Magical-World

5. Emperor’s Palace, Versailles, France

Versailles palace
Panoramas

6. Knights’ Ship, River Elbe, Germany

Elbe Ship

nutbird

7. Prince Charming’s Castle, Gstaad, Switzerland

Gstaad Castle

robwest

8. Golden Pagodas, Bagan, Myanmar

Myanmar Pagodas

jmhullot

9. The Faraway Tree, Oxfordshire, UK

Oxfordshire tree

net_efekt

10. Rapunzel’s Tower, Huddersfield, UK

Castle Hill Huddersfield

RebelXTious

11. Wishing Bridge, Neuchâtel, Switzerland

Switzerland bridge

Tambako the Jaguar

12. Warlocks’ Castle, Angus, Scotland

Scotland castle

Macieklew

13. The Snow Queen’s Lair, Hausham, Germany

Bavaria Forest

Germanium

14. Hobbits’ House, Dordogne, France

Dordogne France

jurvetson

15. Lake of Dreams, Yuangshuo, China

China Lake

Magical-World

Been to any of these places? Got more magical travel recommendations? Which fairy-tale character would you be*?!

Post up your comments below, we want to hear from you!

Coming soon… the most spiritual places in the world. Don’t miss out, sign up for free blog updates below!

*(I’d be the Snow Queen!)

Top 10 Incredible Underground Caves

Wednesday, August 5th, 2009

A lot of cool stuff goes on under the ground. Check out these 10 amazing underground caves that will makes you think twice about what’s beneath your feet!

I remember learning about stalagmites and stalactites in school. Stalactites on top – tights go up, remember??

Anyway, the lessons weren’t a patch on the real thing. Check out these 10 incredible underground caves, Physics at it’s finest!

1. Reed Flute Cave, Guilin, China

China

Ian Sewell

2. Cheddar Caves, Somerset, UK

Cheddar
Andrew Stawarz

3. Lechuguilla Cave, Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico, US

Carlsbad

Dave Bunnell

4. Waikato, New Zealand

Waikato

Antoine Hubert

5. Grotte de l’Aven d’Armand, France

Grotte Silver

Coline Boitel

6. Lake of Dreams, Luray caves, Virginia, US

Luray

Idol

7. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kualar Lumpur

soham_pablo

8. Fantasy Cave, Bermuda

Bermuda

walknboston

9. Ice Cave, Nynäshamn, Sweden

Ice Cave

visulogik

10. Grotte de Dargilan, France

Grotte

Philip Larson


Been to any of these places?? Have we left some truly amazing caves off of our list? Post up your comments below and let us know!

Coming soon… the world’s best nature destinations. Don’t miss out – sign up for free blog updates below!

10 Menu Mistakes that will Crack You Up!

Tuesday, June 16th, 2009

Ever sniggered at a translation blunder on a sign or instruction manual? Check out these hilarious menu blunders that will make you think twice about what you’re eating…and the benefits of spell-check!

When traveling abroad, I always marvel at the many creative interpretations of the English language.

Though the effort to translate local specialties for tourists is no doubt a smart marketing move, the results might sometimes have the opposite effect…

1. Chocoholics Beware!

chocolate-puke1

Room Service Menu at the White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou, China.

2. A Modest Selection

craps1

Restaurant in Saigon, Vietnam.

3. Made with Love and Effort…

sweat-and-sour-chicken

Chinese flea market in Atlanta, Georgia.

4. Teach Your Poultry a Lesson!

chicken-rude-unreasonable3

Chinese menu.

5. Cannibalism on the Side?

dishes-with-human-pickles1

Chinese menu

6. Vanilla Lovers: a Sacred Desert

god-with-vanilla1

Chinese menu

7. What’s My Dad Been up to?!

fatty-cow-menu1

Menu found in Zhejiang, China

8. A Meal for the Militantly Healthy

health-demolition-tofu

Menu found in Shenzhen, China.

9. The Post-Breakup Dish

dumping1

10. On a Second Thought, I’ll Choose the Merlot..

rosso-spumantelatest

Got more hilarious translation blunders? Post up your comments below, we want a laugh!

Coming soon… street signs to put a smile on your face. Don’t miss out! Sign up for FREE updates via RSS or email below.

Photos by Engrish.com

Travel China Like a Pro: 7 Tips from Expert Travelers

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009

China holds a fascinating allure for adventurers all over the world. But exploring China can be daunting. Get the inside track with these top tips from expert travelers.

With a population of 1.3 billion people, one of the world’s fastest growing economies and landscapes ranging from subtropical forests to deserts and mountains, who wouldn’t want to visit China?

It’s right up there on my travel to do list, but I’ll be honest, the thought of stepping off the plane into one of the hugest countries in the world does scare me a little.

If in doubt speak to people in the know, right? So… check out these top tips from the people who travel for a living  and explore China like a pro!

yangshuosmall

1. Avoid “Tourist” Rates

“If you’re comfortable staying at hotels where few of the staff speak English, you can avoid paying high “foreigner’s prices” by booking your hotels through elong.net or Ctrip.com – sites targeted at domestic Chinese travelers.

Edward Hasbrouck, The Practical Nomad.

2. Escape the Crowds

“Very few people speak English so a good phrase book is essential. Use the point at phrases method or bring a picture book, but as long as the Chinese is there you’re all set.

Planning on visting Guilin? … Head to Yangshuo instead.  Much less touristy and much more beautiful. You’ll get all the Benefits of Guilin with more natural wonders and great hiking.

Take a local bus to a nearby town for a more authentic and less expensive experience. Most towns have a few hotels and it’s easy to find a beautiful place for less.

Take an overnight train – go for the soft sleeper if your budget allows. They’re comfortable and clean and will save you the cost of a hotel. Another bonus is that you get to see the countryside.”

Reuven Levitt, Tripbase CEO

marble-boat-sum-pal-small

3. Beware of What You Blog

“The Grand Hyatt Beijing is perfect, no doubt about it! Fresh flowers skillfully laid out in my room and a meal never to be forgotten. The pool is laid out like an island resort, just amazing.

Go for lunch in an average Chinese restaurant. A simple meal there can be as fresh and satisfying as a luxury dinner!

Beware of subversive blogging from Shanghai: censure is common practice!”

Kent St John, Go Nomad

4. Be Respectful if Arrested

“If you find yourself about to climb a holy mountain, and the ticket office offers extra insurance, you might want to take it.

If walking in the street and you hear “chwaaaak”, don’t change your pace, or you might get a big fat yellow lurgee on your shoe.

If you’re really hot, push your shirt up your chest, like everyone else.

Speak in honorable and deeply respectful prose, especially if you get arrested, or are toasting government officials.

Drink the rice wine.”

Robin Esrock, Modern Gonzo

The World’s Most Dangerous Hike – Amazing!

5. Expect the Unexpected

”Coming from the western world, I’ve always found visiting China like going to another planet. Expect the unexpected and don’t take things personally!

Chris Guillebeau, The Art of Nonconformity

6. Get the Magic Card

“Ask your hotel’s concierge for a card of common destinations in the city. Get the concierge to write the corresponding Chinese characters. Indispensable for directing taxis!”

Paul Cayanes, Pau Travels Blog

”Taxis are abundant and inexpensive in China’s major cities, but most cab drivers do not speak English. Most hotels have business cards with their address written in English and Chinese and a space on the back where the Chinese name of a destination can be filled in.”

Wendy, Escape from New York

lanterns-small1

7. Go Further than Fried Rice

Be adventurous with the food. There are so many great regional variations across China that travelers can miss out on the best food if they just stick to the dishes they recognize from their local Chinese take-out!”

Tim Hughes, The Boot

Planning a trip to China? Got more useful China travel tips? Post up your comments below, we want to hear from you!

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Photo credits: Yangshuo by B_cool, Summer Palace, Beijing by d’n'c, Lanterns by Mike


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