Without a shadow of a doubt, Bali is the most famous of all Indonesian islands. It’s a place that boasts tropical beaches, breathtaking mountains, and friendly people. Those are just three of many reasons why tourists flock to the island each year!

You will have no doubt seen some pictures online of what Bali is like. But, how much do you really know about the island paradise? You should check out these seven fun facts to learn more:

In Bali, you can buy a type of coffee called Kopi Luwak. One intriguing fact about it is you won’t be drinking a typical coffee. That’s because Kopi Luwak gets derived from undigested coffee cherry beans! They get refined from the waste material left by civet cats. Why is that type of coffee popular? Apparently, civet cats only eat the ripest coffee beans!

It doesn’t matter where people come from in the world. The island paradise is the top destination for newlyweds from all corners of the globe!

As a honeymooner, your journey may start in aluxury hotel in Bali. You could then explore the magic of the island with your new spouse. And let’s not forget the array of cuisines on offer for those romantic evening dinners! Of course, the only downside is you would need to leave and return home at some point!

You might not think it, but some of the sandybeaches on Bali is actually black! The reason for that is simple. The sand got formed from the cooled lava of the Mount Agung volcano.

Do you enjoy eating seafood? If so, Bali is the holiday destination for you! An astonishing fact about the island is that its waters are home to over 3,000 species of fish!

5. Bali relies heavily on tourism

As you can imagine, the scenic island of Bali attracts a plethora of visitors each year. And it’s just as well because tourism makes up 80% of the island’s GDP! Islanders have nothing to worry about for their economy. There’s no danger of people not visiting the island any time soon!

As you explore the island, one thing will become apparent. The locals will talk in an array of different languages and dialects. Most islanders speak Balinese, Indonesian, and English. Many will also speak other languages too.

The first day of Bali’s new calendar is Nyepi. Translating as the “day of silence”, it gets celebrated every Isakawarsa (Bali new year). For 24 hours from 6 am, light and sound must get kept to a minimum. The Hindu celebration also states that no-one is allowed out onto the streets or beaches. In fact, even Bali’s main airport closes during Nyepi!

Sydney locals are among the luckiest folks on the planet.

The city is one of the busiest economic centers in the world the quality of life here is something that others cities could only hope to imitate and achieve.

On top of that, Sydney is blessed with gorgeous beaches that makes balancing work and chill time so easy, breezy.

Take for example, the case of Coogee beach, located in the eastern suburbs of Sydney.

It only takes a 20-minute bus ride from Sydney Central to enjoy the beach life and party atmosphere Coogee has to offer.

A year-round destination for locals and visitors alike, Coogee gives everyone that inimitable beach side lifestyle that makes Sydney quite popular.

Coogee is a public beach and you can swim, paddle, snorkel to your heart’s content. The waves here are mild as compared tot he rough waters of Bondi so it is not surprisingly that this beach is preferred by families and casual, average swimmers.

Like other main beaches in Sydney, there are lifeguards patroling the main beach so you can have some sort of peace of mind.

For food lovers, the streets around the Coogee and Randwick (the suburb) are teeming with bars, restaurants, souvenir shops so there will be no shortage of areas to dine and drink.

Just a note though. Sydney is generally a pricey city so everything seems expensive. The bars and restaurants near the beach are understandably expensive. Don’t fret though since there are lots of convenience stores where you can get your beer cheap.

No matter if it’s a weekday or weekend, Coogee is full of life and visitors.

One of the reasons for this is the fact that Coogee is the starting and/or endpoint of the famous 6-kilometer Coogee to Bondi Coastal Walk, one of the must-do activities whenever you visit Sydney.

This walk traverses the eastern shore of the city from Bondi to Coogee while passing the Bronte and Clovelly beaches and Gordon’s Bay.

Coogee beach is indeed of the treasures of Sydney. And if you ever have the chance to come visit the city, don’t miss the chance to take a splash in this gorgeous and picturesque beach.

A year round favourite with beach-going Sydneysiders and visitors alike, you can walk, surf, swim, snorkel, laze on the sand, shop, eat and drink here to your heart’s content.

Italy is known for many things, especially in the context of holidays. When people think of holidays in Italy, they think of glorious art museums. Or luxurious gondola rides. Many will think especially of the Leaning Tower of Pisa!

But in this article, we’re going to be looking at something else. Something the Italians do extremelywell. And that, my friend, is food. Of course, this could be said about many countries in Europe. The trick, of course, is to find out what it is they do better than any others.

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Sometimes, this means consuming some of the food and wine you may already be familiar with. Many people will try to go for really exotic dishes, things with names they can barely pronounce to the waiter. But a great test of a country’s prowess when it comes to cuisine is to test its ability to make things you’re familiar with.

Don’t assume you’ve tried the best of any of these until you’ve tried them in Italy!

Gelato

You may have seen some places in your hometown serving both gelato and ice cream. Many people don’t really know the difference. Nor do they take the time to appreciate the difference when they’re eating it! It’s not just the Italian word for “ice cream”.

Gelato has more of an “elastic” texture. It’s churned slower to keep it denser (a lot of ice cream is just air). It can also be a healthier choice as it has less fat content than ice cream.

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Chianti

Italy is certainly famous for its wines. Chianti wine is Italy’s most famous variation. The “Chianti region” is known to be Tuscany, as this is where the signature grapes are grown. If you’re looking for things to do in Florence, you could go on a luxurious Tuscan wine tour!

Coffee

Ever wonder why a lot of the coffee you can buy at home has the word “Italian” in their names or descriptions? It’s because coffee producers all over the world wish to emulate the rich taste of the Italian stuff. The most famous delivery method for this stuff is in a shot of espresso, known as caffee. It’s deep, dark, and gives you one heck of a buzz!

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Pizza Margherita

No, I didn’t get the words the wrong way round. Outside of Italy, people usually call it a Margherita pizza. But in Italy, it’s a pizza Margherita. And if you think you know the Margherita, think again. Too many people think it’s the “plain” pizza option. Not so. In Italy, pretty much every food business has its own special sauce it uses on these pizzas. It’s one of the best ways to experience the unique sauce flavours of Italy.

View from The Top (Photo from Pixabay)

While the majestic Schonbrunn Schloss has become the most famous landmark Vienna in the eyes of the outside world, Viennese still consider one familiar structure situated in the very center of the city, to be the Austrian capital’s heart and soul, dating back to the 12th century.

The impressive Stephanskirche or St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Stephanplatz remains, to this day, the very heart of Vienna.

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A stunning Gothic cathedral that dominates Vienna’s skyline, St. Stephen’s Cathedral has been the national symbol of Vienna ever since its construction in 1147 AD. It bore witness to the growth of Vienna as a city, and as the seat of the Habsburg empire for centuries, until it suffered sever damage during the Turkish siege in the 17th century.

Stephanskirche also fell victim to heavy fighting the second world war, with its roof as the main casualty. Citizens of Vienna rallied to repair the church, donating tiles, leading to its eventual re-opening in 1948. It is said that each Viennese citizen owns a symbolic tile of the church,as tribute to the love and devotion shown by the city and its people to the church.

In between, St. Stephen’s Cathedral went through several reconstruction and transformation including its redesign from Romanesque to Gothic in the 14th century, as ordered by Duke Rudolph IV of Habsburg. It also bore witness to other events including the funeral of music virtuoso Mozart.

The church is well known throughout the world by its diamond patterned roof and its tall, lean southern tower fondly called “Steffie”, which made it one of the tallest structures in Europe. The treasures inside the church also make it one of the most important places in history.

Within its catacomb lies the tomb of Prince Eugene of Savoy (1754), the Altarpiece of Wiener Neustadt, the pulpit by Anton Pilgram (1514-15), the sepulcher of Emperor Frederik III by Niclas Gerhaert (1467-1513), the watchman`s lookout, a self portrait of the sculptor, and the Gothic winged altar.

I visited the church this spring and it was indeed one of the most stunning architectural wonders I have seen. The roof is just so pretty that you can’t help but admire it.

No matter the time of day, tourists from within Austria and beyond, troop to the church to marvel at its fantastic design, and wander inside to see its altars and naves.

Its bluish altar also makes it one of the most unique churches I have ever visited.

I spent more than an hour inside the church, alternately praying and marveling at its gorgeous interiors. In that short timespan, I immediately realized why this church is so special to the Viennese. It is simply a jewel, in a city that is already one of the prettiest in the world.

Millions of people heard of the Alcazar in Spain for the very first time, following an announcement from the producers of the mega-successful “Games of Thrones” series that it would shoot parts of the upcoming fifth season inside the Spanish Palace.

The Alcazar will serve as the location of the main palace of the ancient city of Dorne.

The excitement is justified considering the big following of the series. But for travel enthusiasts, the Alcazar is oh so much more than just a series location.

The Alcazar is a great reminder of the past kingdoms that have ruled the southern region of the Spanish peninsula, Andalucia.

The Reales Alcazares de Sevilla or simply, the Real Alcazar is a royal palace which sits on a what was previously a Moorish fort. It is the oldest royal palace still in use in Europe. In 1987, it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

According to historical record, the Alcazar were primarily built for the Cordoban governors of Seville and construction began as early as 913 AD.

In the 11th century, rulers of Mulim taifa developed the original fort by building a palace called Al-Muwarak. This original construction can still be seen in the now western portion of the palace.

In the 12th century, Almohad rulers added an eastern palace around what’s now the Patio del Crucero and in 1248, Christian Fernando III moved into the Alcazar when he captured Seville in 1248.

Subsequent monarchs developed and re-designed the Alcazar such as Alfonso X who replaced much of the Almohad structure with a Gothic one.

Between 1364 and 1366, Pedro I built the Mudejar Palaco de Don Pedro which is the single most striking architecture and focal point of the entire fortress.

The Alcazar is an example of mudejar architecture, or the design personality of the Al-Andalus who stayed behind Andalucia after the the Christian Reconquisita but did not convert to Christianity.

I got the great opportunity to visit the Alcazar during my trip to Seville in September 2014.

If you have been traveling all over Europe, then chances are, you might have been saturated by the multitudes of palaces and forts and you might dismiss this Spanish palace as another, well, palace.

But for a first-time visitor to the continent, seeing the Alcazar up close was a magical experience. It was like stepping into a portal and getting a glimpse into the past. You can just imagine the Moors who used to occupy these halls. Then the Spanish monarchs who followed suit.

As I walked along the halls of the palace, I couldn’t help but notice the intricate designs, mosaics and tiles adorning the walls and ceilings.

The mosaics are so quite colorful and they feature geometric designs that are more Moorish than Spanish, again reminding everyone of the origins of this immense complex.

The great detail with which the walls, halls and ceilings were built make you instantly realize that this place was built with great care and supervision, fit only for the royals.

The entire Alcazar complex is huge and there’s a big likelihood that you might get lost inside its many patios, hallways and secret passageways.

Despite its immense size, however, there is no doubt that the centerpiece is the Mudejar Palacio de Don Pedro.

The halls on the second floor also has a display of the largest maps, tapestries that I have ever seen. They are so old that I am afraid of even touching it. Some of the tapestries depict the routes taken by Spanish voayagers during the era of exploration in the 1500s.

The outside pond/garden Estanque de Mercurio also had a great impact. After a leisurely walk along the many halls and patios inside the Alcazar, I stumbled upon this fountain and pond. Located near the gardens, this place just gives one a sense of peace and contentment.

There is water coming from the roof and as the sun’s ray passes through the falling water, it creates a mini rainbow that just took my breath away.

A few hours of visit is just not enough to get a good appreciation of the Alcazar’s many halls and patios. I stayed for only about two hours because of limited time and still, I wasn’t able to discover many of its hidden secrets.

But I guess, that’s the way, Real Alcazar is. No matter how much you try to explore it, it remains an enigma even to those who have walked through its corridors many times before.

And to satisfy that lingering curiosity, you just cant help but go back.

I’ve always wanted to travel to Micronesia.

I think it is one of the regions that are so, so gorgeous, but they get very few attention from the global travel community.

For Filipinos, this region is actually very well-known, but not for travel purposes. For many, going to countries such as Palau, Northern Mariana and Guam is a stepping stone to landing a better job in the mainland US. But I think, that these countries also deserve attention for their landscapes and natural attractions.

They are part of Micronesia so countries belonging to this sub-region of course have very unique topography.

My desire to travel to the region was even heightened as the Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) in the Philippines released photos of its spectacular dive sites. As part of Guam’s tourism promotion efforts, it is inviting Filipinos to come experience the country’s major dive sites.

I may not be a good swimmer but I am fan of water activities.

Sure, the Philippines also has amazing dive sites like those in Anilao and Palawan but belonging to a unique sub-region as Micronesia, means that the marine biodiversity in Guam is something you have to witness.

One favorite dive site is the Blue Hole, a natural coral shaft with teaming marine life and visibility up to 100 feet (30 meters).  Among the marine life you will encounter are the red-tooth triggerfish, titan triggerfish, crocodile needlefish and various butterfly fish. The site is also teeming with larger fishes such as Napoleons, and barracudas.

Barracuda Rock is equally captivating.  It features great visibility, as do all of the open ocean sites along Guam’s west coast, and a boulder-strewn ocean floor, sometimes harboring colorful lobsters.  Its caves are filled with red squirrelfish, hatchetfish, and big porcupine fish.

Another interesting dive site is the Gab Gab 2 reef, which the Atlantis tourist submarine circles.  It is one place where you will most likely see big fish such as giant trevallies, batfish, a nurse shark and a moray eel.  If you look closely, especially in the round concrete structures on the reef, you can even find big stonefish.

For diving fanatics, Guam is also a perfect destination for visiting ship wreck. One famous shipwreck is that of  German ship from World War I, the SMS Cormoran, which came into contact with a Japanese ship, Tokai Maru, during World War II. The Japanese ship was actually sunk during battle, and damage from the bombing can be seen on the ship.   This is the only place in the world where wrecks from both world wars touch beneath the surface.

Equally interesting is the American Tanker, a concrete barge sunk after WWII.  There are a few open rooms along the ship deck, as well as the superstructure itself, which can be safely entered by divers without special shipwreck training.  You can find an emperor angelfish hanging around the rudder, and there are red snappers, titan triggerfish and assorted fusillears, butterflyfish and parrotfish around the wreck.

To ensure the safety of divers, Guam has two fully staffed recompression chambers run by the U.S. Navy and two hospitals – one military and one private to come to the rescue in case of any untoward incident.

As part of its efforts to bring in tourists to its shores, Guam is maintaining its various dive sites to preserve its natural beauty even as it opens these sites to avid diving enthusiasts.

Diving packages for all ages are also available to cater to a wider market.

It may not be soon, but I will take diving lessons so I can prepare for the time when I can explore Guam’s underwater treasures.

Malaysia is a dream destination for a lot of people. It is easy to see why it is on the travel bucket list for many people. I have been to the country before and I can see why people would want to visit it. Despite the awfully long queue at the airport immigration! A lot of people that aren’t native to Asia think that they won’t speak a lick of English. So that can put a lot of people off. The thing is, nearly everyone does speak English. So it is a great place to start off travel adventures. It doesn’t make it too ‘foreign’ in that way.

You can get around using English and asking the locals. On the whole, they are a lovely nation and seem happy to help in my experience. Just don’t talk too fast or go off in an in-depth conversation with them. Keep it simple and they will be able to understand and help.

You don’t need to worry about taxis or hiring a car when you are in Kuala Lumpur. The train system is amazing there. You can get a train from one of the airports and it will take you right into the heart of the city. You sometimes think that everything was built around the train system as it works so well. So when you are making a Kuala Lumpur hotel booking, choose one that has good access to a train station.

Then you can get around to the see the sights and visit all of the amazing markets. They run every couple of minutes, and they are super cheap. It makes it so easy to get around. So you can feel like you are able to fit in a lot on your trip. As you will be able to get around and see it all easily.

On that note, markets are life in Malaysia. They are so vibrant and full of life. They are great to visit for a self-esteem boost too. Want to be told you are a handsome man that needs a handsome looking watch, then they are the places to be. Be fully prepared to haggle at the markets too. The stall owners are prepared for this and will go in with a high price. It is a good idea to go for at least half of the first price they give. Then go from there until you are at a price you are happy with.

One thing that you need to do in Kuala Lumpur is to try lots of the street food. As the name suggests, it is pretty cheap but truly amazing. You get to try all of the tastes of Malaysia. If you aren’t sure what to try first, it is a good idea to ask the locals. Maybe check with the hotel staff of where you are staying of where they would advise. They will have a better idea of the places that are popular and which areas might make you feel unwell.

Enjoy your trip!

It’s time for a trip down under. That’s right; we’re heading for Australia. Specifically, I’m going to tell you about everything you don’t want to miss when visiting Perth. One of Australia’s finest cities. Though, as you’re about to find out it’s what lies beyond the city limits that’s truly worth discovering. Join me then as I uncover some of the best things to see and do around Perth. If you take this trip, the adventurers and romantics won’t be disappointed; that’s for sure.

Kings Park And Botanic Gardens

You’ll have to search for a cheap car rental when you visit Perth because you are going to be doing quite a lot of traveling. There are a few things to do in the city of Perth. But, as already mentioned, the true cities lie in the wilderness. Okay, not so much the wilderness as a short car ride outside the center. There you’ll find Kings Park. It’s a gorgeous, picture perfect paradise that stretches for miles and is visited by well over six million people every year. There’s a lot to explore in this 400-acre wonderland. Make sure that you do stop by at least once as the sun begins to set. If you do this, you’ll get an enchanting view of Perth lit up at night. As well as that, don’t forget to journey along the elevated walkway through the trees. Below you’ll be able to see the entire park stretched out before you.

Perth Beaches

There are quite a few beaches that you’ll want to explore that I’d be hard-pressed to name just one that I recommend. Instead, I suggest you take a trip to as many as possible. Walk along the sandy shores or head for a swim in the shallow waves. Some beaches in Perth also offer surfing lessons. That’s something you might want to look into because the Aussies sure know how to ride the waves. In the evening, you can settle down on the green not too far from the shore for a great BBQ. Or, drive down to the pier for a meal at one of Perth’s finest restaurants.

Hire A Boat

If you’re a nature lover, you might want to see the sea life surrounding Perth up close and personal. Well, you can. You just need to hire a boat, and you can do that down at the city bay. You’ll be able to take out one of the smaller boats by yourself or with your family. Then you can jet across the ocean waves looking for the perfect area to drop anchor. Dive into the sea just off the coast and you might just spot a few sea creatures.

Rottnest Island

Lastly, you can finish your trip by taking a ferry over to Rottnest Island. There, you’ll have the chance to snorkel and scuba dive in crystal clear waters. It’s best to wait for the optimum weather conditions before you travel to this perfect paradise. Particularly, if you are planning on exploring the world below.

I hope you have found this a great incentive to take a trip to Perth this year.