Travel Guides

For the uninitiated, capsule hotels are hotels which resemble well, capsules. They are small, with limited facilities and yet desired by those travelers who are on a shoestring budget when visiting Japans. Also great for otakus, or Japanese fanboys, who are strapped for cash as the night before they attend huge conventions in the heart of Tokyo or any other city in the Land of the Rising Sun. Don’t be intimidated if you are planning to stay in one during your sojourn in Japan, check out some tricks and tips we prepared.

1. Counter your claustrophobia
Capsule hotels are cheap, but it comes with some setbacks and one of the major disadvantages include claustrophobia. Those who suffer from this condition should stay away from capsule hotels and bunk in with their friends in Japan or pay more for a budget hotel. For travelers who are slightly uncomfortable with tight spaces, it pays to focus on the task at hand when you’re in your cabin, and that is by sleeping the night away.

When people think of Hawaii, they often think of the beautiful beaches, the great landscape, and the fantastic people. However, central to Hawaiian culture is cuisine. The people of Hawaii love food, whether it’s a simple plate lunch or an extravagant luau. They have created many delicious dishes that they can truly call their own, like poke, a raw dish featuring cubed tuna, and lau lau, a pork and butterfish creation steamed in taro leaf. While you’re in Hawaii, you’d be doing yourself a disservice not checking out your fantastic food options. While you’re in Hawaii, here’s some places you should check out, both large and small, fine dining and not.

Waiola’s – A must go to location; practically a destination. Get shave ice (do not say shaved ice unless you want to be berated senselessly) with ice cream on the bottom after you’ve spent a day out on the beach or hiking Diamond Head and are really hot. They also serve beer, if shave ice and beer is your thing.

Khaju Bridge in Ispahan is simply spectacular, simply breathtaking. The Khaju Bridge is build in a sophisticated Islamic architecture, but really has something charming of his own.
Khaju Bridge has been build in Ispahan not only by simple coincidence. In the XVIIth and XVIIIth century Ispahan, situated on the Silky Way, was probably the biggest city on Earth. During this fantastic period of flourishment Ispahan was the center of a big empire, ruled by the Safavids dynasty. One of the most important representants of this dynasty, and namely Shah Abbas II, build in 1650 The Khaju Bridge, on the Zayandeh River.

The breathtaking Khaju Bridge from Ispahan, on the Zayandeh River

The Singapore Flier is arguably one of the best places to visit in all of South East Asia. When I first heard of its construction, I did not believe that such an enormous structure could fit in the tiny city island but once I see it upon completion, I am awed beyond belief because the Singapore Flyer is indeed larger than life itself.

1. Enjoy 360 panoramic view
If you want want to enjoy a beautiful 360 degrees panoramic view of the city, you don’t need to sneak up to the tallest skyscraper in Singapore. All you need to do is get a ticket to ride the Singapore Flyer and you will be rewarded with sights that will take your breath away! On a clear day you can see the bustling streets of Orchard Road, the scenic Straits of Singapore and even Batam Island in neighboring Indonesia! Being in this gigantic Ferris Wheel does not mean that you will only be contained in your seat for the entire 45 minutes – in fact, you get to take a stroll, take in the views and get excellent snap shots as souvenirs!

Is it Rangoon or Yangon the right name of the former Burmese capital? No matter, Yangon is only a more modern pronunciation for the city’s name.

Downtown rangoon with modern skyscrapers

Despite the fact that Rangoon is no longer the capital city, it remains the most populous and most important city of Burma ( or Myanmar, if you wish). It counts 4 millions inhabitants, and suffers in some of its neighborhoods of its poor infrastructure (no rubbish collection, no permanent electricity). But Rangoon, and the all Burma are really fascinating, despite or due to the military dictatorship. Here comes the key question: doest it worth visiting Burma? Thus shall we support the military  junta, or the simply poor people ? Fact is, that most of the hotels are under the rule of the junta, but I still am  for visiting this country. Thus even the simply people could get contacts and even earn something. The chamber maid, the taxi driver, the street vendor will surely take a profit of your visit, and this is very good for the country.

Frankfurt airport has started offering daily flights to the Latvian capital starting immediately, and whilst that’s all very well and good, it does beg the question: “Just what can you do in Riga?”

Riga itself is a vibrant city in the heart of the Baltic States. As tourism to the heart of Europe becomes more and more popular, Latvia opened up its borders and joined the European Union in 2004.

Since that time, many western tourists have enjoyed this unique little city. Filled with quiet beer gardens, quaint squares and countless coffee shops and bistros, during the day Riga is a relaxing and enjoyable place to visit.

One of the most popular parts of the city for tourists is the famous area known as the Old Town, which is home to a great many traditional buildings such as St Peter’s Church in which you can ascend to the top of the building and see one of the city’s most stunning views.

If you should think to an African megacity, this is Lagos without any doubts. It is actually the second African large city (behind Cairo), and also the second African fast growing city (behind Bamako). Lagos is very dynamic, and its population grows with 250 000 people every year, experiencing the Nigerian oil boom. Lagos is one of the wealthiest African cities, and also one of the most expensive.

The ancient Lagos was located on the Lagoon Islands

Lagos is a very old city. Its modern beginnings date back in the XIV th century, when Portuguese explorers gave it the name. During all the Middle Age Lagos was an important center of slaves trade. When Nigeria gained its independence from the British crown in 1950 started the modern boom of Lagos, due to the rich oil reserves of Nigeria.

Baltimore is the largest city in Maryland, and occupies a prime position at the mouth of the Patapsco River, as it spills out into the Chesapeake Bay and on to the great Atlantic Ocean. Because of this excellent natural bay area, Baltimore has long been one of the busiest ports in the USA, with a strong US naval presence and several important shipbuilding yards.

The old City Hall of baltimore is a beloved landmark

Baltimore has had a turbulent history, and was strongly divided by North/South loyalties during the American Revolution, which crippled its flourishing post-Revolution economy and led to violent clashes between the various factions within the city. In 1904 a terrible fire swept through the city, destroying thousands of homes and businesses, which meant that much of the city had to be rebuilt from scratch in the years that followed. Baltimore also suffered during the Great Depression, when many of its key industries were devastated by falling market prices and the collapse of key financial institutes, but over the years this resilient city recovered much of its former glory, and is once more a lively and successful place, full of modern conveniences such as business districts, shops, restaurants and entertainments.