Vayama Travel Blog

From Diwali to Chinese New Year, fall and winter in Asia is the best time to experience the most colorful festivals in the world.

By Max Milano

India – Diwali (November 13, 2012)
Diwali has gone global; it’s now celebrated from Palo Alto to Paris and everywhere where the Indian diaspora has taken it (including Africa and the Caribbean), but nothing beats experiencing Diwali in India. Known as “the festival of lights,” Diwali is one of the most colorful and important celebrations of the Hindu calendar, it commemorates the return of Lord Rama from a 14 year exile and the vanquishing of the demon-king Ravana. The festival is celebrated by lighting earthen diyas (ghee candles), bursting firecrackers and eating traditional Diwali sweets. Most regions in India will try to outdo each other Diwali with extensive light decorations and street festivities. Good areas to celebrate Diwali in India include Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Goa, where they also burn demon effigies. Happy Diwali!

How To Get There: Fly to Delhi for less with Vayama’s India flight deals.

Happy Diwali!

Hong Kong – Chinese New Year (February 10, 2013)
Chinese New Year is Hong Kong’s biggest festival – only New Year’s Eve (Dec 31) comes even close. It runs for three days and marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. 2013 will be the Year of the Snake and most Hong Kongers will celebrate by visiting flower markets and enjoying a traditional new year’s feast of fish and dumplings with their family. The festival closes with a huge fireworks display above Hong Kong harbor. Kung Hei Fat Choy!

How To Get There: Fly to Hong Kong for less with Vayama’s China flight deals.

Chinese New Year's Fireworks above Hong Kong Harbour

Vietnam – TET New Year (February 9 to the 12, 2013)
The TET New Year is Vietnam’s biggest celebration. It begins quaintly enough with flower markets, TET decorations and family visits to exchange gifts and red envelopes for luck; then on New Year’s Eve nigh, total pandemonium begins. Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and every town in between will compete in making as much noise as possible with fireworks, the banging of gongs and throngs of masked street revelers called Mua Lan (the Lion-Dragon). Grab a gong and join in!

How To Get There: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City for less with Vayama’s Vietnam flight deals.

Vietnam TET a TET

Japan - Merii Kurisumasu! (December 25, 2012)
Yes, Japan is not a Christian country, not even a little. So how come Christmas (or as the locals call it; Kurisumasu) is one of the most colorful celebrations of the year? Leave it to the Japanese to embrace every commercial aspect of western Christmas, sans the Jesus bit. So get ready for bright decorations galore, with every store in Tokyo’s posh Ginza district dripping with Christmas lights and stuffed with Santa dolls. Friends exchange gifts and go out for dinner. Since whole Turkeys are hard to get in Japan (and Japanese homes lack large ovens), you will see very long lines at Kentucky Fried Chicken on Christmas Eve! So enjoy the gift giving, have a glass of sake or two with your newly made Japanese friends and dig into your bucket of Colonel Sanders Chicken. Kanpai!

How To Get There: Fly into Tokyo with Vayama’s Japan Winter Deals.

KFC We're Big in Japan for Kurisumasu!

South Korea – Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival (January 7 to the 29, 2012)

One of South Korea’s most wintry tows is Hwacheon, whose river freezes solid by January—  making it the ideal home for the the annual Hwacheon Sancheoneo (Mountain Trout) Ice Festival. Each day of the festival, 32 tons of mountain trout are released for enthusiastic fishermen try their luck at catching them trough ice holes with traditional lures. Scoring your catch of the day is quite a task in the bone chilling cold, but you can always get a pre-caught and nicely a grilled trout from one of the many outdoor vendors lining the streets of the festival. Mini ice hockey, snow sculpture competitions and other winter sports round up the festivities. Dress warm and join the fun!

How to Get there: Fly into Seoul with Vayama’s South Korea flight deals and then take a limousine to Chuncheon, then a bus to Hwacheon.

Here Fishie Fishie!

By Nomadic Matt

No one wants to spend 20 bucks every time they enter a museum or full price for a tour and sightseeing can really add up. After all, we come all the way to a new destination toe explore it and its wonderful attractions not sit in our hotel rooms. Luckily, you don’t ever have to pay that much money. There are a lot of easy ways to save money on activities.

Here’s how:

Get Tourism Cards

Tourism cards are something I will never figure out why travelers don’t get more often. Local tourism offices issue cards for all their attractions, tours, and restaurants. This card gives you free entry and/or substantial discounts on all the attractions and tours in a city, free local public transportation (a huge plus), and usually some discounts are restaurants.

These cards are great for saving money because you get free transportation around the city (saving money on transportation) and free entry into museums, attractions, or other tours. For example, in Oslo Norways, the VisitOslo card offered by the city tourism board costs $60 USD. However, each museum in the city is between $12-15 USD. I saw 9 museums in the city which means I saved $30 USD with the pass plus got free public transportation. Not a bad deal.

Don't Pass on the London Pass

When I was in London, I used the London Pass. This tourist card cost me $95 USD for two days of sightseeing. It covers over 32 destinations and offers free public transportation. You can get a pass for up to 6 days for $150 USD However, I didn’t have much time or the desire to see all 32 spots. Without this pass, these attractions would have cost me $170 USD. I saved 45% by using the London Pass and I didn’t even use it for everything it offers.

Most travelers never think of these passes because they aren’t very well advertised or promoted but if you plan to do a lot of sightseeing, head to the local tourist office and pick yourself up one of these cards. Pretty much ever major destination in the world offers them!

Free Museum Days

Most museums have special discount times or free nights. Even famous museums like the Louvre and the Guggenheim offer free entrance. If I don’t have a tourism card that offers free entrance into the museum I want, I look up the museum on the internet to find out which days and times the museum offers free entrance into the museum.

Love the Louvre on Free Days

Use Discount Cards

There are a lot of discount travel cards in the world – from the international student card, the youth card, VIP card in Australia, to the Hostelling International card. All of these cards can get you discounts on attractions throughout the world. Some of these cards cost money (usually around $20 USD) but are good for at least a year and work throughout the world. You usually save between 30-50% off the listed price.

Visit the Local Tourist Office

Make sure you also visit the local tourist office. They usually have discount cards for major attractions and can let you know what deals are happening at that time. While at the tourist office, take some of those advertisement brochures. Most of them (especially the maps) contain ads for discounted tours and meals.

The Tourist Office is Your Friend

Book Tours Together

Booking tours together can save you between 10-20% off the listed prices. Heading into a tourist agency and offering to book a lot of tours from them will make them more amicable to lowering the price. Whenever I am going to book a tour, I always ask if there is a discount for a single tour, booking tours together, or multiple people. Agencies won’t tell you about them right away but if they know it will get the sale, they will give in. Negotiate and play hard ball.

Want more? Here’s a blog I wrote with 20 more interesting facts about me!

Have a Wunderbar Winter in Germany with Airberlin

Germany is hot this winter with airberlin’s Winter Wonderland free ticket giveaway. So get ready to discover all the fun things to do in Germany this fall and winter season: From Berlin’s Festival of Lights, to Cologne’s Christmas Markets- and everything in between!

By Max Milano

Germans will tell you to avoid their country during the winter season. During my visit to Berlin last summer, I lost count of how many locals complained about Berlin’s cold winters. So there’s no wonder why so many of them head south to Spain the minute the snowflakes begin to fall! But what these German snowbirds fail to grasp is that when coupled with the cheap hotel and airfare deals available, the smaller crowds, and colorful Christmas Markets, Germany’s winter wonderlands become an attractive and affordable getaway. Are you ready to discover Germany’s wunderbar winters?

Germany Winter Wonderlands

1-Oktoberfest
Ok, Oktoberfest is not celebrated in the winter; it doesn’t even begin in October! But Oktoberfest is undoubtedly the official end of summer, and the beginning of winter festivities. This year Munich’s famous Oktoberfest begins on Sep 26th and will run until October 7th. All large breweries in the city set out massive tents, to serve their best beers and traditional Bavarian food. You can book a table directly on a  brewery website, or just walk around and join in with friendly locals. Take advantage of airberlin’s hot winter deals from the USA to Germany, and find out what all the Oktoberfest fuzz is all about (Lederhosen not included).

Prost! Let the festivities begin

2-Berlin’s Festival of Lights
Berlin has been described as “a grey, unbeautiful city crammed with history and ghosts”, and this can be more evident in the winter. But for history and art lovers, there is no better time to explore this city’s world class museums and trendy art galleries. The city itself is an open air museum, with the remnants of the Berlin wall, the restored Reichstag, the iconic Brandenburg gate and the socialist chic Fernsehturm Tower; all telling a chapter of the city’s sometimes painful past. This year’s Berlin Festival of Lights will bathe the city’s historical landmarks in colorful lights and will feature neon sculptures, ‘light boats’ and rickshaws.

Get well lit! Berlin's Festival of Lights

3-Ski Germany
Austria and Switzerland may have the most famous German speaking ski resorts, but the Bavarian Alps offer world class skiing, smaller crowds and better prices than their Austrian counterparts on the other side of the mountains. Head over to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, located at the foot of the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak. This resort is the jewel of the Bavarian Alps, with world class skiing, pristine landscapes, and culinary delights to ensure the best après ski experience in the German Alps.

Ski Bavaria!

4-Germany’s Christmas Markets
Germany’s Christmas Markets are a wonderful tradition and a great way to experience how the locals get into the Christmas spirit. Berlin, Cologne, Nuremberg, Munich and Dresden all have world famous Christmas Markets, offering everything from hot Glühwein mulled wine, to hand carved nutcracker dolls. Don’t miss the traditional Christmas cakes and freshly baked cookies.

Traditional German Christmas Market

5-Berlin’s Museum Hop
Berlin is a city of museums, there is even a museum dedicated to the city’s favorite food (the Currywurst). Winter offers the perfect opportunity to be indoors, admiring all the history and art that Berlin can throw at you. Start at the German Historical Museum, then on to the Neues museum (ancient art), one of the five large museums on Berlin’s Museum Island. Hop over to the Reichstag’s ultra modern viewing platform, and then on to the DDR museum for displays of everyday life in the former East Germany. Berlin is also a city of Art Galleries, the hippest ones located in the Mitte district. This former run down area of East Berlin is now home to the trendiest, shabby chic art galleries in Germany. Visit Gallerie Zink, for the hottest new artists in Europe.

Not the wurst museum in Berlin!

Max Milano is a world traveler, travel blogger and published author.

Eating cheaply while traveling is easy. Nomadic Matt shows you how.

How to Eat Cheap Around the World

By Nomadic Matt

After accommodations, food is going to be one of your largest day to day on the road expenses. After all, you need to eat – and eat often. You can eat cheap canned beans and live off pasta throughout the world if you really want but that’s not really fun and I’m sure you didn’t fly to Paris, Thailand, or some other great place to not try the food. Here’s how you can indulge in the local cuisine without blowing your budget:

Cook Your Meals

A week’s worth of groceries is cheaper than a week’s worth of restaurants. I generally find that I spend about $60 – 50 USD per week on groceries, as opposed to $20+ per day at restaurants. That’s a reduction of 70% in food expenses. Even if you are simply going away for a two week vacation, consider cooking part of your meals. Food costs add up quick – a snack here and a dinner there and you’ll be wasting a lot of your money on food. The majority of hostels, guesthouses, and shared apartments all have full kitchens where you can cook your meal.

Cook on your trip and save

Lunch Specials

In many parts of the world, especially in Europe, you can dine on dinner menus at lunch special prices. The plate of the day as it is called is the best bargain in the world. For example, while I was in Barcelona, I went to eat at the seafood restaurants near the beach. However, dinner was around $50 USD. Yet coming back the next day for the lunch special allowed me to get the same meal for only $20 USD because of the lunch special. Another destination that is great for this is Singapore. Singapore is a very expensive place by Asian standards – food here can cost as much as it does back home. Yet restaurants here have fixed menus for lunch that cost between $10-15 USD as opposed to $25 USD for dinner. In England, pubs provide set meals for as low as $10 USD.

Go for the lunch special and save

Refill Your Water Bottle

You need to stay hydrated when traveling and buying water everyday costs money. Get a metal water bottle or reuse your plastic water bottle a few times to save money. I usually use a plastic water bottle for about 4 days, more if I can find a place to clean it. Instead of buying 3 bottles a day, I usually buy 2 per week. I may only be saving a small amount of money each time but over the course of a long trip that can really add up. Moreover, I reduce the amount of plastic I use which is also good for the environment. It’s win-win.

Refill and save your pocket and the environment

Never Eat in a Tourist Area

This is a simple enough tip, but one often forgotten by people since we tend to be in these areas because the attractions are. Prices in tourist areas generally tend to be 20-50% higher because tourists don’t mind spending more money since they are away for a short time and unaware what local prices actually are.

Avoid the tourist menu and save

Street Food

In most places around the world, the streets are lined with little food stalls and areas where food is cooked openly on the street. You grab a plate, sit down in a little plastic chair, and enjoy a delicious meal. Street food is some of the best food in the world. Meals at street stalls (different from street vendors, who have a bit more permanent set up) cost less than a dollar most of the time, and are a great way to really experience the local cuisine. Many places — like Thailand, for example — wouldn’t be the same if the street food disappeared. Many travelers are worried that such food isn’t safe but I assure you it is. If it made people sick, people wouldn’t eat at these stalls in such large numbers. I eat street food wherever I can and prefer street stalls to sit down restaurants.

Street food rocks!

Don’t Snack

A gelato here, a gelato there. Sodas. Bottles of water. Cookies. More gelato. It all adds up. Since the price is so small (“it’s only a dollar!” you say!) we don’t think of snacking as having a big impact on our budget. But buying snacks a few times a day will slowly add up and throw your budget out of whack. Before you know it, you can be spending $5 USD or more per day extra on food. That doesn’t sound like a lot but that’s $100 USD on a 10 day trip. I’d rather spend that $100 on a fabulous meal or nicer hotel than giving into a snack attack. Stick to big, filling meals! It’s healthier anyways.

Locals don’t spend a lot of money on food. They aren’t blowing their budget every night to have fabulous local food. You don’t need to either. Local food isn’t some specialty found in the tourist area. It’s the everyday food of people and can be found all over the place. Follow these tips and you’ll know how to eat cheap around the world.

Want more? Here’s a blog I wrote with 20 more interesting facts about me!

Go Wild in South Africa with South African Airways

By Max Milano

“When elephants want their waterhole”, our guide said in an Afrikaans accent from the driver’s seat of an open top Range Rover, “all the other animals have to get out of the way, they’re the real kings of the Jungle”. Or at least kings of the South African veldt, though I, as the majestic beasts took control of the waterhole, scattering warthogs and zebras in their wake. We were in South Africa’s Addo Elephant Park, and were not disappointed. We had driven hundreds of miles from Cape Town to the outskirts of Port Elizabeth to watch elephants in their semi-natural habitat, and once again, South Africa had delivered. Many countries promise a lot to visitors and end up disappointing. Not South Africa. Since our arrival into Cape Town a few days before, South Africa had amazed us, and then some. We had sunbathed with penguins on Boulder Beach, gone whale watching at Hermanus, hiked to the top of Table Mountain, gone wine tasting in Stellenbosch, and had been amazed at the friendliness of the people and the multicultural blend of Cape Town. The Cape Region of South Africa was both familiar and exotic. With echoes of Southern California, the West Indies and Southeast Asia, but also uniquely African. Isn’t it time you discovered this amazing country?

Now you have the chance to discover South Africa with Vayama and South African Airways’ “Ready to Go Wild?” contest. Click on this link, send a picture of your beloved pet or favorite animal, and get ready to see for yourself why South Africa really delivers in its promise of an exciting and beautiful vacation destination.

South Africa’s Top 8

1-Cape Town’s Victoria & Albert Waterfront
Cape Town is gorgeous. There is no town on Earth like it. From the moment you land at the airport you will be amazed at the majesty of Table Mountain, looming above it all. The day we landed, Table Mountain had its ‘tablecloth’ on, as the locals call the cottony clouds that wrap over it during the morning hours and at dusk. After checking in our hotel we headed directly to Cape Town’s famous Victoria & Albert Waterfront. The colorful Dutch style piers of the Victoria & Albert Waterfront are a perfect introduction to South Africa; with souvenir shops, pubs and restaurants serving local Cape Malay curries. You can also catch the Ferry to Robben Island from there; the famous island prison (now a museum) that held Nelson Mandela and other freedom fighters during the apartheid years. One of the coolest shops at the Victoria & Albert is called “Presidential Shirts”, where you can buy fateful copies of the colorful shirts favored by President Mandela. They even come with a picture of the president wearing the actual shirt you are buying.

Victoria & Albert with Table Top Mountain (and tablecloth)

2-Bo Kaap
Cape Town is a melting pot of African, European, East Indian and Southeast Asian cultures. You can get amazing Ethiopian food, enjoy a pint in a British style pub and then head out for a spicy Cape Malay curry, all within a small radius. And if you’re in the mood for a traditional Cape Malay curry, head up to Cape Town’s colorful Bo Kaap district. The houses are painted in pastel colors, reminiscent of the West Indies, and most of the residents hail from Malaysia. Visit Biesmiellah, the best curry house in the Bo Kaap, for a true taste of a traditional Cape Malay curry.

Colorful Bo Kaap

3-Boulder Beach
If you love penguins and the beach, then Boulder Beach is for you. This beautiful seaside suburb, south of Cape Town, is reachable via one of the most beautiful scenic roads in the world. The road climbs a steep hill, as it passes gorgeous beaches and bays. Boulder Beach is divided in two; one part is exclusive for the penguins, with a visitor center and wooden viewing platforms from which to enjoy these beautiful birds as they frolic in the surf. Then there’s the boulder part of Boulder Beach; a secluded cove with massive sandstone boulders right on the water, where humans are allowed to sunbathe and swim with the feathery African Penguins. This is an experience you will never forget.

Boulder Beach Penguins

4-Stellenbosh
The Cape Region is famous for its wines and Stellenbosch is their answer to the Napa Valley. This beautiful whitewashed town is home to some of the best wineries in South Africa. You can also wonder around its downtown, lined with outdoor cafes and shops. The perfect day trip from Cape Town.

Posh Stellenbosh

5-Table Mountain
Table Mountain is impressive. It evokes the power of nature while at the same town, accentuating the beauty of the Cape Town beach suburbs. You can hike to the top or take the cable car. But no matter how you get to the top, you will be amazed at the stunning views it offers; Cape Town in all of its splendor, lined with beaches and tranquil bays. There is also a café and a souvenir shop up on the top, perfect to relax before hiking back down.

Top of Table Top

6-The Garden Route
This stretch of road connects Cape Town with Port Elizabeth and it’s one of the most scenic roads in the world. It first cuts through the South African veldt (a dry savannah with low shrubs) where you can see many species of South African springbok (antelope), before veering to the coast, passing many Californiaesque beach towns, where you can stop for steamed mussels or for a day of sailing or windsurfing. The Garden Route ends in Jeffrey’s Bay, a laid back surf town, with beach front bars and one of the best right hand point breaks in the entire world.

Jeffrey’s Bay

7-Hermanus
This beach town at the beginning of the Garden Route is famous for its whales. There are many whale watching spots on this earth, but none like Hermanus. Due to some quirk of nature, and the currents, Hermanus’s tranquil coves are the preferred spot for southern right whales to give birth and raise their young. The massive whales get really close to the shore, and can often be confused with beach rocks, until they start to move (yes they get that close). You can often see a mother and her calf, swimming in a cloud of whale milk. A true spectacular spot.

Hermanus Whale

8-Addo Elephant Park
Kruger National Park may be more famous, but Addo wins my heart. The beauty of the South African National Park system is that you have three ways to enjoy the experience: On an open top Range Rover, driven by an official guide, in your own car with a local village guide, or a self-guided tour in your own car. The accommodations are top notch. We booked a luxury hut with all the mod cons and a thatched roof, overlooking a waterhole (more on that later). Our first day at the park, we booked a two hour tour with a park ranger on an open top Range Rover. Our guide was a joyful and informative Boer who knew a lot about all the different types of animals roaming around the park. In our first outing we were able to get up close and personal with a herd of elephants, zebras, warthogs and several species of springbok. The park has a pride of lions, but they are a bit shy, but trust me, they are out there (no one is allowed to step out of the vehicles for safety reasons). There is also an electrified picnic area that reminded me of Jurassic Park, only that the fences are designed to keep the park’s lions from turning visitors into their next lunch. The next day we went out with a local village guide. He spoke several native dialects, as well as English and Afrikaans (there are 11 official languages in South Africa). He was quite amused when we tried learning the Xhosa ‘click’ language, which is spoken in a series of clicks. On our last night in the park we sat outside our hut, gazing at the stars, when a wild roar startled us. The bushes around the lit waterhole next to our hut began to shake as a huge animal with a phalanx of sharp teeth appeared, followed by many more. We stood speechless as a pack of massive hyenas trotted around the waterhole, grunting and sniffing the cool night air. Then, just as suddenly as they appeared, they headed back into the blackness of the bush, and the African night was quiet again. Just another day in South Africa.

Addo Elephant Park

* Max Milano is a travel writer and the author of “The Mechanicals of Recoleta”, available at Amazon.

Now that the Olympics are over, it’s the best time to visit London to take advantage of travel bargains galore!

By Max Milano *

Some of the best travel bargains in Europe this fall are to be found in Post-Olympic London. Hotels are expected to slash their rates in an effort to lure visitors back and of course, Olympic souvenirs are half price!

Post Olympic London is Calling

London’s post Olympic blues happily coincide with the beginning of the fall shoulder season; this means that trans-Atlantic airfares will drop up to 50% when compared to peak summer fares. Many tourists avoided central London during the Olympics, so West End theatres, restaurants and hotels are eager to attract everyone back with extra low rates. Another cool thing about the fall season are the many art happenings and exhibits, check out London’s premier Art Galleries and museums, like the National Gallery and the Tate Modern for special fall events, many of them free.

When You Arrive
The cheapest way to get from Heathrow Airport to Central London is on the tube, period. You can buy a seven day Oystercard for unlimited rides on the London Underground, buses and even Thames river boats.

The London Underground

Things to do in London this Fall

From the Top of the O2 to Pigs on the Wing
Adrenaline junkies will be glad to learn that you can now climb up on the roof of London’s O2 arena (this was featured in a James Bond Film). Harnesses are provided and the views over Canary Wharf and the Thames River are guaranteed to be quite spectacular. Pink Floyd fans will be glad to know that rappelling for charity from the top of the Battersea Power Station will be on offer (the power station featured prominently on the cover of Pink Floyd’s Animals album).

For those about to rappel: We salute you!

Art Nights
One of the best things about London is it’s free museums: The venerable British Museum and the National Gallery are always free. The Tate modern does charge a fee, but it’s well worth it. Join the Tate’s “Late at the Tate” DJ nights this fall, with special after hour exhibits and trendy live DJs providing a bit of extra fun.

Late Tete`-a-tete´ at the Tate

Be Amazed
The maze at Hampton Court Palace, near the London suburb of Richmond is one of the most famous hedge mazes in the world. This year, a sound exhibit will trill you with strange sounds as you try to find your way out of this magnificent 18th century maze.

Hampton Court is Amazing!

Go for Gold
The Royal Mail has painted their traditional red mailboxes golden to represent each one of the Gold medals won by Team GB during the Olympics. A scavenger hunt to spot the new golden mailboxes can be a fun activity as you explore London and the rest of the UK.

Day Tripper
Take advantage of this British tradition of roundtrip fares for the price of a one way (as long as you return the same day) known popularly as a  ”cheap day return” and officially as “off peak day returns”  and take the train up to York, one of England’s best preserved medieval towns. Visit the York Minster, the Viking Museum (York was the Capital of Viking Britain) and walk the medieval city wall.

* Max Milano is a travel writer and the author of “The Mechanicals of Recoleta”, available at Amazon.

By Nomadic Matt

With thousands of potential candidates, it’s hard to decide which islands to visit when you travel around Southeast Asia. Tales of exotic and deserted islands will pull you in all sorts of directions. I love the beach, the sun, and the waves and during my 6 years, traveling the region, have been on a continuous quest to find the best tropical islands in the region. If, like me, you want to relax on a white sand beach, lapped by warm blue away, check out these islands on your next visit:

Ko Chang (Thailand)
Located in eastern Thailand, this island has seen a lot of development in recent years but it is still relatively deserted. Blue water and white sand beaches ring the island and as a bonus it has a milder monsoon season than other places in the country. I like the island because it’s easy to escape the “resorty” area, there are less wild and crazy parties on the island, it’s cheap, and there is good diving nearby.

Ko Chang

Book flights to Thailand for less on Vayama

Perhentian Islands (Malaysia)
Located off the eastern coast of Malaysia, this pair of islands is idyllic. White sand beaches, clear skies, and crystal blue water – to me it’s heaven. There are very little modern conveniences here. You go here to escape, relax, snorkel, and work on your tan. It’s the perfect place to set up a hammock and wonder if you entered a postcard.

Bali (Indonesia)
Bali is the major tourist destination in Indonesia for people coming to soak up the sun, relax on a beach, visit temples, and surf. While the island may be popular, it’s popular for good reasons and I absolutely loved my time on it. It’s so large that once you get out of the popular southeast, you can escape all the tourists and have miles of beach and jungle to yourself. And if you want people, the tourist areas have some of the best international food and nightlife in the region. It’s the best of both worlds.

Gili islands (Indonesia)
Located near Bali, people flock to these three tiny islands because they don’t have much to do on them. If you want to escape the madness of Bali, come here. You’ll have perfect white sand beaches, delicious seafood, beautiful diving, and quite nights.

Phuket (Thailand)
Phuket is the top tourist destination in Thailand. This island has amazing beaches, is located near some great diving spots, and has three national parks on it. It’s no wonder why it’s the number one destination in Asia. The island contains some of the best spas and golf courses in the region. For those looking for luxury, Phuket offers it.

Panglao (Philippines)
Panglao is famous for its world class diving and numerous resorts. Located in the Philippines, this island is also home to the pristine Alona Beach. It’s a good alternative to the more popular Boracay (see below) or Cebu. This is a good island if you are a diver.

Boracay (Philippines)
Boracay is another tropical island located in the Philippines and is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. Boracay is the site of a world-class 18-hole golf course, has 350 beach resorts, water sports, phenomenal restaurants, great night life, and lots of bars. This islands isn’t a great “out of the way” destination but the crowds are bearable if you want some luxury on your trip, this is the place to go.

Boracay

Book flights to the Philippines for less on Vayama

Ko Lipe (Thailand)
Located in southern Thailand, this island is well of the tourist trail (though every year seems to bring it a little closer). White sand beaches, abundant fish, and friendly locals make this heaven. My three day visit turned into three weeks. I just couldn’t pull myself away. It’s also located in a national park giving you a chance to explore hundreds of nearby deserted islands. My time there was some of the best in my life.

Bamboo Island (Cambodia)
Located off the coast nearby the town of Sihanoukville, this island is an hour motorboat ride from the coast. There’s nothing here except a restaurant, a few huts, and the beach. It’s rustic here – electricity works only in the evening, there is no hot water, air conditioning, or any other modern conveniences. People come here to get away from it all and relax.

Bamboo Island

Rabbit Island (Cambodia)
Another deserted island off the coast of Cambodia, there is even less here than on Bamboo Island! I like this island for a great day trip from the coastal town of Kep. It’s too quite for me. But if you ever wanted to pretend to be Robinson Crusoe, this is the island to do it at.

Southeast Asia has thousands of islands – each meeting the needs of travelers. From empty islands to party islands to upscale resort islands, there is something for everyone. Let these ten be your guide for sand, surf, and sun in one of the most fascinating areas of the world.

Want more? Here’s a blog I wrote with 20 more interesting facts about me!

By Nomadic Matt

Vayama Reviews:

Nomadic Matt shares his favorite European destinations.

I’ve been traveling to Europe in the summer for the last five years. Everyone is out in the cafes, there are lots of concerts, the weather is great, and there are tons of travelers around. Even if it’s just for a few weeks, I will always visit Europe during the summer. I have too. I crave it.  One of the greatest things about Europe is the number of potential destinations.  There are so many cities, towns, parks, and islands to see that it would take a lifetime to try to see all of Europe.  Here are my top places to visit:

Stockholm

I have a strong affinity for all things Scandinavian, and Stockholm is no exception. It’s why I have moved here for the remainder of the year. I love it and what is not to love about it?  It is one of the most beautiful I cities n the world. The reds and greens of the buildings have an old world charm, the locals are incredibly friendly, the city is abuzz with life in the summer time, the weather is just warm enough, and there is an infectious charm to the city. Within seconds of stepping into the city, few people ever want to leave.

Take Stock of Stockholm

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Utrecht

Utrecht is a miniature version of Amsterdam but without the huge crowds.  Utrecht’s city center features many historic buildings and structures. You’ll find beautiful canals, historic churches, great green spaces, and lovely town squares. The city is a big university town has a very youthful and vibrant feel to it.  Hardly anyone ever visits the city despite it being only 30 minutes from Amsterdam. You get the same magic minus the crowds.

Cornwall

Cornwall’s culture, spectacular landscape, and mild climate make it a popular tourist destination during the summer, even with the English. Too many people stick to just London when they visit England but if you really want to take in the country, you need to visit Cornwall, where the rolling hills, easy hiking trails, beautiful lakes, and tiny towns with friendly locals will give you a much better understanding of the country than just London.

Paris

The city of light is everything people say it is.  From the second I stepped out onto the Champ Elyse, I knew I would love Paris. There’s an vibrant energy to the city that excludes life. Paris is so large, so full of life that you’ll never be able to see the city in just one visit. It would take years. But you can get a good idea in just a few days as you marvel at the Eiffel tower, stroll through the food markets, picnic and Montmartre and take in some of Paris’s famous clubs.

Paris is it

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Amsterdam

There’s more to this city than just coffeeshops and red lights. I came to visit in 2006, loved it so much, I stayed for 4 months. Amsterdam is a city of cobblestone streets set upon a beautiful backdrop of lovely canals. In Amsterdam, you’ll find a very artistic city with tons of wonderful museums, locals always willing to share a beer, and delicious outdoor cafes in the Jordaan area of town.

Greek Islands

These islands are the mecca of summer beach fun in Europe. With hundreds of islands, it’s hard to really pick the best. The island of Ios is the center of the party. Mykonos is great for those who want a romantic getaway. Paros and Naxos are quiet and relaxing. Crete and Santorini perfect for those who want history. Kos is popular with the Brits. But no matter what island you choose, you’ll find an affordable beach destination surrounded by warm clear water.

Barcelona

Barcelona is Europe’s party city. The city goes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and could give NYC a run for the “city that never sleeps” title. Be prepared for late night dinners and until dawn parties. People in Barcelona have a zest for life and it shows in their late nights, beach days, and long and plentiful dinners. Plus, this city that dates back to Roman times has beautiful architecture, great Roman ruins, and his home to the famous Gaudi architect and his surreal buildings.

Barcelona: Sagrada Familia

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London

London has some of the best museums in the best in the world (and free), there is a lot of history here, and the pub culture is wonderful. Head to Brick Lane for an amazing Sunday food market filled with the best Indian in London. While I always find London an expensive city to visit, I like the historic nature of the city, the pub culture, and it’s melting pot feel to it.

I (Heart) London

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Berlin

Europe’s nightlife capital, hip and trendy Berlin is an energetic destination. While the city is very bland looking, the mouth watering and cheap food, the art scene, and the amazing music scene more than makes up for the drab, old communist feeling you get in Berlin. Through in some beautiful parks, lots of outdoor and green space, and a young, hipster feel to it and you get the most youthful city in Europe.

There are a million destinations in Europe. This list of cities will give you a mix of old world, new world, beach destinations, and history.

Want more? Here’s a blog I wrote with 20 more interesting facts about me!

By Kristin Zibell (Independent Solo Female Traveler)

For women who strive to challenge themselves while they travel, these vacation destinations go beyond the sight-seeing/eating/shopping routine and make the solo gal traveler be all she can be.

The solo gal traveler is wandering solo for a reason – to show herself and the world that she can do it! The “it” varies depending on her mood and desires, but certain vacations and activities around the world can reveal a self-sufficient and strong adventurer. Confidence builds, adventures abound, and her independence unfolds.  On my own independent adventures, I’ve ridden a camel across the Sahara and the Sinai Peninsula, trekked in Nepalese forests looking for rhinos, and snuck into the Goa International Film Festival in India. Each experience shed fears and added a layer of independence, making me a better traveler and woman.

Conquering the Surf in Mexico

There’s nothing like the first time of standing on a surf board and catching that wave. It’s victory over any self-doubt found in the thirteen or so tries where you didn’t get up. Declare your independence in two exceptional Mexican surfing spots and learn to ride the Pacific waves. Near Puerto Vallarta, there’s Sayulita, a popular surfing spot where surfers have been finding the perfect wave since the 1960s. Take a lesson for the day or join a surf camp and retreat.  Further down the coast and closer to Acapulco is Puerto Escondido, another popular Mexican surfing spot.  Take surf lessons to learn the difference between the wall, tube, and barrel parts of a wave on a beach named after a woman who found freedom by escaping her Spanish captors.

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Surf's Up in Mexico

Bringing out Your Inner Goddess at a Bali Retreat

Solo traveler extraordinaire author Elizabeth Gilbert of Eat, Pray, Love fame found her “love” while meditating with her healer/guru in Bali. While the independent traveler may not be seeking love (unless, perhaps, it’s in the form of Javier Bardem), she may be seeking some quiet solitude on one of the most beautiful islands in the world. Join a yoga, aruvedic, or spa retreat in Ubud to find your inner Dewi Sri and flourish from within. If you prefer something less organized than a retreat, you can stay on your own in Ubud and easily find yoga and reiki workshops in this international healing destination.

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Eat, Pray, Love in Bali.

Volunteering with a Women’s Organization in India

“Volunteer vacations” are an attractive option for travelers to go beyond seeing the sights to connecting with locals who need assistance.  The solo woman traveler finds independence and compassion by working with and helping women in need. Volunteer organizations in Delhi, Jaipur, and Bangalore connect female travelers with women’s empowerment groups that focus on language, health, and business training. Most organizations offer add-on trips so you can see the nearby sights in addition to helping Indian women become more independent.

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Namaste! Volunteer in India.

Walking the Streets of New York City

Every Sunday for six years, millions of women tuned into see Carrie Bradshaw strut the Manhattan streets in her Manolo Blahniks on Sex and the City.  Sure, Carrie often had the support of her girlfriends, but she found her that her solo relationship with one of the world’s best cities was the longest. Embrace your inner Carrie with a walk down Fifth Avenue to Bergdorf Goodman to try on a pair of those designer stilettos. Then, get to know the city a bit more by seeing from the top – feel the powerful vastness of the city with a visit to the Empire State Building. Enter the city from the outside in with a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.  Finally, walk through midtown at night to join the New York crowds at Free Friday Nights at the Museum of Modern Art. There is just something about walking those New York avenues that make the solo gal traveler want to shout, “I’ve made it!”

I (Heart) New York

Independence is gained in just the act of traveling solo. However, independence is truly felt when we push ourselves out of our comfort zone and try something different and new. Good luck and happy travels!

Kristin Zibell is a chronic world traveler and travel writer. She authors the popular travel blog TakeYourBigTrip.com to inspire would-be travelers to live their travel dreams. When not traveling locally in San Francisco, Kristin is always planning her next big trip.

Having a Balearic: Michael Douglas, Rafael Nadal, Claudia Schiffer all think Majorca is very cool, and so will you.

Book your flights to Majorca on AirBerlin and discover the hottest island on the Mediterranean Sea.

By Max Milano *

Majorca is hot, hotter than hot. This I pondered in the 90 degree heat as we followed our local guide up a steep trail, trough 1000 year old olive groves and over rocks and dried scrub until the bone dry hills opened into a valley that revealed the electric blue Mediterranean Sea beyond. “Welcome to Ca’ Xorc” our guide said as we entered the cooling shade of a beautiful Spanish manor. A large table was already set for lunch in the garden, among lemon trees and bougainvillea. Below us gleamed an infinity pool slowly dripping, its cooling waters over the edge. It was one of those impossibly clear Spanish days, when the light is just right and the white wine sparkles. Life felt like a Hemingway novel, sensual and brash, old and new, classically Spanish. The Romans had been here 2000 years before, then the Ottomans, followed by the medieval Catalan kings. Now German, Swedish and British tourists flock to these balmy shores by the thousands. Majorca is the hottest summer destination of 2012 (according to Kayak), so how come most Americans have never even heard of it?

Welcome to Casa Xorc in Soller, Majorca.

Celebrity Hangout

“Michael Douglas has a villa here”, our guide said as the paella was served, “so does Rafael Nadal and Claudia Shiffer”. The huge paella pan was chock full of black rice, steaming mussels and jumbo shrimps. “They use squid ink” our guide explained. The black rice tasted briny and delicious, like eating mouthfuls of the Med. I could see why Hollywood celebrities would choose to spend their summers here. Majorca is absolutely stunning. There is something about being able to jump into the Mediterranean Sea in the morning, followed by a stroll along Roman and medieval ruins before a Paella lunch. And this is perhaps the best way to enjoy a black rice paella; in the stunningly Hemingwayesque setting of Casa Xorc’s garden.

After lunch we walked into town. Casa Xorc overlooks the town of Soller. This beautiful medieval town of narrow cobblestoned streets and stunning houses opens into a narrow port with seaside cafés and a newly made beach. The hills surrounding the town are full of trails and boutique pensions. If Soller is not paradise, it’s pretty close to it.

In the evening we gathered by Soller’s gothic cathedral to catch the train back to Palma. A daytrip to Soller is basically a trip back in time. The train is from the early 1900’s and nothing has changed much around here since then.

Mad for the Med. Soller's Port & Beach.

The Best Nightlife in the World?

Back in Palma I readied myself to experience its legendary nightlife. Ibiza might get all the fame and Café del Mar compilations, but my guidebook said that Tito’s disco on Palma’s seaside promenade (Paseo Maritimo) was once voted “the best disco in the world”. No nightclub could possibly live to this kind of hype, but the Spanish do know a thing or two about partying on Friday night, so off I went.

At 1am Tito’s was still a bit quiet but this is normal in Spain. The locals don’t go out to dinner until at least 10pm and no self respecting Spaniard will be caught dead in a nightclub before 2 am.

Tito’s has an elevator to get from the street up into the disco itself. Inside the elevator I ran into 3 Russian models on vacation. “The girls are very beautiful here”, one of them complained, “they make us feel ugly” said another. Wow, if Tito’s regulars were so uncannily attractive that even Russian models felt intimidated, this was something I had to see. Inside the club was stuck in the late 90’s but in a classy way. The floor show featured female dancers in flowing pink robes and a buff party boy sans shirt. It took me only a few seconds to realize that the Russians models were right; all the beautiful people of Europe were here: Swedish blondes, Polish brunettes, Irish redheads. A Babel of tongues and attitudes all dancing to American hip-hop ( “ I’m sexy and I know it!”). The bartenders spoke in English, German or Spanish. Cosmopolitan squared. A United States of Europe under the balmy Balearic night. As I staggered back to my hotel at 5 in the morning, I realized that I was going mad for the Med in Majorca and only wanted more.

We're Sexy and We Know it. Tito's Nightclub, Palma.

How to get there: Airberlin offers smooth same day connection to Palma de Mallorca via Berlin from six US gateways: Miami, Fort Myers, New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Where to Stay: Castillo Hotel Son Vida (Palma), this refurbished manor offers stunning views of Palma and refined elegance with a flair for great local food. Hotel Palacio Casa Galesa, this gorgeous manor house hidden away in Palma’s old town offers the closest thing to staying in a private mansion with a stunning rooftop bar and spa. Ca’s Xorc, this boutique pension perched in the hills above the town of Soller proves that paradise on earth does indeed exist. You can also come in for lunch on a day trip from Palma on the train.

Things to do: Sun, sand sea and…paella. Majorca offers something for everybody; from world class nightlife to stunning beaches, golf courses, wineries, Roman ruins, medieval churches and more. Visit Son Ramon winery for a traditional Majorcan estate experience and take a day trip to Alcudia for the Roman ruins, medieval wall and great beach. Take the period train from Palma to Soller and enjoy its medieval streets, hiking trails, stunning hilltop pensions and cute port and marina.

When to Go: Spring and fall are ideal. Early summer is nice. August can be very hot and crowded. Winters are mild and quiet, with some restaurants and bars closing down for the season.

* Max Milano is the Author of  “The Mechanicals of Recoleta”Available at Amazon