QTA Opens Representative Office in New York Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) is extending its global footprint by opening a representative office in New York to cover the USA, one of the Gulf state’s fastest growing visitor source markets. “The number of USA arrivals in 2015 totaled 93,174 and this year, numbers have remained steady with 50,243 visitors as at end June. We are confident that this market has great potential for growth with 11 … [Read more...]
By Private Jet to Helsinki
An important lesson about travel insurance. For some of my overseas trips, I have taken out medevac insurance; if ever this coverage was necessary, it was during my recent trip to Uzbekistan. After waiting for the landing of Uzbekistan Airways A300 flight from Bangkok, the twin engine private Cessna Citation CJ2+ jet accelerated smartly down runway 8 Left of Tashkent Airport. After quickly becoming airborne, we made a sharp right turn, then … [Read more...]
Istanbul’s Secret Gems
Istanbul’s Secret Gems Visitors to Istanbul have a general expectation of seeing an exotic place at the easternmost of Europe. This expectation is definitely appropriate but what the city offers is actually way beyond it. It is not for nothing that Istanbul is regarded as a city founded on two continents. The city offers its visitors many examples from both European and Asian cultures, acting as a bridge between them. Sometimes you feel … [Read more...]
Ridiculously Awesome Travel Tips For a 7 Day Trip to Antalya
This is the sequel to my first post and this one is all about my stay in Antalya. Our trip to Turkey was two weeks long; eight days were spent in Antalya and six days in Istanbul. Although we initially planed to go to Cappadocia, Fethiye and Pamukkale, ultimately we weren't up for all the extra travel and hassle. If you have the time and energy to do so, than definitely check these places out as they are often a part of visitor's typical … [Read more...]
How-To-Guide To Fall In Love with Istanbul
This is my third and last post about my trip to Turkey. So without further ado, let me address the elephant in the room...the very popular and in my opinion, the highly overrated, Istanbul. Before you object to this, I will admit a visit to this city is matter of personal taste and preferences; because I take travelling very seriously (insert joke here), I offer my honest opinions on experiences and activities that others may gloss over … [Read more...]
Common Scams & Travel Hacks: 5 Things You Need to Know About Turkey
Disclaimer: this post is all written in good humor :) My most recent holiday, which is also the one that I get asked about the most - was to Turkey in early June of this year. I had recently graduated and there was no hope of a Swedish summer ever showing up (no surprise here!), so my husband and I packed up our gear, planned a spontaneous getaway with an open itinerary (like we usually do) and went on a quest for warm, sunny weather to make … [Read more...]
Munich Vs. Berlin
I’ve been waiting to write a post about Berlin and Munich. Most people who know me know that I’m in love with Munich. However, there is another city in Germany that can make me feel better than in Munich, Berlin. I’ve been thinking about why this is so and I’ve realized that if Munich is a mother scolding his son so that he doesn’t break her precious vase, Berlin is the son, who already broke the vase. In Berlin, people are comfortable with … [Read more...]
Mud Pond & Raymond Burr Gardens, Fiji
With the weather remaining dark, gloomy and at times spitting buckets of heavy rain scattering people under overhangs in downtown Nadi - it was a "weather weight off my back" today as the clouds parted and we finally had sunshine! Too much of this rain and gloomy weather is bad for my personal psyche. The cyclone watch was lifted a day or two ago and it was just a waiting game for the storm to dissipate. Today I set out for the hot springs and … [Read more...]
Leif Harum – Author, Backpacker & World Traveler
I was originally attracted to Leif's website, Runaway Guide several years ago because of his unique adventures and the perspective he has gained from his travels on the cheap since the age of 16 - when he ran away from home. He has become an expert in extreme budget travel acquiring the skills and knowledge to survive on the road while spending as little money as possible. Oh and he makes cool in the moment, on the road travel videos to! Q. … [Read more...]
St. John’s Tomb: Travel Tales from Turkey
Greetings from Cappadocia! We are rapidly adapting to the troglodyte lifestyle of the modern cave dweller! Cappadocia was a perfect hideaway for the early persecuted Christians because they fled here to hide away in caves and they built their churches in caves as well. It almost appears that every family had its own church, sort of like a second living room to their cave dwelling. These early churches comfortably fit only about 10 people in … [Read more...]