Guest post by @midlifepassion

Bangkok is an assault on the senses. I step out into the heat and humidity and am struck by the noise, the smog and sheer number of people.  There are cars and scooters everywhere. They take up every inch of the roadway, honking and weaving. The roads are narrow and pedestrians, traffic, bicycles and dogs seem to come from all directions.  It’s an intricate, chaotic dance that appears quite dangerous at first glance. I’m afraid I’m taking my life into my hands by venturing out into it. But surprisingly, there’s no anger or frustration, simply much patience and courtesy.  The honking is more of a “hi! I’m next to you” than “get out of my way.” I’m amazed at how smoothly it all flows.

Lane markers are only a suggestion and drivers are free to create additional lanes as they see fit. Scooters seem to go wherever works for them. It amazes me how many people can ride on one scooter. Anything that can fit into a tuk tuk or onto a scooter is easily carried, whether it’s rolls of carpet or the entire family. Helmets are merely an afterthought. Maybe it’s because traffic never really moves fast enough for it to be a concern.

Food stalls and carts are everywhere. The smells are overwhelming. I find much of the food unrecognizable and am unable to read the Thai characters.  Refrigeration appears to be non-existent and there seems to be a complete lack of sanitation. I wonder how I’ll possibly be able to eat for the next month.

There’s no sense of personal space. There are simply too many people for that. We’re crammed into the buses, sky train and taxis. Everyone competing for their own small space, yet with a calmness and politeness I’ve not experienced before.

A stench of garbage and filth rises along with the sun.  The tuk tuks belch thick black smoke as they zip between cars. There’s a stark contrast of business suits against barefoot vendors balancing baskets filled with their wares on long carry poles. It’s a world that I could never have imagined.

As I fall into the flow and routine of Bangkok, I quickly lose my sense of trepidation and embrace the uniqueness and beauty of this incredible city and the people who live here. I laugh at my first impressions of this amazing place. I love the street food and find it fresh and healthy; it tastes like nothing I’ve ever had. It’s inexpensive, available everywhere I turn and  I just can’t get enough of it.

In this city of striking contradictions there’s a sense of spirituality juxtaposed with a strong sense of superstition, a belief in numerology, luck and other seemingly incompatible beliefs. The incredible poverty is set against a background of spectacular wats embellished in gold. A reverence for the king is palpable yet there is intense fighting amongst the two predominant parties.

The people are kind and generous and go out of their way to help me – a strange white woman who doesn’t speak their language. We persevere in our attempts to understand each other with good humor and much laughter.  They are curious about me and what I think of their country. I wonder whether they’d be received in the same gracious way in our country.

This is the first time I’ve ever traveled alone. I feel lighter, stronger and definitely happier. I know that when I leave here I will have been touched in ways that I never could have imagined. My life will be forever changed by this experience and these beautiful people. This is a city that I will return to time and time again. Bangkok and its people will forever hold a very special place in my heart.

Peggy McPartland

Peggy McPartland is a traveler, explorer,  avid fan of anything outdoors and a passionate believer in helping others. She’s  made the decision to live her life in an entirely new way and will be leaving the corporate world early 2012 to travel the world and live the life of her dreams. You can follow her as she finds her way and inspires others to break free of their routines and create a life filled with passion and meaning.  www.midlifepassion.com

Guest post by @benjaminspall

London is well known to be one of the busiest cities in the world. If I was to hear somebody say “I’ve booked a nice relazing weekend away” London would very rarely flicker on my radar of consciousness.

I grew up in the calming Westcountry, England. Now, that really is the definition of a relaxing weekend away (or eighteen years, in my case). Could it really be possible to recreate this simply relaxing feeling in London?

After living in London for 4 years, I’ve got some ideas. Watch out for the wild card…

1) Hampstead Heath, North London

All rights reserved by Brett Jordan

Only 10 minutes out of the city centre on the tube (easily walked in an hour) you come across Hampstead Heath.

Despite offering stunning views across the city, this is the most ‘outside’ of the city I’ve ever felt while still being contained within its parameters. If it wasn’t for the very faint hum of the city below you could easily believe you were deep within the British country side.

This is a very upmarket part of town. Hampstead village itself is the most perfect example of a village being reached out to by a city I’ve ever seen. It has completely kept its shape and feel as a village, despite being surrounded on all sides by the largest city in the country.

2) Embankment, Waterloo

All rights reserved by Nadine Ballantyne

Embankment is on the south bank of the river Thames, just above Waterloo. It’s a very popular area with tourists due to its location (attractions dotted nearby include the London Eye, and Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey).

Despite the hustle and bustle of the immediate area, if you walk further afield you can discover some beautiful relaxing spots along the river. They’re still busy with people rushing through, but the footfall is substantially less than up near Waterloo. Relax with a drink in one of the classic English pubs along the riverbank.

3) St. James’s Park, Buckingham Palace

All rights reserved by SaffyH

Although St. James’s Park is actually one of the smallest parks in central London; I often find it to be the most relaxing simply due to its location.

St Jame’s Park runs in parallel to the Mall, the long road running up to Buckingham Palace. Whether it’s out of respect, or simply because it’s a largely touristy area (tourists who, respectfully, don’t want to ruin the experience for others) I find St James’s Park to be a very calming experience – even when a brass band takes up the band stand from time to time!

4) Behind Oxford Street, West End

Some rights reserved by tim166

This is my wild card. This is both a tip to find a relaxing spot to sit in central London, as well as a tip to avoid the queues if eventually you give in to a bit of shopping.

I worked in the largest department store on Oxford Street for nine months (you know the one), and I was beginning to find it impossible to walk down the street during my lunch break to pick up a sandwich. I was stressed enough with my long days at work, and standing on other peoples toes, having them stand on mine, and generally not getting anywhere fast in a huge line of people was the last ting I wanted to do with my one hour of lunch each day.

I quickly realised that by walking down the parallel back streets I was saving tonnes of time. I was walking done completely empty streets in the height of summer, whilst Oxford Street, a mere 20 meters to my left, was dipping under the weight of people on it.

Benjamin Spall

Benjamin Spall blogs over at  Liferapture.com. Follow him as he attempt to create a location independent lifestyle and travel the world financed purely through his entrepreneurial endeavours. Check out one of his most popular post, The A-Z of Lightweight World Travel: 26 Tips & Techniques.

Sponsored post by Anna Dewinter

Sitting on the Tasman Sea, the city of Sydney is an exciting mix of old and new offering ample opportunities for couple to explore and enjoy. Steeped in history, and yet still at the cutting edge of Australian café culture, in my experience Sydney is the perfect destination for a romantic getaway, with sights and attractions to excite and inspire.

Romantic Places to Visit in Sydney

I have some magical memories of Sydney -  its unique identity makes it a great place to explore with a loved one. As a big fan of Sydney as a destination for a memorable romantic getaway I would recommend:

Sydney Harbour Cruises – take a boat from Circular Quay and enjoy the stunning cityscapes from a whole new perspective. Sail under the Sydney Harbour Bridge that is in itself synonymous with the city and enjoy the icon Sydney Opera House from another angle. Sunset dining cruises or champagne evening tours are my top tip for couples wanting to enjoy this exciting opportunity in an even more intimate atmosphere

Sydney Botanical Gardens – sitting on Farm Cove and overlooking the stunning Sydney Harbour are the Sydney Botanical Gardens, one of my favourite spots in Sydney and the perfect setting for a romantic stroll. Foodies should try an al fresco meal at one of the selection of eateries while everyone will enjoy discovering the world class collection of plant life and flowers.

Outdoor Cinema –Sydney plays host to a number of outdoor film screening across the summer months, allowing film-loving couples to catch their favourite films in an exciting new setting. I’d definitely opt for the intimacy of a sundown screening in an amazing Australian setting over an indoor cinema seat any day of the week.

Bondi Beach – this Sydney surfing beach offers a delightful destination for couples looking to relax and enjoy each other’s company on New South Wale’s stunning shore. I’d say head for Bondi if you want time out from the demands of city life.

Darling Harbour – visiting couples can hop the Sydney monorail from the downtown area and spend a day at Darling Harbour, with a great atmosphere that I think is perfect for a day-trip date. I love the numerous bars and bistros and superb shopping opportunities.

Romantic Day Trips from Sydney

While Sydney itself has a lot to offer, the city also makes a great base for visiting other areas. I would recommend that anyone in town for a few days arranges car rental so they can choose from a number of magical day trip destinations to be enjoyed “a deux”.

Blue Mountains – I adore the Blue Mountains and defy anyone not to be moved by a trip to this magical area. Less than an hour’s drive outside Sydney this stunning natural setting is perfect for spending time with a loved one. The range offers a romantic backdrop to time together with its amazing vistas across spectacular scenery.

Hunter Valley – If you enjoy a glass of wine as much as I do then this world renowned wine region makes a great day trip out of town. A popular destination for weddings, the Hunter Valley offers exceptional year round romantic daytrips. Explore the vineyards and enjoy a lunch or dinner in one of the many fine dining restaurants on offer in the area.

Anna Dewinters

Anna Dewinter grew up with a desire to see the world. After many travels she found herself able to speak several European languages and at university in Norwich in England. She is currently working as a manager of freelance journalists at purecontent.com, which sources quality content for great websites.

The first time I volunteered abroad was when I was in Shanghai. I was studying at Fudan University and participated in the Foreign Students Volunteer Program. I taught English at a migrant school in and it turned out to be the most rewarding experience at Fudan.

I might be biased because of my experience but I always encourage everyone I meet to either study or volunteer abroad. If I could, I’d be volunteering abroad right now but I’m keeping these dollar bills as close to me as possible. Grad school tuition is guaranteed to drain my life savings.

I’m currently volunteering for Support For International Change (SIC), an organization that is dedicated to limiting the impact of HIV/AIDS in undeserved communities. We are looking for students and recent alumni who are interested in volunteering with us in Tanzania.

Our programs provide volunteers with an opportunity to live with a host family in Tanzania and directly impact rural communities by working alongside local Tanzanians. Each program begins with an intensive expert-led orientation where volunteers are educated about HIV, our organization and global health before beginning their field experience running an HIV/AIDS awareness campaign.

We currently have space available for our summer program starting July 20 – September 14 and our fall program starting September 22 – December 15. Click here if you’re interested in participating in this volunteer program and if you know of anyone who might be interested in working in Tanzania, please share this with them.

Guest post by@VitraSin

My Puerto Rican getaway consisted of great food, fun activities, peaceful walks on the beach at sunrise, and getting flashed by a creep on the beach!

One of my most memorable experiences was the nighttime bioluminescent lagoon kayak tour.  I cannot swim, nor had I ever kayaked before, but once you reach these magical waters, the fright (and exercise of paddling out 35 minutes) is definitely worth it.  To see the water light up as you swish your hand in the water is amazing. (Though many have tried, it’s been impossible to capture this in pictures.)

Puerto Rico is also home to a rainforest called El Yunque.  I walked through a trail that led to a beautiful waterfall.  The best part of El Yunque is that it is totally free, but it is a bit far out from San Juan so arranging the excursion with your hotel is probably the most convenient way to get there.

Old San Juan is worth the .75 bus ride (a taxi will cost you close to $30, and taking the public bus for less than $1 gives you  a chance to interact with locals and people-watch.)  There are a ton of things to see in Old San Juan, but rather than going to any sites and paying for tours, I simply chose to walk around the city and enjoy the beautiful architecture, the cobble-stone streets, and take in the beautiful views of the ocean.

One of my favorite things to do is eat and while in San Juan, I tried to go to as many restaurants as possible.  Overall, the mojitos in Puerto Rico far outdid any mojito I have ever tasted…anywhere!!!

They were amazing!  Here’s just a sampling of the dishes I ordered during my time in Puerto Rico:

And to round up my experience in Puerto Rico was one of my morning walks on the beach. I like to get up early and take advantage of the solitude of an empty beach to clear my mind and think about life.

Everyone is so friendly and says “Good Morning,” or “Buen Dia,” as they pass each other during their morning walks or runs.

It felt great to greet people so pleasantly first thing in the morning–something we definitely don’t experience in NYC.  As I passed a man sitting on the beach, I raised my hand to say Morning as I was approaching, and when I passed him and looked his way–no pants!

At least I can say I did experience a little bit of everything!

Vitra  Singh

Vitra was born in Trinidad and lives in NY.  She has been to 16+ countries and has dozens more on her list.  She has a passion for travelling, photography, media, and talking to anyone and everyone she can. You can follow Vitra @VitraSin and @BeTheTeam and don’t forget to check her out at www.BeTheTeam.Blogspot.com.

When you’re traveling, do you see more during the day or at night? Check out these night time photos of places from around the world taken by your fellow wanderlusters.

Connie Hum

Connie quit her job and left New York City in 2009. Since then, she’s lived in Istanbul, sailed the Mediterranean, slept in a cave inside Petra, belly-danced in Cairo, practiced meditation in India, trekked the Himalayas and volunteered in Thailand. Connie is now calling Hong Kong home, if only she would stop getting lost! Follow Connie’s (mis)adventures on www.connvoyage.com or Twitter at @connvoyage.

Kelsey Freeman

Kelsey is something of a nomadic jack-of-all-trades. After having moved 28 times in 8 years, she’s currently living near Washington DC. She works odd jobs as well as being a graphic designer, web designer, photographer, and writer.

She is also a former professional tall ship sailor, she’s working on her private pilot’s license, and she rides a vintage Russian sidecar motorcycle. She is an avid historical reenactor and travels frequently within the east coast to attend events. Photography is her true calling though and she is passionate about exposing people to cultures, places, and people they might otherwise never know about.

She loves to travel and used to live on a small, rural island in South Korea. Her favourite country is Switzerland, she’s currently planning a journalism expedition to Mongolia, and she once spent a year living out of her truck, couchsurfing around the USA and Canada!

Kevin Revolinski

Kevin Revolinski is the author of The Yogurt Man Cometh: Tales of an American Teacher in Turkey and the Bangkok expert for NileGuide.com. His website and blog are at The Mad Traveler.

Michael Hodson

Michael just completed a sixteen month, round-the-world trip without taking a single plane.  His blog — One Lap, No Jetlag — is at www.mobilelawyer.blogspot.com and you can Twitter him at @mobilelawyer.

Lash

Lash is passionate about traveling the world nomadically and sharing her adventures and the cultures of countries she visits. Way back in 1991 she quit my job in the USA, packed up and moved to Japan. She lived in Kyoto for 6 years, saving money to travel the world. In 1997, mission accomplished. She left Japan and began her world travels… Fast forward to 2010: still traveling! Check out her blog Lash World Tour.

Toby

Toby and Karen are your hosts at the Gibbs Bay Inn. Toby grew up in Nepal, India and West Africa and Karen is from a small village in East Sussex, England. They have a passion the mansion, service, the Caribbean, family life and running this beautiful old Guest House. “We love how there is always some old timer on the island who has an anecdote or scandal about the property from the old days.  As we watch the sun disappear over the yard-arm with our guests we always feel we have found our Nirvana.”

Some rights reserved by Don Potter

The National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa will be featuring an exhibition by one of my all time favorite artists, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, from June 17th to September 11th. It also just so happens to coincide with Montreal’s Annual Jazz Festival! What can be better than ogling over Carvaggio’s works of art and grooving to great music?

While I’m in Canada, I might as well explore Quebec City t00! I’ve heard that this city is as French as French can get in Canada. So to all my fellow Canadian travelers, got any recommendations for Montreal, Quebec City & Ottawa?

The National Gallery of Canada in Ottowa will be featuring an exhibition by one of my all time favorite artists, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, from June 17th to September 11th. It also just so happens to coincide with Montreal’s Annual Jazz Festival! What can be better than oogling over Carvaggio’s works of art and grooving to great music?

While I’m in Canada, I might as explore Quebec City as well! I’ve heard that this city is as French as French can get in Canada.

So to all my fellow Canadian travelers, got any recommendations for Montreal, Quebec City & Ottowa?

Guest post by Tim Walker

Mauritius was created first, and then heaven. This is what Mark Twain wrote in his book. Indeed Mauritius is a very beautiful island that will surely delight even the most difficult of traveler. Once there you will have a hard time choosing among the different activities and places of interest that are available on the island. In this article I will be providing information on 5 places that you should not miss when visiting Mauritius and I hope that it will be useful when it comes to planning your travel.

Some rights reserved by rebis12

Central Market

The central market is located in Port Louis, the capital and is place that you should not miss. Not only will you find some local crafts- both from the main island Mauritius but also from Rodrigues. However you should be careful of local sellers as they might try to sell some items at some really high price with tourists. Try to look around first in order to see if you could find the same item at some cheaper prices.

Quatre Bornes Market

This is a place that is really recommended for people that are looking for some cheap items in Mauritius. Again you should make sure that you shop around to find the best deals if you do not want to pay a too high price. It is also advised that you keep your belongings safely if you do not want to become easy prey for some pickpockets.

Some rights reserved by eutrophication&hypoxia

Caudan Waterfront

The Caudan Waterfront is a shopping complex that is located in the capital Port Louis. There you will find shops, restaurants and cinemas in order to provide you with some entertainment opportunities. Indeed this is the sole place where you can experience some nightlife activities in Port Louis. For those that are more into gambling and playing, there is also a casino available at the Caudan Waterfront.

Some rights reserved by carrotmadman6

Black River Gorges

This is a place that will really suit those that are more into hiking. There are different tracks that will suit people with different abilities. Some tracks may demand that you have a guide while some other tracks are clearly marked and should not be difficult to attempt on your own. Be sure that you take precautions though especially against mosquitoes if you do not want to be tattooed?

Some rights reserved by llee_wu

Trou aux Cerfz

This is actually the crater of an ancient volcano that offers some really great scenery. This is a place that you should not miss if you are really fond of nature and nice landscapes. Located in the center of the island, in the town of Curepipe, this is definitely a place that you should not miss if you are going to visit the central part of the island.

There are more places that you could visit on the island but the ones shown are rarely shown in tourist brochure and should be really interesting to consider if you want to try something new when visiting the island.

Tim Walker

Tim is a contributor for the site Kefalonia where you can get more information on holidays and also Skala hotels.

All rights reserved by G.M.B

There were 5 things I accomplished in the past 3 years.

1. Studied for my GMAT.
2. Took my GMAT. Twice.
3. Got accepted in to business school.
4. Traveled to Istanbul, Honduras and Madrid.
5. Magically managed to maintain this travel blog.

It’s not bad list considering I had 50 hour work weeks and was commuting almost 13 hours every week. But it’s not great either, especially since being happy didn’t make it on the list.

Here are 5 things I’ve accomplished while being unemployed for the past month and a half.

1. Saw my family, whom I live with under the same roof, on a week day.
2. Found time to volunteer.
3. Slept more than 6 hours a night.
4. Learned how to cook. (Sort of. It’s a work in progress. I make a mean bowl of oatmeal. Seriously.)
5. Be happy.

So what am I doing now that I am no longer a slave to a monotonous 9-7?

I’m currently volunteering for Support For International Change (SIC). I haven’t been so gung-ho about a project since I graduated. Why you ask? Because it’s stuff that actually matters. At least to me it does. No offense but designer dresses and vapid TV shows just doesn’t cut it.

I rather spend my time convincing you to buy a Tuko Pamoja Bag to support Tanzanian women living with HIV/AIDS than telling you to tune into another mindless reality TV show.

What’s to come in the next few months?

I’m going to be getting my first apartment!!! I’ve been hunting for a place I can call home for the next two years. I’ll be moving down to DC for graduate school by mid-July (ideally). Kelsey aka Drifting Focus has given me some of the inside scoop on places to live in and around DC. She even showed me her HUGE apartment for a ridiculously low price (compared to NYC standards) via Skype.

What’s to come in the next two years?

Getting my MBA at Georgetown University. Woot! School is the one place I know where I will always be challenged and I haven’t been mentally challenged in a very long time so I’m definitely looking forward to packing my noodle with knowledge.

Cheers to a new path!

Sponsored post by Timothy Dyre

Wales

With over 750 miles of coastline, 640 historic castles and countless historic market towns and villages to choose from, Wales is the obvious choice for an idyllic British cottage getaway. With each region possessing its own very unique characteristics as well as their common Welsh connections, the Pembrokeshire Peninsula is probably the top spot in Wales for a more action packed vacation.

Surrounded on three sides by coastline and home to a beautiful array of lagoons, pools and bays, Pembrokeshire is THE British destination for those holidaymakers who are into watersports, breathtaking views and the relaxed tempo of Welsh coastal life. Pembrokeshire is also home to numerous small islands off its coast, which really are worth exploring by boat from the mainland. Wherever you go, you’ll have your pick of Welsh Cottages to choose from.

Peak District

England’s Peak District lies mainly in the county of Derbyshire, with most of the area falling within the boundaries of the Peak District National Park. Outdoor activity enthusiasts will truly feel in their element here. The Peak District is home to 1,800 miles of long-distance walking, hillwalking and hiking trails, while mountain bikers and horse riders will be able to tackle the exciting tracks offered by the region’s bridleways. Rock climbers can scale some of the best climbing sites in the world, while a whole host of watersporting facilities are also available, together with fishing, sailing, hang gliding, paragliding and fell running. What’s more, these activities are all available from the plethora of stunning Peak District cottages scattered around this incredibly diverse National Park.

Yorkshire

Unique to the Yorkshire region are its stunning moorlands, around which are dotted picturesque little market towns and villages. Also home to the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Yorkshire offers holidaymakers whatever outdoor pursuit takes their fancy, as well as a little bit of quite town life.

Scotland

Home to some of the most dramatic and verdant forest landscapes the British Isles has to offer, Scotland has been picked out as one of my top five. You’ll find no end of holiday cottages in Scotland, whether you’re looking for something sunken secretly in the lowlands, nestled way up in the highlands, beside a mystical loch or in the midst of a magical Scottish wood, you’ll find your perfect cottage holiday here. Again, endless opportunities to fish, walk, hike, rock climb, sail, golf, or partake in an exciting selection of extreme sports and watersports can be found all over Scotland’s varied landscape.

Cornwall

Another of Britain’s most stunning regions, Cornwall’s dramatic coastline, sandy moorlands and lush woodlands make for an unbelievable setting for a Cornish cottage holiday. With a lively arts and music scene unique to the peninsula, visitors will also be able to sample incredible local cuisine and fresh produce from the surrounding area. Again, this is a perfect place for those who enjoy the pace of coastal life and the great outdoors.