Category Archives: Travel Tips

The Real Outback: Experience Australia’s Northern Territory

When people think of Australia, many think of the Sydney Opera House and the urban activities in Melbourne, however the term “outback” refers to the other side of Australia: the Northern Territory. Nellie Huang of WildJunket gave us the scoop on all the can’t-miss sights of this continent’s northern hemisphere! Get a jump start on planning your experience and see what events are coming up.

Sprawling across the northern regions of Australia is the Northern Territory, two and a half times the size of Texas and far more remote and untouched. It’s my favorite part of the country, with so much endemic wildlife and out-of-this-world landscapes that other regions just can’t rival. The region is made up of two distinctive areas: the Red Center and the Top End.

They are almost at extreme ends — the Red Center is hot, dry and harsh, dotted with patches of spinifex and unique rock formations, many of which are sacred spots for the region’s Aboriginal people; while the Top End is a lush tropical oasis sprinkled with waterfalls, billabongs and verdant green forests.

This is the Outback at its best and Australia at its most natural. Last year I took a road trip through the Northern Territories, here’s a look at some of the best places and experiences I encountered along the way.

Watch the Sunrise at Uluru and Kata Tjuta

On a three-day camping safari, we hiked through the deserts and impressive rock formations of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, camped out under the stars and even caught sunrise one early morning over Uluru. Blinding rays of orange flashed across the vast desert like a laser light show and lit up the whole area in a kaleidoscope of colors. Sunrise at Uluru and Kata Tjuta was a stunning sight to behold, and there was no better moment to experience these two impressive sights than at the crack of dawn.

Kata Tjuta

During the safari, we explored three main sites: Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon – all of which are considered sacred to the Anangu, the Aboriginal people of the Red Center. Having lived here for approximately 20,000 years, the Anangu have a particularly close relationship with their land. The trail that led us up, through, and into King’s Canyon was my favorite of all as I felt like we were truly immersed in the Outback. Anangu stories and myths just seemed to come alive here.

Hiking Kings Canyon

Wandering through the West MacDonnell Ranges

Stretching across the center of Australia, the 644 kilometer long mountain range runs to the east and west of Alice Springs. With our feisty Britz Bushcamper 4WD, we headed to explore the spectacular gaps and gorges that run through the ranges. During our daytrip, we wandered through Simpsons Gap, swam in the fresh waters of Ellery Creek, went on a short hike through Glen Helen Gorge and even climbed up the red quartzite cliffs of Stanley Chasm — it’s a stunning area that has surprisingly remained a secret among foreign visitors.

Nellie in Simpsons Gap

Encounter Wildlife at Alice Springs Desert Park

Located seven kilometers outside the city of Alice Springs is the Alice Springs Desert Park, a conservation park that showcases the Australian desert environment as its natural state. It is a beautifully sculpted area where kangaroos roam, birds fly overhead, and endangered bilby burrow underground. There’s hardly any fence around – it’s almost like an open-air playground where all of the area’s wildlife live freely.

Alice Springs Desert Park

Enjoy the Lush Greenery of Kakadu National Park

Gorgeous secluded waterfalls, rough rocky landscape and unspoiled greenery are peppered throughout the huge Kakadu National Park. This area is found in the Top End, where the proximity to the Equator gives it a humid tropical climate. Our tour through Kakadu was thrilling and exciting as we clambered over boulders to get to the stunning lookout point where we grazed upon Arnhem Land, hiked up steep slopes to find Aboriginal rock art and took respite in the waterfalls.

Kakadu National Park – Wild Junket

Try a New Kind of “Wild Game” in Darwin

In the capital city of the Northern Territory, there are plenty of choices when it comes to food. I’m a wildlife buff; unfortunately I also have a big appetite. Thankfully the animal population in Australia remains healthy and eating them isn’t going to dwindle their population. My most memorable meal in Australia remains this one in Darwin where I feasted on skewers of kangaroo, alligator and emu meat.

Are you “game” enough to try kangaroo or emu meat?

A journey to the Northern Territories redefines ‘the great outdoors,’ with landscapes and experiences that I never even imagined before my road trip. It is so vast, isolated and remote that mere words cannot do it justice. The only way to comprehend the Northern Territories is to travel through them.

Nellie Huang

With an eye for adventure and a thirst for the unknown, Nellie is a travel writer and blogger who loves to veer way beyond the conventional trail. Her blog, WildJunket is the child of all her adventures (and misadventures) around the world. Since the success of her blog, along with her photographer/designer husband, she has also launched a digital flipbook magazine, WildJunket Magazine.

You can find her online on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and YouTube.

How to Travel like a Princess…on the Cheap

Many girls dream of traveling like a princess, but trust funds are hard to find. What’s a budget-minded princess to do?

Actually, luxe travel isn’t so unattainable with the right tricks. Trust me on this: I love to travel in style, but there’s no platinum credit card bankrolling my trips!

1. Find the Next Big Thing

One trick for finding value-friendly vacation destinations is scoping emerging locations on the brink of becoming the next hot vacation spot. Prices can be amazing since hotel inventory and services haven’t skyrocketed.

Amador Causeway, Panama City by Saphira

So what’s the next big thing, you ask? Try Panama, home to some outstanding Caribbean beach resorts and spas as well as amazing bargains. Search for a fab Renewal Suite at The Westin Playa Bonita Panama for less than the price of a standard hotel room in the US.

Prepare to be shocked when you see what you can get for your dollar in terms of dining, excursions and spa treatments.

Of course you should head to the spa, right? At the current rates charged at The Sensory Spa by Clarins you can afford half a dozen spa treatments for the price of a single treatment in most US spas.

2. Give Your Camping Experience an Upgrade

There was a time when the words “camping trip” meant uncomfortable nights, air mattresses, doing without a restroom or shower and eating out of a cooler all weekend. It’s fun for some, but one thing was for sure: you’d come home with plenty of dirt under your nails and desperate for a bath.

These days of course gals who love the outdoors and comfort in equal measure don’t have to compromise on either thanks to the joys of glamping: glamorous camping. See what they did there? Clever huh?G

A luxury, pampered camping trip means you can enjoy the great outdoors without having to use an outhouse at the same time. Glamping definitely is not roughing it. You will find everything from Turkish rugs, velvet chaise lounges, to four-poster canopy beds.

Glamorous camping is even available in Peru. Glamping along Peru’s legendary Inca Trail to Machu Picchu sounds very much like what an Inca Princess would have experienced during their lifetime. The mystique of the region as you trek to the “Lost City” has an exclusive ring to it too!

3. High Tea WithOUT the Queen

There is nothing more refined than taking time for High Tea in the afternoon. You may not have the budget to stay at an urban castle for the entire night, but visiting for afternoon for tea makes one feel like royalty.

Lady Grantham herself enjoys a tea that closely resembles the one held most days at The Ritz-Carlton Buckhead.

Desserts fit for a Princess! from the Ritz Carlton Buckhead Atlanta by Kataries

The Lobby Lounge’s large fireplace is the optimum location to refresh for the afternoon like a proper lady. Don’t forget to point your pinkie!

4. Don’t Blow the Crown Jewels

Unfortunately, for all the non-princesses among us usually we have no choice but to accept that we’re going to have to stick to a budget during our trip. In this situation I prefer to book into a budget-friendly hotel but then head out to find what facilities and spas I can find elsewhere.

I know plenty of princess wannabes that stay at Disney World’s Pop Century budget resort but still feel like true royalty by making appointments at the nearby luxurious Blue Harmony Spa. The lobby has large paintings of royalty, chairs you could sink into all day and a spa with a private hot tub.

5. Every Princess Needs a Castle

Ashford Castle by MilwVon

One does not have to be a real life princess to sleep like one! How does a stone archways turrets and ancient castle charm feel for a place to lay your head? No princess should be without a castle, and the Ashford Castle in Ireland has made that happen.

The spectacular setting includes 350 acres of woodlands and gardens. The gray stone castle was once home to those who are practically Irish royalty, the Guinness family (yes the beer).

Riding and golf along with a stein of beer or two round out the most popular activities here. You can have a few drinks, since the castle rooms sometime go for as low as $139 per person per night. Most importantly, you’ll feel just like the “Princess and the Pea” in their large high rise beds with fluffy bedding.

Ava Roxanne Stritt

Ava Roxanne Stritt

Ava is a travel writer and editor of the blog Spa Travel Gal. She believes that travel, spa and skincare experiences are not a luxury, but essential to a healthy body and mind. If her family needs to find her they just call the local luxury spa.

A renowned expert in spa and luxury travel, Ava is featured in USA Today, the Los Angeles Times, Spa Week, Fox News, and the Atlanta Journal Constitution, among many other publications.

You can follow Ava on Twitter, Facebook and Google+

Seven Kickass Travel Hacks You’ve Never Heard Of

#1: Save Hundreds on Airfare by Pairing Unconnected Tickets

The Wall St Journal recently highlighted a trick that veteran travelers have known for years: you can save big on airfare by pairing unconnected tickets. It simply means that you book the connections of a multi-leg trip on your own. Using their example:

“The tactic can work best in summer when discount airfares are harder to find. For a June 11 to 18, the lowest round-trip airfare from Atlanta to Berlin was priced on Friday at $1,541. The New York to Berlin fare was $680. With discount competition between New York and Atlanta, the lowest round-trip fare to JFK was $258. That is a saving of 39%, or $2,400 for a family of four.”

Keep in mind that this won’t work for every trip or every destination and it will of course require more legwork on your part. But, if you’re a hardcore, “savings above all else” traveler, sometimes the discounts can be huge.

#2: Trick Your Body Into Eating (Almost) Anything

If you’re a picky eater, it’s possible that you just have “texture issues”. These might induce a physical reaction when your brain wrongly believes that you just can’t stomach a certain texture. For some, that might be “mushy” (think: mashed peas), for others “seedy” (think: tomatoes or kiwi) and the list goes on.

Some travelers would like to be more adventurous eaters, but their bodies simply won’t allow it. One trick is to suppress your gag reflex to overcome that psychosomatic response. And the trick to doing that is simple: form a fist with your left hand, squeezing your thumb. It’s a trick dentists have shared with their patients for years.

To be clear, this won’t work for everyone. But if you’re seriously interested in stepping outside your culinary comfort zone while traveling, give it a try.

#3: Beat Jet Lag by Fasting

You already know that the symptoms of jet lag stem from your body’s falling out of its natural circadian rhythm. The Harvard Business Review reveals that fasting can snap it back into place. In short:

Airport food: avoid it before your flight, and enjoy it after you land. (photo courtesy of LenR)

Try fasting both before and during your long flight, then eating in a pattern that puts you in sync with local time. For instance, if you’re taking a 14-hour flight from New York to Beijing, it would work like this:
•   Avoid all food from the time you get to the airport (i.e., about two hours before departure)
•   Don’t eat during the flight — but still drink plenty of water
•   Eat soon after you land, as close to a local meal time as possible

#4: Cancel Your Hotel Reservation at the Last Minute Without Penalties

Almost every hotel charges a penalty when guests cancel their reservations on short notice (typically less than 48 hours).

But there’s a surprisingly simple way around this – so simple, you might wonder why you never thought of it before.

If you need to cancel your reservation, simply reschedule your stay for a future date (say, one month out). Then call back the next day and cancel it completely. Done.

#5: Survive a Mugging Abroad with a “Decoy Wallet”

The key to surviving a mugging is to appease your assailant, and the key to that is to make sure he doesn’t leave empty-handed. Simply carry a “decoy wallet”.

Crowded markets are perfect places for pickpockets to strike. (photo courtesy of rcoffelt)

Think of it as a crappier (read: less valuable) version of your actual wallet. It needs to hold enough cash and cards for the thief to believe it’s the real deal, but not so much that you’re seriously suffering from its loss.

Toss in $100 in cash, a couple of expired credit cards, a receipt or two, and a few customer loyalty cards from places like CVS and your local grocery store and you should be good to go.

#6: Save Big By Calling the Hotel Directly

In an effort to combat dwindling profit margins from online booking sites, many hotels now offer deep discounts to travelers who call the hotel directly. Meta-travel booking sites such as Kayak.com typically offer great rates.

But take their best offer to the hotel directly and see if they’re willing to wheel and deal with you.

I’ve saved as much as 40% off advertised online rates using this method. Bonus: while you’re bending the manager’s ear, kindly drop a request about the type of room you’d prefer (corner room, suite away from the ice machines, etc.).

They’re much more likely to comply when talking to an actual person versus an automated reservation e-mail.

#7: Just Ask!

This isn’t a “hack” per se, but it’s the best possible advice I can offer: if you’re not asking for upgrades, compensation, and plain ol’ free sh*t while you’re traveling, you’re a sucker.

Hotel insider, Jacob Tomsky, lists the phrase “Sorry, there’s just nothing I can do …” among his list of “standard front desk lies””

“There are a lot of these “There’s nothing I can do” situations, when it’s quite untrue. Making a friend and having someone take care of you, it might change your stay. It’s hard to trust what the front desk is telling you because they want to make everyone happy—there are bad rooms and someone has to get them. So being nice, possibly a gratuity, calling ahead—it can go a long way.”

Make new friends with the people working the front desk- they could be your greatest ally! (photo courtesy of panda2)

There’s almost always something they can do in every situation: a better hotel room, a premium airline seat, a better class of rental car. And 90% of the time you simply have to be polite and ask.

Just keep in mind that there’s a big difference between demanding and asking. Remember that travel can tempt otherwise kind, ordinary folks to act like a$$holes.

Hospitality workers often face a daily barrage of verbal assaults and moody, impatient travelers. Be the exception to their day: whether that’s through kindness, flattery, or plain ol’ bribery.

by Mike Richard

Mike Richard is a Rhode Island native and travel junkie with an unhealthy addiction to backpacking, hiking and seeing the world. Since 2006, he has edited, written for, and kept the gears running behind the scenes as founding editor of his blog, Vagabondish. He absconded from corporate life in 2010 to travel full time and hasn’t had a permanent residence since.

He has spoken professionally as a featured panelist at the annual TBEX (Travel Blogger’s Exchange) conference. Other noteworthy credits include “Woman’s World magazine contributor” and having once been interviewed by Tyra Banks (seriously).

You can follow him online at Google+, Twitter and Facebook.

Travel Romance – A Survival Guide

I’ll never forget my first travel romance. My plan was to spend six weeks backpacking around Europe solo, discovering the local cultures, exploring the history and gorging myself on delicious food.

What I didn’t expect was to meet Dan on my very first night in an Amsterdam hostel.

I don’t know if it was his bright blue eyes, contagious laughter or the fact we had smoked something a little stronger than cigarettes, but after an hour of intense conversation I knew I was in love. Even the next day when the smoke had cleared and we woke up next to each other, blemishes and imperfections glowing in the morning sunlight, the feeling was still there.

“I have something really romantic planned for today,” he said with a smile. “Let’s go get kebabs and some of that 1 Euro wine we saw and go listen to the hippies playing guitar in Vondelpark.”

“Sounds like the best first date anyone has ever planned, babe.”

Things moved quickly, as they tend to when you spend every waking and non-waking hour with someone. And although there were some bumps in the road, we managed to travel together for the entire trip without killing each other, even making plans to travel again in the future.

But keeping romance alive on the road is no walk in the park, as countless broken hearts will testify.

Here are a few tips for doing it right.

Set Realistic Expectations

The trick to a travel romance is realistic expectations. Meeting a sexy stranger in an exotic land is always exciting, and can lead to heightened feelings of love and a quick relationship progression. Within a week you know each other’s deepest secrets, worst habits and embarrassing smells, but it only makes you love each other more.

Although this can be an amazing experience, don’t get your hopes up if it doesn’t last longer than the trip itself.

I’ve had travel romances that continued on after the plane ride home, as well as intense flings that fizzled out quicker than Alta Seltzer. If it works out, great. If it doesn’t, at least you enjoyed the ride.

Hostels Can Be “Romantic”

When you find a passionate travel romance, realize how lucky you are and embrace every second of it. If you’re a long-term traveler, don’t get frustrated about your low funds but instead work with what you have.

For example, you don’t need to stay in a private hotel room to get some action, as hostels provide plenty of opportunities for getting it on. Think the shower, rooftops or in the afternoon when everyone is out sightseeing.

Additionally, expensive restaurants and romantic excursions are overrated. For a romantic meal, have a picnic in the park with some cheap wine or head to a local restaurant where neither of you can read the menu.

These venues are usually cheaper and can be unforgettable — especially when you order something you can’t identify. Add to the affordable romance by getting lost in a city together, hiking to a scenic viewpoint or kayaking on a nearby lake.

Remember, you don’t need to work hard to make the relationship exciting, since everyday when traveling is a new adventure in itself.

Give Each Other Space

You’re already spending more time together in a month than most couples do in a year, so give each other some space. Splitting up for the day and doing some solo sightseeing will not only keep you from getting on each others’ nerves, but will also allow you some independence and personal growth.

Cut Each Other Some Slack

Nobody can be perfect 24/7, so cut each other some slack. In normal dating situations, both parties are able to hide their annoying habits and bad behavior for at least a few weeks, usually months; however, when you’re on the road full-time together everything comes out into the open.

So his breath isn’t minty fresh every time you kiss and he didn’t pay for your lunch, and she picks her teeth and takes an hour and a half to get ready. Accept your situation and relax.

Keep The Communication Open

That being said, if there is something really bothering you, speak up (nicely). The worst thing you can do when traveling with a romantic partner is hold your feelings in until you explode.

Let your new love interest know if you need space or if there is something making you unhappy. As long as you convey your feelings in a clear and respectful manner this should only make you stronger.

Roll With The Punches

While fun, traveling can be stressful. Uncomfortable situations, missed trains and language barriers can make you both cranky. Instead of letting bumps in the road bother you, roll with the punches and enjoy every moment of your time together. Keep in mind, most issues on the road turn into funny travel stories later.

Splurge

If possible, pool some money together for a romantic splurge. It doesn’t have to be over-the-top, but one night in a private hotel room or a steak dinner can pull you both out of your routine. While everyday is exciting on the road, it can never hurt to add some ambiance once in awhile.

Trust Your Gut

So it’s been two weeks and you’re starting to wonder if maybe you rushed into things. If you start to feel like the romance isn’t what you want anymore, get out. Although it may feel like you’re in a long-term relationship, the truth is you don’t know each other that well, and you don’t owe this other person anything. Travel is selfish. It’s about having the experiences you want in a foreign land. Do what you need to make your travel experience the one you want.

By Jessica Festa

Jessie loves nothing more than her backpack. With a Masters degree in Communication she had a choice; find a steady job or live the dream. She was always going to choose the latter. On her blog, Jessie on a Journey, she covers lesser-known destinations as well as popular places from new and unusual perspectives. She also writes for Fodor’s, Gadling and the Huffington Post, among others. You can follow her travels and writing on: Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest.

The Genius of River Cruising: My Viking River Cruise Experience

Awhile back I took my first river cruise on Viking River Cruises and instantly fell in love with this burgeoning mode of escape from the ordinary. As a quick aside, over on my own blog site at Travel By Terry, you will find a couple of posts (January 22, 2013 & January 24, 2013) where I talk about several entertaining aspects of that enriching experience not mentioned in this post. If you are among those who have never had the pleasure of seeing the world through a Viking River Cruise, let me share with you why I personally find the experience so satisfying. (By the way, this is not one of those all too frequent cases when my tastes run counter to the rest of the known universe.) I must be in respectable company because river cruising is one of the fastest growing travel industry segments.

Step on and Settle into Luxury

Like many of you, I previously visited various parts of Europe utilizing the “planes, trains and automobiles” approach (a great movie, by the way.( You are not going to find me disparaging train travel because it is a highly romantic way to roam around Europe. However, unless your wallet or purse is considerably more bulbous than mine and you can afford to ride the rails on the Venice Simplon – Orient Express or the Royal Scotsman, you are never going to mistake a normal train’s sleeping or dining cars for a suite at the Dorchester in London.

However, when you board your Viking river cruise vessel, you are stepping onto a floating luxury hotel with appealing accommodations, sumptuous cuisine, convivial traveling companions and stellar service. Like all cruise experiences, it affords the opportunity to unpack one time, stow away your gear and nestle in for the duration. This is made to order for those of us who despise living out of an open suitcase.

A great thing about river cruising is the small, intimate ships. I was on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas a while back and had a great experience. The ship offered a world of amenities but it was larger than some shopping malls I have frequented. With 6,000+ passengers, it is the polar opposite of being on a vessel with less than 200 guests. The latter greatly increases the likelihood of establishing new and lasting friendships and trust me when I say, I can use all the help I can get. I suspect posting candid blog pictures of the few friends I do have may not be aiding the situation.

Step Into Another World

When you step off the gangplank of your river cruise vessel, you are quite literally stepping into another world, (that is, unless the houses up and down your street happen to resemble this one.) It is amazing what a skilled pastry chef can do with gingerbread! Even the cars look realistic!

If you happen to be as much of a history buff as I am (please note, not history in the buff . . . for that see cruises / nude), there is enough knowledge disseminated by genuine local experts to have your head spinning like Linda Blair in The Exorcist.

For others, a history lecture may conjure up suppressed memories of a tyrannical college professor who wouldn’t recognize a brilliant essay if it was inserted crossways up his . . . ahem . . . robe all the way to his goofy mortar board. Sorry, I digress. Some memories die hard. Anyway, If history is not your cup of tea, the great thing is you can sit on the deck with a literal cup of tea and gaze for hours at fairytale palaces, captivating castles and picturesque villages.

Step Off and Enjoy

And when I say step off, I mean that quite literally. In many cases culture and history, art and architecture, music and museums are all a short walk from the ship. When you disembark, typically you are in the heart of a great city. Viking is well-known for their informative walking tours complete with headsets for easy listening. And for those with more mundane interests, well, there are always plenty of these establishments. I was escorted out of this particular shop for excessive drooling.

Finally, here is a little insider’s tip. There are two brand new Viking itineraries that are going to be very popular when they launch in 2014. However, the early bird can book the elusive worm if you act now. Don’t let another raptor beak you to it!

1) Châteaux, Rivers & Wine – (Bordeaux – Saint-Émilion – Bordeaux)

2) Memories of Mandalay – (Bangkok – Mandalay – Yangon or Bangkok – Yangon – Mandalay)

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have caught a raging case of river fever. It is highly contagious and the only known cure is booking your own magical river cruise experience, preferably before the sun sets today. You don’t even want to hear about the night sweats and hallucinations.

About Terry Denton

Inveterate traveler, proficient writer, avid golfer, unremarkable person. Co-owner of Travel Leaders / Main Street Travel of Fort Worth, Texas

10 Myth-Busters About North Korea

North Korea has earned itself quite a few names: a member of the Axis of Evil, the Hermit Kingdom, and the Iron Walls. Better known as the Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK), it is one of the most isolated nations in the world, having closed its doors to the outside world since its split from South Korea during the Korean War in the 1950s.

Since then, DPRK has usually been covered in a negative light by international media – but is it all true? I decided to find out.

A recent trip to North Korea gave me a rare glimpse into a world that few people know about. Although we barely scraped the surface of the country – having spent just five days visiting the capital of Pyongyang, the ancient city of Kaesong and the DMZ (demilitarized) border, it gave me a peek that none of the news or TV documentaries could.

North Korea surprised me in so many ways, here are some of them. As a word of advice, don’t make judgment based on what you see and read on the news; go see North Korea and find out for yourself.

Sharp contrast in the two Koreas

Having visited both South and North Koreas, I was overwhelmed by the stark differences despite being mentally prepared for it. Visiting North Korea is the closest thing to actual time travel – I felt like I had gone back in time to the Korea of the 1950s, from our first step off the Air Koryo flight at Pyongyang Airport to the museums and soviet-style buildings and scenes of people dressed in comrade caps and buttoned suits.

Our group with our guides

Cult-like Juche regime

When Kim Jong-Il passed away, scenes of North Koreans wailing on the streets were all over the news. Many were skeptical about the authenticity of it. There’s no doubt that North Koreans worship their supreme leaders but only after seeing for myself did I realize the extent of it. The locals spoke of their supreme leaders with utmost respect – almost as if they were of heavenly status. At Mansu Hill, where the larger-than-life statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il stand, we were required to bow in front of the leaders as if it were a religious site.

Statue of Kim Jong-Il

Propaganda, propaganda and propaganda on the streets

Walking on the streets of Pyongyang and Kaesong, there was an obvious absence of posters and billboards (only one can be found in Pyongyang from the local brand of cars). I had somewhat expected that, but it was also strangely bizarre to not see any movie poster or circus ads. In their place were colorful mosaic art and hand-painted banners from the Korean Workers’ Party, used to promote the socialist regime. Many of them used representations such as the sickle for farming, the brush for education and hammer for the industry.

Impressive Soviet-style architecture

I’ve seen Soviet-style architecture in Russia and China, but honestly none are as impressive as those in Pyongyang. Massive grey blocks of imposing government buildings dominate the public squares of the North Korean capital, all of them adorning images of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, as well as the national flag. In the heart of Pyongyang stands the “Arch de Triumph”, that’s even bigger than its French namesake. Other impressive works of architecture include the Juche Tower and Workers’ Party Monument, both of which are enormous and impressive in scale and grandeur.

North Koreans are just as curious about the world

North Korea is completely closed to the outside world — there are only local channels on TV, they don’t watch any foreign shows and only intranet exists in the country (internet is available to ambassadors or approved journalists). Prior to going there, I had the impression that they would be very wary and suspicious of foreigners. But I was pleasantly surprised to find locals smiling at us, even waving and talking to us. On the subway, we even interacted with them, showing them photos on our cameras and laughing with them. We played guessing games with children in the park and danced with groups of ladies who were having a picnic and drinks.

North Korean Boys

They are not ignorant

Since foreign information is so inaccessible to the North Koreans, I didn’t expect them to know much about the outside world, but there were a few exceptions that surprised us. We met a group of 10-year-old boys who were on their way to soccer practice and we stopped to chat with them. We asked them if they knew footballers from Europe and much to our surprise, they could name plenty of them. They could even understand some English.

Tasty cuisine and home-brewed beer

I had no expectations when it came to food in North Korea. I have had my share of bad, lousy food when backpacking in developing countries and somehow expected that to be the case in North Korea. I was clearly wrong. While the food wasn’t Michelin standard, there was plenty of decent home-cooked Korean food. Besides kimchi and rice, we also had traditional Korean barbecue and even beer in microbreweries (that were surprisingly good). No doubt we were brought to the tourist-only restaurants in town and these foods are doubtless a rarity for ordinary people, we were surprised that they even existed in DPRK.

The deepest subway system in the world

It’s a surprise to many that there is public transport in Pyongyang, not to mention that its subway system is the deepest in the world, at 110 meters (360 feet) underground. Having started its operation in 1972, the subway system was designed based on the Moscow metro system. Most of these trains were bought over from Berlin after the wall fell and haven’t been updated since. Their green velvet seats, old wooden carriages and shiny steel railings reminded me of the 1970s. Each station has a different theme, with impressive mosaic propaganda art and sparkling ´60s chandeliers to add to the atmosphere.

Subway in Pyongyang

A surprising sense of normality

Despite all the negative portrayal of DPRK, the biggest surprise for me was just how normal everything felt in DPRK — people went about their daily business, the public subway system was busy, streets were wide but empty, and children hung out in the park just like we do. It was nothing like how you would imagine a ‘dangerous’ place. Besides the soviet-style attire and grim-looking buildings, there was really little to remind you that this was a country considered by many as evil.

It’s not all choreographed

Before visiting North Korea, I knew that we would be chaperoned around our guides and we were not allowed to leave the group or our hotels at any point. I had many friends who had serious doubts if we were being shown the ‘real’ North Korea. While it was true that we only visited places that the government approved and our movements were restricted, I didn’t feel controlled in any real sense of the word. We were free to interact with locals, we drove by farming lands, we saw shabby alleyways and we were obviously allowed to have our own opinions, which our guides respected as long as we didn’t try to impose our ideas on them.

Nellie Huang

You can find her online on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and YouTube.

Family Vacations 2013: 10 New Ideas for Fun Family Holidays

New Year’s resolutions come in all shapes and sizes. Here’s a new idea for 2013: Improve relationships, expand your kids’ horizons and make family vacations count.

Need some suggestions beyond the vague notion of “we’re going to travel this year?” Check out these helpful tips.

Plan a Family Vacation Together

Studies show that moms make most family travel decisions, so make it a team effort. Pull out a map and discuss locations or ask the kids to make a list destinations the research online. The kids may surprise you and have ideas you would have never considered.

Personalize Your Activities

After your destination is set, ask every family member to choose a “thing to do” or personalize one day. Get creative. Maybe one day can be spent exploring a regional park chosen by dad, a theme park day chosen by the kids or mom’s choice of afternoon zip-lining. Allowing every family member to have a “day” or activity will build family respect and make everyone feel special.

Start a Family Piggy Bank

We all know travel isn’t cheap. Start a family piggy bank (maybe a cute airplane or cruise ship) and start contributing dollars and quarters. The kids can portion their allowance money. Create special vacation-style chores or tell them to contribute money from completing acts of kindness. When the family vacation arrives, you can use the money for activities or souvenirs. The best part? The entire family feels a sense of pride since everyone contributed!

Save Money: Plan your Family Vacation in Advance

While the piggy bank is a fun idea, it’s best for the parents to plan the trip long before take-off. Make this the year you avoid charging the trip to credit cards. Shop for travel deals and specials, weigh the cost between driving and flying and compare hotel prices.

Plan A Charitable Trip

Global Citizens Network, based here in my state of Minnesota, is just one of many organizations that invite families to travel to remote destinations and assist needy communities. Taking a charitable family vacation will be memorable, educational, and will teach your kids about the greatness of giving.

Educational Trips

Visiting a new country, (for example Mexico,) can offer an array of opportunities for families to learn new languages through immersion classes. Take day trips to the various Mayan Ruins or learn about ocean life through aquatic adventures.

Family photo in Puerto Vallarta by Rick206

Create a Family Reunion

Sometimes extended families are dispersed across the globe. Reconnect with a family reunion-style vacation. Ensure you try new food, attend festivals and visit historic locations. Live the culture!

Smell the Roses and Slow Down

Remember, you don’t have to do everything on your family vacation. It is okay to let the kids sleep in or stay up late and it’s also acceptable to take some alone time with the spouse. My kids love resort kids clubs. If your kids are the same, let them have their kid-fun while you enjoy a few hours alone.

Try Something New

Do you always go to the same destination year after year? This year, try something different. Instead of the beach, head up to the mountains. Rather that the same theme park, try a dude ranch.

User CMeekins03 and their family at Cataract Falls in the Great Smokey Mountains of Tennessee

Start a Vacation Photo Collection

Finally, remember to capture your memories! Snap photos every chance you get (just don’t get obsessed) and instead of letting the vacation photos sit on your hard drive, make a cool scrapbook and share your photos. There are a number of brands that offer fantastic photo book options and they’re very user friendly.

Most of all enjoy your family! The kids are only with you for so long; so cherish every moment with them… even when you’re not traveling.

by Beth Blair

Beth Blair

Based in Minnesota where she lives with her husband and two kids, Beth is a professional traveler, as a flight attendant as well as a professional travel writer and co-founder of award-winning blog TheVacationGals.com. Beth’s won several notable travel writing awards, including Best Travel Blog at the 2012 Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition sponsored by the SATW Foundation.

You can follow Beth on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.

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