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Holiday & Travel Guide For Marrakech, Morocco

By: Jan Mikel|In: Travel Destinations|Last Updated: January 25, 2020

Holiday & Travel Guide For Marrakech, Morocco

Sightseeing

Marrakech is a medieval city, with a historic palace and Saadian Tombs. You will be amazed by the architecture of the building that houses the Marrakech Museum, with beautiful works of art displayed in it. Take a bus tour stacking around the main sites of the city, such as the Koutoubia Mosque, built in the 12th century with beautiful gardens. Unfortunately there is no access to the mosque for non-Muslims. Marrakech is a busy and vibrant place, full of color and sound. It can be very busy so if you want to go away from it for a while go sightseeing to the beautiful Ouzoud Waterfall where you will meet lots of local monkeys. While relaxing with a drink at an outdoor restaurant, this is a great place for a photo opportunity or even to ride a camel into the desert and spend the night camping under the Moroccan stars. There are many smaller towns close by that will fill your days with some wonderful sights if you want to explore this charming country. An afternoon in the Square of the Dead is delightful, with snake charmers, musicians and story tellers to entertain all the family. Before you leave Marrakech, fly over the city in a hot air balloon, it’s a wonderful experience and very memorable with some fantastic views and plenty of photo opportunities.

Beaches

Marrakech isn’t a beach resort, but if you want to relax away from the bustling town then the harbour town of Essaouira is the nearest beach to Marrakech, where you can experience some great water sports like kite sailing and windsurfing along its broad sandy beach. It can be a little windy, but when the sun is hot, the breeze is more than welcoming, you can also try some horse riding along this …

By: Jan Mikel|In: Travel Quotes|Last Updated: January 8, 2020

Majorca is the largest island in Spain and is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. The original name of Majorca comes from the Latin for the Big Island. Majorca is a sunny island that has been a destination for British holidaymakers since holiday packages were reintroduced in the 1950s, and its popularity has continued to increase ever since. Some Brits liked the island so much that they decide to relocate there, ex-pats now make nearly 12% of Spain’s population.

Majorca

Majorca is divided up into fifty-three different municipalities and since tourism accounts for eighty percent of the annual income in Majorca, it gives this island an abundant amount of things which tourists can jump right into. Whether you like shopping or relaxing, Majorca has it all on one island.

Palma is the capital city

The capital city of Majorca, Palma, has a great atmosphere and is full of examples of exquisite architecture which would be the backdrop to any holiday snap which you can boast about back home. Palma, is situated on the south-west coast of the island, has the best of both worlds with the city supplying everything and anything which you could think of and being dominated by the huge Palma Cathedral with its Gothic style (dating back to 1601), to the beautiful sandy beaches just a stone’s throw away.

Magaluf

If you are not really into site seeing holidays then there is also Magaluf, one of the biggest resorts in the municipality of Calvi? situated right next to Palma. Here you can party all through the night and shop all through the day if you so wish, perfect for the younger tourists or for 20-somethings on a fun summer break. If you manage to drag yourself out of bed after clubbing, Magaluf also has two …

By: Jan Mikel|In: Travel Adventures|Last Updated: December 20, 2019

Absolutely Magical: The Day of the Dead in Oaxaca, Mexico

The day of the dead in Oaxaca, Mexico is the 1st and 2nd of November but for me it starts with the first cool breeze that descends from the northern mountains and brings to me feelings of inexplicable joy. I truly have no idea where these feelings come from. I have asked myself this question for years now and I have given up trying to find out. Magic, happiness and mystery fill the skies and the very air I breathe at this time of the year. It’s time to take a trip.

Riding out from Oaxaca City, where I live, to Tlacolula, where my extended family lives, becomes a crossing into another world at this time of year. I observe through half-closed eyes as the early morning sun rises over the mist covered mountains bathing the valley in diffused golden light. As I look to my sides I catch a glimpse of the marigolds in the open fields… the only time of year that you can see them. I open the window of my taxi and let the cool air invade my very being as I close my eyes and smell the Earth. The crispness, the freshness and a penetrating feeling of well-being make me think I am still in my bed dreaming. I want to jump out of the moving car and run up the mountains that are just a short distance from my outstretched arms. Overwhelmed by feelings, I sit back in my seat… just to be.

Sooner than I know it the 30 minute trip comes to it’s end and I ease out of the car onto the sidewalk, pay my 15 pesos and head into the heart of Tlacolula. The HEART of Tlacolula has a whole new and very real meaning this time of year because, …

By: Jan Mikel|In: Travel Quotes|Last Updated: December 15, 2019

Travel Writing to Breakthrough in Your Writing Career

You always travel to new places, discover new cultures and meet new people around the world. At the same time, you need to earn extra money to fund your travel. The truth is you already have the ideas and you just have to write it down and sell it to travel publishing company or travel sites that buy articles from a travel writer.

This is a gold mine. Since you have been traveling, surely you have learned about the new places and cultures. However, other people don’t know what you have experienced. By telling your stories, you can earn extra money for your travel and at the same time, build up your own writing career. The earnings depend on your clients but overall, you can make good money if you can constantly contribute good content for your clients. You might contribute once a week or a few times a week if you have more information to share.

Travel writing is indeed a blooming industry. More and more people are jumping into the bandwagon. However, you need to know which locations can really make more money for you since not all locations are interesting. Do your research and check out some of the really interesting cities, beaches or mountains to explore.

You never know what the readers are expecting because you are feeding the readers with stories that only you know. They are getting more excited to read whatever you have to offer. Therefore, finding the right locations is really important. From time to time, your editors might tell you what the feedback from readers. From there, you can craft your next articles to suit the readers. Being a travel writer is indeed interesting. You get to see the world and tell people about it while earning a handsome income. Be …

By: Jan Mikel|In: Travel Adventures|Last Updated: November 14, 2019

Relaxation and entertainment have different forms for different people. While some go to movies or parties, others go for plays and music shows. However, there are some for whom relaxation holds a completely different meaning. Such people prefer to be in solitude or spend some quality time travelling with their family or friends. Travelling can be great experience as it can provide you with relaxation, entertainment and some valuable life experiences simultaneously. Travelling helps you mature as a person. It makes responsible men out of boys and helps you learn about the world. No wonder travelers always have a trove of great travel stories to tell.

Travelling can be a great fun. Visiting different well-known destinations and unknown places can be an enriching and educating experience. Many people have grown up reading and listening to exciting and adventurous travel stories. A lot has been written about destinations like the Rohtas Fort, Peer Sohawa, Murree and Lahore City in Pakistan; as well as other touring spots in Jamaica and Indonesia. However, there is a vast difference between reading about a place in a travel guide and actually having a first-hand experience of the place. These destinations offer a unique experience on their own. Anybody visiting these places has their own travel story to narrate. Such tales make for good nostalgic readings. It doesn’t just reflect on the historical background of these places, but also gives me an insight into the unrecorded history of the place, the people and the era. Many authors have made careers out of travel writings and have earned a massive fan following over the years.

Then, there are the new and interesting people you meet when you visit a tourist destination. These locals always have many different travel stories to tell. Most people, who are regular travelers …

By: Jan Mikel|In: Inspirational Recreations|Last Updated: November 7, 2019

One thing is certain, most want to reach this path, even if they don’t have the courage to go down in the middle of the action. If you are one of the thousands of tourists who are addicted to adrenaline, this is the perfect place for a week full of action and entertainment. The risk is quite high, considering that around 200 people are injured each year and 15 have been edited since 1910, when this tradition began. Even so, more and more people come to see the show every year.

Bull running is the main event of the festival, which lasts for eight days each. At 8 o’clock in the morning, 6 large bulls were released on Pamplona days and the participants started running from them. The final goal is to direct all the bulls in the arena at the end of the course. Even though this only takes a few minutes, it is very intense. The participants, mostly dressed in white with red scarves and mostly young men, tried to avoid bulls when they ran. The committee placed barricades in secondary streets and made room for people to get out. There are certain rules that need to be respected so that everyone is safe.

Bull running is not the only strange but exciting festival event. The day starts with this race, but continues with many activities that can be just as interesting, even for people who don’t run with bulls.

The bulls brought into the arena are used for bullfighting during the day. This was highly valued by the Spaniards, but was highly contested by animal rights activists. Another interesting point is the religious procession that goes on in honor of San Fermin. On every festival day there are many traditional music concerts and theater representations on the …

By: Jan Mikel|In: Creative Recreations|Last Updated: October 24, 2019

The #1 Reason to Hire & Learn From a Travel Specialist!

There is nothing more complex than an around the world journey, trust me! I set out on a journey to Namibia, Africa. Once in Namibia, I had to see Victoria Falls. Vic Falls brought me to the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. Then I heard about the emerald blue waters in Mozambique. The waters sparked my curiosity to visit Zanzibar, and Zanzibar’s culture interested me to visit India and once in India, I was so close to Indochina I just couldn’t resist. You see, my single trip to Namibia made me an addict who needed more!

What I didn’t tell you is how I got to all these places or where I stayed. An around-the-world journey is no easy task! To make a journey like this possible, I first had to have an interest. I then needed to take a leap-of-faith and just do it! I wanted to do it, and so does a lot of people, but how many people actually do it? Unfortunately, it’s much easier to talk about than actually do. Sadly, this goes for other dreams people have.

I took the risk, accepted the danger (I was never harmed or deathly ill along my 8 month journey to circle the globe), and learned along the way. I consulted with regional experts, read travel guides, and listened to the local people.

My journey was different. Other professionals circle the globe due to their job. The internet cannot book this kind of trip for you! You need to either do all the extensive research yourself, stealing all of your valuable time, or hire a travel consultant to do it for you. Bouncing around the world can be complicated, confusing, and frustrating. A good travel consultant will calm your nerves and provide you with expert knowledge, tips, and ensure …

By: Jan Mikel|In: Travel Inspirations|Last Updated: October 17, 2019

You’ve heard it all before. Things like not being able to use your cellular phone in the time of flight and the other myth of cruises being “all inclusive”. These types of myths along with others have made travelers a little bit more cautious of the things they hear when they are traveling. Traveling is a fun thing that should not give you stress, but we all know that once we travel, we need a vacation from a vacation. There are other myths that you may have heard about or not. Some of these myths are:

1. Hotel Key can steal your identity- This is an outrageous myth, but it is easy to see where it comes from. Your hotel key, most people think, has your name, address, and phone number listed on it. The only thing that the key has on it is the room information. The key number is registered to you, not your identity. That information is stored in the booking information.

2. X-Ray Machines will erase your hard drive on your computer- This myth has scared many people when they travel with a laptop. The myth only is half true. No the x-ray machines will not erase your hard drive, but it will erase film from a 35mm camera. That is why they don’t have you scan the film. Always ask questions if you are unsure of what the procedures are. You don’t want to be in security check out for hours because you refuse to scan your computer. That will only cause you more problems to your travel.

3. No need for insurance when you use a credit card to rent a car- You need to have insurance no matter what. Unless the car rental has a special in which using your credit card will …

By: Jan Mikel|In: Travel Adventures|Last Updated: September 20, 2019

Words of wisdom from people of past eras can nourish the soul and guide us on our way. One way to absorb this type of collective wisdom is through the reading of proverbs. Proverbs are ancient or old-time sayings that speak wisdom to us, often on many different levels at once.

If you have an interest in all-things-Japan, in travel, or in both, you may enjoy learning some Japanese travel proverbs. A good proverb yields insights not only about the subject of the proverb itself, but also about both the speaker (the creator of the proverb) and the listener/reader.

Here are 3 Japanese travel proverbs for you to ponder, learn from and enjoy:

1. The Philosophical:

Here is one attributed to the famous Japanese poet, Basho:

“Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the men of old; seek what they sought.” ~ Matsuo Basho

The meaning of this one is pretty clear. In the literal sense, it could be taken to mean that there are many ways to the same destination. In a more philosophical sense, it speaks to the idea of not just imitating the appearance or specific steps of another person’s journey, but rather to let their journey inspire your own unique path.

2. The Romantic:

Here is a Japanese travel proverb that has a romantic undertone:

“Who travels for love finds a thousand miles not longer than one.” ~ Traditional Proverb

From a literal perspective, this proverb tells us that a love of the journey may be just as important as arriving. More figuratively, it tells us that anything that we set out to do with love and passion will be an infinitely easier task than something that lacks such passion.

3. On Being A Fish Out Of Water:

This one talks about human folly …

By: Jan Mikel|In: Recreation For Couples|Last Updated: September 20, 2019

Big, bad RV motorhomes. These campers are the most expensive option out there, but for good reason. You can hop into a motorhome and tour the country, no popping up, no hitching up, and no towing (unless you’re towing another vehicle, which is another added option with a motorcoach).These bad boys aren’t for the feint of heart, though. These gas guzzling vehicles have created a sort of cult among retirees and adventurers alike. There’s clubs everywhere for these things. Motorhomes are often the most convenient option, but not always. Of course, if you are a very frequent traveler who makes long trips, the motorhome will probably win most times. Another plus with motorhomes is the ability to “roam” the area while traveling, You can relax on the couch, make a meal, or sleep on a bed while on the road. You can’t climb into a travel trailer or popup and do this. I suppose you probably could, but you would regret you did, not to mention legality issues.

I digress though. Motorhomes are obviously the most expensive option. Of course, there’s always exceptions to this. You can find used Class C’s (for example) for below 20, even 10, thousand. However, the cost of these is all over the charts. They have monstrosities that go into hundreds of thousands of dollars, more than the average house. These are the cat’s meow though, with more than most of us would ever need. Proper research is important while on the market of a motorhome, with varying options available and at all sorts of prices. Another plus about motorcoaches though is that it’s the easiest to find EXACTLY what you want. From plain options and the arrangement of amenities to engine size and style.

There are so many different ways to go on this …