Travel
5 Cities You Must See in the Winter
Winter Wonderlands Wintertime brings out a certain beauty in cities that is much different than their summer counterparts. To truly appreciate a city’s beauty, one must see it in all four seasons. I believe that the cold harshness of winter unveils a beauty hardly seen by many travelers. Winter vacations are usually reserved for ski […]
Winter Wonderlands
Wintertime brings out a certain beauty in cities that is much different than their summer counterparts. To truly appreciate a city’s beauty, one must see it in all four seasons. I believe that the cold harshness of winter unveils a beauty hardly seen by many travelers.
Winter vacations are usually reserved for ski resorts and the complete opposite: warm beaches. I however can appreciate stripped down essence of cities in the winter. The gloom and cold highlight interesting aspects of a city’s brilliance.
Here are 5 of my favorite cities to visit in the winter and what makes each so unique.
New York City, NY, USA
New York, New York, what a magical city. Each season brings out the best in this majestic old city and winter doesn’t disappoint. My NYC highlights include Central Park and Rockefeller Center; visit these to see the quintessential New York experience. Try ice-skating at Rockefeller Center underneath the glow of the humongous Christmas tree or taking a hansom cab around central park at night. As snow blankets the city I recommend getting a bird’s eye view to truly take in the city’s massiveness.
Because of the cold and windy air, the visibility in the winter can be extraordinary.
Gothenburg, Sweden
The Swedish people do winter better than any other country and their high sense of fashion takes no season off. Gothenburg is a very cold destination but a spectacular city to enjoy the winter sights. A relatively cheap place to travel to in the winter, inexpensive airfare can be found easily. The traditional Christmas markets often reach critical mass and spill onto neighboring streets, creating a literal winter wonderland. In January and February make sure to check out the Gothenburg International Film Festival, a top-notch event.
Reykjavik, Iceland
No wintertime city top 5 can be complete without Reykjavik. Simply a stunning places to visit in the winter and possibly one of the most naturally beautiful places on earth. The Northern Lights are visible almost every night in the winter and are astonishing in person. Pictures and video do no justice to one of the natural wonders of the world.
A must visit place in Reykjavik is the Blue Lagoon Spa, where natural hot springs create the largest hot tub you’ll ever visit. The memory of the incredibly blue water will stick with you forever, as I personally have never seen such beauty.
The more adventurous traveler can venture out to the Solheimajokull Glacier and try Ice climbing.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark and the quintessential old European city. The architecture and ambiance of Copenhagen is undeniable and remarkable. Wintertime just suits Copenhagen so well; it should be classified as a cold weather city.
Make sure to visit here in February so you can catch the Wondercool Festival, which is their answer to the dreary, chilly days. This festival celebrates all that Copenhagen has to offer in the worlds of art, fashion and food.
My highlights are the tall wooden boats adorned with Christmas lights and looking as winter as a boat can. Remember, Copenhagen is a water city, fully embracing maritime life.
Budapest, Hungary
A beautiful wintertime city, full of life no matter what the season: Budapest has it all. One cannot visit Budapest in the winter without going to Szchenyi to try the thermal baths. The standout is the outdoors bath to enjoy a nice soak while in the elements and the city’s beautiful architecture. This old world city is also cheap and affordable all across the board.
Take in Budapest’s wonderful café culture and enjoy many fine meals in the tranquility of a winter’s evening.
I wouldn’t go to Budapest without stopping by the Museum of Fine arts, a favorite museum of mine.
Enjoy these winter wonderlands and remember to dress warm and take lots of pictures.
Travel
Elevate Your Summer In America’s Best Mountain Towns
When you’re looking for where to go for your next vacation give the beach a break and head to one of the best mountain towns the United States has to offer.
Mountain towns aren’t just for winter fans anymore. In fact, they make for some of the best summer outdoor activities out there. If you enjoy kayaking, rafting, hiking, mountain bike riding or even horseback riding then these mountain towns are for you.
Too often mountain towns are just associated with winter fun, and while they obviously are a great deal of fun in the winter, they are loads of fun in the summer as well.
So when you’re looking for where to go for your next vacation give the beach a break and head to one of the best mountain towns the United States has to offer.
Jacksonville, Oregon
Located along the Rogue River, Jacksonville is a charming town that has been preserved since the 1850s. This town features a unique, classic history that dates back to the gold rush because it houses Oregon’s very first Chinatown. Come visit this town that has been declared a National Historic Landmark and really get a feel for what the gold rush was like. The Rogue River obviously means that you can spend your time here fishing, rafting or kayaking. If you’re not a huge water fan, though, you can also ride horses, bikes or ride your own two feet as you walk along majestic local trails. After you spend your day adventuring try relaxing in one of the 18 local wineries that offer delectable wines that are sure to excite your taste buds.
Ellijay, Georgia
Ellijay is a beautiful remote town that is sure to delight anyone who is lucky enough to visit. If you look around this town, and you don’t have to look that hard, you will find mountains, rivers, vineyards, and orchards. In fact, the orchards are so prominent around here that Ellijay is home to the Georgia Apple Festival every October. Just in case you thought Georgia was all peaches, now you know they make some pretty delectable apples here too. Jimmy Carter knows about their apple prowess. He has a log cabin in Ellijay that he refers to as his second home. You will love your time in Ellijay when you spend it tubing down the Cartecay river or mountain biking and hiking. Whatever your outdoor pleasure may be, Ellijay offers it in spades.
Truckee, California
Truckee is Lake Tahoe’s chill younger brother. This town is breathtakingly beautiful and has a charm so undeniable that it will be nearly impossible to leave once you set foot there. Truckee, oddly enough, runs right along the Truckee River which runs straight into Lake Tahoe. Actually, that’s not odd at all, that makes perfect sense. This mountain town still offers high-class food and drinks so you won’t feel like you’re slumming it, and the fun activities abound all year round. Visit Truckee if you want to see the wondrous mountain life that California has to offer.
This is just a small sampling of our top three favorite mountain towns, but they exist all over the United States. A good rule of thumb to follow is wherever there are mountains, there are mountain towns. So go climb some elevation and start living that mountain life.
Travel
5 Steps to Take If You Get Hurt While Traveling
Travelling can be a lot of fun, but there’s always the risk that you might get hurt.
You could end up in a car accident, get food poisoning, slip and fall, or get injured while playing a sport.
In short, accidents happen.
That’s why it’s best to be prepared. If you get hurt abroad, here’s what you need to do:
1. Seek medical attention
The very first thing you should do when you get hurt while traveling is get proper medical attention.
In some cases, you may only need first aid. If you don’t have a first aid kit with you, however, ask around to see if the property owner or someone nearby does.
If the injury is more serious, you may need to go to the hospital or a clinic. Search online for the nearest ones. Depending on how badly you’ve been hurt, an urgent care might do.
If you can’t move or be transported, call 911 in the U.S. or an equivalent emergency number wherever you are to get an ambulance.
As a rule of thumb, it’s better to get your injury checked out even if you don’t think it’s that bad. Some injuries aren’t immediately visible (like concussions or internal bleeding), and getting proper medical attention could save your life.
Once you’re back home from your trip, you can always schedule a follow-up appointment with your primary care physician.
2. Report the injury to the proper authorities
Once you’ve addressed the injury itself, report it to the proper authorities. This could be the police, a property owner, a business manager, or an employee. It all depends on where the injury happens and who is there. Are you in a public space like a park or at a business like a restaurant or a hotel?
Wherever you are, notify the responsible authority about the injury so they are at least aware of it. They may also be able to help you file an accident or injury report.
3. Gather evidence
At this point, you should collect as much evidence of the injury and information about the accident as possible. This may include:
- Getting the contact information of any witnesses to the injury or accident
- Taking photos or videos of the injury and the accident scene
- Making a detailed record of exactly what happened by writing it down or recording a voice memo
- Keeping any medical bills, records, and receipts
- Getting copies of any police or incident reports
- Holding onto any other relevant information
All of this will come in handy later when it comes time to file your insurance claim or any lawsuits. Once you’ve returned home, getting ahold of this information will be much more difficult since you are no longer at the accident scene.
4. Notify your health insurance company
Call your health insurance provider and tell them exactly what happened.
Your insurance company will gather information from you and walk you through the process of filing a claim. The sooner you do, the better since many insurance companies have filing deadlines after which you’ll no longer qualify for compensation.
When you discuss the injury with your health insurer, be careful not to admit fault or assign blame. Doing so may work against you.
Instead, let the police work out who is at fault. Right now, all you need to do is explain to the insurance company how you were hurt.
5. Consult a personal injury attorney
Lastly, consult an experienced personal injury attorney.
They can help you navigate the personal injury legal system, which can be especially complex when the injury happens abroad.
Choose a personal injury attorney near where you live as opposed to where the accident happened. That way, you’re not working with someone who lives far away from you. If needed, they can always procure help from an attorney closer to the scene through a subcontracting arrangement.
Having a good personal injury attorney on your side can make all the difference in personal injury cases. They can provide you with the assurance and confidence you need to get through an otherwise stressful legal process.
Research local personal injury attorneys today so that you know who to call if and when the need ever arises.
Travel
You Won’t Believe What These New Cruise Ships Are Offering
Cruise ships are offering some seriously interesting entertainment options to try and lure new customers onto the open waters.
The future is here and its wonderful people… Cruise ships are offering some seriously interesting entertainment options to try and lure new customers onto the open waters. I remember a time when a pool, casino, and restaurants were all the amenities these goliath moving cities offered, but boy oh boy have times changed. Let’s take a look at the amazing entertainment options some of these cruise lines are adding to entice customers.
IMAX Movie Screen
OK, so maybe movie screens aren’t new to the cruise world but Carnival Vista is trying to add a little pizzazz to their entertainment lineup. The massive IMAX screen is literally three decks high and can seat 180 people. You won’t be seeing old movies here either, expect all new movies, just as they are released in the theatres.
Go-Kart Racing
Maybe speed is more your thing, so check out the exhilarating go-kart track on Norwegian Joy’s newest feature. Race along the track that sits on top of the cruise ship and enjoys unbeatable views of the open water. Who ever thought to put a go-kart track on a cruise ship is a mad genius and we love them.
Bumper Cars
Say what?!
Who doesn’t love bumper cars? The Carnival standby is now cruising the open seas on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum-class ships. Kids and adults alike can crash into their friends and family to their heart’s content all while on one of the most memorable vacations you’ll ever embark on.
Ice Bars
Maybe an exciting cocktail in a bar made entirely out of frozen ice is more your speed. If so, check out Norwegian Cruise Line’s epic ice sculpture garden turned ice bar on three of their ships. No need to pack a jacket or gloves, the bar provides those free of charge, but the booze is not free. The world may not be ready for bars kept below freezing, but cruise lines are.
Indoor Skydiving
Take your adrenaline level up a notch with some extreme indoor skydiving on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum-class. The new iFly skydiving simulators offer some intense high-flying action with almost zero risk. No need to fight your fear of height or airplanes, just suit up and feel the magic of flight.
Suspended Biking
Maybe the confines of a cruise ship are starting to get to you and you want to stretch those legs… try suspended biking. Yes, bikes suspended high above the top deck offer amazing views and a great workout. Carnival Vista’s SkyRide lets you cruise a recumbent bike in the sky while on an actual cruise… sounds real meta.
Robot Bars
OK, so maybe bartenders are not your thing, how about robot bartenders instead? Yes, I said robot bartenders who always make perfectly mixed drinks. Bionic Bars on the Royal Caribbean’s Quantum-class are regular bars serviced by two robotic bartenders. This is like stepping into the future. And I love it.
With these new entertainment options, the idea of being on a cruise ship is quickly becoming more and more enticing. Pick your pleasure and enjoy your cruise.
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