Family Tours To Israel: Explore The Rich History And Culture Of The Holy Land

BY  Abdul Aziz Mar 18, 2021

When it comes to international travel, it's critical to have a well-thought-out plan for preparation and how to conduct yourself while on holiday. There are so many possibilities for experiencing different tourist hot spots across the globe-; even more than you might experience traveling to the different states across the US. And for the most part, you can expect relatively standard foods, laws, and language across continental America. Imagine how much more variety you can expect traveling outside our borders. The following is a list of useful tips from i49 that will help you prepared for international travel no matter the specific destination: Travel Visa: It's not only your passport that you need to start processing well in advance of your trip. Many countries require a travel visa for US citizens who are planning to visit. Even our neighbors to the south, Mexico, require a visa if the expected stay will be more than 72 hours or too far inland from the border. Every sovereign country has the right to establish its own requirements, so with every country, you expect to add to your agenda, check for the most current visa requirements. The last thing you want is to spend your valuable vacation time stuck in customs. Vaccinations: While you're looking up logistical information, look to see if there are any recommended vaccinations. Our bodies are very accustomed to life as we know it. When we venture outside our everyday experience, we may encounter diseases or sicknesses that our body is just not well-suited to fight off. This is another effort that you can't afford to wait till the last minute. Some vaccinations may require a series over a prescribed amount of time, so you'll need to count back from your intended travel dates to be sure you meet this health goal if you intend to inoculate yourself. Currency Exchange: Most places you visit will expect you to use the local currency. Some of the more popular tourist attractions worldwide may accept your US Dollar, but it's easier just to pad your wallet with the local currency. The exchange rates fluctuate constantly, and the various vendors who offer the service of making the conversion also may vary their fees significantly. The easiest and most affordable way to gather foreign currency is at a bank or by using the local ATM. As long as you're not visiting a third-world locale, there's a good chance that you'll be able to use your credit card for most purchases. If this is your plan, give your credit card company a heads up so that your international charges don't inadvertently trigger a precautionary freeze on your ability to make changes.  Culture: What is considered normal in one place could be considered offensive in another. Do some research to learn what the norms of politeness are for where you are going. There are many travel blogs, travel guides, and websites out there with lots of suggestions on conducting yourself in an international company. Not only will this enhance the experience among the local populace, but it will also bode well for any other American travelers who may travel to the same location. Basically, making an effort to conform to the local culture is a universal way of communicating respect for the hosting country. You need to plan and prepare so many things when it comes to any vacation travel but even more so with international excursions. These reminders should help to make you're planning a bit easier as you navigate these considerations. Bon Voyage! Read Also: 5 Secrets On How To Travel Light – Travel Hacks 10 Tips For Traveling Across Europe 5 Backpacking Tips For An Unforgettable Euro-Trip

BY  Abdul Aziz Nov 24, 2021

If you’re planning a vacation to the city of Seattle in the coming months or years, it helps to do some research before you go on some of the best sites to see in the city and tips for a stress-free, fun trip.  Here are some things to consider as you start getting excited about exploring this West-coast locale.  Best Times And Seasons Of Year To Visit Seattle Seattle is a fabulous city to visit at any time of the year but is particularly lovely from June to October, the driest months.  Summer:  Summer in Seattle isn’t too hot due to the breeze that comes in off the Puget Sound, making this an excellent option for trips to the city. However, fall is crisp yet cozy and gives you a chance to see the trees around the city change color.  If you’re keen to head to this part of the United States when some top events are on, June delivers the Seattle International Film Festival and July the Seattle International Beerfest.  April: However, April is one of the best months for key happenings since this time of year is when you can enjoy the popular Seattle Cherry Blossom Festival and the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.  Beyond that, you might also be interested in getting to Seattle in November if you’re a runner since this is when the Seattle running marathon competition typically takes place.  How To Get Around? If you want freedom of travel and plan to check out some of the excellent day trips on offer from Seattle, you might like to hire a car for your time in and around the city. You’ll find some handy options if you search online for “car rental Seattle airport” or “rent a car in Seattle,” etc.  If you only need four wheels occasionally during your trip, you can get a taxi service through Seattle Yellow Cab and other companies or choose the Seattle Royal Town Car for fancier rides. Plus, Uber and Lyft both service the city and surroundings - perfect if you're wanting to explore what Washington Wine has to offer, as an example of something you might want to do during your trip! Other modes of transport abound, too. For example, train-wise, the Link light rail runs through the city's downtown and out to the airport, plus the Seattle Center Monorail that connects some of the big attractions in town.  It runs from the Space Needle at Seattle Center to Westlake Center, which sits about three blocks from the Pike Place Market. Also, you can take the Sounder commuter train if you need to go outside the city limits or hop on one of the three lines running on the Seattle streetcar that move through the city. Buses such as the King County Metro will take you around Seattle and surrounding regions too, or you might like to stay more active by picking up a bike. They’re easy to find around Seattle, and you can even hire some electric ones to help you navigate the city’s hills.  3 Must-Visit Locations in Seattle Seattle has no shortage of interesting and fun places to visit while you’re in town. For example, spend some time wandering the famous Pike Place Market, a farmers’ market, food hall, and shopping spot all in one.  Pick up some supplies for your stay and some gifts to take home, plus enjoy lunch while you’re there and take in the spectacle supplied by the friendly vendors.  1. Space Needle All visitors to Seattle should head to the Space Needle at least once, too. This 600-plus foot tall iconic landmark that dominates the city’s skyline opened in the early 1960s and has futuristic design appeal.  Head up to the saucer-shaped observation deck to view Seattle and its surroundings from afar, and you might also enjoy a drink in The Loupe Lounge that’s set up on the world’s first and only revolving glass floor. 2. Chihuly Garden And Art Museum  If you’re an art lover, you can’t go past Chihuly Garden and Glass, conveniently located right next door to the Space Needle within the Seattle Center. Here you can view a sculpture garden and art exhibition that demonstrates the remarkable work of world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly.  Plus, it’s worth checking out the Olympic Sculpture Park to see an excellent outdoor display of modern and contemporary sculpture in a space that extends all the way to the shores of Puget Sound. The Park is operated by the Seattle Art Museum, which is also worth spending time at.  3. Museum Of Pop Culture And Gum Wall Some other attractions to put on your must-see list include the Museum of Pop Culture, Fremont Vintage Mall, the famous Gum Wall (a long brick wall covered with used chewing gum in the alleyway under Pike Place Market), and the Museum of Flight.  Conclusion: Seattle also boasts excellent shopping, quality dining establishments, and top bars and live entertainment venues. You’re sure to have a wonderful time in this fascinating city and make memories that last a lifetime.  Read Also: 5 Best Places To Visit In North America’s Pacific Northwest What To Look For When Purchasing A Beach Tent For Vacation FAQ About Staying Safe With Holiday Royal Vacation Club Should You Book A Hotel Or An Apartment For Your Vacation?

BY  Abdul Aziz Oct 27, 2023

Zanzibar is known for being sloppy when wet and extremely hot in the summer. The protracted rains bring heavy torrential downpours every day, causing high humidity and silty seas to occur between March and early May. With its dry and sunny peak season from June through October on the beach (and in Tanzania's game reserves if you're on a safari first), most vacations to Zanzibar outside of these periods will be nice. While November and December offer Zanzibar's shorter spells of rain, these typically are isolated showers that won't cause holiday washouts. January to March are likewise dry and hot but a lot quieter. The year-round average temperature is roughly 30°C. Due to the warm waters, minimal wind, and high visibility, the months between March and November are typically regarded as the best for diving and snorkeling. September through December is the prime time to see whale sharks, reef sharks, and manta rays. If you want to know more details on when is the best time to visit Zanzibar, this article will help you navigate those questions. Best Time To Visit Zanzibar Image Source: gumlet.assettype.com Strictly speaking, the dry seasons of December to February and June to October are the best times to visit the Zanzibar islands. But in general, the beaches on the southern and western parts of the islands are more protected from wind during these months. On the other hand, the wind typically comes from the southwest from June to October. This makes the northern and eastern coasts ideal for holidaying. But in the end, these islands remain at the whim of the ocean, and their weather can be erratic throughout the year. Even in the “dry” seasons, afternoon showers do occur, but they usually last only a few minutes and are refreshingly cool. It is not an entirely bad idea to travel to Zanzibar during the rainy season when the number of tourists declines, and you will likely find affordable trips and lodging (among those that are still open). The sunsets are known to be stunning. The rain, although severe, is not generally consistent, and delicious pineapples come into season! You might find it tricky to navigate the roads and buses, but things eventually settle. Wet and dry seasons are Zanzibar's prominent climates, which are influenced by the movements of the Indian Ocean’s rainy season. From November/December to February/March, the northeast monsoon winds, or kaskazi (in local parlance), blow. And from June to September/October, the southwest monsoon winds, also called kusi, blow. There is a brief rainy season (the vuli) in November in addition to the main rains (the masika), which last between mid-March to the end of May. Weather Image Source: www.holidaysplease.co.uk Although it can be reduced by the winds and sea breeze, humidity is relatively high throughout the year. The average daily temperature on Zanzibar Island is roughly 26°C (80°F) from June to October and around 28°C from December to February. However, during the latter period, humidity levels are frequently greater, making temperatures feel hotter. Pemba has a milder climate with a little more rainfall than Zanzibar Island. The islands are crowded with tourists from outside and expats from Nairobi and Dar es Salaam during major holidays like Christmas and Easter. You can expect crowded flights and increased hotel prices. On the other hand, life moves more slowly as many restaurants and shops close during the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan. The annual Zanzibar International Marathon takes place in the first few days of November. This can be a good incentive for sports enthusiasts, making it the best time to visit Zanzibar. Festivals Image Source: www.gallerytours.net The majority of Tanzania's public holidays are observed on the islands as well. On these days, companies and offices are typically closed, while some tour operators are still open. Some of the public holidays with set dates observed on the island are: 1 January – New Year 12 January – Mapinduzi ‘Revolution’ Day 7 April – Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume Day 26 April – Union Day: Zanzibar and Tanganyika 1 May – Workers’ Day 7 July – Saba Saba (Seven Seven) 8 August – Peasants’ and Farmers’ Day 14 October – Nyerere Day 9 December – Independence Day 25 December – Christmas Day 26 December – Boxing Day The Muslim holidays of Idd il Fitri, which marks the conclusion of Ramadan, and Idd il Maulidi (also known as Maulidi ya Mfunguo Sita), which commemorates Muhammad's birth, are widely observed and serve as public holidays. These festivals fall 11 or 12 days early each year and have dates that are determined by the lunar calendar. If you are planning to visit Zanzibar in 2024 and want to be a part of their Ramadan, it is set to start on 10 March through 8 April. Places To Visit Image Source: zanzibardestination.co.tz Zanzibar is one of those rare treasures you keep to yourself, as a secret, as a deeply significant memory, and as the most joyful days spent. Now that you know the best time to visit Zanzibar, if you want to know a few places you can check out while visiting, here are a few: Slave Trade Image Source: pbs.twimg.com The Slave Museum is a must-see for anybody interested in learning about Zanzibar's sordid past. The last active slave market in the world was shut down in 1873. You will pass by rooms where slaves were housed before being sold as you move around the museum. To work on plantations, hoards of Africans were first transferred to this island. Slave traffickers utilized the port at Zanzibar as their center of operations to transport slaves to countries including Egypt, Arabia, Persia, and the Ottoman Empire. Sunset Dhow Show Image Source: www.tanzaniatourism.com If you miss taking a Sunset Dhow Cruise on the translucent, emerald seas of the Indian Ocean, your journey to Zanzibar will remain incomplete. The busy bustle of a busy town gradually disappears as the sunset cruise departs the coast that gets replaced finally by the musicians' melancholy ballad of lost love and found romances or a tune played on a taraab, violin, or oud. The crew will provide you with crackers and your preferred brand of beer or soda. Sip on your drink while you bask in the exotic vibe on the cruise. Mnemba Atoll Image Source: www.andbeyond.com Explore the fascinating marine life at Zanzibar, which is host to more than 400 species of fish, turtles, nudibranchs, and many rare forms of coral, while scuba diving at Mnemba Atoll. If you are lucky, you might see reef sharks, manta rays, and whale sharks. Mnemba Atoll is one of Zanzibar's top locations for water sports while being a conservation area and marine reserve. Mid-February through mid-May, as well as mid-October to mid-December, are the best times to go scuba diving in Mnemba Atoll since the sea is quiet, and there is high visibility to enjoy the experience even better. Darajani Market Image Source: upload.wikimedia.org A market is a location where we meet new folks, socialize, and engage in addition to trading and selling items. One such location in Zanzibar is the Darajani Market, which serves as the town's main market. You can find merchants selling everything from Chinese toys and other trinkets to indigenous Zanzibar spices, kofias (Zanzibari hats), and dates while you take a stroll around the streets. You will have an amazing experience wandering the market's winding streets. Wrapping Up The best time for either a rustic vacation or participation in Zanzibar activities is during the months of June and October. These are the months of spring in Africa when the weather is mild and delightful. You can also visit this island paradise in the tropics during December and February. Zanzibar experiences hot, dry weather while it is winter in other countries. Are you planning a visit and want to know when the best time to visit Zanzibar is? Or have you been to Zanzibar recently? Did you like the island? How was your experience? If you have thoughts to share or questions to ask, please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you! Read Also: This Is The Best Time To Visit Iceland & These Are The Things You Should Do! This Is The Best Time To Visit The Seven Magic Mountains In Vegas! THIS Is When You Should Visit Maldives!