Discover the vibrant scene of Cairo in the hallmark of comfort and unmatched cuisine. Many luxury hotels are located
in the center of historic Cairo. With view of the pyramids in the shadows, you can gaze upon their magnificence from
your room at sunrise and sunset. These hotels are also perfectly situated for those looking to explore the exciting
history, soulful art, exotic culture and entertainment of authentic Cape Town.

With easy access to Cairo’s main attractions, you’re only a stone’s throw from Table Mountain, the South African
Museum and Planetarium, Camps Bay, Artscape, Victoria and Alfred Waterfront and the Canal Walk Mall. Take in a
leisurely swim at the long stretch of sandy beaches at Camps Bay. Enjoy a panoramic view of the city from a cable car
at Table Mountain. After a day of exploration, return to your luxury hotel and relax in the decadent amenities at your
place of pampered accommodation.

The luxury hotels in the centre of historic Cairo reflect a royal history and are embellished with magnificent antiques
and original works of art. Their ambiance has attracted Heads of State, emperors and celebrities. Rooms are decorated
in a mix of the bygone colonial era and sleek modern styles. The architectural character blends with the historic nature
of the city. You can expect the finest of bed and linens with modern conveniences, such as TV and computer access.

The spas offer an unrivalled experience of wellness and health. Using Indian and Asian philosophies, guests can
choose from a range of holistic therapies and signature treatments. Highly trained spa therapists will indulge you with
natural creams and aromatherapy oils made from pure Indian herbs. Get a relaxing massage and relax in a Jacuzzi.
Skin, hair and nail treatments are also specialized services you’ll find at luxury hotels in the historic centre of Cairo.

Several minutes away from cosmopolitan Cape Town, there are luxury hotels nestled between the mountains of the
Twelve Apostles and the Atlantic Ocean. On one side, you can enjoy the skyline of the majestic mountains. On the
other side, you can take in the views of crashing waves, playful dolphins and breeching whales. Step from your room
and embark on a wilderness trail at the Table Mountain National Park. As part of their dedicated service, the hotel will
even pack you a picnic lunch.

These hotels are approximately 15 minutes from the city and offer complimentary transport to your desired
destination. For quicker transport, some even offer a helipad. Outdoor adventures, such as whale watching, scuba
diving and sea fishing, can also be arranged by the hotels.

From a cosy lounger, you can watch the sun set on another glorious African day while being pampered. The staff is
highly trained and will be at your side with tasty snacks, cool drinks and cocktails. The luxury hotels in the mountains
boast of flotation tanks, hydrotherapy pools and saunas in their spas. Enjoy a South African breakfast served in your
room, and you will feel right at home with such hospitality.

Guest Blog Post:

Click here for great deals and offers on luxury hotels in Cape Town and luxury hotels.

In the current economic climate travelling a long distance to work isn’t uncommon. This can be an expensive and time consuming journey as well as excessively contributing to carbon fuel emissions. If you want to cut your commute time, reduce your expenses and help the environment then here are a few tips to make your long distance daily commute more eco-friendly.

Consider Altering your Working Hours

You could significantly cut your commute time if you avoid rush hour, motorways and highways can be extremely clogged in typical rush hour times – sometimes adding hours onto your journey time. Speak to your boss and see if you can work something out that suits you both. It may mean a later start and finish time but could drastically cut your time spent travelling daily. Also, being stuck in traffic jams can be extremely bad for the environment as the car is on the road, releasing carbon emissions for a long period of time. Plus, the stop-start procedure of traffic jams consumes more fuel than driving at a steady pace, meaning you have to fill up more often.

Compare Transport Options

If you regularly take trips abroad as part of your job it can be tempting to use a hire car as your transfer option between the airport and your destination. However, other public transport options may be considerably cheaper and take the stress out of your journey. Many cities in Europe boast efficient train systems with fares which are usually a lot cheaper than car hiring costs. Plus, catching the train could be a safer option, especially if you’re prone to suffering from jet lag, as tiredness can significantly affect your concentration whilst driving.

If you really want to make your international job commute eco-friendly you could consider flying with a green airline. Using public transport when you land is also a great way to be green as it means one less car on the road!

Reducing your Car Fuel Emissions

If you have no or limited access to public transport and really have to use your car then there are a few methods to reduce your carbon emissions and fuel costs.

Always perform maintenance checks on your car as this can help to reduce your fuel consumption. A dirty air filter can apparently reduce fuel efficiency by up to 20%. Ill-inflated tyres can also increase fuel consumption as well as being dangerous to drive with.

Try to limit your gadget use also, Sat Navs require charging at a mains socket which adds to carbon emissions. Latest studies have been showing that gadgets are holding back plans to drastically reduce carbon emissions by 2020. If you really need a Sat Nav consider buying a solar charger which uses Sunlight to power your gadget – totally free, clean energy!

Car fuel emissions account for a large percentage of carbon emissions caused by humans. Cutting fuel consumption can help the environment as well as your pocket. If you feel you’re spending too much money on your international job-related travel then it’s time to compare cheaper, more fuel efficient options.

Written by Stephanie Staszko on behalf of Just Motor Law who are motoring offence solicitors in the UK. You can follow Steph on Twitter @StephStaz for more green, money-saving and travel related posts.

Packing

When packing to live abroad you need a different mind-set than you would for holiday packing. A key difference is that you don’t have a return journey to plan for; you are staying for a while and you will inevitably need to buy things whilst you are out there.

This means that you should focus on packing a few essentials for your first few days, so you can settle in and find some shops. Other than that, bring expensive essentials which would rather not have to buy another one of. Oh, and you might also want to bring photos and any other sentimental items to remind you of home.

Language

One of the hardest things about living abroad is the feeling of isolation. Wherever you are going, make a really good effort to get to know the language – you will almost certainly struggle when you get there, but studying for a few months beforehand will help you to fit in in time.

Google earth / maps

Depending on where you are going, having a look on Google earth / maps and even streetview if available can really help you to get to know where you are going. Try spending a few hours “exploring”, go find your house if you can, and get to know where the shops are etc. This will help you to feel a little more at home when you arrive. That feeling of familiarity goes a long way.

Get to know the locals

When you arrive you really need to go outside of your comfort zone and make an effort to interact with local people. Test your language skills a little bit at a time and go into the shops, bars and restaurants where local people gather.

Know the culture

The worst thing you can do when trying to fit in is to accidentally offend somebody or just not fully understand local traditions and cultures. It is worth spending some time reading up on local culture before you leave to make sure you are forearmed.

Find your community

There are thousands of expats living in every country all over the world and there are plenty of websites where they ‘get together’ to share stories, offer support etc. There may well be one specific to the country you are moving to. Have a look around before you travel and speak to others who have done what you are about to do.

These sorts of sites are a gift to expats, simply for the support you can get; you might even be able to get to know someone who will be living near you who can help you get to know your new home.

About the author

This article was written by Alex from wish.co.uk – a seller of traveling experiences and great days out to help you make more of your days off. Click here for more info about our driving experiences.

Check out Pingo.com's calling cards!

• No hidden fees or rates - don't lose minutes to dirty marketing.
• Top-rated prices per comparison reviews on AboutCallingCards.com.
• Fast dialing through speed-dial.

Pick Country or View Rates

• Italy
• Switzerland
• Phillipines

There is so much to do in Toronto that it can be hard deciding, particularly if you are on a short weekend getaway . If you’re a bit pressed for time during your holiday you can easily get home and feel as though you missed something. By carefully planning an itinerary, you’ll be sure to get to every attraction on your must-see list. Here are the top 10 things to do and see in the great city.

1. Toronto Zoo. Located in Rouge Valley, the 710 acre zoo is one of the largest animal parks in the world. Take a safari in the African Savanna and visit the Gorilla Rainforest while you’re there.

2. Ontario Science Center. An interactive museum, the center is a great destination for the whole family. Stop by the IMAX theater and see what’s playing on the big screen!

3. Greektown. If you’re aching for something unique for dinner, stop by one of the restaurants in Greektown. The authentic Greek cuisine on offer is sure to leave you satisfied.

4. Casa Loma. A 98-room castle, complete with secret passages, towers, stables and an 800-foot tunnel, the castle is nothing if not impressive. Be sure to tour the five acres of stunning gardens before you leave.

5. Kensington Market. Shops in the market are an eclectic mix of European, Caribbean and Middle Eastern tastes. Restaurants, shops and cafes abound in this bustling market.

6. Hockey Hall of Fame. The only hockey hall of fame in the world, the hall has been voted as Toronto’s Top Appeal Attraction by Zagat Survey. Hockey lovers will think they’ve gone to heaven when they walk through the doors of the museum.

7. Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours. Fun for those six and over, the white water trip takes you down the Niagara River over white-water rapids and past jaw-dropping scenery.

8 . Square One Shopping Centre. Over 360 stores grace the area’s largest shopping mall. There are over 40 choices when it comes to lunch or dinner so take the entire family!

9. Fantasy Fair. A large indoor amusement park, the fair is open year-round and is fun for kids of all ages. There are nine full-size rides, a play village and an arcade all surrounded by over 160 stores.

10. Niagara Helicopters Limited. You’ve seen Niagara Falls but you’ve never seen them like this! The company has been in operation for over 48 years and has delighted thousands of tourists with their sky high view of the Whirlpool Rapids, American Falls and Canadian Horseshoe Falls.

Heather Johnson writes for HoneymoonDestinations.org, the best honeymoon research and planning website. Discover some great honeymoon ideas today!

Anyone over the age of 65 is referred to as an elderly person or a senior citizen. Senior citizens have variable abilities; it’s possible that some suffer from specific health problems while others suffer from decreased mobility. Some seniors can have the whole gamut of health issues, decreased mobility and decreased mental faculty thrust on them. If you’re traveling with elderly people, it’s best to know how to care for them outside your home, where you may not find immediate resources or assistance in case of an emergency.

How To Take The Proper Health Precautions
1. Before accompanying your elder on a trip, check with his or her doctor. Get a list of current ailments, ongoing treatments if any and prescription medications, dosages and schedules.
2. Get a written note of permission from your elder’s primary physician for the travel. The note should either indicate a clean bill of health, or else stipulate cautionary travel. In the latter case, ensure that you thoroughly understand what to do in case of an emergency.
3. If you’re traveling alone with your elder, make sure that someone at home, a family member or friend, knows where you’re going. Give them copies of your itinerary, passport and visa information, information on hotels where you’ll be staying and anything else you can think of.
4. If you have another companion to rely on during the trip, make sure that he or she is as conversant with the care your elder needs, as you are.
5. Personally pack, or supervise the packing, of all medications and medical equipment.
6. Learn medication schedules by heart, just in case the prescription goes missing.
7. Always take out health insurance for your elder before flying.
8. If you’re taking a cruise with your elder, ask for a list of the medical facilities on board and check if the cruise includes qualified onboard medical staff.
9. Ask for hotel rooms that have bathroom railings and slip proof tubs for additional protection
10. Ask your elder’s doctor for the names of recommended doctors and medical establishments at your destination. If possible, contact a few of the recommended doctors and let them know when you’ll be visiting that area.

How To Choose Travel Destinations
11. Choose your travel destination based on your elder’s abilities. If your elder has decreased mobility, it’s best not to go to a place where he or she would be required to walk.
12. Avoid hilly, rocky or uneven terrain. Even if your elder is able to walk, balance and coordination becomes a problem as people age, causing them to trip often.
13. If your elder cannot fly for long distances, or is unable to fly at all, choose to visit places close by that you can get to by car, bus or train.

How To Handle Wheelchair Requirements
14. If your elder is in a wheelchair, be sure to talk to your airline about wheelchair support.
15. At your destination, choose to visit only those places that offer wheelchair support. You can get this information from the tourism department in most countries.
16. If you’re traveling by car or bus, carry a collapsible wheelchair with you. Make sure the chair is lightweight enough for a single person to operate it.
17. You can ask your hotel to provide a wheelchair at your destination, or even obtain one from the local tourism department. Explore both options before leaving home.
18. When you book hotel rooms, always ask for a room on the bottom floor for your elder. Not all floors will be wheelchair accessible, not to mention the bother of pushing the chair on and off elevators.

How To Handle Air Journeys
19. Get the complete list of airplane flight health contraindications from the American Medical Association. It’s possible that your elder is ready and able to fly but is not allowed to fly due to an existing disorder or recent surgery.
20. While booking seats on the flight, ask for the seats in front of the aircraft section divider or the bulkhead seats for more legroom. The additional legroom will allow your elder to stretch their legs to prevent blood clot.
21. Be sure to inform the airline in advance if your elder has severe diabetes, hypertension, blood pressure issues or epilepsy.
22. Inform the airline several days in advance if you require oxygen canisters on the flight; there might be an additional cost attached to this facility.
23. Put all medications including diabetic supplies into your elder’s carryon luggage. Get the prescription filled before travel to allow for sufficient medication to last the trip, stopovers, and delays and so on.

How To Travel With Your Elder ON A Budget
24. There are some advantages to age; you can obtain discounts of 10% or more on standard airlines for people over the age of 62. The discounts are higher with trains and buses.
25. Check if you can obtain coupons from travel clubs and senior citizen associations to generate more savings.
26. Most countries have specific tour packages designed for the elderly; these provide discounts and a planned itinerary considering mobility and other issues.

How To Handle Mealtimes
27. Try to get your elder’s meals fixed at restaurants rather than fast food outlets. Restaurants can offer healthier choices and you can even get customized dishes made to prescribed diet charts at additional costs.
28. If your elder is not comfortable eating at crowded restaurants, try to get their meals delivered. Grumpiness and irritability can be signs of low blood sugar and it’s best not to take it personally
29. If your elder is finicky about finishing a meal, don’t pressurize. Don’t panic unless he or she simply refuses to eat; if that happens, contact a doctor immediately.
30. Travel causes changes to regular habits and this might affect your elder’s disposition and bowel movements. Try to stick to the same mealtime schedules to which your elder is accustomed.

Teena Celis is a travel writer working for gift ideas company Adrenaline, an Australian company that offers a large range of rally driving experiences all across Australia. Check them out for unique father’s day gifts ideas.

I love Scotland and Scotland’s fantastic range of culinary treats; I’d like to introduce you to some of my favorite Scottish food, some food for thought!

You may not know, but Scotland was one a very poor Country when compared to that of their European neighbors in the North of Europe, which has had both advantages and disadvantages for the country.

Economically Scotland was like many of the eastern European counties today and exported many of its finest products. This is perhaps why the Scots adapted and produced some really delicious and hearty dishes which were protein rich and full of goodness with the remaining food stuffs. These foods have become ones which are renowned the world over and popular delicacies still enjoyed by the Scotch.

Once upon a time thought Scotland to be a cold place where lots of meaty soups and haggis like sausage was consumed – I was close but far away at the very same time, Scotland has a wealth of mouth-watering traditional foods, I thought I would share with you my favorite Scottish dish below

Traditional Haggis with Potato and Swede

Haggis not made in Scotland is completely different to the stuff sold in supermarkets. I’d make the same comparison for a Cornish pasty – they are only nice if made in Cornwall to the original recipes. Haggis is traditionally eaten on Burns day (25th January), it is available in most eateries and is delicious! Compared to things like beef burgers, I would rather have Haggis, at least you know what’s in Haggis in comparison to beef burgers or sausages.

Scots love potato and swede or as they call it ‘tatties and neeps’, scots often combine this with some greens and use the finest chappit potatoes for the mash. Haggis goes lovingly with these vegetables.

Trifley nice

Scottish trifle is made up of Shortbread, berries and cream as well as whiskey soaked fruit (optional). It looks and tastes delicious compared traditional sponge based trifle, this one to me is a mixture of ‘cheese cake’ and trifle can’t go wrong there!

I personally love a lot of the national meats including lamb, beef et cetera are all great breeds hardened to the highlands of Scotland they often provide lean tasty meats. Consider that many of these animals are kept on paddocks spanning all manner of scene including lush grasslands surrounded by ocean and mountainous landscape, why would you not want to eat from here? It always reminds me of why New Zealand lamb is amongst the best in the world.

It doesn’t matter where you’re from, a traditional Scottish meal like this one, (or with a substituted steak for haggis if you can’t stomach haggis) is a straight forward, simple crowd pleaser which provides everything your body needs to remain healthy and have a really enjoyable meal.

Isaac writes for Reserve Travel Ltd, an apartments online booking company specializing in both Edinburgh Apartments and Glasgow Apartments</a>. Every apartment they list can be booked online.

As one of my globetrotter friends used to say – “A light travel leads to a happy travel.” However, in this age of technology, which forces you to carry a laptop, a cellular phone, at least 2 different apple products, a point and shoot camera or a DSLR camera covering the list of your gizmos alone, clearly following the travel light mantra does not follow that easy. Whether you are a student studying abroad or are a working professional outside your country, it always helps to keep the minimum essentials on you for a comfortable stay. So what exactly might top the list of the important possessions for an expat abroad?

Well, gizmos aside, an international SIM card is the single most crucial addition in your repository. It helps you achieve the most significant task when traveling or living abroad – communication with your folks back home. All expats would agree how vital it is for them to make regular, economic calls across the international air space. So, what should you look for while buying an international SIM card and how do you go about using them economically? That is exactly what we try to list out here for the benefit of all.

Clearly, for any human requirement in the world there are a thousand and one ready solutions and services, sometimes even more than that. International calling is no different, so it helps to be aware of points to look for while buying your own international SIM card. First of all, you need to be sure about the handset compatibility. Though, if you own one of the new tri-band GSM/CDMA phones the SIM card and handset compatibility should mostly not be an issue as they work over three continents. Also, be sure that you are getting a value-for-money deal for the tariff related to the country to which you are going to travel. For instance, there are country-specific tariff plans that you might avail of, but, if the nature of your travel makes you be in several countries in a single trip, try to go for a tariff that provides for free international roaming over multiple countries/continents.

Though we take some services for granted with our local telecom providers, it is advantageous to check if the international telecom provider is offering value-added services like call forwarding, conference calling or voice mail free of charge. It may seem quite trivial, but it might help a lot to have free customer services like customer care, phone recharge/top-up, etc. You might not need these services all the time, but any service that can potentially add to your international budget is better had free of cost from the beginning. Fewer potential costs to worry about for the wary traveler, right?

Having talked about international SIM cards, I think international calling cards also deserve a notable mention while talking about international communication solutions. International calling cards are better suited to be used on the local SIM cards abroad, without having to worry too much about pre-travel planning. All you need to do is buy a prepaid calling card, punch the pin away on your local phone abroad, and off you go talking. The rates can be quite competitive too, albeit you need to be weary about the proportion of the calling card cost to the effective minutes of usage.

International calling cards also come with affordable data solutions for all our active tweeters and facebookers. Make sure you check the various data and voice plans before getting an international calling card so as to strike the perfect balance in getting the most out of calling minutes, data MBs with optimal investments.

Hopefully, this post boils down the problem of looking for that perfect international SIM card/calling card to the list of must-haves for your own traveling case. A little planning on this immensely significant investment will go a long way in making your international communication highly budget-friendly.

Backpacking is one of the most popular activities in Australia. While Australia is famous for its various adrenalin-fuelled extreme sports, these are not for everyone. Backpacking is something that the whole family can enjoy, while being a terrific educational experience for young adults. Australia has several backpacking trails that offer guided treks. You can also use any one of these trails to go backpacking without a fixed agenda. Here are the top 10 backpacking trails in Australia.

10. Blue Mountains National Park In

The Blue Mountains are located close to Sydney and make a great weekend getaway if you live in the immediate area. Blue Mountains National Park offers amazingly diverse vistas with unexpected waterfalls, sharp and sudden cliffs, dense forest areas, mountain ranges interspersed with green verdant valleys. The Blue Mountains bushwalks offer several popular trails and guided tours. They are a good option for a family backpacking vacation.

09. Whitsunday Islands in Queensland

The Whitsunday Islands in Queensland are well known for more than just the snorkeling and water sports adventures to be had here. This subtropical national-park island is clad in dense bush and rainforests and is full of hiking trails, some flat, some hilly. Walk through some of these trails and enjoy spotting colorful wallabies and butterflies. The best network of trails is to be found in South Molle, with 360-degree views of the island from its peak.

08. Lamington National Park In Queensland

An amazing 160 kilometers of trails are available for the backpacker in you when you visit the Lamington National Park in Queensland. Not many other national parks in Australia offer such a well-marked network of trails as the Lamington National. The park is located at a distance of 90 minutes from the Gold Coast and is covered in dense subtropical rainforest, strewn with mossy Antarctic beech trees that are about 2000 years old. Soak up the cool mountain air while watching colorful wallabies of birds of all descriptions.

07. Larapinta Trail In North Tasmania

Start your hike from Alice Springs in the Red Centre and hike the 250-kilometer partial desert trail, winding your way through the lofty, crimson-colored McDonnell Ranges. Make sure you hike this trail between April and October when it’s cooler. You can walk the 250 kilometers in batches, spanning several days and camp out to experience the amazing Tasmanian outdoors.

06. Kakadu National Park In North Tasmania

This beautiful World Heritage park has all the delights you can expect of a Tasmanian trail. The trails are full of beautiful cycads, red cliffs, lily-filled lagoons that hide man-eating crocodiles, sudden waterfalls, and more birds that you can identify. The cliffs are full of caves filled with Aboriginal rock art. There’s rock art on the walls of the cliffs on the trails. Don’t forget to take your camera along with you. People take videos of the most memorable parts of these trails as the unique greenery combined with the red cliffs makes for an unforgettable landscape. Whether you’re just taking a small hike or a nice long trip in virgin bushland, the Kakadu National Park is the place to head to.

05. Cape-To-Cape Hike Between Cape Naturaliste And Cape Leeuwin

This rugged cape-to-cape trail has a variety of landscapes for your viewing pleasure. The china-blue waters of the sea glint under the warm Sun as the fragrant eucalyptus forests beckon. The trail goes over white beaches strewed with coastal heath. The cape-to-cape trail in the southwest corner of Western Australia is very popular among backpackers who come here in droves to watch the whales in the ocean and take pictures of colorful and varied wildflowers.

04. The Great Ocean Walk

A long 91-kilometer trek from Apollo Bay to the Glenample Homestead near Twelve Apostles is made for walkers of all kinds. Short-distance walkers can step on and off this Great Ocean Road hike in Victoria to enjoy other sights. Long-distance walkers can enjoy the sights and the pleasure of walking on this long trail and go on overnight hikes and camping trips. The amazing views offer more than the required incentive to go backpacking on this popular Great Ocean Road trail.

03. Freycinet National Park In Tasmania

The beautiful and rugged Freycinet Peninsula is home to the Freycinet National Park that’s a combination of pink granite mountains and azure blue bays bordered with white sand beaches. Lofty and dramatic peaks of the Hazards mountain range welcome backpackers who enter the park to trek the pass overlooking Wineglass Bay. You can hike through the entire length of the Freycinet Peninsula in just three days. Intersperse your hiking with lazy strolls on the white beaches, swimming among the dolphins and spotting wildlife.

02. Maria Island National Park In Tasmania

The Maria Island National Park has everything any avid backpacker wants; untouched sandy beaches, mountains, fossil cliffs, abundant wildlife and to add that extra touch of intrigue, convict ruins. The park spans 28,541 acres of prime parkland with several acres devoted to an exclusive marine reserve. Maria Island National Park is perfect for the long distance backpacker and the short-distance walker. There’s a 4-day guided walk if you can rough it out, and a day trip by ferry if you want the quick and easy, but still wonderful.

01. Cradle Mountain And Lake St. Clair National Park In Tasmania

The trail begins at Cradle Mountain in Tasmania and goes to Lake St. Clair, taking anywhere from 5 to 10 days, depending on how fast you can walk. You can also go on shorter walks for half a day or so, if you are not able to handle the longer trek. This 80 kilometer Overland Track is considered the best hike trail in all of Australia.

The park contains many other walking trails other than the well-known Overland Track trail. The park contains very diverse alpine vegetation. You’ll find different kinds of birds and animals in these forests including Bennett’s wallabies, pademelons, Tasmanian Devils, quolls, wombats, echidnas, possums, currawongs and ravens.

Teena Celis works for Adrenaline an Australian experience provider offering a large range of experiences like skydiving, hot air ballooning, rock climbing all across Australia.

Christmas is a great time of year to spend time with family and friends, to give gifts, and to have great holiday food. But Christmas can also be a hectic time if you’re overbooking yourself for Christmas parties and traveling long distances. And if you are traveling outside the country this Christmas, that can add even more stress to an already jam-packed December. Foreign countries don’t always celebrate Christmas the same way we do in the US, and international travel can make it hard to pack presents with already limited baggage restrictions. But don’t let all these extra concerns turn your Christmas into a nightmare. You can still have a fun and memorable Christmas while traveling abroad.

Open Presents Before Your Leave

I know it sounds like ruining Christmas to open your presents before you leave, but taking extra bags of wrapped presents can be difficult. Before you leave, you can have a little Christmas party of your own with your family. Open up your presents together, have a little eggnog, and sing some Christmas carols together to make it feel more like Christmas morning. Also, keep in mind that traveling abroad gives you an excellent opportunity to buy unique presents at your destination. Giving gifts unique to the location you’ve traveled to will make your Christmas abroad even more memorable.

Bring Decorations From Home

Not all countries and cultures celebrate Christmas the same way, and some don’t celebrate it at all. If you’re longing for a little extra Christmas cheer while abroad, bring a couple of small decorations with you, like a tiny Christmas tree or a stocking. When it is sweltering hot and there aren’t any Christmas lights in sight, you can look at your little tree or small nativity and feel a little Christmas creeping back in.

Embrace Local Culture

Not all foreign cultures celebrate Christmas but many do, just not in the same way. For example, in many Latin American countries, the 6^th of January is a day of gift giving, and the 25^th is more like a New Year’s celebration with fireworks and parties. And just like we have eggnog and candy canes around Christmas time, other countries have their own unique holiday cuisine. Take the time to try it and embrace the local Christmas culture, creating a unique Christmas for all of you to remember for years to come.

Traveling abroad is all about experiencing different cultures and having new experiences. At Christmas time you have even more opportunities to experience unique cultural celebrations around the globe. Embrace these other traditions and have fun. Make your Christmas abroad the best Christmas you’ve ever had.

Gunter Jameson writes about several topics including travel, minimalism and University of Phoenix Programs.

By Kristi Remick

Don't worry cobbly stoned streets...I still love you.

My first taste of Europe was back in 2003.  I was in awe of its oldness –  medieval castles, Gothic churches, Roman ruins and cobblestone streets. For me, a girl who grew up in Rochester NY, experiencing Europe for the first time was an awakening and it wasn’t long before I dreamed of moving here.

Fast forward 7 years and I now live in Switzerland.  The castles, churches, ruins and cobblestone streets are still here and they still amaze me, but something has shifted.  Now that I am a resident, I find myself wanting to visit far off lands – Asia, Africa, South America and the list continues to grow.  This February we are hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro and going on safari in the Serengeti.  Next year we are already planning a trip to Sri Lanka and the Maldives.  With all of Europe at our doorstep, why all of a sudden are we looking towards other areas?

1. I am cold – Seriously, now that I no longer live in Atlanta, I want to vacation where it is warm.  This is very European and almost every European person I have met here vacations somewhere warm.  This year alone I know of people going to Egypt, India, Florida (yes, I said Florida) and Morocco.  I have a hunch it is to escape the bone chilling weather we receive for a good portion of the Fall and Winter months.

2. The “Doorstep Phenomena” - Now that I live here and have somewhat integrated, I want to feel like I am going somewhere far away when I go on vacation.  I want to see ancient Asian temples and smell aromas emitted from outdoor spice markets.  When I lived in the States, going to Europe served my need to experience a new place.  While a weekend in New York City was wonderful, it wasn’t quite as romantic or magical as hopping the pond to see the architecture of Gaudi or sip an Italian beer while staring at the Alp lined shores of Lake Como.

3. Logistics – Logistically, a lot of the places I want to see are either closer to me now distance wise (a shorter plane ride) or the time zone change isn’t nearly as dramatic.  Last year our trip to Africa from the States involved 18 hours on a plane one way and a 6 hour time change.  This year it takes 10 hours on a plane one way and NO time change.  My new European home is a great starting point and is far more convenient in certain respects when compared to my old home in Atlanta.

I was  a bit hesitant to write this.  I don’t want to come off as a travel snob and I still want to see ALL of what Europe has to offer, but with my new home comes a different way of looking at travel.  As my life changes and the further I embrace it, something as simple as “where to vacation”  can change and I find that so incredibly interesting.  So the next logical question is, if I become an Expat living in Hong Kong, does that mean I will want to vacation on the moon?  I have always wanted to meet Marvin the Martian and the Muppets from Pigs in Spaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaace!.

When I am not busy stuffing my face with chocolate, you can find me over at From A to Z blogging about my life in Zurich Switzerland