Building in Costa Rica is very different from North America and most of Europe. Located between 9 and 11 degrees latitude above the equator, Costa Rica’s tropical climate comes with its own special considerations.

There are four constants in Costa Rica: sun, rain, wind, and … more sun, rain and wind! Unlike Northern Hemisphere homes designed for…

Wouldn’t it be nice to dine in a restaurant that only served freshly-made meals made with locally-sourced ingredients, vegetables picked that same day, sauces that didn’t come from a jar or can, bread hot out of the oven, juices that only a moment ago were whole fruit, and desserts loving crafted by an on-site pastry chef?

In fact, you can. This is what…

Whether you are traveling for a couple of days, a few weeks, or even months, all of that sitting, standing, carrying and hefting luggage does a number on your body and especially your back and neck. You may even have been suffering from back and neck pain before your trip from stress, tension, overworking, etc.…

The main attractions of Maylasia's sprawling, paradisiacal archipelago of Langkawi are its beautiful sandy beaches, and lots of experienced tourists consider this is the best place in the whole country for diving, snorkeling, sunbathing, and relaxation. And they are absolutely right: the beaches of Langkawi are so diverse that anyone can find one (or more) to satisfy a range of needs and desires. My top…

From November 23, foreigners will pay US$25 for a single-entry visa and US$50 for a visa valid for three months or less when they visit Vietnam, according to a circular recently issued by the Ministry of Finance.

These fees are down from US$45 and US$95 respectively, according to the ministry’s Circular No. 157/2015/TT-BTC. However, the circular says the fee for a long-term visa fee will remain unchanged but that for a long-term residence permit will be up.

Particularly, the…

The sun, the white dunes of the desert which merge with the unique blue water of the sea, stunningly beautiful landscapes, flavorsome food, hospitable and friendly people - the most beautiful island of Cape Verde is all this and much more.



Facing the coast of Senegal, Boa Vista is the biggest island of the Cape Verde archipelago and belongs to the…

"Best islands in the world," "America's greatest main streets," "top ten US. beaches" - on list after list of media and travelers' choice polls, those who know continue to agree that the Massachusetts island of Nantucket is among the best place in the US and the world.



Main Street, Nantucket is one of America’s most prestigious…

When in Dubai, renting a car is much better than using public transport as hiring a car gives you to convenience to travel wherever you want to you. Car rent Dubai is the best option to travel around Dubai in a hassle-free way. One doesn’t need to pay high taxi fare or hire a chauffeur to travel within the city. However, before you rent a car in Dubai, there are certain things that you must consider if you want to get cheap and best value car rent…

“So where in Scotland are you going?” a British colleague asked over lunch. “Edinburgh? Glasgow?”

“Isle of Skye,” I said.



“Ah, the Scottish Highlands,” he sighed. Leaned back and said, slowly,  “We always think of Skye as a spiritual place. I really envy you.”…

“Inspiration 911” Sculpture – Porscheplatz Stuttgart Germany

We began…

by blogger BertBo 

Amsterdam,  Netherlands 

Described as being like “Jurassic Park” or a fairytale land of elves, the cloud forest of Monteverde, Costa Rica is a special place on the planet.



The rare ecosystem of Monteverde in Costa Rica is part of only one percent of the global woodlands known as cloud forests, rainforest…

Gjirokastra (also spelled Gjirokastër) is a town in southern Albania which in 2005 was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a highly historic city and placed on slopes of the Drino River valley, with beautiful scenery and bordered by high mountains.



Known as the "City of a Thousand Stairs" Gjirokastra is characterized…

If eco-friendly travel and staying at sustainable tourism eco-hotels is a priority when you go on vacation, you’ll want to pay attention to …

Stopping at the Port of Limon in Costa Rica on your Western Caribbean cruise or Panama Canal cruise?

Since you only have one day in port to experience the best attractions of Costa Rica, you want to maximize your time as best you can. Costa Rica is famous for its rainforests,…

Have you ever been driving down the highway in totally stop-and-go rush hour traffic, and thought, “Why the (bleep) am I doing this?”

It just took 10 minutes to go 2 miles. And this is nothing unusual. It’s every day – to work, home from work ….

Know what I’m talking about?

You have deadlines to meet, things that have to get done, places to be, and…

Chocolate lovers pay attention!

Get your fill of chocolate at Costa Rica’s fourth annual Chocolate Festival in Puerto Viejo on the Southern Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica. Sample chocolate from local artisan producers and top Costa Rica…

Jaipur is an old city that still retains the charm of medieval era in its monuments, havelis, palaces, forts, temples, and old streets. It is a perfect destination to visit on next vacation. Head to the place to explore it for real and pick from the best Jaipur hotels.

Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan, is a large exhibit of the royal history and rich culture of the parent state. It is an old city which originally was fortified within the boundary of massive walls, but with the…

Walking tours are wonderful especially if they have a specific topic and cover only a small area.  Thus it is with “Burgh Bits and Bites” tour of Pittsburgh’s Strip District.  At one time the Strip District, located along the Allegheny River, was home to many mills and factories that later became an area of wholesalers of…