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Don't be guiri!
Old style brunch in the middle of Tribeca. From time to time we forget about counting calories! Square diner
Here you can check the average temperatures in China as well as monthly rainfall and other weather data.
Weather in China (climate):
Since it’s practically an entire continent, China has an immense variety of climates: from arctic in the north to tropical in the south. In short, the north and northeast (Beijing) have a dry climate, with cool winters and very hot summers. The south is tropical, with short winters and warm, rainy summers. Temperatures in the west are milder year round (except in Tibet, which has a classic high mountain climate). See weather forecast in China for the next 15 days.
– What is the most impressing place in the world you have ever been? What advice would you give to someone who wishes to travel there?
There are so many places that have something to offer to the traveller and each has it’s own charms. Also it depends on your style of travel and whether you don’t mind roughing it a bit or whether you prefer to have a bit of comfort. Of the places I’ve visited since I started writing my blog, I’ve especially enjoyed the following;
Ecuador – to get a taste of South America in a manageable way. Because the country is relatively small you can see the coast, the Andes and the Amazon basin all within a few hours of each other
The Alps around Mont Blanc – for the last couple of years I’ve been walking the Tour de Mont Blanc with a friend bit by bit and although I never thought of myself as a mountain person I was blown away by the magestic Alpine scenery
Greece – because my sister lives on the Greek island of Zakynthos I visit every year and you can’t beat it for a relaxed holiday with beautiful beaches and reliable sunshine.
– What do you hate to forget in your suitcase?
Because of my blogging I tend to travel with more technology than the average traveller, but even if I were to forget my laptop, audio recorder, video camera and mobile I don’t think I could do without a camera to capture everything I see.
– What would you say to those travellers who are afraid to travel on their own, and end up going to a travel agency even if they do not like taking part in organized tours?
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with booking an organised tour – it works for many people who are pressed for time and don’t want any stress when they travel. However I would recommend that if this is the route you go, that you choose a specialist company that knows their field and tries to provide a great experience for their customers, perhaps including more unusual or authentic things to do in the tour.
If you are an independent traveller who has no-one to travel with, then I would choose your accommodation carefully – for instance small family run hotels or bed & breakfasts can give you a more personal welcome than larger chain hotels. You might also consider organisations such as couch-surfing or hospitality club where you have the benefit of a friendly host to give you local advice and hostels are always great for making connections with other travellers whatever your age and many have private rooms.
– What kind of food have you tried on your travels and you found it delicious/surprising? Can you recommend us any place where to try it out?
I love good food and always like to try the local specialities. In Gothenburg I loved the seafood which is outstanding on the West Coast of Sweden – I’d suggest Restaurant Gabriel in the feskekörka fish market. On Guernsey look out for the hedge veg stalls where locals sell their local produce in small stands outside their houses and you leave the money in a box – great if you’re self-catering and need some eggs or new potatoes. I did try fried winged ants in Ecuador once but I’m not sure if I’d recommend it – it was like popcorn without any substance.
– Finally, tell us something that happened to you travelling and that you will never forget…
I have many magic moments locked away in my memory – such as my first trip on the Tour de Mont Blanc where we stayed in a very basic mountain refuge with one big dorm and no shower and I spent a restless night in close proximity to a man who stank of stale tobacco. In the morning I took my breakfast of French bread and milky coffee onto the terrace and watched the sun come up over the mountain range and light up the peak of Mont Blanc opposite and gradually the valley below came to life. That was one of those magic moments that made the aching legs worthwhile.
Thank you Heather for your time answering the questions and thank you for the advises as a professional traveller.
You can follow their adventures at their blog: Heather on her travels
Cuba is a true wonder of a world, an island paradise caught in a time warp where American cars from the 60s still rule the roads and mobile phones are an alien concept. The country has been isolated from the western world for almost five centuries since Fidel Castro communist regime took over Cuba. Cuba is fast changing today, opening up its shores to the modern world, and now may be the best time for holidays in Cuba to see and experience the unique life of this island.
Long the playground of America’s elite before Castro’s takeover of the island, the world is once again discovering the many wonders of Cuba. Hundreds of thousands of British tourists head to the Caribbean isles every year; this year, a growing proportion will discover Cuba for the first time. If you’re planning a holiday in Cuba this year, here are 12 tips to make the most of your stay:
1. Cuba is unlike any Caribbean tourist destination. There are no huge resorts or a vibrant local hospitality industry. This means you can get a much more authentic Caribbean experience, even at the cost of some western comforts. Cuba is also delightfully free of the tourist traps that mar other Caribbean islands.
2. Although the economy is slowly opening up, Cuba remains a poor country. Opportunistic crime (especially theft) is rampant. Cubans are still unfamiliar with many facets of modern technology and fancy gadgets are an increasing target for criminals. Stow away your iPhones and laptops for safety’s sake.
3. The best time to visit the islands is December-April when the weather is warmer. The period between May-September can be tortuous for tourists with excessive heat and humidity.
4. Spanish is the official language of the islands, though you’ll find plenty of English-speaking locals in the major tourist spots of Havana, Santa Clara and Varadero.
5. Do experience the swinging nightlife of Havana, Cuba’s capital.
6. Do take a ride in the antique yellow taxis from the 60s that play the roads.
7. Do smoke an authentic Cuban cigar. Beware of cheap knock-offs sold at exorbitant prices to gullible tourists. Visit the town of Pinar del Rio for the best cigars in the islands.
8. Dance the Habanera, the Tango and the Congo in one of Havana’s many all night clubs and bars to the rhythm of traditional Cuban music – a hybrid of local and world jazz influences.
9. Travel within Cuba is expensive, especially for tourists. Hitchhiking is the most economical way to get around in Cuba. There are dedicated stops for hitchhikers with administrators called ‘El Amarillo’ required to pick up passengers from these stops.
10. Money can be a problem in Cuba with few ATMs and credit card facilities. Carry adequate cash upfront. Some places will accept pound sterling without any need to change into the local currency. Traveller’s checks are rarely accepted in the country.
11. All hotels and restaurants are owned by the government and thus, are notoriously expensive, though they usually maintain high standards (such as the famous Tropicana hotel in Havana). The best place to stay for an authentic Cuban experience would be private homestays, called ‘casa particular’. These are also the best places to eat authentic fiery Cuban cuisine.
12. Communication facilities are scarce and extremely expensive in Cuba, with rates as high as £0.75 per minute. You may be able to use Skype for calls if your hotel has Wi-Fi. Internet facilities are only available at government operated facilities (recognizable by the sign ‘ETECSA’. It’s best to not use your phone at all during your stay in Cuba.
Travelling is one of my passions in life. Apart from being extremely enjoyable, I think that seeing the world is a very good thing to do for many reasons. Visiting as many different places as possible and taking it all in, is a way of broadening your mind and changing the way you look at the world. It can open you up to many different ways of thinking and allow you to make your own decisions, rather than simply going along with the ideas that were around you as your grew up. It allows you to really discover who you are as a person, without the external factors that may otherwise have influenced you if you were to stay in the same place for your whole life.
Travelling also allows you to experience other cultures and gain an appreciation for different ways of living. Perhaps your home life consists of going to work, socialising with friends and coming home. However, not everyone in the world does this and it can be really interesting to find out how people in other areas spend their time. Find somewhere to leave your car, by visiting websites like http://www.spanish.hostelworld.com and get on with exploring the world. This will educate you on the wide spectrum of entertainment and ways of living that are out there and perhaps even give you some new ideas about how to live your own life.
Seeing the world will enable you to meet many new people and make lasting friendships. Building connections all over the world is a great thing to do, not only so that you can expand your friendship network, but also so that you have an increasing likelihood of opportunities heading your way. You never know what might happen if you put yourself out there and meet people, so get going and begin your journey or travelling the world.
This post was written by Delia Thomas. She is an avid traveller and loves to explore the opportunities that new places bring. The picture has been provided by Way Away’s travels.
