Tag Archives: culture

Three Great Places for Extreme Travel

The Sahara Desert is one of the best places for extreme travel in the world ... photo by CC user jries on flickr

We all love to try out the unique and off the beaten path in the many aspects in our life, and traveling is just one of them. While people flock the already-crowded tourist spots, many would want to venture forth towards the lesser known ones, often going as far as extreme traveling. If you feel like you have a bad case of travel fever with you, and are fit enough to do the extremes, here are the top places that we would like to recommend to you:

Sahara Desert in Morocco

The Sahara Desert is the biggest hot desert in the world, located in the northern portion of the African continent. It stretches out from Morocco and Mauritania in the west, going towards Egypt and Sudan in the east. Sahara actually comes from the Arabic word, Sahra, which basically means desert.

While the Sahara desert can be very unforgiving with temperatures going as high as 130F in the summer and dropping to around 40F at nights and even lower during the winter season, it is still being frequented by travelers who want to know more of what this harsh environment can offer.

Those who do wish to go on a Sahara Desert excursion are often taken along thrilling safaris and camel caravans. These tours usually end up staying in an oasis in the desert, but one must make sure to prepare for the extreme conditions that await them. Aside from riding camels and starting at endless sand dunes, travelers are also often treated to Berber hospitality where they may enjoy eating the local cuisine, including their famous bread. Make sure you book a nice hotel for after the adventures when you need some pampering!

The Indian Himalayas

The Himalayas refer to the most prominent mountain range in all of Asia, stretching from Pakistan going all the way to the Bramaputra River in India. Naturally, trekking is among the most popular things to do in any point in the Himalayan ranges, but you can also do other activities such as yoga and meditation and even white water rafting.

What does this world famous mountain range have to offer? Travelers taking this extreme adventure path get to enjoy a picturesque view of the forest mountains, and even a glimpse of old Buddhist monasteries and other similar structures. Before taking this road less traveled, everyone must make sure to coordinate their travels with the proper authorities, to stay on the safe side and to be prepared for conditions that come with extreme places like this, such as altitude sickness.

Shark Baiting in Honduras

Want something beyond the normal extreme adventure? Then, go shark baiting. This is probably the most extreme and mind-blowing of all extreme adventures. Why? Well, what do you think of turning a vehicle into a giant fishing lure and with you inside as the bait? Staying inside the custom-built submersible by Stanley Submarines, the extreme traveler is then brought down about 1500 feet below sea level. Aside from you, a live shark bait is also attached to the submersible in order to lure the seldom-seen six-gilled shark. How’s that for an extreme adventure over the weekend? This one is definitely not for the faint of heart.

3 of the best cities in Spain to study abroad

Unbeknownst to most people, Salamanca is one of the best cities in Spain to study abroad!

Unbeknownst to most people, Salamanca is one of the best cities in Spain to study abroad!

 

While taking on student loans may make you hesitant to take to the road on an epic trip with all the bills that you owe to your creditors, it doesn’t mean you don’t have to sacrifice seeing the world until you are 55.

An interesting way to get over this beguiling hurdle is to apply to study in your discipline overseas. Most universities and colleges offer arrangements like this, or you can go to the trouble of arranging it yourself.

One nation that is an excellent place to spend a year or a semester overseas is Spain. Being home to amazing culture and history, mouthwatering tapas, and a language that is one of the most popular mother tongues in the world, this nation is an excellent choice to spend a period of time separate from the life you’ve always known back in America.

The only question that remains is: what city should choose to study in? This guide will you choose the best cities in Spain to study abroad so you can get the best possible experience during your brief period in this amazing country…

1) Barcelona

If being near a fabulous beach, amidst unique architecture, and within a community that speaks a regional language in addition to Spanish appeals to you, then Barcelona will prove to be a good choice. La Sagrada Familia will inspire you with its soaring spires, the strong regional identity of the Catalans will undoubtedly pique your interest in geopolitics, and when the time comes to relax on weekends with your new found friends, the beach will provide a chill spot to relax.

2) Salamanca

The mixed use of Catalan and Spanish will make it hard to focus on the latter if you are you are determined to learn it; if you are in this camp, Salamanca is a much better choice. A lack of English speakers makes it easy to immerse yourself in the local language, and when you are at ease in the community with your improving Spanish proficiency, you will be able to experience local cultural aspects like the generous lunches that are indulged in by the local population, experience the fervor that they employ to cheer on the local football team, and run errands like picking up mobile wif-fi from All Day Internet Spain with ease.

3) Madrid

If Spain’s complex art history has you interested in this storied nation, the best place to experience it is in the capital, Madrid. The Museum Triangle downtown contains some of the finest art museums in the world, and once you’re done getting your culture fix, some of Europe’s most lively nightlife awaits you in this cities’ entertainment district.