Top Spot Travel

July 19, 2018 by Jeremy

The Best Place in Africa to See The Big 5

Most people take a trip to Africa for the main reason of going on a safari and seeing some of the world’s most coveted wildlife in their natural habitat. While there’s plenty more to see and do on this vast, beautiful continent, we cannot deny that the travel itinerary of most visitors, makes space for this specific adventure. Due to this being the case, we thought it’d be a good idea to list the places in Africa that are known for its dense population of wildlife so that your African trip is made easier, and you arrive informed.

While most regions in Africa are protected, not all of them allow visitors and safari trips. Read our useful guide on the best places in Africa to see the big five – because if we’re honest, seeing the big five means you’ve pretty much experienced the African bush to the fullest! The Big five include: lion, leopard, African elephant, buffalo and rhino.

Botswana

Botswana is incredibly rich in wildlife. There are many different areas of Botswana which offer travellers fantastic wildlife experiences; each of which offer different activities and even different types of wildlife species. National parks known for their lion and leopard sightings, include: Chobe National Park, Linyati River, Okavango Delta and the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. For elephant sightings, Chobe National Park is your best bet as this region is known to be home to the largest elephant population in southern Africa. The Okavango Delta will also give you a great chance of spotting these majestic creatures.

Rhino sightings are a little more rare, as rhino’s have become incredibly endangered due to poaching, which may make it a little more difficult for you; however, most of Botswana’s rhino’s have been relocated to northern Botswana in areas such as the Okavango Delta. Buffalo sightings are common, however, especially in areas such as Chobe, Kwando and Linyati rivers as well as the Okavango Delta.

2. South Africa

Source: Thanda Safari

South Africa is definitely one of the favourites when it comes to quality safari adventures and wildlife sightings that are not too far out, or difficult to access. The are even some big five game reserve accommodation options in the country which are ideal for those who want almost guaranteed sightings of the big five. Another reserve perfect for wildlife experiences is the Kruger National Park, located just outside of Johannesburg; however, it can become incredibly busy due to the vast number of tourists. Your best bet is visiting private game reserves which offer safari adventures, and these you can find scattered throughout South Africa.

3. Kenya

Kenya is, of course, another ideal wildlife location. Home to one of Africa’s most famous national parks: the Masai Mara, which is also known for the great mammal migration, the country of Kenya sees thousands of tourists a year who are eager to encounter extraordinary, natural wonders. While one can marvel over the incredible sight of over 2 million mammals crossing the plains over certain months of the year; the Masai Mara also offers big five game viewing opportunities. It is a reserve that offers one a true African adventure, as well as many fantastic activities such as hot air ballooning over the plains. It’s a great place to not only spot the animals that make up the big five; but to fully experience the beauty of Africa.

4. Tanzania

Tanzania is yet another African country rich in game. The best area for wildlife sightings is that of northern Tanzania, where you’ll find the Serengeti National Park. Not only is it incredibly beautiful, with it’s golden grasslands that shine in the African sun, but the park is also densely populated with the big five wildlife species as well as many more fascinating wildlife species. Visitors are also able to see the great mammal migration here in the Serengeti, as the mammals make their way to and from the Masai Mara and the Serengeti, according to the rainfall.

5. Namibia

While Namibia is not usually popular with safaris and wildlife encounters, there is one reserve that’s known to be home to a wide range of species. This is Etosha National Park. It is situated in Northern Namibia and is home to the big five as well as many other wildlife species. It is a fantastic place to go on safari as it offers visitors an authentic African adventure, yet you are also in one of the most diverse countries, which offer unusual and extraordinary experiences such as dune hopping in Sossusvlei!

July 9, 2018 by Jeremy

4 Reasons Why You Should Visit Paris

One of the finest cities in the world, the City of Lights is a destination for the ages. Paris is a marvel of the western world, as well as one of the shining pillars of western culture, and is one of those places that absolutely has to be visited at least once. And with today’s fast and efficient transport, it’s never been easier to reach Paris. For example, there are many direct flight(s) Chicago Paris, as well as many, many more, so it’d be a shame to miss out on a visit of a lifetime.

Gorgeous Architecture

Paris has been around for a very long time, and its architecture is proof. Magnificent structures like palaces, bridges, museums are dotted all around the varied landscape of the city, each brick only adding to a grandiose beauty that can only witnessed in Paris. With places like the Louvre, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Versailles – which are only the tip of the iceberg, as there are hundreds, if not thousands of gorgeous buildings – there’s beauty to be seen in every part of Paris big or small.

The Culture

Whenever someone thinks of Paris they think of glamour, elegance, or things like baguettes and fine wines. One of the biggest reasons why Paris is the world’s favorite travel destination is its culture. With such a long and varied history Paris’ culture is bound to be interesting, to say the least, but there’s something in how people conduct themselves, or how has Paris continuously managed to influence the world. It’s without a doubt one of the world’s culture capitals, and that can be easily witnessed by the sheer amount of Parisian art that’s made its way to the rest of the world.

Art

There are few other places in the world that have been as large an influence on the arts as Paris. No matter the type of art, it can be found in Paris. For centuries world-renowned artists have gathered in Paris and have made the city the most ideal place in the world for artists – from French writers like Moliere or Alexandre Dumas, to painters like Picasso who have moved to the city. And these are but a few of the many thousands that have created art that will be remembered for centuries to come, and the main thing that connects all of these artists is Paris. Their works can be found on display in the many artistic institutions all across the city, only adding to the city’s sense of magic.

Fashion

Paris has been on the forefront of Fashion practically since forever. It’s arguably the biggest fashion capital of the world, and many of the world’s most famous fashion brands have made Paris their home – Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, Pierre Cardin, and innumerable others have all either emerged from Paris, or have made it their home. And that’s been the case for centuries, ever since Parisian nobility became famous for their looks, appearances, and lavish parties.

In the past people used to struggle simply to enter Paris, but with today’s connectivity it has never been easier to visit this city. With direct lines, like for example a flight(s) Atlanta Paris, or many other cities all across the world, visiting one of the world’s most magnificent cities should be a priority.

June 15, 2018 by Jeremy

4 Creative Family Vacation Ideas

Just because a vacation is popular doesn’t mean it is the one for you. Also, it does not mean that it is the best one for your family. It largely depends on the age of your children, who, including grandparents, might be traveling with you, and the amount of both time and money you have to spend, and that’s before you try to fit all your travel gear into a suitcase.

The vacations you might enjoy also depend on the time of year you plan to take them, and the weather where you plan to go. Spring break can be a tough time to travel whether you plan to ski or to bask in the sun, as the weather in March can be quite unpredictable. If you want to have plenty to do inside as well, you may have to explore even more options.

This means that just searching sites like Expedia for the best family vacations. You need to know more about what you are looking for in the first place. Here are four creative family vacation ideas that you and your family will both love and can afford.

Get Active

We often think of vacation ideas as ones that are passive and restful, but if you have a family, these can also be extremely costly. Think of what it costs to bring two adults and two children to a baseball game, a movie, going to a theme park, or even just going to dinner somewhere special. And those activities don’t always lead to family bonding as much as being active.

Active vacations can include things like hiking, camping, rafting, ropes courses, zipline courses, cycling, fishing, and more. These tend to be the moments when you spend time together as a family, talking rather than sitting.

Often the best part about this kind of vacation can be where you go. National parks, spectacular mountains, even places in your state you do not often visit can be great spots to stay. If you are camping or doing other active pursuits, the money you save can even be used to travel abroad and explore these activities internationally with you children, broadening their perspectives.

Look at Packages

While sometimes it is cheaper to research separate deals for car rentals, lodging, and flights, often it is cheaper to book these things together, especially to popular destinations and resorts. The attraction you are visiting will often have deals with both airlines and hotels to get you there.

You can also search sites like Expedia and other travel sites for package deals. If you don’t want to do all that work yourself or simply don’t have the time look into having a travel agent book things for you. They will often have inside deals, and also insights on what to do and where the best places to stay are in an area.

Flights are always a tricky part of any vacation, but there are ways you can be more comfortable when flying economy class and having devices and entertainment for your kids when you are on the plane can keep your time in the air from being a nightmare.

Booking everything together will save you money if you plan ahead well. Which is the final key to packages. Book early, during the off season. Things will be cheaper and nearby attractions will not be sold out. If you do use book online with a travel website, they will also often have a lower price guarantee: if the prices drop between when you book and when you travel, you will get a refund of the difference.

Take the Beach Less Traveled

There is nothing like a beach vacation for your family. Nothing else quite stacks up for parents or kids, but if you are headed to a really popular beach destination, be prepared to pull out your wallet and empty your savings. This does not mean you cannot go to the beach, it means you get to be strategic about it. Visit beaches that are not as popular as the ones in Orange County, California or Miami. Instead, choose somewhere along the Oregon coast or between South Carolina and Florida on the east coast.

The right time of year, the beaches on the Gulf of Mexico can be very nice as well, like those in Alabama and Texas. The cost of beach apartments victoria can be half of what they are in major beach destinations, not to mention the reduced cost of food and other activities around the area.

Choosing the beach less traveled, especially if you can get a package deal, will pay off well for you in the long run in both your budget and family relaxation time.

Take in a Working Vacation

No, this does not mean to take your work with you on vacation. Instead, you can use your vacation time to do some good with your family. This can mean volunteering for environmental cleanup projects, going somewhere to help with disaster relief, or giving of your time and energy in other ways.

This also does not mean your entire vacation has to be spent working. There are plenty of great things you can do while you are in those locations that are fun as well as helpful to the community you are visiting. Visit local attractions and restaurants when you are not working and support the local economy.

Agencies who are doing work in those areas will often provide you free passes to those attractions, or even discounts as a thank you for your efforts. Lodging is also often inexpensive or even free. Not that these things should be your motive for doing good, but you can have a great vacation while teaching your kids about civic responsibility.

When planning a family vacation, it is often easy to get overwhelmed or run out of ideas. Use these four creative ideas to get you thinking about different ways to spend your family time off together. You can have a great time, stay in budget, and bond as a family in new and exciting ways.

What are your best creative family vacation ideas. Leave us a comment with your thoughts in the section below.

May 25, 2018 by Jeremy

Choosing the Right Model to Travel

Deciding which mode of transportation to take is an integral part of traveling. You’ll want to choose the best possible way of getting around so that your trip will be stress-free and enjoyable. The following are some things you’ll need to consider before you decide whether you will take a plane, bus, car, train or another mode of transportation.

The Time Factor

The time factor is going to be one of the first things that you consider before you choose which way to get to your destination. The bus will probably take the longest amount of time, while an airplane ride will be faster than any other method. Based on your schedule decide your best option. For example, you’ll want to take the fastest route possible if you need to be somewhere for a wedding, concert, family reunion or something similar.

Aside from the time factor, you should also think about what you want to do once you get to the destination. If you take an automobile, you can get in and out of it whenever you like and go explore the town. Trains, airplanes and bus rides will leave you at someone else’s mercy once you get to the destination.

The Cost of Transportation

Pricing is another area that you should review before you decide which way go. Insurance costs, fuel costs, and parking costs are just a few of the things that you should think about and factor in before you decide one way or the other. Insurance will come into play if you decide to rent an automobile instead of driving your own vehicle. If you decide to drive, you can buy car insurance online to save time. Food, beverage and amenity expenses may be super high if you choose a non-automobile method. You won’t be able to pull over at the rest stop and get a cheap burger if you travel by airplane or train, for example. You’ll only be able to buy what they have to offer, and that food may be super expensive.

Danger Level

Safety is an important aspect to consider before you plan your trip. You should always try to pick the safest way of getting to your destination possible. To do that, you will have to do some research on the area that you’re going to and check out the traffic statistics and data. It may be wiser for you to take a train than an automobile in some situations if you’re trying to travel the safest way.

Comfort and Stress Level

Finally, the comfort level is a category that you should examine closely before you decide. You will want to be as comfortable as possible. Airports can be stressful sometimes. If you have a family, you may opt to drive a car instead because of that high-stress level. A bus may be better for you if you’re the only driver in the group or don’t have a reliable car. A train may be an excellent choice if you just want to relax and get some rest.

You will be able to make the best choice after you consider all of the previously mentioned factors. Take your time and choose an option that feels right to you so that you will have the best trip possible.

April 26, 2018 by Jeremy

4 Exciting Places To Explore and Discover in China

I have been traveling throughout Asia for the past three years and without question my favorite country to go traveling in has been China. I have visited the nation 4 times in the past few years, and each time I have managed to find something new and exciting to discover. The truth is however that I could write page after page about this interesting country, but to really understand you have to see China for yourself.

What I will do for you however, is give you my top 4 places to go in the country, should you make the leap and book yourself a trip to the Asian nation.

Beijing

Some capitals really don’t live up to the billing but that is not something which I could ever say about Beijing. The history of the city dates back over 3,000 years, with so much of the rich history still alive and kicking within the city. It is here where you will be able to visit the Forbidden City and the iconic Tiananmen Square, as well as the fascinating National Museum. There is something new around each corner here and you will find many exciting places like tea shops, perfectly cared-for gardens and plenty of ancient architecture to explore and take snaps of.

Seeing the Wall

The Great Wall of China is one of the World’s Seven Wonders and a reason why millions of tourists come here each year. I have seen the wall from a number of destinations and the two best places which I would recommend to you, are in Baddaling, which may be very popular but it is highly accessible from Beijing, and Jiankou, the latter is for the adventurous amongst you as it is steep and extremely wild in this region. Wherever you go to see it, make sure you get up early and get there ahead of the crowds.

Xi’an

For many years I have been fascinated by the original Silk Road trade route, and this was why I visited Xi’an, once the start of this busy trade path. The city was also the where the head of 11 dynasties presided and it was once one of the four ancient capitals of the country. Much of this rich and interesting culture remains and staying here feels almost like stepping back in time. If you want to get to the heart of Chinese culture, I would definitely recommend Xi’an.

Yangshuo

Yangshuo is situated in the south of the country and in terms of natural beauty it doesn’t get much better. This was a regular backpacker haunt for many years owing to its cheap prices and relaxed way of life, but these days you can expect to see all kinds of travelers. The surrounding area of Yangshuo is the backdrop of the Karst Mountains, with the Li River cutting through the valleys and I would recommend that you decompress after visiting one of the busy Chinese cities, right here in the heart of nature. To best enjoy this region, rent a bike and spend your days on the flat roads, drinking in the landscape.