Top Spot Travel

February 4, 2019 by Jeremy

A Guide to Hanoi’s Best Street Food

Vietnamese food is integral to understanding the culture and history of the country, and Hanoi is a great place to taste the local cuisine. But what is the best way to experience Vietnamese food while in Hanoi? Here’s your guide to Hanoi’s best street food and how to find them:

Street food tour

The best way to experience Hanoi street food is to take a walking tour of the city. It will give you a closer look at how these dishes are prepared and served by Vietnamese people. To make your trip more immersive, try the Withlocals food tour, an app that pairs you up with a local who can guide you through the busy streets of Hanoi and take you to the best street food stops in the city.

Private vs group tour

There are different ways to experience the street food scene in Hanoi. You can take a private tour with a local through an app like Withlocals, or you can book a group tour. How are they different?

Customizability: Group tours usually have a set itinerary. You’re told where to go and when to leave each stop, which often prevents tourist from experiencing the true essence of the city. Meanwhile, a private tour can give you a unique experience that’s totally customizable to your preferences. If you like a place, you can stay longer or visit it more than once during your vacation. You can also tell your local guide if there are certain places that you want to try or have been recommended by friends who have visited Hanoi before.
Authenticity: Organized tours often fail to give tourists an immersive experience because they’re trying to stop by so many places in such a short amount of time. As a result, you get a holistic but not an immersive tour of the city. So if you want authenticity above all else, and if a taste of the local cuisine is your main reason for visiting Hanoi, then a private tour is the better option for you. Locals are the key to experience even the most touristy destinations in a renewed, respectful and sustainable way.
Privacy: Don’t like the idea of spending so much time with foreign strangers who know nothing about the history and culture of Hanoi? You might enjoy a private tour more. After all, locals are the ones who live in the city and walk these streets daily, so they can take you to the best and most authentic venues, markets, and street food stalls.

What to try

Now that you know how you can taste the best of Hanoi street food, let’s talk about the must-try Vietnamese food items. While in the city, here are five dishes you don’t want to miss:

1. Pho

Did you even go to Vietnam if you didn’t have a taste of their famous pho? Pho is a Vietnamese noodle soup made with delicious beef broth, rice noodles, fresh vegetables and herbs, and a combination of spices and sauces. When you try this delicious Vietnamese staple, make sure to squeeze in a half of a lime into the broth to add another layer of flavor to this exquisite main dish.

2. Bánh mi

Born in Saigon in the late 1950s, bánh mi is one of the good things that France brought to Vietnam during the invasion. It’s a fusion between the French baguette for the bread and Vietnam’s fresh and local ingredients for the sandwich filling. As Americans got involved in the Vietnam war, bringing with them wheat shipments from the West, bánh mi became more popular in many different parts of the country. Today, you can have a taste of bánh mi in almost every street corner.

3. Chè

When someone says dessert, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? A slice of cake or pie? A chocolate concoction of some kind? In Vietnam, the most popular dessert is chè, an interesting dish that can either be a pudding, a drink, or even a soup. When in Vietnam, try at least one of these famous types of chè: chè chuôi, chè thái, chè trôi nuóc, chè ba màu, and chè bap.

4. Xoi

Xoi is a favorite breakfast food among locals. It’s a simple breakfast dish that can either be sweet or savory. Basically, xoi is sticky rice mixed with corn and beans and served with chicken, sausage, eggs, and pork. Start your walking tour of the city right with a serving of Xoi in the morning.

5. Bún cha

A dish that proudly originated in Hanoi, bún cha is a Vietnamese super meal. It usually consists of four different dishes: rice or rice noodles, meat, pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs. It is also served with different dipping sauces for the meat and a few side dishes. When US President Obama visited the country, he tried bún cha and immediately fell in love with it.

Is your mouth watering yet? Get excited because these Vietnamese dishes are waiting for you on your vacation! Just make sure to choose the right kind of food tour for you and you’ll be eating the best local cuisine in no time.

January 24, 2019 by Jeremy

What’s Included On An All-Inclusive Cruise

When you hear the word all-inclusive, you might get a little excited and a little nervous. Who wouldn’t want to go on an all-inclusive cruise holiday where you pay one price and get everything you want or need? That’s pretty much how these cruises work. While every cruise is different, when something is advertised at all-inclusive, it usually means everything is paid for up front, and there is no extra money needed. That doesn’t mean you won’t have any added expenses. Before you book your cruise, make sure you know what’s included.

Food

Most cruises have many different dining options. There are fast food restaurants, room service, buffets and even fine dining options. When you book a cruise, you will receive an itinerary and information about your dining options. It will tell you which dining options are included in your all-inclusive package and which ones are extra. Most of them will be included, but you will have the option to upgrade to better food for a small fee. Sometimes, the included meals are only available during certain times of the day. Make sure you understand how the dining works on the cruise.

Entertainment

When you book a cruise, you will find a variety of different entertainment options. There are usually several things going on at one time, and they are different every night. You can expect to see game shows, variety shows, comedy shows, and of course song and dance acts. Almost every cruise includes these in the all-inclusive price. Occasionally, a cruise may host a famous singer, band, or comedian and charge extra for that show. If you are in doubt about the entertainment, check your itinerary or call customer service to check.

Excursions

You probably don’t plan on staying on your cruise all day, especially when the ports are interesting and fun. Be aware that most excursions are not included in the booking price. You will need to book and pay for them separately. Some ships do offer some small excursions such as trips to a private beach or a local show. You do not have to take excursions and are welcome to stay on the boat while it’s docked. If you do choose to book excursions, check on the price and make sure they return you back to your port to board the boat in time at the end of the day.

Cruises are a great way to travel the world without having to drive or fly. They are usually one of the most affordable options as well. All-inclusive cruises are great because you can plan for your costs ahead of time and don’t have to worry about budgeting during the trip. Understanding what is included in your cruise will help you enjoy it more and avoid sudden surprise costs. Most cruises are upfront about what is included in their prices. If you have questions about a certain meal, entertainer, or excursion, you can always contact the cruise line directly for more information.

January 24, 2019 by Jeremy

Top 5 Things To Do In Paros

If you are ever lucky enough to spend a week in Paros, you will want to make sure you do as much as possible. Planning your trip ahead of time will allow you to have time to experience everything this beautiful city has to offer. Knowing what you want to see and do as well as the costs and times of those activities is important. Here are some of the best things to do during your next trip to Paros.

Boat Tours

Paros is surrounded by beautiful waterways, and the best way to experience them is by boat. There are numerous tours and boat rides that will take you around Paros and allow you to see everything from a different point of view. Whether you just want to take a ride and feel the ocean breeze or want to do some fishing, you can find a boat tour to meet your needs.

Lageri Beach

Lageri Beach is a very interesting beach, and you never know what you might see on it. It has an amazing landscape and beautiful clear waters. Be aware that it is a nude beach, but if you are comfortable taking it all off, you can still enjoy it. You can swim, fish, or just relax in the sand and take in some sun. If you want to experience a fun and vibrant side of Paros, this is the way to do it.

Horseback Riding

You might be able to enjoy horseback riding other places, but not like this. Taking a horseback ride along the beach of Paros is like nothing else you have experienced. There are different stables to choose from, and the rides can go along different areas of the beach. This is a great activity for families and a good way to experience nature in Paros.

Clubs and Bars

If you like to drink or enjoy the nightlife, don’t forget to check out some of the many clubs and bars in the area. This is a great way to get a good understanding of the culture of Paros. You will find a variety of different beers, wines, and cocktails that you can only find in Paros. You may be lucky enough to find a few familiar ones as well.

Folklore Art Museum

If you love stories and art from other cultures, don’t miss out on the Folklore Art Museum. Here you will find painting, sculptures and other artwork that tells the story of Paros and its culture. You could spend hours here and not see or do everything the museum has to offer. It’s a must-see for anyone visiting Paros for the first time.

When you travel to Paros, you will find that there is more to see and do than you expected. You may not be able to experience everything this beautiful island has to offer in one trip, but if you plan properly, you can cross off a few things on your list. Once you visit Paros once, you will be ready to visit again.

January 24, 2019 by Jeremy

Tourism Trends for Family-Friendly Travel

Traveling with family can be challenging. There are things we are often anxious about such as packing, keeping the children busy, as well as finding a stress free and low-cost travel option for the whole family. Recent trends have tried to address some of the challenges that parents face when trying to organize a trip for the whole family.

New packages are trying to address the issue of transportation, keeping the trip exciting and making the experience fun for everyone including the parents. Here are some trends that can give you ideas when you are planning your next vacation with loved ones.

All Inclusive Resorts

All inclusive resorts try to minimize all your travel by bringing everything to one place. This trend has proven advantageous in several ways for people traveling with their family. This has prompted players in the tourism industry have been designing packages to cater for these needs.

These resorts have incorporated fun activities and games, conference rooms, and accommodation units with a kitchen, multiple bathrooms, and dining area. Fun activities may include water sports, biking, hiking, and video game rooms. Parents can have their alone time as their children are playing games in some other part of the resort.

Holiday Resort

There are many resorts with fantasy themes where imaginary creatures come to life. These resorts have also cater for the whole family with exciting activities for children. Holiday resorts have themes designed to jumpstart your holiday mood. For example, when you book a family holiday to Lapland, your family can send a letter to Santa and later get to meet him at the resort. While there, the whole family can take part in a range of Christmas themed activities. The resort provides costumes and equipment at the premises.

Voluntourism

Another trend that is becoming popular with travelers is voluntourism. You and your family can visit a remote location of the world and take part in activities as a way of giving back to the communities there. Many parents get the opportunity to expose their children to people from other cultures where they get to understand their lifestyle by completing day to day tasks.

It gives the whole family an opportunity to bond and to be exposed to the beauty of nature. Some voluntourism activities may involve assisting in tasks like the assembly of materials used for irrigation, feeding animals, teaching students new skills, amongst other activities.

In some locations, there are classes where you and your family can learn from the locals how to prepare the local dishes. This gives the family the opportunity to meet new people in the local area and learn about the culture directly from the natives. It’s a great opportunity to make new friends from across the world when on holiday. The other advantage is that it can be fairly low cost, especially where you need to travel with the whole family. The travel agent should ensure that all your needs are met as you spend time in a remote location away from home.

January 24, 2019 by Jeremy

Interesting Things to do in Tenerife

Tenerife is considered to be one of the most important tourist destinations in the Canary Islands. The island which is known for its luxurious resorts registers five million tourists every year. With exceptional sites to see such as mountains, volcanoes, caves, and beaches one of the best ways to see Tenerife is to go on a cruise vacation to the Canary Islands.

The Beach

The island has more than 40 miles of beaches. The warm tropical climate in Tenerife makes the island beaches the best place to relax while you are on vacation. There are a wide variety of beaches to choose from. If you want privacy and quiet you can visit the coastline away from the island resorts. There is also a man-made beach made from sand imported from the Sahara Desert.

Siam Park

Siam park is a Thai themed park in Tenerife with lots of activities for the whole family. The park has water slides, artificial waves where you can surf and a floating market. Being a Thai park it has a large collection of Thai buildings covering about 40 acres of land. While here you can sample Thai cuisine in the many Thai restaurants in this location. You can learn surfing or enjoy the more than 100 games in the designated play area.

Visit 30,000 Year Old Cave

Cueva Del Viento is a cave that was formed by volcanic activity more than 27,000 years ago. It has a system of lava tubes that are believed to be the most extensive in the European continent. 2,000 years ago the caves were known to Guanchez, who mummified their dead and placed them in these caves.

Cueva Del Viento is also of interest to archeologists and biologist. There are rare species that have been found in the caves that were unknown to scientists before such as the eyeless cockroach. Fossils of the extinct giant lizard and giant mouse have also been found here.

Bajamar Natural Pools

The Bajamar Natural Pools are two pools filled with salty water from the ocean. It is located next to the coast where you can watch the sea and its wave crashing against the wall of the pools.

Here you can meet locals and enjoy a cool swim in the tropical climate in Tenerife that is warm throughout the year. Using the facility is free and also includes free parking at the premises.

Kite and Wind Surfing

Kite surfing and windsurfing are quite popular with tourists visiting the island. The southern climate is popular with people looking for these activities to enjoy with their families. El Medano in the south has great beaches and offers other activities that the family can enjoy as you go kite surfing. There are surfing lessons offered in the various resorts located in the vicinity of the beaches.

San Cristobal De La Laguna

The city was built in the late 15th century and was one of the capitals of the Canary Islands. It has lots of historic buildings and monuments built with the unique style of the 18th century Americas.