As someone with limited data, I’m always astounded how few apps work well offline and without data. I’m often toying with a new phone app that I can play while on the road. After far too many apps that I’ve burned through during a long bus ride, I’ve asked my fellow bloggers for their favorite travel game apps for iPhone and Android that work perfectly offline, so even if you’re on a long plane ride, you can still enjoy playing on your phone! I’ve tried to focus this list on
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Your Albania itinerary: The best things to do in Albania
One of my favorite trips of last year was visiting Albania. We only had a week in Albania, which is a bit on the low side, but enough to get you hooked on visiting this beautiful country in the Balkans, but I’ve expanded this itinerary to include the best things to do in Albania with the help of friends. I include a complete itinerary for our trip to Albania, which was done entirely by bus besides one organized trip to Valbona. I hope that this Albania itinerary inspires you to visit this beautiful country!
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Tried and Tested: The fifteen best weekend trips from Amsterdam
One of the things that I’ve loved about living in the Netherlands is how easy it is to take weekend trips within the Netherlands and the surrounding countries. While living in Amsterdam, we took weekend trips at least once a month to a new city. I’ve been to every single place on this list and I hope that it inspires you to take one of these suggestions for weekend trips from Amsterdam (or anywhere else in the Netherlands).
…A complete guide to solo female travel in Amsterdam by a Dutch resident
As a traveler-turned-local in Amsterdam, I’ve been asked a lot about safety in Amsterdam, especially for solo female travelers. My first trip to Amsterdam was solo and I hope that these tips help you have a great solo trip to Amsterdam! I include tips for traveling as a solo female traveler in Amsterdam, safety tips for women traveling solo in Amsterdam, and where to stay solo in Amsterdam.
…A Couple’s Guide to Amsterdam: 30 Romantic things to do in Amsterdam
I’m a romantic at heart and this cold weather is making me sentimental. Jacob and I moved to Amsterdam about three and a half years ago. We got married in Amsterdam and although Amsterdam has a certain reputation, I find it to be one of the most romantic cities in Europe. I’ve included in my insider tips for my favorite romantic things to do in Amsterdam, cozy romantic hotels perfect for a couple’s weekend, and the best romantic meals in Amsterdam.
…What to Wear in Amsterdam: Your Ultimate Packing List for Amsterdam by a Local
This is my third year living in Amsterdam and it’s hard to explain to friends/family who are visiting Amsterdam on what to bring to Amsterdam to be prepared for the unpredictable and rainy weather that defines all but ~3 weeks in summer.
Packing for Amsterdam isn’t easy as it involves planning for the worst, so why not be prepared with a packing list for Amsterdam with what to pack for Amsterdam and what not to pack by one resident?
This includes what to wear in Amsterdam in winter (as well as what to wear in Amsterdam for spring/summer/fall). At the bottom, you’ll find a FREE printable/downloadable packing list for Amsterdam.
…What role do flowers play in different countries of the world?
The theme of floral traditions is very diverse. It is customary for many people to give flowers for all kinds of holidays. This is everyone’s favorite attribute, which is the key to a good mood, drawing a smile on the face of the hero of the occasion, be it a young lady or an old grandfather – a veteran. Today we want to talk about cultural traditions associated with flowers in different parts of the world.
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Asia
UAE
56 million flowers are planted in Dubai every year, can you imagine? This country is drowning in bright color combinations. Therefore, the custom of giving bouquets of absolute flowers for any occasion is very common here. At the same time, there is a huge selection of shops everywhere where you can buy a birthday flower bouquet or beautiful flowers for home decor. Moreover, when planting flowers in a garden, the gamma and color are selected following the surrounding environment, since the color palette has a huge psychological effect. For example, along roads where there are traffic jams, colors are specially selected that calm, relieve tension, and charge with positivity. On highways, a range is selected that can energize drivers.
China
Unlike Dubai where yellow flowers are the most popular, in China the most popular flower is the pink peony. In China, this flower symbolizes material and intangible benefits. It is believed that peonies will help preserve love, happiness, and well-being in the family. Since 1982, Henan Province has traditionally held a flower festival, during which the Chinese decorate the banks of the Jian River with flowers and hold public weddings.
Islands
Hawaii
A wonderful ritual that everyone dreams of participating in at least once in their life exists in Hawaii. The fact is that as a sign of hospitality, Hawaiians put a lei – a flower garland – around the necks of guests. How I want to try on this fragrant miracle of orchids. Yes, on a tanned body.
Tahiti
The islanders simply adore the symbol of their land – the Tahitian gardenia flower, or tiare. The plant has several medicinal properties, which is why it is used in medicine and aromatherapy. The people of Tahiti also love tiare perfumes. From 1985 to the present time, once a year, in December, these days are celebrated magnificently. During the holiday, florist competitions are held in which all interested women, men, and even children freely participate.
Europe
Finland
In Finland, ready-made flower bouquets can only be bought in a large flower market. There are no small flower shops or kiosks there. Finns give both bouquets and ikebana, but not often. Honoring mothers, on the holiday of the same name, they are presented with beautifully decorated orchids. At Easter in Finland, it is customary to give each other yellow tulips.
Belgium
You should visit Belgium in August. This country has such a beautiful flower tradition that several other countries have already borrowed it into their culture. It consists of the fact that during the celebration of Flower Day, Brussels is covered with a living, fragrant carpet of flowers. On the central square, there are enchanting flower displays in various variations, in unique colors and themes. We must pay tribute to the imagination of artists – florists and professional gardeners, who work in their hundreds on this holiday, like bees.
Türkiye
Warm, hospitable, and multifaceted, Turkey is perhaps the leader in the number and variety of traditions, including floral ones. Emotional Turks love to pamper their beloved, close, and dear women with orchids, gerberas, and roses. Young girls are given flowers with unopened buds as a sign of respect for their chastity and innocence. Generations adopt floral traditions from their ancestors and carefully carry them on for centuries. Turks present floral tokens of attention by generally accepted floral etiquette:
- red flowers as a gift symbolize friendliness and wishes of joy to the recipient;
- with a blue and white bouquet, Turks express their participation, grief, and sympathy for a person who has experienced a loss;
- Turks love tulips very much and give them to each other with or without reason, as a sign of sympathy, respect, and friendship.
England
Strangely enough, England is the trendsetter of world floral fashion. The Royal Society of Chelsea hosts an annual flower festival featuring the latest floral trends, which traditionally become fashion trends for the following year. Chelsea destroys all the established flower stereotypes and traces all the fashionable and interesting trends, deciding what is worthy of continuation and what can be consigned to the forgotten dusty drawers of consciousness.
Flowers are extremely important in the culture of many countries. Moreover, we must not forget that they are also very beautiful and have a beneficial effect on the psyche, which is why they try to decorate streets and houses with them.
Your perfect Netherlands itinerary by a Dutch resident
After over three years of living in the Netherlands, I’ve been asked a lot about how much time to spend in the Netherlands. A lot of people speed through the Netherlands only stopping for one day in Amsterdam, but I’d recommend enjoying at least 7 days in the Netherlands if you have the chance. I’ll be covering the highlights of the Netherlands and tips for getting around the Netherlands in this Dutch itinerary.
…First Time Guide to New York City 5 Day Itinerary by a native New Yorker
I’m so proud to be a native New Yorker and I love to help first timers plan their first trip to New York City. I’ve made a five day itinerary for NYC with advice on what to see and eat mostly in Manhattan for all budgets.
This is a local guide, so although I cover the famous sites, I encourage you to see the smaller neighborhoods/places that make New York special. The Big Apple has so much to offer year-round, so most of these tips can be also used over the holidays. There’s a FREE downloadable map with all the best places to see in New York City in 5 days.
…20 Things Nobody Tells You About Visiting New York by a native New Yorker
I’m a proud New Yorker who was born and raised in New York City. When someone asks me what they should know when visiting New York for the first time, I don’t always know where to start as there’s so many things to do in New York. I’ve decided to take a different approach here with some NYC local secrets to help you navigate your trip better.
Expect some humorous tips for first time visitors to New York (although those on their fifth trip to NYC might find this travel advice helpful). I sincerely hope that these New York travel tips come in handy and help you avoid some of the mistakes that people make on their first trip to New York. 20 Insider tips for New York under the cut.
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