Olive classics

It’s hard to imagine Italian shopping without pasta, olives and olive oil. But spaghetti can be bought at every corner today, so the first tip is to give up pasta. It is better to buy something less fragile and not so voluminous. For example, basil sauce. The second recommendation: buy “basic” Italian goods not in souvenir shops, but in regular supermarkets. A packet of pasta will cost you 1 euro, a bottle of wine – 4-5 euros.

As for wine, it’s simple – buy the varieties of the region you visited. We bring prosecco from Veneto, chardonnay and merlot from Abruzzo. Prosciutto and salami are worth buying with wine, not forgetting a bottle of balsamic vinegar. When thinking about what to bring from Italy, don’t forget about the legendary limoncello and its strong brother, grappa.

Stylish and tasty souvenirs

Where else to look for the soul of the country, if not in handmade souvenirs? High-quality haberdashery can be bought in family workshops. For leather bags and wallets, head to the Mancini shop near the Pantheon.

In Rome, pass by the Bartolucci family’s shops. This store is famous for its handmade watches and wooden Pinocchio figures. The shop is located in the very center of the capital.

Lace is also on the list of the best souvenirs of Italy. Visit Burano Island last, otherwise you won’t have room in your backpack for other purchases. Lace masterpieces will win your heart, and they will only compete in beauty with the colorful houses on the waterfront.

Those with a sweet tooth should visit Turin, where ancient confectionery recipes are mixed with modern technologies. The result of such an experiment will shock your taste buds. Try chocolate with hot pepper or candies with rosemary.Take home a box of marzipan in the form of miniature fruits.

Packing for home

When packing souvenirs in your suitcase, make sure you don’t take any pebbles or shards. It can be mistaken for a valuable piece of history. Otherwise, there are few restrictions:

• Alcohol can be taken out in any quantity that you can bring into your country;
• Food is allowed without restrictions, but it must be packaged and labeled;
• It is not recommended to take out shells in the amount of more than 2-3 pieces. They will certainly be confiscated. When wondering what you can bring from Italy, imagine yourself on a regular shopping trip and buy everything you like. And remember that the inhabitants of the Mediterranean love to bargain loudly and temperamentally. Especially if you are going to buy several items at once.

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Every island and resort in the country has locations for vivid photos, and we recommend that you consider the following first.

Chou Lan Lake

The reservoir flows in a national park near the city of Surat Thani. It was created by man about 30 years ago and pleases the eye with its unusual landscape.

Erawan

The waterfall is located in the park of the same name. It consists of seven cascades of different heights. The waterfall is named after an elephant from Hindu mythology.

Na Muang Waterfall

If beautiful nature in Thailand is the first thing you want to see, visit Samui. This is a kingdom of waterfalls from lakes. So you can not only take a photo, but also swim in the refreshing water.

To Lipa

A small island near the border with Myanmar attracts lovers of vivid photos and divers. There are luxurious beaches on the territory, and the local waters are home to up to 25% of the world’s exotic fish species.

Bridge of Death

If you want to visit the most beautiful places in Thailand, go to the railway bridge in Kanchanaburi province. It is laid between a rock and the sea. Unlike other similar structures, there is a pedestrian walkway alongside, which offers great views.

White Temple

The most amazing temple in the country is located in the city of Chiang Rai. Its buildings evoke awe and allow you to take fantastic photos.

White Temple

To admire the panorama and take vivid photos, climb to an altitude of 200 meters. The observation deck offers the best view.

Historical park

Phan Rung is located in the province of Isan on top of an extinct volcano. It is noteworthy that the sights are more than 1000 years old. Most of the buildings were built by the Khmers.

Phraya Nakhon

The cave is located in the Khao Sam Roi National Park. It is over a hundred years old. Here you can explore the temple and admire the incredible view.

Grand Palace

If your vacation takes place in the capital of the kingdom, you should definitely visit the palace. Expensive materials, including gold, were used in the construction and decoration of the residence.

Ayutthaya

The historical park is located on the site of the ancient capital of the state, which was destroyed in the XVIII century. The remaining buildings are protected by UNESCO.

Tea plantation

Along with the White Temple, visit the tea plantation to see two Instagram sights of Thailand at once. It is located nearby. Here you will get acquainted with the technology of growing and harvesting tea leaves.

Floating market

The attraction is located in Ratchaburi province, a 2-hour drive from the capital. The market is open daily from early morning to 11:00. Boats float along the shore where you can buy a variety of goods.

Bo Sang

It is an umbrella village near Chiang Mai. The village is not only picturesque but also famous for its silver and wood products.

It is impossible to list the most popular places in Thailand among tourists in one article. You should also pay attention to: Lopburi Monkey City; the small picturesque island of Ko Lipe; the Railay Peninsula; Phang Nga Bay near Phuket, Khao Sok National Park, and the Tiger Temple in Krabi Province.

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The Mediterranean

As you know, in the north, Egypt is washed by the waves of the Mediterranean Sea. Popular resorts here include Port Said, Alexandria, and Mersa Matruh. Naturally, the region is dominated by the Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot summers. During the cold season, the air can be quite fresh – up to +10 °C, and in summer it is usually warm and sunny – +27…+30 °C. The holiday season for beach relaxation is May-September. In October-November, the coast is also quite pleasant. But in the first month of winter, when the wind season begins in Egypt, it can be uncomfortable in the northern part. The windy period usually lasts until the second half of April. February is considered the “coldest” month.

Desert areas of the continental part in Africa

Cairo and Luxor have a subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. From May to September, the average air temperature is +31…+40 °C. Also at this time, a hot wind blows from the desert. Due to the high air temperature and wind, it is better to plan excursions to the desert in the fall or winter, when the wind season in Egypt in this part of the country is on the decline.

Red Sea coast

The most popular resorts in the country are located on the Red Sea coast (Sharm, Hurghada, Dahab, Marsa Alam). The subtropical climate prevails near the sea, so summers are hot and dry. The best time to visit is the second half of spring and mid-autumn. In winter, swimming and sunbathing is not very comfortable, the sea is cool and often after 12 pm a gusty cold wind blows. The wind season in Sharm el-Sheikh lasts on average from December to the end of February. In order to have a good rest despite this, we recommend booking hotels located in closed, quiet bays.

Hurghada has similar weather conditions. The difference is that the resort has fewer windless bays. The weather here becomes windy in mid-December. So tourists often wonder when the windy season in Egypt ends. When can you plan a trip? Usually, the winds become warmer and subside by early April.

The cold wind is most annoying for tourists in winter. However, in March, it is replaced by the hot hamsin wind, which blows from the desert. At this time, air humidity and atmospheric pressure decrease. Sometimes sandstorms occur, but they are still rare and do not last long. During this period, tourists comfortably spend time in wonderful resort hotels, where everything is thought out to the smallest detail. For example, special barriers are often installed on beaches to prevent sand from blowing towards vacationers.

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If possible, make sure you have Internet access or other ways to keep yourself busy if your flight takes more than six and a half hours. You will be grateful when you find that talking to a random neighbor is harder than going to the dentist. Also, if the airline allows Internet use, you can finish your work before you land.

Make sure you take a pen to fill out customs and other forms before you leave. Fill out the forms as soon as you receive them, and make sure your family members do as well. Be prepared for other travelers to ask to use your pen as well; it can be hard to find at times like this.

Visit the restroom 20 minutes before landing. Usually, when the seatbelt warning goes off, you still have 15 minutes of leeway before you are actually required to stay in your seat with your seatbelt fastened. Take advantage of this opportunity so that you don’t have to fight for the restroom when you land.

Tips upon arrival

Go straight to the baggage claim area. It’s amazing how many people hang around after boarding. Leave that for another place to save time.

Use ATMs to get local currency. Currency exchangers at airports usually add their own fees, and the exchange rate is very unfavorable for you. ATMs always dispense local currency, so use your bank card to withdraw money.

For traveling in the US and Europe, I advise you to download Yelp or Foursquare. These are great guides for tourists and locals alike, and the best way to find the most amazing places to eat and see.

When you arrive, go to the grocery store. You don’t have to buy a bunch of stuff, but basic items like water and some snacks bought at a local store instead of your hotel can save you money.

When you settle into your room, take only the essentials out of your luggage. Trying to make yourself at home by laying out every pair of shoes and all the toiletries will not only make packing before you leave hell, but also increase the chances that you will forget something

Research the new area

Use guidebooks wisely. I’ve already recommended Yelp and Foursquare because they allow you to discover some lesser-known places. Conventional guidebooks only provide insight into the standard tourist attractions, even if they call themselves “lesser-known”. Applications such as Google Maps, TripAdvisor, Redigo, and AroundMe will also be useful.

Communicate in the local language as much as possible. This will not only show a good side of you personally, but also of your country and people.

Prepare a list of souvenirs to buy in advance and stick to it. This will allow you not to spend extra money and will keep you from buying something that you will “give to someone later”.

Eat only local food. Leave McDonalds, if you need it, for the period when you are at home. Eating local cuisine will save you money and allow you to try new and delicious dishes.

“You don’t go to someone else’s monastery with your own charter” is a saying that I want to paraphrase as follows: “Don’t be a stubborn traveler and get out of your comfort zone.” If, for example, it is customary to wear modest clothes in a country, then follow this rule as well. In addition, wearing such clothes you will definitely be confident in your safety in an unfamiliar country.

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About benefits and savings. The cost of the trip depends on the destination and what kind of tour you choose. If you plan a vacation at a popular resort and you have the opportunity to buy a hot tour, it may even be cheaper. In season, tour operators wholesale hotel rooms and charter flights, due to which a low price is formed. You can also find cheaper deals for 2-3-4 people than for a solo traveler. You can always talk some of your relatives into a trip or find a traveling companion on a travelers’ forum.

There is often an obvious benefit to traveling with an all-inclusive hotel. But again, such a lazy vacation will not suit everyone. And to understand the real benefit and monetary difference between independent travel and vouchers, you need to calculate the budget of the vacation, planned personally.

If you have a trip in which you want to change several locations, visit different countries or cities, it will be cheaper to organize the trip yourself.

What are the pros and cons of independent travel?

Time. If you do not have time to plan a trip, route, search for tickets, accommodation and interesting locations, then, of course, you are more suitable for an organized vacation from a tour operator or travel agency.

The ability to control everything. If you are not satisfied with the hotel, food or beach on the terms of the trip, you will not be able to change them. Well or separately pay for everything again and look for a new place for vacation. And if you plan everything yourself, and something in your vacation you will not suit you, you can rent another apartment, move to another area or go to eat in another cafe.

Clear budget limits. When organized by a travel agency vacation, you will initially know how much money you will need. It remains only to take with you extra money for souvenirs and pocket money. When planning independently, which can take a considerable amount of time, the question of budget can be long open. And it in any case should be counted independently.

Routes and locations. With a self planned vacation, you choose the places you want to visit and the time to visit them yourself. That is, you can avoid the crowds of tourists and crowds of people and see the monuments of interest more secluded.

Originality and adventure. In the hotel, you will most likely not be served to the table some original local dishes. There you will be waiting for the standard safe food. And for some extreme experiences, you need to plan a vacation on your own. The same applies to entertainment. This has its own advantage, so it is safer, you will not get lost and will not get poisoned. But an individually selected route for the trip can leave more vivid impressions.

How to plan a vacation without a travel agency

If you want to organize your trip on your own but are worried, get a good travel insurance. It will make you feel more relaxed. Choose an insurance that includes a good financial indemnity and all the risks that are possible on the trip. Also consider the requirements of the country you are traveling to. Some states oblige tourists to carry insurance with coronavirus coverage. Therefore, do not buy the cheapest travel insurance just to have it.

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Many tour operators offer tours and vouchers to the islands, and as a rule, they are already all-inclusive and the traveler needs to take a minimum of everything. Unless personal belongings and first aid kit. If something is forgotten, you can buy what you need on the spot. But there is also the question of price. Islands are almost never cheap, it is rare. Therefore, it will be much more practical to bring with you.

The most necessary things that will come in handy on the island

This rule, of course, does not apply to food or some heavy things. Especially if you have a planned transfer by seaplane. Such transportation has a very limited cargo capacity. And the limits of size and weight of tourists’ luggage are clearly regulated. For example, suitcases that weigh more than 30 kg are not taken on board. Learn about the requirements of local carriers and transportation companies, and based on this form your luggage.

If you are traveling to tropical islands outside the tourist season, be prepared for unusual weather. Very often with the end of the season prices for vacations and accommodation are significantly reduced, but at such times the islands can be hit by heavy rains or cyclones. So take this into account, especially if you are planning a long vacation.

We won’t remind you how important it is not to forget tickets, passports, money and travel insurance, but let’s go through the list of things you will need on the islands.

Scuba diving or snorkeling gear

Masks, snorkels and fins are quite bulky items. And few people want to take them and so limited space in the suitcase. And often at the hotel you can rent equipment. But, firstly, it is more hygienic to use your own snorkel and mask, and secondly, the rent in the hotel is paid. And for each item you can pay about 8-10 dollars a day. And in total it will be a tangible additional expense.

Creams and repellents

Do not underestimate the different climate. Heat, tropical insects and sultry sun have a negative impact on the skin and the body as a whole. Therefore, it is worth taking care to protect yourself from such factors and not let them spoil your vacation.

Clothing

When vacationing on the islands, of course, you should give preference to light natural fabrics, in which you will be as comfortable as possible in the hot climate. But many island resorts, the same Maldives, for example, belong to Muslim countries. And even hotels may have some restrictions. Some may prohibit, for example, to appear in shorts or swimsuits in dining areas. Find out about the dress code in advance.

Swimsuits

It would seem that here can be unusual, everyone takes a swimsuit on vacation at sea. But if you plan to have active sports, diving or surfing, then you need to take not only a bikini or separate swimsuit, but also more comfortable clothes for activities. Well, and do not forget about a special suit or lycra for surfing, so as not to burn.

Electronics

Gadgets should be put in a separate item. Although many tourists go to the islands to get away from modern life, technology and cities, but the local landscapes are amazing and want to capture them. That’s why a camera, a camera with the right lenses and batteries will be useful when traveling. Also don’t forget about adapters, headphones and portable batteries, so you won’t be left without communication at the most inopportune moment.

If you have a quadcopter, check with the hotel and the government of the country you are traveling to about aerial photography. Many tourist destinations and hotels do not allow drones to be flown so as not to violate the privacy of others. Some countries may even confiscate quadcopters from travelers at the border. Penalties are usually heavy fines, but arrests are also common.

What to take to the islands for children

What to take with you on vacation with children? In addition to personal belongings and hygiene items, it is worth thinking about baby food in advance or finding exactly where on the islands sell the brands or analogs you need. And the same with diapers. According to tourists’ reviews, diapers are very expensive at hotels and it is difficult to find them. Therefore, it is better to allocate a place for them in the luggage in advance.

Also provide for possible illnesses of the child at the resort, and put the necessary risks in the insurance. Even if you go on vacation on a trip, it is better to independently check all the options of the policy, the amount of coverage and deductibles to avoid unpleasant situations.

Don’t forget about toys and entertainment for the little ones. Take small books or travel versions of games with you to keep your child occupied while traveling.

Safe vacations

Any vacation should be thoughtful and safe. This includes the islands. Even though island beaches and hotels look immaculate, there are still dangers on any trip. And that includes here.

Unfamiliar food, change of climate, exotic fruits, hot weather and various stressful situations can affect health. And here, when vacationing on islands or in distant countries, we may face the fact that it is very difficult to get to a doctor or their services are expensive. It is to avoid such situations that we insist that everyone needs good insurance.

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