Shopping abroad

Some travelers get to know a place through its museums and monuments, others through its scenic landscapes or traditional cuisine. But for globetrotters who love to shop, there’s no truer way to experience a place than by haggling with merchants in a bazaar, browsing the handcrafted wares of local artisans or sampling designer duds at the poshest boutique in town.

Shopping abroad can be exciting and rewarding, but it’s not without its pitfalls. The intricate art of haggling is often a challenge for visitors used to fixed prices at their mall at home, and the sea of cheap knock-offs and tacky souvenirs in just about any major tourist destination makes it difficult to tell when you’ve found a true local gem. Become a savvier shopper with our tips for avoiding fakes, haggling like a pro and getting your goods home at the end of your trip.

Finding Genuine Local Goods When Shopping Overseas

How do you know whether that cute handbag is a genuine designer item or if you’re getting a good deal on that amazing carpet at the Turkish bazaar? Our rule of thumb is simple: research, research, research. Sure, window shopping and spontaneous spending are fun, but if you’re looking to make a major purchase, you’ll want to do your homework to make sure you’re getting a good deal — and the real deal.

If you know you’re in the market for a certain item, such as blown glass in Venice or a traditional kimono in Japan, do some reading ahead of time to learn what to look for when shopping at your destination. Which qualities ensure that the item is genuine? Which scams should you keep an eye out for? A good guidebook can be invaluable here, offering purchasing tips as well as recommendations for reputable shops and markets.

Another good bet is to consult the concierge at your hotel; he or she will be able to point you to trustworthy vendors that specialize in the types of goods you’re looking for. The local visitors’ bureau is another good bet. And, of course, the internet offers a wealth of information on any type of shopping you can imagine. Hop online before or during your trip to gather the wisdom of other travelers.

Once at your destination, shop around before purchasing to familiarize yourself with the range of merchandise and prices available. (Hint: If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.) Tour guides often take travelers to preselected shops for purchasing souvenirs, but use caution — your guide may get a commission on anything you buy, often resulting in inflated prices. You may get a better deal at a shop you find on your own.

Traveling(2)

Travel is scientifically proven to make you happier
Within the first couple days of traveling, 89% of people report significant drops in stress levels and couples report experiencing increased feelings of intimacy towards each other. As a result, travel has been linked to a decrease in the development of heart disease and other types of stress-related conditions.
5. In Iceland, you can see two tectonic plates meeting above the Earth's surface

In Thingvellir, Iceland, the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates jut out of the Earth's surface in an awe-striking display of natural beauty. Adventurous visitors can dive and snorkel between the plates - what a story to bring home, and one of the most interesting facts about travel to tell others! Packed with geographical wonders, Iceland is a nature lover's paradise.

6. The average person in Switzerland consumes 22 pounds of chocolate per year

A recent study discovered that the lucky citizens of Switzerland consume an average of 22 pounds of chocolate every year, which surpasses every other country. The fact that Swiss citizens consume this much chocolate may not come as a surprise considering Switzerland is one of the world's greatest exporters of chocolate.
7. Salting your food in Egypt is offensive

In Egypt, seasoning your food after it has been served to you is insulting to the chef or the hostess because it implies that it was not to your liking as served. So, if you have a trip to Egypt planned in the near future, make sure to avoid the salt shaker when dining out.

Traveling

                               
                               MOST UNUSUAL, NEED TO KNOW, TRAVEL FACTS
Traveling can expand your mind and lead you to new and exciting experiences. You may have cultivated an idea of what your trip will be like based on reviews of past travelers and viewing the websites of popular attractions. While these resources can yield helpful advice and information, there are some interesting facts and unusual customs that might not be readily known by the average traveler. Here are a few travel facts that can help you embrace the etiquette, explore like a local, or maybe entertain a few people at your next dinner party.

1. 60% of the world's lakes are located in Canada

 

Canada is the second largest country in the world and an astounding 9% of its surface is covered by fresh water. The number of lakes exceeding 3 square kilometers is almost 32,000. These include lakes that disappear and reappear seasonally, lakes with mineral densities three times saltier than the ocean, and lakes located within larger lakes.

2. South Africa is home to the longest continuous wine route in the world

Stretching from the Cape Winelands to the Klein Karoo, this gorgeous route is one of South Africa's most renowned attractions and an important aspect of their agricultural industry. Wine tasting along the route yields a varied array of wines and expansive vineyard views. Find out more about the best ways to explore the wine route and other parts of South Africa through a luxury excursion of your own.
3. Over 30 million people in China live in caves

These caves have no indoor plumbing and cost around $30 US dollars per month to rent. Common in the dry climate of Northwest China, these cave dwellings are categorized into three types: cliff caves, independent caves, and underground caves.

Italy

Italy (Italia) or the Italian Republic (Repubblica Italiana) is a state in the South of Europe, in the center of the Mediterranean. It borders on land with France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia; on its territory there are two independent states - the Vatican and San Marino. Italy also includes the islands of Sicily (Sicilia) and Sardinia (Sardegna).

The regions of Italy keep the memory of the period of feudal fragmentation, when the Apennine Peninsula was filled with small cities by states united only in the middle of the XIX century, but retaining their original culture.

Holidays in Italy are as diverse as its types. It is difficult to choose the best: someone will be attracted by the sights of ancient Rome and aristocratic Florence; others will prefer the beaches of the Adriatic or Tiren coast; the third will go to the ski resorts in the Alps or the Apennines; the fourth will go shopping in Milan, famous for its sales.

Tours to Italy are unusually diverse, but many prefer to explore the Apennine peninsula on their own, armed with a good guide and a couple of Italian words, of which are key pasta and pizza.

Italian national cuisine
Italian cuisine is one of the most famous in the world. Only the uninitiated believes that it consists of some pasta. In fact, the Italian cuisine is notable for its extraordinary diversity, although the traditional menu includes several mandatory steps. It is customary to begin the Italian meal with antipasto (cold appetizers) - fresh or pickled vegetables, seafood, ham. Then comes primo (hot snacks), which certainly include carbohydrates: pasta (different types of pasta), or risotto (rice dish), or polenta (corn flour porridge). Secondo - the main dish, consists of fish or meat, with a side dish of vegetables. Then especially hardy can taste Italian cheeses that are not inferior in quality to the French. Completes the culinary orphan dolce (dessert) and a cup of strong espresso.

HAWAII ISLANDS

BRIEF ABOUT THE HAWAII ISLANDS

Hawaiian Islands, the 50th state of America, are located in the center of the Pacific Ocean. The capital is Honolulu city. The archipelago includes 162 islands, of which only 7 are inhabited. Hawaii is famous throughout the world for its fantastic nature and excellent weather conditions throughout the year.

The great advantage is considered to be the diversity of the Hawaiian Islands, both in landscape and in part of the vegetation. The islands of Oahu are distinguished by a developed tourist infrastructure, Big Island is proud of the National Volcano Park, and Maui is an ideal place for windsurfing because of the strong winds.

Hawaii is considered the pearl of the Pacific and one of the most beautiful places on earth. They are famous for the wealth of the underwater world and pristine clean beaches.

This is the only US state whose territory is constantly increasing due to volcanic eruptions.

The Polynesian Cultural Center (Polynesian Cultural Center) is an outdoor theme park built on the north coast of Oahu. Here every year there is a competition for masterly possession of fire knives, and in the local lagoon you can ride a canoe. In addition, it is curious to get acquainted with the life of various villages of several Polynesian peoples - each of them shows its presentation to visitors. You can also take part in a national Hawaiian party called Luau.

Hawaii Sea Life Park (Sea Life Park Hawaii) also belongs to one of the main attractions of the wonderful island of Oahu. Operating since 1964, the park offers guests a closer look at the representatives of the marine fauna. Here you can swim with dolphins, stingrays and sea lions, and also feed waterfowl turtles. In addition, on the territory of this park there is a wonderful bird sanctuary and an excellent aquarium with a variety of fish.

The Buddhist temple Byodo-In Temple, built in the Valley of the Temples on the island of Oahu, is an exact copy of the 900-year-old Japanese temple from the city of Uji in Kyoto prefecture. Inside it you will see a three-meter figure of a wooden buddha, decorated with gold. The temple is surrounded by beautiful Japanese gardens, picturesque ponds and the majestic mountains of Koolau.

Sacred Falls State Park (Sacred Falls State Park) is located on the north coast of Oahu. On its territory there is a canyon of Caluany and a waterfall, after which it was named. The waterfall can only be seen from a helicopter, since it was closed to tourists, after May 9, 1999, a rock mass collapsed in the canyon, which led to the tragedy.

The Nu? Uanu Pali observation platform allows everyone to enjoy the scenic panoramic views of the Nu? Uanu Valley and the northeastern part of Oahu Island.

National Park Haleakala (Haleakala National Park) area of ​​122 square meters. km in 1980 received the status of the International Biosphere Reserve. Its volcano formed the eastern part of the island of Maui. The dimensions of Haleakala crater are very impressive - 11.25 km long, 3.2 km wide and 790 m deep. If you climb to the top of the crater, you can see the incredibly picturesque "moon" landscapes with tuff cones.

The Haleakala Visitor Center is also located here, working daily from early morning until 3:00 pm In the Center you can enjoy interesting photographs and other exhibits that introduce the history of the area, its geology and volcanology.

The other part of the national park is Kipahulu - a very green tropical zone, where the Seven Sacred Pools (Oheo Gulch) are located, beautiful natural reservoirs, picturesque waterfalls and excellent walking routes.

Molokini Crater is a half-submerged crater of the volcano that has a bizarre crescent shape and is over 500 m in diameter. This place, located 3 km west of Maui, is popular for diving and snorkeling.

Holidays in the Maldives

The Maldives is located in the South-West of Sri Lanka, on the equator. Numerous coral reef islands, 1,190 in all, form an archipelago of 26 natural atolls (groups of neighboring coral islands). These 26 atolls are divided into 19 administrative districts with the island-capital of Male, which is the 20th administrative district. When viewed from the air, atolls and islands form beautiful paintings against the blue depths of the Indian Ocean.

The Maldives is becoming an increasingly popular holiday destination year after year. Dazzlingly clean, clear ocean water, the purest nature of the Maldives do not leave anyone indifferent. Holidays in the Maldives can be compared with immersion in a completely different world, the world of pristine nature and ocean life.

The Maldives extends for 823 km from north to south and 130 km from east to west. Of the incredibly large number of islands, only 200 islands are inhabited and about 100 islands are tourist resorts. The sea is more than 99% of the Maldives. Only 0.331% (298 sq. Km.) Is land.

Most of the Maldives can be walked across in ten minutes; only a few are over two kilometers long. The longest, Hithadhoo in the southernmost atoll has a length of eight kilometers (5-6 miles). Although most other islands are less than one mile in length, no one feels limited in space, as the confluence of beaches, crystalline waters, and fresh blue skies create endless immensity, natural openness, which is rare and tranquility, which is welcome.




Capital - Male
Language - Divekh
Time ahead of Kiev by 3 hours
Money - Maldives Rufiya (Rf). 1 USD = 12.75 Rf
VISA: For citizens of Ukraine, a visa is put free of charge in the passport and is valid for 30 days. Validity of the passport must be at least 3 months from the date of departure from the country. The passport must be signed by the owner.

The Maldives are considered the most romantic place on earth, they seem to be made for lovers. The islands are stretched by a narrow vertical chain 850 kilometers long across the Indian Ocean. From the airplane's porthole, the Maldives appear as a string of pearls thrown onto the turquoise surface of the ocean.

Many people believe that the Maldives is a holiday exclusively for those who prefer to sunbathe on the beach under the rays of the bright sun all day long and just relax, without rushing, fully immersed in the relaxing bliss of this paradise. Argue with this opinion is simply impossible - peace, solitude, silence and romance of the Maldives, which is everywhere in the air - you are guaranteed.

But to agree only with such an opinion would also be wrong. After all, the Maldives - is not only a relaxing holiday, white beaches and azure, turquoise, blue, blue ocean waters, it is also a place where you can do what in our everyday life is unlikely.

Holidays in the Maldives - a holiday for the soul and body, enjoy them in their entirety, take everything that offers you this truly paradise, fill your memories with extraordinary impressions and new discoveries.

A trip to the Maldives is a unique opportunity to get rid of fussy everyday life, from problems, from stress. Everything offered by these amazing islands is aimed solely at your leisure and enjoying life. Allow yourself to taste the beauty of real relaxation - visit the Spa - center.

Different types of facial and body massages using aromatic oils - relaxing, toning, anti-cellulite, soothing, using hot stones, various facial and body scrubs (sandalwood, coffee, coconut, soy, lemon, mint) - a huge choice for anyone who came here.

The Maldives are rightfully considered the world capital of diving. The variety of underwater fauna is simply amazing, and the fact that here you can easily meet the largest marine inhabitants in the world gives diving in the Maldives the character of a great adventure. The meeting with a giant mantle, or two-meter napoleon fish, will be unforgettable. Add to this some water with a temperature of 27 degrees even at a depth of 40 meters, excellent visibility up to 30 meters, and highly professional dive centers, and you will understand why divers come back here again and again.

Los Angeles, CA

State California
US Region - Pacific States
Los Angeles was founded in 1781
Los Angeles Square - 1,302 km2
Los Angeles population - over 3,850,000 people (second place in the USA)
The population density in Los Angeles is about 3,175 people / km2
Included in the metropolis "Big Los Angeles" (Los Angeles - Long Beach - Santa Ana) with a population of over 12 850 000 people (second place in the United States)
Los Angeles Time Zone - US Pacific Time Zone
Los Angeles Nicknames - "City of Angels", "ElEy" (LA), "Big Orange"


Los Angeles is the largest city in the state of California and the second largest city in the United States.

Los Angeles is located in Southern California on the Pacific coast, the length of the city from north to south is about seventy kilometers, and from west to east is nearly fifty. Most of the City of Angels is built in the lowland, known as the Los Angeles Basin, and separated from it by the Santa Monica Valley of San Fernando. For the “Big Orange” there is a very diverse relief, there are many hills and canyons, the lowest point of the city is located at sea level, and the highest (Mount Lükens) rises 1,554 meters high.

Located at the junction of tectonic plates (Pacific Ring of Fire) and very close to the San Andreas Fault, Los Angeles is very much at risk of earthquakes.

A river of the same name flows through Los Angeles (almost all the way in a riverbed enclosed in concrete), which sometimes dries out and serves as the main drainage channel for the city.

The climate in Los Angeles is subtropical Mediterranean, with slight seasonal temperature variations and pronounced rainy (from November to April) and dry seasons. Most of the precipitation falls in the form of rain, snow occurs only in the mountains (and very rarely in the valleys). The average January temperature in Los Angeles is from 10 ° C to 20 ° C, and in July from 19 ° C to 29 ° C.

In Los Angeles, there are more than 3,850,000 residents (among all US cities, only New York is the most), while the population density is about 3,175 people / km2. The metropolis of "Big Los Angeles" is formed by the cities of Long Beach, Anaheim, Santa Ana and others that have merged into a huge agglomeration, with about 12,850,000 people living there.

The racial makeup of Los Angeles:

White - 49.8%
Blacks (African Americans) - 9.6%
Asians - 11.3%
Native Americans (Indians or Eskimos of Alaska) - 0.7%
Natives of Hawaiian or other Pacific islands - 0.1%
Other races - 23.8%
Two or more races - 4.6%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) - 48.5%
Non-Hispanic whites - 28.7%


The largest ethnic group in the "City of Angels" are Mexicans - about 32% of the total population, and this figure is constantly growing (including largely due to illegal immigration). In the city there are many historically established national "enclaves", among which the most famous are Chinese Chinatown, Japanese Little Tokyo, Philippinetown, Vietnamese Little Saigon, Koreyataun, Little Armenia and others. Los Angeles also has one of the largest Russian-speaking American communities in the United States.

The most common language in LA is Spanish, it is native to more than 45% of city residents. English (native to about 40% of the population) takes only second place.

Ethnic heterogeneity of the population of Los Angeles and causes an extraordinary variety of religious beliefs of city residents. Traditionally, Latin American is the most popular Catholicism, the local Catholic diocese - the most numerous in the United States. The Jewish community of the metropolis "Big Orange" - the second largest in the country (after New York, more than half a million people). In addition, there are adherents of various currents of Protestantism, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Orthodoxy, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Sikhism, and many other religions.


The metropolis of Los Angeles is one of the largest economic centers of the United States, ranking second in the country (after New York) in terms of gross domestic product. Here are the headquarters of a number of companies engaged in finance, insurance, oil production, construction, design, engineering, food production, etc. Los Angeles (as well as Southern California as a whole) is considered one of the centers of the aerospace industry in the United States, the port of "City of Angels" - one of the largest in the Western United States.

“Big Orange” is deservedly considered the “capital” of US cinema; there are several major film studios in the LA area, including Paramount Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros., Universal Pictures and Walt Disney Studios. In addition to cinema, in Los Angeles, other branches of the entertainment industry are also well developed, in particular, sound recording, television production and computer games development.