New Zealand is a land of dramatic landscapes, lush green meadows, and steep rocky cliffs. It’s an unbeatable tourist destination, where you can start your day off skiing in the ice valleys and finish it relaxing on the sun-soaked beach. No wonder that New Zealand regularly ranks in the top positions of world’s best countries list.

Are you lucky enough to be heading there for your next vacation? Or are you just looking for reasons to include it in your bucket list? If you want to get the most out of it and your time (or budget) is too limited to see it all, opt for a South Island tour of New Zealand. The larger and less populous of the country’s two major islands invites you to become filled with wonder at the world’s most spectacular sceneries. Read on and taste at least five of them!

Marlborough and its beautiful Sounds

Less than 400 kilometers north from Christchurch lies the beautiful region of Marlborough. Known for its world-class wineries, this place mainly attracts those who seek leisurely spent holidays at a slower, more relaxing pace. While sipping from their glasses of delicious wine, visitors can marvel at the unique beauty of Marlborough’s famous Sounds – 1500 kilometers of waterways created when the Pacific Ocean filled the dried valleys of New Zealand’s ancient rivers. Enjoy clear seas and sandy bays from the deck of a boat, or stretch your body kayaking in this scenic environment. You can even take a hike through the wild forests surrounding the picturesque coastline.

Milford Track:  the finest hiking trail in the world

Just a short drive away from Queensland lies one of the world’s most popular hiking trails – and definitely the finest one in the country. Milford track is a 53,5 kilometers long walk through the magnificent valleys used firstly by Maori people for the gathering and transportation of precious stones. The trek can be completed in 4 days will take you along some of the country’s top sites like the second biggest lake called Te Anau, second highest waterfall called Sutherland, and of course Milford Sound with its indescribable views. No wonder this track has approximately 14000 visitors each year! But don’t worry about the crowds as the park allows only 90 trekkers a day to enter it, leaving plenty of space for an undisturbed and tranquil experience.

Otago central rail trail

Originally serving as an important railroad, this track now invites keen cyclists to explore New Zealand’s South Island from the saddle of their bikes. This scenic trail will take you five days and you will be introduced to the rich history of Zealand’s gold mining. Admire unique landscapes during the day, and then chill in the country pubs at the evening. Forget about civilization and enjoy the adventure in some of the most remote parts of the island’s inland. The trail itself is the biggest non-farming source of income in this area, which probably speaks for its unspoiled character more than anything else!

Abel Tasman beaches

No trip to New Zealand would be complete without taking some time off at local magnificent beaches. The best ones on the larger of island can be found in the Abel Tasman National Park near its northern tip. They can accommodate literally any taste! Surfing, kayaking, swimming, and all kinds of water activities can be enjoyed here to the fullest. Spend a night under the stars in Anchorage campsite, or choose one of more sophisticated lodges. And don’t forget to walk to the nearby Cleopatra’s Pool – wonderful natural rocks pool fed by the stream with unusual yellowish waters.  

Franz Josef Glacier

Tired of sunbathing? Head to the Westland Tai Poutini National Park on South Island’s West coast to enjoy a completely different environment. Yes, it’s going to be cold, white, and slippery, so bring over your skis and jackets! Franz Josef Glacier will help you understand the great power of moving masses of snow that have formed most of New Zealand’s natural beauty. Sadly, it will also give you an opportunity to see the impact of global warming at its worst, as the glacier has rapidly retreated in the past decade. Another good reason not to postpone your South Island tour of New Zealand any more!

When planning our summer holidays we tend to think first of visiting the most popular destinations. London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Rome – these are the European cities that probably figure at the top of our travel bucket list. These cities attract millions of tourists each year and one can get lost in the crowd. Holidays in off-the-beaten path destinations, such as Eastern Europe, can not only be less crowded, but also quite affordable, especially if you haven’t inherited a fortune or won the EuroMillions lottery.

Bulgaria, for example, is a country definitely worth visiting. In the summer months the beaches are particularly inviting and in the winter the ski slopes are on a world class level. Bulgaria boasts incredible nature, fascinating history and culture, and a national cuisine that will make your visit thoroughly enjoyable.

Here are five places worth visiting on your upcoming trip to Bulgaria.

Sofia – The capital of Bulgaria is the perfect place to start, especially as many major international airlines have regular flights to the city. Sofia’s main attractions are located in its centre and you can see most of them in a day. If you spend more than 24 hours in Sofia, you can use it as the perfect base for outings into the countryside. A visit to Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia’s iconic landmark, is a must but visitors will also enjoy seeing the Rotunda of St. George, the city’s oldest church located in the courtyard of the Sofia Hotel Balkan.

Rila Monastery – Just an hour and a half’s drive south of Sofia, this monastery is located in a serene mountain setting. The main church at its centre has a dark interior but colourful frescoes with Biblical themes and black and white striped pillars outside. Two stories of wooden structure surround a central cobblestone courtyard and in the distance one can see the peaks of the Rila Mountains, white-capped with snow much of the year. The monastery is named for Bulgaria’s patron saint, Ivan Rilski, a hermit who lived in a nearby cave.

Plovdiv – Bulgaria’s second city is also one of the oldest in Europe. There are many sites dating back to antiquity including a Roman theatre still in use for cultural events today. No visit to Plovdiv would be complete without a walk through the Old Town where galleries and museums are located inside colourfully well-preserved houses built in the Bulgarian Renaissance architectural style.

Black Sea – Bulgaria has no shortage of beaches for those who prefer to tan on the sand, as well as a pristine coastline with undisturbed views of the sea. Many tourists prefer the ultra-modern resorts in Golden Sands and Sunny Beach, but adventurous visitors will find fascinating towns a short distance away.

Koprivshtitsa – Its name is a bit hard to pronounce but this small village an hour’s journey east of Sofia is definitely worth a visit. The village is a prime example of Bulgarian renaissance architecture dating to the mid-1800s. Many of the beautifully restored houses, with their brightly coloured exterior walls, serve as ethnographic and historical museums. Step inside and you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported back to the 1870s, when Bulgarian revolutionaries used Koprivshtitsa as their base when fighting the Ottomans for Bulgaria’s independence.

There is much more to see in Bulgaria than the five places mentioned here. The best thing to do is to set off for your Bulgarian adventure today!

Flying with kids, even ones as old as 12, is rarely any fun — not for you, your kids or others on the plane. Children simply aren’t comfortable in new environments where they are supposed to be calm and well-behaved while they walk single-file, or when they are confined to a seat for hours. It’s an unnatural way to be, as far as kids are concerned, and they will let you know it. What you need is to think of ways to get them to be as comfortable as possible, and to take their minds off their ordeal.

Choose to travel at a child-sensitive hour

Kids don’t like to sleep sitting up If you choose a night flight or even one that involves a time they would normally take a nap, then, they’re going to be very irritable. It’s best to choose to fly at a time when your children are well-rested — preferably in the morning.

See if it can help to sign up as a trusted traveler

The TSA offers something called a trusted traveler program for domestic travel, and Global Entry for international travel, at certain major airports. If you and your family are members, you get to skip the regular security lines and take a shorter, faster moving line. Signing up, however, takes a few months. If you can arrange for this well ahead of time, you could do away with the wait for your children, one of the most challenging parts of traveling with kids. Before you do so, however, you need to make sure that the airports that you will be visiting do have trusted traveler or Global Entry lines.

Think snacks and the toilet

If you never let your kids eat much of the junk food that they like, you could cut them some slack for difficult travel hours. You do need to make sure that they don’t get upset tummies from eating too much junk, however. Pack as many snacks as you believe you are going to let your children eat. It’s also important to think of toilet breaks. If your kids are going to knock back plenty of juice and salty snacks, they will need to go to the toilet all the time. It’s important to maintain a workable balance.

Pack activities

In the past, you would take a DVD player, a music player, a board game and coloring books, for your kids. Now, all kids ever want is to have a phone to poke around in. This actually makes it easier on you, because you have less to carry. Just make sure that the device is packed with the right movies, music, games and coloring apps, and you should be fine. Coloring apps for adults are particularly popular now, even among children. They tend to calm the mind. You could get those (learn more).

Finally, make sure that you carry portable power banks, fully charged. If your kid realizes that his device is about to die midway through the flight, he’ll be inconsolable.

With vacation rentals in France becoming more populous year on year, heavy investment into the preservation of history in many cities and towns and even more transport routes available both in and to the European country, it has never been a better time than right now to visit France.

I have lived in and toured around France for many years having first fell in love with the country when I came to university here as a tender 18 year old student. Since then I have spent roughly 7 years in France and intend on making it a large part of my life going forward.

In my opinion, France has the perfect combination of old and new, elegant and edgy as well as offering a cultural melting pot with a backdrop of pure French beauty. France is often a paradox and I think it is that which I love most about the country. France is far bigger than may think and there is so much for tourists to see on a visit here. I have sat down and put together a list of my favorite French locations so that if you are pressed for time during your stay, you can follow my advice and hopefully find a part of France to fall in love with.

Le Mont Saint Michel

This incredible island juts out above the sea-line in between Normany and Brittany on the west coast of France. The island was once inhabited by Benedictine Monks and later used as a prison, these days it has religious settlers and it makes for a wonderful place to visit. A registered UNESCO World Heritage site and considered by many as a ‘Wonder of the West’ Le Mont Saint Michel is well worth risking the high tides and walking over to from the mainland.

Auvergne

At times France will give you cities that appear to never stop, hustle, bustle and madness being a daily occurrence. What better way then to shake off the city than by spending some time in tranquility in a place like Auvergne. This large open expanse of land is sparsely populated and in all honesty, being here feels as though it is a location which time simply forgot about. There is plenty of hiking and cycling trails throughout the region and you can even talk a hot air balloon over the magnificent peaks. Small volcanoes in the region have created lots of natural spas and thermal springs and this is the region where the water for companies such as Evian and Volvic are found.

Strasbourg

If you want history then look no further than Strasbourg, a city which has been under Roman rule, German rule and no of course, French rule. The result of these influences is a city which basks in its own story and offers tourists a city center that displays all of its incredible history. The city center was the first entire center to be registered with UNESCO and you will find Hansel and Gretel-style housing along the river banks, the impressive Notre Dame cathedral and lots of medieval buildings all packed into the center of the city. If you love food then you will be well looked after here, only Paris has more Michelin starred restaurants than Alsace and the cuisine is a fusion between the best of both French and German styles.

St Tropez

One of my favorite places in France is St. Tropez, a vibrant sunshine haven which gives you the perfect place to live in luxury, top up your tan and enjoy some of the best nightlife in the country. Widely considered as an exclusive location for the rich and famous, this notion is only half-true and you can indeed enjoy St Tropez on a relatively small budget. Unless you want to go and see how the ‘other half’ live, I’d recommend that you visit away from high season in order to see St. Tropez, a naturally beautiful harbor town, in its full glory.

Luberon

Wen you see those enchanting images of France on the front of postcards, you are most likely looking at one of the Luberon villages, a region in southern France with true medieval style. These villages are like time capsules with the borders of France and offer pure beauty and ultimate tranquility. Here you will find cobbled streets, vineyards aplenty, long rows of lavender lining the fields and chateaus popping up all around. If you want to see ‘classic’ France then this is where you should go.

I do love Paris and some of the other bigger cities bit in truth, there has already been so much written about those places that I prefer to inform people about the other parts of France that often don’t get spoken about, perhaps it is for the best, we wouldn’t want everyone going there, would we?

There’s no shortage of things to do in Paris for travelers, it’s one of Europe’s most visited cities and its attractions and monuments have thousands upon thousands of tourists coming each year to capture a selfie with the Mona Lisa or post with the Eiffel Tower. Trip4real, the peer to peer startup that’s making waves around Europe (having recently been named one of Europe’s hottest travel startups!) has expanded into Paris. It’s aim is to connect travelers from all over with local people from a city. Why? Because isn’t travel all about getting a little closer to a distant culture?

So now visiting Paris with local insiders means you can find the hidden gems in the city that’s full of the usual tourist traps. Why not take the time to go off the beaten path and try something a little different?

Having a picnic in a Parisian forest

Who knew Paris had a forest? Having a picnic in a forest, near a castle where the kings of France once lived does sound like the most idyllic thing in the world. And it probably is. Take yourself with insider Loreto to La Bois de Vincennes, known for its natural beauty and wonderful verdant greenery. Next to the forest is the impressive and regal Chateau de Vincennes, home to former royalty of France. A little class during one’s picnic is never a bad thing, right? Allons-y!

Make crepes like a local

Crepes. Delicious, delicious crepes. Crepes are always a good idea. Whether full of luxuriously melted chocolate and strawberries or stuffed with cheese and ham, these light pancakes are an absolute delight. Thank you France. Cuisine plays an important role in any culture so why not learn to indulge a little by taking a class with Leroy, crepe master? After all, it’s one skill that will definitely help you should you be stuck for dinner ideas. You’ll be one step closer to being Parisian. Voilà.

Shop in the city like never before

Shopping in Paris is a serious thing. You have all those world renowned brands whose home is found within the city of light. Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent… you’ve heard of them all before. And, frankly, who really has the kind of money to shop in such opulence? That’s where thrift stores come in. Paris is full of them and taking a tour of its various flea and vintage markets is something that every traveler should do. And, hey, you might even find a Chanel for a fraction of the price. Not bad, huh?

There’s more to Paris than Mona Lisa

It’s true. Paris is full of art. It’s the birthplace of one of the most famous art movements of the 20th century, Impressionism, and the works of Monet, Renoir and Cézanne can all be found within the famous museums of Paris. But, it’s always fun to go and discover really cool, up and coming art in the city. In Le Marais neighborhood, there’s galleries galore that house art that you won’t find in the typical museums. A private tour of this neighborhood with a local art aficionado like Victor is something that will take you to new levels of culture. A must.

Make new friends & hit the town

One of the coolest things to do in Paris is heading out with a local who will show you their favourite bars. Bars you never thought existed. Le Comptoir General, for example. A brilliant bar but unknown to many travelers, a local’s secret, if you will. Yannick, a local from trip4real, invites travelers to join him and his friends for a journey through Paris’s nightlife. Discover neighborhoods, learn about the history of Paris, enjoy the flowing conversation and have a few glasses of wine. You’ll leave Paris feeling more local than when you arrived. A good plan, certainly.

And that’s only a few things to do in Paris for travelers. Truly off the beaten path, one of a kind experiences that you’d definitely want to tell your friends about. And who said Paris had to just be the Arc de Triomph and Le Louvre?

by  kilted01 

The annual sporting calendar is full of physical contests that engage, enrapture and entertain in equal measure. However, away from the glare of the media spotlight, a culture of alternative sporting heroes thrives. Putting their minds and bodies on the line in some of the strangest ways imaginable, these competitors are the embodiment of eccentricity.

Keeping on top of the latest developments in the eccentric sports world isn’t easy, which is why betfair have put together an alternative sports calendar. Documenting some of the strangest events of the year, this calendar is a great reference point for anyone who likes to enjoy something from leftfield.

To give you a flavour of the alternative sports world and give you a glimpse into some of the world’s different cultures at the same time, we’ve listed three of the weirdest games from the UK and beyond.

Shin Kicking Championship: Shoes, Straw and Strangeness

In the spectrum of toe-curling, pain-inducing sports, shin kicking has to be the worst. Originating in England and dating back to 1636, the game has one simple premise which is to kick your opponent into submission. To give you a more detailed look at the rules of shin kicking, check this out:

• Competitors start by holding their opponent by the shoulders (or lapels) with arms straight.

• The contest will be started, finished (if necessary) and judged, by an arbiter, known as a Stickler. The Stickler decides the fairness of a contest.

• A contest is decided on the best of three throws – i.e. two successful throws results in a win.

Initially a somewhat more gentle sport (as gentle as a shin kick can be), shin kicking gradually became more brutal over the centuries, with the 19th century proving to be a particularly rough patch as villages took on each other in a battle of pride. Today, competitors from around the world pack their trousers with as much straw as possible before taking part in the competitions such as the Cotswold Olimpicks which take part in May every year.

Cheese Rolling Championship: A Tasty Cheese Roll

If you’ve never rolled a wheel of cheese down a hill and then chased after it like a mad man or woman, then you haven’t lived, according to the organisers of the Cheese Rolling Championships . Taking place in one of the UK’s traditional cheese-making counties, Gloucestershire, the event is actually a lot more dangerous than it sounds.

Every May for the last 200 years, contestants have converged at the top of Cooper’s Hill in Gloucester and wait for the famous cheese wheel to be launched down the slope. Pitched at a gradient of 1:2, controlling your pace down the hill is no mean feat and as people skid and fall in pursuit of the cheese, medics are always close by.

The person who manages to make it down the hill in one piece and catch the cheese before anyone else is declared the winner and handed the prize dairy product.

Buzkashi: When Dead Goats Meet Polo

When you think of polo, you think glasses of champagne, majestic horses and fancy clothes. There’s no doubt that polo is one of the most impressive spectacles on the sporting calendar. However, because we’re looking at the weirdest sports in the world, this safe sport isn’t one we’re including in this list. Instead, we’ve turned our gaze towards Asia and a sport known as buzkashi.

Believed to be derived from an early form of polo present in Iran and, moreover, the inspiration for modern day polo, this sport requires participants to drag a headless goat carcass while on horseback. As with most sports that involves two teams competing against each other, buzkashi includes a goal and the players all try to score as many as possible.

Despite sounding like a relic that we’ve excavated from sporting history, buzkashi is actually a game that’s still played today. Most popular in Uzbekistan, modern teams usually hail from the same family and top-level players can earn huge significant sums of money through monthly payments, bonuses and special gifts that can include luxury cars.

Alternative sports, unsurprisingly, do not usually show up on everyone’s radar but that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth watching. While the annual shin kicking championships might not hold the same sort of prestige as the World Cup, it’s an entertaining spectacle nonetheless. The three whacky sports listed in this article are the tip of a very large iceberg and if you want to check out more we suggest you check out the alternative sports calendar.

France is definitely one of the most popular vacation destinations in Europe, with people from all across the globe flocking to the beautiful beaches, exciting canals and romantic cities. Thanks to the fact that the country is situated on the Atlantic, there is a massive selection of fantastic water sports available, from the adrenaline fuelled White Water Rafting experiences around the Rhône-Alpes region, to the more relaxing canoe-kayaking strolls down tranquil canals.

Before you can even think about getting your feet wet, the first step to vacationing is finding the perfect accommodation. If you are aiming for the true French experience, why not spend your nights at one of the many warm and cosy cottages or villas that you can find spread across the country.

Now that you have found a soft place to rest your head each night, it is time to head towards the water. If you are passionate about paddling and are planning on visiting this fabulous nation any time soon, then here are some water sport destinations in France that you should definitely check out while here.

Le Chalaux River, Saint Martin du Puy, Burgundy

Thanks to the hydro-electric station upstream, pushing out rapid waters, this stunning river offers some world class White Water Rafting experiences. Popular location for The European Canoe-Kayaking Championships, as well as a number of national kayaking competitions, there is no doubt that this is the perfect place for both beginner and professional kayakers to perfect their skill.

Rhône-Alpes, Eastern France

Fed by melting snow from Vanoise National Park glaciers, this fast-flowing river is a must for all paddling enthusiasts. Having hosted the world canoeing and kayaking championships on three different occasions, be prepared for some adrenaline pumping experiences over the world famous Aime rapids. The entire journey offers visitors with 22km of excitement between Bourg Saint Maurice and Centron, allowing them to tackle Class 3 to Class 4 rapids along the way.

Pays de la Loire, North West of France

This coastal region of France offers visitors with some of the best sailing conditions for both professional, as well as novice sailors alike. Stretching from La Baule to Sables-d’Olonne, the wide bays, creeks and islands offer ideal sailing locations, as well as some breathtakingly stunning views.

Not many people know of the beautiful Islands of Seychelles that exist. With many islands, beaches and cultural venues to see, Seychelles is easily a top destination that you can brag about and say, “I went there before it was popular.”

Anse Georgette Beach

(Reference: http://www.iloveseychelles.com/)

Seen as one of the most beautiful beaches in Seychelles, it is tucked away in a nook of the coast that creates a peaceful and secluded environment. With crystal clear blue waters, blue skies and vividly green leaves, it looks like somewhere out of a painting. You won’t catch the smog of traffic here, as it’s inaccessible by car, you’ll have to plan a hiking trip to get here!

The trail runs through the Constance Lemuria, which has beautiful and heavy vegetation surrounding the resort, so you can imagine the allure that lies behind the trees. Located on the Praslin Island, this serene beach is a perfect destination after a long hike.

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple

(Reference: http://www.wikimedia.org )

A beautiful religious site, this South Indian Hindu temple features gorgeous architecture, which pays homage to its cultural roots. Noted as one of the most colorful in the region, it’s located smack dab in the middle of the town for all eyes to see.

But for more of a backstory on this beautiful area: this temple was dedicated to Lord Ranganatha and is a very praised shrine that millions of visitors come to see each year. It is also one of the largest temples in the world. Towering over the trees with vivid colors and intricate details, it’s inspiring. Taking up about 156 acres, this temple dates back to the 10^th century.

When you visit, make sure to ask of the many legends that have this temple set as a scene. It will give you great vision on the history and culture of the area. Located in Quincy St. Victoria, Mahe Island in Seychelles, this is one location you don’t want to miss.

Marie Antoinette Restaurant

(Reference: http://www.marieantoinette.sc)

This wouldn’t be a complete list without somewhere to grab a bite to eat! Located on the gorgeous port Launay, you’ll have beautiful views of the coast, crystal clear waters and an island. But the restaurant itself is in a wooden house that hasn’t been changed for almost 100 years. Noted as a national monument, the Marie Antoinette Restaurant is one of the top eateries in Seychelles.

Opened as a restaurant in 1972, the Marie Antoinette is one of the few in the area that has the original architecture and design. Declared a national monument in 2011 and has been a standing structure for over 100 years, it was previously named “Le Grand Trianon”.

Of course, it was re-named after Marie Antoinette, the French Queen. You can learn more about the Queen Marie on Netflix, which I highly recommend. The life of Marie Antoniette is quite intriguing, even if you are not a history buff. Just be sure to use a VPN if watching it abroad. It is also known to be the homestead of the Livingstone Gallery when Henry Morton Stanley, an American adventurer stayed there during his travels and dubbed it the “Livingstone Cottage.”

Waterfall at Port Glaud

(Reference: http://www.willgoto.com/)

No vacation is a vacation without escapades by a waterfall. Near the Constance Ephelia resort, this is located at a beach at the Port Launay as well. Less than a mile walk from the road, this beautiful water is serene, calming, and surprisingly peaceful despite it not being buried in the woods, away from life. When you go swimming at this beautiful location, you’ll be surrounded by a jungle and you can follow the waterfall into a natural freshwater pool.

Not only will you get a taste of the natural plant life of Seychelles on your hike, you can discover different species than ones known to your homeland. If you want to continue hiking, you’re able to run alongside the entire river until the end thanks to trails and natural paths along the way. Adventure waits in Seychelles!

Conclusion

Seychelles isn’t your typical resort vacation. Like Mauritius, it is a African archipelago with an exotic identity that separates it from your typical vanilla holiday experience. Here, you can see the beautiful natural vegetation that surrounds the region as well as dip your toes into beautiful crystal clear waters. You can also become cultured in their religious architecture as well as get your fitness on during hikes through Seychelles’ beautiful jungles.

Sustainable tourism involves making a positive impact on the places you visit. Whether you travel often or you only go on the occasional vacation, ensuring that your actions are eco-friendly and beneficial to the social customs of the area is still important. But why should you care about sustainable tourism?

Your Actions Across the Globe Affect Your Home

Promoting sustainability wherever you go can also help promote sustainability in your own home. Although it may not seem like a few minor unsustainable actions in a faraway place would make any difference in your own home, actions can really add up and can come back to affect you.

The fact is that the world is a closed system, which means that actions across the globe will affect you environmentally, socially, and in other ways. Some things involved in creating sustainability involve the way you interact with others, the items that you purchase, and the way you use natural resources. Learn how you can reduce your environmental footprint while traveling, and make your next trip more earth-friendly.

If you’re interested in sustainability, an MS in MIS can supply you with business management skills and knowledge about emerging technologies so that you can use your education to better the environment.

It’s Courteous to Respect Other Cultures

Image via Flickr by Moving Mountains Trust

It’s a common misconception that sustainable tourism and ecotourism are the same things. Caring for the environment in your travels is just one part of sustainable tourism. Another part is preserving cultures across the world and leaving only a positive impact on them. If you have a strong sense of honesty and courtesy, then this aspect of sustainable tourism should be important to you.

While traveling, you can help respect other cultures by learning about them and promoting tolerance between your culture and the one you’re visiting. It is not sustainable tourism to criticize other cultures or to try to force your own upon the people of that area.

It Promotes a Great Experience for Future Tourists

If you really enjoyed your trip, then why would you deny someone else the same joys down the road? Maybe you want to go back and enjoy the destination again. But without practicing sustainability, it can crush the culture’s economy and dwindle their resources so that fewer people can enjoy the wonder of the area that you had the opportunity to see.

A lot of countries around the world rely heavily on income from tourists. In fact, tourism is the largest contributor to many countries’ economies. Imagine thousands, if not millions, of tourists flocking to one location each year. If each tourist were to perform even a few unsustainable acts, it could impact the area so much that it wouldn’t be a hot tourist spot any more. Sustainable tourism matters for the people coming after you, and it will matter for the people coming after them.

The next time you travel, keep these ideas in mind. How will you promote sustainable tourism on your next big trip?

With a fabulous history and with thinkers whose works lie at the very foundation of modern Western society, Greece has plenty of things to be proud of. If you add this to the fact that, every year, they attract people from all over the world and to the fact that their beaches can satisfy almost any kind of tourist, you definitely understand why Greece is so much beloved by so many.

Your 2015 all-inclusive Kos Holiday can be a dream come true. Somewhere in between perfect pricing and exquisite experiences, an all-inclusive holiday here can really provide you with all the peace of mind and fun you’ve been seeking this past year.

Which are the things everyone loves about the marvellous Greek island of Kos? Read on and find out more.

Refreshments in Kardamena, Kos, Greece (Creative Commons)

The Hippocrates Tree

Greek is a land sprinkled with legend and mystery – even today, when the vast majority of the country follows the Christian Orthodox religion. The Hippocrates Tree is the mythological tree under which Hippocrates is said to have taught his pupils. As you probably know it, Hippocrates is considered to be the father of modern medicine – even though The Hippocrates Tree cannot be actually confirmed to be “genuine”, it is still a nice attraction Kos offers. And if you do get to visit this, don’t forget about Asclepeion as well – an ancient healing centre also associated with great Hippocrates.

The Bubble Beach

Even if you are staying in a different resort, visiting the Bubble Beach is more than worth it – and even more so if you like water sports and swimming. This place is full of positive vibes and young people so be prepared to “recharge” yourself with great energy. Jet skis, parasailing and many other water sport fun options are waiting for you here!

The Kos Natural Park

If stunning landscapes is what you are searching for, you should not miss out on the fabulous Kos Natural Park. We guarantee the amazing nature you will find here will imprint in your memory and that it will stay there for a very, very long time! Come, breathe in the beauty of the nature here and relax your eyes and soul upon this park’s great marvels.

The Eleftherias Square

If you want a taste of the local spirit mixed with the touristic buzz, don’t forget to visit the Eleftherias Square. Full of energy and packed with attractions and points of interest, this square will make for wonderful memories – and for great pictures as well.

Book your Kos holiday as soon as possible and you will reap all the benefits that come with being an “early bird” – including lower prices and more options to choose from. Aside from that, relax yourself and enjoy this amazing Greek island!