I was thinking the other day as I crossed the George Washington Bridge about the beauty of bridges. Bridges themselves can be beautiful. They can also be used to see beauty. The view from the GW Bridge is one of the most beautiful one I have ever seen. I have been able to see it in the day and at night. There is nothing like seeing Manhattan Island in the distance. The Empire State Building and all of the other skyscrapers make for a spectacular view. Some day I hope to see all of the best bridges of the world. There are too many to count. I have a lot of bridges to catch up on.

Always pack as light as possible. The airlines like to charge for baggage to make up for lower ticket fares. The difference can always be spent of getting supplies at the arrival destination. Be careful not to over pack of you do not need it. Twenty pairs of socks can be convenient, but not if it costs $50 extra for excess baggage, then it is not a good deal.

The first is to buy bottled water. Most of the time there will be places to find it close to where you are staying. The local market next to your hotel for example. If you have the cash this is one of the best options. There are iodine pills. Iodine will purify water quickly. Just remember to keep enough for your trip so you do not run out. Then there are mechanical filters. These filters will remove almost all of the organisms and contaminants from the water. They mechanical filter takes longer to use. You have to pump the water to get it processed. A newer and faster way to purify water is with a SteriPen. The SteriPen is a special UV light that you put into the water glass directly. You turn it on for a minute or two depending on how much water you are purifying. All live organisms in the water are killed. The SteriPen sells for around $60 for the classic model.

Egypt is part of Northern Africa. It is one of the best places in Africa to travel for tourists. The ancient world comes alive in Egypt. Cairo is the recommended starting point in Egypt. There are lots of things to do in Cairo. The Pyramids of Giza offer a full day of sightseeing. The pyramids are part of the original Seven World Wonders. They are situated on the Giza Plateau. Remember to bring some sunscreen, a hat and some water. A day in the sun can be taxing. Highlights for an itinerary to the pyramids is to see the Sphinx, the interior of the Great Pyramid, and the Solar Barque Museum. There are additional charges for going into the Great Pyramid and to see the Solar Barque Museum. There are camel and horse rides available for tourists from places around the pyramids. The best way to find them is to ask your taxi driver or tour guide where they are located. Cairo is a city well versed in how to treat tourists from other countries. Be careful if you are on a budget. There are lots of choices so it pays to look around for good deals and negotiate with people.

Haiti and the Dominican Republic are two countries situated on the same island. The big question is why are there two countries sharing the same island? Haiti and the Dominican Republic grew out of two colonies on the island known as Hispaniola. Hispaniola is the island Christopher Columbus discovered  in 1492. Haiti was originally a French colony. The Dominican Republic was originally a Spanish colony. Over time these two colonies gained independence and formed the current countries of Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

The Dominican Republic is a good place to vacation currently. There are many things to do there. There are lots of places to dive. Baseball is very popular in the Dominican Republic. Games are held in all the major cities from San Domingo to Estrellas. Merengue is the main music of the country. Food abounds in different forms throughout the Dominican Republic. There are simple things from beans and rice to empanadas and pastelitos.

Haiti is still recovering from the recent earthquake so travel there can be hit and miss. If you are determined to go then you should see Port-au-Prince. Jacmel and Citadelle are two other places of interest in Haiti. The foods of Haiti are varied. There are things like bannann peze which is fried plantain. There is poule which is fired chicken.

There are many places to go in Africa, but Tanzania should be one of the first places on your list. It is home to Mount Kilimanjaro which is the tallest mountain in Africa. The beaches of Zanzibar are so beautiful. Tanzania is well known for its diving and snorkeling. If you are looking for wildlife then go to the Serengeti. Animals such as lions and elephants can be found here.  Ngorongoro Crater is an exploded volcano crater that is home to a large number of animals. There are rhinos, lions, elephants, zebras and many more. The beautiful grasslands of this divers region provide great scenic adventures. Lake Victoria is in Northern Tanzania. It is the largest lake in Africa. It is the second largest freshwater lake in the world.

Swahili and English are the official languages of Tanzania. The population is about 43 million according to 2009 figures.

A trip to Brazil yields a lot of adventure. Brazil has so much to offer the tourist. Brazil is the 5^th largest country in the world in terms of landmass. It is actually larger than the continental United States(excluding Alaska). The population was 191 million according to 2010 records. The majority of the population lives on the coast. Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo are two of the biggest cities in Brazil. Brazil has a very diverse ethnic background. This range includes Spanish, Portuguese, African, Japanese and Indian to name a few. Brazil’s official language is Portuguese. Brazil has a mixed economy. It has a large agricultural industry as well as a fully developed industrial sector.

There are many things to do in Brazil. The most notable thing is the celebration of Carnaval. Carnaval can be compared to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, but on a much grander scale.  The beaches of Brazil are world famous. To enjoy these things to the fullest, you should head southeast. This is where the major cities are such as Rio and Sao Paulo.

Travel to Thailand

There are many ways to get to Thailand by air. There are many nonstop flights from international airports in Europe. For example, there are many air carriers who fly nonstop from London to Bangkok. This list includes Eva Airways, Thai Airways and Qantas Airways. Airfares vary depending on the time of year and the air carrier. The peak seasons such as in the summer are usually more expensive. The savvy traveler can save money by booking early and in the off seasons. Nonstop travel from the US is usually from Los Angeles or San Francisco. Most other cities require at least one stop-over.

Visas are required for travel to Thailand. Most people from Western countries can enter Thailand without having to apply for a visa. These passport holders will be allowed to stay for a short period of time without having to apply. Remember to have at least 6 months left on your passport. Check with the embassy for all other rules on travel to Thailand.

One key point to remember before going to Thailand is to have a round trip ticket. The Thailand immigration officer might check for evidence of onward travel out of Thailand. One other option to think about is an outbound ticket to a closer country such as Malaysia or the Philippines. Immigration officers can be very strict on this.

Ecuador is known for it’s Amazon rainforests, the snowcapped Andean mountain peaks, and the beautiful Pacific coastline. There is a variety of different flora and fauna that will make you lose your breath. The country boasts a cultural broad spectrum that includes Indian, Mexican, African, and European. There are many great reasons to spend time in Ecuador. Does it sound like a place to spend some time and have fun?

Your adventure tour in Ecuador should be an opportunity for many fun and amazing things. In Ecuador you can hit the trail and get dirty on a mountain bike. Imagine yourself riding through the thick jungles of the rainforests with only a compass or gps and some strong will. Then exploring as you venture up the side of a snow covered volcano. These journeys are not for the faint of heart. These are once in a lifetime adventures. How does climbing the highest peak in the Andes Mountains sound? Does a day on the river while whitewater rafting sound good?

Horseback riding is popular in Ecuador as well. It can give people the excitement of seeing the diversity of the region on the back of a horse. Traveling on horseback will give you the opportunity to get close to the extraordinary things of the landscape. There are craters, fast-moving mountain streams, deep rivines, tropical mountain rainforests, and hot volcanic springs. A guest to Ecuador can find peace and solitude here.

Travel is a great way to get away from the monotony of day to day life. Most people go to work then come home. They do little else. Travel for most people comes every once in a while. The family takes their annual trip to Hawaii. A newlywed couple goes on a Caribbean cruise for the honeymoon. A retired couple takes a long awaited trip to Cairo Egypt.

Travel is the ultimate stress reliever. It allows you to get away from it all. Two weeks of relaxation on a warm beach does wonders for the mind and body.