Photo by John Woodmansee
Discovering Africa Vacation Rental Marketing Agency https://vacationrentalexperts.tumblr.com/post/183587019733 via Tumblr Discovering Africa Discovering Africa Vacation Rental Marketing Agency https://vacationrentalexperts.tumblr.com/post/183587019733 https://brandnewsunrise.wordpress.com/2019/03/20/discovering-africa-3/
0 Comments
Rhode Island’s beaches, like the Ocean State itself, tend to be a bit overlooked. Cape Cod gets more attention as the New England beach destination, and although the city of Newport is world-famous for summer fun, Gilded Age mansions and yacht culture tend to overshadow the state’s shimmering sands. While Connecticut’s beaches are placid affairs on the sheltered Long Island Sound, and Massachusetts’s South Shore beaches tend to be more rocky and rugged, Rhode Island claims long swaths of shoreline facing the waves of the Atlantic, as well as calmer bay beaches. It may be a small state, but Little Rhody has a beach to suit the taste of almost anyone—even if most locals would thank you for not letting everyone in on it.
Photo by John Woodmansee
Watch Hill Beach, Westerly Misquamicut State Beach, Westerly East State Beach, Charlestown
Courtesy of Rhode Island Commerce Corporation
Narragansett Town Beach, Narragansett
Courtesy of Discover Newport
Sachuest (Second) Beach, Middletown Goosewing Beach, Little Compton
Courtesy of Block Island Tourism Council
Fred Benson Town Beach, Block Island AFAR Travel https://www.afar.com/magazine/the-best-beaches-in-rhode-island via Tumblr The Best Beaches in Rhode Island Rhode Island’s beaches, like the Ocean State itself, tend to be a bit overlooked. Cape Cod gets more attention as the New England beach destination, and although the city of Newport is world-famous for summer fun, Gilded Age mansions and yacht culture tend to overshadow the state’s shimmering sands. While Connecticut’s beaches are placid affairs on the sheltered Long Island Sound, and Massachusetts’s South Shore beaches tend to be more rocky and rugged, Rhode Island claims long swaths of shoreline facing the waves of the Atlantic, as well as calmer bay beaches. It may be a small state, but Little Rhody has a beach to suit the taste of almost anyone—even if most locals would thank you for not letting everyone in on it.
Photo by John Woodmansee
Watch Hill Beach, Westerly Misquamicut State Beach, Westerly East State Beach, Charlestown
Courtesy of Rhode Island Commerce Corporation
Narragansett Town Beach, Narragansett
Courtesy of Discover Newport
Sachuest (Second) Beach, Middletown Goosewing Beach, Little Compton
Courtesy of Block Island Tourism Council
Fred Benson Town Beach, Block Island AFAR Travel https://www.afar.com/magazine/the-best-beaches-in-rhode-island https://brandnewsunrise.wordpress.com/2019/03/20/the-best-beaches-in-rhode-island/Spring is officially (and finally) here. To celebrate the new season, Outstanding in the Field is opening reservations for its 2019 outdoor dinner series today. Founded in 1999, these “pop-up restaurants in a farm field,” hosted everywhere from the foothills of Mount Fuji to California’s Stinson Beach, have brought chefs, farmers, and the public together in at least 15 different countries and all 50 states. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Outstanding in the Field is kicking off its 2019 season where it all began—at Happy Valley Farm in Santa Cruz, California, on May 4. The 2019 tour ends on November 17 back in California at Pie Ranch in Pescadero. In between, there will be 89 other dinners everywhere from a castle in Sweden to a rooftop farm in Brooklyn. All meals highlight local chefs, as well as ingredients grown on that farm or from nearby producers.
Courtesy of Emily Hagen/Outstanding in the Field
In addition to several new dinner locations, from Sonoma County’s Bohan Ranch and Vineyards to Vancouver’s Spanish Banks Beach, Outstanding in the Field is also introducing a new Community Table street event concept in 2019. Instead of taking place where the ingredients were grown and harvested, the three Community Table events will bring the dining tables to the streets of Bisbee, Arizona, Geneva, New York, and Los Angeles. Local makers, artists, and designers will be featured at these events. “Just as we celebrate local farmers and chefs and the stories of where our food comes from, Community Table events recognize the creativity and craftsmanship that bring beauty to the table and enhance the enjoyment of breaking bread together,” founder Jim Denevan said in a statement. For those looking to make a weekend getaway out of these outdoor dinners, Outstanding in the Field has teamed up with Under Canvas to bring overnight glamping accommodations to several events in Washington, New York, Michigan, and Massachusetts this summer. How to make a reservation Events scheduled from May 4 to August 16 go on sale March 20 at 12 p.m. ET, while events scheduled from August 17 to November 17 go on sale a few hours later at 2 p.m. ET. Reservations can be made directly through Outstanding in the Field’s 2019 events page. Some dinners sell out in a matter of minutes, so booking a seat right when reservations go on sale is recommended. Tickets start at $265 per person, which includes a wine and appetizer reception, a farm tour, and a four-course meal with wine pairings (gratuities are included). >> Next: 9 U.S. Restaurants With Awe-Inspiring Views via Tumblr Reservations for These Epic Outdoor Dinners Open Up Today—and Seats are Selling Out Quickly Spring is officially (and finally) here. To celebrate the new season, Outstanding in the Field is opening reservations for its 2019 outdoor dinner series today. Founded in 1999, these “pop-up restaurants in a farm field,” hosted everywhere from the foothills of Mount Fuji to California’s Stinson Beach, have brought chefs, farmers, and the public together in at least 15 different countries and all 50 states. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Outstanding in the Field is kicking off its 2019 season where it all began—at Happy Valley Farm in Santa Cruz, California, on May 4. The 2019 tour ends on November 17 back in California at Pie Ranch in Pescadero. In between, there will be 89 other dinners everywhere from a castle in Sweden to a rooftop farm in Brooklyn. All meals highlight local chefs, as well as ingredients grown on that farm or from nearby producers.
Courtesy of Emily Hagen/Outstanding in the Field
In addition to several new dinner locations, from Sonoma County’s Bohan Ranch and Vineyards to Vancouver’s Spanish Banks Beach, Outstanding in the Field is also introducing a new Community Table street event concept in 2019. Instead of taking place where the ingredients were grown and harvested, the three Community Table events will bring the dining tables to the streets of Bisbee, Arizona, Geneva, New York, and Los Angeles. Local makers, artists, and designers will be featured at these events. “Just as we celebrate local farmers and chefs and the stories of where our food comes from, Community Table events recognize the creativity and craftsmanship that bring beauty to the table and enhance the enjoyment of breaking bread together,” founder Jim Denevan said in a statement. For those looking to make a weekend getaway out of these outdoor dinners, Outstanding in the Field has teamed up with Under Canvas to bring overnight glamping accommodations to several events in Washington, New York, Michigan, and Massachusetts this summer. How to make a reservation Events scheduled from May 4 to August 16 go on sale March 20 at 12 p.m. ET, while events scheduled from August 17 to November 17 go on sale a few hours later at 2 p.m. ET. Reservations can be made directly through Outstanding in the Field’s 2019 events page. Some dinners sell out in a matter of minutes, so booking a seat right when reservations go on sale is recommended. Tickets start at $265 per person, which includes a wine and appetizer reception, a farm tour, and a four-course meal with wine pairings (gratuities are included). https://brandnewsunrise.wordpress.com/2019/03/20/reservations-for-these-epic-outdoor-dinners-open-up-today-and-seats-are-selling-out-quickly/Charleston, South Carolina, is revered for its food scene, its starring role in much of early U.S. history, its live oaks and Spanish moss, and its stunning harbor, but it is almost never remembered fondly for its affordability. We say save your money for a platter of oysters and a local beer or spend it on a swanky hotel room; you can explore the city and experience many of its myriad charms without opening your wallet. Make the scene at Charleston Farmers’ Market Every Saturday morning between mid-April and Christmas, local farmers, food trucks, and makers set up in Marion Square to sell their goods and the whole town seems to turn out. They listen to homegrown music, parade their dogs, and let their kids partake in the bouncy castle and inflatable slides set up in the park. Going to the weekly market gives visitors an opportunity to talk to the locals and to meet the Charleston makers of jewelry, salt, fragrances, wooden bowls, sweetgrass baskets, jams, and more. Don’t miss the chance to mingle, ask questions, taste samples, admire dogs and babies, and get a strong sense of what this city’s all about. (Check the schedule at Charleston Farmers’ Market website.) Enjoy culture at Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art The art department at the College of Charleston devotes a generous portion of its ground floor on Calhoun Street to gallery space. Rotating exhibits of art and film are mounted here, as are free lectures. Recent exhibits included a wide-ranging photography show about all aspects of life in the South. This is serious art curation—many of the Halsey’s exhibits go on to tour galleries around the country. (See what’s on right now by checking Halsey’s website.) Walk the city streets reading historic markers The telegraphic snippets of info on historic markers hinting at Charleston’s centuries of intrigue can hook the most skeptical visitor. You can’t help but want to fill in the blanks of the abbreviated stories. A short walk from City Market, at 35 Wentworth Street, you can read that the house was built around 1840 by a free woman of color, Hannah McBeth, and that she resided there with six other women, two of whom were enslaved. (Hollywood screenwriters: Take up this story, please.) Or walk down to the South of Broad neighborhood to the John Fullerton House (15 Legare Street), where a plaque blithely notes that the house is haunted by two ghosts. One occasionally appears in an upper-story window to shoot a dueling pistol at the balcony of a house across the street, and the other is an “Indian who peers through the first floor window attracted by the sound of spinet.” While you’re South of Broad, looking for ghosts, don’t miss reading the markers of the colorful houses along Rainbow Row. (If you need more structure to your wandering, the Charleston Historic Society released a free app in October 2018 with several self-guided walking tours.) March over to the weekly cadet parade at the Citadel At 3:45 p.m. almost every Friday during the school year, the cadets of the Citadel Military College parade on Summerall Field at the center of campus. It’s an impressive show with military orders bellowed, cadets chanting as they march, a regimental band in kilts, and lots of fine posture and tidy uniforms. Come a bit early to find parking and get a good spot to watch the parade. Visit the city’s cemeteries Reading the stories etched on these centuries-old stones can give dusty history a vivid immediacy. Decoding the words on the listing and moss-eroded stones at Magnolia Cemetery, the oldest public boneyard in the state, reveals much about the fates of the Charleston families buried here, as well as the story of the crewman lost on the H.L. Hunley, a Confederate submarine. If gravestone reading is not temptation enough, Magnolia and many of the churchyards in town also provide a quiet, shady, and somewhat eerie place to wander. Meet the locals at Charleston’s many parks If you’re based downtown, stroll Waterfront Park (swing on the swings, sit on a shady promenade bench, enjoy the fountains and sculpture, and watch the harbor), or head all the way to the tip of the peninsula to see the Battery and pretty White Point Garden. The parks provide shade and green and let you absorb city history and geography without really trying. Up on the west side, Hampton Park is a favorite with locals; you won’t see a lot of other tourists there, but you will find an elegant park designed by Frederick Law Olmstead (who designed New York’s Central Park), full of gardens and picnic spots, and (since history never takes a holiday here) a statue of Denmark Vesey, a freed man who was allegedly the mastermind behind a foiled slave uprising. Conduct your own College of Charleston walking tour The walking tours of the College of Charleston run by the Office of Admissions are limited to prospective students and their families, but anyone can enter through the open passageways of Porter’s Lodge to admire the buildings surrounding Cistern Yard—elegant Randolph Hall is one of the oldest college buildings in the United States still in use. Time your sojourn in this peaceful and green quad so it coincides with one of the official tours (daily scheduled tours start at 9:30 and 11:30 and should arrive in the Cistern about twenty minutes after that), and discreetly eavesdrop on a tour guide’s presentation about buildings here. Visitors can also tour the Mace Brown Museum of Natural History on the campus, open to the public every day except Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Download a campus map for more info.) Tour the carriage horse stables On slower days, some of the carriage stables along Anson Street conduct free tours of their facilities so visitors can meet the animals and see behind the scenes. The tours are an obvious ploy to lure you into taking a carriage ride, so be prepared either to sign up for a paid ride or to be firm in saying no (and get ready for some pushback). Take in the arts at the City Gallery This glass-front building at Waterfront Park is a not-for-profit exhibition space operated by the city, so visitors are always welcome. City Gallery hosts six to eight exhibitions a year; the subjects range from local and regional artists and photographers to international group shows curated around a theme. Check the exhibition schedule on the website. See the city from above Get some perspective on the city by walking, running, or biking across the Cooper River Bridge to Mount Pleasant. A wide paved path across the span, separated and protected from car traffic, allows visitors (and commuters) to make their way over the bridge while enjoying views of the harbor, the river, and the shore. You’ll cool off in the steady breeze while getting a clear picture about why this city’s position on the coast has made it important to maritime history and commerce. >>Next: Plan your trip with AFAR’s Travel Guide to Charleston AFAR Travel https://www.afar.com/magazine/the-best-free-things-to-do-in-charleston via Tumblr The Best Free Things to Do in Charleston Charleston, South Carolina, is revered for its food scene, its starring role in much of early U.S. history, its live oaks and Spanish moss, and its stunning harbor, but it is almost never remembered fondly for its affordability. We say save your money for a platter of oysters and a local beer or spend it on a swanky hotel room; you can explore the city and experience many of its myriad charms without opening your wallet. Make the scene at Charleston Farmers’ Market Every Saturday morning between mid-April and Christmas, local farmers, food trucks, and makers set up in Marion Square to sell their goods and the whole town seems to turn out. They listen to homegrown music, parade their dogs, and let their kids partake in the bouncy castle and inflatable slides set up in the park. Going to the weekly market gives visitors an opportunity to talk to the locals and to meet the Charleston makers of jewelry, salt, fragrances, wooden bowls, sweetgrass baskets, jams, and more. Don’t miss the chance to mingle, ask questions, taste samples, admire dogs and babies, and get a strong sense of what this city’s all about. (Check the schedule at Charleston Farmers’ Market website.) Enjoy culture at Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art The art department at the College of Charleston devotes a generous portion of its ground floor on Calhoun Street to gallery space. Rotating exhibits of art and film are mounted here, as are free lectures. Recent exhibits included a wide-ranging photography show about all aspects of life in the South. This is serious art curation—many of the Halsey’s exhibits go on to tour galleries around the country. (See what’s on right now by checking Halsey’s website.) Walk the city streets reading historic markers The telegraphic snippets of info on historic markers hinting at Charleston’s centuries of intrigue can hook the most skeptical visitor. You can’t help but want to fill in the blanks of the abbreviated stories. A short walk from City Market, at 35 Wentworth Street, you can read that the house was built around 1840 by a free woman of color, Hannah McBeth, and that she resided there with six other women, two of whom were enslaved. (Hollywood screenwriters: Take up this story, please.) Or walk down to the South of Broad neighborhood to the John Fullerton House (15 Legare Street), where a plaque blithely notes that the house is haunted by two ghosts. One occasionally appears in an upper-story window to shoot a dueling pistol at the balcony of a house across the street, and the other is an “Indian who peers through the first floor window attracted by the sound of spinet.” While you’re South of Broad, looking for ghosts, don’t miss reading the markers of the colorful houses along Rainbow Row. (If you need more structure to your wandering, the Charleston Historic Society released a free app in October 2018 with several self-guided walking tours.) March over to the weekly cadet parade at the Citadel At 3:45 p.m. almost every Friday during the school year, the cadets of the Citadel Military College parade on Summerall Field at the center of campus. It’s an impressive show with military orders bellowed, cadets chanting as they march, a regimental band in kilts, and lots of fine posture and tidy uniforms. Come a bit early to find parking and get a good spot to watch the parade. Visit the city’s cemeteries Reading the stories etched on these centuries-old stones can give dusty history a vivid immediacy. Decoding the words on the listing and moss-eroded stones at Magnolia Cemetery, the oldest public boneyard in the state, reveals much about the fates of the Charleston families buried here, as well as the story of the crewman lost on the H.L. Hunley, a Confederate submarine. If gravestone reading is not temptation enough, Magnolia and many of the churchyards in town also provide a quiet, shady, and somewhat eerie place to wander. Meet the locals at Charleston’s many parks If you’re based downtown, stroll Waterfront Park (swing on the swings, sit on a shady promenade bench, enjoy the fountains and sculpture, and watch the harbor), or head all the way to the tip of the peninsula to see the Battery and pretty White Point Garden. The parks provide shade and green and let you absorb city history and geography without really trying. Up on the west side, Hampton Park is a favorite with locals; you won’t see a lot of other tourists there, but you will find an elegant park designed by Frederick Law Olmstead (who designed New York’s Central Park), full of gardens and picnic spots, and (since history never takes a holiday here) a statue of Denmark Vesey, a freed man who was allegedly the mastermind behind a foiled slave uprising. Conduct your own College of Charleston walking tour The walking tours of the College of Charleston run by the Office of Admissions are limited to prospective students and their families, but anyone can enter through the open passageways of Porter’s Lodge to admire the buildings surrounding Cistern Yard—elegant Randolph Hall is one of the oldest college buildings in the United States still in use. Time your sojourn in this peaceful and green quad so it coincides with one of the official tours (daily scheduled tours start at 9:30 and 11:30 and should arrive in the Cistern about twenty minutes after that), and discreetly eavesdrop on a tour guide’s presentation about buildings here. Visitors can also tour the Mace Brown Museum of Natural History on the campus, open to the public every day except Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Download a campus map for more info.) Tour the carriage horse stables On slower days, some of the carriage stables along Anson Street conduct free tours of their facilities so visitors can meet the animals and see behind the scenes. The tours are an obvious ploy to lure you into taking a carriage ride, so be prepared either to sign up for a paid ride or to be firm in saying no (and get ready for some pushback). Take in the arts at the City Gallery This glass-front building at Waterfront Park is a not-for-profit exhibition space operated by the city, so visitors are always welcome. City Gallery hosts six to eight exhibitions a year; the subjects range from local and regional artists and photographers to international group shows curated around a theme. Check the exhibition schedule on the website. See the city from above Get some perspective on the city by walking, running, or biking across the Cooper River Bridge to Mount Pleasant. A wide paved path across the span, separated and protected from car traffic, allows visitors (and commuters) to make their way over the bridge while enjoying views of the harbor, the river, and the shore. You’ll cool off in the steady breeze while getting a clear picture about why this city’s position on the coast has made it important to maritime history and commerce. >>Next: Plan your trip with AFAR’s Travel Guide to Charleston AFAR Travel https://www.afar.com/magazine/the-best-free-things-to-do-in-charleston https://brandnewsunrise.wordpress.com/2019/03/19/the-best-free-things-to-do-in-charleston/With sailings on the Danube, Seine, Rhone and Rhein, Adventures by Disney river cruises with AmaWaterways are a great way to introduce children to Europe. Go World Travel Magazine https://www.goworldtravel.com/adventures-by-disney-river-cruise/ via Tumblr Adventures by Disney River Cruises: Kid-Friendly River Cruising With sailings on the Danube, Seine, Rhone and Rhein, Adventures by Disney river cruises with AmaWaterways are a great way to introduce children to Europe. Go World Travel Magazine https://www.goworldtravel.com/adventures-by-disney-river-cruise/ https://brandnewsunrise.wordpress.com/2019/03/19/adventures-by-disney-river-cruises-kid-friendly-river-cruising/Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, is marked by fasting from sunrise to sunset, with days reserved for introspection and evenings for socializing with family and friends. Since Muslims follow the lunar calendar, Ramadan naturally falls 11 days earlier each year. This year, it is observed May 6 to June 4. If you’re heading to Indonesia, Egypt, or another Muslim-majority country during Ramadan, follow our guide to get closer with the people, food, and culture during your travels. 1. ResearchFirst up, you need to check when Ramadan actually is. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, during which it’s believed the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. The Islamic calendar is lunar, so it shifts back a bit each year as measured by the Gregorian calendar. This year, Ramadan is May 6 to June 4. In 2020, it will be April 24 to May 23. (Note that the exact dates can vary by a day or two, depending on when the new moon is sighted and how you determine “start” and “end.”) How Ramadan is observed around the world varies, so you should research local laws and practices in advance. “Some countries are closed to visitors during Ramadan while others are more welcoming,” says Anissa Helou, cookbook author, teacher, and chef who specializes in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. In some places, like in Dubai, eating and drinking in public during daylight hours in not allowed, whether you are observing the fast or not. In others, like Istanbul, it’s more tolerated. Check things like whether restaurants are open during the day, and the availability of alcohol. Bear in mind that the time between sunrise and sunset is a lot longer during the summer. Ramadan is also an ideal time to connect with local culture by supporting your host country. One of the best ways to learn about a region’s customs is by hiring a local guide. During Ramadan, guides can provide information on the traditional food and practices and connect you with people who will invite you to observe Ramadan as the locals do. Support those in need by cooking an iftar meal with Resala in Egypt, donating food or clothes to Ajialouina Organization in Lebanon, or contacting another established NGO to volunteer. 2. RespectRamadan is a period of devotion, reflection, and charity. The most obvious manifestation of this will be the fast, which is one of the five pillars of Islam. People observing the fast will not eat, drink, or smoke between sunrise and sunset. Particularly devout practitioners may even avoid swallowing their own saliva. As a visitor, you will not be expected to fast (though you may if you want). However, you should be mindful of consuming (or even displaying) food and drink in public during the day, regardless of your destination’s actual laws. It’s common-sense respect: If not a drop or morsel had passed your lips for hours, you wouldn’t want to have someone merrily guzzling right in your face. Watch what non-fasting locals do, and follow suit. Many places, especially touristy ones or where there is a large non-observant population, will have restaurants open and serving during the day, though they may not be flaunting it. Hotels often offer private dining options for visitors. Everywhere is different. During Ramadan, Muslims will also try to avoid all forms of sinful behavior, such as evil thoughts or false speech. It’s therefore respectful to conduct yourself in a similarly restrained manner, moderating your language and behavior and dressing modestly: Long pants and a top that covers your shoulders (and midriff) will do the trick. Likewise, public intoxication is a no-no—and it’s probably going to be hard to find alcohol, anyway. 3. RelaxBusiness slows down during Ramadan. Many restaurants, government entities, and even some tourism sites operate on reduced hours or may be closed entirely during Ramadan. Don’t plan on getting much done just before or after sunset, when people break their fast with the evening meal, iftar. Before this, everything grinds to a halt as everyone is either at home or heading there (or to wherever else they are breaking their fast). And if you do need to go somewhere and are lucky enough to find a taxi, prepare for the ride of your life as the hangry driver speeds home to his family. Afterwards, everyone is in a blissful post-iftar food coma for a while. From a traveler’s point of view, all this is fine as long as you plan your day in advance. 4. RespondIf all this sounds rather dour, think again. Sure, Ramadan is a time of sustained religiosity, and the fast is tough, but it’s also a time of intense joy, camaraderie, and affirmation. People often break their fast at communal public tables (sometimes provided by richer members of society for the poorer). Although all are welcome to attend public iftars, it’s relatively common to be invited to a private iftar. “Being invited to share iftar in people’s homes is a sign of friendship and respect,” says Helou, and it allows you to experience this holy time in an intimate, authentic way. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve been fasting or not. There are plenty of savory dishes, sweet treats, and conversation to go around, and though visitors are not expected to bring a gift for the host, dates or desserts are a nice way to show your appreciation. At the end of the month, Eid al-Fitr breaks the month-long fast with an elaborate feast, classy dress, and gift-giving. 5. RejoiceDuring Ramadan, nights are where the real action lies. Iftar acts like a pressure valve, and once people have broken the fast, the streets come alive again. While some people spend time reading the Quran or praying at the mosque, others will visit family and friends and, of course, eat and drink some more. Sometimes, feasting lasts until the early morning. Where you are will determine how festive it feels, but there will usually be something going on. As a visitor, this is a wonderful time—and a privilege—to be out and about, soaking up the atmosphere and sharing a little of what makes this month so special to more than a billion people around the world. >>Next: This Istanbul Shop Is the Last to Make a Turkish Breakfast Staple the Traditional Way AFAR Travel https://www.afar.com/magazine/what-to-know-if-you-travel-to-a-muslim-country-during-ramadan via Tumblr What to Know If You Travel to a Muslim Country During Ramadan Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, is marked by fasting from sunrise to sunset, with days reserved for introspection and evenings for socializing with family and friends. Since Muslims follow the lunar calendar, Ramadan naturally falls 11 days earlier each year. This year, it is observed May 6 to June 4. If you’re heading to Indonesia, Egypt, or another Muslim-majority country during Ramadan, follow our guide to get closer with the people, food, and culture during your travels. 1. ResearchFirst up, you need to check when Ramadan actually is. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, during which it’s believed the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. The Islamic calendar is lunar, so it shifts back a bit each year as measured by the Gregorian calendar. This year, Ramadan is May 6 to June 4. In 2020, it will be April 24 to May 23. (Note that the exact dates can vary by a day or two, depending on when the new moon is sighted and how you determine “start” and “end.”) How Ramadan is observed around the world varies, so you should research local laws and practices in advance. “Some countries are closed to visitors during Ramadan while others are more welcoming,” says Anissa Helou, cookbook author, teacher, and chef who specializes in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. In some places, like in Dubai, eating and drinking in public during daylight hours in not allowed, whether you are observing the fast or not. In others, like Istanbul, it’s more tolerated. Check things like whether restaurants are open during the day, and the availability of alcohol. Bear in mind that the time between sunrise and sunset is a lot longer during the summer. Ramadan is also an ideal time to connect with local culture by supporting your host country. One of the best ways to learn about a region’s customs is by hiring a local guide. During Ramadan, guides can provide information on the traditional food and practices and connect you with people who will invite you to observe Ramadan as the locals do. Support those in need by cooking an iftar meal with Resala in Egypt, donating food or clothes to Ajialouina Organization in Lebanon, or contacting another established NGO to volunteer. 2. RespectRamadan is a period of devotion, reflection, and charity. The most obvious manifestation of this will be the fast, which is one of the five pillars of Islam. People observing the fast will not eat, drink, or smoke between sunrise and sunset. Particularly devout practitioners may even avoid swallowing their own saliva. As a visitor, you will not be expected to fast (though you may if you want). However, you should be mindful of consuming (or even displaying) food and drink in public during the day, regardless of your destination’s actual laws. It’s common-sense respect: If not a drop or morsel had passed your lips for hours, you wouldn’t want to have someone merrily guzzling right in your face. Watch what non-fasting locals do, and follow suit. Many places, especially touristy ones or where there is a large non-observant population, will have restaurants open and serving during the day, though they may not be flaunting it. Hotels often offer private dining options for visitors. Everywhere is different. During Ramadan, Muslims will also try to avoid all forms of sinful behavior, such as evil thoughts or false speech. It’s therefore respectful to conduct yourself in a similarly restrained manner, moderating your language and behavior and dressing modestly: Long pants and a top that covers your shoulders (and midriff) will do the trick. Likewise, public intoxication is a no-no—and it’s probably going to be hard to find alcohol, anyway. 3. RelaxBusiness slows down during Ramadan. Many restaurants, government entities, and even some tourism sites operate on reduced hours or may be closed entirely during Ramadan. Don’t plan on getting much done just before or after sunset, when people break their fast with the evening meal, iftar. Before this, everything grinds to a halt as everyone is either at home or heading there (or to wherever else they are breaking their fast). And if you do need to go somewhere and are lucky enough to find a taxi, prepare for the ride of your life as the hangry driver speeds home to his family. Afterwards, everyone is in a blissful post-iftar food coma for a while. From a traveler’s point of view, all this is fine as long as you plan your day in advance. 4. RespondIf all this sounds rather dour, think again. Sure, Ramadan is a time of sustained religiosity, and the fast is tough, but it’s also a time of intense joy, camaraderie, and affirmation. People often break their fast at communal public tables (sometimes provided by richer members of society for the poorer). Although all are welcome to attend public iftars, it’s relatively common to be invited to a private iftar. “Being invited to share iftar in people’s homes is a sign of friendship and respect,” says Helou, and it allows you to experience this holy time in an intimate, authentic way. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve been fasting or not. There are plenty of savory dishes, sweet treats, and conversation to go around, and though visitors are not expected to bring a gift for the host, dates or desserts are a nice way to show your appreciation. At the end of the month, Eid al-Fitr breaks the month-long fast with an elaborate feast, classy dress, and gift-giving. 5. RejoiceDuring Ramadan, nights are where the real action lies. Iftar acts like a pressure valve, and once people have broken the fast, the streets come alive again. While some people spend time reading the Quran or praying at the mosque, others will visit family and friends and, of course, eat and drink some more. Sometimes, feasting lasts until the early morning. Where you are will determine how festive it feels, but there will usually be something going on. As a visitor, this is a wonderful time—and a privilege—to be out and about, soaking up the atmosphere and sharing a little of what makes this month so special to more than a billion people around the world. >>Next: This Istanbul Shop Is the Last to Make a Turkish Breakfast Staple the Traditional Way AFAR Travel https://www.afar.com/magazine/what-to-know-if-you-travel-to-a-muslim-country-during-ramadan https://brandnewsunrise.wordpress.com/2019/03/19/what-to-know-if-you-travel-to-a-muslim-country-during-ramadan/A journey to Antarctica is the journey of a lifetime (cheesy but true!). And the things you’ll see and experience—the sight of penguins marching along their snowy highways, the sound of a humpback whale surfacing to breathe—will far outweigh any minor hiccups around travel and packing. That said, there are things that will make your trip more comfortable, the experience more rewarding, and your memories richer. Every ship and every adventure is different, of course, and you should pay close attention to what your outfitter recommends. But here’s what I learned on my 10-day expedition cruise to the Antarctic peninsula with the French cruise line Ponant.
Courtesy of Amazon
Don’t forget to prep for Buenos Aires
Courtesy of Amazon
When it comes to pretrip reading, consider alternative perspectives The Antarctic Book of Cooking and Cleaning: A Polar Journey, a collaboration between expedition leader Carol Devine, who spearheaded the 1994 cleanup mission, Project Antarctica, and artist/chef Wendy Trusler. Antarctica: An Intimate Portrait of a Mysterious Continent, a comprehensive investigation into the human obsession with the continent from science writer Gabrielle Walker. Secrets of the Ice: Antarctica’s Clues to the Climate, the Universe, and the Limits of Life, a photo-driven view of the research taking place in Antarctica, from journalist Veronika Meduna.
Photo by Aislyn Greene
Pack critical gear in your carry-on Speaking of gear … some thoughts on interpreting that packing list Every cruise line will send a packing list tailored for your journey. Most will emphasize “technical” or “polar” gear, which can seem intimidating. If you’re a skier or snowboarder, much of the gear you already have should be sufficient. If not, you can often rent high-quality snow gear—including gloves and waterproof pants—from a good outdoor store (or borrow from your snow-loving friends). If you invest in anything, make it a set of high-quality thermal underwear and sturdy waterproof pants—on an expedition cruise, you’ll definitely get wet in the Zodiacs, the inflatable dinghies that carry travelers from ship to shore.
Courtesy of Amazon
I found that one set of everything (save for socks) got me through the 10-day trip. I just hung items to dry in our cabin between outings. If your expedition will involve a lot of hiking, you might bring an extra base layer. If you’ll be hiking on snow, definitely bring hiking poles, which were listed as recommended, but not mandatory, on our list. If you want extra traction, bring a set of lightweight strap-on crampons that will fit over your boots. Most lists recommend a waterproof backpack, such as the kind you’d use on a rafting trip. But unless you’ll be ferrying expensive camera equipment or other big-ticket items, I’d argue that a simple, water-resistant daypack is fine. Three things that weren’t on my list but you might want A sunglasses loop: It’s a pain to take sunglasses on and off with bulky gloves—easier to just hang them around your neck when they’re not in use. Tech-compatible glove liners: If you’re planning to take a lot of photos with a smartphone, bring a pair of glove liners with touch-screen capability. Often, I found that I didn’t need my bulky waterproof gloves, but it was too cold to go without anything on my hands, which made photography more challenging.
Courtesy of Bogs Footwear
Cozy slip-on boots: Your ship will likely provide you with expedition boots, so no need to bring your own. But you’ll also want something less burly—a pair of shoes that are comfortable enough for the ship, but warm enough that you can hop outside at a moment’s notice (like when the captain comes on the loudspeaker to announce that whales are on the port side). I had boot envy for this squishy, insulated pair.
Photo by Aislyn Greene
Be proactive about seasickness If you’re especially prone to seasickness, or just anxious about it, ask your doctor about patches. I used the Transderm Scop, a small patch you apply beneath the ear, which is also the medicine Ponant’s doctor recommends. (I skipped it on the way over because the side effects—dry mouth, drowsiness, and blurred vision—are common and not fun. But all of those side effects were worth it to feel OK on the rockier trip back.) If you really want to pull out the big guns, you might ask your doctor about Promethazine, which is reportedly what the Coast Guard uses to battle seasickness.
Courtesy of Amazon
Whatever you take, take it the moment you set foot on ship—or ideally a few hours before. Once seasickness hits, it’s tough to overcome. Consider bringing ginger candies and a topical oil, which can help ease symptoms. Two tips I gleaned from our crossing: If you feel ill, park yourself in the lowest, most central part of the ship (ideally in a place with windows). For us that was one of the dining rooms. It may seem unappealing but eat a green apple (it’s believed that the combination of acid and sugar helps settle the stomach). And be sure to pack enough of whatever meds you choose to last the entire trip—don’t expect the ship to carry what you need. Wear sunscreen and shower early Take a shower as soon as you can onboard (and shave, if that’s something you do). It might be the last chance you have for 36 to 48 hours—you never know what Drake’s Passage will bring. And even during in our “mild” crossing, it was extremely difficult to shower in the roll. And forget about shaving.
Courtesy of Everlane
But don’t overpack for formal nights Keep your camera needs in check …
Photo by Aislyn Greene
… And don’t forget to step out from behind the lens Let your experience unfold All travel courtesy of Ponant >>Next: A Journey to Antarctica Will Take You Beyond Belief AFAR Travel https://www.afar.com/magazine/11-things-i-wish-id-known-before-traveling-to-antarctica via Tumblr 11 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Traveling to Antarctica A journey to Antarctica is the journey of a lifetime (cheesy but true!). And the things you’ll see and experience—the sight of penguins marching along their snowy highways, the sound of a humpback whale surfacing to breathe—will far outweigh any minor hiccups around travel and packing. That said, there are things that will make your trip more comfortable, the experience more rewarding, and your memories richer. Every ship and every adventure is different, of course, and you should pay close attention to what your outfitter recommends. But here’s what I learned on my 10-day expedition cruise to the Antarctic peninsula with the French cruise line Ponant.
Courtesy of Amazon
Don’t forget to prep for Buenos Aires
Courtesy of Amazon
When it comes to pretrip reading, consider alternative perspectives The Antarctic Book of Cooking and Cleaning: A Polar Journey, a collaboration between expedition leader Carol Devine, who spearheaded the 1994 cleanup mission, Project Antarctica, and artist/chef Wendy Trusler. Antarctica: An Intimate Portrait of a Mysterious Continent, a comprehensive investigation into the human obsession with the continent from science writer Gabrielle Walker. Secrets of the Ice: Antarctica’s Clues to the Climate, the Universe, and the Limits of Life, a photo-driven view of the research taking place in Antarctica, from journalist Veronika Meduna.
Photo by Aislyn Greene
Pack critical gear in your carry-on Speaking of gear . . . some thoughts on interpreting that packing list Every cruise line will send a packing list tailored for your journey. Most will emphasize “technical” or “polar” gear, which can seem intimidating. If you’re a skier or snowboarder, much of the gear you already have should be sufficient. If not, you can often rent high-quality snow gear—including gloves and waterproof pants—from a good outdoor store (or borrow from your snow-loving friends). If you invest in anything, make it a set of high-quality thermal underwear and sturdy waterproof pants—on an expedition cruise, you’ll definitely get wet in the Zodiacs, the inflatable dinghies that carry travelers from ship to shore.
Courtesy of Amazon
I found that one set of everything (save for socks) got me through the 10-day trip. I just hung items to dry in our cabin between outings. If your expedition will involve a lot of hiking, you might bring an extra base layer. If you’ll be hiking on snow, definitely bring hiking poles, which were listed as recommended, but not mandatory, on our list. If you want extra traction, bring a set of lightweight strap-on crampons that will fit over your boots. Most lists recommend a waterproof backpack, such as the kind you’d use on a rafting trip. But unless you’ll be ferrying expensive camera equipment or other big-ticket items, I’d argue that a simple, water-resistant daypack is fine. Three things that weren’t on my list but you might want A sunglasses loop: It’s a pain to take sunglasses on and off with bulky gloves—easier to just hang them around your neck when they’re not in use. Tech-compatible glove liners: If you’re planning to take a lot of photos with a smartphone, bring a pair of glove liners with touch-screen capability. Often, I found that I didn’t need my bulky waterproof gloves, but it was too cold to go without anything on my hands, which made photography more challenging.
Courtesy of Bogs Footwear
Cozy slip-on boots: Your ship will likely provide you with expedition boots, so no need to bring your own. But you’ll also want something less burly—a pair of shoes that are comfortable enough for the ship, but warm enough that you can hop outside at a moment’s notice (like when the captain comes on the loudspeaker to announce that whales are on the port side). I had boot envy for this squishy, insulated pair.
Photo by Aislyn Greene
Be proactive about seasickness If you’re especially prone to seasickness, or just anxious about it, ask your doctor about patches. I used the Transderm Scop, a small patch you apply beneath the ear, which is also the medicine Ponant’s doctor recommends. (I skipped it on the way over because the side effects—dry mouth, drowsiness, and blurred vision—are common and not fun. But all of those side effects were worth it to feel OK on the rockier trip back.) If you really want to pull out the big guns, you might ask your doctor about Promethazine, which is reportedly what the Coast Guard uses to battle seasickness.
Courtesy of Amazon
Whatever you take, take it the moment you set foot on ship—or ideally a few hours before. Once seasickness hits, it’s tough to overcome. Consider bringing ginger candies and a topical oil, which can help ease symptoms. Two tips I gleaned from our crossing: If you feel ill, park yourself in the lowest, most central part of the ship (ideally in a place with windows). For us that was one of the dining rooms. It may seem unappealing but eat a green apple (it’s believed that the combination of acid and sugar helps settle the stomach). And be sure to pack enough of whatever meds you choose to last the entire trip—don’t expect the ship to carry what you need. Wear sunscreen and shower early Take a shower as soon as you can onboard (and shave, if that’s something you do). It might be the last chance you have for 36 to 48 hours—you never know what Drake’s Passage will bring. And even during in our “mild” crossing, it was extremely difficult to shower in the roll. And forget about shaving.
Courtesy of Everlane
But don’t overpack for formal nights Keep your camera needs in check . . .
Photo by Aislyn Greene
. . . And don’t forget to step out from behind the lens Let your experience unfold All travel courtesy of Ponant >>Next: A Journey to Antarctica Will Take You Beyond Belief AFAR Travel https://www.afar.com/magazine/11-things-i-wish-id-known-before-traveling-to-antarctica https://brandnewsunrise.wordpress.com/2019/03/19/11-things-i-wish-id-known-before-traveling-to-antarctica/In a year in which Japan and Venice have implemented new taxes for tourists, Brazil has made it cheaper for U.S. citizens to visit. On Monday, Brazil’s government announced that it will waive visa requirements starting on June 17 for both business travelers and tourists from the United States, as well as Canada, Australia, and Japan. Currently, travelers from the United States need to apply online or at a Brazilian embassy and pay $40 (plus a $4.24 service fee) for a tourist visa. The Brazilian government temporarily waived visa requirements from travelers from the same four countries during the summer of 2016 to encourage foreign travelers to visit around the time of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. In November 2017, Brazil introduced an e-Visa program that cut down visa approval times to about 72 hours and lowered the price of the visa from $160 to $40 for U.S. travelers, according to Travel Weekly. Since then, Brazil’s Ministry of Tourism saw a 44.2 percent increase in visas processed from the United States in April 2018 compared to April 2017. By eliminating all visa requirements for travelers from these countries, Brazil’s Ministry of Tourism hopes to increase the number of annual overseas visitors to 12 million and spending to $18 billion by 2022, Travel Pulse reports. Brazil had over 6 million foreign arrivals in 2018. But there are also political motives behind the decision, considering that the announcement falls during Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro’s first visit to Washington, D.C., to meet with President Trump this week. The move to let in travelers from the United States without a visa was done in part to ease relations between the two countries. Trump said he and Bolsonaro would discuss visa requirements in their meeting, reported Bloomberg. But experts are skeptical. It’s “not likely to be reciprocated in the current anti-immigration climate,” Cynthia Arnson, director of the Latin American program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, told the Wall Street Journal. If you are entering Brazil from now until June 17, you will still need to apply for a Brazilian tourist visa, if you’re a U.S. citizen. After June 17, you’ll be able to enter Brazil visa-free for visits of up to 90 days. >> Next: 7 Countries U.S. Citizens Need Visas in Advance AFAR Travel https://www.afar.com/magazine/brazil-eliminates-visa-requirements-for-us-travelers via Tumblr Brazil Eliminates Visa Requirements for U.S. Travelers In a year in which Japan and Venice have implemented new taxes for tourists, Brazil has made it cheaper for U.S. citizens to visit. On Monday, Brazil’s government announced that it will waive visa requirements starting on June 17 for both business travelers and tourists from the United States, as well as Canada, Australia, and Japan. Currently, travelers from the United States need to apply online or at a Brazilian embassy and pay $40 (plus a $4.24 service fee) for a tourist visa. The Brazilian government temporarily waived visa requirements from travelers from the same four countries during the summer of 2016 to encourage foreign travelers to visit around the time of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. In November 2017, Brazil introduced an e-Visa program that cut down visa approval times to about 72 hours and lowered the price of the visa from $160 to $40 for U.S. travelers, according to Travel Weekly. Since then, Brazil’s Ministry of Tourism saw a 44.2 percent increase in visas processed from the United States in April 2018 compared to April 2017. By eliminating all visa requirements for travelers from these countries, Brazil’s Ministry of Tourism hopes to increase the number of annual overseas visitors to 12 million and spending to $18 billion by 2022, Travel Pulse reports. Brazil had over 6 million foreign arrivals in 2018. But there are also political motives behind the decision, considering that the announcement falls during Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro’s first visit to Washington, D.C., to meet with President Trump this week. The move to let in travelers from the United States without a visa was done in part to ease relations between the two countries. Trump said he and Bolsonaro would discuss visa requirements in their meeting, reported Bloomberg. But experts are skeptical. It’s “not likely to be reciprocated in the current anti-immigration climate,” Cynthia Arnson, director of the Latin American program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, told the Wall Street Journal. If you are entering Brazil from now until June 17, you will still need to apply for a Brazilian tourist visa, if you’re a U.S. citizen. After June 17, you’ll be able to enter Brazil visa-free for visits of up to 90 days. >> Next: 7 Countries U.S. Citizens Need Visas in Advance AFAR Travel https://www.afar.com/magazine/brazil-eliminates-visa-requirements-for-us-travelers https://brandnewsunrise.wordpress.com/2019/03/19/brazil-eliminates-visa-requirements-for-u-s-travelers/Discovering Africa Vacation Rental Marketing Agency https://vacationrentalexperts.tumblr.com/post/183564936838 via Tumblr Discovering Africa Discovering Africa Vacation Rental Marketing Agency https://vacationrentalexperts.tumblr.com/post/183564936838 https://brandnewsunrise.wordpress.com/2019/03/19/discovering-africa-2/ |