admin, Author at Girls Guide to The World

November 14, 2012 by admin

Island Hopping in Southern Thailand

Phuket, Thailand is a destination in its own right. Beautiful beaches, cultural sites and a thumping nightlife make this a popular destination among people of all ages. While the Andaman Sea’s Phuket is Thailand’s largest island, it by no means its only island. Actual numbers vary, but most sources put the number of islands in Thailand at well over 1,000. Island hopping from Phuket is a simple and exciting way to spend some time in southern Thailand’s tropical lushness.

Koh Phi Phi

At just under two hours by regular ferry from Phuket, and less time by private speedboat, Koh Phi Phi is a very popular and very beautiful tiny gem of an island. Possible most well known for the devastation wrought by the 2004 tsunami, Koh Phi Phi has come back with a vengeance and is back on the top of the list of great island destinations. Accommodations here range from backpacker guesthouse to luxury resort, with plenty of mid range options. Dance the night away at one of its many beach bars, SCUBA and snorkel at nearby Bida Nok and Bida Nai, or just relax on the beautiful beaches. You may even find a hammock that you’ll never want to leave.

Koh Lanta

Just over an hour by ferry from Koh Phi Phi, or four hours from Phuket, you’ll find Koh Lanta. Consisting of several islands, Koh Lanta generally refers to Koh Lanta Yai, or Big Lanta Island. Again, snorkeling and diving are popular here, but Koh Lanta is less developed than nearby Koh Phi Phi and you can still expect to find a variety of accommodation and activities. Nearby Koh Lanta Noi has no tourist facilities, but many visitors hire a scooter on the main island, then make the short ferry ride to explore a more local aspect of Thai life. Additionally, Old Lanta Town on the main island houses a small community of local Thai fishing families and sea gypsies, and is well worth a look.

Koh Lipe

About three hours by ferry from Koh Lanta you’ll find Koh Lipe, and you’ll notice that as you go farther from Phuket, things become very different. While accommodations are plentiful and places to eat and drink boundless, there are a conspicuous lack of things like ATMs, but most establishments take credit cards. However, Koh Lipe offers gorgeous, uncrowded beaches and a more authentic tropical atmosphere. The waters around the island are clear, which makes for great snorkeling and SCUBA. Koh Lipe also boasts a sailing school, as well as other activities. A clinic has recently been opened on the island, and is staffed by four doctors, one of whom speaks English. Supposedly.

Koh Tarutao

If things weren’t feeling rustic enough yet, welcome to Koh Tarutao National Marine Park, an hour’s ferry ride from Koh Lipe. Well known as one of the best, most unspoiled islands in Thailand, Koh Tarutao is famous amongst divers as one of the best dive sites in world. Also famous for its use an island prison in the 1930’s and 1940’s, as well as the location for the television show Survivor:Thailand, Koh Tarutao is teeming with jungle wildlife and history. Hike inland to see some overgrown ruins, relax on the beach, or take a peek at what’s below the water’s surface. Simple accommodations and restaurants can be found, but this is a cash only island, and that means Thai baht. No credit card machines, money exchangers, or ATM’s are in use anywhere on Koh Tarutao.

So the next time you’re in Phuket, consider leaving behind the cabaret shows and bar-laden streets behind. It’s easy and wonderful to hop on a ferry and make your way through the Andaman Sea to visit some of Thailand’s other islands. As the crowds begin to thin out, you just may find an entirely different Thailand waiting to greet you.

Ferry times and durations vary according to the time of year and local weather conditions. Please enquire locally when planning a trip that includes a journey by ferry.

November 7, 2012 by admin

Why Paris is More Than Just a Fancy Tower

Located on the river Seine, Paris is the most glamorous capital in Europe, hosting some of the world’s most sumptuous designers such as: Christian Dior, Guerlain, Yves Saint-Laurent, Chanel and many more. Paris is not famous just for its magnificent fashion culture, but also for the amazing food, having the second highest number of Michelin-restaurants in the world. Known to be the most romantic city in Europe, Paris is also overflowing with its fabulous artistic and cultural landmarks.

I believe that we all agree that the Eiffel Tower is one of the most popular attractions when it comes to Paris. Being almost a cliché among the travellers all over the world, going to Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower is like not going to Paris at all. The best part about this is that even if you don’t want to see it, you will most probably do, as the Tower is 300 metres tall.

With its gigantic red windmill sitting on top of its structure, Moulin Rouge, once the most disputed and controversial venues in Paris, is now a significant landmark for tourists all over Europe. Moulin Rouge, formerly known as a brothel is now a cabaret, home to talented dancers who have over 100 performances every night in this vibrant place. Visitors are more than welcome to enjoy the glamorous atmosphere and the gorgeous dances performed by the ladies.

Napoleon’s Triumphal Arch, Arc de Triomphe is located in the heart of Place Charles de Gaulle, exactly at the end of the Champs Elysees. The Arch is a symbol for Napoleon’s victorious battles and it is considered one of the most emblematic monuments in Paris. For those who are willing to climb 234 steps to the observation deck, at the top, there is an amazing view that can’t be missed by anyone who visits this gorgeous city.

Situate in the city centre, the Louvre Museum is the most important museum in Paris and definitely one of the greatest museums in the world. The museum houses 1 million works of art, among which the notorious Mona Lisa. Louvre has three wings: Sully, Richelieu and Denon, where visitors can see on display a breathtaking range of art works varying from Greek Collections to tapestries, furniture and even Napoleon’s luxurious apartments abundantly decorated.

The Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the most important historical monuments in Paris. With its magnificent Gallery of Kings, the majestic Cathedral is visited by millions of people every year and it is a national symbol and pride.

Even though these are the most important landmarks in Paris, one cannot leave this stunning city without having a walk on the glamorous Champs Elysees Avenue, a visit to the sublime Versailles Palace, the imposing Sacré-Coeur basilica, the beautiful Jardin du Luxembourg, which is one of the most famous parks in Paris, with its extremely picturesque landscapes and incredibly wonderful fountains.

Also, keep in mind that Paris is a highly cultural city with a lot of fascinating events, festivals and performances, so make sure you check the cultural schedule as soon as you get there!

August 1, 2012 by admin

Girls Guide to Dealing With Unwanted Attention From Men

Let’s get straight to the point here. There are two types of male attention that us glorious female creatures can attract. Wanted attention and unwanted attention. Whilst we all love a bit of the former, it’s a sad fact of life that we will inevitably have to deal with the latter type at various points throughout our lives. Traveling can see us experience a lot more unwanted attention from men, for various reasons, not least because often we appear exotic and different to the women who live in the countries we are traveling in.

Whilst it is our belief that women should be able to travel free from hassle and objectification, the truth of the matter is that we need to be prepared for it rather than wistfully wishing it wasn’t so. This post has been written to give you the best chance of dealing efficiently with any unwanted male attention that you might encounter on the road.

Strut your inner sass

Whether you feel it or not, one of the best ways is to adopt a “don’t mess with me” attitude. If you walk with confidence and determination, the guys looking for a girl to mess with, are much more likely to pick the fading wall flower behind you who looks as though she’d let a guy get away with murder than dare to even hold eye contact with you. Act strong and you will not only feel strong but you will appear strong. The kind of men we’re hoping to avoid here are not looking to harass a strong woman, they looking for an easy target. Don’t allow yourself to be one.

Never tell the truth

There are not many situations that I would advocate dishonesty but in dealing with unwanted attention from men never tell the truth if you are single and travelling solo and they ask any of the following questions. Do you have a boyfriend? Are you married? Are you traveling alone? Are you with friends? Yes you do have a boyfriend, fiancé or better still a husband and no you are not traveling alone, you’re meeting with your husband and friends very soon. These might all be lies but trust me, if a man is asking you these sorts of questions the only way to avoid ongoing harassment is to lie. I made the mistake when I first got to South East Asia of answering these questions honestly and I learnt that lesson pretty quickly I can tell you.

Make friends

We would never say don’t travel alone. It’s every woman’s right to travel solo and I personally have travelled all over South America and South East Asia without a partner or friend in tow. Having said that, it’s definitely safer and more fun to spend time on the road with people. If you are traveling solo then make friends in your hostel or hotel or get to know the local women in your area.

If you are traveling between places by bus, train or even plane, look out for fellow travelers and make contact, you are less likely to get hassled by men or robbed if it appears that you are traveling in a group. It also means you can leave your bag with people when you go to the toilet rather than trying to negotiate peeing in a hole in the floor at the same time as trying to hold your rather heavy backpack (I’m speaking from personal experience here). Without wanting to alarm you I have heard of female travelers waking up on bus journeys to unwelcome advances from male local passengers. If you see a fellow traveler on a bus or train, go sit with them, it’s definitely the safest option.

Travel during the day

It’s not always possible but where you can avoid traveling or arriving in unknown places in the middle of the night. The advantage of travelling during the day time is that most of your fellow travelers are awake most men won’t feel comfortable making a pass at you with an audience. It is also easier to shout for help or attract attention to a difficult situation when people are awake and alert.

Wear a wedding ring

This ties in to the advice given earlier, wearing a gold band on your wedding finger can be enough to deter some (but not all) men from making a move. Be aware that in many cultures just being engaged will not deter a man from making his move but being married is in most cultures a strong signal to men that you are very much off bounds.

Even if you follow all of these tips the chances are you might still get hit on by men while you are traveling so the most important tip I can give you is to be prepared for it and don’t let it ruin your trip. We would all love it if women could travel without this kind of unwanted attention but the truth is that it’s a part of life. Accept it and prepare yourself to stand up to it firmly and confidently and you’ll be just fine.

March 22, 2012 by admin

The World’s Best Yoga Destinations

For the body, mind and soul

It goes without saying that yoga is good for you and whilst some styles of yoga can leave you dripping in sweat and panting for breath (it’s true, just try Ashtanga if you don’t believe me), there can be nothing more rejuvenating than heading to a yoga retreat for a well earned break. Time spent at a yoga retreat can leave you feeling more centred, balanced and in tune with yourself and if all that sounds like hippy nonesense to you, then all the more likely it is that you need to discover yoga!

Whether you are a full-time yogi or merely someone who enjoys dipping your toe in the yoga pool now and again, this post shares some of the best destinations around the world to do yoga.

The home of yoga itself

One popular spot is the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram in Kerala. Set amongst lush and tropical surroundings, this retreat is for the more serious yogis out there. It involves two weeks of serious yoga and ashram practices, including an alcohol free and vegetarian diet. You also get to help with chores and in return the can expect to receive a truly spiritual experience.

Yoga with a Caribbean twist

Also popular, even with some celebrities, is Maya Tulum in Mexico, which has several yoga events a year. The beach side location and numerous spa offerings makes this the perfect place for some pampering and yoga based rejuvenation. Throw in the delicious culinary delights on offer and you are in for a truly magical experience.

Something closer to home

However, finding wellness through yoga does not necessarily have to be on a faraway, exotic island in Costa Rica or Bali, where trips might be seldom or out of your price range. Other popular yoga destinations can be found in Ireland, France, Spain, Canada, and even the United States. Worth going to in these places, respectively, is The Clare Island Yoga Retreat Centre (most green), Domaine de la Grausse (chateau ambience), Yoga Breaks (WHO healthiest climate of locality), Paradise Found Yoga (with art therapy and kundalini specialty), and Big Sky Yoga Retreats (mountain getaway).These are ideal for those with tighter budget and those who want to keep their travel time to a minimum.

So if it’s a healthy holiday you’re after without the sacrifice of hours in the gym, then check out one of these popular and beautiful yoga destinations and head home a changed woman!