Yes. Buy a proper travel insurance, even when you have one, because accidents and medical emergencies can cost tens of thousands of dollars, and your personal insurance plan may only cover a fraction of the cost. Choosing the right travel insurance plan is as important as choosing to buy it in the first place. Read more...
The world's largest swimming pool is located at San Alfonso del Mar resort in Algarrobo, Chille (90 kilometres from Santiago). Read more...
In Japan sweets can challenge your taste buds because they are different and prepared with ingredients we are not always familiar with. Cakes, cookies, dumplings and doughnuts are often made of beans or filled with bean paste which are remarkably sweet. Some Japanese desserts my have seafood, seaweeds or meat mixed with sweets and taste both sweet and salty. Below are some popular Japanese desserts:

Shiruko or oshiruko is a traditional Japanese sweet porridge dessert made of azuki beans boiled and crushed and served in a bowl with mochi. You can find some different styles of shiruko, such as shiruko with chestnuts, or shiruko with glutinous rice flour dumplings instead of mochi. Mochi is Japanese rice cake made of mochigome, a short-grain japonica glutinous rice, and sometimes other ingredients such as water, sugar, and cornstarch.

Dango is a Japanese dumpling and dessert made from rice flour (mochiko), related to mochi. Dango is often served with green tea and eaten year-round. Three to five dango are often served on a skewer. There are many different varieties of dango which are traditionally eaten in different seasons and usually named after the various seasonings served on or with it.

Yōkan is a thick, jellied Japanese dessert made of red bean paste, agar, and sugar. It is usually sold in a block form, and eaten in slices. There are two main types: neri yōkan and mizu yōkan. Mizu yōkan is made with more water than usual and often chilled and eaten in summer.

Taiyaki is a baked Japanese fish-shaped cake made from some kind of pancake or waffle batter. It imitates the shape of the tai (Japanese red seabream fish), which it is named after. The most common filling is red bean paste that is made from sweetened azuki beans. Other common fillings may be custard, chocolate, cheese, or sweet potato. Some shops even sell taiyaki with okonomiyaki, gyoza filling, or a sausage inside.
Yes, they are all melting. The park had over 100 glaciers when it was established in 1910. In 2015, only a couple dozen met the size criteria to be considered active glaciers. In 1966, the park had 35 named glaciers large enough to be considered active. By 2015, only 26 named glaciers remained. The average area reduction was 39 percent, though some lost as much as 85 percent. This trend of glacier retreat is expected to continue as temperatures rise. Find out more...
A two-year road construction project on Many Glacier Road will begin April 1, 2020. Visitors to the park in 2020 through 2021 are encouraged to plan accordingly. Visitors traveling through construction zones Monday through Friday between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. may experience up to a 3-hour delay. If you are visiting Many Glacier in 2020 or 2021, there are a few things you should know ahead of time. Click here for more information...
Using a recreational vehicle to travel throughout Canada can be fun, cost effective and comfortable way to explore Canada. While it is hard to beat the flexibility that RVs afford, there are some things to keep in mind. RV regulations vary from province to province in Canada. If you are crossing the border, ensure that you have the proper ownership papers, that your vehicle complies with the regulations of your destination(s) and that your car insurance covers the vehicle you plan to drive (or plan to rent). Consult AAA (American Automobile Association) or CAA (Canadian Automobile Association) for RV tips, information on road laws and advice on suitable roads and camp locations. If you are not member, it is wise to become one before your trip. There are numerous benefits and member discounts they offer to their members.
Vacationing with extended family group spanning generations and interests can be challenge and time-consuming. Give yourself ample time for planning at least 5 months in advance. Pick a spot with diverse activities and dining options such as Florida, California, Lake resort or Caribbean resort. Many locations offer discounts for groups and some resorts provide online tool kits to plan your entire visit online. It is good idea to avoid long car trips and some all-inclusive packages might be better time and cost saving option. Ask your travel agent for suggestions and information.
When you are traveling with kids putting on movie seem like the obvious solution, but even if you turn your back seat into a movie theater, that is usually not enough for long car trips. So be prepared and pack all helpful things you can get to help you out. It is also good idea to create a personalized road plan in advance with stops added. Click here for some ideas...

:: It's Good to Know ::

Canada is huge country -- in fact, it's the second biggest country on the planet! Even if you plan long-term travel throughout Canada, you will only scratch the surface.

When you are in Canada and hear the sound of an emergency vehicle approaching, the first thing you do is look for it. Getting out of the way is not a matter of politeness - it's the law, based on the Canadian Highway Traffic Act. Find out more...

If blisters are keeping you from hitting another attraction you didn't want to miss, relief may be as close as the hotel mini bar. Compresses made from tea bags or milk can help ease blister pain and swelling. Just saturate a washcloth with cool milk or chilled steeped tea bag and apply directly on a blister for 15 minutes. Milk's proteins help speed healing, and the tannins in the teas help shrink swollen tissue. They can also soothe your sunburn or insect bites.

When is time to pack your car for road trip, make sure items in the back of the vehicle don't block visibility and are stored safely so they do not become dangerous projectiles in the event of an abrupt stop.

If you plan to drive at night, make sure your windshield is clean inside and out. It is very important to keep your headlights clean. Dim your high beams for approaching traffic and vehicles ahead of you. Never look directly into oncoming headlights; look instead at the right side of the road to stay on course.



"The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity." ~ Ellen Parr"