Category Archives: Discover

Four Amazing Vacation Destinations for Kids

Planning to go on vacation with your kids but can’t decide where? Here’s a list of places that offer fun and enjoyment not only for children but for the entire family.

Orlando, Florida, USA

There are so many attractive places and fun activities to do in Orlando, Florida, which makes it a dream destination for the young and young at heart. You can visit their world-class theme parks at Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort and Legoland Florida Resort. You can also watch exciting dolphin shows and killer whale performances at SeaWorld, take selfies with your favorite Hollywood celebrities at Madame Tussauds wax museum, experience thrilling roller coaster, hot air balloon, and Orlando Eye rides, and a whole lot more!

Lapland, Finland

Do you want to go to a place where Christmas never ends? Then pack your bags and head to Rovaniemi in Lapland, Finland. Rovaniemi is the official home of Santa Claus. At the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, you will see Santa Claus every day with his hardworking helpers, the elves, and his reindeers. You and your kids can also send postcards to people you care about from the Santa Claus Main Post Office here. Other attractions of the Santa Claus Village include an igloo hotel, souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants, as well as sleigh rides and snow mobile tours.

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Paris, France

You can also make your kids’ holiday vacation extra special by booking a trip to the city of Paris in France. Climb up the iconic Eiffel Tower. Learn more about France’s culture and history by visiting important museums and landmarks in Paris like the Musee du Louvre, Grevin Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, Grand Palais, Conciergerie and Ecole Militaire, among many others. And while in Paris, bring the whole family to Champs-Elysees. This is where the locals hold their major celebrations like New Year’s Eve and the Bastille Day Military Parade. Restaurants, movie theaters, malls and luxury shops can also be seen around the area.

 Sentosa Island, Singapore

Sentosa is an island resort in Singapore that attracts a lot of tourists every year. Here, you will find the Tiger Sky Tower, Singapore’s tallest observation tower, which gives visitors a panoramic view of the island.  Looking for some outdoor adventure? Try the Skyline Luge. It’s a three-willed gravity ride that will get your adrenaline pumping. At Resorts World Sentosa, you can shop, dine, get pampered, and see the following top-rated attractions: Universal Studios Singapore, S.E.A. Aquarium, Adventure Cove Waterpark, Dolphin Island, The Maritime Experiential Museum, Trick Eye Museum and Tall Ship.

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Chinese New Year Customs and Traditions

Gong Xi Fa Cai is a common greeting you will hear during Chinese New Year. The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is a major holiday and a festive occasion celebrated in places with significant Chinese populations. This year, Chinese New Year falls on January 28.

In the Philippines, the Chinese New Year is much anticipated by the Filipino-Chinese communities.  Many colorful customs and traditions are observed during this time, which are similar to those practiced in mainland China. Some of the more popular ones are the following:

CLEANING THE HOUSE

Before the Chinese New Year celebrations, people meticulously clean their homes. They scrub the walls, sweep the floor, change linens and dust the entire house. This is their way of showing respect to the family and their ancestors.

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PAYING OFF DEBTS

People also pay off all their financial obligations before the Chinese New Year. Carrying any burdens from the previous year is believed to bring bad luck, so people try to settle all their debts.

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GIVING RED ENVELOPES

Giving red envelopes or hongbao is also a custom observed during Chinese New Year. These red envelopes contain money and is commonly given to kids as Chinese New Year gifts. The color red is a symbol of happiness and blessings. Giving away red envelopes bestows good wishes and luck upon the receiver.

Photo credit: Brian Jeffery Beggerly -Flickr
Photo credit: Brian Jeffery Beggerly -Flickr

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HAVING NEW YEAR’S EVE DINNER WITH FAMILY

The Chinese New Year is also the time where families get together. People usually have New Year’s Eve dinner at home where fortune food like fish, dumplings, spring rolls and longevity noodles are served.

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Photo credit: Alpha- Flickr

EATING NIAN GAO OR TIKOY

Nian gao or Tikoy in the Philippines is a sweet delicacy prepared from glutinous rice that is traditionally eaten or given away during the Chinese New Year. Nian gao means “higher year.” When you give someone nian gao or tikoy, it means you are wishing that person prosperity in the coming year.

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PERFORMING DRAGON DANCES

Dragon dances are likewise performed on the streets by people wearing colorful dragon costumes. A team of dancers carry the Chinese dragon on poles and mimics the movements of the dragon to the accompaniment of cymbals, drums and gongs. To the Chinese people, the dragon symbolizes power and prestige and is believed to bring good luck.

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SETTING OFF FIREWORKS

Photo credit: SebastienPoncet (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credit: SebastienPoncet (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The Chinese New Year celebration is not complete without fireworks. The Chinese believe that setting off fireworks when the clock strikes 12:00 on New Year’s Eve will drive away evil spirits and bring good fortune in the coming year.

What to Expect from Super Bowl LI

All eyes will be glued to the TV screen as this year’s Super Bowl LI airs in February. The National Football League’s most awaited annual championship game will be played at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on February 5, 2017.

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What teams will play in Super Bowl LI?

The winners of the American Football Conference (AFC) and National Football conference (NFC) championship games on January 22 will be the teams who will play in Super Bowl LI. The New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers will battle each other in the AFC championship game at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The Green Bay Packers, on the other hand, will be pitted against the Atlanta Falcons for the NFC championship game at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

Who will perform at the halftime show?

Grammy award-winning singer Lady Gaga headlines Super Bowl LI’s Pepsi Zero Sugar Super Bowl Halftime Show. The electrifying performer will surely bring the house down the way she did when she splendidly sang the national anthem in last year’s Super Bowl.

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What are the prizes for the Super Bowl winners?

Cash bonuses are given to both winning and losing teams, with the champions getting a much bigger payout. Each player of the winning team will also get a gold-and-diamond Super Bowl ring. Finally, the winning team will receive the most coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy.

So who do you think will win Super Bowl LI?

5 Stunning Places to Visit for Your Honeymoon

After the wedding is over and done with, the newly married couple excitedly looks forward to spending time with each other in a place where they can sit back, relax and create wonderful memories as husband and wife. Here is a list of destinations to make every couple’s honeymoon truly memorable.

Niyama Maldives (Maldives)

Niyama Maldives prides itself on being “nature’s play area.” It consists of two islands “Chill” and “Play” that are linked by a bridge. It is an ideal family or couple’s haven with lush vegetation, crystal clear waters and white beach shorelines. Get spectacular views of the sea from any of their shoreline front suites or over water pavilions and experience island living at its finest.

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Anax Resort & Spa (Greece)

The Anax Resort & Spa is a brand new 5-star resort hotel in Agios Ioannis, Mykonos, Greece that offers breathtaking views of the sea. It is a world-class facility that blends Cycladic architecture with modern amenities and superb personalized services. Here, newlyweds will experience beauty, comfort and tranquility in any of their designer suites or maisonettes.

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Turtle Bay Resort (Hawaii)

Turtle Bay Resort is a luxury beach hotel in Oahu, Hawaii which boasts of upscale amenities, unparalleled service and stunning natural beauty. The newly married couple will never run out of things to do here.  They can swim, surf, snorkel, kayak, bike, play tennis and golf, and go horseback riding, jogging and walking, among many others.

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Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai (Thailand)

Honeymooners will also have an unforgettable Thai getaway at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai. Here, they will earn to cook Thai cuisine from the resort’s executive chef, receive luxurious spa treatments, discover Muay Thai kickboxing, visit the Elephant Camp, experience hot-air balloon rides, or simply laze in their infinity-edge swimming pool amidst the scenic rice terraces of the Mae Rim Valley.

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El Nido Resorts Apulit Island (Philippines)

Adventurous couples will have a thrilling time at El Nido Resorts Apulit Island in Taytay Bay, Northeastern Palawan, Philippines. They can climb and rappel down a limestone cliff, dive and see sunken treasures and colorful marine species, explore natural caves, and go island hopping.

Newly married couples can make their honeymoon truly unforgettable by visiting any of these wonderful destinations.

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Best Time to Visit and Exciting Things to Do in Hawaii

Hawaii is the 50th U.S. state which is composed entirely of islands. It is located in Oceania. The capital of Hawaii is Honolulu, which is located on the island of O’ahu. Hawaii is a popular tourist destination because of its warm tropical climate, natural beauty, attractive beaches and historical sites and landmarks.

Best Time to Visit Hawaii

Because of its constant temperatures (around 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit), tourists can visit Hawaii all year round. But if you want to get the best value for your money, then consider visiting Hawaii during spring (April to mid-June) and fall (September to mid-December). During these times, weather is generally good and prices of airfare and accommodations are usually lower.

Things to Do in Hawaii

  1. Enjoy nature

Hawaii offers tourists nature’s beauty at its finest. The footcliffs and waterfalls surrounding the Valley of Kings in Waipio Valley, for instance, are the perfect backdrop for a thrilling horseback ride in the morning. Viewing the sunset from Mauna Kea, the tallest mountain on earth, is likewise surreal. You can also see lava flowing into the ocean at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. These are just a fraction of the natural beauty that awaits tourists in the lovely state of Hawaii.

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  1. Visit the beaches

Another reason to plan a trip to Hawaii is its stunning beaches where guests can snorkel, swim and sail. The following are local favorites in Hawaii:

  • Waimanalo Beach (O’ahu)
  • Tunnels Beach (Kauai)
  • Punaluu Black Sand Beach (Big Island)
  • Polihua Beach in (Lanai)
  • Poipu Beach (Kauai)
  • Makena Beach (Maui)
  • Kee Beach (Kauai)
  • Kaanapali Beach (Maui)
  • Hanauma Bay (O’ahu)
  • Green Sand Beach (Big Island)

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  1. See historical sites

You can also get a glimpse of Hawaii’s fascinating history by visiting the following historical places and landmarks: Pearl Harbor, U.S.S. Arizona Memorial, Battleship Missouri Memorial, USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, Pacific Aviation Museum, U.S.S. Oklahoma Memorial, ‘Iolani Palace, Bishop Museum, the Whaling Town of Lahaina, and the Hulihee Palace, among many others.

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Hawaii has many interesting things and places to offer, which makes it a favorite travel destination among tourists and travelers.