JOURNEYS4LIFE TRAVEL

 Dear Traveler,  Are you fascinated by old history and eager to experience Morocco's rich cultural heritage? Are you in a process of planning a trip to this North African country but don't know what to expect (cultural norms, shopping, tipping) when you get there? Then, this quick read is for you. Tipping is a major part of the Moroccan culture Every local who provides you with service, no matter how insignificant, is hoping, if not expecting to be tipped (bell-boys, restaurant staff, tour guides &, drivers, even when taking pictures on the street). Always keep small bills handy. On a 7-Night Tour, budget between $80-$100 per traveler for tips. Drink and brush your teeth only with bottled water ​​ The tap water is generally harmless and consumed by locals, however, it has a chlorine taste. If you will be in the country for a short period of time, it's better to be on the safer side and purchase bottled water easily accessible at street stalls and supermarkets. Delux...

Dear Traveler, Situated on the west bank of the Ganges River in Uttar Pradesh state of North India, Varanasi, also known as "Benares" or "Kashi" is mystical and captivating. As one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Varanasi is a place where history and religion are fused into one. A Hindu legend passed through millennia states that Lord Shiva (the destroyer, transformer, and protector of the city) founded Varanasi five thousand years ago, though contemporary scholars believe it to be around three thousand years old. For Hindu devotees, a journey to Varanasi has the same significance as the Muslim's pilgrimage to Mecca or the Christians to Jerusalem. It is believed, that taking a bath in the holy Ganga River has the power to wash away one's sins. Due to the large distances and poverty in India, for Hindu followers, this sacred pilgrimage is often ones in a lifetime trip. What makes Varanasi even more fascinating, is that just 13 km ou...

Dear Traveler, A recent trip to India inspired this blog- hope you find it useful. Fascinated by old civilizations,  Journeys4Life Travel's mission is to bring world heritage sites to life through travel. Brief History  India's history dates back to the third millennium BC when flourishing Indus civilization together with Mesopotamia,  Pharaonic Egypt and Yellow River Valley formed the Four Cradles of the Ancient Civilization. The fertile plains of Indus Valley were home to thriving major urban centers like Harappa and Mohenjo Daro  that left their mark in history. It is believed, that sometimes during the Bronze Age Hinduism came into existence and dominated the religious life of the populous until the 6th Century BC when the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama branched off from the mainstream and gave birth to Buddhism. The Great Empires of Ancient India (such as Maurya, Gupta) bloomed until the 8th Century AD when series of Muslim invasions weakened and led to the...

Dear Traveler, On a beautiful fall morning, my family left the Spanish Riviera, known as " Costa del Sol " and set on a new adventure to Ronda, one of the oldest strongholds of Moorish Spain. Our dramatic, windy- road ascent in Sierra de las Nieves Mountains (over 2400 meters!) suddenly ended on a plateau, and the outskirts of the town started to appear on the horizon.                                                              Bullfighting and horse-breeding farm, Ronda Our first stop in the Andalusian countryside was a tour of a bullfighting and horse-breeding farm. After paying a visit to the happily roaming animals -- we were told that one bull enjoys the attention of 10 cows(!), we met with Rafael Tejado, the farm's owner. Presently a real matador in his early 40s, after starting out with an engineering degree, he realized that...

Dear Traveler, Exploring the "Old World" in September is my favorite way to embrace the changing seasons and this fall, my heart was set on Southern Spain. Since growing up in Eastern Europe, I remember people talking about  Costa del Sol  &  Marbella , but wasn't quite sure what all the fuss was about. Costa del Sol (the "Sun Coast"), is your Mediterranean escape to the Spanish Riviera. The region is steeped into the traditional culture as much as any other part of Andalusia. From Picasso to bullfighting, to flamenco, and colorful ferias, Costa del Col has an immense cultural offering.                             Costa del Sol Map, Spain                          The region is comprised of small resort towns along the coastline of the province of Malaga, as far south as Gibraltar, and if your time allows, you can even take a day trip ...

Dear Traveler, Why Sicily you may ask? If you have seen most of mainland Europe, the island of Sicily offers an idyllic Mediterranean escape blessed with longer summer-  high temperatures (80 F) often through the whole month of September. Similar to its neighbor island nation of Malta (see the previous blog about Malta), Sicily will satisfy every diverse taste with its unique blend of rich history, local culture, and maritime traditions. Here are basic facts you need to know: Sicily is a part of Italy and is the largest island in the Mediterranean (9,927 mi²) The large size of the island requires spending at least one week there to enjoy it. Unless you have experience of driving in Europe/Italy (the majority of signs are in Italian), it's better to use the reliable local bus company called Interbus & the well-developed railway system connecting major cities such as Palermo (the capital), Taormina, Syracuse, Messina). If your budget allows, hiring a local guide/driver...

Dear Traveler, If you follow the current travel trends, you might know that Egypt is on the rise- ranked among the leading must-visit destinations for 2019-2020. And they are many reasons why- as one of the cradles of the Ancient World, Egypt is a living open-air museum with so many archaeological sites, that on a classical 7-day itinerary you can only get a glimpse of its magnificent cultural heritage. The delicious Mediterranean cuisine, the exotic bazaars, and the lesser-known for the American traveler Red Sea coast with world-class resorts in Sharm El Sheikh & Hurghada are even more reasons to put Egypt on your travel list. Here are a few tips on what to see and do in Egypt and how you can get there:                                                                      The Sphinx with the Great Pyramid...