Carnival in Den Bosch

Michelle CunninghamMarch 27, 2015BloggingCarnival, Den Bosch, netherlands

Not far away in the south of the Netherlands is a town called Den Bosch. During Carnival the city changes its name to “Oeteldonk.” Lee and I took a train down to check out the parade and see what the festivities were all about. Here are a few pictures! Our…

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Winter Escape: 25 Places to Warm Up in Southeast Asia (part 4)

Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi is another bustling city of Vietnam, it’s easy to access the greenery at the nearby Hoan Kiem Lake or West Lake and a little further away Ba Vi National Park. To have authentic downtown experience, walk along the streets of its Old Quarter to admire the colonial architecture and enjoy the best traditional beef pho at Pho 49 Bat Dan.

Hoi An, Vietnam

Hoi An, a transitory town on the coast, in the middle of Vietnam, is famous for its relaxing environment and tailor-made clothing. This is the perfect place to kick back and have a drink. Hoi An turns it up each lunar cycle for a vibrant full moon party which fills the quiet streets with music, traditional plays, and colorful lanterns. Book early because the event draws quite a crowd.

Sapa, Vietnam

Head north to Sapa for a bit more of a perspective on rural life. Sapa can get cold in the winter, however, this northern region shouldn’t be missed when visiting Vietnam. The impressive mountains surrounding this town offer a perspective view on rural living. It is home to indigenous tribes and a traditional lifestyle. Discover the Sapa Square for colorful handicrafts or head into the hills with the local guide group – a social enterprise run entirely by local women – Sapa Sisters.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur has quickly become a destination hot spot. Because public transportation is easy and cheap, touring this bustling city is a walk in the park. After having the obligatory view of the Petronas Towers, head to Little India and Chinatown to experience this cultural amalgamation.

Bagan, Myanmar

Bagan is famous for having more than 2,000 Buddhist temples that are being restored to UNESCO standards currently. This rich and historical city gets a recent increase in tourism. It has catered to foodie travelers because the various cuisine from regions near and far have been settled here. One of the most notable is Sharky’s restaurant, an artisan eatery which focuses on locally grown produce and expertly produced cheeses.

Michelle Cunningham March 20, 2019 Southeast Asia travelingHanoi, Hoi An, Sapa, Vietnam Read more >

The Best Traveling Destinations For Sports Fans (part 1)

With many sporting events that are taking place across the world, 2019 is a big year for sports. A Booking.com survey showed that sports can sway the traveling decisions, with 1 in 5 travelers planning their trips around hot sporting events.

However, what’s a game without game-day food? So, we’re listing some of the best foods to enjoy near each iconic sports destinations.

Fenway Park – Boston

There are just a few things to define Bostonians as much as their love of the Boston Red Sox – their home baseball team. If you’re in Boston during the baseball season, you really should catch a game at Fenway Park, cheering for the team with the locals. On your way, grab a pepper sandwich and a famous sausage from one street vendor outside the stadium.

Where to stay: The Hotel Commonwealth, located just a short walk from Fenway Park, offers modern rooms, some of which can overlook the stadium. You can enjoy the fresh seafood dishes at the restaurant Island Creek Oyster Bar.

Wembley Stadium – London

Renowned for its majestic art, fashion, and theater scene, London is a great destination to watch sporting events, too. Wembley, the soccer stadium, is one of the most favorite stadiums of the city and the largest in the UK. You can get a quick bite at one of the kiosks on the first and fifth levels of the stadium, with a selection including burgers and pizza, fish and chips.

Where to stay: Overlooking the Wembley Stadium and setting next to the Wembley Arena, the Hilton London Wembley features a rooftop terrace and a bar inspired by the world’s famous athletes who have played at the stadium.

The Field of Dreams Movie Site© – Dyersville, Iowa

Despite not being a technical stadium, the Field of Dreams Movie Site© in Dyersville, Iowa is an iconic landmark for people who fall in love with the 1989 classic. If you’re looking for something to eat, Dyersville has a lot of family-style restaurants which can offer you a quick bite or a cup of coffee.

Where to Stay: The Field of Dreams Movie Site© house is available for nightly rentals for the first time. With the perfect view of the baseball field, it is the best place to stay to watch the annual softball game on Labor Day Weekend.

Michelle Cunningham March 9, 2019 Sports travelingFenway Park - Boston, Iowa, The Field of Dreams Movie Site© - Dyersville, Wembley Stadium - London Read more >

Winter Escape: 25 Places to Warm Up in Southeast Asia (part 3)

Phetchaburi, Thailand

Phetchaburi has a rich history, mystical caves, and ancient temples which attract people from all over the world. If you are planning to visit Phetchaburi, make sure not to miss the Tham Khao Luang cave and Wat Kamphaeng Laeng, which dates back to the 12th Century Khmer architecture.

Legian, Indonesia

Legian, locating on the famous Bali Island coast, is a must-visit spot in Indonesia. It is sandwiched between the backpacker Kuta beaches and the high-end Seminyak. In Legian, entertainment and accommodations are mid-range priced while the scenery and surf are really priceless. You should spend time on catching the sunset at TAO Rooftop Bar and then dancing the night away at Eikon.

Ubud, Indonesia

People who have read the famous book Eat, Pray, Love will recognize that Ubud, Indonesia is the setting for the journey conclusion of Elizabeth Gilbert. In fact, this part of Bali Island coast truly is as romantic as it seems in her story. Whether it’s simply getting in touch with nature or a spiritual quest, Ubud always has something special for everyone. You can make the plan for a yoga class when venturing over to White Lotus or to see the iconic rice terraces.

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Ha Long Bay has the incredible topography which makes it become an iconic destination of Vietnam. Massive land structures shooting straight the blue-green ocean provide an otherworldly view when visitors cruise through by boat. One of the best in deals you should take is Dragon Legend tours. Try kicking back for an overnight trip to explore caves and feast on fresh and delicious seafood.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Busy streets with revving scooters and food stalls let you know that you’ve arrived in Vietnam. Especially, The Gustave Eiffel designed the Jade Emperor Pagoda, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Central Post Office let you know that you’re in Ho Chi Minh City. Frequently referred to as Saigon up to now, this city with a controversial past is a vibrant and modern destination nowadays.

Michelle Cunningham February 25, 2019 BloggingHa Long Bay, Ho Chi Minh City, Indonesia, Ubud Read more >

3 Benefits of Traveling With Your Team

If you’re an athlete or a coach, you may have got familiar with long trips to weekend games, or perhaps the flight to regional tournaments. Playing sports is a really big commitment, and athletes or coaches often miss out on the other types of traveling opportunities due to their dedication to the game.

However, athletic directors and coaches can combine the passion for sports, traveling, and community service into one trip so that athletes can bond over assisting the local communities with the team’s important projects, learning cross-cultural sportsmanship with the locals, as well as exploring the incredible sites around them.

Whether it is a high school football team or a middle school swimming team, here are five great benefits of taking your group of athletes on an immersive and purposeful traveling program:

Team-Building

Traveling together makes a great impact on a young athletes group. The bonds created by mixing cement for a water tank in a village, participating in a course in the jungle, or holding a sports clinic for younger athletes can benefit all teams members. The opportunity to spend time with athletes without the pressures of practicing and competition can help coaches more understand about their athletes on the individual level, and create the chances for teammates to share a unique and life-changing experience.

Cross-cultural Connections
Athletes don’t need to speak the same language to communicate their love for the sports. Playing with and against the other teams from other cultures and nations can highlight the particular meaning of a sport to a community, and discover how it relates to playing back home. Coaches and athletes can even make friends with new people or pick up some new language skills along the way.
New Competition

Playing sports in another region or country means the chances of new competition and new skills. Whether it’s a game of volleyball in Cambodia, baseball in the Dominican Republic, or football in Costa Rica, there’s always a unique opportunity to share experience and skills from athletes around the world.

Michelle Cunningham January 31, 2019 BloggingCross-cultural Connections, New Competition, Team-Building Read more >

Winter Escape: 25 Places to Warm Up in Southeast Asia (p2)

5. Phnom Penh, Cambodia

There is a new wave of youthful enthusiasm: making a country rocked by genocide become a new era. You can gain your historical knowledge at Royal Palace or Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and then come back to the present by enjoying a cultural evening at Meta House with a sunset dinner by the side of Mekong River. Embrace the daily lives of Russian Market and try tasting a traditional Khmer meal at Eleven One Kitchen.

6. Chiang Rai, Thailand

Besides the sandy beaches of Thailand, Chiang Rai is the northern city which is said to be the perfect stopping point for the Golden Triangle of Southeast Asia between Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos. There is more than one reason for travelers to visit Chiang Rai, concluding its stunning landscapes, aornate temples, and the best khao soi soup at Phor Jai restaurant also.

7. Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is stick to food and temples for the daytime experience and to the parties for the nighttime experience. The Grand Palace should be taken on every foodie’s list. The most popular backpacker nightlife of Bangkok is on Khao San Road, but if you want to avoid this type of crowd, the better choice is Sukhumvit Soi 11.

8. Kanchanaburi, Thailand

Bordering Myanmar in the North of Thailand, Kanchanaburi is more than just a stopover destination. It is suitable for the outdoor adventures with Erawan National Park and Sai Yok National Park, which provide some of the best hikes, waterfalls, and cave exploration of Thailand.

9. Krabi Province, Thailand

Krabi is all about the coastal life with white sand beaches, full moon parties, and overwater cliff climbing. It has summoned travelers from all parts of the world for more than two decades. Visit Krabi and go swimming at Phra Nang Beach, paint yourself neon on Koh Phi Phi, and catch a sunset in Kantiang Bay.

Michelle Cunningham January 16, 2019 BloggingBangkok, Chiang Rai, Phnom Penh Read more >