Thursday, December 30, 2010

Travel Trivia: Nickname of Countries

So, i am feeling very smart today and i decided to compile a list of countries and their nicknames. These nicknames are common to some and others are names used by the locals or outsiders. Here we go...

Albania
Land of the Eagles
Australia
          Aussie or God’s Country
Belarus
White Rus
Brazil
Pindorama
Burkina Faso
  Land of the upright men
Cameroon
                    The Armpit of Africa or Hinge of Africa
Canada
                The Great white North or 51st state
Chad
  The dead heart of Africa
China
 The Sleeping Giant
Colombia
                Locombia – Country of the crazy
Costa Rica
               Switzerland of Central America
Egypt
      The cradle of Civilization
Finland
            Land of a Thousand Lakes
France
 L’Hexagone
Guyana
   Land of Many Waters
Hungary
 Land of the Huns
Iceland
      Land of the Midnight Sun
India
      The Jewel in the Crown
Indonesia
     Emerald of the Equator
Ireland
 The Emerald Isle
Israel
  Holy Land
Italy
The Boot
Japan
   Land of the Rising Sun
Kenya
God's Place
Lebanon
                The Pearl of the Mediterranean
Lesotho
     The Kingdom in the Sky
Mongolia
   Land of the Blue Sky
Netherlands
 Holland
New Zealand
 God’s own Country
Nigeria
         Giant of Africa or Trigger
Philippines
 Gateway to Asia
Russia
  Mother Russia
Rwanda
   Land of a Thousand Hills
Saint Kitts and Nevis
  Sugar City
Saint Lucia
 Helen of the West
Singapore
The Fine Country
Slovenia
                The country on the sunny side of the Alps
South Africa
  Rainbow Nation
Spain
  The Bulls Skin
Sri Lanka
 Pearl of the Indian Ocean
Sweden
 Svea
Switzerland
                Land of Chocolate and cuckoo clocks
Thailand
  The Land of Smiles
United Kingdom
  Blighty
United States
The States or Land of the Brave
Uruguay
South America’s Switzerland
               

You don't see your country or a country you know, tell us the country and the nickname in your comment.
               

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Time to Travel When...

For some, travel is just a spontaneous decision they make without anything triggering it. However, there are certain times in life you definitely need to travel and here are a few time to travel situations.

Completion of a tedious project: Projects at work can sap a significant amount of energy from you especially when done under pressure and pressed for time. It is very okay to reward your self for a job well done and make sure you do it far away from the office where you have been stuck the last couple of how ever long it took to complete the project. This may be the best time to getaway to a wonderful calming scenery to rejuvenate and stimulate your senses again to productive creativity.

Travel on your mind: It is definitely time to travel when all you can think about is getting away from your current city. No need to stress your mind and remain unhappy, just do it! You will not be satisfied until you venture out to that place that is calling your name out loud.

Your relationship ended: The last place you want to be when you just got dumped is in the same city with your ex at least for a while. Getting away for a while to a place where you have family and/or friends that can cheer you up and take your mind of it is where you need to be. Though a mini getaway will not completely eliminate your pain, but it will ease it and you can actually experience some happy moments even though the break up is still very fresh.

You need Me time: It is perfectly alright as a married man or woman to have a me time and travel with your friends. Family life is wonderful but demanding and we sometime need to excuse ourselves for a weekend to have fun with our friends in a place far from home. Don't lose all the fun in your life simply because you are married. Marriage should be fun and you should still be able to do things with your friends.

You can't remember the last time you traveled: If you can't think of when last you traveled, then it is time for you to take a trip and awaken the lost memory and  fun time you used to have when you did.

Those are some of my time to travel. What are your time to travel when...? Share with us in your comment.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Hotel Blurb: Avenue Hotel Bed & Breakfast



Location: 711 Manitou Ave. Manitou Springs, CO 80829
Phone: 719.685.1277/800.294.1277 
Inn Keepers: Gwenn & Randy
Website: http://www.avenuehotelbandb.com/

Avenue Hotel is an historic bed and breakfast of Colorado. Built in 1886 as a boarding school and used by the railroad workers. This victorian building has served different purpose over the years and it's now renovated and used as a bed and breakfast in the heart of the historic downtown district of Manitou Springs. This beautiful quaint historic hotel boasts of seven spacious rooms with private baths. It is strategically located in close proximity to a number of well sought after attractions around Manitou Springs and Colorado Springs. Are you looking to experience the Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, Cave of the winds, and the beautiful Air Force Academy Chapel? Gwenn and Randy are ready to accommodate you in their cozy bed and breakfast and ready to pamper you with the delicious, homey breakfast prepared daily and served with love by Gwenn.

This bed and breakfast can also be rented during the holidays for family gatherings. It has capability to sleep 18 people comfortably. Check their website for further details on renting the bed and breakfast for your event.


Disclaimer: Chronicle-of-a- jetsetter is not in anyway associated with Avenue Hotel and is not getting any compensation for writing about them. Information on this site is strictly an opinion based on visit to the Hotel.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Fun Winter Vacation Activities

While some run to the sunny side of the world during winter, and some hibernate, others dash to the foothills of the beautiful snow covered Alps for an exhilarating fun in the snow. There are tons of activities to engage in, so forget the cold, suit up and let's slide through them.

Skiing: We cannot talk about winter fun without talking about the Grand daddy of snow events.  Skiing is one of those activities that you have to try at least once. The thrill of it and the great winter wonderland scenery is just unbelievable.  Don't worry about falling because you will fall, but you will get up again and whiz through the snow.

Picture from destination360.com




















Snow Kiting: More and more activities have been developed for the fun loving adventure enthusiasts that can't get enough of the snow. With snow kiting, you use kite power to glide on snow or ice. It is very similar to kite surfing. The snow kiter can travel uphill or downhill with any wind direction.  I am adding this one to my list to try.

Picture from Boston.com

























Snow Kayaking: Yes you read it right - Snow Kayaking. Just like kayaking the traditional way, you need a Kayak and a paddle. It is fun snow kayaking, but it must be done in the right spot. You cannot snow Kayak anywhere, you have to find a wide open snow hill without obstructions or little ones.  Your paddle is your best friend here, so know how to use it well to your advantage. You use your paddle to push off and go and you dig it in the snow to stop when needed. Not all resorts allow snow Kayaking, but it is the newest rave in town.

Picture from commons.wikimedia.org















Snowshoeing: This activity can be done by anyone who can walk. It is simply walking on snow with snowshoes. You can go hiking in winter by snowshoeing. No training is actually necessary. It is a relatively inexpensive activity that accommodates the whole family. The shape of the snowshoe you wear matters and you should select appropriately. A rounded snowshoe promotes better float and tapered ones allows for easier maneuvering. Another advantage of snowshoeing is the ability to access areas that are normally not easily accessible through skiing.

Picture from adventureguidesvt.com
 















Ice Sailing: This is sometimes referred to as Ice yachting. It is a sport of sailing and racing ice boats.This sport as you can imagine is highly dominated by young boat enthusiasts with affinity for speed.

Photo from pbase.com


















Have you engaged in a winter recreational event that you absolutely loved? Share your experience with us.
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