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 51^st 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.

               

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.

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.

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.