Get To Know Scandinavia: What Is Scandinavia and What Are the Best Places to Visit?

Travelling has been the outlet of many people. To see new places, experience new cultures, and just be in a different setting can be very cathartic for a lot of individuals. When we talk about traveling, more often than not, we think of well-known travel destinations such as the typical places in Europe like Paris or Rome or just like the conventional travel places in Asia such as Japan or Korea. But actually, there are more places you can travel to than the ones that have been hyped up for centuries. Ones that are more lowkey and while you may not hear them always by word of mouth of everyone, they still remain beautiful and astounding. One place that you should definitely check out is Scandinavia. If you aren’t familiar with Scandinavia, it is a subregion in Northern Europe. It is rich in its cultural, historical, and linguistic ties making it an ideal country to go to if you want to be deeply immersed in diverse cultures. If you want a quieter travel experience, Scandinavia is definitely the place for you. To make the most of your travel journey in Scandinavia, here are the best places to visit you most certainly should not miss. 

1. Oslo, Norway 

Oslo is Norway’s capital and if you’re in Scandinavia, you should never miss Oslo Norway simply because of its blending nature of a modern and urban atmosphere. It combines the past, the present, and the future. And with Oslo’s good weather, you are bound to have a good time. You can take your partner with you and roam around its romantic old districts and once you're done with that, you can head over to the more modern business buildings at the main station. If you’re single, you can still get a glimpse of the romantic old districts as it still frees the mind and eases the thoughts because of their beauty. There are also numerous activities you can do such as hiking for up to 6 hours, you can also ride a ferry or cruise along a fjord. 

2. Bergen, Norway 

Even if you’re alone, with your friends, or with your family, Bergen is a place to go. With all its amazing views and fun things to do, you will want to go back and experience things all over again. Even if you’re not into adventures and would just rather go sightseeing, the views will satisfy you. To fully experience Bergen, you should first see the very first buildings of Bergen. One of the very first buildings is the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The UNESCO World Heritage Site has some of Bergen's earliest structures and has been a significant feature of the city for hundreds of years.

In the 12th century, the Hanseatic League built an office there, ultimately seizing ownership of Bryggen and managing the stockfish trade. Despite being ravaged by flames throughout the ages, Bryggen's charming wooden buildings have been rebuilt to look exactly as they did after the great fire of 1702, utilizing the same structural design and construction techniques.

Nowadays, the narrow lanes between the slim, distinctive houses conceal a secret world of textile and craft businesses, artists' galleries, and jewelers' studios, all of which are waiting to be discovered.

3. Lofoten Islands, Norway 

Lofoten Islands is also one not to miss when you are in the area. You can never go wrong with a trip to Lofoten. If you plan to go to Lofoten Islands, you should keep in mind that the weather is going to be crazy. Sunny weather isn’t very common in this place and so you shouldn’t expect bright and sunny skies. However, it can be unpredictable. If you’re in luck, maybe you’ll get some sunlight on your Lofoten journey. The Lofoten Islands are one of Norway's most beautiful places. Here, majestic mountains meet brilliantly white sandy beaches, fishing villages dot the coasts, and hiking routes criss-cross some of Europe's most stunning landscapes can be seen. 

4. Koli National Park, Finland 

If you want to go to a park where your hunger for art and beauty can be satisfied, the Koli National Park is the one for you. The Koli National Park is located in the municipalities of Joensuu, Lieksa, and Kontiolahti in North Karelia, Finland, on the western bank of Lake Pielinen. It is about 3000 hectares long and is managed by the Finnish Forest Research Institute. This beautiful and astounding park was established in 1991 and even up to this day, the park remains alive and refreshing with hundreds of locals and tourists roaming around to experience all the good things about this park. 

Koli inspired numerous painters and composers, for example, while Finland was forming its national character in the late nineteenth century. Eero Järnefelt, Juhani Aho, and Jean Sibelius Koli is possibly Finland's most well-known national landscape. In the restaurant of Helsinki railway station, there is a big landscape about Koli from 1911 by Eero Järnefelt, A.W. Finch, and Ilmari Aalto.

5. Stockholm Archipelago, Sweden

Thinking about what it’s like to have an island all to yourself? Then Stockholm Archipelago is a place you should go to. Over 20,000 islands strewn are throughout the Baltic Sea, not something you see every day and it’s definitely something worth a visit. Nature is everywhere and animals are aplenty in the area. You may not want to share with the seagull colonies that inhabit some, but there are others that are dotted with Viking burials, nature trails to cycle along, and fantastic animals to observe such as eagles and seals. One of the best things about Stockholm Archipelago is its food quality which is world-renowned. The Farm shops abound on the islands, where you are able to enjoy local foods that have been produced in an environmentally friendly manner. It's also an excellent spot to hone your kayaking skills. So if you’re into kayaking, this is the best place for that. And if you like to adventure around the area, you can try out the Stockholm Sailing Tour where you can set sail and feel like a company in the most beautiful views. 

Which Countries Have the Strongest Passports in the World?

 

When it comes to traveling, before all the laughter and fun, there also comes the requirements you have to deal with. Everyone knows this and is somehow accustomed to whatever these requirements are. One very important requirement is a passport. Without a passport, you won’t even get to step into whatever country you like. 227 countries require a passport for you to enter their borders. There is simply no guarantee that you get to enter all of these countries. However, there are countries that give you more travel options than other passports. According to the 2022 report by London-Based global citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners, a widening gap is present between south and north in terms of travel freedom. With the firms monitoring of travel-friendly passports, here are the countries with the strongest passports in the world. 

1. Japan and Singapore Passports 

According to the latest update of the global index, Japan and Singapore remain to be countries that hold the most powerful passports in the world. People who have passports in these countries are able to travel to 192 destinations. Last April, Japan surpassed Singapore when it enabled visitation to 192 countries without the need for a visa. 

2. Germany and South Korea Passports 

In second place comes Germany and South Korea. Germany and South Korea allow access to about 190 countries. This is extremely many as compared to other countries. And in case you didn’t know, nationals of Australia, the USA, and EU countries can stay visa-free in South Korea for 90 days. This is a privilege not everyone may have, so if you’re a national from any of these countries just know that you are in luck. 

3. Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, and Spain

Third is where Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, and Spain come into the picture. These countries allow access to 189 more nations. Spanish passports actually allow travelers to visit more than 180 countries even without a visa. 

4. Austria, Denmark, France, Netherlands, Sweden 

Next up are Austria, Denmark, France, Netherlands, and Sweden with access to over 188 countries. The EU, as usual, is still included in this list and remains to dominate it as they climb on the top 4. 

5. Ireland and Portugal 

5th places are Ireland and Portugal as these passports provide access to about 187 counties. Irish passports allow Irish citizens to work, travel and live without any restrictions in any country in the EEA. 

If you want to know more, the top 10 most powerful passports only play around in the countries of Japan, Singapore, Germany, South Korea, Italy, Finland, Luxembourg, Spain, Austria, and Denmark. All these countries will issue the top ten most powerful passports in 2022. This is because a lot of these are tied for first place.

They were listed in descending order based on the number of countries that passport holders can visit without first applying for a visa. This is based on each passport's current HPI ranking.

What’s the Implication? 

Aside from having a good time when you get these passports, there is also more to it than you think. This also signifies that there is light in the growing divide in international mobility. As the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres compared the tough restrictions imposed against mainly African countries to "travel apartheid," this sheds light on a growing divide in international mobility between wealthier and poorer countries.

Aside from the pandemic, global travel freedom has increased dramatically in recent years. This is considered good news. With the news from the Henley Passport Index in 2006 that individuals might visit 57 countries on average without needing to obtain a visa ahead of time. And today, as that number has nearly doubled to 107, more good news comes our way. 

However, if you’re not from Europe or North American countries you may miss out on these privileges. These new freedoms are mostly enjoyed by Europeans, North Americans, and wealthy Asian countries; passport holders from Angola, Cameroon, and Laos can only enter roughly 50 countries.

With the pandemic still around and with no total end yet in sight, opening up migration channels, according to Christian H. Kaelin, chair of Henley & Partners and creator of the passport index concept, will be critical for post-pandemic recovery. "Passports and visas are among the most important instruments influencing global social inequality since they influence global mobility prospects," he stated. "The borders within which we happen to be born, and the documents we are entitled to hold, are no less arbitrary than our skin color, and wealthier states must encourage positive inward migration to help redistribute and rebalance human and material resources."

On The Other Hand, Which Passports Are the Weakest? 

Now that we’ve discussed the strongest passports, let’s also come to find out which countries offer the weakest ones. One of the weakest passports is Afghanistan passports as they only offer 26 countries and territories without applying for a visa in advance. Many still require the traveler to apply for a visa on arrival. The second would be Iraqi passports. Iraqi passports are just ahead of Afghan passports when it comes to the HPI rankings. It allows entrance to also 28 countries without the need for a visa ahead of time. The next ones would be Syria with only 29 visa-free destinations, then comes Pakistan with 31 visa-free destinations, and Yemen with 33 visa-free destinations. These 3 make the bottom five in the HPI rankings of 2022. This comes as a surprise as North Korea is ranked higher than these countries – 2 places higher than Yemen. A North Korean passport can give you access to 39 destinations. Here is a list of the lowest ranking passports in the world, with the least number of countries you can visit. 

10 lowest ranking passports: (according to Tripzilla)

104. North Korea (39 destinations)

105. Nepal and Palestinian territories (37)

106. Somalia (34)

107. Yemen (33)

108. Pakistan (31)

109. Syria (29)

110. Iraq (28)

111. Afghanistan (26)

South Africa Travel Guide

Traveling truly is something worth everyone’s while. And as we travel, it’s important that we see every best part of the place. Otherwise, it won’t be worth all the time and pennies spent. South Africa is one of the best places to be if you want a vacation. Not only is it a famous place but the views are definitely worth the long travel. The classic African scenery is definitely one to remember. The safaris, the beautiful creatures, and just simply everything about South Africa is wondrous. Not only that, but it’s home to one of the most luxurious private game reserves and lodges. So if you’re in South Africa, you better make sure to see only the best and most amazing places so you get the full-on African experience. See everything from the beautiful views, the amazing wildlife, and the coolest lodges. To make sure you make the most of your South Africa visit, here are the places you should never miss. 

Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park is known to be one of the best game reserves in Africa. It is also known to be one of the oldest. From Johannesburg, you can reach the park by a 3.5- to 4.5-hour drive. The Kruer National Park allows you to see the most sought-after animals which are lions, leopards, buffalo, elephants, and rhinos. Aside from the wildlife here, Kruger National Park also lets you see the San (bushman) rock paintings and different archaeological sites. If you’re on a tight budget or you have plenty in your pocket, the park caters to all. They have simple and basic campsites which are budget-friendly and on the other hand, they also have a luxurious cabin, perfect for those with a lot to spend. 

Cape Town 

You’ve probably heard about Cape Town once or twice because it’s definitely a famous place to come by. It is known to be one of the most breathtaking cities in South Africa. The unique bit about this is that while it is a city, it is surrounded by mostly nature. Definitely not something you see every day. In Cape Town, there are many things to do but the most famous one is to visit Table Mountain. Table Mountain is the peak presiding over the city giving you an overview of the city’s classic beauty. You can either hike to the summit or glide on the cableway. You can also like another mountain called Lion’s head which also gives a spectacular panoramic view of the city.  

The Garden Route 

The Garden Route, which stretches for around 200 kilometers along South Africa's southeast coast, passes through some of the country's most beautiful coastline landscapes. From Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to Storms River in the Eastern Cape, the route follows the Indian Ocean.

This well-traveled road runs through rolling green hills, charming seaside towns, lagoons, lakes, and cliffs. The charming town of Knysna, nestled between dense forests and a sparkling lagoon; the beautiful Garden Route National Park, with its gorges, tidal pools, and thick forests; Oudtshoorn's ostrich farms and Cango Caves; and the Robberg Nature Reserve's seal colony in Plettenberg Bay are all highlights of the Garden Route.

Cape Winelands

If you're a wine connoisseur, the Cape Winelands in South Africa will be just up your alley. It's one of the most scenic wine-producing regions in the world, with rolling vineyards and spectacular mountain vistas from almost any place. A good thing about it It's that it’s only a 45-minute drive from Cape Town. Right after your visit to Cape Town, getting straight there won’t be a hassle. 

The particular region you choose is entirely up to you, although two of the most popular are Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. Hundreds of wine estates provide everything from wine and cheese to biltong platters (South Africa's famed dried meat), as well as outdoor picnics with a bottle of estate wine surrounded by rows upon rows of vineyards. After a fantastic day drinking wine, travel further afield to villages like Montagu to relax in the hot springs.

Addo Elephant National Park

Addo Elephant National Park began as a modest elephant refuge in the 1930s to protect just 11 reddish-colored Addo elephants. It has since grown to become one of South Africa's largest national parks – and probably the greatest place to see these gentle giants. As the park has grown and developed over the years, it now contains five distinct areas, each with its own distinct features.

The main game reserve is in the Colchester portion. Exhilarating self-drives or camp-run game drives are available to see the park's large populations of elephants, zebras, and antelopes. The Darlington part features a dam that attracts a variety of species, whilst the Kabouga section is only accessible by four-wheel-drive vehicles. If you'd rather go exploring,

The Drakensberg

The beautiful Drakensberg, which translates to "Dragon Mountains," is a favorite vacation destination for South Africans and one of the best places to visit in KwaZulu-Natal. With having the highest peaks in the country, the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, a place of jaw-dropping grandeur with jagged basalt buttresses and San rock art, and Royal Natal National Park, home to the awe-inspiring Amphitheatre, a stunning cliff face, and source of South Africa's main rivers, are also part of the region. Large herds of eland are protected in the region's Giant's Castle Game Reserve. In the sheltered valleys, dense forests thrive, and the area is home to over 800 different varieties of flowering plants, as well as a diverse range of fauna.

These are some of the places that make South Africa a top destination to visit. If you’re in South Africa, don’t forget to list these places and head over them to know what really is South Africa all about. Make your stay worthwhile and make sure that when you get home you know your visit was one for the books in South Africa. Finally, let your friends know if ever they plan to go to South Africa too.

California Travel Guide

California has been a state popular not only in America but in the whole world. It is widely known for being the place of the starts—where is Hollywood takes place. Because of that, you can already expect why it’s mostly visited by people all over the world. Beyond its glitz and glamour, there’s actually more to California. Planning a trip to California will give you a vacation of a lifetime because of its diverse culture, very lively cities, and amazing views. There are also many activities to do making sure that the trip isn’t just filled with sightseeing but also a jampacked day of keeping your arms and feet on the go. With the many things to go and the many things to do in California, indeed can it get slightly confusing. To help you make sure you make the most out of your trip, you will need an accurate travel guide. Lucky, we have just that for you. Here are the best places to see in California.

 

1. Yosemite

This is considered number one as a place to visit in California as it is one of the most popular parks in the country. It can be found 165 miles east of San Francisco. Aside from it being a extremely popular national park, there are also numerous things to do. It offers different activities each for every person’s liking. If you’re into nature and aquatic creatures, you’d enjoy fishing in Yosemite. You could also enjoy bird-watching. If you are really the adventurous type, there are also options that suit you best. Sweat off and and get to rock climbing. If you prefer to still be a little on edge while still being in a peaceful mood, maybe you would enjoy a day rafting. And of course, it’s important that you see the most sought-out views in Yosemite. Explore the most amazing Glacier Point, Half Dome, and the Vernal Fall.

 

2.  Lake Tahoe

Contrary to popular belief California is also home to many beautiful natural views. One example of this is Lake Tahoe. Lake Tahoe is a very large lake located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It gained huge popularity because of its nice beaches and ski resorts. It’s also known for having one of the purest water lakes in the world. This makes people want to come back time and time again. It is about 99% pure and is actually close to distilled water. It is one of the oldest lakes too ranking in the top 20 in the world’s oldest lakes. While it is a very humid place in the summer, its beauty doesn’t wither even on cold winter days. For winter, you can also enjoy skiing. If you plan to spend the night near it, don’t worry because there plenty of hotels and inns where you can stay. There are also spots to dine in meaning you won’t ever have to go on activities or see the beauty of Lake Tahoe in an empty stomach. It is located in the mountains of Sierra Nevada and provides extraordinary clear water which is another reason for its beautiful tourist attraction. The part in which many people find breath-taking in Lake Tahoe is the Emerald Bay. So if you’re in Lake Tahoe, make sure to see Emerald Bay. It truly is an amazing beach experience in Lake Tahoe that you will keep coming back again and again.

 

3.   Napa Valley

Napa Valley is basically rolling hills, old architecture, and amazing vineyards. If you love wine and love seeing the process of how wine becomes wine, you will most definitely enjoy Napa Valley. With over 400 wineries near the place, you are bound to catch sight of wines and how they are made. These wineries come way back many years ago as home to Patwin Native Americans. Its vineyard cultivation began in the 18th century and is still up and running to this day. In Napa Valley, you can enjoy the beautiful views of a hot air balloon. Many tourists opt to ride a hot air balloon to witness the breath-taking beauty of Napa Valley from the air up. Napa Valley indeed gives you a mix of modern luxury and old fashion feel when you are in the area. Drinking wine and appreciating the view, it’s as good as it gets. And this is why locals even travel far just to experience Napa Valley. It’s just something you simply cannot miss. From taking astounding Instagram photos, to appreciating the view with a glass of wine, or even having some brunch with the greatest view, it’s no doubt that you will have a good time If you’re on a trip to California, make sure to never miss out on this. And if you plan to visit, consider going in the time when the flowers bloom which is around February and March to make the most of your whole experience.

 

4. Mono Lake

Mono Lake is thousands of years old, but it remains just as intriguing. It is basically a salty body of water that doesn't support any fish due to the high salt content, yet alkali flies and brine shrimp thrive there. Due to the different kinds of tufa rock formations, the entire region has an otherworldly appearance, making it easy to see why this is one of the most amazing places to visit in California. The lake is the second-largest in California and one of the oldest in North America, with a surface area of around 70 square miles. Its saline waters have taken up residence in old volcanic craters. The geology of the lake basin, which includes sulfates, salt, and carbonates, is influenced by past volcanoes. For activities, you can do a walking trip, a kayak excursion, and various such expeditions are available to explore the region. The fun never ends in Mono Lake simply because its astounding sights make every activity worth your while.

 

It's located on one of the Sierra Mountain sides and isn't far from Yosemite National Park, so it's a perfect place to stop on your way to Yosemite.

What Is the Best Way to Document Your Adventures?

 

They say the best way to document your travel is to see it through your eyes. The key to that certain satisfaction in traveling is allowing yourself to enjoy—without any pressure in documenting everything. However, documenting your travel is not so bad either. For it is as equally important as traveling without any means of photo documentation.

So the question here is this, why do people still go all out in the means of documenting their travel? It is simple, and the answer is this, documenting every discovery and milestone in life can already be considered as an heirloom itself. It speaks for the eyes of the traveler, allowing other people to visualize what the naked eye sees.

       

If you are truly interested in this matter, then this blog will certainly be the perfect place for you. For here we will show you what is the best way to document your travel.  

       

From which cameras to use, writing blogs, and other trivial stuff, we all got it for you! Thus, we will show you the best ways how to document your travel.

 

Best ways to document your travels

Choosing the right camera

The finest travel cameras mix mobility with modern capabilities so you can capture all the beautiful things you see no matter where you go on the globe. The medium of documenting your travel is crucially important as well. Thus, cameras must have a high quality to project the best documentation possible. As much as possible, choosing the right camera is the perfect way to suffice it—especially if you are an avid fan of good landscape pictures. The right camera can completely change the experience—for it can fully cater to the real picture that your eyes have seen into one single photo. If you're going on vacation, the last thing you want to bring is a lot of gear, therefore the camera and lenses/lenses should be light. Whether you're shooting photos, videos, or a combination of the two, there are a slew of small mirrorless cameras that won't take up much space but will generate far better-quality footage than your phone.  A perfect way to place your memories, is it not?

 

Blogging and Journaling

Aside from imagery, there is also another thing you can do to fully document your travel—and it is to write about it. May it be in a form of a journal or a blog—but in any means of written form—documenting your travel be these is very ideal. Your trip journal is a spot on paper where you may write down all of your thoughts and events for the day. You can keep a physical journal or keep an online diary. Depending on your preferences and what is most convenient for you, either option is good. If you are somebody who likes to write, then this is the perfect activity for you. Writing the things you have experienced is something that you can look back on years from now. You can just open up a piece and you can already relive all the moments again. Moreover, through blogging, you can also share to others your experiences. Give them recommendations, hindsight, and tips on what to do, where to go, and all the things that one should not forsake during traveling.

 

A memoir of videos

If you are someone who has a lot of storage and backup memory cards, then maybe you can divulge in the art of video taking. This path of documentation is one of the most memorable yet storage-consuming. Video taking can allow you to play a memory through the lens of a camera—something that can enable you to fully relive the captured memory. Moreover, If you're seeking the ideal camera for both photographs and video, a GoPro is a great option. Because the GoPro is both sturdy and waterproof, it may be used for a variety of activities. Take pictures, films, or even time-lapse videos. Another advantage (ha) of utilizing a GoPro is that you won't have to worry about damage. May it is scenery or a situation—videos are always fun to look back on. It gives us not only the general idea of what happened—but the full details on that one specific moment.

 

Lots of souvenirs

A perfect way to document your travel is to take it home. Thus, buying souvenirs is less expensive than investing in high-end cameras. Taking a bunch of souvenirs is not bad it should be on top of your list during traveling. Business cards, coasters, foreign currencies, and tickets are just a few of the items you may gather and retain along the route to chronicle your journey in imaginative and enjoyable ways. Scrapbooking and shadowboxes are two methods for incorporating commonplace materials into a creative memory display. Thus, if you are a traveler who enjoys providing proof of travel, then buying lots of souvenirs must be your way to go activity.

 

Keep your phones always intact

According to a global poll performed by Northstar on behalf of travel site Expedia, 66 percent of passengers believe their cellphones to be the most important travel equipment. Thus, phones during traveling are not the least ideal means of traveling—except if it has an internet connection. Thus, always keep your phone from the internet, do not in any way, engage in any social media activity—unless it is for photo documentation. Phones are one of the most compact and portable gadgets that you can bring during travel. If you wish to document an abrupt memory, just take your phone, open your camera, and document everything with just one click.

 

You might not want to spend every second of your vacation chronicling your travels, depending on the purpose of your break. Not every vacation snap you share may be Instagram-worthy. However, documenting your travel can be less of a bummer if you truly understand the concept of it. Even if there is something to be said about taking a pen and a paper diary in your daypack and journaling about your journey, it's a lot easier to keep friends and family updated while you are on the road.