Turkey is crowned as one of the most beautiful countries in Asia from rugged high mountains to the blue Mediterranean coast. You may not have heard much about the beauty of the country that connects Asia with Europe. But be rest assured, even one whole month will not be enough for exploring Turkey.
There are many historical places to visit in Turkey. Turkey’s rich heritage comes from different groups of people who have ruled the country at some point in time. From the Byzantines to the Ottomans, to the Greco-Romans, each of them has a share of its story inscribed in the big book of Turkish History.
Ankara is the country’s capital. However, Istanbul has always remained one of the most significant cities in Turkey. Istanbul used to be the capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. It is the same Constantinople that your history teacher taught you while talking about the Roman Empire.
There are a few things that you cannot miss on your first trip to Turkey. It is best to give at least fourteen days, if not more, to experience the country’s beauty. Here are a few places to visit in Turkey where you must go on your maiden trip. Continue Reading
Traveling is therapy, and so is food. The pleasure of exploring local food and experimenting with new dishes is beyond comparison. If you are planning to visit Thailand on your next vacation, get ready for culinary exploration. Thai dishes are famous worldwide. But Everywhere you look, you will see the Street Food in Thailand for tourists. The Thai dishes available on the streets are the yummiest.
Thai cuisine has a significant influence from the food culture of the neighboring countries. Thai food history is as intriguing as the dishes that they have to offer you. They learned the use of spice from the Indians. Some Thai dishes have originated from China. Some have a western influence on them. Thai cuisine has made its way to the world’s busiest cities. Almost every big city has restaurants with Thai cuisine on their menu.
The street food in Thailand has become very popular among travelers. From ready-to-eat meals to drinks to snacks, the streets of Thailand are always bustling with hawkers and vendors. All the famous Thai dishes are available on the road. Checking them out has become one of the popular activities for travelers.
10 Thai Dishes You Must Taste without Fail
Here are a few Thai dishes that you must try when you are visiting Thailand. Remember, the streets of Thailand have a lot to offer, the more you dive in, the more satisfying the experience will be.
1. Som Tam
One of the healthiest in the Thai food list, Som Tam, is a delicious Green Papaya Salad. The salad tastes sweet, sour, hot, and salty all at once, although the hotness quotient might seem a tad bit heavy for a non-Thai palate. Som Tam is one of the essential salads in Thai cuisine, especially in Laos and northeastern Thailand. Thai people often consume this salad as a casual light dinner or even during lunch or brunch.
2. Tom Yum Goong
If you are in love with shrimp, you cannot leave Thailand without tasting the yummiest Tom Yum Goong. It has become quite popular in recent times. Originating from the classic broth, Tom Yum Goong or a Thai Shrimp soup is one of the most popular Thai dishes. It has branched out to different varieties. However, lemongrass, galangal, chilies, kaffir lime leaves, are some necessary ingredients in addition to shrimps.
3. Pla Pao
If fish soothes your appetite, then Pla Pao will be your favorite among the Thai Dishes. Pla Pao or Thai Grilled Fish is a stuffed whole fish, grilled to serve you hot. The stuffing is generally done with kaffir lime leaves and lemongrass. The stuffed fish is then grilled over charcoal. Pla Pao tastes best when served with chili garlic sauce.
Authentic Thai Dishes to Try
4. Boat Noodles
Traditional Thai food recipes are not just delicious but are also very addictive. Thai boat noodles top the list when experiencing the explosion of flavors in a simple dish. There are two versions of Boat Noodles. The pork-based version is called Kuay Tewo Reua Moo and the beef-based version called Kuay Teow Reua Neua. With additional toppings of fried pork, the after taste of Boat Noodles will remain forever.
5. Pad Ka Prao
Walk down a random Thai street, and you will see a Pad Ka Prao corner filled with street food lovers. You can make your customized Pad Ka Prao with a meat of your choice stir-fried with an overpowering smell of holy basil. A dash of garlic and chilies is all we need to make Pad Ka Prao one of our top favorites in Thai cuisine.
Heritage Thai Dishes:
6. Goong Pad Sataw
The famous Thai dish, Goong Pad Sataw, is made with stink beans and shrimp. Almost all the rice and curry stalls will have Goong Pad Sataw on their menu. Stir-fried stink beans and shrimp with chili paste is a natural competitor in your top favorite Thai dishes.
7. Hor Mok
It is a type of fish curry custard popular among the locals. Hor Mok or Steamed Thai Fish custard is a tricky dish, and if gone wrong will not suit your taste buds. Hor Mok is cooked in banana leaves. Galangal and thick coconut cream are two critical ingredients of Hor Mok. You will get Hor Mok in almost all rice and curry stalls.
Famous Thai Dishes:
8. Boo Pad Pongari
Boo Pad Pongari or Thai Crab curry is one of the most unique Thai dishes available on the streets of Thailand. The yellow Thai curry is delicious and is one the lower side of the usage of spices. You can also taste the same dish with chicken and squid if you wish to avoid crabs. However, if you ask about personal recommendations, try them with crab.
9. Nam Prik Kapi
Nam Prik is Thai chili dipping sauce, and the best variety is Nam Prik Kapi. Of all Thai Chilli Sauces, Nam Prik Kapi has made its way to become the most popular chili dipping sauce. The shrimp paste added here adds the twist, making it stand out from all the other Thai chili sauces.
Thai Dishes and Sauces
10. Sai krok Issan
Sai Krok Issan or fermented sausages are made with pork and rice. It originates from Northeastern Thailand and is one of the popular snacks of the locals. It is served with sliced ginger and raw cabbages. Some also add chili to the serving plate. It is as delicious as it can be.
Thailand food culture is enriched with heritage and history. Not just that, Thailand offers one of the healthiest and tastiest street foods available all across the streets. Places like Yaowarat, Sam Pharend, Bang Lamphu, Nang Loend, Pratu Phi are famous for street food. Here is complete Thai cuisine information that can come handy when you visit the paradise land for foodies. Thai dishes are going to top your favorite dishes of all time if you are fond of chilies and spices. Thailand will give you an experience of high-end Michelin Star restaurants to old food carts, all in one.
Wasted travel is unforgivable. Far too many people take a trip to somewhere that would easily be in the top ten of many people’s bucket lists, and they return home with almost nothing to say about the place. As someone who loves to travel, I find this to be among the most outstanding failures of grownups everywhere. The conversation typically goes a little something like this:
“Oh, welcome back, nice trip?”
“ – Yes thanks, lovely weather”
“Did you get out into the old town at all? Or see the famous bridge or the…”
“ – Mmmm no, not really, we don’t really like that kind of thing”
“So, you didn’t see the Cathedral or…”
“ – Oh, yeah, you mean that church thing? We had an ice cream near there. Looked nice.”
And you feel like screaming “WHY DID YOU BOTHER”, but, sadly, if you did scream at people for doing travelling wrong, you’d be screaming most of the time. Part of the problem is that travel, I suppose, isn’t straightforward. There’s a lot of planning. There can be overseas money transfers to navigate (read up all about wire transfers), and you might feel like no matter what you do with your travel time, it could have been spent better by someone else, so, why panic, and just enjoy what comes your way. Let’s look at how to do it right.
Read read read
In the days before the internet (I’m showing my age – but I was very young), people going on vacation had to rely on travel brochures and word of mouth. Information was scarce. And what you got when you arrived was never as advertised. Fast forward to modern day access to all the information in the world at your fingertips, and you really have no excuse not to read up on your travel destination – or else you could miss out on something extraordinary.
For example, everyone has heard of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, right? But what you may not have heard about is the catacombs, deep underground, where the walls are made of human bones. There are daily tours and everything. And visitors to Disneyland theme parks will know all about the rides, but may not know about the secretive “Club 33”, where for tens of thousands of dollars, members may walk through the handful of Club 33 doors (visible inside the park but plain and unassuming looking) and experience 5-star luxury dining etc. The more you know, the more you’ll enjoy yourself.
Mix it up
Being a tourist is day one stuff – as the saying goes, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. So, yeah, I get it, take the guided tour, sit on the open top bus, sail down the river while a guide points out the various historical buildings. But on day two… this is where you need to explore a little. Find restaurants off the beaten track, etc. Don’t leave having not seen the “real” people of wherever you’ve visited.
Everyone should have the opportunity to travel the world. Sadly, for many people, it’s the potential cost of heading across the world that stops them from achieving their travel dreams. Flights, accommodation, food, activities as well as money for emergencies…the costs quickly add up.
However, despite common misconceptions about travel it is entirely possible to travel the world on a limited budget and even save yourself some money in the process. Want to know more? Here we’ve gathered some of the easiest ways you can save money on travelling (and still have a great time)!
First of all…
Creating a travel budget is something all travellers must do. Otherwise, you’ll have no idea where you can afford to go, how much you’ll have to spend and how long you can stay for before you run out of money. Creating a simple budget will ensure you make the most out of your money, avoid overspending and make better travel choices to make your money go further. Try a budget calculator to get you started.
Avoid peak times
Thinking of making travel plans for summer? Or around public holidays? It’ll cost you a fortune and you’ll probably spend most of your budget before you’ve even stepped foot on a plane. Avoiding peak times means that you’ll get to visit your intended destination but without the crowds, tourists and the hefty price tag. Do some research into the quiet months of the year and consider your options.
Be clever with your accommodation location
Sure, the cheapest hostel or hotel is on the outskirts of town, but the cost of travelling to places of interest or a nice restaurant probably negates your potential saving. It’s also inconvenient and time-consuming. When searching for accommodation, look for a location that’s within walking distance of areas you’d like to explore. Don’t forget to compare prices on hotel comparison sites.
Eat like the locals
Chain restaurants and tourist hotspots will charge a fortune. Whereas street food and smaller, local cafes and bars provide a much more authentic and budget-friendly option. Trying new cuisine plays a huge part in the travelling experience, but you shouldn’t have to break the bank to do it. Eating like a local means you get the best of both worlds. Speak with hostel/hotel staff about food recommendations.
Cook your own food
Choosing to stay somewhere that has kitchen facilities means that you can save money on eating out every single day and enjoy a home-cooked meal. If you shop at local markets – even just a few days a week – then you’ll be able to save money and eat something with some nutritional value!
And finally, consider getting a job
If you want to extend your stay overseas, then why not find some work to fund your stay? Bar and restaurant work is ideal. Alternatively, there’s fruit and flower picking, working in resorts or even working your job remotely on the other side of the world could be an option. If you’re planning on working overseas, it’s much better to secure a role before you travel.
Most people think of the Middle East as just a place with sun, sand, and shriveled land, but there is much more in this enchanting land. From majestic historical ruins, magnificent architectural treasures to exquisite beaches, man-made marvel, and gastronomical delights, the Middle East is a treasure trove of beautiful destinations that should definitely be a part of any traveler’s bucket list. And what’s more, travel to most of the places is easy with frequent flights operating through Saudi Airlines. Here is a list of places that you should definitely consider while planning your next vacation to this mystical, ancient region of the Middle East.
Top Destinations to Visit in the Middle East
1. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
The historic city of Jeddah was the capital of Saudi Arabia till 1982 when it was moved to Riyadh. Today, this culturally rich and beguiling city is the melting pot of all the races of the Red Sea. Often dubbed as the gateway for pilgrimages to Islamic holy cities of Mecca and Medina, the city has a lot to offer to tourists. Take a trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Site – the Gate to Mecca, be mesmerized by King Fahd’s fountain, claimed to be the tallest fountain in the world, or simply soak in the balmy weather at the beach resorts up the coast.
2. Madinah, Saudi Arabia
Madinah, also known as Medina, is part of Saudi Arabia’s expansive desert terrain. It is second only to Mecca in terms of religious significance for Muslims, but it is one of the best to showcase the culture and traditions of Saudi Arabia. The city has a lot to offer to travelers – from ancient monuments to the cultural traditions of the land. A must-visit is the Masjid-e-Nabawi, where the Prophet has been laid to rest. The 7-mosques is also a place worth visiting. A small complex of six small mosques, it depicts the history of the place.
3. Cappadocia, Turkey
Cappadocia, one of the most traveled destinations in Turkey, is straight out of a fairy tale where natural beauty blends beautifully with stunning historical monuments. Most popular for unique geological features called fairy tale chimneys, these swirling volcanic-rock landscapes swoon in tourists from all over the world. Some of the must-see places in this enchanting city are villages carved out of the hillsides, Byzantine-era rock-cut churches with magnificent frescoes, and a labyrinth of underground cities. A must-do while here is the hot air balloon ride to get a bird’s-eye view of the valleys and the incredible rock formations.
4. Cairo, Egypt
Cairo has millions of visitors all year round, tempting them with breathtaking architecture, grand historical monuments, and myriad archaeological sites. The Sphinx and the iconic Pyramids are a must-do when you are in the sprawling capital of Egypt. A visit to the vast Egyptian Museum, treasure trove of antiquities is a must-visit too. Also, be ready to be charmed by Midan Tahrir, called the “Paris on the Nile” and enchanted by Old Cairo, home to Egypt’s Coptic Christian community. The best part is that there are many cheap flights operating from all over the world to Egypt, making traveling easy.
Conclusion
Whenever traveling to the Middle East, remember to carry the required travel gear to make your holiday comfortable and hassle-free. The Middle East is a cradle of civilizations, home to some of the most spectacular places. Here, history is not written in books but littered in places all around. From the ancient relics found in Cairo, to the tombs and mosques in Madinah and Jeddah, and the volcanic-rock landscapes in Cappadocia, here is where you will find that the past is always present as history and is the heart and soul of the land.