Travelling to Morocco and Covid-19: How to go there in 2022

Morocco has reopened its borders to foreign travelers and especially to the French on February 7… But under conditions. The country is now classified as “green”: the only vaccination pass is enough for the return.

After two months of complete closure due to the outbreak of Covid-19, Morocco reopened its airspace on February 7, 2022. The resumption of maritime traffic was scheduled for the same date, the director general of the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT), Adel El Fakir, told Le Figaro. It is finally only partial and does not concern, initially, the tourist transport, remaining limited to business travel, according to a note from the Ministry published in the wake.

Motivated by the will to relaunch the tourist activity damaged by the pandemic, this decision is also based on the improvement of the health situation. On site, the number of infections seems to have slowed down since the week of January 17 to 23, when a peak was reached. More than 23 million Moroccans had received a second dose of vaccine by January 27 and 4.51 million a third injection, making Morocco the African champion of vaccination. Unsurprisingly, the announcement has rekindled the interest of French tourists, as the winter vacations have started in zone B. Morocco, traditional destination “winter sun” has recorded a jump in searches for airline tickets of more than 500% in recent days, according to the specialized search engine Kayak. With an average price that is also soaring, around 214 € for Marrakech, for example…

Arrival in Morocco: what are the entry requirements for EU tourists?

Mandotory vaccination

The kingdom has been classified as “green” (active circulation of the virus in controlled proportions) since mid-February, but only vaccinated European people can go there for tourism reasons. The Moroccan government’s protocol requires all travelers to Morocco to present a vaccination pass before boarding.

48-hour negative test

Before boarding, European travelers must also present the negative results of a PCR test less than 48 hours old (the short time between the sampling and registration).

Passenger health form

Passengers will have to carry a passenger health card, to be downloaded or distributed on planes and ships, “duly completed, including the passenger’s address and two telephone numbers to locate him or her, if necessary, during the 10 days following arrival,” says the Office National des Aéroports (ONDA).

Additional on-site test

Upon arrival on Moroccan territory, rapid antigenic tests will be systematically carried out “at points of entry” as well as random sampling for random PCR tests

At the same time, Moroccan airports, 16 of which are certified “AHA” (Airport Health Accreditation), have put in place specific sanitary measures (physical distancing, thermal cameras, etc.) in order to welcome travelers in optimal security conditions and “all the equipment” and “human, sanitary, security and administrative means necessary for the success of these operations” will be implemented, the statement said. Before the closure of the airspace on November 29, a passenger health form, to be downloaded or distributed in the aircraft, was required upon arrival. For the moment, the protocol does not mention it.

In addition, additional tests may be carried out at the hotel or at the traveler’s place of residence “after 48 hours of their entry into the national territory”. It is not stipulated whether travelers will have to pay for them, nor what the modalities will be.

What happens in case of a positive test upon arrival in Morocco?

There are two scenarios in case of a positive result of the rapid antigenic test: if the traveler is “asymptomatic or presents a benign picture”, treatment is planned “by self-isolation at home or at the hotel” for tourists, “according to the national protocol in force”. The duration of any self-isolation is not specified.

In case of “moderate symptoms”, “treatment in a public or private hospital” is provided. Morocco uses azithromycin to treat moderate cases, with the possibility of using molnupiravir, an antiviral drug for systemic use, since January.

Vaccination pass, hotels, restaurants… Measures in force in Morocco

While the state of health emergency has been extended until February 28, restrictions (curfew, inter-city travel restrictions, etc.) have been lifted in Morocco where most public places have been authorized to reopen, except for discotheques and casinos. Since October 21, the vaccination pass is in theory required to access all public places, administrations, hotels, restaurants, cafes, shops, sports halls or hammams, and to travel between the different regions of the Kingdom. Wearing a mask (simple) is also mandatory throughout the country.

How much does an anti-Covid test cost in Morocco?

The price of the tests is capped in Morocco (about 19 euros for the rapid antigen test, 40 euros for the RT-PCR test and 60 euros for the PCR test and its isothermal variants (rapid tests). Many centers are available and tests can also be performed in hotels or places of residence.

Covid-19: the united kingdom prepares to welcome fully vaccinated foreigners

The British executive is to unveil within two weeks its plans to allow people fully vaccinated against Covid-19 abroad to come to the UK without quarantine, like British residents.

The British government said on Friday that it hoped to unveil “within the next two weeks” its plans to allow people fully vaccinated against the coronavirus abroad to come to the UK without quarantine, like British residents.

The executive had announced on Thursday that only British residents who have received two doses of vaccine as part of the immunization campaign in the UK would be exempt, from July 19, from quarantine on their return to England from many countries placed on the “orange” list, including tourist destinations such as France, Spain or Italy.

The announcement had raised questions about a possible relaxation for British expatriates or people living abroad and vaccinated in other countries. “This is something we are working on very actively,” said Transport Minister Grant Shapps on Sky News.

Towards recognition of foreign certificates

“In terms of timing, I think I will be able to say more in the next couple of weeks,” he added.

It is about being able to “recognize applications or certifications from other countries”, which will be “easier for some places like the EU”, which has a digital passport like the United Kingdom, than for the United States, where the certificate systems vary greatly depending on the state, mainly in paper format, he stressed.

One challenge, he said, is also that the level of fully vaccinated people in other countries is generally lower than in the UK. Nearly 65% of adults have received two doses, and 86.6% a first dose in the country, which is facing a new wave of infections due to the Delta variant.

A thousand Italian supporters allowed

Grant Shapps also defended the decision to allow a thousand Italian fans to attend the Euro final between their country and England on Sunday at Wembley stadium in London without prior quarantine.

“They go directly to see the soccer, they leave 12 hours later, they can not travel anywhere else,” he explained.

Many English fans had to give up attending England’s quarter-final against Ukraine in Rome in early July because the Italian authorities did not require them to undergo a strict five-day quarantine on arrival.

Will tourists have to pay to enter Venice?

The Venetian authorities are considering charging an entrance fee to visit the city. Tourists should pay between 3 and 10 euros per person.

Will we soon have to pay an entrance fee to visit Venice?

According to the Italian daily La Stampa, the Venetian authorities are planning to charge for access to the city of the Doges.

In concrete terms, from the summer of 2022, tourists would have to book a slot in advance, pay the entrance fee and pass through turnstiles located at the main access points of the historic center. It would cost between 3 and 10 euros per person depending on the time of year, says the British newspaper The Times.

However, this tax would only apply to day visitors. Residents and their relatives, children under six and tourists staying in one of the city’s hotels would not have to pay to visit the historic center.

The goal is not to decrease the number of visitors to the city, but to smooth out the sometimes overwhelming influx of mass tourism. “We can’t set a maximum quota of visitors allowed, the law doesn’t allow it.

But thanks to a flexible and dynamic pricing system, we will be able to advise tourists to avoid certain periods, like Carnival or Easter. The amount has been deliberately set low, because money is not the issue,” explains Simone Venturini, councilor in charge of tourism at the municipality of Venice, in an interview with Le Figaro.

30 million visitors

The Italian city, which welcomes 30 million visitors each year, escaped in extremis from being put on the list of World Heritage in Danger by UNESCO, which pointed the finger at the evils of mass tourism. The Italian government announced this summer that cruise ships would be banned from the famous canals.

For years, heritage and environmental activists have denounced these gigantic ships that threaten the lagoon’s fragile ecosystem and the foundations of its historic center.

CBD when traveling: a take on worldwide legislation

Are you a CBD user and have questions about whether you can travel with CBD flowers, resin or oil? Can you cross borders, take a plane, train or bus with CBD without risking trouble with customs or local police?

Is CBD (also called “cannabidiol”) legal everywhere in the world, is it risky to take it in your suitcase in Europe, America, Asia or Oceania? Here are the answers to your questions on this subject.

Can we travel with CBD?

Travelling with CBD in Europe, Canada or in some states in the USA is not illegal. However, the lack of knowledge about CBD and especially the difficulty for the authorities to distinguish the THC content of the products poses real problems for consumers who wish to travel freely with a quantity of cannabidiol in their luggage.

Traveling with CBD in Europe

European CBD law states that finished CBD products must contain a maximum of 0.2% THC in total to be legal. You can therefore travel freely with your cannabidiol products.

However, it is imperative that you travel with proof that your product contains no more than 0.2% THC. Get a certificate and a sealed product from a vendor to avoid confusion during a police or customs check.

Also, don’t forget that smoking CBD flowers is still illegal, so you should never use the flowers in this way in a public place!

France as an example had to comply with European legislation on CBD as explained in this article!

Traveling with CBD in Canada

As of October 17, 2018, cannabis is legal in Canada, effectively encompassing CBD. Therefore, you have no interest in bringing it from abroad as you will be able to get your supply locally, in a store or via the web.

Travelling with CBD outside of Europe

The origins of a specific product and its THC levels can be difficult to trace, and many states outside Europe are reluctant to legalize CBD for this reason.

In the United States it is even more complicated for travelers to understand because federal law takes precedence over individual state law in the event of an airport checkpoint.

In general, it is advisable not to travel with your product unsealed. Carrying an open bag or vial of CBD makes it impossible to trace the legal origin of the product.

Even when sealed and certified at less than 2% THC, you are taking risks by traveling with CBD all over the world when you are outside Europe and Canada.

To travel with peace of mind with CBD, here is what you need to know:

In Europe and Canada, you will be safe if the product is sealed and accompanied by the original invoice which mentions the amount of THC lower than 2%. However, if you are just stopping over in a country outside of Europe and Canada, you may be out of the law.

You should research in detail the latest laws and regulations regarding CBD and THC in your destination country. In the United States, South America, Asia, Africa and Oceania, you risk arrest for possession of drugs with CBD (due to lack of traceability and product identification). The safest way to know if a CBD product is legal in the country you are visiting is to ask the question in writing to its embassy. Bring a document proving your rights to prove your good faith in case of trouble.

As a precaution, do not bring CBD products on a plane, even if the THC content is less than 0.2%. It’s best to get your products at your destination (in stores or via the web). This prevents you from a suspicious arrest at customs.

CBD flower is the most “sensitive” when traveling because in case of control it may be confused with marijuana. Cannabis legislation is extremely strict in some countries, so don’t take an unsealed bag of CBD flowers into a state that has a strict jurisdiction on this subject. Read “cannabis while traveling” on this subject.

So beware: In some states where the sale of CBD is perfectly legal, there have been cases of arrests due to unfamiliarity with the product.

Zanzibar is planning on building the highest skyscraper in sub-Saharan Africa

The 70-story tower, called Zanzibar Domino, will involve the creation of an artificial island, as well as a marina for yachts and cruise ships.

At the crossroads of Africa, Arabia and India, Marco Polo made it one of his stops. He described it as follows: “A noble and large island, which has well about two thousand miles of turn. The people are all idolaters, have their own language and pay tribute to no one. They are so big that they look like giants”.

Seven centuries later, while the island is often considered an ideal two or 3-day break after a safari in Tanzania, the authorities have just given the green light to the construction of a giant 70-story tower. The “Zanzibar Domino” will house 560 apartments, luxury hotels, a golf course, a wedding chapel, high-end stores …

All this, on an artificial island 15 kilometres from Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tower will also be surrounded by a marina for yachts and cruise ships and will be connected to Zanzibar by a bridge several kilometres long.

An overly ambitious project?

This is an ambitious project that aims to “attract more local and foreign investors to the islands” according to Mudrik Ramadhan Soraga, Zanzibar’s Minister of State for Labor, Economy and Investment. And so to compete with the tallest buildings in Africa, namely the Iconic Tower, the emblematic skyscraper of the new administrative capital of

Egypt currently under construction and whose 80 floors should be completed in 2022, or the tallest building on the continent today, the Leonardo, 55 floors, in Sandton, a suburb of Johannesburg (South Africa). All this is intended to give a boost – or rather a whip – to the tourism sector, which has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

“The project has all the makings of an icon for everyone to remember. All it needed was a visionary investor and a suitable site to make it a reality,” describes Jean-Paul Cassia, director of the design firm xCassia, in charge of the “architectural gesture”, who is making his dream come true: “First sketched out in Paris in 2009 after my late father, my two sons and I played a game of dominoes, I had been dreaming of building this project for more than a decade.

A tower that divides between fascination and criticism at a time of global warming and rising waters. And whose total amount of work will amount to more than 3,000 billion Tanzanian shillings (nearly 1.1 billion euros), or more than 60% of the annual budget of the archipelago for 2021-2022. Still.

Smoking hotels in Amsterdam: a list of hotels allowing smokers

Are you looking for a hotel smoking in Amsterdam? Our suggestions for places to stay in Amsterdam and smoke in peace.

If you want to smoke cannabis or hashish in Amsterdam, you can do so without using tobacco in coffee shops.

If you want to smoke in your accommodation, this isn’t very easy. Since 2008 it is forbidden to smoke inside rooms in hotels in the Netherlands. As smoking is not allowed in bars, this ban is not always respected in hotels.

Suggestions of places to stay in Amsterdam if you smoke

There are hotels where it is possible to smoke, hotels that close their eyes if you do so discreetly, and finally hostels where it is possible to smoke in the common areas. There are also apartments or apart-hotels where smoking is not prohibited.

Our suggestion of places to smoke quietly :

  • Greenhouse effect hotel (Warmoesstraat 55), hotel, café, and bar in the red light district of Amsterdam. Instead of party, understand “noisy.”
  • Bob’s Youth Hostel (Burgwallen Nieuwe Zijde) in the Old Town of Amsterdam in the heart of the red-light district, dormitories and common areas where you can smoke.
  • Flying Pig Downtown (Nieuwendijk 100). Smoking area in the common area of this youth hostel near Leidseplein near the museum quarter.
  • NH Carlton Amsterdam (Vijzelstraat 4), luxury hotel between the old town and the concentric canals with a smoking floor.
  • De mallemoolen (De Wallen) Small 1 star hotel in the gay part of the red light district. Rooms are smoking. The hotel is dilapidated.
  • Amsterdam Cribs (Oude Hoogstraat 7), Hostel in the Old Town. The place looks good with bongs, pipes, and grinders at disposal.

Some of these places only allow vaporizers!

Dutch people view smoking in a much healthier way than ourself “barbaric” cone and bong hitters from Western Europe or the US.
Vaporizers are getting really trendy, especially portable models/ (as seen here www.cannavapos.com/vaporizador-portatil/) and a lot of hotels, including Youth Hostels, will not allow tobacco or joint smoking in their common areas nor inside the dorms!

Vaporizing tends to create a purer vapor which smells less and is healthier for your lungs.

Accommodation prices

Amsterdam is characterized by a relatively varied and accessible offer for all budgets. You will be able to find rooms in the youth hostel dormitories from 20/30 euros to much more if you want to go for high-end establishments (4 or 5 stars).

Which areas of Amsterdam to choose?

Depending on your interests, you will be able to choose your hotel close to any of the city’s main attractions.

If you are staying near the Central Station or the Dam you will be in the heart of the Old Centre and its historic buildings and the Red Light District where the Old Church (Oude Kerk) is well worth a visit.

If you are looking for the lively nightclubs, cafés, and theaters, we advise you to choose your hotel close to the Rembrandtplein or the Leidseplein where the nightlife will enchant you.

A little further away from the city center, you will also find many hotel offers in the Jordaan district or districts such as Pijp or Plantage.

You will find more information on this city by following this link!

We hope you will make good use of the places listed in this article. Remember to appreciate this city and that there is a vibrant city waiting for you outside of hotels and coffee shops 😉

Traveling by foot: good reasons to do it and tips

What if for your trip you were to experience the journey on foot? It is indeed possible to discover an unknown land only by walking along paths that are accessible on foot, equipped or not, to see things differently and not to depend on anything. So ready to set off on an adventure, you will find in this article some good reasons and tips to get started.

Good reasons to travel by foot

1) Saving money

Living on the road forces you to review your relationship with money. Once you’ve walked through the door of your 4-star palace, you’ll realize that tourism is not synonymous with overspending.

Between bed and breakfast and shopping in local mini-markets, it’s easy to spend little when traveling on foot.

2) Discovering the real face of the country

What a mistake to sum up Bali to its paradisiacal beaches. Behind these postcard landscapes, devoid of imperfections, hides the real face of the country. By accepting to go off the beaten track, you risk exchanging crazy laughs with the locals, discovering authentic rare pearls, and avoiding being drowned in the tourists’ bath. If this doesn’t tempt you, it’s better to forget about the walking trip.

3) Enjoy every experience

When was the last time a sightseeing tour blew your mind? Between false cultural experiences and extreme marketing, the tourist is trapped in an illusion where everything pushes him to consume. Is it different from your everyday life? Running between two buses, rushing into the so-called “must-see” attractions, moving in the middle of the crowd?

Tips for traveling on foot

1) Always give your position to a relative

It is occasional for a walking trip to end in disaster. As long as you keep your common sense and don’t venture into dangerous areas, you won’t risk much. Contrary to what you were told as a toddler, the world is a relatively safe place. However, don’t overdo it. Share your travel plans with someone your family, your partner, or one of your friends, trust, and check in regularly with your loved ones. That applies to both solo and group travel.

2) Learn the local language

Even outside the tourist circuits, English can still be used. Although, unless you are visiting an Anglo-Saxon country, it is not unlikely that you will come across someone who does not speak the language of Shakespeare.

It is up to you to adapt to local customs and not the other way around. It’s essential to learn the local language in this type of trip so that you can get by with the locals and get an early start by deciding to get serious about it by downloading an application and sticking to that new resolution to make progress before setting off on your adventure.

3) Define your route

To make a light and efficient bag, you need to have an idea of the terrain you’re going to face. Moreover, skipping this step is a guarantee of getting lost in the middle of nowhere. Don’t forget that the Earth is vast and that it is highly probable that at any given moment, there is not a human soul within miles. To avoid any misadventures, mark out your path well before putting on your hiking shoes.

Family vacations: 5 destinations to discover in Quebec and Ontario

Looking for a carefree family holiday this summer? Here are some of the most beautiful summer resorts in Quebec and Ontario.

Quebec – Village Vacances Petit-Saguenay

Imagine yourself in a cottage overlooking the Saguenay Fjord, daydreaming while watching the whales. This dream is becoming a reality in this complex, which includes fully equipped cabins and a campground. Meals included or not. Parents can hike and stop for a picnic while the children enjoy the day camp.

Quebec – Jouvence

It is what we call being conveniently located: in Mount Orford National Park, and only 90 minutes from Montreal by car! Nestled in the woods, this “Cantons-de-l’Est treasure” offers various forms of accommodation, ranging from one room to 18, the ideal place for family gatherings. You can opt for the all-inclusive package, with activities and meals. There are half-days of activities for children and even daycare for children under three. Enough to make parents want to stay there all year round!

Quebec – Fiddler Lake Resort

Resort in all its splendor! This private estate, which offers log cabins for rent, has a leisure center, an indoor and outdoor swimming pool – heated please – as well as a brand new playground. Some cottages have a three-season veranda with a hydromassage bath and sauna. The clear water of the 2.8 km long lake is an invitation to canoe or pedal boat excursions. The forest that forms the backdrop all around is ideal for hiking, cycling, and hide-and-seek games.

Ontario – Fern Resort

All-inclusive formula lovers who don’t want to fly, this refuge located in Orillia is for you. This resort offers so many opportunities that you are dizzy. You can, of course, choose activities to do with your family, but the attraction is the children’s club. The children can have a great time while the parents can relax by the pool. The 3 to 6-year-olds will no longer want to leave Playvillage Park and its wagon, mini Jeep, pony rides among other things. There is also daycare for babies and the youngest. The older ones can climb, go fishing, and help with the exotic birds of the area.

Ontario – The Lakes of Wasaga Resort

If you want a vacation at the cottage but the simple idea of looking for one exhausts you – not to mention the risk of children getting bored after three days – this package is for you. This small island of private cottages is managed like a hotel, with most of the usual services, but at a lower price. There is no restaurant, but each chalet has a kitchen. Located about 6:30 a.m. by road from Montreal, a stone’s throw from Wasaga Beach, the area has three heated outdoor and one indoor swimming pools, jet water fountains, basketball, volleyball and tennis courts, a mini golf course, a video game center and a host of family activities, from mid-June to Labour Day. During bad weathers, you can watch movies and then go out and cook marshmallows in the outdoor fireplace.

Traveling alone when you are a woman: how to choose the safest country?

It is an unfortunate observation: being a woman is not always without risks when you want to travel, especially if you intend to travel on your own.

What do you need to know when traveling alone?

According to a Visa Global Intentions Study (VGIS) survey from 2015, the number of people traveling alone has increased in ten years (1 in 15 on average in 2005, and 1 in 5 in 2015). In this proportion, there are more women than men.

Traveling alone has many advantages. You can spend more time exploring. And above all, you have more freedom. However, the gender factor can be a problem. According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, 38% of women worldwide were victims of physical and sexual assault in 2017. Of this 38 %, 41% of women were assaulted while traveling. Therefore, do not minimize the risks when going alone. We must focus on the safest countries.

Japan, the country of respect

On the Asian side, Japan is one of the safest countries. A sense of respect and honor are an integral part of Japanese culture.

Perfect for a solo trip, Japan is full of tourist cities with many cultural activities, such as visiting feudal temples, manga museums, not to mention gastronomy, a unique experience to discover at least once in your life. There are also many natural sites to visit, such as Mount Fuji or the Ogasawara coast.

New Zealand, in the footsteps of hobbits

New Zealand is not only the setting for the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but it is also a safe place to travel when you are a woman. You will discover many breathtaking landscapes and exciting cultural activities. Also, you can take treks and hikes in the most beautiful places in the region. Let us not forget the New Zealanders who are unusually warm and welcoming.

Finland, the land of happiness

Ranked first in the United Nations (UN) World Happiness Report 2018, Finland is the country with the world lowest crime rate and is declared the most welcoming. It is not the only criterion for traveling alone when you are a woman: Finland offers many exciting and unique activities to live. Excursions to contemplate the Northern Lights, including husky sleigh rides, as well as picturesque villages and landscapes.

Australia and Melbourne

Australia, one of the safest countries in the world, is full of magnificent and exotic landscapes. Melbourne, on the other hand, has been named the most pleasant city in the world by The Economist magazine. Extremely diversified, it offers green spaces, theatres, museums, and monuments. A visit not to be missed.

Canada and the City of Montreal

Canada is another country that will not fail to welcome you warmly, especially in Montreal. This city is renowned for its friendliness and pleasant atmosphere. Ideal for traveling alone when you are a woman, Montreal is full of cultural, artistic and gastronomic interests. Crime is very low and almost non-existent in tourist areas.

The city is home to more than 200 theatre companies and numerous festivals, including the famous Festival international de jazz de Montréal. In addition to the shows, there are also many remarkable landscapes, from the Old Port to the Lachine Canal.

How You Can Spend Crypto Currencies While Traveling The World

Bitcoin and other top cryptocurrencies are no longer the domain of just a few people. When Bitcoin values exploded, the world responded by becoming informed and investing in cryptocurrencies. Does that mean it is easy to travel on digital currency today?

We have to admit, it has become easier than when Felix Weiss took off on an 18 month trip around the world in 2016, but it still can be a bit challenging. Let’s take a look at a few of the things you will need to consider if you wish to travel using your cryptocurrency.

Booking Flights – From Difficult to Commonplace

 

A few years ago it was nearly impossible to book all your flights using only Bitcoin. Today the landscape has changed dramatically. CheapAir.com was the first to start accepting Bitcoin in 2013, but now you can find numerous travel services accepting the digital currency. You can book your flights using CheapAir, Expedia, BTCTrip, Peach Air from Japan, Surf Air out of California, or Destinia, just to name a few.

Using just CheapAir, or Expedia, you would be able to book a flight to anywhere in the world, while getting great prices. Here is a list of the best places to buy bitcoin in 2019 cryptos-monnaies.fr/acheter-bitcoin/

Reserving Your Hotel – Easy Or Not?

 

Hotel reservations are still a little more challenging. You can reserve a room using services like Expedia, but you will still want to make sure your hotel accepts the digital currency, too. You will need to be able to pay for additional services at your hotel, so verify they accept your crypto.

Car Rentals – The Challenges Begin

 

Renting a car may be one of your biggest challenges if you want to avoid using a major credit card. Major car rental companies have not climbed aboard the cryptocurrency trend, which is not surprising. Cryptocurrency is more anonymous in nature, which is troubling when renting a car.

You can find some local car rental companies that do accept cryptocurrency, so do not lose hope. We suggest doing a little research using CoinMap.org to locate a car rental agency around your travel destination.

Restaurants – Using Crypto To Put Food In Your Stomach

 

Finding restaurants accepting cryptocurrency is a hit or miss proposition. You will find a few in most major cities, but the majority of restaurants still are not accepting digital currencies. You can search on CoinMap to see in any restaurants near your location are accepting crypto.

bitcoin the king of cryptos

Working Around The Challenges

 

You might be starting to think it is going to be hard to travel using only your digital currency, but it is not as difficult as you might be starting to think.

All major cities have ATM locations you can use to withdraw cash to pay for restaurants, bar tabs, and entertainment. This eliminates some of the biggest concerns while traveling with cryptocurrency.

It may still be hard to rent a car, but you can overcome your local travel needs by using Uber, or similar services. Uber does not accept direct payment from Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, but you can use the CoinBase service to pay for an Uber ride.

CoinBase is a great solution for many of your other needs, too. You can get a debit card from CoinBase which can be reloaded using your digital currency. This eliminates the need for a credit card at hotels and restaurants.

Tap Into The Community

 

The crypto community is going to be your best source of information when you travel. While you can learn a lot by using CoinMap, you will learn far more by chatting with other digital currency users on Facebook and forums. They can point you to the local companies who are accepting digital currency that is not listed on CoinMap.

Plus, tapping into the community let’s plan a meet-up with other digital nomads living on digital currency.

Security – Don’t Forget To Protect Your Crypto Assets

 

We don’t want to end our short talk about traveling with cryptocurrency without discussing security. We advice using a hardware wallet with the multi-signature capability and make sure all of your online accounts are using two-factor authentication. Trezor and Ledger both have excellent hardware wallets.

As you can see, traveling with digital currency may not be as easy as using major credit cards, but it can be done. You will need to take a little extra time planning your trip, but it is worth the effort.

You can also apply for a Tenx Crypto payment card if you are in Asia, Australia or NZ!

Where to go this summer? Our favorites off-the-beaten path destinations to discover

Discover between Finland and Russia an offbeat version of the safari, push up to Fiji the desire for paradise, celebrate in Louisiana the 300 years of New Orleans… Our selection for the summer season invites to the great escape. New addresses, revisited itineraries, cultural events, to each his alibi.

In Colombia, Medellín

medellin colombiaThe major Colombian cities are emerging from the darkness into which the cartels had plunged them and are now attracting travelers who are keen on authenticity. This circuit should fill them, setting a course for Medellín, the “city of the Eternal Spring,” for the Flower Festival.

Starting from Bogotá, capital perched at 2640 m above sea level, the itinerary crosses the Nevados National Park planted with wax palm trees and stopped in a 200 ha coffee plantation before reaching Medellín. Three days are planned to soak up this city, which has become an example of dynamism and prosperity in Latin America. We discover the emblematic sites, the streets with walls covered with committed street art. With its concerts and silleteros parade, the Flower Festival, which has been celebrated since 1957, is a high point. The journey ends gently in the charming alleys of old Cartagena.

A safari in Karelia

In Karelia, between Finland and Russia, nature has not been impressed by human borders. She reigns supreme, and that is why she is particularly conducive to this unique trip, a Nordic version of the safari that will take place between the two countries. This small group tour (maximum seven people), guided by a French biologist based in Finland, includes beluga whale watching.

In summer, they gather along the coasts of the White Sea, where it is quite easy to see them, especially as the animal likes to observe the curious bipeds that stand on the shore. The Solovetski archipelago will be the historical stage of this trip: In these islands, an old monastery was transformed into a gulag, before returning to its original vocation after the fall of the USSR. The tour will end on the Finnish side, where a “night on the lookout” is planned to try to see the bear or even the glutton, this discreet animal of the boreal forests.

In Ladakh, the Himalayan escape

Karelia
Karelia

Vertiginous panoramas, villages frozen in eternity and perched gompas… To venture into Ladakh is to reconnect with the essence of the journey, the one in which one forgets oneself to find oneself better… Specialist of the destination, Asia proposes a guided itinerary by private vehicle between sky and earth, in the Indus valley to discover its essential monasteries (Thiksey, Hemis, Uletokpo, Lamayuru). A journey punctuated by memorable encounters with a welcoming people proud of its cultural heritage, which the tour operator proposes to enrich with a detour in the Nubra valley, via the highest road in the world.

Glamping enthusiasts will opt for a stay in one of TUTC’s luxury camps, such as Chamba Camp Thiksey, at an altitude of 3500 meters, about 20 minutes from Leh, capital of the ancient kingdom of Ladakh. To note, those who will choose a departure at the end of July will have the chance to attend the sacred dances of the monks on the occasion of the Hemis festival (23 and 24).

Tourists return to Egypt

There is no doubt that last winter, cruises on the Nile had generated new and high interest.

In the first quarter of 2018, tourism generated $2.2 billion, almost twice the income of 2017. But tourism has not yet become once again the driving force of the Egyptian economy dreamed by its promoters.

Egypt’s return into the interest of the tourists was confirmed this summer, with particularly sharp increases in the number of visitors on the shores of the Red Sea, which saw an influx of people on its sunny beaches.

Egypt has come a long way. Great insecurity accompanied its political chaos. It had scared away the tourists. Since taking power, President al-Sissi has made it a priority task to restore security, even if it means using methods that are at the very least authoritarian. Although people think of the unorthodox methods used, the measures taken have helped to bring tourists back with some security.

The 50% devaluation of the Egyptian currency, which led to a significant drop in the cost of a stay in Egypt, has, of course, also contributed to the relative recovery of tourism. Prices will probably go up.

Moreover, the number of flights to Egypt has collapsed, and airlines have all, and quite logically, reduced the number of their flights. It is now necessary to increase the number of rotations again. It is a challenge to be taken up to receive more visitors.

Tourism in the Red Sea is, as we have seen, the first to start again, followed by the Nile Valley, resulting in the creation of hundreds of thousands of jobs. It was a crucial issue for the government, which wanted to raise fuel subsidies. This test still needs to be transformed.

Currently, Egypt’s main foreign customers are Germans, followed by Ukrainians, Italians, Chinese and Americans, followed by Saudis and Kuwaitis.

The Egyptians hope to see the French finally return to Egypt in large numbers, and not only to the Nile Valley, which is a favorite of cultural tourism enthusiasts, but also to the Russians who have deserted since all 224 occupants of an Airbus A321 over the Sinai, most of whom were Russian tourists, were killed in an attack in 2015. An attack immediately claimed by Daech.

And tourism in the footsteps of the Holy Family, whose development Egypt regularly mentions? The Egyptians are working on it. Itineraries have been drawn up, places of reception are already ready, especially in Cairo. But they still have to work, invest.
If the millions of tourists who have left the country return, the Egyptians will be more than overwhelmed and more than delighted.

How to bypass censorship on the internet when traveling?

Abroad, you can’t access your favorite sites because of censorship? Here is why and primarily how to circumvent censorship on the Internet.

When traveling abroad, you may not be able to access your favorite websites or specific social networks. Several reasons for this:

Countries practicing censorship on the Internet

The country practices some censorship on the Internet. This is the case in countries such as China, Iran, and Cuba. For example, in Iran, it is impossible to access Facebook and many other websites. However, we can also talk about Vietnam or Turkey.

The extent of this censorship varies from country to country. Here is a map showing the extent of this practice around the world. It was established by RSF a few years ago:

In short, it is painful if you want to keep in touch with your loved ones. Sometimes even your email can be blocked. The same goes for Skype.

Sites blocked by a local provider.

Not to mention censorship, it is possible that your site is inaccessible from the country where you are. This has happened to me several times during my travels. I remember Guatemala in particular, where I could not access my blog. Which was annoying, because it was impossible for me to work on.

In this case, it was the local provider that had blocked my server IP, for some obscure reason. Indeed, I was probably not targeted because you should know that if your site is hosted on a shared server, which is usually the case, your IP address is similar to hundreds of others. However, it is enough for one host to block the IP of a particular site for all the others to be as inaccessible.

What can be done against Internet censorship abroad?

Simple, the most practical solution is to use a VPN when traveling.

What is a VPN?

In general, it is a small program to download and which, once activated, will offer you an encrypted connection between your computer or smartphone and a server located in a censor-free area.

If you are in Iran for example, by activating your VPN, you will connect to an IP in France for example. It’s like surfing while you’re in France, so no problem!

The advantages of using a VPN are not limited to Internet censorship:

You can surf anonymously.
Your data is encrypted. So you can surf safely.
Without necessarily being in a country practicing censorship on the Internet, a VPN allows several things when traveling:

You are at the airport and need to check your bank accounts? As you know, in general, the wifi offered by airports is public. A hacker or a fraudster can, therefore, intercept your data. Risky. With a VPN, no problem!

You can also save money by finding cheaper hotels and plane tickets. Indeed, prices vary according to location.

Which VPN to choose?

There are a large number of free VPNs. The problem is that these VPNs have advertising and are limited in connection time and speed.

With a paid VPN, no time and data limitation. The comfort is there and the quick connection. For a fee, it is only a few euros per month.

 

Air travel: how light on board affects our comfort

In an airplane, space is scarce and constrained. Especially when trying to make travel affordable, airliners tend to maximize the number of seats available on board. To remedy the discomfort that this implies for passengers, airlines and aircraft manufacturers are multiplying initiatives. In addition to ergonomic seats, the initial focus was on in-flight entertainment.

No more screens common to all, now the individual screen prevails with an ever more extensive choice of content. Another factor, less visible and yet essential, has recently been the object of all the attention of airlines: that of light on board.

No more neon that you turn on or off with no other choice than “on” or “off.” Now, thanks to the LEDs, the crew can choose among a wide range of atmospheres and thus modulate the lighting according to the phases of dinner, sleep, and awakening. To understand how these variations of light are elaborated, we went to Hamburg to the center of “Cab Definition.”

Give the impression of space.

In this 4,500 m² space set up by Airbus in a former aircraft factory, customers, in this case, airlines, select what they need for their onboard facilities. There is furniture specially adapted for kitchens, or new luggage boxes with a departure for a tripcapacity increased by 40%. And of course the lighting equipment. In a “mock-up”, hear a life-size cabin model, tests are performed with a choice of millions of colors.

Companies quickly understood that lighting environments would be a distinctive asset that would enable them to strengthen their brand image. Because as soon as they enter the cabin, passengers are marked by the atmosphere produced by the light composition. “Light is a big part of the feeling,” explains Paul Edwards, our guide during this visit. The goal is, therefore, to give the impression of space while differentiating itself from other companies. Finnair will choose a sober atmosphere when Qatar Airways is more luxurious and colorful.

However, this choice is not without constraints, as it is essential to take into account the materials used for the walls and seats of the aircraft if bad associations are to be avoided. Depending on the tones chosen, a metal piece, for example, will look very chic or completely fake. There is a golden rule of mood lighting on which all companies align themselves: no direct light.

Because beyond aesthetics, luminance – that is, the perceived light intensity of a material – also helps passengers to respect the rhythms of sleep. A light that dims gently at bedtime and imitates sunrise a few hours later will help fight jet lag. We even study the variations of the lights depending on where we are on the plane. Nothing is left to chance.

Camping Near Lake Berryessa CA

If you are planning a Lake Berryessa camping trip, you will be very pleased as to what Lake Berryessa has to offer. Lake Berryessa is located in central California. The lake has 165 miles of beautiful shoreline for you to enjoy. Lake Berryessa has numerous campgrounds, marinas and resorts located on the north, south and west shores.

The east shore of the lake is restricted and has no public access to the shoreline.

The Bureau of Reclamation keeps up three day-use facilities and a boat ramp at Capell Cove and picnic areas at Smittle Creek and Oak Shores. If you like to camp in a tent, trailer or RV, Lake Berryessa has six commercial campgrounds that will make your Lake Berryessa camping trip very comfortable. Five of the campsites are for tent and RV camping.

Lake Berryessa Marina Resort, Putah Creek Park, Pleasure Cove Resort, Rancho Monticello Resort, Spanish Flat Resort and Steele Park Resort. They offer hot showers, flush toilets, full hookups, dump stations, snack bars, restaurants and much more. Now if you would like to be roughing it while you are on your Lake Berryessa camping trip, the lake offers that too. If you enjoy the indoors of Lake Berryessa camping, Steele Park Resort has cabins that you can rent.

Lake Berryessa Marina Resort, Putah Creek Park and Spanish Flat Resort offers boats, skis, Jet Ski and Patio rentals to make your Lake Berryessa camping trip more enjoyable. The resorts also offer full-service marinas and fuel docks.

Fishing at it’s best!

fishermen enjoying afternoon session
Fishermen enjoying afternoon session

Lake Berryessa is one of the state’s premier fishing spots with an abundance of trout, bass, catfish, panfish and salmon. Lake Berryessa offers year-round fishing. It makes a Lake Berryessa camping experience one of the finest in the state. Fishing regulations change annually, so it is advisable to check the California Sports Fishing Regulations or check with one of the baits and tackle shops before fishing the lake.

During your Lake Berryessa camping trip, the lake offers miles off shorelines that are ideal for sunbathing and letting the kids or adults swim in the water to cool down or just splash around and have an excellent time. Take your inner tubes, floating rafts and floating chairs and get in the water and relax. Lake Berryessa also offers many coves for you to enjoy a great picnic outing. Pack up your picnic basket with your favourite campfire cooking recipe and enjoy a day with your family and friends.

Sightseeing and landmarks

If you want to go sightseeing while you are on your Lake Berryessa camping trip, the Napa Valley Vineyards and Wineries are less than an hour away. Feel like going out on the town before hitting the sack; there are night clubs that are less than 25 miles away (St. Helena, Vacaville, Fairfield and Elmira). Like to see the shows and play some slots, Cache Creek Casino is only about 10 miles away. How about taking in a movie that the kids want to see? There are several movie theatres within 15 miles.

So if you want to go camping at one of the best camping areas in California, I would highly recommend you take a Lake Berryessa camping trip.