Can you name this country? picoftheweek #8

Photo by mariusz kluzniak

Guess this country!

Where in the world are we heading next week?

Tell us your guesses below and we'll reveal our location on Monday!

Can You Name This Country? picoftheweek #7

Guess this country!

Where in the world are we heading next week?

Tell us your guesses below and we'll reveal our location on Monday!

The Thrifty Traveler: London Edition

1.  Tour London
Sandeman's free tour covers over 10 must-see attractions in under 3 hours. So join a guide at 10am, 11am, or 2pm and learn about the Big Ben while you gape at the royal pillars of Buckingham Palace. The tour includes stops at Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, and St. James's Park just to name a few! More info here!

2.  British Museum
The British Museum offers free admission to all.
Take a journey through our world's history, spanning across millions of years. From the Rosetta Stone to the Parthenon, you will be fascinated by this first-hand glance into ancient civilizations. Check it out here!

3.  Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Take a stroll along the peaceful banks of the canal that runs through London's Queen Elizabeth Park.  Discover the same grounds that famous olympians competed on during the 2012 Summer Olympics. There are also many sites to see and visit around the park. One that is worth your while is the ArcelorMirral Orbit, where you can experience an incredible view of London atop the tallest sculpture in the country. More here!

4.  Stratford
You will not get bored in this cultural hub of London! Home of the world famous Theatre Royal Stratford East, cinemas, museums, and shopping, this happening area will be sure to bring you many hours of entertainment. More here!

10 Things You Must Know: Cape Town

Cape Town and Table Mountain

Cape Town, South Africa

1. Name of city in its Native Language: Kaapstad (Afrikaans) or Ikapa (Xhosa)
2. Official Languages: Afrikaans, Northern Sotho, English, Southern Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu
3. Currency: South African Rand (R)
4. Time Zone: South Africa Standard Time (SAST)
5. Closest Airport: Cape Town International Airport
6. Getting Around: The city is walkable for most sights. Public transportation include Minibus Taxis, My CiTi buses, Golden Arrow Bus Services, and Metrorail Western Cape. Metered taxis are available; a hired car can be easy, quick, and affordable to get around for the day. City Sightseeing Hop On-Hop Off buses are an option to see the main sights.
7. Climate: Warm-summer Mediterranean climate. Winter is May-September while Summer lasts November-March (more detail)
8. Tipping: 10-15% for restaurant waiters; $1 per bag for hotel porters, $1 a night for housekeepers, and $3-5 for concierge; 10% for taxis, $25 per person per day for private drivers or guides. Authorities employ "car guards" and airport porters, so when parking a car you might be approached by a guard: if he shows identification pay him 15–20 rand when you return; pay an airport porter 20 rand per bag.
9. Entry Requirements: Valid passport required; Tourist Visa not required if visiting for 90 days or less. Valid yellow fever certificate required from those travelling from or through a World Health Organization designated yellow fever country.
10. Culture Tip: A 14% value-added tax (VAT) accompanies most purchases in Cape Town, but you can often get a refund at airport customs if you have proof of all purchases.

What did we miss? What kind of essential information do you look up while planning a trip? Tell us in the comments!

Can You Name This Country? picoftheweek#5

Guess this country!

Where in the world are we heading next week?

Tell us your guesses below and we'll reveal our location on Monday!

10 Things You Must Know: San Carlos

La Fortuna De San Carlos Catholic Church | Photo by Gerwin Filius

San Carlos, Costa Rica

1. Name of city in its Native Language: La Fortuna de San Carlos
2. Official Language: Spanish
3. Currency: Costa Rican colón ₡
4. Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST)
5. Closest Airport: Juan Santamaria Intl Airport or Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport
6. Getting Around: The airport is a few hours away, so you'll need to get to San Carlos by bus or car rental. Once you arrive, you can take advantage of tourist charter buses, metered taxis, public buses, or bike rentals to visit the sights. TripAdvisor gives a pretty thorough list of relevant links and information in their article Costa Rica: Transportation.
7. Climate: Tropical (more detail)
8. Tipping: Included in the bill for restaurant waiters; 25-50 cents per bag for hotel porters and $1 a day for housekeepers; small amount to cabbies if you have luggage, $5-10 for full-day drivers.
9. Entry Requirements: Passport required; Tourist Visa is not required for stays of 90 days or less, but tourists must present a return ticket. Visitors must pay a departure tax of 29 USD when leaving. Yellow fever vaccinations are required if arriving from some countries in South America or Sub-Saharan Africa.
10. Culture Tip: Costa Ricans are very polite, so always say please and thank you, and try not raise your voice in anger. It is common to say hello and goodbye to friends and acquaintances with a light kiss on the cheek, or an air kiss accompanied by a kissing sound. Note that women kiss women and women kiss men, but men do not kiss men; instead, they either shake hands or give each other a one-armed hug. 

What did we miss? What kind of essential information do you look up while planning a trip? Tell us in the comments!

Can You Name This Country? picoftheweek #4

 Guess this country!

Where in the world are we heading next week?

Tell us your guesses below and we'll reveal our location on Monday!

Pic of the Week #3: Location Revealed!

Desde el Palacio Barolo | photo by Mikel

And the answer is: Buenos Aires, Argentina! 

In anticipation of Semana Santa, we'll be spending the week sharing all of the best highlights and tips about Buenos Aires.

This week's picture is a view of the Congreso de la Nación Argentina, taken from the Palacio Barolo across the Plaza de los dos Congresos.

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Can You Name This Country? picoftheweek #3

 Guess this country!

Where in the world are we heading next week?

Tell us your guesses below and we'll reveal our location on Monday!

Treat Yo' Self right in New Delhi, India!

Live the life of luxury while staying at the beautiful Oberoi Hotel in New Delhi, India!  The Oberoi Hotel was the first luxury hotel in the city's capital built in 1931.

Deluxe and Luxury Suites are available with gorgeous views of the Delhi Golf Course and Humayun's Tomb.  These two-floor suites come with a 24 hour butler service that can accommodate your every need.

Be sure to visit Travertino Restaurant to find a perfect Italian meal or Taipan for amazing Chinese.  Whether it is lunch or a romantic dinner, your experience will be one to remember!

Get a taste of culture by taking a Private Cooking Lesson!  Top chefs from Oberoi will teach you unique Indian recipes with their very own natural spices.

Private Spice Market Tours are also available through the hotel.  Each tour is guided by a local chef to teach you about their special taste.

Treat Yo' Self even more by boarding the Maharajas' Express! This luxurious train offers 5 top destinations throughout India.  Providing elegance and sophistication, this train is a three time World Travel Winner and continues to impress travelers every day.  No better way to travel the rich heritage of India in style!

10 Things You Must Know: New Delhi

Lodi Garden, New Delhi | Photo by Kumaravel

New Delhi, India

1. Name of city in its Native Language: नई दिल्ली
2. Official Language: Hindi, English, plus more than 20 officially recognized languages.
3. Currency: Indian Rupee ₹
4. Time Zone: Indian Standard Time (IST)
5. Closest Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport
6. Getting Around: Delhi Metro Rail, buses (but beware there are many different companies operating in Delhi), tuk-tuk (auto rickshaw), or cycle rickshaws.
7. Climate: humid subtropical; highly influenced by the seasonal monsoon. Long, hot summers and cool, dry winters. (more detail)
8. Tipping: aka "baksheesh": 15% for restaurant waiters (but some spots do automatically include a service charge); taxi/rickshaw drivers don't expect tips but will accept them up to 10%; at hotels 50 rupees per bag for the porter and 250 rupees per night for the housekeeper.
9. Entry Requirements:  A valid passport and tourist visa is required by all for entry to India, unless they hold a PIO (Person of Indian Origin) Card. (U.S. citizen specifics)
10. Culture Tip: Especially when visiting cultural sights, it is respectful to dress modestly, covering the knees and shoulders.

What did we miss? What kind of essential information do you look up while planning a trip? Tell us in the comments!

Can You Name This Country? picoftheweek #2

 Guess this country!

Where in the world are we heading next week?

Tell us your guesses below and we'll reveal our location on Monday!

10 Things You Must Know: Dublin

The Temple Bar, Dublin | Photo by Julia McGuirk

Dublin, Ireland

1. Name of city in its Native Language: Baile Átha Cliath 
2. Official Language: Irish Gaelic, but all street signs and official buildings use both Gaelic and English
3. Currency: Euro €
4. Time Zone: Western European Time 
5. Closest Airport: Dublin Airport
6. Getting Around: Dublin Bus and walking are the easiest for getting around the city, but trams (LUAS) and trains (DART) are also available if you need to go farther
7. Climate: Cool winters, mild summers, and a lack of temperature extremes (more detail)
8. Tipping: Appreciated for restaurants (10-12.5% of your bill) and taxi drivers (round up to the nearest Euro). Not expected for bartenders, but nice if you have a large group requiring lots of service.
9. Neighborhoods: Frommer's tells you best
10. Culture Tip: Some drinking etiquette since we are highlighting St. Patrick's Day: 'Rounds culture' is important in Irish drinking etiquette, in which one person usually goes to the bar for everyone; that offer is on the unspoken condition that you return the favor.

What did we miss? What kind of essential information do you look up while planning a trip? Tell us in the comments!

Pic of the Week #1: Location Revealed!

Sphere Within Sphere | photo by Arnaldo Pomodoro

And the answer is: Dublin, Ireland! In celebration of St. Patrick's Day, we'll be spending the week sharing all of the best highlights and tips about Dublin.

This week's picture is of the sculpture Sphere Within Sphere (by Arnaldo Pomodoro), located at Trinity College.

survey tool

Calling all fellow adventure seekers!

Welcome to Thirst to Immerse: An Insider’s Guide to Travel! 

Get in touch with a new culture and learn more about various vacation spots around the world!  Our contributors are here to introduce you to everything that will make your travels a memorable experience. To make sure we’re covering your needs, we need your feedback and suggestions - so be sure to interact in our polls, guess the location of our “photo of the week”, and comment on our posts!

We want to make sure your travel is everything you dreamed of and more, so our blog shares some quick tools to help you get there. For each location we highlight, our focus will be on three topics:

• 10 Things You Must Know: Basics to help you get to know the city
• The Thrifty Traveler: See the city’s best without emptying your wallet
• Treat Yo’ Self: We’ll help you choose what’s worth the splurge

Each week we will be introducing a new location, so stay tuned for the announcement of our first destination!