touring – Mark's Travel Journal

Most Underrated Destinations in South America

South America has some of the most beautiful places on Earth. It is no surprise that it attracts so many tourists worldwide every year. It consists of only twelve countries, but each of them is equally charming and interesting in its own way. Some tourist locations on this continent are very well known, such as the Inca citadel Machu Picchu in Peru, the statue of Christ “Christ the Redeemer” in Brazil, Iguazu waterfalls in Argentina, and so much more. But besides all these famous places, there are so much less familiar destinations that are as gorgeous but not talked about enough. We are here to show you the most underrated destinations in South America that you should check out if you love traveling.

Los Roques Archipelago

Los Roques Archipelago is one of South America’s more expensive and lavish destinations. It is perfect for various activities. If you are looking for sandy beaches, crystal clear water with lots of coral riffs for diving and snorkeling, then this is a place to go. This place is truly Heaven on Earth; It is located in the Caribbean Sea, not far away from the coast of Venezuela, and it has around 350 islands and numerous animal and plant species, some of them which are endangered. The main occupations for visitors are, of course, swimming and exploring marine life. Some people are fond of fishing, which is very rewarding here since there are at least 270 species of fish. Kitesurfing and windsurfing are options as well.

There are only two ways to travel here. By plane, which is the way most people do it, or by boat. We should warn you that hotel accommodation is costly here, but don’t worry. You could also camp here, which can be a fun experience, and it will ultimately cost cheaper. You just need to pack everything you may need and enjoy!

Paraguay and Asuncion

Paraguay is a relatively small country located in the central part of the continent. However, it is a fantastic option to check out some unique destinations in South America. Not to mention that this country could be a good choice if you ever try to move internationally. We know that moving to another continent can be very stressful and filled with anxiety, but try to keep a positive mindset. There is no need to worry if you have made the right choice since Paraguay is well known for its safety and mild and pleasant climate. Have that in mind if you ever plan to move there.

As for its capital, Asuncion, located on the banks of the Paraguay River, is filled with exciting content. Here are some examples. The seat of the government of Paraguay, “Palacio de Lopez” is a beautiful construction that is even more extravagant at night when all the lights come on. And if you are an art lover, Asuncion’s Art Museums are must-visit places. There are various: Museo del Barro, Museo de Bellas Artes, Museo de Arte Sacro, Fundacion Texo, etc. And if you love animals and nature, we suggest visiting the Botanical Garden and Zoo of Asuncion or the delightful Crystal Fall, located in the jungle area.

City of Valparaíso

The colorful city of Valparaíso is a must-see if you are visiting Chile. It is located about 80 miles northwest of the much more known country capital Santiago. It is the country’s cultural center, famous for its street art, brightly colored houses, and seaside views resembling some European cities. In 2003 the town was placed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. Poet Pablo Neruda, one of its most famous inhabitants, often described it as beautiful chaos, partly because of its specific geography. Between a mountain range and the ocean, the city is a maze of steep inclines, narrow streets, and staircases, making some cities landmarks reachable only by foot or funicular. So be prepared for a lot of walking that will finally pay off because this is one of those places where, if you like photography, you will not put your camera down for a second.

Trujillo, Peru

Peru has rich pre-hispanic culture, wild nature, and world-famous gastronomy. That is why it is one of the favorite destinations in South America for tourists. But there is much more than Machu Picchu and Cuzco. Although it gets only ten percent of overall international tourist visits in Peru, the city of Trujillo is an excellent example of an unjustly underrated destination in South America. At least for those interested in pre-Columbian culture and heritage and not fond of high altitudes and problems it brings. Near the city lies Chan Chan, the largest mud city in the ancient world and the capital of Chimu culture. The site is a world heritage site. Some 2.5 miles south of Trujillo is another important archeological site, Las Huacas del Sol y de la Luna, which is very interesting to visit. Huanchaco spa is another place you should not miss.

Black monkey walking on rocks. — Amazon forests are full of wildlife.

Iquitos, Peru

Another location in Peru that deserves your attention is Iquitos. It is the capital of the Mayan province. People also know it as the capital of the Peruvian Amazon. Iquitos is the largest city in the world that isn’t connected to any other by road. The only way to access it is either by boat or plane. And that is part of its charm. Lush nature and the multitude of animals that live in a nearby jungle draw in the tourists that visit Iquitos. Choose one of the boat tours that can take you to one of the protected natural areas in the Amazon. Visit the local community of indigenous people or take a night-time hike in the jungle. These will be fun adventures that you’ll remember fondly. Be sure to try local or international dishes in the Iron house constructed by Gustav Eiffel.

Final Words

There is a reason why popular places are popular, but it doesn’t mean that those less known are not beautiful. If you love traveling, we urge you to consider visiting these underrated destinations in South America. See some other cultures, try new food, and enjoy your visit to the fullest!

How self-storage helps devoted travelers

January 26, 2021July 3, 2021markstraveljournal9 Comments

looking at a map — Photo by Dominika Roseclay on Pexels.com

In the world of ever-developing technology, many industries are abandoning the idea of a nine-to-five working day in an office. People have started to appreciate the benefits of traveling and seeing the beauty of the world like never before. It has never been easier to maintain a healthy work-travel balance than today. People have been given opportunities to lead the lives of digital nomads, but at the same time, some new problems for devoted travelers have appeared. One of these issues is storing their belongings while they are away. All the clothes you will not be wearing, the books, dishes and all the memories hidden in photos and diaries – all of that has to go somewhere while you are away. And sometimes, your mum’s basement is not available. And neither is your short term apartment. The self-storage industry has brought about answers and solutions to many peoples’ problems, and today we are bringing you a couple of ways how self-storage helps devoted travelers.

No need to worry about safety and security

Along with the stress of arranging travel, from booking a room and flight to packing for an upcoming trip, traveling is, more often than not, filled with all kinds of safety and security issues. Rather than risking losing your stuff by leaving it unsupervised, choose a self-storage unit and be in charge of your belongings anytime, wherever you are. Storage units are clean, and most of them include features such as climate control, a lock and key, 24-hour access, video monitoring, and additional security measures. So, while you are away, your mind can rest.

Self-storage units include many features for securing your stuff — Photo by **Life Of Pix** from **Pexels**

No deadlines or time pressure

By using self-storage, you do not need to worry about getting your belongings out of your sister’s/friend’s/someone’s basement. If you are a traveling professional, or any sort of traveler really, remember to make sure to find a company that offers flexible leasing options. You should be able to extend your rental period anytime you want, so getting home later than expected will not give you any headaches. This works both ways, so if you come home unexpectedly early, you can go to your storage unit right away. Also, since most of them are open 24/7, it won’t matter if you have arrived even in the middle of the night.

You can store almost anything

Depending on the unit size and type, you can store almost anything in your self-storage facility. Clothes, documents, furniture, musical instruments, and decorations are some of the items you can keep safe. However, some things do not belong there, and you should make sure you follow the instructions carefully. Also, to make use of the space and protect your items as much as possible, pay attention to getting the right storage containers, which come in various sizes and are made of different types of material. Moreover, randomly putting things in your self-storage facility can damage your property, so please remember your belongings well before placing them in the unit.

Choosing the right storage container can make all the difference when storing your belongings. — Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

Climate-controlled storage

Alongside size and location, climate-controlled storage is one of the most critical features a self-storage unit can have. These units keep the temperature within a range of about 55 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and humidity is kept low. All the things in your storage will surely benefit from a climate-controlled environment. But some items – such as anything made of or containing wood, metal, wicker, leather, or upholstery – need it. Because of the risk of your belongings getting damaged, choosing a climate-controlled storage unit is definitely worth it.

Moist and exposed leather can become discolored and can get mold and mildew. — Photo by Martin Pu00e9chy on Pexels.com

You can practice self-storage anywhere

To keep on renting your apartment just so you have a safe place for your belongings while you are away can seem like a viable option. However, it looks like an unnecessarily expensive one when you can find much cheaper storage units in large cities and smaller towns. If you live in a bigger city and have a car, you can even drive out to a smaller town, rent a self-storage unit there and save some money for your future travels!

Insurance for your belongings

If your mum’s basement or your friend’s spare room gets flooded, there is nothing you nor your friends can do about saving your things. On the other hand, with self-storage units, you will most likely have the option of adding a storage unit insurance that will cover your possessions if something happens to them. The need for this, in reality, is rare, but it for sure can help you keep your peace of mind while you are away from home.

Keep adding items into the unit even when you’re gone

While you are away, you can give the code to enter your self-storage facility and a key to your unit to a friend or a family member you trust. That way, if you think of something else to put away, you can! Also, make sure to check with the facility renting company if they offer (and for how much!) services of accepting and storing deliveries for you!

Traveling can be a hassle as it is, so getting a few things you would typically worry about off of your mind wouldn’t hurt. Self-storage allows you to stop worrying about deliveries, whether or not your items will be moldy when you come back, and if your belongings are secure or not. In essence, self-storage helps devoted travelers have a fun trip! But please, make sure to follow all the relevant guidelines for traveling and take care of yourself and the people around you!

Best places to experience the true spirit of Canada

January 5, 2021March 3, 2021markstraveljournal38 Comments

The Canadian natural and urban landscapes are undeservedly neglected in many travel plans. However, if you are looking for the best places to experience the true spirit of Canada, you have stumbled upon a guide that will list and explain why the home of maple syrup (among other things) should definitely be on your travel horizon.

Essentially, this is a big country that boasts one of the most mesmerizing and impressive landscapes in the world. On the one hand, you can encounter lakes, mountains, and other natural sceneries of indescribable beauty. On the other, Canadian cities are a perfect starting and finishing point on your trip. They offer you a chance to experience incredible architectural gems in a progressive and liberal society. Read on to find out more about the most breathtaking and exciting places in Canada you should visit on your next trip to the Great White North.

Toronto

If you are looking for the perfect city to start your Canadian journey, Toronto is the place for you (and my hometown). It is one of the largest and culturally most important cities in this country. Toronto’s distinguishing landmark is the CN Tower which you must have seen if you have ever received a postcard from Toronto.

When it comes to its tourist potential, Toronto’s transportation system makes movement through the city impeccable, with a network of subways, street cars, and roads. However, if you get bored with Toronto’s bustling urban energy, you can always take the ferry across the harbour to the nearby Toronto Islands.

a Toronto skyline with skyscrapers and CN Tower — The famous CN Tower dominates the Toronto skyline

Banff

If you are looking to visit the Canadian Rocky Mountains, Banff is a great resort town to start your hiking, biking, or skiing journey from. It is located in the Banff National Park, the first national park established on Canadian soil. As for what it can offer to its visitors, Banff is a town that is brimful of small, local cafes, restaurants, art galleries, shops, and other tourist amenities. You can find the beautiful Mount Norquay towering over this little town and the famous Lake Louise just an hour away from Banff.

Icefields Parkway

Icefield Parkway is a world-famous 144-mile double-lane highway drive between Jasper and Lake Louise. What makes it so epic is that this road offers an incredible overview of the Canadian Rocky Mountains while taking you through orchards, waterfalls, lakes, and other intact natural scenery. This route is fantastic for those who enjoy hiking and camping in breathtakingly beautiful Canadian nature.

a big lake at the foot of mountains in Canada, symbolizing the best places to experience the true spirit of Canada — Canada is home to supreme vistas and natural sceneries.

Vancouver

Vancouver is another big Canadian city that should be on your priority list, especially if you are visiting western Canada. This city is famous for its multiculturalism and green living. Around 50% of its citizens speak languages other than English, making it a truly inspiring and eclectic city. As for what you can do besides the essential sightseeing around the city, Vancouver is a well-known stop for any serious skier given its nearby world-renowned ski resorts such as Whistler Blackcomb. The local city council continuously strive to achieve the best living standard by pioneering and incorporating green design ideas into the city’s infrastructure.

In fact, a rising number of US citizens are moving to Vancouver and other Canadian cities to pursue a cleaner, more humane way of living. If you are considering moving to Canada from NYC, be mindful that you might need to hire an international relocation company to help you get here from NYC, with the necessary vehicles and equipment.

Cape Breton

Cape Breton is a unique part of the province of Nova Scotia located on the east coast of the country. It is one of Canada’s most beloved road trip destinations because of its amazing landscapes that line the famous Cabot Trail – a 186-mile route through the Cape Breton National Park. You will be able to see fantastic nature from Cape Breton’s lookout points, picturesque fishing villages, and one of the most breathtaking scenic routes in the world. A drive through Cape Breton is one to not be missed.

Prince Edward Island

This lovely eastern province and island is famous for its green hills, red cliffs, and amazing seafood everywhere you go. Also, given that most locations in Canada are oriented towards active vacations such as walking or hiking, this island is the perfect getaway where you can relax and enjoy the island scenery. This island is also huge in the golfing world due to its many golf courses available for play. Beside these luxurious, upper-class amenities, the island is also famous for its seal population – as many as four different species of seal inhabit its shores throughout the year.

Niagara Falls

colorful waterfalls and a tree — Niagara Falls are an incredible sight any time of the year and the best place to experience the true spirit of Canada

And, last but certainly not the least, the amazing Niagara Falls. There is hardly a person who has not heard of this collection of waterfalls on the United States and Canada border. The Niagara Falls are indeed a natural wonder that merits at least a day of your attention, especially if you are staying or moving to Toronto in the future.

The waterfalls – Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls – make up an astounding six million cubic feet of water that splash downward every minute. This makes the word wonder in the phrase “natural wonder” a literal description of what experiencing the Niagara Falls is like.

All in all, we hope this short guide has helped you visualize the best places to experience the true spirit of Canada. Of course, there are many more amazing spots which you can visit, especially if you enjoy spending your holiday in the great outdoors. Don’t forget Quebec, Newfoundland and the other provinces and territories (coming in a future post). Whatever your favorite places are, we are confident you will love every minute spent in this beautiful country. Just make sure you stay safe and healthy during your travel.