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travel guide Vietnam

Getting from Hanoi to Luang Prabang

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and the country’s second largest city. It is also the main international gateway into the country as its airport handles plenty of flights, especially to/from cities in the near-by countries.

Luang Prabang is the former capital of Laos. The city is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It mixes the traditional Lao architecture with the European influences , as a reminder of the times when Laos was under French influence.

Quick summary

If you are on a limited budget, the only option is the 24h (sometimes up to 30 h) bus ride between Hanoi and Luang Prabang. Otherwise, you can fly (for 3 times the cost of a bus ticket).

Flights from Hanoi (airport code: HAN) to Luang Prabang

Hanoi is served by Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), which is located about 45 km from the city center. It is hub for Air Mekong and Vietnam Airlines.

Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ) is located just north of the town of Luang Prabang. It is not a hub for any airline but does handle flights to/from some cities in the near-by countries.

Direct flights between Hanoi and Luang Prabang are operated by: Lao Airlines and Vietnam Airlines. The flight time is 1h to 1h 25 min. In 2012, expect to pay from US$146 one way on Vietnam Airlines.

>>read more about Cheap Flights to Hanoi

Buses from Hanoi to Luang Prabang

There are direct buses between Hanoi and Luang Prabang. Your best bet is to have someone at the hostel/hotel you are staying get the bus ticket from the company operating on the route (Naluang Company Travel is one of them, but they don’t have a website). Or you can go to the bus station and make the travel arrangements yourself. Another option is to stroll around Ma May Street and find the best prices from the various travel agencies in the area.

The fare is about US$50 and the bus ride about 24 to 30 hours. All buses are sleepers.

Please remember that you can either have a pre-arranged visa for Laos or get one on arrival, directly at the border crossing.

Driving from Hanoi to Luang Prabang

You can rent a car in Hanoi and plan to drive to Luang Prabang. However, you will be crossing the border so make sure that your rental company allows that. The total journey is 1023 km (drive time: 14 hours). Do make sure to plans several stops along the way.

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Peru travel guide

Peru in July

July falls during the high travel season in Peru. It’s also high travel season in Europe and North America, which means that many Peruvian cities are filled with travelers from all over the world and the airfare tends to be quite high. But it’s also the best time to explore the jungle or climb a mountain. Of course, everyone wants to visit Machu Picchu now, so expect the site to be crowded, as well.

Weather

Weather in Peru depends on the region you are visiting. July in the mountain highlands (such as Cusco) falls during the dry season with hot and dry days. The nights are also dry but cold, with temperatures just above freezing.

On the cost (such as Lima), while it’s not very warm, it’s still possible to swim (especially on the northern beaches).

In the jungle, July falls during the dry season , with temperatures averaging 30-35C, which means it’s the best time to visit this area.

Sample temperatures:

Arequipa avg high 20C ; avg low 7C
Cuzco avg high 18C; avg low 1C
Lima avg high 20C; avg low 15C

Flights and accommodation in July

July falls during the high season, so it only makes sense to expect the prices for both airfare and accommodation to be quite high. Everyone travels to Peru during this time of the year, so Cusco and Machu Picchu tend to be overcrowded. Plan your vacation in advance.

What to do

Just like June, July is also one of the best times to head to the Jungle. So if you have jungle trekking on your mind or want to see the birds nesting, now it’s your chance to do make it happen. During the dry season, the rivers are low , therefore the beaches are exposed. And you don’t have to deal with too many mosquitoes.

You can also visit the mountainous region. Spend some time in the city of Cusco and take a day trip to the Pisac Market, which is a short car ride from Cusco . On Sundays you’ll be delighted to find excellent handicrafts here and it will be a good chance to pick up some souvenirs for those at home.

If you like climbing, then tackle El Misti . You don’t need special if you do this hike in July. Be careful to adjust to the high altitude though (2 days and 1 night is recommended for the hike). Make your base in Arequipa and explore the city before hiking El Misti.

Visiting Machu Picchu is the pinnacle of any trip to Peru. The best time to visit Machu Picchu is between April and October , but most of the visitors tend to come here between June and August. Which means it’s going to be crowded. Try the approach via the Inca Trail , which is not an easy thing to do, but it’s the most rewarding option.

You might also want to visit Lake Titicaca. Thankfully the environment is control and there’s no hotel in sight…so you are left with staying with the families. That’s a lovely way to learn more about the culture and try the local foods.

If you are not into bizarre food – so you’ll probably skip the fried guinea pigs – then ceviche is a good choice. It is the national fish of Peru and contains raw fish bits marinated in lemon (or lime). Onions, herbs and hot pepper can also be added to the mix.

Don’t miss checking out Lima and then you can also plan to see the Nazca Lines from above. Tours leave from Pisco and Ica.

Should you have beaches on your mind, head to the northern beaches. You can swim or surf here.

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travel guide Vietnam

Getting from Hue to Hoi An

Hue is located in central Vietnam and used to be the imperial capital. The main landmark is the Perfume River. Other important places to see include the Citadel and the old city. With a changeable weather, bringing an umbrella when traveling to Hue is a must. And if you dislike humidity, it’s best to come here during summer.

Hoi An is located just south of Da Nang. Its old city has been added as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pack your walking shoes, as negotiation the city center on foot is the best option.

Quick summary

It’s easy to get between Hue and Hoi An. The only thing influencing your choice will the budget. Tours cost quite a lot and many people don’t like them. But whether you take the train to Da Nang and then the bus to Hoi An or travel the entire distance from Hue to Hoi An by bus, you won’t pay much at all. The travel time is about 4 hours by bus.

Trains from Hue to Hoi An

Hoi An is not served by a railway station, but the closest one is in Da Nang. The North-South Reunification main line links Hanoi to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) and passes through both Hue and Da Nang.

There are six departures per day. Trains leave Hue at 1:18 a.m., 4:48 a.m., 6:12 a.m., 8:02 a.m, 10:50 a.m. and 7:12 p.m. The travel time to Da Nang is 3 hours.

On the way back, catch the trains from Da Nang at 12:06 p.m., 2:42 p.m., 4:50 p.m. 10:34 a.m., 11:27 p.m. and 6:58 a.m.

Fares start at 67000 Dongs /US$3.21 for a soft seat (AC) one way. You do need a reservation for the ticket, so head to railway station some time before the train leaves (or even get the reservation a day or two before if you can). You don’t really need to book to far in advance though.

From Da Nang, either take a bus or a taxi to Hoi An, which is located about 30 km from Da Nang. The bus fare is about US$3 and the travel time is about 45 min to 1 h.

>>read more about Train Travel in Vietnam

Buses from Hue to Hoi An

You can show up at the bus station in Hue and get a ticket to Hoi An without a problem. You can also get a bus ticket via various travel agents or the personnel at the hotel/hostel you are staying at can get one for you. Either way it’s not expensive (US$5 to US$10 one way, depending on the company).

You can also opt for the “open tour” bus service. It leaves Hoi An at 8 a.m and the travel time is 4 hours to Hue. Or you can opt for a tour from Hue to Hoi An (and back). You can find details and prices here .

>>read more about Bus Travel in Vietnam

Driving from Hue to Hoi An

You can rent a car in Hue and drive the 123 km to Hoi An in about 2 hours (according to Google Maps). Or you can drive to Da Nang and from there rent a motorcycle for the rest of the trip.

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travel guide Turkey

Getting from Istanbul to Ankara

Although Ankara is the capital of Turkey, Istanbul is the major travel hub in the country and chances are you’ll get a better fare for flights into Istanbul rather than the capital. So, you’ll need to figure another way to get from Istanbul to Ankara. Thankfully, there are plenty of options. You just need to choose the best for you (and your budget).

Quick summary

It costs about the same and takes almost the same amount of time to travel by bus or train between Istanbul and Ankara. That’s until the new high speed line will connect the two cities directly. If you are in a hurry, though, you can consider flying. It’s not too expensive compared to the bus or train fares.

Flights from Istanbul to Ankara

Ankara is served by Ankara Esenboğa International Airport (ESB), located about 28 km from the city center. Compared to Istanbul’s airports it receives fewer flights.

Istanbul is served by two airports, both handling flights to/from Ankara:

  • Istanbul Atatürk Airport (IST): this is the main airport serving Istanbul , located on the European side of the city, about 20 km from the city center. It is Europe’s eighth busiest airport and the main gateway into the country. It is hub for: Atlasjet, Onur Air and Turkish Airlines. Flights to/from Ankara are operated by Pegasus Airlines and Turkish Airlines.
  • Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) : this is the second airport serving Istanbul, located on the Asian side. It is the airport preferred by the low cost carriers. Flights to/from Ankara are operated by Pegasus Airlines, Turkish Airlines and AnadoluJet.

The cheapest flights to Ankara are from SAW. The flight time is 55 min. In mid April 2012, single fares start at €22 on Pegasus. Prices stay the same even during the peak travel season (July 2012).

Read more about:
>>Cheap flights to Istanbul
>>Airports in Turkey

Buses from Istanbul to Ankara

Metro Turzim is one of the companies operating buses from Istanbul’s Büyük Otogar (main bus terminal) to Ankara’s bus terminal (AŞTİ). Buses depart Istanbul every hour, every day between 5:00 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. The travel time is 5 h 15 min. The single fare is 38 Turkish Lira / €16 to 47 Turkish Lira / €20, depending on the hour of departure and type of ticket.

>>read more about Bus Travel in Turkey

Trains from Istanbul to Ankara

There will be a direct high speed railway between Istanbul and Ankara but right now the high speed trains only work from Eskişehir to Ankara. Even so , the total travel time between Istanbul and the capital is 5 h 45 min. There is still one old fashioned (slow) train between Istanbul and Ankara which leaves Istanbul at 1 p.m and arrives in Ankara 9 ½ h later. The new high speed trains leave Istanbul at 7 a.m., 10:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. The fare is 40 Turkish Lira / €17 during the day , one way.

There’s also a sleeper departing Istanbul at 10:30 p.m. and arriving in Ankara 10 ½ h later. The single fare is 60 Turkish Lira / €25.30 in a shared 2-bed room.

>>read more about Train Travel in Turkey

Driving from Istanbul to Ankara

You can rent a car in Istanbul and drive the 452 km to Ankara on E-80. The drive time is about 5 h 15 min.

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Peru travel guide

Peru in June

June falls during the high season in Peru. In Europe and North America the high season falls during the same time , which means many Peruvian cities are filled with travelers from all over the world. And it’s the best time to explore the jungle or climb a mountain.

Weather

When we talk about the weather in Peru, it’s important to know which areas we refer to. So, June in the mountain highlands (such as Cusco and Lake Titicaca) falls during the dry season. The days are hot and dry, while the nights are dry and cold. The temperatures are just above freezing during the nigh in June.

On the cost (such as Lima) it’s not very warm but it’s still possible to swim (northern beaches).

In the jungle, June falls during the dry season , with temperatures averaging 30-35C. Now is the best time to visit this area as the rivers are low and there are fewer mosquitoes.

Sample temperatures:

Arequipa avg high 20C ; avg low 7C
Cuzco avg high 18C; avg low 1C
Lima avg high 20C; avg low 16C

Flights and accommodation in June

Since June falls during the high season, expect the prices for both airfare and accommodation to be high. Everyone travels to Peru during this time of the year, so book everything in advance. With a bit of luck you can catch some interesting deals.

What to do

June is the best time to head to the Jungle. The rivers are low so the beaches are exposed. Plus there aren’t that many mosquitoes to worry about.

You can also visit the mountainous region and spend some time in the city of Cusco . It can take your breath away…literally , due to the altitude. So allow for a couple of days to adjust and then plant longer visits in the city. The Pisac Market is a short car ride from Cusco and on Sundays you’ll be delighted to find excellent handicrafts here.

Maybe mountain climbing is not for you, but if hiking is, then you can plan to climb El Misti . You don’t need special equipment (aside from, you know, hiking boots) but at times there might be snow and ice on the ground. Be careful to adjust to the high altitude before making this attempt. The town to make your base for this hike is Arequipa.

Without a doubt, no travel to Peru is complete without visiting Machu Picchu . The best time to visit Machu Picchu is between April and October , but most visitors come here between June and August. Plan to get there by Inca Trail , which is the hardest option but the best if you want to experience something unique.

Head to the capital of Lima and also plan to see the Nazca Lines from above. You can find airborne tours departing from Pisco and Ica.

But you can also head to the northern beaches as well and enjoy some swimming. Or you can try surfing on Mancora, which offers the possibility year round.

When traveling you need to experience the local flavor…which includes eating. In this case, guinea pig. Yes, your pet’s relative. But the Peruvians bake, fry or BBQ it. If you are not into bizarre food, then ceviche is a good choice. The national fish of Peru contains raw fish bits marinated in lemon (or lime). Herbs and onions are also added to the mix.

Go deeper into cultural explorations and stay with a family when visiting Lake Titicaca. Actually there isn’t other way to stay in the area as there are no hotels because the lake is carefully controlled.

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travel guide Turkey

Getting from Istanbul to Ephesus

Ephesus (Turkish: Efes) is one of Turkey’s major tourist attractions. It was a Greek town, later conquered by the Romans and which gained its popularity thanks to being home to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It is one of the best preserved Roman Mediterranean cities in Turkey.

Ephesus is located near present-day Selcuk in the Izmir Province. The closest airport to Ephesus is İzmir Adnan Menderes International Airport (ADB). The closest railway station and bus terminal are also in Izmir.

Quick summary

The hassle-free and affordable way to get from Istanbul to Ephesus is by bus to Selcuk and then on foot to the ruins. But the travel time is long (11h) and in case you are in a hurry there’s always the plane. The flight time is 1h and from Izmir airport there’s a train service all the way to Selcuk. And it’s not that expensive to fly, either.

Flights from Istanbul (airport code: IST) to Ephesus

The closest airport to Ephesus is İzmir Adnan Menderes International Airport (ADB), located about 18 km from the city center of Izmir and 60 km from the archeological site of Ephesus. The airport is hub for IZair, SunExpress and Onur Air.

Istanbul is served by two airports, both handling flights to/from Izmir:

  • Istanbul Atatürk Airport (IST): it is the main airport serving Istanbul and is located 20 km from the city center on the European side of the city. It is Europe’s eighth busiest airport and a hub for: Atlasjet, Onur Air and Turkish Airlines. Flights to/from Izmir are operated by AtlasJet, Onur Air, IZAir and Turkish Airlines.
  • Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) : it is the second airport serving Istanbul, located on the Asian side, much further from the city center. It is the airport preferred by the low cost carriers. Flights to/from Izmir are operated by Pegasus Airlines, IZAir, Sky Airlines, SunExpress and Turkish Airlines (AnadoluJet).

It is slightly cheaper to fly to Izmir from SAW (€22 one way on Pegasus) than from Ataturk (€25 one way on Onur Air) in mid-April 2012. The flight time is about the same , though (1h to 1h 5 min). By mid-June 2012, the prices are about the same (€28 one way on AtlasJet from IST; €30 one way on AnadoluJet from SAW).

Once in Izmir, you can either rent a car and drive to Ephesus or take the train to Selçuk. There are six trains per day, departing from Izmir train station and from the Airport train station. The travel time to Selçuk is 1 h (from the airport).

Read more about:
>>Cheap flights to Istanbul
>>Airports in Turkey

Buses from Istanbul to Ephesus

Metro Turzim is one of the companies operating buses from Istanbul’s Büyük Otogar (main bus terminal) to Selcuk’s bus terminal, the closest bus terminal to Ephesus. There are two buses per day departing Istanbul at 9:30 p.m and 11:30 p.m. The travel time is 11 h. The fare is either 58 Turkish Lira / €24.50 or 65 Turkish Lira / €27.40, depending on the type of ticket.

Once in Selcuk you can walk the 4 km to the ruins.

>>read more about Bus Travel in Turkey

Trains from Istanbul to Ephesus

The train station for Ephesus is Selcuk. The ruins are within walking distance of Selcuk (about 4 km). But there isn’t a direct link from Istanbul to Selcuk and you need to change trains in Izmir.

1) Istanbul to Izmir by train, with a stop in Eskisehir: the express trains depart Istanbul at 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. and the total travel time is 19 hours. From Istanbul to Eskisehir the fare is 20 Turkish Lira (€8.40) and from Eskisehir to Izmir it’s another 21 Turkish Lira (€9).

2) Izmir to Selcuk by train: there are six trains departing Izmir each day (first at 8:09 a.m. and the last at 7:10 p.m.). The travel time is about 1h 20 min. You can check the timetable and fares here (requires a username/password).

>>read more about Train Travel in Turkey

Driving from Istanbul to Ephesus

You can rent a car and drive from Istanbul to Selcuk, but plan to walk from the city to the ruins. The driving distance is 629 km on D565 and can be covered in about 8 ½ h. But make sure to plan some stops along the way.

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travel guide Vietnam

Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon) was the capital of South Vietnam. Today, Vietnam’s largest city is a bustling town, where you’ll be surprised by the humidity, energy and crowds. At anytime of the day, it seems that everyone wants to be on the streets at the same time. Mixing the modern café and restaurants scene with the ancient pagodas and bustling markets, Ho Chi Minh City will make you fall in love with it.

Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral

No, we are not sending you to Paris (at least, not until you visit Saigon) , but we are inviting you to visit the Cathedral which stands right in the heart of Saigon.

Walk in the historic center at night

The buildings are elegantly lit and look totally different than they do during the day. It’s definitely worth it to see them both under natural light and during the night.

Get out of the city: Mekong Delta

When the hustle and bustle of Saigon is too much for you, explore the Mekong Delta and its narrow canals between the trees. If you opt for a multi-day tour, then make sure not to miss the famous Cai Be Floating Market. You can also bike in rural Vietnam, taste the local fruits and visit farms.

A bit of history at the War Remnants Museum

Any boy (or man) likes airplanes and helicopters …and the War Remnants Museum has plenty on display in the courtyard, along with other military equipment. Also, you can see many pictures and read stories from the Vietnam war about the American crimes. It may be a bit too anti-American, but worth your time if you are interested in the history of the area. It’s extremely graphic and it can take hours to visit.

Shop at the Ben Thanh Market

It is located within walking distance of Pham Ngu Lao , a place well known among backpackers and budget travelers. You can find cheap places to stay, cheap good food and plenty of transportation options from this area.

In the market , you can also find everything you want (or don’t want). Of course, knock-off watches are available, but so are various t-shirts and the food options are endless.

And speaking of food, you can get excellent food in Saigon pretty much anywhere: street stalls, fancy restaurants or local fast food places. And since Saigon used to be under French influence, you have to try the French pastries while you are here.

Explore the Củ Chi Tunnels

You can either visit them as part of a tour or plan a day trip yourself. Explore the tunnels which once were used catch US troops unaware. At the end of the tour you can even test your aiming skills and shoot at targets.

The tunnels have been increased in size to allow the Westerners to crawl. If you are claustrophobic, it’s best to avoid this experience.

Visit the Reunification Palace

The architecture remained almost untouched since 1975 , when the government used this building. Now you can explore the decorations , its halls and the network of tunnels.

Head to the beach: Mui Ne

Mui Net is a resort town located several hours away from the city. Plan to stay here over the weekend and enjoy the sun and sand.

Photo credits: Notre Dame Cathedral , Mekong Delta , War Remnants Museum , Ben Thanh Market , Củ Chi Tunnels , Reunification Palace , Mui Ne