Travel

Travel is the movement of people between relatively distant geographical locations, and can involve travel by foot, bicycle, automobile, train, boat, airplane, or other means, with or without luggage, and can be one way or round trip. Travel can also include relatively short stays between successive movements...

Travel is also defined as an act of traversing through a geographic region or moving from one place to another. This can be temporarily, as is often the case, and can be for a short period of time. Salespersons often travel to different regions in order to generate sales with another company for example.
Travel is kind of like Life, except it happens someplace else. You wake up. You eat. You go out and see things, do things. And you meet people; some of them you get along with, some you don’t. Then you eat again and go to sleep...

Why do people love to travel? 

8 reasons why people all over the world love travel and exactly 

what it is about travel they love with photos of exotic travel ...

Airfarewatchdog, TripAdvisor and Trivago

Most Festive Christmas Cities

There to enjoy a picture-perfect white Christmas

By Jackie Middleton,

Reader’s Digest (Asia)/Travel/December 2016/page 26-28

1. Quebec City, Canada - When the narrow streets of Old Quebec City are covered in a dusting of snow, it feels like you've wandered into a Victorian Christmas card come to life. Enjoy the warm hospitality of this charming Canadian city with festive outdoor concerts, holiday markets and the extravagant QuebecAdabra! - an evening festival of music, lights, animation and architectural projections held city-wide. QuebecAdabra! runs from December 22 to January 4, 2017.

Québec City sits on the Saint Lawrence River in Canada's mostly French-speaking Québec province. Dating to 1608, it has a fortified colonial core, Vieux-Québec and Place Royale, with stone buildings and narrow streets. This area is the site of the towering Château Frontenac Hotel and imposing Citadelle of Québec. The Petit Champlain district’s cobblestone streets are lined with bistros and boutiques… Surf for Airfarewatchdog, TripAdvisor and Trivago

2. London, England - The capital is bursting with holiday cheer. Dazzling Christmas lights brighten up Oxford Street, Covent Garden and Carnaby Street. Skating aficionados can go for a seasonal spin on the picturesque rinks in Somerset House, Hyde Park, Canary Wharf and the Tower of London. Love holiday music? St. Martin-in-the-Fields hosts an inspiring line-up of Christmas concerts while London's most famous Christmas tree holds court nearby in Trafalgar Square.

London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom, is a 21st-century city with history stretching back to Roman times. At its centre stand the imposing Houses of Parliament, the iconic ‘Big Ben’ clock tower and Westminster Abbey, site of British monarch coronations. Across the Thames River, the London Eye observation wheel provides panoramic views of the South Bank cultural complex, and the entire city...Surf for Airfarewatchdog, TripAdvisor and Trivago

3. Antwerp, Belgium - Historic buildings and sensational holiday decorations make Antwerp one of Europe’s most popular Christmas destinations. The city centre is buoyant with the spirit of the season thanks to the lively Christmas market and festive evening concerts. Sample mulled wine and Belgian delicacies as you watch the antics of the much- beloved street entertainers.

Antwerp is a port city on Belgium’s River Scheldt, with history dating to the Middle Ages. In its center, the centuries-old Diamond District houses thousands of diamond traders, cutters and polishers. Antwerp’s Flemish Renaissance architecture is typified by the Grote Markt, a central square in the old town. At the 17th-century Rubens House, period rooms display works by the Flemish Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens...Surf for Airfarewatchdog, TripAdvisor and Trivago

4. Stuttgart, Germany - A visit to Stuttgart's Christmas festival is like stepping back in time. The medieval Old Palace, vibrant Christmas market and breathtaking illuminations create a seasonal paradise. Skate on the outdoor rink, feast upon grilled sausages and soak up the fairytale ambience in the heart of the city.
Stuttgart, capital of southwest Germany’s Baden-Württemberg state, is known as a manufacturing hub. Mercedes-Benz and Porsche have headquarters and museums here. The city is filled with greenspaces, which wrap around its center. Popular parks include the Schlossgarten, Rosensteinpark and Killesbergpark. Wilhelma, one of the largest zoos and botanical gardens in Europe, is just northeast of Rosenstein Castle... Surf for Airfarewatchdog, TripAdvisor and Trivago

5. Prague, Czech Republic - Prague’s stunning Gothic architecture provides a dramatic setting for its Christmas festivities. At the foot of the Church of Our Lady before Tyn, the Old Town Christmas market sells stocking fillers and treats to the thousands of shoppers who visit each December. Carollers perform seasonal favourites while an elaborately decorated Christmas tree adds to the joyous atmosphere. 
Prague, capital city of the Czech Republic, is bisected by the Vltava River. Nicknamed “the City of a Hundred Spires,” it's known for its Old Town Square, the heart of its historic core, with colorful baroque buildings, Gothic churches and the medieval Astronomical Clock, which gives an animated hourly show. Completed in 1402, pedestrian Charles Bridge is lined with statues of Catholic saints…Surf for Airfarewatchdog, TripAdvisor and Trivago

6. New York, US - If you like your Christmas celebrations bold and over-the-top, make New York City your holiday destination. Manhattan seems even more magnificent at Christmas time. Rockefeller Center’s iconic Christmas tree and outdoor skating rink vie for attention with the beautiful storefront displays at Macy's and Saks 5th Avenue.

Experience the hustle and bustle of New York with impressive window displays.

New York City comprises 5 boroughs sitting where the Hudson River meets the Atlantic Ocean. At its core is Manhattan, a densely populated borough that’s among the world’s major commercial, financial and cultural centers. Its iconic sites include skyscrapers such as the Empire State Building and sprawling Central Park. Broadway theater is staged in neon-lit Times Square… Surf for Airfarewatchdog, TripAdvisor and Trivago

7. Rovaniemi, Finland  - For a storybook Christmas, Rovaniemi in Finland is hard to beat. Lapland’s capital becomes a winter wonderland. The area is illuminated by the spectacular Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, and this spellbinding astral show can be witnessed around the city from mid- August until early April. This magical place is also the official home of Santa Claus himself and visitors of all ages can meet his reindeer, huskies and elves at Santa Claus Village right on the Arctic Circle.
Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland, in northern Finland. Almost totally destroyed during World War II, today it’s a modern city known for being the "official" home town of Santa Claus, and for viewing the Northern Lights. It’s home to Arktikum, a museum and science center exploring the Arctic region and the history of Finnish Lapland. The Science Centre Pilke features interactive exhibits on northern forests...Surf for Airfarewatchdog, TripAdvisor and Trivago

MANILA

Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is a densely populated bayside city on the island of Luzon, which mixes Spanish colonial architecture with modern skyscrapers. Intramuros, a walled city in colonial times, is the heart of Old Manila. It’s home to the baroque 16th-century San Agustin Church as well as Fort Santiago, a storied citadel and former military prison.

Local time: Wednesday 7:05 AM

Hotels: 3-star averaging $43, 5-star averaging $130. View hotels

Getting there: 6 h 40 min flight, around $375. View flights

Weather: 81°F (27°C), Wind NE at 1 mph (2 km/h), 100% Humidity

Population: 1.652 million (2010) UNdata

JAKARTA

Jakarta, Indonesia's massive capital, sits on the northwest coast of the island of Java. A historic mix of cultures – Javanese, Malay, Chinese, Arab, Indian and European – has influenced its architecture, language and cuisine. The old town, Kota Tua, is home to Dutch colonial buildings, Glodok (Jakarta’s Chinatown) and the old port of Sunda Kelapa, where traditional wooden schooners dock.

Local time: Wednesday 6:03 AM

Hotels: 3-star averaging $33, 5-star averaging $114. View hotels

Getting there: 4 h 10 min flight, around $135. View flights

Weather: 75°F (24°C), Wind S at 0 mph (0 km/h), 94% Humidity

Population: 9.608 million (2010) UNdata

SINGAPORE

Singapore, an island city-state off southern Malaysia, is a global financial center with a tropical climate and multicultural population. Its colonial core centers on the Padang, a cricket field since the 1830s and now flanked by grand buildings such as City Hall, with its 18 Corinthian columns. In Singapore's circa-1820 Chinatown stands the red-and-gold Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, said to house one of Buddha's teeth.

Dialing code: +65

Currency: Singapore dollar

Population: 5.399 million (2013) World Bank

Prime minister: Lee Hsien Loong

Official languages: English, Tamil, Malay, Standard Mandarin

KUALA LUMPUR

Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia. Its modern skyline is dominated by the 451m-tall Petronas Twin Towers, a pair of glass-and-steel-clad skyscrapers with Islamic motifs. The towers also offer a public skybridge and observation deck. The city is also home to British colonial-era landmarks such as the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station and the Sultan Abdul Samad Building.

Hotels: 3-star averaging $28, 5-star averaging $91. View hotels

Local time: Wednesday 7:08 AM

Weather: 73°F (23°C), Wind S at 3 mph (5 km/h), 100% Humidity

Population: 1.589 million (2010) UNdata

Colleges and Universities: University of Malaya, More

BANGKOK

Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, is a sprawling metropolis known for its ornate shrines and vibrant street life. The boat-filled Chao Phraya River feeds its network of canals, flowing past the Rattanakosin royal district, home to the opulent Grand Palace and its sacred Emerald Buddha temple. Nearby is Wat Pho with its enormous reclining Buddha and, on the opposite shore, Wat Arun with its steep steps and Khmer-style spire.

The Thai capital became the first Asian city to top the MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index, edging out London, the previous No. 1, with 15.98 international visitors who generated an estimated US$14.4 billion. International visitor numbers rose a vigorous 9.8 percent in 2012. Bangkok's top five feeder cities are Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Seoul. Pictured: Royal State Barge cruises past the Grand Palace.

Hotels: 3-star averaging $30, 5-star averaging $100. View hotels

Local time: Monday 11:07 PM

Weather: 80°F (27°C), Wind SE at 3 mph (5 km/h), 85% Humidity

Population: 6.355 million (2000) UNdata

Amphoe: Bangkok Metropolitan Region

LONDON

London, England’s capital, set on the River Thames, is a 21st-century city with history stretching back to Roman times. At its centre stand the imposing Houses of Parliament, the iconic ‘Big Ben’ clock tower and Westminster Abbey, site of British monarch coronations. Across the Thames, the London Eye observation wheel provides panoramic views of the South Bank cultural complex, and the entire city.

Area: 607 mi²

Founded: 43 AD

Local time: Monday 3:39 PM

Weather: 67°F (19°C), Wind SW at 15 mph (24 km/h), 86% Humidity

Hotels: 3-star averaging $160, 5-star averaging $420. View hotels

Mayor: Sadiq Khan

Population: 8.539 million (2014)

Sports teams: Arsenal F.C., Chelsea F.C., West Ham United F.C., More

PARIS

Paris, France's capital, is a major European city and a global center for art, fashion, gastronomy and culture. Its picturesque 19th-century cityscape is crisscrossed by wide boulevards and the River Seine. Beyond such landmarks as the Eiffel Tower and the 12th-century, Gothic Notre-Dame cathedral, the city is known for its cafe culture, and designer boutiques along the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré.

Weather: 62°F (17°C), Wind SW at 8 mph (13 km/h), 90% Humidity

Local time: Monday 4:43 PM

Hotels: 3-star averaging $150, 5-star averaging $450. View hotels

Population: 2.244 million (2010) UNdata

Mayor: Anne Hidalgo

NEW YORK CITY

Home to the Empire State Building, Times Square, Statue of Liberty and other iconic sites, New York City is a fast-paced, globally influential center of art, culture, fashion and finance. The city’s 5 boroughs sit where the Hudson River meets the Atlantic Ocean, with the island borough of Manhattan at the “Big Apple's" core.

Weather: 75°F (24°C), Wind W at 8 mph (13 km/h), 66% Humidity

Hotels: 3-star averaging $200, 5-star averaging $390. View hotels

Local time: Monday 10:44 AM

Population: 8.406 million (2013)

Mayor: Bill de Blasio

Allianz Travel Insurance

Insure your travel investment before the unexpected washes it away! 

Get a Free 10-Day Look with Allianz Global Assistance,

 the world leader in travel insurance!

DID YOU KNOW?

Airfarewatchdog as a friendly and knowledgeable neighbor who always has the inside scoop on the latest ... The airlines lower airfares every day without advertising them. Our team of fare experts tells you about these "hidden" fare reductions and alert you to $0 "blooper" fares and other air fare bargains that you might otherwise miss. And we provide straight talk about finding low air fares on the Web...

TripAdvisor is the world's largest travel site*, enabling travelers to plan and book the perfect trip. TripAdvisor offers advice from millions of travelers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features with seamless links to booking tools that check hundreds of websites to find the best hotel prices...
Trivago is a hotel metasearch which caters to over 120 million travelers every month.Trivago searches through over 900,000 hotel deals, from 250+ booking sites and hotel chains at once. Save up to 78% on Hotels. Compare over 200 Booking Sites! Enjoy Your Stay · Impartial Comparison · Save Time & Money · Fast and Simple Types: City Hotels, Spa Hotels, Luxury Hotels, Eco-Friendly Hotels, Airport Hotels...
Amazon.com, Inc., often referred to as simply Amazon, is an American electronic commerce and cloud computing company with headquarters in Seattle, Washington.  It is the largest Internet-based retailer in the United States and world by total sales and market capitalization Amazon.com started as an online bookstore, later diversifying to sell DVDs, Blu-rays, CDs, video downloads/streaming, MP3 downloads/streaming, audiobook  downloads/streaming,  software, video games, electronics, apparel, furniture, food, toys and jewelry...