Destinations and holiday hotel booking search right now by Travelinxer? Traditional water puppetry originated in the North’s Red River Delta, where for centuries, farmers practiced this recreational art form in flooded paddies. Handed down the generations, this unique puppetry nearly died out but has seen a huge revival, recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage and performed in theatres in major cities and award-winning international tours. Hidden behind a bamboo screen, puppeteers manipulate lacquered wooden puppets using rods while wading in waist-deep water, which act out traditional stories based on ancient folk tales and rural village life on an ever-changing, watery stage, The hour-long shows of short vignettes are accompanied by live traditional music and while all in Vietnamese, the comical, delightful puppetry and music keeps the audience enthralled. In Hanoi, book your tickets at the world-famous Thang Long Water Puppet Theater and in Ho Chi Minh City, at The Golden Dragon Water Puppetry Theater or Museum of Vietnamese History. See extra info on car booking on this blog.
In Table Bay, World-Heritage-listed Robben Island is a haunting reminder of the horrors of apartheid. Nelson Mandela spent 18 years imprisoned in a tiny cell here along with other political dissidents and social misfits. Perhaps the best part about this experience is that ex-prisoners are usually the guides, sharing poignant first-hand accounts of the atrocities they endured. Tours to the island begin with multimedia exhibits in the museum at the Nelson Mandela Gateway in the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Sightseers then board boats to Robben Island, often braving rough swells on the 30- to 45-minute ride. Be sure to book early, as the tours can fill up fast. The sweeping waterfront promenade called the Golden Mile is a legendary Durban tourist attraction and a great starting point for a tour of the city. Long blond beaches lure swimmers, surfers, and anglers, while the bustling promenade feels like Miami Beach with its high-rise hotels, shops, restaurants, and flashy entertainment complexes.
The WWF (World Wildlife Fund) rates Hermanus as one of the 12 best whale-watching destinations in the world. Hermanus is a great place for a weekend getaway from Cape Town. In season you have plenty of different options to see these magnificent animals. Whales are not the only animals that can be seen on ocean expeditions. There are opportunities to see the Marine Big 5; Whales, Sharks, Seals, Dolphins, and Penguins on cruises in the area. This little town has a lot offer including world class wine farms, excellent restaurants and a huge variety of museums and adventure activities. For more see our Complete Guide for things to do in Hermanus.
Despite its old age and architecture, Meknes makes its way to the list of the top best places to visit in Morocco. It is located in the north of Morocco, and is a 9th-century medina and also one of the country’s previous capitals. On your visit here, while you might feel that it’s not as fine as the other cities to visit in Morocco, but the royal palace and other major historical sites are an ideal stop to learn about Morocco’s culture. Don’t forget to visit its charming attractions that make it so popular among tourists looking for exotic Arabian experiences. How To Reach: Board a local train or hire a taxi to reach Meknes comfortably.
Known to many travelers as Crazy House, Hang Nga’s Guesthouse is a very unusual piece of architecture that also serves as accommodation in Da Lat. The structure was designed by a local architect named Dang Viet Nga, but he was clearly influenced by the Spanish architect Gaudi. The guesthouse looks like a tree and is complete with details like a cavernous stairway, branches that twist out of windows and sculpted animals that double as furniture and even fireplaces. See even more information at https://travelinxer.com/.
One of the most well-maintained beaches in Essaouria, the windy stretch of yellow sand along the Atlantic is a haven for surfers and kite surfers. Mogador Island juts up from the waters, camels and donkeys trot across the sands, the squawking of seagulls rings through the skies, the salty sea air combines with the smells of seafood, and the old citadel overlooks the waves. A remote canyon, the Todra Gorge is a terrific place for hiking and camel trekking. Towering multi-coloured rocks in shades of browns and reds rise impressively either side of where the now-dry river used to flow. The local population is mainly Berber.
CheapTickets is another site acquired by Expedia, but it does things a little differently. You can easily add on flight, hotel, and car or any combination of the three for package deals, although multiple flights are under a different option. So far, so Expedia (if less intuitive), but you can also clearly purchase event tickets from the site, which is far more useful if you want a one-stop-shop place to buy your trip. It’s something other sites provide, but CheapTickets is that bit keener to entice you into the process, even if the site itself is a little cheesier looking than others. There’s also the site’s Vacation Value Finder, which lets you tweak how much you’re willing to spend and what you’re looking for from a vacation before making some fun suggestions. It’s perfect for finding a last-minute deal if you don’t have your heart set on one place. Students will also appreciate a section dedicated to them with extra discounts once you verify you’re a student. All in all, it’s a great varied site for numerous different needs.