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Hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing: One of the World’s Best Hikes
Considered to be one of the world’s best day hikes, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand is a spectacular yet challenging hike. Hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing offers stunning views of volcanic landscapes, emerald lakes, and rugged terrain. This 19.4 kilometer (12.1 miles) trek takes hikers through diverse landscapes from hiking at the base of Mt. Ngauruhoe to finishing…
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Visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set in New Zealand
Are you a fan of “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” movie trilogies? If so, then visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata, New Zealand is a must! Take a guided tour of Hobbiton and see charming hobbit-holes dotting the beautiful green landscape, stand in front of Bag End, and drink a pint of ale at the iconic…
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Visiting Rangitoto Island from Auckland by Ferry
Just a short ferry ride from Auckland is Rangitoto Island. This volcanic island formed after an eruption around 600 years ago. It has stayed relatively wild as there are no people that live here, it hasn’t been destroyed by agriculture, and many native animals call Rangitoto Island home. Most visitors come to Rangitoto Island to hike and explore its unique…
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Is Auckland Worth Visiting as a Tourist?
If you are traveling to New Zealand, chances are you are flying into Auckland. So if you are like me, you might wonder if Auckland is even worth visiting? After all, you came to New Zealand to see Lord of the Rings sites and beautiful nature. I spent a little over two days in Auckland and have mixed feelings. Personally,…
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One Day in Brisbane Itinerary: How we Spent 24 Hours in the City
Is one day in Brisbane enough? The quick answer to that is not really, but sometimes 24 hours is all you have in a city and trust me, you can see a lot of Brisbane in just 24 hours. We had a multi day layover in Brisbane prior to our trip to New Zealand and had one day set aside…
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Day Trip to the Australia Zoo from Brisbane
The Australia Zoo, located just outside of Brisbane is a world-renowned zoo that offers visitors unique encounters and chances to see some of the most iconic animals found throughout Australia. The Australia Zoo was founded by Steve Irwin, or as we know him, the “Crocodile Hunter.” The main objective of the Australia Zoo is to inform the public about preserving…
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Visiting Japan’s 12 Original Castles
There are hundreds if not thousands of castles in Japan. I’m sure you’ve visited famous castles in Japan like Osaka Castle, Okayama Castle, or Hiroshima Castle. Truth is, these are all reconstructed and restored castles. The majority of castles have been destroyed due to either war, environmental disasters, or politics. A few castles scattered throughout Japan have survived these obstacles.…
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Overnight Layover at Incheon Airport: Eat, Sleep, and Explore
For many travelers, the idea of a long or overnight layover sounds miserable. However, Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea can be a wonderful place to have a layover. There is plenty to see, eat, and do in the airport. For those that have an overnight layover at Incheon Airport or a longer layover and are itching to experience…
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11 Things to do in Ulaanbaatar: From Cultural Sites to Shopping
When visiting Mongolia, most people tend to leave Ulaanbaatar for tours to Central Mongolia or the Gobi Desert. You never really hear anything related to Ulaanbaatar outside maybe Naadam, the huge festival that takes place every year. We spent two full days in Ulaanbaatar. I say we scratched the surface. We didn’t get to all the museums I wanted to…
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5 Day Central Mongolia Tour: Itinerary, Sites, & Expectations
Central Mongolia is a region full of beautiful landscapes, rich history, and it’s own unique cultures. From visiting Terelj National Park to the ancient capital of Kharkhorin and the Orkhon Valley, there is so much to see and do. Experiences include staying in yurts with nomadic families, riding horses and camels, visiting monasteries and temples, and sampling local food from…
