Thе Alpinе Wondеrland

Strеtching across sеvеral Еuropеan countriеs, including Francе, Switzеrland, Italy, Austria, and Gеrmany, thе Alps form a majеstic mountain rangе that has captivatеd travеlеrs for cеnturiеs. With its towеring pеaks, sеrеnе lakеs, lush mеadows, and charming villagеs, thе Alpinе rеgion prеsеnts a postcard-worthy landscapе at еvеry turn.

Chamonix, Francе: A Hub for Advеnturе

Chamonix, nеstlеd in thе hеart of thе Frеnch Alps, is a paradisе for adrеnalinе junkiеs and naturе еnthusiasts alikе. Thе town is rеnownеd as thе “capital of еxtrеmе sports” and sеrvеs as a gatеway to Mont Blanc, Wеstеrn Еuropе’s highеst pеak. Visitors can еxplorе thе Aiguillе du Midi, a cablе car that ascеnds to dizzying hеights, offеring panoramic viеws of thе Alps and thе opportunity to hikе, ski, or snowboard.

Zеrmatt, Switzеrland: Thе Mattеrhorn’s Majеsty

Zеrmatt, a picturеsquе Swiss town at thе foot of thе iconic Mattеrhorn, is a must-visit dеstination for mountainееrs and naturе lovеrs. Thе Mattеrhorn, with its distinctivе pyramid shapе, is onе of thе most famous pеaks in thе world. Hikеrs and climbеrs can еmbark on challеnging ascеnts whilе thosе sееking a morе lеisurеly еxpеriеncе can еnjoy scеnic walks along thе Gornеrgrat Railway, offеring brеathtaking vistas of thе surrounding mountains.

Dolomitеs, Italy: A Natural Marvеl

Thе Dolomitеs, a UNЕSCO World Hеritagе Sitе, bеckon advеnturеrs with thеir distinctivе jaggеd pеaks and lush vallеys. Locatеd in northеrn Italy, this mountain rangе is a mеcca for hikеrs, rock climbеrs, and cyclists. Thе rеgion’s charming Alpinе villagеs, such as Cortina d’Ampеzzo, providе a pеrfеct basе for еxploring thе brеathtaking landscapеs and sampling dеlicious Italian cuisinе.

Austria’s Tyrol Rеgion: Culturе and Naturе Unitе

Austria’s Tyrol rеgion is a harmonious blеnd of stunning landscapеs and rich cultural traditions. Thе historic city of Innsbruck, surroundеd by thе Nordkеttе mountain rangе, offеrs visitors thе chancе to еxplorе mеdiеval architеcturе, world-class musеums, and еnjoy wintеr sports. Thе surrounding villagеs, likе Sееfеld and Kitzbühеl, offеr еxcеllеnt skiing, hiking, and après-ski еxpеriеncеs.

Bavarian Charm in Gеrmany

Nеstlеd in southеrn Gеrmany, Bavaria is homе to thе stunning Bavarian Alps, a paradisе for outdoor еnthusiasts. Thе picturеsquе town of Garmisch-Partеnkirchеn is an idеal starting point for еxploring thе rеgion. Visitors can hikе to thе Zugspitzе, Gеrmany’s highеst pеak, or takе thе Zugspitzbahn cogwhееl train to еnjoy panoramic viеws without thе strеnuous climb. Bavaria also offеrs cultural gеms likе Nеuschwanstеin Castlе, a fairytalе-likе palacе nеstlеd in thе mountains.

Wintеr Wondеrland in thе Swiss Еngadin Vallеy

Thе Еngadin Vallеy in Switzеrland is a havеn for wintеr sports еnthusiasts. St. Moritz, onе of its most famous towns, has hostеd two Wintеr Olympics and boasts world-class skiing, snowboarding, and icе skating facilitiеs. Howеvеr, thе vallеy’s bеauty isn’t confinеd to wintеr; in thе summеr, visitors can еxplorе hiking trails, mountain biking routеs, and indulgе in wеllnеss rеtrеats amidst thе alpinе sеrеnity.

Cultural Immеrsion in thе Frеnch Alps

Whilе thе Frеnch Alps arе known for thеir outdoor advеnturеs, thеy also offеr a rich cultural еxpеriеncе. Annеcy, oftеn rеfеrrеd to as thе “Vеnicе of thе Alps,” еnchants visitors with its charming canals, mеdiеval architеcturе, and vibrant markеtplacеs. Mеanwhilе, Grеnoblе offеrs a blеnd of history, art, and culinary dеlights amid thе stunning Alpinе backdrop.

Еxploring thе Austrian Alps: Bеyond Viеnna and Salzburg

Whilе Viеnna and Salzburg arе famous Austrian dеstinations, thе country’s Alpinе rеgions arе еqually captivating. Thе Austrian Alps, with thеir alpinе mеadows and crystallinе lakеs, providе an idyllic sеtting for hiking, mountain biking, and paragliding. Thе picturеsquе villagе of Hallstatt, nеstlеd bеsidе Lakе Hallstatt, offеrs a postcard-pеrfеct еscapе from thе hustlе and bustlе of city lifе.

Еuropеan Mountain Cuisinе: A Gastronomic Journеy

No alpinе advеnturе is complеtе without savoring thе local cuisinе. Alpinе rеgions boast hеarty dishеs that fuеl outdoor еnthusiasts. In Switzеrland, fonduе and raclеttе warm thе soul, whilе Austria offеrs schnitzеls and dumplings. Italy’s South Tyrol rеgion sеrvеs up flavorful dumplings and spеck, a smokеd ham dеlicacy. Еxploring local еatеriеs and savoring alpinе spеcialtiеs is an еssеntial part of thе advеnturе.

Protеcting thе Alpinе Еnvironmеnt

As wе rеvеl in thе bеauty of Еuropе’s alpinе rеgions, it’s еssеntial to rеmеmbеr thе importancе of rеsponsiblе travеl. Protеcting thе еnvironmеnt, rеspеcting local culturеs, and lеaving no tracе arе vital aspеcts of prеsеrving thеsе stunning mountain landscapеs for futurе gеnеrations to еnjoy.

In conclusion, еxploring Еuropе’s stunning alpinе rеgions offеrs a blеnd of natural bеauty, outdoor advеnturеs, and cultural еxpеriеncеs that makе for unforgеttablе journеys. Whеthеr you’rе a thrill-sееkеr scaling towеring pеaks or a naturе lovеr sееking tranquility amidst lush mеadows, thе Alps havе somеthing for еvеryonе. So, pack your bags, lacе up your hiking boots, and еmbark on an alpinе advеnturе that will lеavе you with chеrishеd mеmoriеs for yеars to comе.

The post Alpinе Advеnturеs: Еxploring Еuropе’s Stunning Mountain Rеgions appeared first on Co LE Man.

The Venetian Macao

The Venetian Macao offers visitors to enjoy the majestic and luxurious Venetian complex. This is an entertainment complex built on artificial canals with many stylised buildings and bridges. Complementing the Venetian entourage are gondolas that ply the canals.

Fun facts about the hotel:

around 4,000 slot machines – classic one-armed bandits;

several hundred slot machines with popular attractions: roulette, baccarat, poker, blackjack

30 restaurants, conference rooms, shops;

a concert hall with a capacity of 15,000 spectators.

No strict dress code requirements apply to players when they visit the casino. Modern security measures are in place, including cameras and metal detectors.

Bellagio – casino

Travelling to a casino is traditionally associated with a visit to the iconic Las Vegas, USA. The Bellagio complex is a monstrous building which houses gambling halls, premium hotel rooms, and luxury restaurants. The casino has been in operation since 1998 with the pompous opening of the establishment, which cost $88 million.

Several thousand slot machines – classic and adapted – are available. Roulette, poker and craps can be played. Additional services include a theatre, conservatory and spa area. When visiting the city of Las Vegas, many gambling enthusiasts visit the Bellagio.

Casino de Monte-Carlo

The Casino de Monte Carlo is a unique, atmospheric entertainment complex. The casino was chosen to house the former museum building on which the legendary Charles Garnier worked. Upon entering the museum complex, the visitor enters the so-called ‘atrium’. Also of note is the Garnier hall with its chic colonnade and valuable works of art.

Access to the casino is regulated. You must present your passport to an employee, pay for admission and keep your personal belongings for safekeeping. The dress code is strict, but you may come in loose jeans. Only persons over the age of 21 will be allowed to play at the club.

Players may play classic slot games, take slots for roulette, blackjack and poker. The process is monitored by the administration, with security cameras installed. Trained dealers handle the players.

Atlantis Casino Resort.

A luxury resort located in Reno, United States. The hotel first welcomed guests in 1991. Not only do visitors have access to the gaming rooms, but they also have the option to stay in one of the 1,000 stylized rooms. Dozens of exchange offices, storage facilities and safes are available on site.

The staff is competent and fluent in English, French and German. Rooms are air-conditioned, with large beds and carpeted flooring. There are several hundred machines in the gaming area, and you can play classic entertainments or spend your leisure time at the bar.

Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex

The resort complex is located in Western Australia. Established in 1985 with successive conversions and expansions. Distinctive in that it consists of three unique hotels with a total of 1200 rooms. Several dozen luxury restaurants, nightclubs and a casino are available.

Players and guests at the entertainment centre can enjoy the casino 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There are no strict requirements when visiting the club. At the disposal of the guests:

Approximately 2,400 slot machines with coin-operated machines;

Entertainment: Keno, poker, marbles, dice, dominoes;

Baccarat, Roulette, Blackjack and Three Card Poker may be played.

The history of the hotel complex as a casino centre is linked to a consistent expansion. Since 2012, the administration has been working to increase the number of land-based slots, which has been encouraged by the government, represented by the state’s prime minister. Progress is also being made on the construction of new gaming halls, hotels, entertainment areas, restaurants and bars.

The post Casino tourism: popular places to visit appeared first on Co LE Man.

And no wonder, because there is so much to see here: beautiful landscapes, historical sites, modern buildings and developed entertainment (restaurants, casinos, amusement parks).

Each state has its own unique attractions. Before planning your trip to America, you may wish to explore local attractions in order to choose the state you’ll be most interested in.

1) New York

New York is one of the biggest cities in the USA! Founded in 1664, the metropolis has been growing ever since, with skyscrapers being actively built here.

Central Park is one of the largest and most popular places in the world, dating back to the 19th century! It is about 4 kilometres long, 800 metres wide and 3.41 square kilometres. The park has several artificial lakes, two ice rinks, wilderness areas where sports competitions take place and even a zoo! Of course, not to forget the Statue of Liberty, a sculpture created in the 19th century! It’s 107 meters high!

The city is also famous among foreigners for its cinematography. Popular TV series as well as legendary films were shot in New York:

– Breakfast at Tiffany’s;

– “A Rainy Day in New York”;

– The Devil Wears Prada;

– “Brooklyn.”

– What Women Want;

– “Home Alone 2”.

2) Miami

It’s a famous resort city on the Florida peninsula with perpetual summer and great beaches.

Visitors will be able to relax alone with nature by visiting:

– The Tropical Zoo, one of the largest zoos in Florida with over 3,000 animals in 2,995 km². The zoo is divided into four zones: Asia, Africa, the Amazon and Australia. The best month to visit because of the climatic conditions is May.

– Jungle Island is home to exclusive animals. Tours include spectacular shows, beautiful waterfalls and landscapes.

The Miami Aquarium opened in 1955. Thousands of people come every year to watch the mammal performances. The “oldest star” is the orca Lolita, who has been performing since 1970.

Of course, Miami’s calling card is the ocean. Aside from regular swimming, water sports like surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing are popular.

A wide choice of hotels allows you to book a room according to your income: from budget options to VIP suites.

3) Los Angeles

Los Angeles encompasses a large land and ocean area, so it simply can’t go unnoticed.

The local pride is the “HOLLYWOOD” monument, large white letters created in 1932. The architecture was due to be dismantled in a year and a half, but has been a joy to behold for centuries. Hollywood, the district of Los Angeles, is known as the symbolic capital of cinema. Best-selling films are shot in the pavilions and given awards at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts, and there is also a home on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The resort is also famous for its busy nightlife: parties, restaurants and nightclubs. However, there’s plenty to do during the daytime too:

– Los Angeles County Museum of Art;

– the Hollywood Bowl architecture;

– the Santa Monica Pier;

– the Grand Central Market, etc.

4) Las Vegas

Over 50 million tourists from all over the world visit the resort city every year! Many people associate Las Vegas with entertainment, and it is, because much of the city’s revenue comes from the entertainment industry:

– 80+ casinos with arcade machines;

– thousands of gaming pavilions;

– comfortable hotels for guests.

The first gambling establishments began to be built in the 1930s when the local authorities realised that gambling could bring in a legal income. So year after year, other clubs and complexes sprang up. Las Vegas Casino, Casino Flamingo, Marina Hotel & Casino were the first casinos and complexes where visitors relaxed and bet. Infrastructure construction peaked in the 1960s and 1970s and continues to this day. There are exciting events every day, so tourists won’t get bored!

The amazing thing is that the entertainment centre was literally built on a desert site!

5) Chicago

With a population of over 10 million people, this city is the third most populous in the United States. Many people associate Chicago with skyscrapers and gangsters, a fact that’s a credit to the film industry.

Some viewers recognise the streets and neighbourhoods of the metropolis from legendary films: “Home Alone”, “The Dark Knight (2008)”, “Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon”, “The Chicago Gang” and others.

The 108-storey Willis Tower is one of the most prominent buildings in the city. The city is home to the Grant Park complex, located on the shores of Lake Michigan. It covers an area of 1.29 square kilometres. There are quite a few landmarks in the area:

– Millennium Park;

– Buckingham Fountain, one of the largest in the world;

– Chicago Institute of Arts.

You may also visit Chicago:

– Museum of Science and Industry;

– Lincoln Park Zoo;;

– John Shedd Aquarium.

In addition, there are well-developed beaches on the shores of Lake Michigan.

The price of a vacation is more affordable than in other places – another incentive to come here.

6) San Francisco

The history of the metropolis goes back to 1776.

Located on the northern coast of the United States, it is a tourist destination with a Mediterranean climate.

It was famous for its Chinatown, which was frequented by Hollywood stars as far back as the middle of the last century. Chinese refugees who rebuilt their homes themselves created a unique neighbourhood. There are museums and cultural centres too. A popular street is Lombard Street, a 180-metre walkway with a steep hill.

There are quite a few tourist trams running around the city, which you can hop on to get a guided sightseeing tour. Tourists love to take pictures against the backdrop of the area. Fans of beautiful architecture should stop by Grace Cathedral, which is Gothic in style and looks like Notre Dame.

Visitors will immediately be able to see the bronze doors of the architecture called ‘Gates of Paradise’. The entrance is accessible to people of all faiths. Come and see the wonderful sights of the United States!

The post The most popular places in the USA appeared first on Co LE Man.

What to do in Vancouver: A traveler’s guide

Vancouver is a beautiful city with plenty to see and do. Nestled between the Coast Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver is renowned for its stunning natural scenery. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking, biking, and skiing in the nearby mountains, or exploring the city’s many parks and beaches. For a taste of Vancouver’s culture, visitors can check out the Museum of Anthropology, the Vancouver Art Gallery, or one of the city’s many live music venues. And no trip to Vancouver would be complete without trying some of the local seafood; residents swear by the city’s seafood chowder and salmon dishes. Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, Vancouver has something to offer everyone.

What homes are located on the Vancouver coast

Vancouver is home to a wide variety of different types of housing, from high-rise condominiums to single-family houses. However, one of the most desirable places to live in Vancouver is on the coast. Homes on the Vancouver coast offer stunning views of the water and the mountains while being just a short drive from downtown. In addition, many coastal neighborhoods offer access to beaches and hiking trails, making them ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. While homes on the Vancouver coast may be more expensive than in other parts of the city, they are well worth the investment for those who want to enjoy all that Vancouver has to offer.

Best places to visit in Vancouver as traveler

Vancouver is a beautiful city with plenty to offer travelers. From its stunning natural setting to its lively urban neighborhoods, Vancouver has something for everyone. Here are some of the best places to visit in Vancouver:
Gastown: This historic neighborhood is home to Vancouver’s original cobblestone streets and Victorian-era architecture. Today, Gastown is a trendy spot for shopping, dining, and nightlife. Don’t miss the iconic Steam Clock, which has been a neighborhood landmark since 1977.

Chinatown: Vancouver’s Chinatown is the largest in Canada and one of the oldest in North America.Explore the neighborhood’s unique shops and restaurants, and be sure to check out the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden.
Stanley Park: This world-famous park is located just minutes from downtown Vancouver. Stanley Park is home to beautiful gardens, majestic trees, and some of the best views in the city. Be sure to visit the Vancouver Aquarium while you’re here.

Granville Island: This lively neighborhood is located on a small island in False Creek. Granville Island is home to art galleries, theaters, public markets, and a variety of shops and restaurants. The island is also a popular spot for kayaking and paddle boarding.

Queen Elizabeth Park: This scenic park offers sweeping views of downtown Vancouver and the surrounding mountains. Queen Elizabeth Park is also home to a number of gardens, including the tranquil Japanese Garden.
ALSO READ: What Are the Best Places to Travel for a Honeymoon?

A guide to architecture in Vancouver

Vancouver is home to a diverse range of architectural styles, from the historic Victorian houses of Gastown to the ultra-modern glass skyscrapers of the downtown core. However, one of the most distinctive features of Vancouver’s architecture is its use of wood. Thanks to the city’s location in the Pacific Northwest, Vancouver has access to some of the tallest and strongest trees in the world. As a result, wood is used extensively in both residential and commercial construction. From the stately cedar shingles of traditional bungalows to the soaring timber beams of contemporary condos, Vancouver’s love affair with wood is evident in every corner of the city.

The post What to do in Vancouver: A Traveler’s Guide appeared first on Co LE Man.

There is something of the Moon with its craters, something of Mars with its red sandy landscapes, something of lost Atlantis with its smoking volcano. So dispel any doubts and start planning a trip to the beauty in the most budget-friendly and interesting way possible.

Transportation

It sounds unusual, but the cheapest transport on the island is a rental car. Personal experience suggests that the best choice for this case would be CICAR, a local company present only in the Canary Islands and mainland Spain. The conditions are much more fabulous than the island of Bali: no credit cards, international license, or bail, and the minimum age of the driver is only 21.

It is better to book a car in advance and online, there is a site in Russian. The more days of rental, the cheaper it comes out. The simplest Fiat cost us about 100 euros per week, not counting gasoline – about 1 euro per liter. Everything is included in the lease: insurance, additional extras like a child seat, second driver, etc.

Renting a car in Tenerife per day costs about the same as public transport both ways, so the choice here seems obvious. When we arrived to return the car, no one even came out to check it. We just returned the keys and got paid for the difference in gas.

Traffic on the island is easy, the roads are perfect, there are markings and signs everywhere, and there is virtually no problem with parking. Pay attention to the color of the markings: if it’s yellow – parking is prohibited, if the color is blue – parking is paid, and if the color is white – free. There are a lot of such places: here are the coordinates of a huge parking lot in Puerto de la Cruz.

If for some reason you can’t rent a car, take the bus. The best way to get a Bonobus card, a kind of Moscow “Troika” – trips are cheaper. The current schedule and prices can be found on this website, but only in the Spanish version, as the English-language version is almost empty.

Food

They say you should leave the table with a feeling of light hunger. That’s advice I could give out left and right, but not here! Let’s call off the hunger strike and immediately look for large supermarkets like SuperDino, Lidl or Mercadona.

The prices in these stores are half as much as in the kiosks by the sea or at the hotels: don’t be lazy and find them in your neighborhood. Do not tell your grandmother, but your minimum shopping basket will include fresh seafood, a bottle of wine for a couple of euros (and not one), fresh fruits and vegetables, a pack of jamon from 2 euros and a slice of cheese from 1 euro, bread, olives and a can of tuna. All this will be cheaper than going out to eat in a café or restaurant.

If the road curve does lead you to the pubs, be prepared to pay from 10-20 euros per person for lunch at a budget restaurant. A business lunch on weekdays from 12:00 to 16:00 will cost about 12 euros, and a glass of sangria will cost 3 euros while a bottle of wine for one euro is bored on the store shelf. To save a little money, choose the dish of the day, it always has the lowest price. The island also has McDonald’s and KFC with an average check of 7 euros.

Entertainment

It’s easy to start with the pay-per-view attractions because there are only two must-see places: Loro Park Zoo and Siam Park Waterpark. If you can’t wait to spend the money and visit both places, buy a twin ticket – it’s a little cheaper. You can also splurge on water activities such as kitesurfing (first lesson about 100 euros) or paragliding. For a thrill go to the area El Medano.

If you’ve been to similar places before, then feel free to forget about these two points and get in your car. There are plenty of options for where to go.

The post Above the Clouds: A Concise Guide to Tenerife appeared first on Co LE Man.

Turkmenistan

An absolutely amazing country with its own special world. Here, the clearly narcissistic rulers erect gold monuments for themselves, write instructive books on all aspects of life, make music videos for their own songs, and deny the presence of the coronavirus in the country. In general, it is like North Korea, with the difference that it is easier to visit North Korea as a tourist – you just need to buy an official tour.

This scheme will not work with Turkmenistan. There are tour operators and tourist visa, but almost no one can get it. This story is not about specific countries, like that conditional Syrian hardly get in conditional USA – Turkmen equalize all and refuse regardless of citizenship. Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, a name difficult to pronounce, decided to limit contacts of his subjects with the outside world and does not allow foreigners into the country. By the way, it is also quite difficult for Turkmens to go abroad.

Ascension Island

A volcanic island in the South Atlantic. It is part of one of the British Overseas Territories, which are islands scattered all over the globe that are subject to British sovereignty but are not part of Britain. For example, the laws here may be local, but they are sentenced by British judges, who come here from Europe on purpose from time to time. In addition to the British pound sterling, the local currency is the currency of payment and the army of the United Kingdom must defend this piece of land from enemies.

Visa policy here is also different from the British, and Turkmen ideas of equality have not taken root here – citizens of some countries can get here by applying for an electronic visa, while for others entry to the island is simply prohibited by local laws. Among the latter are Belarus, Russia and Ukraine. Black List is small – only 13 states, but the company of three post-Soviet republics picked up a good one: Vietnam, Hong Kong, Egypt, Iran, China, Libya, Macau, North Korea, Syria and Taiwan.

The fact is that there is a British-American military base on the island, as well as a British-American radio-electronic reconnaissance station, a GPS antenna, laboratories, NASA and the European Space Agency. Before the turn of the century there was no tourism here in principle, although it was rather due to the inaccessibility of the island.

Tourists whose passports do not arouse suspicion usually arrive on the island during Atlantic cruises. If the waves allow you to dock the island by boat, you can go ashore and see the few local attractions: birds, turtles, colonial architecture and “the world’s worst golf course” – so at one time even the official website of the island called a site studded with volcanic sand with holes without a single blade of grass.

Gaza Strip

The Palestinian state consists of two enclaves: the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. A lot of tourists go to the first one to visit biblical sites, look at Banksy’s graffiti, taste Levantine cuisine. The second is a narrow strip of land about 40 by 10 kilometers, sandwiched between Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea. There is not even such a thing as a visit for the purpose of tourism. To enter here – as well as to leave – is not the most trivial task. The authors of the Lonely Planet backpacker’s bible honestly admit that they couldn’t get there either, and recommend their readers not to even try, citing the difficult military situation.

Until 2005, the situation in the Gaza Strip was about the same as in the West Bank: the Jewish settlements were controlled by Israel and the rest by the Palestinian Authority. Local Arabs even regularly went to Israel to work. There were hardly any tourists in Gaza in those years, but that could be explained by the insecurity of the region. In 2005, the Israeli army and its citizens abandoned the Gaza Strip – even graves from Jewish cemeteries were removed so that the Arabs would not desecrate them. The following year, the Islamic fundamentalists won local elections and a year later, in a civil war, they took full power in the Gaza Strip. The Islamists began to attack Israeli territories, and Israel, together with Egypt, set up a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip – by land, sea and air.

For foreigners, this means obtaining permits not only from the authorities in Gaza itself, but also from their neighbors – Israel or Egypt, depending on which side you want to enter. But it is mainly issued only to journalists, diplomats and humanitarian missions.

North Sentinel Island

One of the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal, which are governed by the Indian authorities. This archipelago consists of nearly six hundred islands, of which fewer than forty are inhabited. It is a sunny paradise with jungle and bounty beaches, but only a couple of dozen islands are open to foreigners, and about the same number can be visited during the day without overnight stay.

The Andaman and neighboring Nicobar Islands are known for the fact that several indigenous peoples still live there. Most of them are no longer non-contact and have already begun to come into contact with our civilization, little by little taking from it all the good and bad: medical care, clothing, food, the destruction of traditional lifestyles, alcohol, tobacco, disease and even children conceived from outsiders. To prevent this process, Indian authorities set up reservations in areas where aborigines live compactly and restrict traffic in these areas.

The North Sentinel Island stands out here. First of all, it is a little away from the main archipelago, and secondly – the local guys are so aggressive to the newcomers, that as a result it has saved them. In the ’70s, they attacked documentary filmmakers who were shooting a film on the island for National Geographic. In 2004, when Indian authorities were surveying the island from the air to assess the impact of the tsunami, the Sentinels shot at the helicopter with bows. The first peaceful contact didn’t occur until the ’90s, after longtime explorers brought the islanders coconuts and ironmongery that don’t exist on the island as gifts. Now even the number of Sentinels is not known precisely – the population of the island is estimated between 50 and 150 people.

They are considered direct descendants of the natives of Africa, who lived here for about 60 thousand years. To protect the Sentinelese from the ravages of civilization, the Indian authorities have prohibited access to the island closer than five nautical miles. The Coast Guard monitors compliance with this law. However, violators are usually punished by the islanders themselves. In 2006, the Sentinels shot with an arrow two fishermen who approached the island. The bodies of those killed were never recovered. And in 2018, an American who allegedly wanted to preach Christianity to the natives sneaked in. He paid Indian fishermen to bring him to the island, and two days later the fishermen saw the natives on the beach burying a body that looked just like the American.

Chagos Islands

These atolls are difficult to access, not only for foreigners, but also for locals. The Chagos Archipelago is located 700 kilometers south of the Maldives, about midway between Tanzania and Indonesia. Like Ascension Island, the archipelago belongs to the British Overseas Territories, and the official name of the islands is the British Indian Ocean Territory. This is de facto. But de jure, according to the UN decision, Chagos must belong to Mauritius.

The island of Mauritius and the Chagos Archipelago were uninhabited, but they always passed from colonizer to colonizer in pairs. First they were both discovered by the Portuguese. Then Mauritius was settled by the Dutch, who were succeeded by the French, who also received Chagos as a bonus. Under the French in the 18th century, the first permanent residents appeared on Chagos. They were African slaves and Indian wage laborers who came to work on the coconut plantations. In the early 19th century, Britain invaded Mauritius and received Chagos as a burden.

In the late 60’s and early 70’s, the British began to build a joint military base here with the Americans, and all the inhabitants – about 2 thousand people – were deported to Mauritius. Now the entire population of the archipelago is military and base personnel. Naturally, there is no regular transport or even cruise ships, and if you suddenly want to sunbathe on the snow-white beaches of Chagos, you have to get permission to travel, and then even get on a private boat from the Maldives.

Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic

The piece of Africa that is signed on our maps as “Western Sahara” de facto belongs to three states: most of it was annexed by Morocco, a small cape in the south is controlled by Mauritania, and the narrow strip of land that stretches across the desert from Algeria to the ocean along the entire Mauritanian-Western Sahara border is the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.

Getting into the Moroccan part of Western Sahara is not difficult: de jure you do not leave the territory of Morocco, the border is not marked in any way, and no one checks passports. Morocco’s Western Sahara is not as popular as Morocco itself, but people even come here to surf. There is a lot of state propaganda and a lot of police and intelligence attention to foreigners – many suspect journalists. The Moroccans annexed the territory in 1975, and there are still strong ideas of independence. The Moorish slice can even be entered on foot from the nearby town of Nouadhibou – if not prevented by an overly vigilant military patrol.

But getting into the territory of the independent SADR is much more difficult. You can’t get in from the Moroccan side. In addition to the fact that the sides are still in a de jure state of war, Morocco has built a so-called “wall” along the front line – a sand-and-stone embankment about three meters high, along which there are minefields, barbed wire, sensor systems and military posts. The total length of the fortifications is more than 2.5 thousand kilometers. They are called the largest minefield on the planet.

Theoretically, it would be possible to enter here from Algeria, but getting an Algerian visa and permission to move freely in the desert is a real challenge. The easiest option is to travel from Mauritania. All you have to do is find a vehicle, preferably with a local driver to know where the road is and where it is a minefield.

In addition, you will need to get permission from the SADR authorities, who may not understand your tourist intentions. Although tourism does exist there – organized charitable tours, thanks to which you can not only get acquainted with the culture of the locals, but also help them with money.

Nominally, one can enter the SADR on the road from Mauritania to the Moroccan part of the Western Sahara. Here the SADR authorities own a piece of desert, which on Google maps is signed with the poetic “No Man’s Land. There are no roads or any other infrastructure. There is trash everywhere, from plastic bottles and old appliances to car wrecks. At one time there was even a hut with a SADR flag on it – probably empty. That was the end of any sign of state power. Some people consider crossing this strip a full-fledged visit to the country, but of course this is totally unsportsmanlike.

Somalia

A country that has been at war for almost thirty-five years, tied up in all sorts of clan and religious contradictions. Today, Somalia is actually several separate states, but even in the territory that the government controls, the power is so weak that various barmales regularly bomb and kidnap people.

Flying into the Somali capital of Mogadishu and obtaining a visa is quite easy. But for a foreigner, a simple stroll through the city is almost guaranteed to lead to capture by some rabid bearded men. In fact, without security, they’re not even likely to let you out of the airport. Foreign citizens live in a separate area of the city, guarded by soldiers and surrounded by concrete blocks in case of suicide attacks in cars. They enter the city only when escorted by machine gunners.

Tourism also exists here: you can look at the ruined colonial Italian architecture, and the local life is very colorful. Go here with an organized tour, which includes armed guards and overnight stay in a hotel in a protected area.

On the territory of Somalia is de jure an unrecognized state of Somaliland, which broke away during the civil war and proclaimed independence in 1991 – although it has not yet been recognized by any country in the world. However, the Somalilanders have been much more successful in state-building, and the territory is quite safe, except on the eastern fringe. That is why many people go there to boast about visiting “Somalia”.

Somalia is also a historical region inhabited by Somali clans. In addition to the state of Somalia, it includes southern Djibouti, eastern Ethiopia and northeastern Kenya. The security situation there is different, but in general it is much calmer than in Somalia. So these places can also be considered as alternatives.

The post 7 Most Inaccessible Places to Travel appeared first on Co LE Man.

A moment of useful information: Istanbul was founded in the 667th century BC, originally called Byzantium, then Constantinople (New Rome), then it was part of the Ottoman Empire – in general, history has badly shaken the city.

Istanbul is divided into two parts, Asian and European, with the Bosphorus between them.
Subjective note: the Asian part is now dominated by hipsters and partying, and in Europe – the “European” way of life, relatively slow and quiet, except for the main street Istiklal.

The great thing about Turkish food, perhaps, is that it is not a tourist attraction. Everything you see in this article, and then on the streets of Istanbul, is actually eaten at home by Turkish people.

Breakfasts

They can be divided into two kinds: rank and file and “on the run.”

The traditional breakfast of the “sit at the table for at least two hours”. These breakfasts are held with the family, most often on weekends. It is a table full of small bowls with all sorts of things. Usually they contain various seasonal vegetables, several kinds of cheeses and sausages, lots of fresh bread, two or more kinds of olives, hard-boiled eggs or scrambled eggs, herbs, lots of jam – from typical cherry jam to strange a la “pepper jam” – honey, sesame tahina paste mixed with raisin jam. Plus, of course, tea, which is indispensable.

These dishes are easy to find in any café, and sometimes you can choose all the ingredients yourself.

Now for those in a hurry. Börek – börek/burekas/burek – is a common quick breakfast in Turkey. In short, it is a puff pastry pie, sweet or not. Sweet ones are usually sprinkled with powdered sugar, unsweetened ones have variations with cheese, meat, or cottage cheese. The taste is similar to khachapuri.

The sweet version is the most popular breakfast among the locals. You can find borek on every corner, but mostly in the morning hours.

Another breakfast option is menemen. It is an omelet stewed with vegetables. It cooks for a long time, on a low heat, usually spicy, because it has fresh peppers. You should eat it with bread, not with cutlery.

Lunch

The most traditional version of lunch is Mercimek çorbası (lentil soup). We call it lentil soup. It doesn’t sound like much, but the Turks squeeze a slice of lemon into the soup and it’s divinely delicious. Get ready, you’ll get a merciless amount of fresh bread for the soup.

The best soups are usually made in soup kitchens – places with “Lokantasi” in the name.

The next lunch dish is Balık ekmek, or shawarma with fish. As standard, it is a bun with freshly caught fish + lettuce leaves + onions. Turks wash it down with cucumber-beet brine. You can find it in the insanely atmospheric Eminenyu neighborhood just under the Galata Bridge.

Dinner

The traditional street version is boiled rice with chickpeas and chicken, Nohutlu pilav. You can find it on every corner, and I advise you to wash it down with ayran.

Lahmacun is the Turkish version of pizza. Thin dough with minced meat and tomato sauce. It comes with vegetables and a slice of lemon. You have to wrap the vegetables yourself and sprinkle it all with lemon juice.

Desserts

You already know about rahat-lukum and baklava. I can only advise you not to buy them at tourist markets, but to choose any old branded store near Istiklal Street. Get rahat-lukum with rose or walnuts – it will be delicious and unusual.

One of the best establishments (but also quite expensive) is considered “Hafiz Mustafa”. All the variety of sweets, as well as addresses, can be found on their website.

And now for the less poppy sweets. For example, you can find Sütlaç (rice pudding) literally everywhere, because it is one of the most favorite delicacies of Turks. It is served in an earthen dish. It’s a pudding with whole rice particles that tastes like a milky rice porridge with condensed milk. Sometimes served with nuts.

Not really about dessert, but I highly recommend buying simit, a pretzel with sesame seeds, at least once. The most atmospheric thing would be to eat it with tea on the ferry, taking a typical picture.

The post What and How to Eat in Istanbul? appeared first on Co LE Man.