There’s nothing like hitting the open road and going on a motorcycle road trip. Although traveling on a motorbike requires more planning than a journey by car, the freedom and exhilaration of a trip like this is definitely worth it. There are some practical limitations that motorcyclists have to consider before going on their adventure though. For starters, there is very limited storage capacity on a bike. This means that it is important to plan ahead.
Things to consider
If you don’t have your own motorcycle, you might have to rent or purchase one. It’s not easy to rent a bike if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Apart from the hefty rental fee and down-payment, you need to demonstrate experience in handling the model that you want to rent. Other than that, you’ll need to have a motorcycle licence.
Inspect Your motorcycle
I first read about the T-CLOCS method at MotorcycleNews. It is the best way to check all parts of your bike before going on a road trip. This is especially important if you are taking your bike out of storage.
T: Tires
Make sure that your tires have enough air. You should also bring a handy air pressure monitor with you on your trip. Don’t risk going on a trip with worn-out tires. If you think they might not last the whole trip, get them replaced.
C: Controls
Check if your cables are intact and working.
L: Lights
Make sure that all your lights (signal lights, headlights and taillights) are all working.
O: Oils and fluids
From the coolant to the break fluid and the engine oil, make sure everything is in check.
C: Chassis
Make sure that everything (frame, chain, suspension and fasteners) is intact and fully secure.
S: Stands
Check to see that the springs are properly secure and the stands stay away from the pavement when folded. Take a look at the centre stand and/or side stand and see if there are any cracks or if it is bent.
Pack light and do laundry
Every pound you pack on your bike will affect the fuel economy, handling and performance. Pack smart and only bring the clothes you need. It is important that you save space for tools and other equipment that are important for your safety on the trip. Many hostels and holiday apartments have laundry services nearby, make use of them.
Plan, plan, plan…
Make time for maintenance on your trip. Consider how long your drive will be and which stops you are going to take. Taking a trip on a motorcycle can be physically and mentally demanding. Don’t over-do it and take a couple of stops along the way. As tempting as it is to hit the open road and just follow your nose, you can’t fall victim to things like fatigue or the elements.
Take the scenic route
The best thing about going on a motorcycle road trip is the freedom. You’re not locked in a car – or, a cage as most avid motorcyclists like to call automobiles – meaning you can really enjoy scenic, twisty, empty roads which aren’t crowded, boring or dead-straight.
October fest is a cult event that happens every year and it is dedicated to one of the most loved drinks in Germany and that is of coarse beer. But beside beer and sausages you can meet many drunken Japanese, Australian and American tourists. Not to become a victim of October fest you need to read the advices we`ve choose for you.
There are 14 big and 21 small tents opened from 10 to 23:30 o’clock, last beers are sold at 22:30 and in weekends they open from 9 o`clock. You can make reservations after December and only in the appropriate tent, you can`t reserve online. Reservation is free, but you need to buy coupons for food and beer on a price between 20 and 80 euros for one person and that depends of the tent with a capacity of 10 people minimum. If you don`t have reservation you may be rejected to enter the tents. It is best to go 15 hours before in working days and 10 hours in resting days or you can try to enter and wait until a sitting place is free.
Next to the tents there are beer gardens and benches, you can find place there easier, there no reservations and you can bring food from other places, you can also smoke. If you want to visit Octoberfest you will need around 9 euros per 1 liter of beer, a portion of food costs around 10 euro. One way ticket for bus in Munich is 2.30 euro.
Until the beginning of august almost all rooms and hotels are reserved and if you find some free rooms they will be extremely expensive. So you need to plan you stay few month before the event. The best place to reserve a room is near the central station so you would not spend extra money for bus. October fest is an event that must be visited once in a life time.
Rio de Janeiro is the most popular and the most visited carnival in the world. Every year this carnival attracts between 0.5 and 1 million tourists, no matter many similar carnivals are organized in all cities in Brazil, amongst the local citizens the fiesta in Rio in made for the strangers and carnivals in other cities are for real enjoyers.
The first Rio de Janeiro festival was held in 1723, but out known parade dates from 1830. This carnival is European tradition in which colonists go to the new world, and the African slaves with its passionate dances make the whole fiesta.
The most known carnival is definitely in Rio de Janeiro. It always starts in Sunday, 40 days before Easter and ends in Tuesday the last day before the lent, this carnival lasts 4 days. The tradition starts on Friday night the time when the king is chosen. The king’s weight must be at least 100 kg. In the end of the day the Mayer gives a key to the king, this key means absolute authority of the city.
In Saturday the groups of players and dancers are presented and these groups will attend to the carnival the next year. They can choose their dances and their clothes; there are 5 types of carnival costumes and 6 types of dancing suits.
The culmination of the carnival is in Sunday, when the best 14 players of samba fight for the champion’s corona. Every dancer shows her ability and her original scene and subject, 90 minutes on the well – known boulevard “Sambadrome” (Long 700 meters and arranged with more than 70 000 sits).
If you want to see with your own eyes the very famous Rio de Janeiro Carnival and be a part of the fiestas you need to pay somewhere around 2500 dollars for a ten day journey.
Maldivian islands are one of the most luxury destinations attending on the tourist bazaars in the 21 century. They are archipelagoes, located not far from the coasts of India and Shri Lanka amongst the warm water of the Indian Ocean. What makes Maldives to be liked and visited so much is everything, they are the smallest country on territory in Asia, but are very populated and the population is somewhere around 390 000.
Here you will see amazing nature. Beaches are like from the fairytales with extraordinary bright and fine sand. They are home of thousands of fishes and strange sea creatures. Amongst the white beaches there is a Lagoon and the water is so clear that can be seen in it, even in 100 meters depth. Maldivian islands are heaven for water sports lovers, but mostly for divers and people who like underwater filming. Most of the tourists that come here don`t miss the chance for a swim with the dolphins and the sea turtles.
The most popular way to see the Maldives is with a flying taxi. These small planes are very important part of the life on the archipelagoes, because there are many islands and getting to all of them is a hard thing with a boat.
The capital of the Maldives is small, but overpopulated and in the moments the population is 110 000 and their number is growing. There is no place in the capital that is not populated, the streets are small, there are houses everywhere and that’s why the best transport in the city is a motorcycle. It is interesting to try the unique foods here, visit the king’s yard, enjoy the warm weather and beaches and enjoy in this paradise.
Iceland is small and incredible island country, it is located in the north part of the Atlantic Ocean, it is closer to Greenland and North America, but it belongs to the Scandinavian European countries. Official language is Icelandic and it is one of the hardest languages. Iceland is well known because of the curious and adventure tourists which seek something more than sunbathing on beaches.
Nature is typically Nordic and big part of the territory is frozen, especially in the south and west part of the country where the altitude is very high. In the south part of the iceberg it is situated the highest peak on the territory of Iceland, Hvannadalshnúkur (2110 m). This peak is not very far from the Atlantic coast and as a result of the global warming the icebergs of Iceland are in danger. Beside beautiful iceberg, Iceland own very beautiful coast line, here you can enjoy landscapes like from the tales, when you see the ice cold waterfalls, the old black volcanic rocks, green fields you will understands the legends about trolls and wild stories in their folklore. One of the most beautiful waterfalls is the Glymur waterfall it is the highest waterfall in Europe, tall around 190 meters. Other waterfall that must be visited is Detifos, the water falls from 30 meters height and crushes rocks with its powerful blow, because the water is in enormous quantity.
Iceland has many hot water creeks and it is very popular to swim in the warm waters while outside the weather is very cold. The biggest part of the country lives in the capital city, Reykjavik, it is a city with a population around 120 000 and it is located on the coast of the Atlantic City. The buildings are built in a typical Scandinavian style, more of them colored in yellow, red and white so they can reflect contrast to the dark and gray weather in the country bigger part of the year. Visiting Iceland is something you will never forget, studding waterfalls, incredible landscapes and nature, many hotels in Reykjavik, great food and beside the cold weather the folks are nice and keen.
Sidney is the biggest city in Australia; it is one of the most important regional but also one of the world’s financial centers. It is one of the wealthiest cities in the southern hemisphere; there is great diversity and culture in the city.
The city architecture is modern and spectacular, there are many buildings to see and be amazed, but the most popular one is of course the Opera House. The Opera house is one of the most popular architectural buildings in the world, it is there since 1973 and it is a subject of many visits, the building has nearly 1000 establishments, such as restaurants and bars, shops, concert halls, art galleries and many more. Another architectural site is the Sidney Harbour Bridge that includes pedestrian and bike traffic besides the rails and vehicles traffic.
Sidney is one of the big cities that offer great beaches, both commercial and small more remote ones. It is a favorite place to surfers, and surfing is like national sport to Australians. The beaches are with white and golden sands and most popular and worldwide famous are Manly, Coogee, Bondi, Palm Beach and many more. There are more than 70 beaches where you can surf, tropical beaches to go diving and explore the underwater life.
Sidney city parks are among the most beautiful in the world; they are very well maintained and deserve respect. In the center of the city is the Royal Botanical Garden where you can see many flowers and trees in bloom. Sidney is also host of one of the greatest collection of animals in the whole world, in Taronga Zoo you can see the unique fauna of the Australian continent, but also great number of animals from around the world, kept in a very good conditions. With many things to offer Sydney is surely worth the visit.
South Africa is the gorgeous country and also the most urbanized country in Africa. The fact is the country’s infrastructure has built in about 400 years ago. The country also possess beautiful tourist destinations and offers the visitors the most exciting time and they can explore various kind of adventures and enjoy every nationality, south Africa also offers thousands of possible accommodations and you can pick your favorite among them. South Africa offers amazing holiday spots; visitors can visit all these wonderful holiday spots and spend quality time with family and friends.
Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park is one of the favorite destinations of South Africa. It is the largest park, which is natural and stacked; you might have noticed that often the park is shown in National Geographic channel the documentary of wildlife. The park is spread massively. In the national park you can find luxury hotels that offer outstanding facilities. This amazing paradise with striking landscape gives serene atmosphere to the visitors.
Cape Town
Cape Town is the gorgeous place to spend a wonderful and adventurous holiday. The city offers wholesome and meticulous vacation to entire family, it is very modern city located in southern part of the city. Cape Town is also famously called as the Mother City. The city is also famous for its magnificent Table Mountains that are visible from the city. The country also possesses world famous beaches with awesome white sand beaches where the people get to relax and enjoy the sea adventures.
Trip to South Africa will be more exotic and adventurous, and it offers everything and anything that a visitor desire to experience. The FIFA event took place in the country brought more dignity and elegance to the country. Visit this beauty and enjoy the momentous vacation.
Planning to travel South America for these holidays? Then you must know that the trip is not complete unless you visit the amazingly beautiful Rio de Janeiro where you can find the tropical sands of lovely Costa Rica and an alluring nightlife. Not only that the country offers outstanding museums at Buenos Aires, and the primeval archeological grandeur of Cusco and plenty other fascinating experiences to the visitors. This adaptable country boasts assorted activities customized to range of visitors. Trip to South America gives a chance to explore the most exotic area in a very short period unlike other destinations where reaching different places takes time and effort.
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro, trip to Rio de Janeiro gives you amazing experience. The dazzling white sands, vibrant nightlife, breathtaking landscaping, and many other fun and exciting adventures can be found in this beautiful Rio de Janeiro. This awe-inspiring city offers everything to tourist who is looking for a fun filled vacation. The city’s main attraction is it offers free attractions, fun-filled nights where you can show you talent to shake your legs in samba and the fun part is it is all free.
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is a refined city also called as Paris-of-South. Of course it deserves this name as it truly offers such feeling when you come to Buenos Aires. You are sure to fell in love with this dazzling city. The city features Parisian style Cafes, Wide boulevards, interesting neighborhoods and many added features such as thrilling sports events, escalating food scene, attractions for kids, and Buenos Aires offers fun for all ages.
Not just these attractions there are plenty to explore and enjoy. Visit South America and get the most out of it, and enjoy every moment.
When you are planning to travel it is essential that you will spend some money. Going on a vacation is not cheap; therefore you should really need to know how to manage your finances. Buying air fare tickets is one of the most expensive part of traveling, next will be accommodation fees and your meals.
Aside from these vacation essentials, there are other things and activities that you may have to pay for such as entrance fees for amusement parks, museums and other tourist hotspots. Add the fact that you will have to pay for transportation every time you need to go anywhere from your hotel. Of course you will also be tempted of buying souvenirs.
Plan for your Vacation Wisely
One way to easily manage your finance when traveling is to make a plan for the things you will pay for and then stick to it. It is only natural to be tempted to buy or pay for things that attract you, but giving in to that temptation will mean going against your planned budget.
Research Well
The best way to avoid overspending when having your vacation is to make a thorough research. This means making sure that the hotel is near to the tourist spots that you are planning to visit. As much as possible, most of the sites should be walking distance from the hotel you will be staying.
Book for a Package Holiday
This is one sure way of effectively managing your travel expenses. When you book for your holiday, it is best if you can go for a package that includes flight fares, hotel accommodations, rental car, guided tours and meals.
There are risks worth taking and there are those that you need to avoid at all cost. Falling in love is a kind of risk that is worth getting into, while there are travel risks that are not covered by travel insurance for obvious reasons.
Traveling to unknown places is a risk in itself. But it is something worth taking because it takes you to different parts of the world and exposes you to different cultures, sceneries and activities. Sometimes though, activities that are being practiced in some places can be very risky for tourists.
Going Barefoot on the Beach
Island hopping is fun and swimming in pristine blue waters is something that gives fulfillment to most people. But going barefoot in the beach is something should be avoided because there is always the risk of stepping into something that may cause harm like broken glasses or deadly sea creatures.
Purchasing Illegal Drugs or Commodities
You will be the most stupid person is you decide to buy illegal drugs anywhere as consequences can be very severe when you get caught. Buying illegal commodities though may not be easily prevented as you may not even know what you are buying is illegal. Thus, it is important to always make a thorough research, or better yet, buy your holiday things only from legitimate stores. This means avoiding the black market at all cost.
Flaunting your Money
It is a fact that you can be robbed even in your own hometown, but being robbed in another country is something that you never desire. Therefore, it is better to bring your credit card and less cash as much as possible.
There are other travel risks that you need to keep note of like not buying travel insurance, talking to strangers, and riding motorcycles (they are not covered by travel insurance).
Going on a holiday takes a lot of planning and that includes finding the best vacation accommodation. It needs to be taken into consideration that your choice of hotel can make or break your entire vacation. A wrong choice can have you sleeping in a hotel miles and miles away from all the places you want to see and activities you want to get into. But, if you made the right choice, you will surely have the best vacation ever.
Shop Around
When looking for the right hotel if you are on a budget, the most important thing you can do is to shop around and compare prices. Going online is the best way to go because there are lots of websites that offer affordable hotel accommodation deals. If you are lucky enough you may even stumble on a package deal that includes hotel, flight fares and rental cars. It is also important to find a hotel near the places and tourist spots that you want to visit, in order for you to save money on transportation. When you are shopping around for the right hotel, you may also want to do a little research. Checking out hotel reviews and going to travel forums are the best things that you can do.
Consider Your Preferences
When considering a hotel, it is also important to decide on what hotel amenities and facilities you require. Some hotel accommodation packages include additional services such gym use, spa and meals. If you do not require these services, it is best to find another hotel package.
For over 400 years, the Robben Island, which is about 12 kilometers east of Cape Town, was well known to be a place for imprisonment, isolation, exile and banishment. It was in this island that the rulers were sent when regarded as social outcast, political troublemakers and the unwanted in the society. The island is well known for the imprisonment of Nelson Mandela who was the first president of the democratic South Africa.
The History of Robben Island
The Robben Island was initially used as a prison, defense and training ground during the Second World War and as an isolation center for patients with mental illness, chronic illness and leprosy. The island was chosen as a hospital for it has a good environment for curing and is secure for isolating dangerous illness. Today, the island stands out as a pillar of victory against apartheid and other human abuses meted by the colonialists. After being able to overcome the oppositions of the prison authorities, the prisoners were able to organize educational programmes, political debates, assert their rights to fair treatment as well as organize sporting events. This helped south Africa establish the strong foundation of their modern democracy.
The Robben Island Museum
The Robben Island has been a museum since 1997. This museum in the historic island that is a dynamic institution usually represents the focal point of the heritage of South Africa. The proceeds from the museums are used to run youths and adults programs, educational and school programs, facilitating tourism, funding ongoing research programs related to the island and also for maintaining the island’s facilities.
Where one would want to enjoy the rich history of South Africa’s democracy, the Robben Island is the place to be. It represents a place of great oppression of the founders of the nation as well as their triumph.
