Travel blog

8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites to Put on Your Bucket List



With so many things to see and do in the world how do you determine where you’ll go next? To help make your travel plans easier, we suggest you look to UNESCO, or the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Each year this organization identifies World Heritage sites—buildings and archeological sites, natural wonders and national parks— chosen for their outstanding value to humanity. From the Great Pyramid of Giza to the Sydney Opera House, each of the now 1,073 UNESCO sites on the World Heritage list are a rare privilege to explore. Here are just a few of the ones you can add to your travel bucket list:




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Topics: Asia, Europe


4 Animals You Didn't Know Are Native to China



China’s massive size and environmental diversity—it contains grasslands, deserts, mountains, lakes, rivers, and nearly 9,000 miles of coastline over its 3.7 million square miles—have led to a terrific variety of wildlife.

From river otters to the world’s largest feline, and from panda bears to the jumping mouse, China is full of a fascinating variety of wild animals.

Here are four interesting animals you may not know are native to China:




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Topics: Asia


8 Top Tips for Your First Trip to Southeast Asia



With ancient temples, ultra-modern cities and glorious beaches, Southeast Asia is home to some of the world’s richest cultures. With so much to see and do in this fast-paced region, how do you decide? What do you need to know to stay safe and make the most of your time? Here are some tips and recommendations to help you plan, pack for, and maximize your enjoyment on your first journey to Southeast Asia:




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Topics: Asia


5 Must-Eat Foods around the World



Nothing allows you to embrace the open-minded spirit of travel—the willingness to risk and to experience something entirely new, unexpected, and potentially spectacular—like trying local foods. When you step off a long flight, do you seek out burgers and fries? Or do you embrace the culture and take a big bite of adventure?

Many of our tours allow YMT guests to delight in the delicious food offerings of new and exciting destinations. Here are some of the best dishes to try in the places that made them famous:




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Topics: Asia, Hawaii, Travel Tips


Top 6 Bucket List Destinations



Your travel bucket list is an opportunity for you to write down all the must-see places you want to visit in this lifetime. It inspires you to decide what you really want, to rank the places you’ve dreamt of seeing for years, since childhood, perhaps, and plan accordingly. Here are some of the magnificent destinations that show up most frequently on our guests’ bucket lists:




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Topics: Asia, Alaska, Rose Parade, US National Parks, Ireland


Tips for your first trip to China



China is a country with a rich cultural heritage and centuries of history, but it can be a bit overwhelming if you’re not prepared for the different way they do things. Rather than miss out on this fascinating corner of the world, prepare yourself for your journey with a few simple tips and suggestions:




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Topics: Asia


Top 10 foods to eat in China



From upscale restaurants, to small family-run eateries, to bustling street food stalls, China offers an abundance of good food. It’s no wonder since the country is home to 23 provinces and more than 50 ethnic groups—all with their own diverse culinary histories.

Here are 10 of our favorite things to eat while traveling in China:




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Topics: Asia


A Trip for Every Mother



Mothers come in all shapes, sizes, and personalities. Some express their love quietly, while others shout it out for everyone to hear. All of them love us, and on Mother’s Day, we get to remind them we love them right back. 

This Mother’s Day, why confine yourself to gifts of flowers and brunch? Show the mom in our life you really care by giving her the trip of a lifetime. Perhaps she’d like a romantic cruise for two, or maybe a land adventure. It all depends on what type of mom you have.

While we can’t say for sure which trip your mom would like best, we do know a little about what certain types of moms like. So, here’s a list of the most common moms we see on our tours, and the type of tours we most often see them on.




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Topics: Asia, Alaska, Americas, Europe, Hawaii, Rose Parade, US National Parks, Balloon Fiesta, River Cruises, History


The dos and don’ts of dining in Asia




For those of us whose bags are always packed, travel can mean a sophisticated European capital one month, and the wild backcountry of a National Park the next. As we get set to roam the world, knowing and honoring the customs of each place we visit is crucial, especially when it comes to how we eat. Let’s take a close look at the dining etiquette of several of Asian countries—pull up a seat at the table and enjoy!




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Topics: Asia


Tea Time - The Japanese Tea Ceremony



Matcha, or green tea, is not what most Westerners think of as the regular “cuppa.” Matcha is thick, grainy and somewhat resembles pea soup. Chanoyu, or the way of tea, is the Japanese ceremony that celebrates this unusual drink. Far from simply pouring a cup of tea, the heavily symbolic ceremony requires years of training to perfect its ritualistic movements and prescribed order. Here’s why you’ll want to be sure to “take time for tea” on your upcoming travels to Japan.




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Topics: Asia