Waegook Tom

A Blog About A Globetrotting English Teacher

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How to Prepare for Your Visit to Machu Picchu

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Adventure seekers around the world have long since made the journey to Machu Picchu in Peru in order to stand among the historic ruins of the Inca Empire. For many people, a visit to Machu Picchu is one of those “bucket-list” journeys that they dream about for years, and actually being there in person can be quite an emotional experience. What makes the city even more unique is the fact it wasn’t even discovered by the Spaniards who conquered the area, a fact that wasn’t really revealed until the 20th century. For that reason, it is surrounded by mystery and intrigue, making it all the more popular to visit.

If you’ve got Machu Picchu on your radar for your next vacation, then there are a few tips and information that can help you to prepare for the journey.

The Best Time to Visit

The first thing to consider is when you plan on visiting Machu Picchu. Peak season is July and August, which means plenty of crowds. Up to 5,200 visitors explore the site during the high season. October through April is the rainy season in the area, so it isn’t the ideal time to visit. The site itself is open year-round, so you do have the option to explore at anytime.

How to Get There

You also need to consider the logistics of how you plan to get to Machu Picchu. The most popular option tends to be staying in the city of Cusco and then taking the train to the city of Aguas Calientes, which is a 3.5-hour journey. This town is located only a few miles from Machu Picchu, making it convenient.

What About the Elevation?

Tourists are often worried about the elevation and whether or not they need to get acclimated. Machu Picchu is almost 8,000 feet above sea level. What this means is that no matter where you are traveling from, it’s probably a much lower elevation. It’s a good idea to spend a night in Aguas Calientes, which is 6,700 feet above sea level and acclimate before heading to Machu Picchu. If you don’t give your body time to acclimate, you can end up suffering from altitude sickness, which will definitely put a damper on the trip.

Remember to Dress in Layers

Another tip is to dress in layers. Even in the middle of summer, it can feel quite cold, so be prepared.

Exploring the Rest of Peru

While the journey to Machu Picchu may be the highlight of your trip to Peru, as the tourist2traveler.com site details, there are still plenty of other noteworthy sites to explore in the country.

If you enjoy exploring UNESCO World Heritage Sites, then there are the cities Cusco and Arequipa. Backpackers can take on the challenge of a two-day hike to the isolated area of Chachapoyas, explore Peru’s capital city of Lima which is located on the Pacific coast, and you can explore the highest navigable lake in the world – Lake Titicaca, which sits more than 10,000 feet above sea level.

Make sure you give yourself more than enough time to explore not just Machu Picchu but the entire country of Peru.

3 Ways to Win Big in Vegas Before Playing the First Casino!

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Ah, Vegas! How many times have you dreamt of going to Las Vegas to try your hand at Black Jack or the roulette wheels? You imagine playing the slots, only to have all the lights start flashing, bells blaring and gold coins piling at your feet like a sandstorm in the Mojave Desert. Sorry to burst your bubble, but that just doesn’t happen!

Usually, the machine spits out a card that you take to the cashier for your $20 winning or, more often than not, nothing. You simply put in your next token and try again. What if you could win big in Vegas before ever playing at the first casino? In fact, there are at least three ways to win big enough so that you actually have a few dollars left over to take on lady luck.

1. Learn the Closely-Held Secret of Vegas

You’ve heard it said that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Perhaps that’s why it’s still a secret! One of the best ways to win big in Vegas is to find the right hotel that won’t cost an arm and a leg. Sure, staying at those 5-star hotels on the boulevard will leave you one leg to hop down to the tables with and one arm to pull the lever down on the slots, but why go short-handed? (Pardon the pun!)

You can find affordable hotels with 5-star service that aren’t necessarily affiliated with the big casinos. Some may be, some may not be, but you can find out the ‘secret’ to affordable accommodations on the SecretHotels.org website.

2. Spend Next to Nothing on Food!

Anyone who lives in Nevada or nearby California has seen those flashing billboards on every major highway. Eat free (or cheap) buffets with a player’s card at this casino on the Strip or, Ladies Night where women drink free all night. For every drink that a man buys, his ‘date’ gets one free. There are all kinds of deals like this, so if you time your visits to the casinos just right – at meal time – you’ll get a heck of a bargain! Play to your heart’s content and eat or drink virtually for free, or as close to it as you can get.

3. Book Your Stays to Coincide with Big Name Shows

Sometimes, you can time your stay in Vegas at just the right moment to see your favorite celeb performing at dinner clubs in the casinos. If you’ve never been to Vegas, you have no idea what it’s like to walk into a building that’s like a mini-city unto itself. You can do everything from visit trendy designer shops to watching Celine perform for a once-in-a-lifetime show. Some of these big name acts no longer tour but are resident performers in Vegas. You see? It stays in Vegas, just like the slogan says!

It’s amazing what you can find in Vegas and perhaps that’s why it stays in Vegas. A Las Vegas vacation is like a treasure hunt every time you visit and if you don’t bring home the jackpot, you bring home the gold – memories to last until next year when you’ll be back again.

Top Four Things to Do When Traveling in Virginia in an RV

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If you’re looking for a unique twist to your next vacation, try staying in an RV.

Don’t own one? It’s easier than it has ever been before to rent one with Outdoorsy!

By staying in an RV, you have complete control over your vacation. You aren’t dependent on available hotel rooms and you don’t have to worry about unpacking and repacking every time you want to visit a new spot.

With that kind of freedom, the entire state of Virginia is at your fingertips. Here are four things you just have to do when visiting this great state in an RV.

Stay at Virginia Beach KOA

If you’ve never stayed in an RV before, checking out an RV resort is a must. Instead of roughing it by parking out in the woods with barely a place to shower, a resort provides you with the same level of amenities, and more, as a hotel.

One of the best is Virginia Beach KOA. RVers return to this location again and again because it:

  • Has two swimming pools and a giant inflatable water slide
  • Offers bike rentals and electric bikes
  • Hosts events like outdoor movies and ice cream socials
  • Has basketball, volleyball, horseshoe pits, and more
  • Offers trolley rides to the ocean
  • And more

Visit Shenandoah Caverns

Located in Quicksburg, the Shenandoah Caverns are a must-see. This cave system features over a mile of underground tunnels that connect to over a dozen chambers. Each one features a different formation with a special name, like the Diamond Cascade and the Grotto of the Gods.

Take the hour-long tour to learn how the caves formed and how they were discovered.

Walk Through Colonial Williamsburg

There are a lot of historical things to do in Virginia. It’s well worth your time to visit Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and George Washington’s Mount Vernon, but make sure you take time to visit Colonial Williamsburg.

There’s so much to explore on the 301-acre property that recreates Britain’s 18th century capital in the new world. Explore restored and reconstructed buildings, inspect recreated products from the day, and learn more about this historic area from costumed interpreters.

Camp at Great Falls Park

Just 15 miles from Washington, D.C. is Great Falls Park. If you’re looking for a rustic, natural RV experience, this is it.

This park houses the nation’s first canals as well as hiking trails that take you along dramatic clifftops. You can take a tour and learn more about the area from a park ranger, ride the trails on horseback, or do some rock climbing. Just make sure you check out the Great Falls of the Potomac River where water splashes dramatically down steps of jagged rocks.

The best part about an RV is the fact that you aren’t confined to a single location! Spend a day or two at one of these locations and then move onto the next so you can see everything this great state has to offer.

Spring Break 2018 for Mom and Dad – Why You Should Visit the Caribbean

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It is becoming increasingly common for college kids to stay at home with mom and dad simply because of the skyrocketing cost of going to university. In fact, without scholarships or other types of financial aid, some students take their first two years at a community college which is always the cheapest option. But when it comes to spring break, that’s an expense which kids don’t mind working for! This year, when they go to South Beach or Fort Lauderdale, why don’t mom and dad take that Caribbean vacation they’ve been dreaming of for years? Who says mom and dad can’t go on spring break as well!

Family Flight Arrangements Could Save Money

Sometimes you can find travel packages that save you money if more than one person goes in a group. Since the kids will be flying to Miami-Dade International Airport or into Fort Lauderdale, why not see if you can get in on a group package deal? Getting together with a group of your kids’ friends could offer just enough savings to have a little left over for that fun in the sun you’ve been dreaming of all winter long. Fly into Miami, take a cruise over to the islands, and then mom and dad, your time is your own (maybe for the first time ever)!

Where to Stay in the Caribbean

When it comes to looking for someplace to stay where you won’t be surrounded with partying college students, you might want to browse through Caribbean travel websites. After all, you are going for a respite from boisterous young people and want some quality alone time with your spouse of many years. How long has it been, anyway, since you’ve had a vacation alone together?

Some of the beaches don’t cater to the younger set, and that’s exactly what you are looking for. You want sunny beaches, ice cold tropical drinks, perhaps a bit of moonlight music on the boardwalks, but you definitely don’t want to be surrounded with throngs of college students. Call ahead to ensure you are booking the right hotel with all the amenities you are looking for and none of the noise.

Why Travel at This Time?

You may be wondering why you just don’t stay at home to enjoy the peace and quiet while the kids are away. You can always travel at some other time, right? Wrong! That would mean you would be leaving the kids at home while you’re away and that is not a good idea at all! Yes, they are old enough to take care of themselves, but can you really trust them not to bring in kegs and have a wild time while you are on vacation? Remember the old adage, “While the cat’s away the mice will play.” And, there’s nothing like being home alone to bring the mice out of the woodwork, is there?

So then, this year, why can’t mom and dad go on spring break as well? Book a travel flight package deal, part ways in Miami, meet up again for the flight home, and everyone’s happy. You deserve a break too, so enjoy while you can. Spring break only lasts so long and it’s back at it again for another fun few months until semester finals. At least you have this week together, so enjoy while you can.

3 Reasons to Take a Family Vacation in Florida

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When it’s time to start thinking of where you’ll go for a family vacation, there really is no place on earth better than Florida if you have kids who want to get some activity in. From camping to staying in 5-star hotels, you’ll want to find somewhere where mom and dad can get a little R&R in while the kids will have enough to do to keep them busy while you get in that much-needed break from your busy lives. Looking for a state that has all that and more? Why not check out these three reasons to take a family vacation in Florida.

1. Orlando Is the Theme Park Capital of the World

Nowhere on earth are there as many theme/adventure parks as there are in Orlando, Florida. From the iconic (and first in the State) Disney World to Universal Studios and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, there is something for kids of all ages, and mom and dad too! Check out what the Franke family has to say about visiting Orlando on their Holy City website. If one family’s story of travels through Orlando doesn’t inspire you to visit this amazing city of theme parks, nothing will!

2. The Greatest Number of Swimming Beaches in the Country

While the state of Alaska has a longer coastline than Florida, you can’t swim or snorkel the beaches most of the year. In fact, it is so cold on some of that shoreline that you can never really enjoy fun in the sun as there isn’t any for much of the year!

Florida has 1,350 miles of swimmable coastline, most of which can be enjoyed throughout the year, except perhaps those in North Florida, which do get cold in winter months. However, from Central Florida southward, you can go to the beach for a little fun in the sun 12 months out of the year. This, then, is the reason so many families prefer a Florida vacation, especially when coming from the interior of the country with no seaside beaches whatsoever!

3. Pleasant Weather Every Season of the Year

As mentioned, there are parts of Florida which do get cold in winter months, but those places are actually ‘warm’ in comparison to the freezing, snowy northern states. You can always tell a snowbird in Jacksonville or Pensacola in January because they will be the ones in Bermuda shorts and tank tops while the natives have overcoats and hats. If you are looking for a state that has it all from theme parks to beaches, Florida would be your best choice in winter months because there is so much to see and do, no matter what season it is!

So, there you have just three of the main reasons to take a family vacation in Florida, no matter when you can get that much-needed time away. Take the kids to Orlando to have the rollercoaster time of their lives while you relax with a Mai Tai and enjoy the warm subtropical sun. It’s a win-win family vacation you’ll always remember – at least until next year when you come back again.