Kayak Trip Ideas: With Peace Comes Travel
One sign marking the end of conflict is the resumption of tourism. This week, we feature four places that moved beyond conflict and that have significant cultural and historical draws for travelers.
Croatia flights | hotels | cars
In Croatia, the conflict of the 1990s has faded into history, and travelers are rediscovering its delights. must be one of the top European summer destinations. First fly into the city of Zagreb and spend a few days soaking up the ambiance and checking out the art scene at museums like Mimara Museum. The museum houses a collection comprising of more than 1500 exhibits, including works by Rembrandt, Delacroix, and Renoir…
Nicaragua flights | hotels | cars
In the 1980s, Nicaragua suffered from a civil war; today it offers an array of tropical excursions. Fly into the capital city of Managua and then burn rubber as you drive 20 kilometers to the Xiloa Lagoon for swimming, windsurfing, and scuba diving. Next, head to the colonial town of Granada and trade in your wheels for a boat. Cruise around the 365 islets of Lake Nicaragua as freshwater sharks race along side you…
Sierra Leone flights | hotels | cars
A trip to this West African country is like opening a treasure chest filled with wildlife, history and sapphire blue beaches. The city has prevailed as a cultural jewel with glimmering architecture like Fourah Bay College, established in 1827 and the oldest European-style university in Sub-Saharan Africa. Bronze yourself at Lumley Beach, then take in some history at Bunce Island, the largest British slave castle…
Vietnam is one of the fastest growing destinations, with travelers ranging from vets returning to make peace and family members paying homage to savvy travelers wanting to visit the country’s emerging luxury beach resort industry. Start your journey in Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon). History buffs will want to visit the War Remnants Museum, which depicts the history of the Vietnam War through the eyes of the ruling communist party…
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Croatia flights | hotels | cars
In Croatia, the conflict of the 1990s has faded into history, and travelers are rediscovering its delights. must be one of the top European summer destinations. First fly into the city of Zagreb and spend a few days soaking up the ambiance and checking out the art scene at museums like Mimara Museum. The museum houses a collection comprising of more than 1500 exhibits, including works by Rembrandt, Delacroix, and Renoir. Spend a few hours at the picturesque arcades of the Mirogoj cemetery or visit the mountain fortress, Medvednica, which offers awesome views of the city. For a taste of the 3700 miles of the Adriatic coastline, visit the historic and architectural treasure of Dubrovnik. Nicknamed ‘Pearl of the Adriatic,’ the city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For the adventurer, take a ferry to Lokrum Island, which houses a monastery, botanical gardens and a nudist beach where you can sunbathe au naturale.
Nicaragua flights | hotels | cars
In the 1980s, Nicaragua suffered from a civil war; today it offers an array of tropical excursions. Fly into the capital city of Managua and then burn rubber as you drive 20 kilometers to the Xiloa Lagoon for swimming, windsurfing, and scuba diving. Next, head to the colonial town of Granada and trade in your wheels for a boat. Cruise around the 365 islets of Lake Nicaragua as freshwater sharks race along side you. Save time on for a visit to the Mombacho Volcano. You’ll have to jump in the passenger seat of a four-wheel drive, but the views of coffee plantations and cloud forests as you ascend up the volcano are worth it.
Sierra Leone flights | hotels | cars
A trip to this West African country is like opening a treasure chest filled with wildlife, history and sapphire blue beaches. The city has prevailed as a cultural jewel with glimmering architecture like Fourah Bay College, established in 1827 and the oldest European-style university in Sub-Saharan Africa. Bronze yourself at Lumley Beach, then take in some history at Bunce Island, the largest British slave castle on the Rice Coast of West Africa (as well as a location of an American Revolution battle). For more treasures in Sierre Leone, stop by Tiwai Island, home to over 3000 primates, including the rare and colorful Diana and Colobus monkeys.
Vietnam is one of the fastest growing destinations, with travelers ranging from vets returning to make peace and family members paying homage to savvy travelers wanting to visit the country’s emerging luxury beach resort industry. Start your journey in Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon). History buffs will want to visit the War Remnants Museum, which depicts the history of the Vietnam War through the eyes of the ruling communist party. Take a side trip to the Cu Chi tunnels, an underground city Ho Chi Minh called home for decades. Some of the best meals here are homemade by street vendors, so stop one of the women carrying yokes containing the fixings for pho, a hearty noodle soup you’ll wish you could find at home. Hone your negotiation skills at Ben Thanh Market, which makes the floor of the stock exchange look like kindergarten nap time. Watch the sun go down with a drink at the top of the Caravelle Hotel, home away from home for wartime journalists. For a change of pace book a tour to the peaceful Mekong Delta. You’ll float along the calm waters, stopping along the way to visit islands where locals will entertain with song, dance and crafts demonstrations.
Did You Know?
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Go in peace,
Steve and Paul, co-founders