Local Way

People who are physically challenged can use still go on holiday if they use lodges and hotels that have accessible accommodation. These hotels and cottages can cater to people who have different disabilities. They have rooms that are customized to accommodate a wheelchair and other equipment that the differently-abled customers may need. These days hotels and holiday accommodation owners are advised to publish an accessibility guide to show exactly what features they have for differently-abled people. Details of such features are generally published on the accommodation’s website, although you may need to request this information before your visit.

Accessible accommodation means a room that can be used by people with different abilities as there can be no room just for the hearing impaired or have vision loss or wheelchair-bound customers. Although most hotels have only a few rooms that are specially made for these requirements, the standard of equipping these rooms may not be the same for all hotels. The good news is, is that most establishments are improving their standards and adding many more accessibility features during their renovations.

From the viewpoint of most disabled customers, here are some requirements they need to comfortably stay in a hotel room:

1. Buzzer/Light

An outside buzzer that corresponds to a flashing light inside the room can signal a deaf client that someone is outside their room trying to get their attention.

2. Automatic Door Opening Button

Wheelchair-bound guests may find it hard to open and close the door and may injure themselves or their wheelchairs in the process. An automatic door opener can make it easier for them to get in and out of the room.

3. Hardwood Floors

Customers in a wheelchair will not appreciate having carpeted floors. A wooden floor can provide better traction and can also help other people with diverse disabilities.

4. Simple Room Layout

People with disabilities need a room less furniture to be able move around without difficulty. If there are rugs on the floor, they should have a non-slip backing and low edge so as not to hinder wheelchairs from getting over them and not get stuck.

5. Adjustable bed heights

Beds should be adjustable to accommodate the customer’s preferences. Some want a lower or higher bed in response to their disability as their knees can be the issue. Hotels can help differently-abled people by adjusting the height of the bed in the accessible room according to their indication before their arrival.

6. Temperature

The excessive temperature in the accessible room may not be comfortable for the differently-abled customers. Some may have problems in their joints that cannot withstand high temperatures.

7. Refrigerator

People with disabilities normally have to bring medicines that need to be stored in a cool dry place. Having a fridge in the room can serve its purpose to store these meds together with other food or drinks.

8. Sound Proof Room

There are persons with disabilities that are sensitive to sudden noise which can trigger their anxiety. Having a good soundproofing room can reduce these unintentional wakeups in the middle of the night.

9. Adjacent room or Connecting Room for Caregiver

Unrelated caregivers sleeping in the same room may not be a comfortable option for differently-abled people, and having an adjacent or connecting room can be a huge relief to everyone.

10. Toilet and Shower Grab Bars

Falls in the bathroom can be avoided if there are available grab bars that they can balance their body with. Showers should also have a roll-in that is grade level to the floor. Having two shower heads is helpful and can be used by someone standing up or sitting in while showering.

11. Accessible Website

Hotels with accessible rooms should also take into consideration their booking process. Their websites should have easy booking procedures which can easily be accessed by all. Having these accessible hotel rooms with bigger doorways and bathrooms located on the first floor can become the haven for differently-abled persons away from home.

Very few places are as interesting as Hong Kong, with its high-rise buildings right beside ancient temples. It is Asia’s center for shopping, food, cultural activities, and even a global financial hub. Being a former British colony, it is a combination of East and West. The best way to take all of it in, especially the wonderful contrasts, is to explore Hong Kong one street at a time.

You will most likely explore the skyscrapers on Hong Kong Central and enjoy the views at Victoria Peak. No visit is also complete without strolling along Tsim Sha Tsui and the Avenue of Stars. But if you want to see Hong Kong from the eyes of a local, you will need to add these walking tours as well.

1. Discover local life in Shau Kei Wan

This is, without a doubt, lesser known to tourists but it is where locals live. It evolved from a simple fishing village into the huge residential district it is today. This is the place to watch the daily lives of Hong Kong locals and even learn about their customs and beliefs direct from the source.

2. Try street food in Wan Chai

Trying out street food is one of the things you definitely need to do when you are in Hong Kong. The food reflects an interesting mix of cultures, from Cantonese to western cuisine. The Wan Chai district is the right place to fill your stomach with these delicious delicacies. Walking around will fill the rest of your senses as well.

3. Experience Kowloon

Leave the main island and visit the Hong Kong mainland by taking the ferry or the MTR underground. Kowloon, specifically the Wong Tai Sin district is where you can see the evolution of Hong Kong’s public housing. The Choi Hung Estate, for example, is known for its rainbow-colored façade and is a popular background for tourists’ Instagram posts.

The district is also where the famous Taoist temple and the Chi Lin Nunnery are located, which is a welcome respite from the city’s hustle and bustle.

4. Take the ferry to Macau

Technically, Macau is not a part of Hong Kong, but it is ordinarily bundled together in one trip, thanks to the close vicinity. All you need to get there is to take a ferry ride lasting an hour. Once you get there, you can enjoy a very interesting walk around this former Portuguese colony. Walking through the UNESCO-listed Historic Center is like going back in time.

Beside Portuguese-era structures like the Ruins of St. Paul, the former military base Mount Fortress, and the old City Walls, you will see Chinese relics like A-Ma Temple. Then, in an interesting twist, fast forward to the present through a visit to the 338-meter high Macau Tower and the city’s famous casinos.

Exploring Hong Kong by foot is one of the best ways to delve into the culture, history, and many different aspects of this city. Very few places come close to the diversity of Hong Kong, so you better take it all in during your visit.

If you love traveling for the food, it’s impossible to not have Vietnam in your radar. Vietnam is rich with different types of pho (pronounced as “fuh”) and a lot of other munches you can taste. While most people find Vietnamese food simple, a locally prepared meal in this country comes with a totally different flavor palette that you won’t find anywhere else.

Craving already? Here are the 7 Vietnamese food every tourist should taste.

1. Phở

First on the list is pho which means “rice noodle soup”. You didn’t go to Vietnam if you didn’t eat pho at least once. You can say that this is the poster of all Vietnamese food.

Pho is a local staple and it is made with a hot savory broth mixed with small slices of meat and green leafy vegetables. The best pho is found not in restaurants but in the alleys and backstreets around the country.

2. Spring Rolls

If you are craving a snack, try the Vietnamese spring rolls. Their spring rolls aren’t like the rolls you find in other countries. For one thing, they aren’t fried. It is wrapped in rice paper and it has vegetables sticking out on one end. Because the rice paper is translucent, you can see the shrimps stuffed inside the roll. This is best dipped in peanut butter sauce or various local dips.

3. Bánh mì

Another snack you can pick up anywhere in the streets of Vietnam is banh mi. Banh mi is considered the sandwich of Vietnam although it can already pass as a meal.

Banh mi uses a baguette as its base filled with pickled vegetables, meat, chili, pate, and other toppings. Usually, the meat is strips of pork or beef. There are different kinds of banh mi in the country, and if you want an easy pick-me-up meal, banh mi is the way to go.

4. Cao lầu

If you want a break from all your pho eating, you might want to try cao lầu. Cao lầu is a noodle dish that uses udon-like noodles topped with crunchy meat and croutons. Because it doesn’t have a lot of soup, it gives a different feel to your mouth.

Cao lầu can be found in Hoi An because the noodles (yes, they are not udon noodles) are only made using the water from an ancient wall that is found in Hoi An.

5. Egg Coffee

Of course, there is always room for dessert. One of the famous desserts in the country is egg coffee or locally known as Cà Phê Trứng. If you are allergic to dairy, this might be a no-no but if you aren’t this should be one of the must-try treats you have to get. It’s made from black coffee mixed with egg and condensed milk. While it’s sweet, you can still have that coffee kick you are looking for.

Now that you know Vietnam has a lot to offer, and all at affordable prices, you might want to rush there and get your cravings satisfied. It’s about time you visited this amazing Southeast Asian country.

While there are undoubtedly tons of tourist guides for visitors to Cambodia, many people still prefer to experience it the way the locals do. This does not mean skipping the usual tourism spots like the breathtaking temples but instead learning about their history and appreciating them in a deeper sense. Take your travel one step further than capturing the scenery and the spots with your camera. Instead, book a local tour guide and see Cambodia through their eyes.

These are the ways you can tour Cambodia like a local.

1. Enjoy The Sunrise In Angkor Wat

Getting up early will not only mean you escape the usual tourist groups but you can also see the sun rising above the popular temples in Angkor. After marveling at this wonderful sight, head back to town the local way, on bicycle or tuk-tuk.

2. Enjoy The Beach

Cambodia’s little islands off the central coast are perfect for a lazy day on the beach or for snorkeling around. You can arrange for a boat ride from Kampot, Kep, or Sihanoukville and book accommodation on the larger islands for the night. The next days can be spent exploring the smaller islands.

3. Learn And Respect Its Past

Not that long ago, a brutal genocide tore the country apart, with about 2 million people killed. While this is now part of the past, tourists can view sites and museums that educate them on the history of the country. After all, in order to truly experience the country, delving deeper into the events that shaped it is key. Although it is now safe and Cambodia is finally developing and growing after this period, these dark times have really shaped and influenced the locals. Learning about it from a Cambodian citizen can truly be a humbling experience.

4. Feast Like A Cambodian

While the local cuisine is not as popular worldwide like Vietnamese or Thai, it has a lot of dishes you should try out. The locals can either show you the best spots or even host you to try out their traditional dishes like creamy coconut curry or Kampot pepper crabs. If you truly want to eat like a local, you can also try out some insect-based dishes which are surprisingly delicious.

5. Visit The Floating Villages

If you want to appreciate the beauty of Cambodia, then visit Tonle Sap, where there are numerous floating village communities. It is also where you can fully appreciate the wildlife. You only need to drive a couple of hours out of the city and you can see this breathtaking sight.

6. Enjoy The Nightlife And The Local Businesses

Tourism truly supports the growth of local businesses like restaurants, shops, and even clubs and bars. Plus, you can meet some nice locals by going out to eat or to buy gifts. Both the capital of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap have tons of businesses catering to both visitors and residents.

7. Ride Like A Local

Forget taxis and rental cars, travel around like a local. Take a tuk-tuk ride or rent a bicycle and blend in the crowd.

Cambodia is one of the hottest destinations in Asia, with the breathtaking temples and the rich history of the country. If you want to experience it like a local, then talk to some tour guides in the area instead of relying on guides from fellow tourists.

Not many people add Uruguay to their bucket list of places to visit in South America but this small country should also not be ignored. Known for its beautiful beaches, it also has historical sites and colorful buildings that will enchant many visitors. When planning your trip, you might want to explore beyond Montevideo and the more popular tourist spots and instead, try out these lesser-known areas.

1. Punta del Diablo

If you are the kind of tourist who wants to be away from the tourists and as close to the locals as possible, then this small village of 850 people should be at the top of your list. The beaches of this seaside village are as picturesque as the ones in Brazil but without the crowds. Plus, the village itself has colorful buildings that make it look like a fairytale.

It is a quieter destination for those who are looking to get away from the city’s hustle and bustle. However, remember to plan the timing well. This area is relatively cooler in winter, so either visit during the warmer days or book a villa with a fireplace. This tiny village does not have any of the amenities of a big city. For example, there is only one ATM and it is not always functioning well. Thus, you might want to bring enough money with you. US dollars are accepted in most hotels, though.

2. Salto

Salto is a bigger city but it is a top destination for those who love dancing, music, and a rich nightlife. Beyond these, it is also known for little galleries and small museums like the Museo del Hombre y la Tecnologia. It is the perfect place to learn about and appreciate the local culture and technological developments.

3. Tacuarembo

To best appreciate the culture and history of the country, then Tacuarembo is the place to do so. It is believed to be the starting point for the Gaucho (South America’s answer to cowboys). It is also the birthplace of Carlos Gardel, the tango legend, who is featured in the local museum dedicated to him.

Beyond these highlights, Tacuarembo is also home to the Gruta de Los Helechos Nature Park. This is a beautiful starting point for a hike and you can enjoy the waterfalls and small streams to be found along the way.

3. Treinta Y Tres

This spot is named after the number of people who fought for independence in Uruguay. Treinta y tres (33) people were exiled from neighboring Argentina and their names are now engraved on the town square monument. Other highlights of the area are the rich history attached to it, and at the same time, the pretty surroundings.

4. La Paloma

La Paloma is another stunning seaside city where you can also enjoy the sights of Rocha surrounding the city. It is also popular among sea lovers thanks to its beautiful beaches and even the sword. Take note, however, that it is a protected ecological reserve.

When To Visit Uruguay

The location of Uruguay stops it from being too cold during winter, so it is an all-year-round destination. If you want to avoid other visitors, do not plan your trip between December and February. Checking out these sites will allow you to see more of the city and enjoy all it has to offer, without the hordes of other visitors.