Category Archives: Rio De Janeiro

3 Reasons to Travel While You’re Young

Posted on by
Reply

3 Reasons to Travel While You’re Young

If you’ve graduated college and have yet to get a passport you have an emptiness inside. You are stuck in the rat race of daily routine. Never enlightened to anything outside your own culture. As each year ticks by you’re getting closer to depriving yourself of ever experiencing the world.

5 sicily terameno 300x224 3 Reasons to Travel While You’re Young

Terameno, Sicily

Do you think it will get any easier to travel when you’re married and have a ton of responsibilities? Don’t settle for being ordinary.” Have you ever though to yourself. “I hate this city, it’s always the same old predictable routine.” You’re doing this to yourself by being a follower of the crowd. A Sheep! Your friends aren’t as interesting as you may think they are or your wouldn’t feel this void.

The other night, I had a conversation with a young woman who had a number of decisions ahead of her, one of which was whether she should go to grad school or travel the world. I told her to travel. Hands down. No excuses. Just go. The rewards are worth the costs.

She sighed.
“Yeah, but…”
Never were more fatal words spoken:
• Yeah, but… what about debt?
• Yeah, but… what about my job?
• Yeah, but… what about my boyfriend (or dog or car or whatever)?

“Yeah, but…” makes it sound like we have the best of intentions when really we are just too scared to do what we should. It allows us to be cowards, while sounding noble.

Most people I know who waited to travel the world never did. Be careful of the yeah-but. The yeah-but will kill the dreams of your youth.

The life you’ve always wanted

When you get older, life seems to just sort of happen to you. Your youth is a time of total empowerment. You get to do what you want. But as you mature and gain new responsibilities, you have to be very intentional about making sure you don’t lose sight of what’s important. So if you still have a reasonable amount of control over your circumstances, you should do what really matters. Because life won’t always be just about you.

466464 443952122287100 345721149 o 300x219 3 Reasons to Travel While You’re Young

Paris

During early adulthood, your worldview is still being formed. It’s important to give yourself opportunities to grow. A good way to do that is to travel. You will regret few risks you take when it comes to this. I promise you that. There are three reasons to travel while you’re young:

1. Traveling teaches you to live an adventure

In your lifetime, you will not be able to remember all of your experiences over the years. You will, however remember the special moments. The feeling you have for a moment in your life when you feel part of something.

CafeDelMar 300x180 3 Reasons to Travel While You’re Young

Cafe Del Mar Ibiza

While you’re young, you should travel. You should take the time to see the world and taste the fullness of life. It’s worth whatever investment or money or sacrifice of time that may be required on your part. This is not about being a tourist. It’s about experiencing true risk and adventure so you don’t have to live in fear for the rest of your life.

2. Traveling helps you encounter compassion

In your youth, you will make choices that will define you. The disciplines you begin now will be with you for the rest of your life. Traveling will change you like little else can. It will put you in places that will force you to care for issues that are bigger than you.

Seaside Amalfi Coast Italy 300x300 3 Reasons to Travel While You’re Young

Seaside, Amalfi Coast, Italy

If you go to Asia, you may encounter the slave trade. If eastern Europe, you may see the effects of genocide and religious persecution. If Haiti, you’ll witness the the ugly side Western paternalism.

Your heart will break. You will begin to understand that the world is both a big and small place. You will have a new-found respect for the pain and suffering that over half of the world takes for granted on a daily basis. And you will feel more connected to your fellow human beings in a deep and lasting way. You will learn to care.

3. Traveling allows you to get some culture

While you’re still young, you should get cultured. Get to know the world and the magnificent people that fill it. There’s nothing quite like sitting beside thousands of people from all over the globe to watch a sunset at Ibiza’s Café Del Mar..

Shangri La Hotel Paris 300x225 3 Reasons to Travel While You’re YoungI can describe Paris to you, but the feeling that the city gives to me is something you’d have to experience for yourself. You can read all the books in the world about the Great Wall of China, but being there is a different story.
The world is a stunning place, full amazing adventures. See it. Do this while you’re still young. Do not squander the time. You will never have it again.

You have a crucial opportunity to invest in the next season of your life now. Whatever you sow, you will eventually reap. Please. For your sake, do this. Because you won’t always be young. And life won’t always be just about you. So travel. Experience the world for all it’s worth. Become a person of culture, adventure, and compassion.

“What if I’m not young?”

Grand Canal Venice Italy 213x300 3 Reasons to Travel While You’re Young

Grand Canal – Venice, Italy

Travel, anyway. It may not be easy to do, but find a way to get out of your comfort zone. It’s really never too late.
But if you haven’t gotten sucked into the routine of life yet, I implore you to  TRAVEL. It will never be easier than it is right now for you to do that which really matters.

-Ryan Slate

CEO of Players Club Tours

Check out the amazing trips we offer this year we can offer discounts with large groups or join our staff.

http://www.playersclubtours.com/tours

http://www.facebook.com/playersclubtours

http://twitter.com/jetsettertours

 

The New Seven Wonders Of The World

Posted on by
Reply

Follow our Travels on Twitter—>>
!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,”script”,”twitter-wjs”);
Also on Facebook–>

Christ the Redeemer Statue


new old 7 wonders christ redeemer rio janeiro brazil 18303 600x4501 The New Seven Wonders Of The World

 

The 105-foot-tall (38-meter-tall) “Christ the Redeemer” statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was among the “new seven wonders of the world” announced July 7 following a global poll to decide a new list of human-made marvels.

 

Great Wall of China

new old 7 wonders great wall china 18307 600x4501 The New Seven Wonders Of The World

This newly elected world wonder was built along China’s northern border over many centuries to keep out invading Mongol tribes.

Constructed between the fifth century B.C. and the 16th century, the Great Wall is the world’s longest human-made structure, stretching some 4,000 miles (6,400 kilometers). The best known section was built around 200 B.C. by the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang Di.

 

The Colosseum, Rome, Italy

new old 7 wonders colosseum rome italy 18304 600x450 The New Seven Wonders Of The World

The only finalist from Europe to make it into the top seven—the Colosseum in Rome, Italy—once held up to 50,000 spectators who came to watch gory games involving gladiators, wild animals, and prisoners.

Construction began around A.D. 70 under Emperor Vespasian. Modern sports stadiums still resemble the Colosseum’s famous design.

 

Petra, Jordan

new old 7 wonders petra jordan 18312 600x450 The New Seven Wonders Of The World

Perched on the edge of the Arabian Desert, Petra was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom of King Aretas IV (9 B.C. to A.D. 40).

Petra is famous for its many stone structures such as a 138-foot-tall (42-meter-tall) temple carved with classical facades into rose-colored rock. The ancient city also included tunnels, water chambers, and an amphitheater, which held 4,000 people.

The desert site wasn’t known to the West until Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt came across it in 1812.

 

Machu Picchu, Peru

new old 7 wonders machu picchu peru 18310 600x450 The New Seven Wonders Of The World

One of three successful candidates from Latin America, Machu Picchu is a 15th-century mountain settlement in the Amazon region of Peru.

The ruined city is among the best known remnants of the Inca civilization, which flourished in the Andes region of western South America. The city is thought to have been abandoned following an outbreak of deadly smallpox, a disease introduced in the 1500s by invading Spanish forces.

Hundreds of people gathered at the remote, 7,970-foot-high (2,430-meter-high) site to celebrate Machu Picchu’s new “seven wonders” status.

 

Chichén Itzá, Mexico

new old 7 wonders chichen itza mexico 18302 600x450 The New Seven Wonders Of The World

Chichén Itzá is possibly the most famous temple city of the Mayas, a pre-Columbian civilization that lived in present day Central America. It was the political and religious center of Maya civilization during the period from A.D. 750 to 1200.

At the city’s heart lies the Temple of Kukulkan (pictured)—which rises to a height of 79 feet (24 meters). Each of its four sides has 91 steps—one step for each day of the year, with the 365th day represented by the platform on the top.

Taj Mahal, India

new old 7 wonders taj mahal india 18314 600x450 The New Seven Wonders Of The World

The Taj Mahal, in Agra, India, is the spectacular mausoleum built by Muslim Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan to honor the memory of his beloved late wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

Construction began in 1632 and took about 15 years to complete. The opulent, domed mausoleum, which stands in formal walled gardens, is generally regarded as finest example of Mughal art and architecture. It includes four minarets, each more than 13 stories tall.

Shah Jahan was deposed and put under house arrest by one of his sons soon after the Taj Mahal’s completion. It’s said that he spent the rest of his days gazing at the Taj Mahal from a window.
Follow our Travels on Twitter—>>
!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,”script”,”twitter-wjs”);
Also on Facebook–>
 

 

 

Ipanema Beach, Brazil – The Home of World Famous Bikinis

Posted on by
Reply

Follow our Travels on Twitter—>>
//
Also on Facebook–>
idea ipanema beach brazil 311x175 311x175 Ipanema Beach, Brazil The Home of World Famous Bikinis Trendsetting Ipanema, the place made famous by the ’60s song to bear its name, has a long tradition of dictating beach chic to the rest of the world. The beach was, after all, a launching pad for the skimpy tanga bikini, the once-popular crocheted G-string for men, and the unforgettable (if only we could forget) dental-floss bikini.

As expected, the two kilometers of white sand — and the bodies strewn along them — are the star attractions here. Yet the name Ipanema also refers to the surrounding neighborhood — a compact, easily navigated mixture of upscale shops, frenetic nighttime hot spots and hip restaurants. First-time visitors will want to stroll down Rua Vincius de Morais — a strip lined with bars, shops and restaurants, including the famous Garota de Ipanema Bar (originally called the Velloso Bar). It was here that Tom Jobim and Vinicius de Morais penned the lyrics to “The Girl from Ipanema.” On Sundays the Hippie Fair offers wares from area craftsmen and artists. And at night, the young and young-at-heart head to Rio’s Baixo Farme and Baixo Quiteria, southside streets jammed with bars and cafes.

Getting There
Nearest domestic airport: The International Antonio Carlos Jobim Airport is about 19 miles (30 kilometers) from Ipanema, about a 30-minute drive.

Nearest major international airport: Santos Dumont Domestic Airport, located in the heart of the city, is about 10 minutes by car from Ipanema.

Airport transportation
Several taxi services are available to shuttle visitors from both airports. An executive airport bus links the International Airport with the Santos Dumont Airport, or visitors can take a similar bus that serves the main oceanfront hotels in Ipanema.

Timing
Rio de Janeiro‘s climate is tropical. The summer season (December to March) is the warmest, with temperatures ranging from 77 to 95 F (25 to 35 C) and higher. In the winter (June through August), temperatures range from 55 to 64 F (13 to 18 C). New Year’s Eve and Carnival (held four days before Ash Wednesday, usually mid- to late-February) are the two busiest times, so book well in advance.

Lodging
Rio has more than 250 hotels and motels, including 13 five-star, 41 four-star and 60 three-star hotels. The areas best known for budget accommodations are Gloria, Catete and Flamengo. The Rio Visitors and Convention Bureau has a limited list of hotels. For more accommodations, try Ipanema.

Cuisine
The city offers a wide selection of cuisine, but it would be a shame to miss out on Rio’s distinct regional cooking and signature dishes. One especially worth trying is Feijoada, a spicy bean-and-pork stew usually served with sides including sliced oranges, stir-fried eggs and manioc flour, thinly sliced kale and white rice. On the sidewalks near the beach, kiosks offer coconut water, corn on the cob, grilled shrimp, baked cheese rolls and other snacks. To wash it down, try “caipirinha” — a traditional cocktail made with Brazilian sugarcane rum, lemon and sugar.

Travel Tips
Unlike the rest of South America, Brazil’s language is Portuguese. However, most people in highly trafficked tourist areas understand English. In addition, Rio has established a Tourist Police branch where officers usually speak English and are trained to provide help to visitors.

While you are there
Take the cable car 887 feet up Pao de Acucar, Sugar Loaf, for a spectacular panoramic view of the city.
Follow our Travels on Twitter—>>
//
Also on Facebook–>