There are some travellers who love to explore new destinations and then there are those who eagerly await to vist unusual places. This one’s for the latter crowd, which most certainly includes dreamers, artists and adventurers. Take a look at these nine unusual corners of the world.

As a 19-year-old aspiring photographer who fell in love with travel and the beauty of knowing the world, ever since my sweet 16, I’ve craved the possibility of making my mark in every nook, corner and cranny of the world that I can. So, from the POV of a hopeless dreamer and after having travelled extensively around India and parts of the world, here are nine breathtaking and unusual places that one should to add to their travel bucket list, and we bet, you won’t regret it.

Centre of the universe in Tulsa | The center of the Universe in Tulsa, Oklahoma (United States) is one of the world’s most peculiar abnormalities. This concrete circle, surrounded by an even larger circle of bricks doesn’t seem that odd until you stand smack dab in the center of it. Thought to be caused by the reflection of sound off a nearby wall, standing in the middle of this circle lets your voice echo back to you after you speak, but no one else gets to hear it with you. And even with the hypothesis of sound reflection, no one’s actually figured out why this phenomenon occurs.

International zipline between Spain and Portugal | At a grand length of 720 metres, you have the opportunity to fly over the Guadiana River at a speed of 70 to 80 km per hour when you ride the zipline between Spain and Portugal. For all you travellers out there, who love the thrill of adventure sports, this is a must-see and must-do.

Bioluminescent plankton | Talk about lighting up your mood, have you ever gone swimming with bioluminescent planktons? The Ton Sai beach in Krabi is one of the top 15 bioluminescent beaches to go to if you want to see and swim among these dinoflagellates. Its recommended that you go between the months of November and April. Don’t wait, book tickets now. As a photographer and travel enthusiast, this destination calls for the perfect opportunity to see what you can do, test your skills out there.

Cherry Spring State Park | The Cherry Spring State Park, being one of the darkest spots in Pennsylvania is one of the most heavely places stargazing, and to take it one step further, a perfect place to have a gorgeous view of the Aurora Borealis (The Northern Lights). With a plethora of options to stay in, including its campground and the overnight observation field, there also opportunities there or you to go hiking. Trails such as the The Cherry Springs Working Forest Interpretive Trail and walking around Lyman Run State Park are experiences you really don’t want to miss.

Fuggerei | Take a look at the oldest and still existing housing society in the world. Located in Augsburg, Bavaria, the town with just 67 building and 147 residents was established around 500 years ago in in 1521 by Jakob Fugger. Fun Fact! | The Fugger city palace was the first Renaissance building north of the Alps. This incredibly picturesque little town, for a small entrance fee, is definitely worthwhile exploring on a sunny afternoon with your family.

Aogashima | This volcanic island in Japan resides just about 170 people, and each of these people are luckily enough to live in what the world calls a natural planetarium. Due to it being a remote island with miles before any other land meets the eye, the night sky is a beauty that cant be described, even offering a perfect view of the milky way.

Hoia baciu forest | Whose in for a thriller? You’re always going to feel watched here, so be careful. meet one of the scariest forests in the world. Located in Transylvania, Romania, Hoia Baciu is known for its peculiarly shaped trees and it’s odd tendencies. Story says there’s a circle deep within it where nothing grows at all and ghosts are seen instead. People have been known to see strange things, lights that aren’t meant to be there, some people have been said to have disappeared, and some even heard the wind speak.

Hang Son Doong | Vietnam is known world wide for its ancient history and riveting culture. For the people who want to go the extra mile to see one of the biggest natural discoveries in the world, you need to go see the Hang Son Doong, which has now been discovered as the world’s largest cave. Being 9km long and having the volume of 38.5 million cubic meters, it is officially 5 times larger than what we used to think was the largest cave , the Deer cave in Malaysia. As a musician, my first thought had to be wondering how amazing the acoustics must be.

The Earth’s Quietest Room | Minnesota brings your desires your peace and quiet to life, but some might say they’ve taken it too far. The anechoic chamber in Orfield Laboratories. Take it from the lab’s founder, Ted Thornhill, who said “When it’s quiet, ears will adapt.” “The quieter the room, the more things you hear. You’ll hear your heart beating, sometimes you can hear your lungs, hear your stomach gurgling loudly. In the anechoic chamber, you become the sound”.

Whether you’re spending the summer in Europe or embracing a South Island ski season, capturing photographs is the ultimate way to create memories and share your travels with loved ones.

Thanks to the ever-improving quality of smartphone cameras, you don’t have to spend thousands on a DSLR camera to take stunningly detailed photos and high-definition videos.

However, there are a few tips and tricks to know if you want your travel snaps to stand out. Herald Travel asks talented photographer and content creator Scott Howes to share his five biggest tips for nailing ‘the shot’ on a smartphone camera.

1. Use grids and guides

I would always recommend people turn on the grids and guides and level on their camera phone, it’s game-changing.

Most phones have the option to add a grid, which basically puts two lines down the middle and two lines across your screen. This helps you follow a popular rule in photography called the ‘rule of thirds’.

I use the grids feature every day on my phone and on my actual cameras and it means you can line up the subject or the frame that you’re trying to shoot, and place them in one of the ‘thirds’, which makes it more aesthetically pleasing.

Most smartphones also have a level in them, to save you from taking wonky photos and videos.

2. Take time and take it right

Travel can be crazy and super fast-paced and it’s easy to get excited and just snap away. It’s only when you get home to edit or review the photos you may realise you’re not happy with them.

So, despite having taken photos professionally for years, I still often take a step back and pause before taking the shot, because if you get it right ‘in camera’ it saves you so much work editing later on.

3. Think differently

I think one of the keys of photography is not to just point and shoot. Maybe research your destination beforehand and find unique places to photograph or a way to capture a popular spot differently. For instance, everyone who goes to Roys Peak takes that same standard shot looking down the viewpoint but there are endless possibilities for different photos; it just takes some time to find them.

4. Don’t forget the light

The time of day is key because the lighting is what makes a photo. For me personally, sunrise and sunset are the best times of day to shoot. The sun isn’t as high in the sky so you don’t get harsh light, it’s softer and creates nicer shadows too.

I’ll admit, getting up at 4am for a sunrise shot isn’t for everybody, some people go on holiday just to chill. Either way, lighting is worth thinking about when you take a photo and going a little earlier or later in the day can help you miss crowds at popular attractions.

5. Try shooting in Raw

Usually, you can let the smartphone choose the camera settings for you. But if you want to take your photos a step further, you can shoot in RAW if your phone camera has a ‘pro mode’. This is how we shoot on a DSLR camera and the image is minimally processed, which gives you more freedom when editing your photos in an app like Lightroom.

Belgium is a beautiful country characterised by its historic town centres, abundance of sumptuous castles, and fantastic foodie scene. Though often overlooked in favour of more popular destinations on a European sojourn, Belgium is well worth a visit during your next European getaway. Here’s your ultimate guide to the best Belgium travel tips you should note down and remember before your next trip to the tiny country!

Belgium is historically divided into two regions, each of which have their own culture and language. Wallonia lies to the South of the country where the local language spoken is French.

This part of the country is known for its medieval towns and Trappist beers. The capital city of Wallonia is Namur, which has been capital of the Walloon region since 1986.

The Northern part of Belgium, and that which borders with the Netherlands speaks Flemish, which is a dialect of Dutch (a language which is also spoken in the Netherlands).

The Flemish region of Belgium is known as Flanders, and this area is famous for its diamond trade (namely via the city of Antwerp) and for being home to the canal cities of Bruges and Ghent.

#1 There’s more to Belgium than Brussels

Brussels is the capital city of Belgium and is considered to be its own region, separate from both Flanders and Wallonia.

Though predominantly French speaking, you’ll find plenty of Flemish speakers too. If you have time to spare, be sure to explore the country outside of Brussels.

#2 Ghent is a great alternative to Bruges

While many flock to the UNESCO world heritage canals of Bruges due to their sheer beauty, there’s another city which is also home to beautiful canals, brick houses, and historic pubs.

Ghent is the hidden gem of Wallonia and boasts the likes of historical brick canal houses, plenty of beer bars, and many a hidden gem you won’t want to miss out on during your Europe trip.

#3 Be sure to try some beer

If there’s one thing that Belgium is known for, it’s the beer. In fact, there are over 3000 varieties of Belgian beer and the country boasts over 200 breweries. Some of the more unique and historical varieties of beer to originate from Belgium are those of Trappist beers, which are brewed in a traditional method which was created by monks many centuries ago.

When sampling the beers, be wary of the alcohol content. Belgian beers tend to be quite heavy and are often as high as 9 or 10% in alcohol percentage, which is quite different from beers in other regions of Europe which tend to be between 4 and 6% in alcohol percentage.

#4 Pack a rain jacket

No matter what time of the year you visit, rain is always a distinct possibility. Though it’s much less likely to rain during the summer months, light showers are always a possibility and so be sure to pack a light rain jacket like this one to help keep you dry!

#5 When is the best time to visit Belgium?

If you’ve stumbled on this post thanks to wondering « what is the best time to visit Belgium? », then you’ve come to the right place. Like many destinations in Europe, the high season for travel is during the summer months (particularly during school holidays) while the low season for travel is in the winter.

Though this means that, with the exception of Christmas market season and the period leading up to New Year’s Eve, hotels and other travel costs are generally cheapest during the winter months, the weather is also at its worst.

As a result, I suggest that the best time to visit Belgium is in the shoulder seasons, i.e. during the spring and autumn when the weather is okay but the crowds are fewer.

#6 Belgium is very bike friendly

Much like lots of countries in Europe (including the neighbouring country of the Netherlands), Belgium is incredibly bike friendly, and this is particularly true of the Flemish part of the country.

Getting around by bike is a fast and efficient way to see more of the city and sights in one go and bike rentals can easily be found in most major cities and towns.

#7 It’s incredibly easy to get around Belgium

As a tiny country, travel around Belgium couldn’t be easier. Indeed, from pretty much anywhere you decide to stay in Belgium you can expect to be able to easily take day trips to other towns and cities in the country.

Of all the Belgium travel tips I could give you, it would be as to just how reliable the public transport in Belgium is. Buses, trains, and trams operate across the country and are incredibly affordable, and so if you want to visit the main attractions that the country has to offer, a car won’t be necessary.

#8 English should be okay to get around

Even though it’s always polite to learn a few words of the local language Flemish, a dialect of Dutch) in Flanders and French in Wallonia, you’ll likely get by with English, particularly in the more touristed areas of the country.

#9 There are different types of waffle

Asides from fries, chocolate, and beer, one of the most famous foods which is often associated with Belgium is that of waffles. With this being said, you should note that there are different types of waffles.

Whereas the Liege style is created from a thick dough containing sugar chunks, the Brussels waffle is the more uniform rectangular one which you’ll find more commonly outside of Belgium.

#10 Tap water is often not free in restaurants and eateries

Unlike in the neighbouring country of France, it’s worth noting that the possibility of ordering tap water to accompany your meal is often not available. Instead, if you’re thirsty, you’ll be expected to fork out some extra cash for a drink.

Don’t be surprised if you’re expected to purchase a bottle of water if you want still water. During my time in Belgium, I only found a handful of restaurants who gave out glasses of tap water for free to accompany the meal I had ordered.

#11 Don’t confuse the train stations in Brussels

One Belgium mistake that you should be sure to avoid is getting the train stations confused, which is surprisingly easy to do. Brussels has three main train stations; Bruxelles-Nord (Brussel-Noord), Bruxelles-Central (Brussel-Centraal), and Brussels-Midi.

In a rather confusing turn of events, Brussels Central is the central station in the city, whereas Bruxelles-Midi (Brussel-Zuid) is actually the southernmost station in Brussels.

Bruxelles-Midi is the station you are most likely to use if you’re travelling internationally as this is where Eurostar departures and Thalys train departures take place.

#12 Cash is (often king)

If there’s one thing you should know before travelling through both Germany and Belgium, it’s that you should have cash on you. Smaller transactions (under €5 or €10) almost always cannot be paid by card, especially if you’re at a smaller independent place rather than frequenting a well known chain.

During a recent trip to Belgium in 2021, I even discovered that there were a number of bars where you couldn’t pay by card at all and any amount spent at the bar would have had to have been paid in cash. ATMs can be found in all of the major cities in Belgium and so be sure to have a little cash on you at all times.

#13 Don’t rent a car in Brussels

If you’re planning a trip to Brussels, then be sure to not rent a car (unless it’s to take day trips from the city). Public transport in Brussels is generally safe (be mindful of pickpockets), convenient, efficient, and very affordable.

Lots of Brussels (and in particular the touristic parts) can easily be explored on foot, and to get to further away parts of the city you can get a bus, tram, or the underground. Renting a car will only incur costs, be expensive to park, and is generally not a good idea for getting around the city.
#14 Brussels is home to one of the best Christmas Markets in Europe

While Germany and the Alsace region of France may be world-famous for their annual Christmas markets, several other places in Europe host markets not to be missed, including several towns and cities in Belgium.

One of the best markets in the Christmas Markets in Brussels, which boasts over 250 stalls, a number of festive events (including a giant ferris wheel and ice skating), and is an all-round veritable winter wonderland thanks to its numerous illuminations and light shows.

With Spring just around the corner, water fun will be back in full swing for many adventurers.

When enjoying some refreshing water fun with your family, safety should always be a priority. This is especially the case with children as they are most at risk of drowning and benefit from extra precautionary measures.
Here are a few safety tips worth considering:

Firstly, swimming lessons

Swimming lessons are very beneficial, especially for young ones. They reduce the risk of drowning and also enrich knowledge around water safety.
However, this does not take away from the importance of ensuring that your child never swims alone and that they are always supervised.

Never leave your young one unsupervised

One of the most important golden rules for family water fun is to never leave your child unattended. Always designate someone who is a strong swimmer to be within arms’ reach of them at all times.
Being alert and keeping an eye on children is essential. It is also important to refrain from consuming alcohol when supervising your child in or around water.

Don’t rely on floatation devices

Although inflatable rings and other floatation devices are good to have, they do not guarantee total safety or immunity from danger. As such, floatation devices should never serve as a replacement for adult supervision. Always ensure that there is a designated adult who is aware and a good swimmer.

Be considerate of the water conditions

When in a body of water where the conditions can suddenly change, extra caution and consideration are necessary. Avoid bringing your young ones into bodies of water where there may be strong currents.

Learn CPR and other basic rescue skills

As a parent or caregiver, it is important to ensure that you are knowledgeable when it comes to basic rescue skills. Knowing first aid, as well as how to perform CPR, is very helpful and will come in handy should an emergency arise.
Rescue skills can help you to restore breathing and circulation timeously, thus saving your child’s life.