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In the United States, President Trump announced new travel restrictions today in response to the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. The Commander in Chief signed a Presidential Proclamation suspending the entry of most foreign nationals who have been in certain European countries during the 14 days prior to their scheduled arrival to the U.S. These countries include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The United Kingdom is exempt. Meanwhile, India announced it would suspend visas for most foreign visitors arriving between March 13 to April 15, and close the country’s land border with Myanmar. Air India has already cancelled flights to Italy and South Korea, the two countries outside China most affected by the outbreak. Other countries, from Australia to...

From hosting some of the world’s most historic sites to the vibrant Mediterranean culture, the many charms of Cyprus make it an irresistible destination. Here are 6 reasons why you need to include this warm island on your travel bucket list. Seaside activities Source: Google.com Cyprus is known for its beautiful sandy beaches with clean waters  — the European Environment Agency recognises Cyprus’s beaches as the cleanest in Europe. For swimming and other water sports, the island boasts over 40 official blue flag beaches. From each city, you can enjoy a part of the Mediterranean Sea, with the most expansive coastlines being Larnarca, Famagusta, Aiya Napa, Kyrenia, Limassol and Paphos. Weather Source: Google.com Cyprus enjoys mild winters, longer summers and short autumn and spring periods. This typical Mediterranean climate is attractive, especially to Europeans wishing to escape bad weather in their home countries. There are generally at least six hours of bright...

Qawra is a Maltese resort town popular for its coastal scenery and great value cafes, bars and restaurants. Many of its eateries are within close walking distance of a wide variety of accommodation choices. Accommodation options range from 2 star apartments to 4 star hotels and resorts, so there’s something for every budget. Qawra is one of three adjoining villages located in the Northern region of Malta along the shores of St Paul’s Bay. Bugibba and St Pauls comprise the other two. The capital of Malta, Valetta, is only 17.6km (10.9 miles) away, making it easily accessible by public transport or the City Sightseeing Malta bus tour. Qawra Watch Tower (Source: google.com) In spite of its modern, tourist-centric image, Qawra boasts its fair share of beautiful old buildings. Qawra Watch Tower was built back in 1638 by the Order of St John. The battery was added in 1715. The tower is now home to a restaurant (Ta’ Fra Ben Bar & Restaurant), and the battery a swim...

Christmas is very important to the people of Malta and its sister Island of Gozo. Most people on Malta are Catholics and go to Midnight Mass Service. Usually the churches are full with people. In Maltese Happy/Merry Christmas is ‘Il-Milied it-Tajjeb’. Happy/Merry Christmas in lots more languages. The Churches are decorated with lights and nativity cribs, ‘Presepju’, built by the church go-ers. The cribs are decorated with figurines, called ‘ pasutri ’ (representing figures like the shepherds and angels). Today some of the cribs are mechanical and the figures in them move! The figure of the baby Jesus is put on the main altar at midnight on Christmas night . At Epiphany it is traditional to put the three figures of the Magi (Wise Men) in the crib. There is a group on Malta called ‘Friends of the Crib’ who help to keep the Maltese crib tradition alive. Cribs were first introduced into Malta from Italy by rich noblemen. They were not popular at first and most were burnt. Th...

Local, fresh, simple and seasonal; four important words that capture the essence of Maltese and Gozitan cuisine. Maltese food is influenced by its close proximity to Silicly and North Africa yet it still contains its individuality with its own unique twist. You’ll find an array of Mediterranean flavours with an emphasis on seafood, vegetables, pasta, meats, bread, cheese and olive oils — a lot of it! Every ‘Maltese’ dish we tried felt like it had come straight from Nanna’s kitchen. Home cooked & hearty. For the most authentic Maltese cuisine, look out for the family-run restaurants in the smaller towns. Fenek Source :  https://www.sbs.com.au/food/ Rabbit stew, or as the locals call it, Stuffat Tal-Fenek , is Malta’s national dish. The rabbit is often served in one of two ways, stewed or fried. When stewed, it is a slow cooking process (over 2 hours) which allows the meat to become incredibly tender & typically fall off the bone. The stew is a ri...

From modernist masterpieces to award-winning historical fiction, Irish literature has broken new creative ground again and again. Its breadth defies abbreviation, here is a list of authors that you must read to understand Irish history and culture, before you go on a vacation to Ireland. Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) The invention of the relatively young genre of Irish fiction written in English is most often credited to the Trinity College Dublin graduate and cleric Jonathan Swift. Best known for his 1726 satirical novel Gulliver’s Travels, Swift’s writing is said to have influenced everyone from Voltaire to James Joyce. As well as fictional works, Swift also penned several pamphlets championing Irish independence from English rule in his capacity as dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral. Maria Edgeworth (1768–1849) Anglo-Irish author Maria Edgeworth was a prolific novelist, known for her astute portraits of domestic life in rural Ireland. Born in England, Edgeworth moved to ...

Many people when they think of Iceland, automatically think of the capital city Reykjavik. Whilst Reykjavik is an extremely cool place to visit and somewhere you should visit whilst in Iceland, there are so many other amazing places on the island that need to be seen and explored, especially Vík í Mýrdal which is the southernmost sea front village in Iceland. Copyrigts @ Unsplash.com There is absolutely no doubt that the Land of Fire and Ice is stunning and people flock to see its natural beauty for themselves throughout the year in their masses. Vík í Mýrdal can certainly hold its own in the breath-taking stakes. Full of natural wonders it certainly is an alluring village and one that cannot be missed when visiting Iceland. Vík í Mýrdal Church Copyrigts @ Unsplash.com Apart from the amazing panorama of the village and beyond, the first thing that pops into sight as you come around the corner into Vík í Mýrdal is the beautiful Reyniskirkja white church up on the hill ...

Egilsstaðir is the largest town in East Iceland, with a population of 2464 people as of 2018. It is located on the banks of the river Lagarfljót in the wide valley of the fertile Fljótsdalshérað district. Egilsstaðir is the main centre for service, transportation and administration in East Iceland. It is, therefore, an ideal place for those who are travelling around the Ring Road of the country to refresh and rest. It has excellent connections to remote and little-travelled East Fjords, and to Vatnajökull National Park. Eldhúsið Some of the east’s most creative cooking happens at the restaurant inside Gistihúsið — Lake Hotel Egilsstaðir. The menu is an ode to locally sourced produce (lamb, fish and game), and the speciality is the beef, raised right here on the farm. Try a rib-eye with Béarnaise, or fjord-fresh fish with grape salad and dill mayonnaise. Desserts are pretty, polished affairs. Bookings advised. Salt We understand the appeal of this cool cafe-bistro, which...

Keflavík is a great place to base yourself when you want to explore the unique Icelandic nature, to enjoy really diverse and impressive views, or to visit the unusual local museums. The Gunnuhver hot spring area, close to the Reykjanes lighthouse, is a very popular place to visit. These otherworldly steamy landscapes will make sure you know you have truly arrived in Iceland, a path will take you safely between the bubbling hot springs and sizzling mud pots, as, in places, soft clouds of steam will surround you. This area is named after a female ghost, who, it is said, caused great disturbance in the area until a priest set a trap for her, and she fell into the hot spring, never to be seen again! Visit the Bridge Between Continents, just off road 425. Standing on the bridge you are above the ravine which formed when the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates moved apart. This bridge has been named Leif the Lucky, after Leifur Eiríksson, known as ‘Leif the Lucky’, he is said to ...