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Who is Travel Monkey?

Hello my name is lena ., where i’m from.

I was born and raised in post-soviet Ukraine , spending most of my childhood running out on a street, be it playing ball during summer’s +30C or riding a sleigh during winter’s -20C – outdoors was the major activity for me. Being obsessed with geography  from high school I could only dream about seeing those rivers and mountains and cities for real and cruising through life I found out that dreams can actually come true!  Now I consider myself to be a citizen of the world, calling more than two places my home.

How Did It All Start?

At 17 I left home for my first major life changing experience – studying abroad, which was in Klaipeda , Lithuania. Having a European Schengen visa opened up a lot of traveling possibilities, as it was so easy to go from country to country. Little by little that turned me in a travel junkie that I am today.

I started traveling heavily since 2013 and slowly built up all my excitement and impressions into a Travel Monkey Blog . It’s there to keep my memories alive and to share the lessons I’ve learned taking this amazing journey, so that you don’t have to make the same mistakes . Hope you find useful and inspiring information in here!

*Don’t forget, the earth is round and the world is small, so there is a chance we might meet in some remote corner of this world!*

Key Facts About Me…

• I also do MUSIC ! Yeah, my partner and I have a music project called ‘Karren’. Check out our Youtube channel and our SoundCloud page for covers and our own songs.
• My daily mode of transportation is a bicycle (even in winter time!)
• I used to be a lead singer in a quite successful local nu-metal band when I was 17

• My unattainable teenage dream was to see Korn perform live. I was sure it will never ever happen because I live in Ukraine and chance will never come to me. Happy to say that I was wrong and my wish came true twice in 2013. NEVER STOP DREAMING!

Ideally, I’d love to see it all! Yeah, that’s how insatiable I am about traveling. But looking in small chunks, here is a list of countries I would love to explore in the near future:

• USA (knocked it off in December 2016, see here )
• South Korea
• Papua New Guinea
• Greece (knocked it off in August 2016, see here )
• Morocco (knocked it off in November 2018, see here )

Do you live in any of those places? Know any adventurous spots or would like to host a modest backpacker? I am glad we bumped into each other! Drop me a message and let’s keep in touch.

The Rainbow of my Moods and What Do They Mean

• Happy days : most likely I just booked a new trip ✈
• Grumpy days: the whole world is an enemy for no apparent reason. Best recipe for handling – leave me alone or bring me a candy (unless I’m on a diet, in which case candy is your death sentence!)
• Thoughtful days : reading a book, thinking about our place in the universe and taking evening walks by the harbor, love a good talking opponent during these days
• Bad days: fighting anxiety, doubting myself, redoing my previous work
• Dreamy days: play images in my head sitting on a swing with Lana Del Rey playing in my headphones (this might as well be happening on a 10-hour bus ride)
• Heavy days: so busy that I don’t even react to your comments. No worries, I’ll get back to you when I’m done with my stuff
• Creative days: Singing, playing guitar, writing, making photos and videos, painting my furniture, trying new recipes, trying out new outfits, putting together a new itinerary…
• Sick of it all days : changing my hair style or color

LET’S BE FRIENDS! ADD ME ON FACEBOOK , TWITTER AND PINTEREST

i am a life coach as well as a medic in Alaska. I would be tickled to write about you in my health and wellness blog. I would not mind writing about your rainbow of moods. Please let me know what you think. And if you wish to mention me in your blog site that would be great too. Thanks and happy New Year, Patty Krasnansky

Hello Lena! I have recently read your Insane Ukraine guide in my thirst to learn more about this wonderful country and would like to connect with you. I’m from the US and I have met and have been communicating with a woman from Eastern Ukraine. We have grown to be very connected but I’m struggling with the logistics of our relationship and my concern with her well-being given the current conflict in that part of the country. Please feel free to contact me directly to hopefully provide me with some ideas on potential options on how to help with my current situation.

Kind regards, Steven

Hi Steven I am so glad you picked up my book and I hope it was at least a little bit helpful. It depends where she lives of course, but you should be able to easily visit Ukraine, as most of the territory is at peace. You can drop me an email of course if you wish to talk more about it.

I will have to get your book. I have no been to the Ukraine, but have spent a lot of time in Eastern Europe, mainly Estonia, but also Poland and Latvia. The final chapter in my book (No Adventure Too Ridiculous: Mad Tales From A Lifetime of Travel) is about traveling back roads in Estonia I really like how you have designed the blog and would possibly be interested in advertising my book there. Kind Regards, Rusty

Really looking forward to visiting Lviv in April 2019. It’s impossible to buy a decent guidebook here in the UK so your guide to the best things to do is so useful. So many people wonder why on Earth would we want to visit Ukraine. I think all they hear is bad news about Russia (and Chernobyl of course) – but I think they’re narrow-minded and can’t wait!

You are right, Steve! I hope when you come back from your trip, you can spread the world among your friends that it is not as scary as they say on the TV.

Well this didn’t age well!

Hi! I am a student from Lithuania and I am planning to go on Erasmus to Lund University and I was hoping you could answer me some questions about it.

Best regards

Hi Greta, I can try 🙂 What would you like to know?

Hi Lena, your posts are really helpful. I am planning to move to Copenhagen in July for a new job and trying to calculate the monthly budget to negotiate the remuneration properly. Could you help me or guide me to the right direction? I’d really appreciate that.

Sure, Tushar. You can drop me a message on my facebook page or an email, if you wish to talk privately.

Hi Lena, I’m finding your life and travel experiences interesting and inspiring. Thank you for sharing. Have a very Happy and Healthy New Year!

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About  Travel Monkey  is a renowned travel company dedicated to providing exceptional travel experiences to clients worldwide. With a passion for travel and a commitment to excellence, we have built a reputation for delivering personalized service, meticulous planning, and unforgettable adventures.

Why Choose Travel Monkey

• Expertise: Our team of travel professionals brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to every trip we plan. We have traveled extensively ourselves, allowing us to offer first-hand insights and recommendations.
• Personalized Service: We believe in creating truly personalized itineraries that reflect our clients’ unique preferences and interests. Our dedicated travel experts work closely with each client to understand their vision and design a trip that exceeds expectations.
• Attention to Detail: We leave no stone unturned when it comes to planning your trip. From selecting the best accommodations to arranging seamless transportation and hand-picking extraordinary experiences, we ensure every aspect is meticulously planned and executed.
• 24/7 Customer Support: Our commitment to exceptional customer service extends beyond office hours. We provide round-the-clock support, so you can rest assured knowing we’re just a phone call away, no matter where you are in the world.
• Value for Money: We understand the importance of maximizing your travel investment. We strive to offer competitive pricing without compromising on quality, ensuring you get the best value for your money.

Discover the  Travel Monkey  Difference:

• Tailor-Made Itineraries: Our itineraries are meticulously crafted to suit your preferences, allowing you to explore destinations at your own pace and immerse yourself in the local culture.
• Authentic Experiences: We believe in offering authentic experiences that go beyond the typical tourist attractions. Our local guides and immersive activities provide a deeper understanding of the destinations you visit.
• Seamless Logistics: Travel with ease and convenience. We take care of all the logistics, including flights, accommodations, transportation, and activities, so you can focus on creating lifelong memories.
• Unforgettable Memories: Our goal is to create memories that last a lifetime. We strive to exceed your expectations, ensuring your travel experience is nothing short of extraordinary.

Join Us on an Unforgettable Journey: At  Travel Monkey , we invite you to embark on a journey of discovery, adventure, and cultural immersion. Let us help you create memories that will be cherished for years to come. Contact us today to start planning your dream trip with Travel Monkey.

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Welcome to Travel Monkey ! Whether you’re planning a dream vacation, a quick weekend getaway, or a business trip, we’re here to help you make the most of your travels. 

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About Kach Medina Umandap

Kach is from Laguna, Philippines. The first time she traveled outside the Philippines was a month after her college graduation. She worked in Kuwait and Iraq for years before she realized that traveling was what her heart really wanted. She quit her nine-to-five career to pursue her travel passions. 

In 2013, Kach headed off backpacking to Southeast Asia. From there, she flew to different countries to explore more. In late 2014, having embraced a nomadic lifestyle, she began travel blogging on a full-time basis. Then after four years of adventure traveling followed by two years of sailing the Caribbean, she moved and bought a stone house villa in Herceg Novi, Montenegro, in 2019 to start a new expat life.

Aside from writing about her adventures, Kach has been blogging about traveling around the world based on her experience of visiting 180  countries. She aims to travel to every country in the world using only her Philippines passport. 

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Hundreds Line Up to Receive Monkeypox Shot at Santa Clara County's First Vaccine Clinic

"if there's anything we've learned from the last couple of years, is that its up to each of us to protect our community," a campbell resident said, by audrey asistio • published july 20, 2022 • updated on july 20, 2022 at 5:42 pm.

Santa Clara County held its first monkeypox vaccine clinic Wednesday as the disease spreads across the country.

Hundreds of people lined up to get their shot at the clinic on Heyller Avenue and Fontanoso Way in San Jose and shared feelings of relief.

Newlyweds Camilo Nino and Steven Nino-Cidal told NBC Bay Area they have been looking forward to getting vaccinated for monkeypox since they first heard about it.

"I work at Stanford, in medicine, and I work specifically with monkeys and so it's not only to protect myself and family, but also the animals that I work with," said Nino.

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This is the first monkeypox vaccine clinic in Santa Clara County, and it plays a crucial role as the virus has already been confirmed in two dozen county residents and approximately 250 across California.

"We're thrilled to do this as we open up a larger eligibility and are able to vaccinate more people of higher risk of monkeypox," said Aaron Groff with the Santa Clara County Public Health Department.

Eric Tooley is one of the 200 people who received a vaccine at the clinic. He drove from Campbell to San Jose to get his shot.

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Tooley said it took him about an hour to complete the entire process consisting of waiting in line, filing out forms, getting the shot and waiting for any reactions.

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Santa Clara County plans to hold more clinics in the future. In addition, it will hold a monkeypox town hall Thursday to raise awareness.

The town hall will take place at 6 p.m. at the Billy Defrank LGBTQ+ Community Center and online at 4 p.m.

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20 Countries That Have The Potential To Be Major Tourist Destinations

I n this article, we shall discuss the 20 countries that have the potential to be major tourist destinations. To skip our detailed analysis of the global tourism industry in 2024, go directly and  see 10 Countries That Have The Potential To Be Major Tourist Destinations . 

Global Tourism Industry Outlook: Key Trends

According to World Tourism Barometer by the WTO, international tourism ended 2023 by reaching 88% of pre-pandemic levels, with more than 1.3 billion people engaging in outbound travel. The release of remaining pent-up demand, enhanced air and rail connectivity, and a robust recovery of Asian markets and countries that have the potential to be major tourist destinations is expected to catalyze a complete recovery by the end of 2024. According to a report by Deloitte, there are five major trends which are expected influence the travel industry in 2024, one of them being the meteoric rise of automated bookings. Although automated bookings are hardly a new phenomenon in travel, they are expected to skyrocket in 2024 and beyond, with the online booking market expected to reach $833 billion by the end of 2025 from $432 billion at the end of 2022. Closely related to this trend is an increased use of mobile phones, with the report citing that more than 70% of the global consumer base uses smartphones to make travel reservations. Furthermore, more than 72% of bookings take place within 48 hours of the first Google search. Thus, major players in the travel industry like Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG ), Airbnb Inc. (NASDAQ: ABNB ), and Expedia Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE ) are divesting greater investments in targeted advertisements to effectively engage with the consumer's attention. Furthermore, these companies realize the short window they have to efficiently retarget customers with appropriate display ads based on prior activity and engagement.

Thirdly, corporate travel is looking at a strong resurgence in 2024 and is expected to reach more than 95% of pre-pandemic levels by the second half of 2024, although gains are decelerating. With macroeconomic and geopolitical headwinds disrupting operations in countries that have the potential to be major tourist destinations, business leaders are relatively much more stringent with travel spending in 2024. Although they recognize the significance of trips in fostering client relationships and facilitating cross-vertical collaboration, costs still emerge as a significant concern. More than 86% of corporate travel managers cite airfare as one of the biggest factors affecting companies' lack of willingness to travel. Despite this, US corporate travel spending is still expected to cross pre-COVID levels by the end of 2025.

According to McKinsey , more than 71% of consumers expect travel companies to offer personalized solutions and interactions, with more than 76% of consumers reporting frustration when this demand is not met. Thus, in a bid to win over the market, companies are ensuring that their interactions with consumers are tailored to their unique needs and preferences. Furthermore, it is also essential that advertisements target consumers' prior interactions, making consumer data invaluable for companies. Lastly, skyrocketing interest rates and elevated costs in countries that have the potential to be major tourist destinations have made it incredibly expensive to upgrade hotel and airline experiences. In a bid to navigate macroeconomic headwinds, companies are making continued investments in back-office technology and generative AI which may enhance operational efficiency and better align resources to demand.

As companies continue to capitalize on these trends, investor sentiment around major travel stocks continues to rise. One way to gauge increasing investor interest in the travel industry is by evaluating the performance of prominent travel-focused ETFs like Amplify Travel Tech ETF (NYSE:AWAY), which gives investors direct access to technology-focused equities within the global tourism industry. The ETF seeks investment results which mirror total return performance of the Prime Travel Technology Index NTR, and as of April 25, has more than 31 holdings including major players like Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG), Airbnb Inc. (NASDAQ:ABNB), and Expedia Inc. (NASDAQ:EXPE). In the last one year, the fund is up by more than 19.12% as of April 25. Another major travel-focused ETF is the Harvest Travel & Leisure Index ETF (TSE:TRVL), which provides investors with exposure to the growth trends in the travel industry driven by structural, demographic forces in countries that have the potential to be major tourist destinations . With more than 30 equities under management including prominent players like Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG), Marriot International Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR ), and Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HLT ), the fund is up more than 6.93% year-to-date as of April 25.

Travel in the Metaverse: An Analysis

According to a report by McKinsey, the global travel industry is incredibly well-positioned for a virtual disruption. As the metaverse - a collective space wherein physical and virtual dimensions converge to generate a more immersive, interactive experience - becomes cheaper and faster to implement, if driven by proactive advertising and virtual events, could provide for a $20 billion opportunity by 2030, even in countries that have the potential to be major tourist destinations . As innovative formats become more common, new economic models are coming to the foreground. The travel experience of the future is expected to neither be completely online nor be a solely physical experience. Instead, companies across the world like Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG), Airbnb Inc. (NASDAQ:ABNB), and Expedia Inc. (NASDAQ:EXPE) are gearing for a more hybrid orientation, with virtual events, edutainment, and inspiration carefully balanced and integrated with physical destinations. One major way in which companies are dealing with this complexity is by implementing a traveler-first mentality. By empathizing with their target tourist, companies are able to better identify opportunities to integrate relevant virtual aspects.

During the pandemic, there was substantial global gravitation towards virtual concerts with significant surges in consumer demand, spending, and audience numbers. In 2020, the metaverse made up for a mere 0.1% of all live-music spending; by 2021, this figure has multiplied by ten-fold. According to the report, virtual events could make up for more than 20% of revenues by the end of the decade, owing largely to increased audience capacity at a fraction of the cost. With the metaverse expected to revolutionize multiple aspects of the global economy especially with regards to countries that have the potential to be major tourist destinations , travel is no exception, with virtual events promising enormous potential for the industry as a whole. However, in the short-term, opportunities may be fairly limited for a select key touchpoints, namely travel inspiration, events, and edutainment. End-to-end travel experiences are still further down the road.

Our Methodology

To compile our list of the 20 countries that have the potential to be major tourist destinations,  we decided to create Insider Monkey's Tourism Potential Index by considering a conference paper from the 28th World Business Congress at the University of Cyprus. The paper used the Delphi technique to run a predictive analysis of future tourism and hospitality scenarios in different states. The paper identified three primary metrics through which the tourism potential of a particular country can be gauged, namely infrastructure and development, cultural heritage and attractiveness, and security. We decided to integrate this study with another research by Bloom Consulting, which measures the nation brands of countries in order to predict the international perceptions and reputation countries may have over a specific time period. Hence, to create Insider Monkey's own tourism potential index, we decided to consider four primary metrics, namely infrastructure and development (25 points), cultural heritage and attractiveness (25 points), security (25 points), and international perception and reputation (25 points).

Firstly, we decided to use the index in our article on the 40 Least Visited Countries in the World  in order to shortlist 100 countries with low tourism numbers. In order to determine the tourism infrastructure in each country, we decided to use the index in our articles 30 Most Walkable Cities in the World and Top 20 Countries with the Best Roads in the World . In order to determine cultural heritage, we decided to use our article on the 35 Best Destinations in the World for Cultural Tourism . To determine security, we looked at the index in our article 30 Safest Countries in the World in 2024 . Finally, in order to determine international perception and reputation, we decided to use Bloom Consulting's predictive analysis of nation brand value in the coming years.

We created primary rankings for each metric by listing the top 50 countries in each of the four areas, namely infrastructure and development, cultural heritage and attractiveness, security, and international perception and reputation. As expected, there was significant overlap amongst all four primary lists. Then, we assigned points to each country based on their relative position in each primary list. For instance, if a country ranked number 1 on a list, it received 25 points. If it ranked second, it received 24.5 points, and so on. We then tabulated the total number of points scored by each country out of 100 to arrive at a cumulative score for each entry. We then ranked each entry based on these cumulative scores, from lowest to highest.

By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years ( see the details here ). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional looking for the best stocks to buy you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.

20. Albania

There are various reasons which suggest that Albania has the potential to become one of the top tourist destinations. The country is home to beautiful landscapes, as well as some cultural heritage spots that have been identified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

19. Romania

While visiting Romania, one can engage in a wide range of outdoor activities at any time of the year, including hiking, dog-sledding, and biking. This increases its chance of becoming a major tourist destination in the future.

18. El Salvador

Initially, El Salvador was not considered to be a safe country; however, over the years, the country has been making efforts to improve its safety situation. The country is known primarily for its beautiful coastline and plenty of volcanoes, and thus makes our list of countries that have the potential to be major tourist destinations.

17. Mauritius

Mauritius is considered to be an extremely safe country for tourists since the crime levels are low. It is known to be one of the most peaceful countries in Africa. The people of Mauritius are known to be extremely friendly and warm.

In recent years, the tourism infrastructure has developed greatly in Kenya, which includes the development of hotels and adventure activities for tourists. The country is mainly known for its wilderness and national parks, and thus makes our list of countries that have the potential to be major tourist destinations.

Despite its history of political conflict, Iran has the potential to become a travel destination in the near future. The country is home to various ancient cities including Persepolis and Hamedan. Additionally, it also offers a multitude of activities to its visitors, like skiing and sunbathing.

14. Tanzania

The National Tourism Policy in Tanzania aims to promote the livelihood of people by developing sustainable tourism practices and encouraging quality tourism. Additionally, the people of Tanzania are known to be extremely hospitable and warm.

Even though Zambia is one of the most-visited countries, it has the potential to become a major tourist destination in the coming years. The country is primarily known for Victoria Falls and National Parks.

12. Botswana

Botswana is known for its diverse and unique wildlife experience, which includes lions, elephants, cheetahs, and zebras. Botswana consistently makes efforts to protect its wildlife, which may attract many tourists in the coming years.

11. Namibia

Namibia is one of the safest countries in Africa and is slowly working towards developing and expanding its tourist infrastructure including tour operators and hotels. The country is also home to extremely diverse landscapes, and hence makes our list of countries that have the potential to be major tourist destinations.

Click here to continue reading and see 10 Countries That Have The Potential To Be Major Tourist Destinations . 

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Disclosure: None. 20 Countries That Have The Potential To Be Major Tourist Destinations is originally published on Insider Monkey.

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'apes' hit venice beach on horseback for new 'planet of the apes' promo, 'kingdom of the planet of the apes' going ape s*** on venice beach monkey see, monkey ride.

As if L.A.'s famed Venice Beach scene wasn't wild enough -- now it's got apes patrollin' the sand ... on horseback, no less!!!

Yeah, the marketing team behind "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" came up with a seriously eye-catching way to hype the flick Monday ... getting a bunch of apes to saddle up and ride around the beach.

No, they're not real apes -- PETA would be all over that -- but the actors in costume were pretty convincing at a glance ... looking very much like a scene ripped straight from the movie's plot of the apes taking over.

Luckily, the actors didn't exactly put the horses into a full gallop, opting for a slower stroll around the beach ... paired with intense, menacing stares to make their presence felt.

Despite the lack of action, the ape invasion certainly got tongues wagging about the upcoming flick, which is set to swing into U.S. cinemas May 10.

The online fandom went bananas over the marketing stunt, hailing it as pure genius and confessing it's got them hooked and ready to watch the movie.

Directed by Wes Ball , this movie serves as the sequel to 2017's "War for the Planet of the Apes."

The only issue with this stunt is Venice Beach is already filled with outrageous sights and characters -- so, primates on patrol might seem like just another Monday.

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