The Fasting Month of Rahmadhan in Medan Sumatra Indonesia

There are several things that visitors need to be aware during the fasting month when traveling to Muslim countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia etc.

Ramadan, the fasting month, is an event of great importance to the Indonesian and the world’s Muslim community. Being one of the five pillars of Islam, observance of the fasting month is the priority in the devout Muslim’s life during this month. Fasting involves a change in the daily routine of the Muslim faithful and represents an expression of their deep belief in God.

Many Indonesians take Ramadan as a chance to test and develop their inner, spiritual selves. The fasting regime is rigorous. No eating, drinking or smoking is allowed after the first prayer in the morning until the opening of the fast in the evening.

Prayer times change based on sunset and sunrise, so the exact timing is quite different every day. The morning prayer usually starts at around 4.30 AM. Before this time, all Muslim families must rise and consume the last food or drink that they will have for the next fourteen hours.

The opening of the fast, or Buka Puasa, occurs around 6.00 PM in the evening. At this time, all fasting Muslims will break the fast by drinking, eating and attending prayers. Expect restaurants to be more busy than usual especially those that are serving Indonesian or local food as many families may not cook for this breaking fast period.

During this time, you may noticed that some restaurants may be closed or are opening discretely with curtains covering up windows of restaurants during the fasting time. This is a sign of respect for those who are fasting.

You can see an example of a picture taken at www.MedanKu.com where restaurants have prepared curtains to cover up the windows including fast food chains for Rahmadhan.

Other ways travelers should do as a sign of respect are

* Be discreet when consuming food. Do not to eat or drink in public areas except for restaurants.
* Be observant and do not offer food or drink during the fasting hours to those who are fasting.
* Be respectful and do not showcase your own food or drinks in public places.
* Be empathetic and tolerant as you may find energy levels of those who are fasting to be low which may affect service levels and poorer performance.

Medan maybe unknown to international travelers. It is the third largest city in Indonesia and is famous for having the largest crater volcanic lake in the world known as North Sumatra Lake

For more information about Medan Indonesia please visit www.MedanKu.com - The Pride of Medan Indonesia - Travel & Living website for travelers.

Other resources for your adventure vacations can be found at www.VacationSpotsIdeas.com

Italy has always been one of the most popular destinations in Europe. Here are some quick how to tips for Italy

Tips for Italy

• The most popular tourist season is June through September: aim for May or October and you will enjoy smaller crowds and still have good weather.
• Pack light - you won’t regret it. One small bag that you can easy carry yourself on and off planes, trains and up and down stairs will give you a lot more freedom. Don’t expect every hotel to have an elevator - they don’t.
• Most long-haul flights arrive in Rome or Milan and these gateways will give you the best selection of discount flights. You may get a better over-all cost looking for a cheap flight into London or Amsterdam and then connecting on to Italy using a local European budget airline such as EasyJet or Ryan Air.
• If you do use a low cost airline check how far out of town the airport they are using is and how much it will cost you to get back into town. Few of the cheaper airports will be as convenient as Rome’s Fumcino airport where you can catch the Leonardo Express train to Rome’s Termini Station for Euro11
• Don’t worry about not speaking Italian - if you speak French or Spanish you won’t have a lot of problem. Even if you don’t patience, acting, sign language and a sense of humor will get you a long way.
• Train Travel. If you are going to use the Eurail pass for discounted train travel within Europe you need to purchase your pass before leaving home. Do you figures carefully though, many of the passes are not good value unless you are traveling from one end of Europe to the other. Also if you are over 26 you will have to travel first class on an Eurail pass while second class is comfortable and available for tickets bought in Italy.
• Italy has a fairly low rate of crime. Be careful of pickpockets in major cities but there is probably less violent crime than in your home town. Be aware of your surroundings in large train stations and popular tourist sites. The Romans never carry a bag slung over a shoulder but hung diagonally across the body - and you should too.

Enjoy your Italian vacation: hopefully these Italy vacation tips have helped

Traveling in South Korea can be an eye opening experience for everyone. The country has no shortage of tourist sights and attractions, such as the royal palaces and castles, and the holiday islands that surround its main peninsula. Even though a large part of the South Korea peninsula is made up of mountainous regions, you will never find it physically challenging to see the country. This is in part, thanks to a well planned and efficient transport system that stretches all over its various provinces and city centers.

However, enjoying a holiday in South Korea can be an expensive exercise as well. The economic boom that the country enjoyed in the 1990s and early 2000s led to increased affluence. This in turn resulted in unavoidable higher costs of living, even as the currency strengthened over time. Therefore, if one were to make a trip to the beautiful Land of the Morning Calm, he or she would be well advised to plan and budget the trip with that in mind. There are definitely many ways that one can still have a fun holiday in South Korea, without having to burn holes in their pockets.

One of the best ways is to plan an itinerary that focuses on the various interesting sights and locations that do not require entrance fees, or at least low ones. No one can claim to have visited South Korea without having visited the many fascinating temples that have a long history and tradition in the country. These places of worship never require any fees, and there is always a charm about them that everyone will enjoy. Seoul, the capital of South Korea, has other attractions that are also free to visit and will occupy you for the best part of several days, including the amazing Namdaemun Gate, the many palaces such as Gyeongbok-gung and the tranquil parks, with Yongsan Park a popular choice.

If there is one thing that could easily add up on your South Korea travel expenses, it would be that of food. Part of the reason would be the limitless choice of delicious cuisines that one would find hard to turn down. But food in South Korea is expensive, especially so in Seoul. As much as possible, try to dine in the various food stalls or small eateries that can be found anywhere, as prices are much lower, with great hospitality. Restaurants offer more professional services, but the bill can be exorbitant in many cases. But you will never go hungry when dining in South Korea, and might not even be able to finish all the food at times.

Finding an affordable place to stay during your trip can make a huge difference to your overall budget. South Korea is similar to Japan, in the sense that accommodations can be pricey. But there are hotels or serviced apartments that are relatively cheaper, and offer the same high level of services and amenities. In Seoul, there is the budget chain of serviced apartments known as the Co-Op that is popular with travelers who seek comfortable accommodations at low cost. For example, the Western Co-Op Residence Serviced Apartments, situated right in the bustling Dongdaemun, is one of the top hotel picks for tourists in South Korea. Their availability makes it easier to book cheap Seoul hotels, saving you money.

There are more ways to save money while having a vacation in South Korea, and the above are some of them. Every little detail helps, and while it might require some time to prepare ahead of the trip, the rewards are well worth the effort.

One of the top vacation spots in the world is Maui, Hawaii.

And who would not fall in love with this Hawaiian island. Maui is breathtakingly beautiful with its lush greeneries and blue waters. It is paradise in no uncertain terms. But besides the beautiful landscapes that it has, one of the things that truly makes Maui stand out is the number of activities that you can when you are in the island. You will definitely not be bored when you are on a vacation in Maui, Hawaii.

There are a lot of things that you can do at this little island. This is pretty ironic considering just how small the island is. But you will be surprised at how many great things Hawaii has in store for you.

Water sports
This is perhaps the first thing that will come to mind when you say Maui and Hawaii. With its great beaches, why would you think of another thing? Its deep clear waters are perfect for all kinds of water sports, from something as ordinary as swimming to parasailing and jet skiing. But one of the sports that have strongly been identified with this island is the surfing.

Surfing is big in Maui. In fact, international competitions and regional tournaments are often held in Hawaii for surfing. Here, you will see a gathering of some of the best surfers in the world.

Scuba diving
Another must do in the island of Maui is scuba diving. Underneath, you will experience the untouched beauty of the island. See exotic creatures and beautiful corals. Swim along with different species of fish. Scuba diving is a truly wonderful experience in Hawaii.

Sunbathe
When not swimming, most tourists in the island sunbathe to get those perfect tans. You can revel at Hawaii’s moderate temperature. Just make sure though that you have your sunscreens with you when you go out. This will protect you from the extreme heat of the sun. To keep you occupied, bring a book to read, something that you have been meaning to read but never had the time to.

Party
Nightlife will always be exciting in Hawaii. Attend a campfire party where you can all gather around a bonfire and just dance the hula. Or, you can join the parties that hotels often organize by the beach or at their lobbies for tourists to enjoy. Drink, dance and just have a jolly great time. Remember that this is the time to relax and to just have fun.

Sight seeing
Besides its beaches, Maui has a lot to offer. Go sightseeing and see lots of great places. Visit museums and get to know the culture of the Hawaiians. If you don’t have a car of your own, you can join group tours which will surely be offered at your hotel. Just ask them for the schedule of the tours.

Read a book
Who says you have to get out to the sun to enjoy Hawaii? You can also do this by relaxing inside the comforts of your own room and just enjoy the quiet and relaxing time together. You can just stay in bed and sleep the day away or maybe lounge in the tub and just meditate.

It’s actually all up to you. A Maui Hawaii vacation is, after all, a dream vacation.

Travel 101 Tips — Things to do while in Maui