Kiev is one of the great forgotten cities of Europe. As the birthplace of all Russian culture and a unique Ukrainian flavor of its own, Kiev is truly a city that should not be missed. Millions of hearts were broken when Ukraine was separated from Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union, and for good reason; these must-see attractions make Kiev one of the most culturally rich cities in the world.
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1. Kiev Pechersk Lavra


This gorgeous monastery overlooking the Dnipro river was built nearly 1,000 years ago and still stands tall, to the amazement of tourists from all over the world. Over the years, the monastery has grown, blending Byzantine and Baroque architecture into a massive complex that towers over the city. Several fascinating museums are held within the monastery walls, making Kiev Pechersk Lavra an important center of culture and history in this ancient Ukrainian city.

2. St. Sophia Cathedral


Ukrainian history and culture are both deeply rooted in the religion of the Orthodox Church, and many of Kiev's most notable monuments are the brilliant religious structures that have been built throughout its history. St. Sophia Cathedral is the oldest of them all. Constructed in the year 1011 under the supervision of Prince Yaroslav, this beautiful cathedral is one of the greatest monuments to Christianity in the world. Beautiful mosaics and frescoes

China is consistently considered to be one of the most popular honeymoon locations in the world, and with so many destinations and activities that are perfect for loved up couples, it’s not difficult to see why. Ranging from natural beauty and mesmerising history to big cities and luxurious beachfront resorts, there’s something for every couple visiting China to enjoy. For some inspiration, check out these three particularly romantic locations below:

1. Plover Cove, Hong Kong


Located in Hong Kong’s New Territories, the Plover Cove area is one of the most unspoilt and least densely populated areas of the country, making it especially popular with couples looking for a quiet and serene romantic getaway. The region, comprising of the Plover Cove Country Park, the Plover Cove Reservoir, and many forested areas and natural pools, offers a variety of activities that appeal to all passions. Some of the most popular activities here include swimming under the cascading waters at Bride’s Pool, hiking in the mountains surrounding the reservoir, Hong Kong’s largest manmade body of water, cycling across the dam, and barbecuing on sunny days at the country park. It’s easy to get to Plover Cove by taking a train from Kowloon to Tai Po Market, then hopping on bus 20C to Tai Mei Tuk. For information about the history of the area, and to find out about other activities, be sure to pop into the visitor centre at Plover Cove Country Park.

2. Sanya, Hainan


For the ultimate luxurious beach getaway, Sanya, on China’s southern coastline, is the place to be. With warm weather on par with Hawaii all year round, glorious white sand beaches, and an abundance of 5* resorts, Sanya surpasses many other cities to be considered one of the most romantic destinations in China. For sun, sea, and sand, Yalong Bay is the most popular choice. This picture perfect beachfront is ideal for sunbathing, relaxing, swimming, and watersports, and it’s not unusual to see the Chinese volleyball team practicing here. For something a bit different, visitors could explore Luobi Cave, shrouded in mystery and myth, and an important site for the country’s pearl industry. Couples can get to Sanya by train from major cities in China, but a quicker option is by plane from Shanghai or Hong Kong to Sanya Phoenix International. There are nine visitor centres dotted around the city, so it’s simple to find information about activities, accommodation, and transportation.

3. Badaling, Beijing


Badaling is well known for being the site of the most populated section of the Great Wall, and while the pathway may not be the most authentic or most original, it is perhaps the safest and easiest section of the wall thanks to

A sunny vacation in the Florida Keys is just what you need to take the edge off and get away from the stresses of daily life. Relaxing in the sand with a cool tropical drink during the day, enjoying the refreshing ocean breeze at night; it sounds like paradise. Don't fool yourself into believing that a heavenly vacation is outside your budget. Remember these helpful tips for saving money on your next tropical getaway.

1. Fly in the Off-Season

Travel agencies, airlines and hotels get lots of business in the summer because most people take their vacations in the warm months. During the heavily traveled season these companies will hike up their prices and reservations will fill up quickly. It's much easier to get a good rate on your Florida Keys getaway by vacationing in the off-season. The whole resort industry will be experiencing a lull, and they'll be happy to accommodate you with more affordable prices.

2. Book Your Trip on a Weekday

Any time you decide to fly, particularly for a Florida Keys vacation, try to book your trip on a weekday. Statistically speaking, Tuesday is the least expensive day to fly. Airline prices fluctuate wildly throughout every week, and the same ticket you buy for a Saturday flight can be had at half the price if you fly on a weekday. Try to shift your schedule and fly on a day when airlines aren't selling out on their flights. Lower prices will be more readily available as the airlines scramble to fill empty seats on their planes.

3. Vacation After a Holiday

Holidays are huge events for the travel industry, and like so many other money saving tips, this one involves booking your vacation when vacationing is unpopular. After a holiday, hotels everywhere empty out and business slows down

Ghana is a country like no other. While it may not sit at the top of every traveler's list of must-visit locales, the unique beauty and complex history of this African nation are enticing to adventurous travelers all over the world. There is much to see and do in this country, but these fascinating destinations are not to be missed on any trip to Ghana.

1. Makola Market in Accra


The capital city of Accra is full of fantastic travel destinations. A city in which modern architecture stands next to castles and shanty towns, this cultural hub is the crux of many a vacation to Ghana. At the city's bustling heart, travelers can find the Makola Market. This open-air market houses vendors of all kinds, giving travelers a unique look at the fascinating culture of Ghana. From delicious native cuisine to goods of all kinds, almost anything can be found in the old fashioned Makola Market; a place that is largely the same today as it was hundreds of years ago.

2. Kakum Rainforest National Park


Nature and wildlife in Ghana are some of the major attractions that bring in visitors from all over the world. Kakum National Park is one of the country's must-see natural spectacles; a lush tropical rain forest filled with elephants, buffalo, meerkats and hundreds of species of birds. Stroll along the Canopy Walkway 30 meters above ground with trained guides to get a view of the forest that you won't find anywhere else in the world. True adventurers even have the option of camping overnight.

3. The Volta Lake


A truly remarkable site, the Volta Lake is the most massive man-made lake in the entire world. A boat called the Yapei Queen, affectionately nicknamed the yam boat, runs from the southern shore of the reservoir up to the north every week. The trip takes 24 hours one way, and the accommodations are far from luxurious, but the unforgettable experience of crossing this gargantuan lake cannot be missed. Any adventurous traveler should plan a day around the Volta to make the most of a Ghana vacation.

4. Beaches of Kokrobite


Some of the most beautiful beaches in the world lie on the shores of Ghana, and the beaches of Kokrobite are widely

Summer is just around the corner and that means so is grill season, the time when you relax outdoors with friends and family, all gathered around to watch—and sample—your magnificent grill feats.  But are your grill chops up to snuff?  With a foodie sweep taking the nation, BBQ starring in several TV shows and even high-end chefs getting into the BBQ craze, expectations are running pretty high.  Not to worry, we’ll show you how to BBQ like a Pitmaster Pro.

Know Your Grill

Every master needs to know his or her instrument, whether that be a surgeon and a scalpel, a mechanic with a torque wrench, or a master Flamenco guitarist.  For Pitmasters that means knowing your grill: knowing the hot spots, the cold spots, how much temperature is lost through to grill cover or hood—which can make a dramatic impact on foods that require a long time to cook, like pork tenderloins, turkeys or the smoking of briskets and ribs.  So many grilling instructions for meats and other recipes use time as a standard of measurement; time is certainly important, but as temperature is really what cooks the food, and everyone’s temperatures vary from grill to grill you have to know how to calibrate your grill timing.  Know your grill.  If it helps, give your grill a name; BB King named his Gibson Lucille and just look what happened!    

Know Your Meat (and other Ingredients)

The meat and fruits or vegetables that you cook on the grill are other part of the instrument: if the grill is the guitar, the food is learning how to play the instrument.  Of course, like any other instrument, grilling takes practice; and for maybe a couple extra charred burgers and a tough brisket in the beginning, most people will be more amenable to you practice the grill than the trombone.  Knowing your food means learning to gauge doneness, knowing when to flip or rotate, learning how and when to trim fat, reading the marbling on a piece of meat, etc.  Thickness plays a large in part in grilling duration and every time someone cuts into a steak to check if it’s ready instead of just learning to tell from touch a Pitmaster loses his chicken wings.  There are many different tricks out there to tell meat doneness; this finger test is my preferred method http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/the_finger_test_to_check_the_doneness_of_meat/.

Experiment

Part of learning your grill and meat is all about experimenting with flavors, recipes, cuts and combinations.  Becoming a great Pitmaster is all about being comfortable and creative with your grilling decisions.  Experimenting with a bunch of different meals you might not normally have prepared gives you more confidence and therein comfort.  Try grilling pizzas, fruit, desserts, or trickier meats like spatch-cocked chickens or caveman steaks cooked directly on the coals!

Divide and Conquer

Not everything in your grill needs to cook at the same temperature, and if you’re trying to keep some foods warm while others are done, continued 400-degree blasting won’t work.  Divvy up the space in your grill, keeping some areas for your primary grilling and others as a warming station, the way many professional kitchens do (and it sure beats a heat lamp).  This can either mean having one flame or coil going while the other side is shut off or on low; many grills even have upper shelving designed to keep foods warm (which is tremendously helpful when cooking vegetables like tomatoes or asparagus).  You can also use this divided system to cook foods that need lower temperatures as well, like toasting buns for burgers or hotdogs.

Grill Marks

Good grill marks—either lateral hatching or, as many Pitmasters prefer, crosshatching—are the signs of a true Pitmaster.  You’ve likely seen cross hatched steaks and chickens in ads for your favorite steakhouses.  Aside from an aesthetic element, crosshatching is an effective rotation method that will allow you to keep you meat evenly cooked, with controlled searing and fewer flips.  Every time you flip a piece of meat, it loses juice; the job of a good grillmaster is to sear in those juices and keep the meat as moist and tender as possible.  Crosshatching, done by turning the meat in a 90-degree rotation against the grill, is designed to do just that; give the meat a quarter turn about halfway through each side and you should be left with a beautiful and tasty checkered piece of meat.