Around The World

These days, it’s an unfortunate reality that bad faith is everywhere. And quite honestly, why shouldn’t it be that way?

One may wish to debate whether there is more bad faith than ever because people are more apt to take advantage of each other than ever, or whether we are simply more aware of our surroundings and of human nature than ever, but in any case, this is where we are right now, a world of people trying to figure each other’s true intentions out and not get burned in the process.

“I Want To Help BUT…”:

Many of us want to be generous with some of what we have left over after paying the bills, be that a tiny little but or a substantial sum. However, when it comes time to look at a suitable space for donating our dough, we run into a bunch of people, organizations, and websites that we have trouble taking at face value, and perhaps for good reason. Maybe we’ve been wanting to donate to Oxfam by phone , for example, but our suspicion and paranoia got the better of us, so we held off. Maybe Oxfam (or insert name of charity here) is actually a good organization that deserves our resources, but we want to be sure. So what can be done about this?

How To Vet A Charitable Organization:

There are several tools for vetting organizations to tell if they are worth the donations they are getting, and the good news is that none of them are overly complicated:

-Charitable organizations that are international in scope are almost always registered with the IRS as such. You can check here in this database to see if they have been included.

-There are also less formal but perhaps even more useful websites dedicated to vetting charities. I’m saying they are more useful because they include data on transparency and financial practises.

Red Flags:

Run away if any of the following things occur when dealing with a charity:

-They thank you for a previous contribution that you didn’t actually make.

-They insist on donating by text, or by cash or wire, methods that are not easily traceable

-They are not able to provide you with a receipt for tax purposes.

-They are not able to provide you with detailed information about the organization

-They can’t take a phone call and/or there is no way of contacting them by phone.

-Their name is suspiciously close to that of another bigger organization.

Through Sun or Snow: Best Multi-Seasonal Cars

Whether it’s surviving snow storms or dune-jumping off-road, when you need a car that’ll handle every kind of weather, these 6 will have you covered.

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When looking for the perfect vehicle for your growing family, it is imperative to make sure you choose a model with proven safety features in addition to fuel economy and spacious comfort.

Most people typically shop for a new car during the summer months and forget to think about what the coming winter might have in store for their area. It is always important to be a cautious driver, but if your vehicle is not designed to perform well in deep snow, heavy rains, or other common winter conditions, then you might be left taking the bus.

We’ve listed just a few year-around vehicles that’ll last the test of time – and seasons.

1.    Dodge Durango

The Durango’s all-wheel drive and V-6 engine can power your family through most any road conditions. With its outstanding capacity to seat seven, this vehicle offers plenty of room to fit all your needs. In addition, its rain-sensing wipers, three-zone automatic climate control, heated seats, mirrors, and even a heated steering wheel will take the bite out of Mr. Freeze.

2.  Land Rover Range Rover

This vehicle’s top-notch abilities both on- and off-road are equaled by few others. Its luxury interior offers comfortable heated seating and plenty of cargo capacity. The Ranger Rover also offers a heated windshield so you no longer have to scrape your windows on those frosty mornings. Its powerful Xenon headlights are certain to see you clearly through any storm or dark night’s drive.

3.  Subaru Outback

With plenty of interior room, outstanding cargo capacity, and comfortable seating, this vehicle is a real crowd pleaser. The Outback lives up to its name, with its 8.7 inches of ground clearance and all-wheel drive; deep snow, heavy rains, and icy conditions won’t slow this vehicle down. In addition, it also has options available for heated mirrors, seat warmers and a windshield de-icing feature.

4.    Toyota RAV4

The RAV4 is a dependable and safe SUV that is big enough for the entire family as well as all their gear. This vehicle meets the challenges of both summer’s heat and winter’s cold. In addition, Toyota’s Safety Sense Package consists of automatic high beam headlights and adaptive cruise control.

5.    Jeep Grand Cherokee

Well-known for their off-road abilities, the Jeep Grand Cherokee sticks to its reputation, performing well against all weather conditions. This vehicle is top-notch when tackling deep snow, icy road conditions, as well as its ability to plow through deep beach sand for some summer fun. In addition to being large enough to comfortably haul the entire family, it also comes with an available option of console gaming interface and a Blu-Ray entertainment system.

6.    Ford Explorer

This vehicle will keep you going no matter what Mother Nature pitches your way with its impressive Terrain Management System, allowing you to adjust its four-wheel-drive to accommodate your needs during various road conditions. Its spacious interior offers seating for seven with a good amount of cargo space as well.

No matter what the weather throws at you, there’s no reason for you to skimp on safety or comfort. These vehicles each offer plenty of space and ability to handle a variety of conditions all year around.

Renting a car for a road trip is a really great idea for certain people in certain circumstances. Maybe your daily driver isn’t that reliable, comfortable or spacious. Maybe you live in the middle of an urban area and don’t even own a car. Renting a vehicle means that you can get a 4-wheel drive SUV if your daily driver is a small 2-door coupe so you can hit the trails on your trip. You’ll not only save wear and tear on your everyday car, but it’ll feel even more like you’re on a special vacation with a vacation vehicle!

If you want to rent something for your road trip, here are 5 of the best cars for that. We included a variety of sizes from sedans to vans, all with great to above average gas mileage, and a focus on comfort. All are incredibly common at rental car locations so you shouldn’t have an issue finding any of them at the rental place near you.

Pick the perfect car and then start planning your road trip!

Ford Focus

If you’re looking for a really comfortable, basic vehicle that has a smooth ride, is great on gas, and can fit up to 4 of your friends and their stuff surprisingly well, go with a Focus. There are a few different models, so check to see what’s available from your preferred rental company. The hatchback will give you more room for longer or oddly shaped items you may bring along or want to take home, but the sedan may be preferred if you’re taking more people along. Both have lots of legroom.

You can get up to 38 miles per gallon on the highway so you’ll be able to cover so much ground without killing your road trip gas budget too fast.

Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai consistently tops the list of most rented cars in America, and you can easily find all different types of models at most car rental places, including the road trip-read compact crossover Tucson. This small but capable SUV can be found with all-wheel drive for covering any type of terrain you want to cross. You’ll get an impressive average of 32 mpg, which is better than some sedans.

Premium interior features and lots of added-in compartments for maps, drinks, electronics and other road-trip necessities make this such a comfortable car to travel in. Your passengers will love the spacious back seat, or fold down the seats and you’ll have about 62 cubic feet of cargo space back there.

If you need more room for things like snowboards, dogs, camping equipment, friends or anything else, consider renting a Tucson. You won’t end up spending much more in gas, and the extra room and comfort will be priceless after hours on the road.

Toyota Corolla

Toyota cars are so commonly rented out because they’re so reliable and efficient. What more would you want for a road trip vehicle? This basic but favorite sedan has everything you need, and nothing you don’t. With room for up to 5 people comfortably, about 34 mpg on the highway and little touches like USB chargers, satellite radio and built-in personal storage cubbies, the Corolla is an excellent car to rent for a road trip.

RAV4

Another excellent small SUV that’s easily rentable and excellent for a road trip is the RAV4. Tech-based comfort features like dual-zone climate and cruise control help keep everyone comfortable. An average mpg of 30 on the highway will keep your gas budget in check. You can tow up to 1,500 pounds so whether you want to take along a motorcycle, some kayaks or anything else to play with on your road trip, you can do it with ease in the RAV4.

Dodge Grand Caravan

If you want to bring along a lot of people, a lot of stuff, or both, the Grand Caravan is a seriously grand option for you. These vans are so popular and because of that they’re practically everywhere and should be easy to find at most car rental places. They definitely aren’t fancy, but they’re reliable, roomy and pretty good on gas given all the space you get, averaging 25 mpg on the highway and a still-impressive 17 or so in the city. You can easily fit up to 7 passengers, or fold down the back seats and have room for cargo storage.

Recently, Ukraine began to open its door to the tourists from various countries of the world. Actually, the door was not closed, but Ukraine was not very popular among the travelers. However, this country has a lot to offer for a sophisticated visitor. If you follow to destinations.com.ua, you will find many interesting articles about cuisine, fashion, sports, traveling and various attractions that can be seen in the country located in the heart of Europe.

This article is dedicated to one of the main treasures of Ukraine. Being the second largest state in Europe, Ukraine hosts a number of nature reserves with splendid landscapes and beautiful animals. If interested, look at the most famous nature reserves located on the territory of Ukraine.

Bugski Gard National Natural Park

This national park is located in the Mykolaiv region on the banks of the Southern Bug River. Its length is several dozen kilometers of canyons and rocks inhabited by unique plants and animals. The park starts from the Myhia village, which is known for its cataracts on the Southern Bug River. This place is annually visited by numerous fans of rafting.

Another prominent place of ugsBki Gard is the Aktove Canyon. Some people even compare it with the famous Grand Canyon in the USA. In fact, you will not find special similarity, but the place is worth seeing anyway. Aktove Canyon is a venue of international competitions in orienteering. It is also popular among the rock climbers.

Askania Nova Biosphere Reserve

This place enters the list of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine. Askania Nova is one of the biggest biosphere reserves throughout Europe. The reserve is located in Kherson region that is in the south of Ukraine. The virgin steppes of this area turned into an open-air museum, where the visitors can observe wild animals in their life environment. The biosphere reserve contains numerous kinds of plants that were delivered here from all over the world. Most of them are endangered. It is hard to believe, but more than 450 species of birds and animals inhabit this natural park. The fauna representatives include flamingos, white and black swans, emus, zebras, parrots, bustards, Scottish ponies, African antelopes, and many other unique animals.

Askania Nova provides safari tours for their guests. It should be noted that the personnel of the biosphere reserve comply with the restriction of number of visitors. For this reason, it is recommended to inform about your visit in advance.

Carpathian National Natural Park

In the very heart of Carpathian mountains, lies the biggest nature reserve of Ukraine. This natural park is the home for hundreds of representatives of fauna and flora. The reserve is popular among travelers in any season of the year. The park covers the territory of several regions of Ukraine.

If you travel alone, you can easily get lost in the variety of trails in the reserve. Hence, it is highly advised to go on hiking escorted by the local guides. Besides, there are many eco-tourism opportunities in the Carpathian Natural Park.

China is a global destination, for business and pleasure. The vast landscape, unique culture, and the unmatched history make for a truly unique and memorable experience. However, what most people do not realize is the richness in culinary diversity.

The culinary landscape in China is one of the most diverse. With 23 provinces and 56 ethnic groups, China never runs short of variety when it comes to food. The country has everything in the flavor spectrum. Any taste that your mouth (or heart desires) you can rest assured that you will get in China.

Furthermore, you need not go to the fanciest/expensive establishments to enjoy authentic and tantalizing dishes. Even small and modest eateries serve delicious Chinese delicacies. However, it is a tad difficult to pin down expressly on the best foods to try whilst touring China. Therefore, in the absence of a list of the best foods to try, we will delve into the must try foods in this what to eat in China read.

#1. The Tang Cu Li Ji/Sweet & Sour Pork – This dish features a sweet and sour flavor that leaves your tongue yearning for more. The dish is akin to Chinese takeaway dishes found in America. The dish goes well particularly with rice, owing to the mouthwatering sauce.

#2. Bamboo Shoots – While in the west, bamboos are mainly used as decorative plants; in China, bamboo is a delicacy and a very delicious one. More specifically, bamboo shoots. Harvested early in their development, usually a day old, the shoots are soft enough to cook and thereafter consume. Bamboo shoots retain a crunchy feel even after cooking and yield a milky feel too. The shoots taste is quite similar to the cooked baby corn.

#3. Tofu/Jia Chang Dou Fu – The jia chang dou fu is one of the mainstay dishes in Chinese restaurants. The interesting bit about the dish is that it tends to be prepared differently in every restaurant, but does retain the tofu foundation. Therefore, you get to enjoy a different version of the same dish whenever to take to a new restaurant.

#4. BBQ/Kao Rou – This is one the street dishes that you have to try. Mostly found in the city of Xi’an, Western China, this delicacy is delicious and easy to access as they are found on many streets. The dish is spicy as the different spices added to the meat give rise to unique taste among the different vendors.

#5. Soup Dumplings/Xiao Long Bao – One of the most popular street foods in China, the soup dumplings are a must try whilst on a visit to China. With the richly flavored filling made of ground pork, and savory soup (which contains ginger, Shaoxing wine, and scallions) encased in dumpling wrappers, you are left craving for more. Luckily, many vendors sell the delicacy. You need not search the length and breadth of China to enjoy some.

There are other delicacies to explore in China. However, the above dishes represent some of China’s unique culinary offerings. Be sure to try them. You most certainly will fall in love with them!