Five African Cities You Should Visit On Your Next Vacation

Traveling around the world is a lot of fun, and if you can find the right city to visit, you will enjoy your trip and time. In addition, you can even learn about different cultures, languages, and the history of various people. You might be surprised what you’ll find. There are plenty of cities to visit, and all you have to do is find a perfect pick.

Fortunately, there are many expert picks for you to count on, and we’ve put together five cities you can visit if your next destination is in Africa. There are many beautiful cities and monuments for you to check out on the continent. Undoubtedly, you can even enjoy a wide range of new food, entertainment, and cultural indoctrinations. So, let’s get into it. 

Lagos, Nigeria

 

The most populous city in Africa, Lagos is a beautiful sight. It is an epitome of a growing African nation. The city is a mix of all cultures in Nigeria, and depending on where you visit, you’ll find different walks of life and standard of living. Lagos is filled with different classes, and you can always decide to see how the people survive. 

If you want the high-end part of the city, you should visit the Island, especially areas like Ikoyi, Banana Island, and Victoria Island. Also, there are beaches to check out, different monuments, historical sights, and many money. You can also visit the ghetto areas like Makoko, Ebute Metta, Oshodi, and others. 

Undoubtedly, you’ll enjoy your visit to Lagos, and one thing you can be sure of is the Night Life and parties around the city. Lagos is a busy place, but they sure know how to party, and as the saying goes – “there’s no party like a Lagos party.”

Accra, Ghana

 

Accra is an exciting and cool city to visit. It is the epitome of the civilized Ghanian culture where you’ll find historical places where you can learn more about the people. You can also enjoy the food and entertainment available to tourists, and if you find the right person to take you around, you can find various chill spots to relax and enjoy the coast. 

There are attractive architectures to see when you visit Accra, and if you can make it around to the coast, you can check out the various beaches in the city. Aside from that, you can enjoy the local cuisine and stroll through the city streets at night under the streetlights. 

 

Cape Town, South Africa

 

The city is located at the base of Table Mountain, right on the Atlantic Ocean. Cape Town is everything you’ll want in a historic place. It is home to many beaches and a host of natural attractions, such as climbing to the peak of Lion’s Head to see the sunrise or you can hike through the Table Mountain National park. 

The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is also alongside museums, galleries, and cultural attractions, such as Robben Island. You can also enjoy the local cuisine and entertainment when you’re out for a night stroll through the beautiful coastal city. 

Nairobi, Kenya

 

Nairobi is an infrastructural giant on the continent. It is a beautiful city with vibrant and unique vibes for anyone who visits it. The city is a mix of Kenyan traditional and contemporary architecture. It also offers a healthy dose of historical and cultural sites. Undoubtedly, the city has all you’ll want to enjoy in an African destination.

One of its biggest offerings is the African wildlife safaris, and on the outskirts of the city center is the Nairobi National Park. The park is a game reserve popular for breeding endangered black rhinos. Nairobi is an amazing destination that we would recommend.

Cairo, Egypt

 

On the banks of the Nile River is Cairo, a bustling city in the heart of Egypt. It is a city that never sleeps, and whatever time you plan to be out, you’ll find something going on in this bubbling metropolis. It offers a perfect blend of ancient culture and modern skyscrapers. If you’re from a busy city, you’ll find it relatable with the cacophony of horns and daily rumble of traffic. 

Cairo offers several insights into ancient Egyptian history, and you can learn a lot about the long-lost story of one of the biggest civilizations in history. Take a trip to Cairo, and you can stop at Giza to see the iconic pyramids and Great Sphinx.

The Most Popular Sports To Bet On In The U.S.

Many individuals still choose sports betting to earn extra money when it comes to online betting. People do it for various reasons, but we can argue that culture plays a significant role. When betting became widespread in Europe and the U.S., horse racing and boxing were among the first sports to take wagers.

Of course, a great deal has changed since then. The nature of betting differs from what people previously understood. People may now visit a variety of websites in a matter of seconds, thanks to the growth of online platforms. Even betting on the NFL Draft is found. If you go to most betting operators, you’ll see hundreds of sports, but not all of them are as popular as others.

Football 

NFL and college football are the most popular for the overall amount of bets, which should not surprise anybody. Football is the most popular sport in the U.S., and a lot of money is wagered on it. However, most bets are placed on championship events, such as the Super Bowl or the CFB National Championship. Customers of the NFL have a wide range of betting options. Everything is conceivable in NFL and football betting, from spreads to money lines.

Another point to consider is that football is popular in practically every U.S. state, including those where it is not the primary sport. So you’ll find the less popular operators accepting bets on games in every U.S. state. In the U.S., the NFL is almost a religion. Thus, it’s no surprise that most NFL bettors are from the U.S.

eSports

Esports betting has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past few years as traditional sporting competitions have been difficult to sustain.

The esports betting market is expected to reach at least $300 million by the end of this year. This is an optimistic estimate. Experts in the field believe that esports betting is attractive to many more people.

Tennis

Have you ever considered going to a tennis game? Tennis is a popular sport, but it is not always the first choice for bettors. Nevertheless, tennis is still a prevalent sport in bet volume, behind football and soccer by a mile. This is attributed to the number of tennis tournaments held each year. 

Tennis is played almost every day, at any time of the day or night, somewhere on the planet. Tennis is most often played in a live setting in this sense. Grand Slam contests are among the most popular tournaments in the world. In addition, bettors can wager on the Masters series. Tennis betting allows punters a lot of room to maneuver.

Basketball

The NBA is the most successful basketball league in the world. All of this is attributed to the NBA’s several profitable revenue-generating tactics. Euroleague is also an option for bettors. 

While the Euroleague may not have the same level of popularity as the NBA, it is nevertheless popular throughout Europe. Over the past few years, as the NBA has expanded its international reach, it is gaining a larger global market.

Individual Sports 

Individual sports contain just a few athletes, and you would believe that doing a qualitative analysis is simpler here, as this is a common fallacy. Every little bit counts in such sports. As a result, it’s almost hard to determine for sure what a person’s psychological state, mood, or health status is at any given time.

The athlete may have had a lousy night’s sleep the night before the game or suffered a minor injury. As a result, even with complete analysis, the initially favorable rate may not pass due to minor technicality. In a team sport, the player is replaced, which has considerably less influence on the final score. Of course, if a captain is injured, this complicates things, but generating accurate forecasts is much simpler.

Taking A Break vs. Deleting Social Media: Which One Is Best?

Many benefits come with using social media like wanting to establish relationships with people from all walks of life, wanting to share your life experiences, increasing your visibility, wishing to educate yourself more, and looking forward to connecting with others. There’s also the aspect of remaining informed about what’s going on around the world or what’s happening with hobby interests like the Kentucky Derby 2022 event. 

But with so much to take from it, there’s equally just as much negativity to associate with the use of social media, especially from a psychological and mental point of view. With so little guidance and regulation in place to protect parties and help users exercise healthy ways to maintain a healthy relationship with social media, a lot tends to go wrong. Many people are likely to suffer from issues like being unable to tell the difference between what’s real and what isn’t, developing a fear of missing out, and gradually becoming more dependent on social media as a coping mechanism to reality. 

So, with so much going on together with the social pressures that many are finding from using social media, it’s no surprise to find people feeling the need to take a break from social media now and then. But in some extreme cases, deleting social media as a whole sometimes doesn’t seem like such a bad idea. So which is best? 

In this article, we will be providing you with the guidance you need to make an informed decision on whether you should take a break from your social media platforms or delete the platforms as a whole. If you’re keen on wanting to know more, stay glued to your screen. 

When A Break Is Suitable

Deleting your social media account can seem rather extreme, so you can opt to take a break while you make up your mind on what exactly you would like to do. As much as social media can have a love-hate relationship with the user, time away from the platform can help you develop healthier ways to use your social media account when you realize what triggers you. For instance, perhaps you can consider unfollowing organizations, brands, influencers, and peers that you feel trigger you or have you generate any negative and unhealthy emotions. 

But if you happen to be experiencing the following instances as well, you can start by distancing yourself from the platforms for a while before deciding to delete the account. These include:

  • Realizing that you spend a lot of time feeling the urge to be on social media
  • Becoming irritable and aggressive when someone seemingly interrupts your time on social media
  • Allowing social media to get in between your social, professional, and romantic relationships 
  • Knowing you’re supposed to be busy with something more important but choosing to be on social media instead
  • Being too confident that you have your social media usage under control
  • Feeling like you find joy and fulfillment only when you’re on social media

When To Delete Your Social Media

Sometimes, certain instances can call for you to feel the need to delete your social media. If you happen to be experiencing one of the following, then perhaps deleting the account is the best step. This includes:

  • Wanting to start a new social media account for a fresh start
  • Noticing that social media is starting to negatively influence how you see yourself in terms of self-confidence, self-respect, and self-esteem
  • Feeling the need to constantly compare yourself with others
  • Feeling as though social media is distancing you from those close to you in a negative and excessive way
  • Developing unrealistic habits that make you live a life that’s different to what your reality looks like

The Steps To Take

Most virtual and interactive platforms will allow you the option to take a break from your social accounts or delete them permanently. There’s usually enough information to enlighten you on the terms and conditions that apply to either decision. However, you will receive all the support you need in whichever decision you choose to go by. Customer support channels and help centers are usually of great help in instances like this.

Women Are More Accurate When it Comes to Sports Betting

New research has revealed that although men wager more on sports in the U.S., bettors who are women perform better. There are several factors that have to be taken into account to reach this conclusion, and there is still research needed to figure out why this is. 

Men may still bet more than women in sports betting, but the opposite is true for online casinos. Women prefer casinos, but are also catching up in sports betting. They are realizing they have a knack for gambling and, as the paradigm shifts, more are joining. When it comes to sports betting, perhaps it’s worth it to ask a female’s opinion.

Men Still Bet More than Women

 

A study revealed that 29.7% of male bettors place more than $500 each month in sports betting, while 12.2% of female bettors do. A similar study showed that 65.3% of women who regularly bet on sports spend less than $100 a month. 

The study shows that almost two-thirds of all female sports gamblers, either monthly or occasional, are not regular bettors. This could skew the final numbers on who bets better. 

 

Are Women the Best Gamblers?

 

Although men are more likely to wager on sports for larger amounts and more frequently than women, data suggests that they have better results. The study showed that New Jersey’s women gamblers saw a 19.7% return, while the males lost 5%. 

Because of their high-risk tolerance, women are more strategic and less emotional when it comes to betting. Women may prefer to place bets on events with lower odds than longshots and choose the safer option. 

Female gamblers are also found 74% less likely to place parlay bets, which may be a high-risk/high-reward activity. Single bets are the most popular form of sports betting for women. This could lead to higher profits.

The study also examined results from online casinos and found that females outperformed their male counterparts. The study found that women aged 25-34 lost 12.2% of their funds playing online casino games. Males lost 23.8%. Younger gamblers are more affected by this disparity: Females aged 18-24 saw a 30.1 percent return on their online casino investment, while males received a dismal 67.3%.

 

Most Popular Sports With Women

 

Basketball and football are two of the most popular sports to wager on, regardless of gender. With more than 75% of women and men betting on the NFL, and over 40% of men betting on college football frequently, there are more than 75% of bettors. The percentage of college sports bets that are made by women is less than 20%.

It is important to note that even though professional female athletes are now more prevalent than ever, betting on women’s sports is still significantly behind betting on men’s sports. Even female gamblers can see this. Betting on the WNBA is slightly more appealing to females.

 

What Drives Women to Gamble

 

Many women might tell you that they wager online to have fun. A trip to the casino is often seen by women as a social event and they place strict wagering restrictions. Females are less likely than men to feel pressured or to win, and they are less likely not to gamble as much money, which puts them at greater risk.

It is hard to say with certainty. Additional research is required to gather more data and understand the situation. This raises the possibility of women gambling on sports for entertainment, socializing and money secondary.

Traditionally, women have been attracted to luck-based gambling such as lotteries or slot machines. Males, on the other hand, have been attracted to sports betting. Over the past several decades there has been a shift in gender roles. More women are participating in all aspects of sports including commentating and playing. 

Gambling is a natural consequence. Sports betting businesses have expanded the events that individuals can wager on, which makes it more appealing to young women.

Report Indicates Pandemic Accelerated Youth Mental Health Decline Correlated with Smart Phone Use

New data from the Mental Health Million Project across 34 nations confirms that mental health struggles among younger generations not only persist, they have in many instances accelerated. Even with promising new data suggesting a “near normal” summer could be on the way following two years of COVID-related restrictions, other data reveals that nearly half of young adults experienced mental health symptoms during the pandemic’s second year. Sapien Labs’ new rapid report reveals that the pandemic-era decline has accelerated an existing global trend, and led to the widespread disintegration of “social self.”

Sapien Labs’s latest Rapid Report provides data that confirms the continued challenges young adults have faced with their mental wellbeing, which have worsened throughout the pandemic. The data highlights key findings related to global mental wellbeing with a focus on how social self factors into the current state of youth, including:

  • Mental decline in young adults was significantly correlated with the local stringency of lockdown measures associated with the pandemic.
  • Out of 47 elements captured, 16 aspects of mental wellbeing were rated as having a severely negative impact on the ability to function by half or more of those aged 18-24.
  • The constellation of symptoms now dominating the mental profile of young adults do not map to any single disorder as defined by the DSM.
  • The ability to relate to and interact with others (“social self”) has been seriously impaired in over half of young adults across the world.
  • Pandemic-era declines reflect an acceleration of a trend that began in 2010, prior to which younger generations had the best measurable psychological well-being. Prior to the pandemic, this trend was strongly correlated with the growth of smartphone usage.

Dr. Tara Thiagarajan, scientist and Sapien Labs Founder, has compiled information about what the new rapid report reveals about the accelerating global decline of mental well-being in younger generations.

Book Ideas to Read with Dads and Dad Figures

This Father’s Day, why not give something to read with the dads (or dad-like figures) in their lives? This is a gift that will endure long after Sunday is over, since time and bonding would be included in the act. These are some fun new books that your dad(s) might enjoy. Check them out-

Papa Pizza Mouse by Michael Garland (Holiday House, for ages 0–3, available 05/31/2022)

Now a bite-sized board book, Papa Pizza Mouse offers new families their first chance to bond over a love of New York, pizza, and a NYC slice that is worth fighting for. When the whiskered hero of this story uncovers one of the greatest treats New York City has to offer a forager—a discarded slice of pepperoni pizza—the danger to bring it home to his family is all worth it! It’s up to the tiny Pizza Mouse to get the slice safely home to his family . . . via the A train, of course!

Ready! Said Rabbit by Marjoke Henrichs (Peachtree, for ages 2–6, available 05/24/2022)

An excellent read aloud pick for dads and their little loved ones to celebrate each other, charming flaws and all. It’s a lovely day to visit the park, but will Rabbit and Dad ever be ready to leave the house? Rabbit could take his ball to the park. But his favorite elephant would be just perfect, too, if he could find it. Uh-oh! Now Dad needs his jacket…and his glasses. And wherever did his keys go? A tale of patience to share between a dad and child; readers will laugh along with playful jibes at relatable, dawdling behaviors.

Uncle John’s City Garden by Bernette G. Ford, illustrated by Frank Morrison (Holiday House, for ages 4–8, available now)

How does this city garden grow? With help from L’il Sissy and her siblings—and love, love, love! A celebration of nature, family, and food. Bernette Ford’s autobiographical story is a loving glimpse at a girl, her siblings, and her uncle, and their shared passion for farming. L’il Sissy’s fascination with measurement, comparison, and estimation introduces children to STEM concepts. And the progress of Uncle John’s garden introduces readers to the life cycle of plants. And the progress of Uncle John’s garden introduces readers to the life cycle of plants.

Song for Jimi: The Story of Guitar Legend Jimi Hendrix by Charles R. Smith, Jr., illustrated by Edel Rodriguez (Neal Porter Books/Holiday House, ages 7 and up, available now)

Jimi Hendrix’s talent was epic, and so is this lyrical account of his life, with spectacular artwork by Edel Rodriguez— including a poster underneath the jacket. From his turbulent childhood through his epical appearance at the Monterey and Woodstock festivals, Charles R. Smith Jr. covers it all in this rich and rhythmic account of a singular life, accompanied by the psychedelic splendor of Edel Rodriguez’s acid-tinged illustrations. This unique mix of rhythm and rhyme captures the essence a rock icon.

When Grandfather Flew by Patricia MacLachlan, illustrated by Chris Sheban (Neal Porter Books/Holiday House, for ages 4–8, available now)

A grieving boy remembers his grandfather and the hobby they shared, in this moving evocation of love and loss by a Newbery Medalist. Milo’s grandfather is fascinated with birds. He admires their freedom and never loses an opportunity to point out the things that make them special. He can’t see like he used to, so Milo helps him. One day when Milo comes home, Grandpa isn’t there, but when he sees a Bald Eagle swoop through the sky above, he knows Grandpa got his wish of being reborn in the skies.

Tuesday Is Daddy’s Day by Elliot Kreloff (Holiday House, for ages 3–7, available now)

A sweet autobiographical story celebrating LGBTQ+ parents, coparents who live apart, and the shared love that keeps families together no matter where they live. Becky has two rooms: one at Mommy’s house and one at Daddy’s apartment, which he shares with his partner Harry. Daddy usually picks her up after school on Tuesdays, but one Tuesday mommy is there instead! What’s going on? Becky likes everything to be the same, but soon learns change can lead to a happy surprise!

Adventures with My Daddies by Gareth Peter, illustrated Garry Parsons (Peachtree Publishing, for ages 4–8, available now)

This authentic bedtime read aloud is perfect for LGBTQ+ and adoptive families. Set off on a series of incredible adventures with an endearing, diverse family as the bedtime stories they read burst into colorful life. Together, the daddies and their little one battle dragons, dodge deadly dinosaurs, zoom to the moon, and explore the world in a hot air balloon, before winding down to sleep in a wonderfully cozy ending.

I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott, illustrated by Sydney Smith (Neal Porter Books/Holiday House, for ages 4–8, available now)

What if words got stuck whenever you tried to speak? What if they never came out the way you wanted them to? When a boy who stutters feels isolated, alone, and incapable of communicating in the way he’d like, it takes a kindly father and a walk by the river to help him find his voice. Poet Jordan Scott writes movingly in this powerful and ultimately uplifting book, based on his own experience.

Going Down Home with Daddy by Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by Daniel Minter (Peachtree, for ages 4-8, available now)

Down home is Granny’s house. Down home is where Lil Alan and his parents and sister will gather with great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Down home is where Lil Alan will hear stories of the ancestors and visit the land that has meant so much to all of them. And down home is where all of the children will find their special way to pay tribute to their family history. All the kids have to decide what they’ll share, but what will Lil Alan do?

How To Get A Quick Start For Italian Immigration With An Investor Visa

Italy is acclaimed as an immigration destination because of the myriad routes it offers to aspiring immigrants. You can get in through your Italian bloodline, marital connections, or extended residency status. But not everyone is eligible for these citizenship routes. An investor visa is the ideal option for applicants looking to start from scratch because its eligibility requirements are minimal. You can visit Bersani Law Firm for understanding more about its norms and process. Let us share some valuable insights into getting a quick start for Italian immigration with an investor visa.

Know your investment alternatives

Italian immigration is a breeze with the investor visa because investment is the primary eligibility requirement. The good thing is that you have alternatives to match your budget and preference. You can invest a minimum of €250,000 in a startup or bring in €500,000 to an established business if you have a more conservative mindset. Other options include a donation of €1 million to a welfare initiative or buying Italian government bonds worth €2 million.

Have proof of funds ready

Once you pick the ideal investment option, you can get started with the process. The good thing is that you need not bring the funds before getting your investor visa. It ensures the security of your money. It is likely a concern when you bring such a hefty investment to a foreign country. You only require proof of funds in the form of a bank deposit to validate your ability to invest.

Complete the formalities

After having the bank proof ready, you have to complete the formalities to complete the process. Luckily, it involves only two steps, and you can expect to wrap them up within a few months. The first step is obtaining a nulla osta or certificate of no impediment through an online application. You can get it within 30 days if the authorities are satisfied with your paperwork. In the second step, you apply for the investor visa at your local consulate.

Get a residence permit

The investor visa gives you a quick start with Italian residence status, as you can get your residence permit right after landing. It gives you the right to live and work in Italy, access healthcare and education benefits, and travel visa-free across the EU. But remember to have the funds at hand because you will need to bring them in within three months of getting the residence permit. Failing to do it entails the risk of revocation of your investor visa and residence status.

Move toward your citizenship goals

Besides giving you easy access to Italian residence, the investor visa sets you up for citizenship in the long run. Your residence status is the first step to qualifying for citizenship by naturalization eventually. It requires you to stay in the country for ten years and retain the initial investment throughout this period. After a decade, you become an Italian citizen and pass on the rights to your family and the next generations.

If you plan to move to Italy and settle there, an investor visa gives you the right start. Collaborate with an expert to help you obtain the investor visa and achieve your citizenship goals down the line.

How To Plan The Perfect Movie Night

Whether you’re planning to invite over your friends to celebrate your birthday or scheduling in a date night with your partner, you can’t go wrong with a movie night. Lowkey, comfortable and entertaining, they’re a great way to relax after a stressful week.

popcorn

With that in mind, here are some top tips that you can use to plan the perfect movie night.

  • Choose the right movie(s). Sometimes it can be hard to decide what kind of movie you are in the mood for, but unless you want to waste a good portion of your night scrolling through Netflix, you must choose which movies you want to watch ahead of time for your movie night. For example, you might want to keep your eyes peeled for the latest releases or re-watch one of your childhood favorites if you’re feeling nostalgic. You should also look up how to change netflix region on your laptop, as this means you could gain access to content that isn’t currently available in your region.

 

  • Focus on the setup. The right setup is essential when planning a successful movie night – after all, you want to be comfortable when settling down for a movie marathon. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways in which you can go about creating the right setup. For example, you could invest in a projector to create a cinematic experience in your home or simply bring out the pillows and throws to make your lounge much more comfortable. If you’re still in full-parenting mode during your date night, you could also create a pillow fort! While this may seem a little childish, it can actually be a lot of fun. You could also work on creating the perfect atmosphere for your movie night by dimming the lights or hanging fairy lights to create a romantic atmosphere. 


  • Have snacks on hand. Is it really a movie night if you’re not treating yourself to some delicious snacks mid-movie? However, to avoid making repeat trips to the kitchen during the most important bits of the film, you must have plenty of snacks on hand ahead of time. You could even take this to the next level by choosing themed snacks. For example, if you’re watching Star Wars, you could make Darth Vader Sugar Cookies that will go down a hit with anyone present! Alternatively, you could always order takeout if you want to keep out of the kitchen altogether during your movie night! This will also save you time when it comes to washing up. Either way, you should also make sure that you have a supply of popcorn on hand – as it simply isn’t a movie night if there is no popcorn present. 


  • Make some fun drinks. During the movie night, it’s also vital that you have access to delicious drinks that you can pair with your snacks. Again, it could be fun to base your drinks menu on the movies you’re going to be watching. For example, if you’re about to press play on the Harry Potter movies, you could pour yourself a Butterbeer (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) to bring a little more magic into your home. Alternatively, you could focus on sugary drinks that will give everyone lots of energy – which is particularly important if you’re planning a lengthy movie marathon and don’t want to drift off too early on. 


  • Set your phone to silent. There’s nothing worse than somebody’s phone going off mid-movie in the cinema. As a result, you should set your phone to silent and try not to check it too much during the movie – especially if you want to truly immerse yourself in the experience. After all, you don’t want to miss out on crucial plot points because you were checking your Instagram feed. Having a no-phone rule is also a great way to ensure you’re actually spending quality time with your guests too. 


  • Turn it into a drinking game. Another way you can take your movie night to the next level is by finding a way to make it a little more interactive. For example, you could turn it into a drinking game (though participants don’t have to drink if they don’t want to). To play, put together a bingo card ahead of time that contains common movie tropes. This might be easier to put together if you’ve seen the movie in question before, as you can make sure they will definitely come up. Then, whenever a player notices a moment in the film that matches their card, they have to tick the statement off and have a drink.