Month: January 2018

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City breaks are a great way to see the country – or the rest of the world – in one short hop. And whether you are traveling with friends, lovers or alone, they give you a chance to enjoy new cultures, excitement and a lot of fun. So, if you are looking to get away for a long weekend to a new city or country, read on – these simple tips will help you make the most of your stylish city break.

Plan it

Spontaneity is great – but it will end up costing you more money than you might think. Instead, plan your breakaway and put in some time and effort into researching your chosen destination. However, don’t plan too much – there is only so much you can do in a few days. A couple of fun activities during the weekend is all you need, and you can save your money to put towards eating out at a wonderful restaurant instead.

Book it

The simple truth about buying flights and accommodation is the earlier you book, the less you pay. It’s really that easy – so consider your options from around six months before you are due to fly. Scour the web for price comparison sites, and also go directly to the airlines. If you sign up for their email services, you will often find enticing deals arriving straight to your inbox, and will be more likely to snap them up for less.

Pack it

Ready to fly? Packing for a city break is simple enough – only take what you need. Check the weather conditions of the location you are flying too, and bring appropriate clothing. And leave some space, too – you will find that you can pick up some shopping bargains when traveling abroad and you need some way of bringing it all back.

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Rent it

The beauty of a city break is that you get the opportunity to be who you want to be – just hire what you need. According to Legacy Car Rental, you can hire all kinds of luxury cars to get around, and you can even rent things like dresses and jewelry accessories for a totally glam night out. City breaks are short and – usually – inexpensive, so why not live like a queen for the weekend?

Snap it

Don’t forget to take a camera – you will want fantastic shots of all the amazing places you have visited. Practice a little, too – you’ll want to teach yourself to take pictures of buildings and landscapes without all the rubbernecking tourists in the way. A little pro tip for you – try and get out as early as possible when taking pictures. There will be fewer people around, and the natural light is a lot more atmospheric early in the morning than it is in the middle of the day.

OK, so there you have it – my top tips for planning, traveling and creating memories of your perfect, stylish city break. Do you have any suggestions to add? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section below!

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Turning down the call to travel is never a nice situation to be in. When friends are jetting off or you find a good deal, most people will find themselves searching for ways to make it happen. Of course, though, this doesn’t always seem possible, and a lot of people miss out on great chances to travel thanks to their worries or concerns. With the right effort, it doesn’t have to be this way, and this post is going to be going through some of the work that you can do to make your impromptu travel plans come together.

Evaluating Importance: Some vacations will always be more important than others, and only you will be able to decide how much you want to go to each place you get the chance to see. For locations which you’re not interested in, missing out on the adventure to work or study will be worth it. If it’s a place you’ve always wanted to visit, though, it will be a different story, and it could be worth taking some extreme lengths to make your trip work. This will be hard to figure out, bit is essential when making short notice plans, as your choices here could impact the rest of your life.

Finding The Time: Once you have an idea of how important a trip is, you will be ready to start trying to make the time for it. In most cases, the job you have will allow some annual leave which can be spent on travelling. But, of course, this will usually require some notice, and your employer might not be happy to give it to you without enough warning. If this is the case, you still have the chance to simply go, risking your job in the process. If you have a job which doesn’t matter, this could be worth it, as you will be able to get another upon your return.

Getting Some Funding: Along with having the time to see the world, getting the money together to fly and stay in a hotel will be hard, too. Getting your hands on cash loans near me can be a great way to solve this issue, giving you the chance to save the money once you get home, instead of doing it before the trip. Of course, though, this can be risky, and it will be worth making sure that you will be able to afford the money you borrow. Alternatively, you could also think about working to keep a pool of money saved just for this sort of event. Though you can’t always plan your travel chances, you can still prepare for them.

Hopefully, with all of this in mind, it should be a lot easier for you to start working on the time you put into your surprise travel plans. While this sort of thing may not come up all the time, it’s worth being prepared for when it does, as this will increase the likelihood that you will be able to go.

I’ve always wanted to go to Israel, and I am sure many of you do too. Since getting to this beautiful Holy Land can be pricey, over the past year I’ve entered every contest I could find that gave away a trip to Israel. My most recent entry is too good not to share!

Seeds of Collaboration is a new tahini company that’s giving away a trip to Israel as well as a bunch of their tahini. I’m excited for both of these prizes and hope I’m a winner, but having a blog reader win would be great too! Click here to enter!

Tahini Recipe

While I hope to enjoy tahini in Israel, so far I’ve enjoyed it in both Greece and America. Here was one of my favorite ways to eat tahini while backpacking the Mediterranean:

You’ll need tahini, honey, and (optional) bread.

Mix a good helping of tahini with just enough honey to delight your taste buds. Yes, this is a recipe where you’ll get to taste the food throughout!

I often grabbed a spoon at this point and enjoyed my “Lazy (Wo)Man’s Halva”. But to make it portable for a day of exploration, I would slather it between two slices of bread, close it in my Snapware, and stick it in my backpack. It’s like the Greek version of the American pb&j. (And in the rest of Europe, my main sandwich spread was Nutella, but I definitely enjoyed tahini the best!) Most of my meals in Greece were either Souvlaki or this.

If you won a trip to Israel, what’s the first thing you’d do once you arrived? Share your answer in the comments and don’t forget to enter the contest!

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The first couple of months in the new year is the perfect time for you and your squad to start thinking about this years vacation. Unfortunately, big group vacations aren’t always easy to find, and even when they are, they can be expensive or even in a strange location. But there are some great gems out there. So what you guys need to figure out, is what sort of vacation are you looking to go on?

Winter break

A winter getaway doesn’t have to be in the winter – as long as there are ice and snow it counts right? Ski season centres around the winter months it’s true, but Alaska, Greenland, Finland – these places never truly thaw out. And with hikes, igloos, winter vacation homes, and the northern lights, it can be an amazing trip.

A dose of sun

Or you can head go or a bit of sunshine. If you’re suffering from lack of sun, then take a trip to the southern hemisphere now rather than waiting for everywhere else to heat up. Australia has a little bit of everything destination wise – beaches, mountains, hikes, spas, cities, shopping and more wildlife than you can shake a stick at. Or you can book for the summer and go Disney in Orlando, go wine in the south of France, or go the Mediterranean in Greece.

Cruise

If you want a bit more sophistication, and not have to worry about the size of the accommodation, then a cruise is the perfect option. A cruise around the Caribbean would be fantastic. Live it up on the ship, with black tie nights and multiple restaurants. And enjoy days in the islands, maybe having a go on one of the world’s largest ziplines.

Road trip

If you want to stay in the country, then why not rent a car and travel the country. Road trip following a route, or travel down a coast. The west is full of beaches, and the east full of cities. Travel by monuments or museums, or travel by capital states. America is full of history, with cities full of the old and the new, there will always be somewhere that you have yet to explore. Pick an event and plan your trip in that direction; like Mardi Gras, or Christmas light switch on in Times Square.

Adventure

If your squad is up for some adventure, then plan your vacation accordingly. Rather than finding a house for you all, look into a luxury hut on safari in Africa. Or a chain of hostels throughout Indonesia – you can all stick together or break off into smaller groups and meet back up later. Large groups of people rarely want to do everything exactly the same as everyone else, so by picking a travel destination, you each get to do what you want.

There are loads of great reasons why London is one of the world’s top tourist destinations. It has so many great sights and attractions, including the likes of Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, and Big Ben. And thanks to its many different unique neighborhoods, each with their own unique character and personality there is plenty to discover during your trip.

You do need to remember that it is one of the biggest cities in the world, though, which can make cramming in everything into one trip quite difficult. It’s a good idea to base yourself in a neighborhood that has plenty to do and spend your time exploring that section of London. After all, you can always discover a completely different neighborhood on your next visit! Here are some of the best areas for first-time tourists to London.

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Soho

Soho is known for its very diverse nightlife as it is home to lots of bars and restaurants. It’s the perfect place for young visitors who want to sample the best of London after dark! Not only that, though, but it’s also just a stone’s throw from Leicester Square where some of the city’s best theaters and cinemas are. You’ll be able to take in a play or try and spot some celebs on the red carpet at a movie premier!

Covent Garden

Are you looking for an experience in Covent Garden? Well, you are very much in luck! There’s certainly plenty to do in this fascinating neighborhood. It’s another great area for bars and restaurants, just like Covent Garden. You’ll also find a brilliant market where you can browse lots of fresh local produce as well as all manner of cool trinkets. It’s a great place to go souvenir shopping!

Westminster

Want to be close to some of the most important buildings in Britain? If so, then book a hotel in Westminster. You’ll just be steps from Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. You’ll also be perfectly placed for exploring Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square, and Buckingham Palace. Westminster is also right on the Thames, so you won’t be too far from one of the many enjoyable boat trips that take visitors down the famous river.

Camden Town

If you want to experience the alternative side of London life, then spend a few nights in Camden Town. There is a really good indie music scene in this neighborhood, so you will find lots of open mic nights and gigs taking place most nights of the week. It’s also the home of the very famous Camden Market. Again, this is another great place for souvenir shopping. You might even spot some famous faces around the market as its popular with many singers, writers, and other famous creative types!

Hopefully, I’ve given you some great ideas of where you should stay if you are currently planning your very first trip to London. But you should have a great time no matter where you stay!

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If you are planning your first surf trip, you are no doubt feeling excited and nervous about the whole experience. There is no need to fret: half of the fun is falling off your surfboard and getting back on again. It’s what the experience is all about! Despite this, it is a good idea to prepare and get some practice in. So, let’s take a look at some top tips for surfing beginners…

Have fun – There is only one place to start, and this is with having fun. A lot of people end up getting so consumed in the surfing and where they are going wrong, they forget about the reason they booked a surf trip in the first place: to have fun. After all, if you are not having fun, it is not worth it! There is a great quote: “The best surfer out there is the one that is having fun.”

Bend at the knees – One thing that most beginners forget to do is one of the most basic elements of surfing: bending at the knees. Don’t bend your back! If you do this, you are going to lose your balance, and you will end up falling in the water every time.

You will need to practice paddling too – Paddling may be the most basic part of surfing, but it isn’t easy. A lot of people are shocked to find that they struggle to paddle when they go away on their first surfing trip. The key to paddling is to find the right rhythm and keep it. This can be draining the first few times, which is why it is a good idea to spend some time getting into shape before you go on holiday.

Pace yourself – It can be very difficult to pace yourself when you are excited, but it is vital to do so. You can risk injury if you do not pace yourself properly.

Spend some time on dry land first – This leads on from the former point: don’t rush straight into the water. Do your stretching on the beach. Take a moment to watch the waves, and check your board and your leash. Watch the other surfers to see what they are doing too.

Surf a beginner’s wave – The final tip is to make sure you choose a beach that is suitable for a beginner surfer. This is vital to your surfing success. The whole learning process will be a lot smoother if you select a beach that is known for having good, steady waves.

If you follow the advice that has been mentioned above, you will feel much more confident about surfing for the first time. From bending at the knees to getting into the right rhythm when paddling, there is a lot that needs to be taken into account. Nevertheless, as stated, the most important factor is always to have fun! That is what you are going for, right?

If you ever get a chance to head to Australia, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the city of Sydney. It may not be the capital of this amazing country, but it certainly provides something for every kind of tourist or traveler. There are a few forms to fill in for your visa and some very strict entry restrictions. But once you’re in Australia, you won’t believe your eyes! Check out these essential Sydney sights:

The Iconic Opera House

This is one sight that would be very hard to miss! It is clearly visible from many parts of the city and all around the outskirts too. It sits in the harbor, and the design has inspired architects around the world for the last fifty years. Some say it looks like sails, while others believe the designer was looking at repeating patterns of orange slices! Either way, it is as glorious on the outside as it is inside. Book tickets and be blown away by the quality of the stage too.

The opera house lights can change color for different events. Picture source

The Botanic Gardens

There are gardens to enjoy in most cities of the world. But there is something quite different about Sydney’s Botanic Gardens. It is easy to reach from any part of the city. If you’ve taken advantage of an instant book Darling Harbour hotel room, then you’re only a half an hour walk away. Sydney is one of the most congested cities in Australia, but it is still possible to drive in and park if you would prefer without too many headaches! With the beauty and the quiet of the gardens, you might prefer to stay all day.

Sail into Sydney and see what you can see. Picture source

The Blue Mountains

Of course, if you do hire a car during your stay in Australia, you must take a day to head out to The Blue Mountains. The landscape here is quite extraordinary, and the views will not disappoint. Take a camera because you never know what native wildlife you might see for the first time here. There are many other attractions nearby, and plenty of facilities like cafes to keep you refreshed too.

Bondi Beach

If you’ve come to Oz for the beaches, then Bondi Beach won’t disappoint. Of course, it is the busiest of the beaches in the local area, so you might be fighting for space at peak times. Still, there are plenty of activities, and lots to do, including free outdoor gym equipment and seating. You might be able to join in a game of volleyball, or meander along the front to find some refreshments.

The Tower Eye

This tower reaches up higher than any other building in the city center, giving you an amazing 360-degree view. There are a few other ‘experience’ opportunities up there too. But if heights aren’t your thing, you’re only a four-minute walk around the corner to The Queen Victoria Building for the finest shopping in Sydney! Peruse or buy, or simply sit to watch the people go by. What will your experience of Sydney offer you?