The billion-dollar question of this month is where are you going to celebrate your New Year’s Eve? With the second and third waves of Covid19 case spikes and new lockdowns around the globe, many people have already ditched their new year’s plans.
But not all is bad news. The vaccines are already being administered and there are plans put in place to vaccinate most of the developed world by end of 2021 and the entire world by 2024.
Those who are lucky enough to travel next year, we have some great suggestions for you. If not this year, you can always make your plans for 2022. Hey, there is nothing to lose by planning ahead!
Have your pick from the below-mentioned destinations. Whether you want to kiss below the Big Ben or party hard in New York, we have it all laid out for you.
LAS VEGAS
If you think that you cannot stand and enjoy in any busy street of Las Vegas you are wrong. The whole city comes alive with fireworks set from the seven rooftops. Apart from the exciting countdown and dazzling fireworks, the city becomes sans-car.
All the streets host all-night parties, displaying talented bands from around the world. Get caught up in the thrilling excitement of laser shows, wild parties, and over-the-top concerts.
LONDON
Those who have a bit of refined taste ought to change their option from Las Vegas to London. When the needle strikes twelve, pull your loved one closer and kiss them hard.
The massive tower above you is an epic landmark to start your New Year. Thousands of tourists from around the globe gather for the countdown and witness the 10 minutes light show.
If you want something other than the Big Ben tower, then head to London’s Eye that gives you a spectacular view of the star-studded night sky.
NEW YORK
Get ready early so that you get a head start to reach Times Square. It is in hullabaloo during New Year’s Eve. And if you want to make it to Times Square to see the Final Countdown, then you better be prepared to stand in long lines and endure the cold.
The high-tech light shows in Times Square rivals any other show in the country. You cannot miss the pulsating energy emanating from people around you, expecting a grand 12 ball to drop.
Scream, dance, jump and let go of yourself in the busiest New Year’s Eve crowd.
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
Indulge yourself in some debauchery. And you can get involved with sin this New year in British Virgin Islands. Do not underestimate it for its size. It is one of the hottest party spots for the New Year.
Those who have fat wallets and overflowing bank accounts can head here. There is a 48-hour long party, and it included dirty dancing, drinking, and debauchery.
Spend your time with sexy people this New Year’s Eve on an exotic Caribbean beach!
RIO DE JANEIRO
If you had enough of sin, then offer prayers to Gods to forgive you. Something of the same nature happens in Rio. All the citizens come together in Copacabana Beach and offer prayer to the sea goddess Yemanja. You can participate in the ceremony only if you dress in white.
After offering your prayers, you can throw the flowers in the crashing waves of the beach, which takes the petals to the goddess.
The ceremony is not the end of New Year but the start of an awesome celebration. In the Beach live concerts as well as dance performances take place. Be a part of Rèveillon!
EDINBURGH
In the city of Edinburgh, New year is not about the new day of the year or the last day of the year. There is a string of events leading to an extraordinary celebration. It starts from 30 December and continues till 1st January Next year.
On the first day of the festivities, there is a light torch procession, on the next day there is a night of outdoor concerts and open-air parties. The culmination of the Celebration is at twelve when a breathtaking explosion lights the sky above Edinburgh Castle followed by tons of Auld Land Syne.
1st January is not for the lazy, take a dip in the chilling water of the Forth.
BAHAMAS
If you were not a part of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, then this is your chance to jump at. The Bahamas get crazy good during New Year’s Eve and New Year.
A parade replicating the Carnival moves through the streets, displaying glitzy costumes and performances. After the fireworks at midnight, all the crowd gathers at the beach to enjoy the parties.
There are plenty of places where you and your family can celebrate New Year’s in the Bahamas like the Grand Lucayan and Atlantis.
A strange yelping noise echoed up the cliffs to meet me. The noise rose and fell on the wind and sounded much like a crying baby.
I quickened my pace along the dusty path eager to see down into the coves. Another gust of wind brought more plaintive cries to my ears.
I reached the headland and stopped short on a grassy bluff and peered over the crumbling edge. Far below me was a shingle beach that teemed with activity.
Large figures moved in and out of the turquoise waters, their grey bodies dipping into the surf and diving amongst the waves.
Farther up the beach one of these creatures advanced past the tide line and slid ungracefully across the sand into the foaming sea. I couldn’t believe my eyes. A colony of Atlantic grey seals, right here in the UK.
This incredible evening occurred in mid-September whilst I was walking the Pembrokeshire Coast Path – a 186-mile National Trails hike located in the south of Wales.
The route crosses 35,000 feet of ascents and descents which is equivalent to the height of Mount Everest!
The path is populated by 14 harbors and some bigger fishing villages such as Tenby, Pembroke, and Fishguard.
It is renowned for its rugged heathland and windswept landscape due to the harsh weather that blows off the Irish Sea. It has 58 beaches and is, for the most part, a relatively untouched area of coastline.
It was this level of wilderness that attracted me to walk the path in its entirety. Following a series of travel restrictions and lockdowns in the UK, I felt an urge to spend some time exploring the local National Parks in my home country rather than planning to jet abroad only for the trip to get canceled.
Prior to this, I’d walked the 84-mile Hadrian’s Wall Path in northern England. This hike stretched from the east to the west coast which amusingly gave me the right to say I’d walked across the UK.
Despite this, I still wanted to step it up. I felt I had more in me and yearned to do something even more adventurous.
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path seemed like the perfect challenge I’d been looking for. It gave me that added element of raw nature whilst also allowing me to explore an area of the country I’d never visited before.
Gwlad Hud a Lledrith
In fact, the path is known as “Gwlad Hud a Lledrith” in Welsh, which means “The Land of Mystery and Enchantment”, and it’s this remoteness that makes it the perfect home for a breeding seal population.
During the autumn, adult seals flock to the secluded beaches and hidden coves of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park to raise their pups.
Throughout the rest of the year, there’s only a small population in the area and it’s unlikely you’ll see any – let alone up close on the beaches. However, during the 3-4 weeks where their pups can’t swim, the colony remains close to the shore at all times.
Despite knowing this, I still felt strangely aloof about the whole thing. As if it was some myth that could never actually happen. The idea of being on an empty, sweeping beach in the UK watching a colony of seals teach their pups how to swim seemed too good to be true.
Yet there I was, witnessing exactly that. The more I stared, the more the animals seemed to appear from their camouflaged hiding spots amongst the rocks.
I began to recognize small white shapes, about the size of a house cat, flapping at the base of the crumbling cliffs. Those strange noises suddenly had their source.
The fluffy pups lay on their backs in the sun creating quite a racket, clamoring for attention. They moaned and cried out, calling for their mother’s milk.
I dropped my heavy backpack on the floor and sat beside a patch of ferns to watch the amazing natural dynamic unfold below me.
Occasionally the pups would fall asleep and go quiet, or sometimes a tired-looking mother would shuffle over and flop beside her pup for it to have a drink.
I was blessed with crisp blue skies and the cliffs were lit orange by the low Autumnal sun.
Rays of light illuminated the water so clear that I could see the adults diving down and foraging amongst the seaweed, catching fish and collecting crustaceans to eat.
They looked so sleek gliding under the water which only made it more comical seeing them try to move clumsily overland.
Some of the bigger seals rested out to sea glancing about with their whiskered heads bobbing up and down in the water.
From this distance, they looked much like dogs and I had to squint sometimes to convince myself otherwise.
As the sun lowered in the sky the calls and movements of the animals began to dwindle. Growing tired, I pitched my tent right there overlooking the cove.
I set up my cooking equipment and sat staring at the seals, almost in a trance. The wind gently swept through the grass and rippled the canvas of my tent. The blue flame from my stove hissed and the water clicked and rolled in the pan.
I ate a pouch of spicy tomato pasta and sipped at a steaming mug of tea as the sky ran red and the animals fell silent. The shadows lengthened on the beach and the sea turned slate grey as darkness descended.
I put on my hat and gloves and watched my breath rise into the starlit sky. The moon drifted above the ocean and cast a white glimmer onto the tops of the cliffs.
I could see no glow of urban settlements on the horizon nor hear the sound of any human noise. Only the swash of waves and the occasional scuffle of blubber against stone.
I lay in my sleeping bag that night thinking about what I’d set out to achieve on this walk. To have an adventure. To explore my home country. To find some of its untouched pockets of nature, and most of all, to have an experience I’d never forget.
As I drifted to sleep listening to the sound of waves lapping against the beach and a groaning seal roll over in the sand, I felt I’d accomplished exactly that.
Author Bio
My name is Matt (Twitter @MattWalkWild). I’m a 24-year-old Biologist and adventure traveler. I’ve visited 42 countries around the world and particularly love wild and natural landscapes. I write about all things hiking, camping, and walking. I want to encourage others to experience the amazing outdoors and inform them about how to explore it just like I do! Check out my website: mattwalkwild.com
There are many ways to spice up your travels and ensure that you are getting everything out of them in terms of comfort and convenience. And with so many things to consider on the market, making the right choice can be admittedly a bit difficult.
In this blog, we will look at why we believe a Camper Van is one of the best travel investments you can make to improve the quality and comfort of your travels. If you haven’t thought about a van as an option yet, it’s definitely something worth looking at.
6 Benefits of Owning a Camper Van
If you are dreaming of hitting the open road, amid this coronavirus pandemic, then consider a camper van aka motorhome.
Balancing Comfort & Utility
Volkswagen Autosleeper Clubman GL
The best thing about a van is also the main reason for its existence – it combines comfort and utility, and balances them in a great way that gives you the best of both worlds. It’s hard to overstate how useful a van can be when you have a larger family to ride around with, or a lot of luggage to take with you.
And it can also be great for certain special situations, like when an emergency comes up that requires you to rest somewhere on short notice. All in all, a van can cover many of the important bases for traveling efficiently.
Note: Camper vans due ton their smaller size can be parked in your garage or driveway, which eliminates having any additional storage fee.
If you haven’t looked into camper vans yet, you may think that these beasts must cost a fortune. But you would be surprised to know that camper vans are affordable for most people who already owns cars, SUVs, or minivans.
Despite the extra space and additional features, the basic models aren’t much more expensive than a standard minivan. With gas prices at all time low and improved fuel utility, this means you’ll be able to hit the road without overspending on gas.
Note: Camper vans are more fuel efficient than larger RVs.
Easy Maintenance, Affordable Insurance
An Old Volkswagen Camper Van
On top of that, your typical van isn’t that difficult to maintain either. It doesn’t take a lot to keep it in a good condition compared to a regular car, and finding a good insurance quote should not be a problem if you look around.
For example, sites like Quotezone (UK) can provide you with a van insurance quote, but do make sure you’re looking for camper van insurance and not commercial vehicle insurance. While Quotezone is primarily aimed at car and van customers, it can be a great starting reference point for your future search.
Great for Couples and Friends
A Talbot AutoSleeper 1991 model
Imagine road-tripping with your significant other. Or, with your best friend. All without having to worry about having a fixed itinerary or hotel bookings. With a camper van or motorhome, you can make plans as you go. Not only this provides you the privacy and freedom, it is also adventurous.
Any Class B Camper Vans are completely self-contained, which means it makes them a popular choice for camp grounds. You don’t have to worry about pitch a tent, use an outhouse, or cooking outdoors all while battling unpredictable weather or unfamiliar places.
Even if you don’t travel with a family, a van can still be a great investment into your trips that can make them much more comfortable and convenient. If you like getting together with new people, this is one of the best options you have, and you can even throw small parties in there from time to time.
Of course, it can be difficult to keep things clean with so many random people coming in and out, so consider that in advance as well. If you can handle that though, a van is definitely something that will be right up your alley.
Lastly, Safety
Photo (VW Classic Camper van) by Paul Palmer CCBY2.5
We can’t talk about anything that weighs over a ton and moves at such high speed with a metal body without considering safety. Safety is a huge priority for us and it should be all of us.
The good news is all newer models are built incredibly sturdy. Plus these days, you get powerful disc braking systems, parking sensors, backup cameras, etc. in almost all standard models, without paying anything in extra.
Conclusion
These factors and more should get you on the right track and should show you the benefits of investing in a good van.
If you’re still not convinced, just talk to some people who’re already using a van regularly, and get their input. You’ll definitely get many positive responses, and will learn a few more reasons for potentially giving this idea a go if you’re still on the fence about it.
Author Bio
Rosana Beechum is a freelance writer who loves to talk about all things lifestyle, including travel, fashion, money-saving hacks, and more. She’s traveled the world and contributes articles that offer practical advice and tried-and-tested tips.
Some of you may be familiar with Francis Bacon, while others may not have heard of this name before. Therefore, let me first introduce you to Francis Bacon, also, the father of empiricism.
“Knowledge is power.” – Francis Bacon
Francis Bacon was an English philosopher and statesman. He argued science could be achieved by the use of a skeptical and methodical approach whereby scientists aim to avoid misleading themselves.
His works are credited with developing the scientific method and remained influential through the scientific revolution.
Statue of Francis Bacon in the Library of Congress, Washington DC
Below is Bacon’s essay on travel, published in his book called the Wisdom of the Ancients (1609). There is a lot to chew on here. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
Francis Bacon on Travel
Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education; in the elder, a part of the experience. He that travelleth into a country before he hath some entrance into the language, goeth to school, and not to travel.
Young men travel under some tutor or grave servant, I allow well, so that he be such a one that hath the language, and hath been in the country before; whereby he may be able to tell them what things are worthy to be seen in the country where they go, what acquaintances they are to seek, what exercises or discipline the place yieldeth; for else young men shall go hooded, and look abroad little.
Have Travel Diaries
Have a camera and travel diary
It is a strange thing that, in sea voyages, where there is nothing to be seen but sky and sea, men should make diaries; but in overland travel, wherein so much is to be observed, for the most part they omit it as if the chance were fitter to be registered than observation.
Let diaries, therefore, be brought in use. The things to be seen and observed are, the courts of princes, especially when they give audience to ambassadors; the courts of justice, while they sit and hear causes; and so of consistories ecclesiastic; the churches and monasteries, with the monuments which are therein extant; the walls and fortifications of cities and towns.
And so the havens and harbors, antiquities and ruins, libraries, colleges, disputations, and lectures, where any are; shipping and navies; houses and gardens of state and pleasure, near great cities; armories, arsenals, magazines, exchanges, burses, warehouses, exercises of horsemanship, fencing, training of soldiers, and the like; comedies, such whereunto the better sort of persons do resort; treasuries of jewels and robes; cabinets and rarities; and, to conclude, whatsoever is memorable in the places where they go, after all which the tutors or servants ought to make diligent inquiry.
As for triumphs, masks, feasts, weddings, funerals, capital executions, and such shows, men need not to be put in mind of them; yet they are not to be neglected.
Learn the Language
If you will have a young man to put his travel into a little room, and in the short time to gather much, this you must do: first, as was said, he must have some entrance into the language before he goeth.
Soak the Culture
Then he must have such a servant, or tutor, who knows the country. Likewise, as I have said before, let him also carry some cards, maps, and books, describing the country where he is traveling to which will serve as a good key to his inquiry.
Also, let him keep a diary; let him not stay long in one city or town, more or less, as the place deserves, but not long; nay, when he stays in one city or town.
Let him change his lodging from one end and part of the town to another, which is a great adamant of acquaintance.
Let him sequester himself from the company of his countrymen, and diet in such places where there is good company of the nation where he travels.
Let him, upon his removes from one place to another, procure recommendation to some person of quality residing in the place whither he removeth, that he may use his favor in those things he desireth to see or know: thus he may abridge his travel with much profit.
On Travel Acquaintance
As for the acquaintance which is to be sought in travel, that which is most of all profitable, is acquaintance with the secretaries and employed men of ambassadors, for so in traveling in one country he shall suck the experience of many; let him also see and visit eminent persons in all kinds which are of great name abroad, that he may be able to tell how the life agreeth with the fame.
For quarrels, they are with care and discretion to be avoided; they are commonly for mistresses, healths, place, and words; and let a man beware how he keepeth company with choleric and quarrelsome persons, for they will engage him into their own quarrels.
On Returning Back
When a traveler returneth home, let him not leave the countries where he hath traveled altogether behind him but maintain a correspondence by letters with those of his acquaintance which are of most worth.
Kids having fun in Thailand
On Humility
And let his travel appear rather in his discourse than in his apparel or gesture, and in his discourse let him be rather advised in his answers than forward to tell stories.
And let it appear that he doth not change his country manners for those of foreign parts, but only prick in some flowers of that he hath learned abroad into the customs of his own country.
Ask any scouser and they’ll tell you; Liverpool is one of the best cities in the world. From the incredible architecture to the thriving music scene, the roaring nightlife to the iconic fashion; there’s no wonder that people flock from all corners of the globe to get a taste of the Liverpool way of life!
“Liverpool is one of the wonders of Britain … In a word, there is no town in England, London excepted, that can equal it for the fineness of the streets, and the beauty of the buildings.” – Daniel Defoe, A tour through the Whole Island of Great Britain (1721–1726)
Context if you are visiting outside of the UK
The Beatles statue in Liverpool
Liverpool is a city in England within the historic county boundaries of Lancashire, famed for its football teams, the Grand National horse race, music (including The Beatles), vibrant nightlife, and its links with the arts and culture.
The city served as one of the leading ports linking Europe to the Americas, expanding to become England’s second most populated city by the mid-19th century.
Liverpool in the 18th century
Before airline travel, many Europeans migrating to the New World passed through the city, particularly the Italians and Irish. To this day the city enjoys a large Irish community, with impressive cathedrals for the Anglican and Roman Catholic faiths.
Hop on hop off to Anfield
24 Hours In Liverpool
If you’re strapped for time but you still want to get the most out of the scouse scene, here are our top tips for spending 24 hours in Liverpool.
“One of the neatest, best towns I have seen in England.” – John Wesley’s Journal (1755)
Liverpool waterfront view
Kick-off the day with breakfast
Make sure you’ve got the energy for a full day of sightseeing with a hearty breakfast. If you’re looking for the works, head to Moose Coffee on Dale Street, or go for somewhere cute and quirky by trying out Love Locks, a hidden gem on Old Haymarket.
Or, if you want to head to a secret breakfast haven that only the locals know about, go to The Hole in the Wall Cafe, which is tucked away on School Lane, and build your own breakfast!
Enjoy the waterfront
As one of the UK’s most famous shipping ports, Liverpool’s waterfront is truly a sight to behold! The Pier Head has been recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Wander around the pier head for some spectacular views, or take a ferry across the Mersey for the ultimate tourist experience.
Whilst you’re in the area, don’t forget to head to the Albert Dock for an eclectic mix of history and food and drink – you’ll find the Tate Gallery, and the Maritime and Slavery Museums as well as plenty of places to enjoy a cheeky cocktail with a view!
Liverpool lighthouse
Take in the incredible architecture
One of the most famous landmarks in Liverpool is the Three Graces which includes the Royal Liver Building, Cunard Building, and Port of Liverpool Building at the Pier Head. (pictured below)
Sunset view behind the Three Graces
Liverpool is home to not one, but two awe-inspiring cathedrals. Enjoy the gorgeous panoramic stained glass of the Catholic Cathedral (affectionately named ‘Paddy’s Wigwam’ by locals).
Next, then take a trip through the Georgian architecture of Hope Street to reach the enormous Anglican Cathedral.
And if you’re feeling particularly spirited, climb the 108 steps to the very top for panoramic views of the whole city.
Liverpool cityscape
Or, if your religion is more of the football variety, take a trip to either Anfield or Goodison Park to learn the history of Liverpool’s two rival football clubs!
Anfield Stadium
Museum of Liverpool
Located in the Pier Head on the riverside, the Museum of Liverpool is a large museum that covers all about the city of Liverpool and its history from ancient inhabitants of the area to its modern revival. Entry is FREE for all.
Bold Street, in particular, has a huge range of independent restaurants where you can sample everything from the authentic Indian street food at Mowgli to the delicious food at Slims!
Or, if your taste is a little more indie, why not head to the famous Baltic Triangle where you can enjoy a range of bites amongst some of Liverpool’s most striking street art. (Perfect if you want some snaps for Instagram!)
Some of the best food venues that you must visit during your trip to Liverpool are:
Delifonseca Dockside
Slims on Bold Street
Baltic Market
Honest Burgers
Neighborhood
Duke Street Market
Dale Street Eatery
El Pecado Bold Street
Down the Hatch on Bold Street
Party the night away
Liverpool city at night
For a true tourist experience head to the Cavern on Mathew Street, and sip a cold one in the same place those four lads from Liverpool used to play, or, if you’ve packed your dancing boots enjoy a cocktail in one of the many bars of Seek Street for a club night you won’t forget.
If you’re planning well in advance, try to get tickets for Bongo’s Bingo – the international phenomenon that started its journey in Liverpool, for a night of (quite literally) dancing on the tables!
Get to know the locals
However you decide to spend your 24 hours in Liverpool, make sure you take the time to chat with some locals.
Scousers are renowned worldwide for being some of the funniest, warmest characters on the planet.
Every local you meet will have his or her own secrets to share with you, and we’re never too busy to point you in the right direction!
Author Bio
Samantha (Sam) is a blogger at The Daily Struggle, a Liverpool/UK based women’s lifestyle digital magazine and blog.
Hostel traveling is one of the best ways to explore the world as a young person. These communities that dot every major city on the globe are hot spots for like-minded voyagers looking to visit faraway cultures and people.
However, life on the road doesn’t come without dangers to personal safety. In this article, we’ll highlight a few simple steps to ensure a fun and secure stay at a hostel, particularly if you are a teen traveler.
Find the Right Location
Finding the right location is one of the greatest ways to ensure safety while visiting a new city. Visiting a new destination (often abroad) is fun, but the cost of travel gets substantially high the further away you travel from your home.
Staying in Hostels is one effective way to budget your expenses but hostels are all about who will share the place with you, how far it is from the city center, public transportation, and what’s the cost when compared against Airbnb or Hotels.
Therefore, booking a hostel should be done carefully so that one doesn’t end up staying far from the places they want to explore. If you plan to drink, look for locations close to the nightlife of your city. It’s better to have a short journey back to bed in the nighttime.
Do Advance Research
There are several websites specifically dedicated to this form of travel, and each site posts helpful information such as they type of hostel, the type of community found there, and what to expect from a stay.
Make sure to find one that fits your personality, as this will mitigate culture shock and oftentimes depression.
Also, do some research about:
common travel scams in particular destinations you are planning to visit
the nearest embassy of your country
note down phone numbers for hospitals, ambulance, and police
shady neighborhoods to skip
Drink Responsibly
First thing first, find out the legal drinking age in the country you are visiting. And, do not drink in if you are not of age. Drinking is just one tiny way to have good times but traveling offers so much more. Be mindful, present and curious. Let your senses be overwhelmed by the new experiences (so you don’t feel like you are missing on anything).
Another tip is to drink responsibly (if you must) and if you are traveling in a group, then go to a bar with your group. Do not accept drinks from strangers no matter how friendly they appear.
Pack Light & Carefully
Take care when packing for your trip. Remember that most hostels sleep six to ten people in a single room, so the space you live in will be shared with strangers.
Therefore, all your personal items will be in a common space that is potentially open to thievery. Remember, the quickest way for a trip to be ruined is to lose something important.
One great strategy to minimize the threat of robbery is to be a packing minimalist. When gathering the items, carefully revise and prune the list of items that you will bring.
Expensive clothing shouldn’t be brought if it isn’t necessary, along with high-priced electronics that won’t be of use on the trip. Bringing fewer items will decrease your chances of getting something stolen abroad.
Bring a Lock
Inevitably, some valuables will have to be brought on your trip. Passports, money, and cell phones are part of every travelers’ arsenal when living in hostels. In order to keep these items protected, it is imperative that a lock and key is brought on your journey.
Almost every location will offer lockers to store your gear either for free or for a small fee. Using a locker will allow for important documents and information to be kept in a safe place while exploring the city’s sights or bars. Don’t hesitate to bring one!
Private Rooms
In addition to standard mixed-gender dorms, some locations will offer private rooms for booking. Private rooms are great options for additional privacy if you do not want to share living space with strangers.
Additionally, they can add another level of protection to personal items while visiting cities across the globe.
Specialty Hostels
Another option for female globetrotters is all-female dorms and hostels. While these hostels and rooms come fewer and further between, they can provide additional safety and security for women traveling abroad.
Be sure to look for these options if one has concerns about privacy or living with men.
Final Thoughts
Some additional precautionary tips to keep in mind are:
Ask the hostel staff for security advice or anything you should know about
Don’t open the hostel doorfor strangers
Make a copy of your Passport and email it to yourself
Hide some backup money somewhere safe. This is just in case you lose your wallet/purse
Plan to check-in at your hostel before dark for the first time
Don’t leave your hostel alone late at night (no matter how safe you feel)
Trust your gut “feeling” but also use your brain (it is better to be safe than sorry)
I hope these easy to follow steps help when planning your next trip! The world is a gift, and everyone should have the opportunity to see every part fearlessly.
Quirky museums are present all around the World. From displaying profane things to perfect artifacts, museums give us immense knowledge.
If you bored of knowing about the age-old history of the British empire? Then London has some quirky museums that are worth a visit. You might think these museums strange, but they are impressive.
So go offbeat, away from crowded parts of London, and discover something – that’s fun!
Geffrye Museum
Walk down 136 Kingsland Road and be surprised. Geffrye Museum is set apart from the traditional museums, because of its ideas. What is the purpose of a museum? Geffrye Museum serves that need. It takes you back in time. But not through decayed artifacts and coins.
There are eleven different rooms. Each room displays how a room used to be in a particular era. You can walk in from the Victorian period to the medieval and back to modern in no time! Talk about time travel.
Museum of Brands, Packaging & Advertising
Want to have a look at a KitKat dating back to 1930? Or would you like to have a swig at the oldest coca-cola bottle? We are just kidding. Apparently, you can’t. But you can have a glance at it in the Museum of Brands, Packaging, and Advertising.
Items from the Victorian age have been displayed. You will be taken through the time tunnel. You will have a look at the product lines of companies from the 1800s to the present age.
The Magic Circle Museum
Magicians from around the world visit this quirky museum. It is like a Mecca to them. The Magic Circle has a library, museum, headquarters. Entry is only available to members. But you can view the museum which is on the lower floor. Magic Circle has established 111 years ago.
But in 1998 the museum was opened, which hosts a variety of posters, ephemera, and artifacts related to magic. A look across the tokens of magicians from the past is a treat to watch.
The father of Psychology – Sigmund Freud was a genius. He studied psychoanalysis and wrote the first ever book in that genre –The Interpretation of Dreams. If you want to have a peek into the mind of the father of psychology, what better way than to see his home?
Freud Museum has been untouched, the family heirlooms and Freud’s belongings still sit at the exact place. It would be fun to see where Freud sat and meditated- yeah, his couch.
Hunterian Museum
Every fancy and classy is displayed in traditional museums. The crown of kings, swords used to slay enemies, the boot of the great. But did you ever think of a museum which would preserve and display a tooth?
Of course, the tooth is not a regular human tooth, but the teeth of an extinct giant sloth. That is when we decided to include it in our quirky museums.
The giant at Hunterian Museum / Photo by StoneColdCrazy CCBYSA 3.0
Hunterian Museum in Holburn takes you on a tour through the pathological and anatomical history of mankind. A massive skeleton is also on the show (but it is not of a beast). Don’t let your imagination run with you. It belongs to an Irish giant who was 7ft 7in tall.
Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum /CC0
Everyone wants to visit the Natural History Museum and for good reasons. It is worth visiting and hence this is an honorary mention.
The Natural History Museum in London is a natural history museum that exhibits a vast range of specimens from various segments of natural history.
As a bonus, once you get here, note that it is one of three major museums on Exhibition Road in South Kensington, the others being the Science Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
If time allows you should definitely check out the Science Museum (especially if you are traveling with kids).
Whether you are going on a trip for the weekend or decide to move to the other country taking a pet with you – these are the tips for traveling with pets that will help make any trip more comfortable.
When planning your vacation, do not forget to take care of your pets. And if you could not leave the animal at home with someone, or want to take it with you, you should investigate all the details of transporting animals in advance.
Traveling with your best friend / The Art of Travel Partners
How to Travel with Pet
To avoid some unpleasant minutes while traveling with your pet, you need to prepare for this journey and here are some useful tips for traveling with pets.
1. Consider whether your Pet is able to Travel
The first and most important thing you need to think about before you go is whether your pet’s condition allows you to travel: if the pet is very young or, on the contrary, elderly, or it has serious health problems, it is better to leave it at home.
For some breeds with flat faces (such as Persian cats, bulldogs or pugs), air travel can be even deadly: they suffer oxygen deficiency and high temperatures more heavily.
If you are in doubt whether you can take the animal with you on a trip, consult your veterinarian – especially if you are traveling for the first time and proceed reading our tips for traveling with pets.
You should also take into account that such trips are never spontaneous: you have to collect documents and prepare your pet in advance.
The transportation of exotic animals is still more difficult: to take a turtle, snake, monkey or some other unusual animal out of the country, you need to obtain a special permit in accordance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
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2. Learn the Rules of Transporting Animals
If you are traveling abroad, find out the rules for bringing animals into the country to avoid unpleasant surprises.
It is forbidden to take animals to some of them – for example, you cannot bring chickens, pigeons, and parrots to Saudi Arabia, and you cannot bring animals under three months old to France.
In some places going on a short trip with pets is completely pointless – animals imported into the country are placed in quarantine.
For examples:
In the UK, if the conditions are not met, the pet may spend up to 4 months in quarantine.
To bring the animal in Hungary, it must also be vaccinated against the plague. And you cannot bring dogs and cats to Malta in general.
In France, Israel and Egypt there are restrictions on the import of three-month puppies and kittens. Some breeds of fighting dogs are not allowed to be taken to Australia and Malaysia.
It is strictly forbidden to come to Uruguay with birds. Rodents and monkeys cannot be brought to Japan.
If you are traveling with pets on airlines, learn the rules of a particular airline; rules for the transport of animals most often can be found on the website, e.g. apply to the pet travel agency to find out everything about American airline pet travel rules.
Transportation of the animal is paid separately at the airport. The amount depends on the weight of the pet along with the carrier – only guide dogs go free.
Animals weighing up to 5–8 kilograms (depending on the rules of a particular airline) can be carried with you in the cabin in the carrier; animals weighing from 8 to 50 kilograms (some airlines do not take pets weighing more than 32 kilograms) are transported in a heated luggage compartment.
It is better to make a request for an animal to be transported right away when buying a ticket or shortly thereafter: airlines have restrictions and, for example, if a plane already approved a place for a small dog, another passenger will not be allowed to take a cat to the salon.
Although most animals stay quietly in the baggage compartment; accidents and injuries of animals are not uncommon in this case, so before buying a ticket it is worthwhile to find out how animals are transported on specific airlines.
In addition, there are several measures that will help facilitate the animal trip in the luggage compartment. It is not necessary to travel with a pet during the holidays and the high tourist season.
This time, due to the influx of tourists, animals in carriers are likely to be treated less carefully. When traveling in summer, it is worth choosing morning or evening flights, and in winter – day flights.
It will be easier to avoid extreme temperatures in that way. In addition, you should not choose flights with a transfer, as the risk of losing an animal, in this case, is higher.
Live together, travel together
Traveling by train is simpler
The animal can move in the same compartment with the owner if other passengers do not mind. Otherwise, the owner will need to buy the entire compartment and purchase a special ticket for the animal.
Small pets can be transported in pet travel crate as carry-on luggage. If you are traveling with a dog on an electric train, put a muzzle and a leash on a furry friend.
In addition, before the trip you should also familiarize with the rules of the railway carrier – some of them may enter their own.
It is important to try to make the animal feel as comfortable as possible in the car. For dogs, you need to have a leash and a muzzle, because at stops you will need to escort the pet to the toilet. For cats, a special basket or carrier is required.
For birds, a small cage is enough. To make the animal comfortable on the road, you need to prepare a soft litter in advance.
It is best to feed the animal several hours before the trip. On the road, it is recommended to take only dry food and water. It is necessary to understand that in a long way the animal can rock, it may feel nauseous or there is a frequent urge to go to the toilet.
For this, be sure to have absorbent napkins or towels in advance. For the feathered friend, hygienic sand should be poured at the bottom of the cage, and you need to cover the cage with a dark cloth.
The advantage of traveling with an animal in a car is that you can gradually accustom your pet to such trips long before the travel.
The easiest way to travel by car is with a dog, as they usually like it. Have you seen a bunch of photos on the network with happy dog muzzles sticking out of the car?
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4. Traveling with a Dog
Often you want to take the most loyal and faithful friend with you, plus, since it is more difficult to care for a dog than a cat.
Sometimes there is simply no choice because the animal has no one to stay with. What things are required?
Do not forget the leash, muzzle and pet travel bowls for food and water + food and water. It is also worth considering where and how you will walk with your dog in advance, especially if you, for example, take a long train ride.
5. Traveling with a Cat
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Traveling with a cat is easier than a dog because it’s not necessary to walk with a cat on the street and they are small.
It is usually enough to take a carrier in which your cat will sit quietly. It is more difficult to solve the problem with the toilet because even if you take the cat tray with you, it’s not a fact that the pet will deal with it in an unfamiliar place and in a stressful environment, which any road is for them.
Also, do not forget food, water, and other pet travel accessories. Plus, if the animal leads itself restlessly, howls or refuses to sit in the carrier, you can take it in your hands for a while and calm it down.
6. Traveling with Birds, Rats & Other Small Animals
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Birds, rats and other small animals can be easily and simply transported in a cage, where they can be fed, so there are usually no problems with traveling with them.
Another question is why should you take your rat, bird or guinea pig on a trip with you if you can leave it at home with friends or relatives unless you decide to buy somewhere, for example, a parrot, and bring it home – in this case, we do not forget to buy a sufficiently spacious cage in which it will be convenient for the animal.
7. Necessary Set of Pet Travel Documents
Did you take your medicine?
Currently, all adult animals should have an international veterinary certificate. It must be filled in the language of the country where your pet arrives. English is allowed.
The international passport must indicate the vaccines against rabies and the administration of the anthelmintic drug.
It is important to know that after a rabies drug is administered, a pet must be quarantined. And after taking the anthelmintic drug, you should wait for 1-5 days before transporting the animal anywhere. Therefore, it is necessary to take care of vaccinations in advance.
Also, the animal needs to implant a microchip, which can be done in a veterinary clinic.
8. Take the Animal First Aid Kit
On the trip, the animal must have the first aid kit. At the same time, one should be guided by the age and state of health of the pet: if it has chronic diseases, then in addition to a standard pet travel medication set, it is worth taking the medicines recommended by the veterinarian.
As in the case of people, you should not try to cure a pet by yourself – when planning a trip, you should know in advance the addresses of the veterinary clinics where the animal can be helped.
It is also worth taking care of food: if the food you used to give to an animal is not for sale in the other country, you should take it with you with a small margin.
9. Think of Animal Comfort
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When planning a trip, think about the comfort of an animal: taking it with you only makes sense if you can give it enough attention.
It should be borne in mind that not every place is allowed to be visited with pets – think about where your faithful friend will be waiting for you while you are busy with your business, and whether you can leave it alone in an unfamiliar room.
In some countries, you are not allowed to go to the beach – except for specialized places. Consider the breed; for example, fluffy pets will be too hot in warm countries.
When booking a hotel room, find out if you can stay with animals in it. It is better to clarify the requirements and pet travel services: often in hotels where it is allowed to take pets with you, they still will not allow animals larger than five kilograms.
Find out what special conditions the hotel has – for example, whether a paddock is provided. If you are going to the other country with a dog, specify the rules of pet walking – “Is it necessary to put a muzzle on the animal?”“Is it possible to let it off the leash”, and so on.
Before you begin your journey anywhere, you must always work out in advance all the nuances that may arise during the trip. Then travel with your darling will bring you pleasant, unforgettable impressions.
Author Bio:
Rachel Hudson is a pet owner and writer of allpetsexpert.com. She always travels with her dog. She wants that everyone knows the best way for a trip with their pet.
Typical British weather means that it is going to rain at some point during your visit to London. If you haven’t brought an umbrella, you severely under packed.
However, the rain won’t dampen your spirits because there is still so much to do and get the most out of your trip.
Best Indoor Attractions In London
Get settled in, store your luggage in London and get ready to enjoy yourselves. Below are some of the best thing to do in London when you can’t be outside or don’t feel like exploring the outdoors.
1. London Dungeon
Delve into the ancient capital’s most horrible history at the London Dungeon. Experience live actors, thrilling rides, and exciting special effects. Step back into the darkest of times… given you are brave enough to face 90 minutes of London’s dark past?
Vengeance: the UK’s first 5D laser ride has been unleashed at the London Dungeon. A Victorian séance has gone wrong… As you spin around in the darkness, can you duck, dive, dodge and shoot your way out?
A high speed, high adrenaline ride, this is the ultimate ghost hunt with you at the heart of the action.
2. Warner Bros. Studio Tour
If you’re a fan of the Harry Potter film franchise, this is going to be at the top of your list. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London provides an amazing new opportunity to explore the sets of the books and films you fell in love with.
Photo: The Art of Travel Partners
This unique walking tour takes you behind-the-scenes and showcases a huge array of beautiful sets, costumes, and props.
It also reveals some closely guarded secrets, including facts about the special effects and animations that made these films so hugely popular all over the world.
Explore the Great Hall, marvel at Dumbledore’s office and see how all the wonderful creatures were brought to life.
3. Covered markets
London markets have enjoyed a rich and vibrant history through the ages. From feeding the first settlers in the area to becoming major centers of commerce as London grew; to their present role as not only shopping hubs but tourist attractions in their own right.
Photo: The Art of Travel Partners
Greenwich Market is a fine example of a Victorian covered market, and Leadenhall Market or Coventry Garden Market also have similar traditional structures.
Borough Market isn’t a bad place to get caught in the rain either, especially if you’re hungry.
4. Royal Opera House Backstage Tour
See London’s iconic concert hall as never before in a behind-the-scenes tour. Get up close and personal with its nooks and crannies, discover the building’s colorful history and gain a special insight into its current performances.
You may even get the chance to see The Royal Ballet in class or some of the slick backstage technology in action. All with nary a drop of rain in sight.
Photo: The Art of Travel Partners
The Royal Opera House is a Grade I-listed building, and with its beautiful modern additions, it is a striking Covent Garden landmark.
Photo: The Art of Travel Partners
Book in advance for a behind-the-scenes tour, or just drop in for a visit: the foyer spaces (refurbished in 2018), café, restaurant, and bar are open to the public every day from 10 am.
5. National History Museum
If you have never been, now id the best time. Diving through the heart of Hintze Hall, a gigantic blue whale skeleton leads a cast of natural world stars, telling the dramatic story of evolution, diversity in the world today and our urgent role in the planet’s future.
Photo: The Art of Travel Partners
This real, 25.2-meter female whale skeleton is surrounded by hundreds of new specimens across three floors, including ten other star specimens in the ground floor wonder bays.
The Museum offers a wide-ranging programme of temporary exhibitions and events all year round which inspires a love of the natural world and educates on the power of nature.
6. London Aquarium
This one is for you animal lovers. If you have little ones, they will bask in the glory of creatures and colors they have never seen before. Take a stroll under the sea as you pass through our amazing glass tunnel. Shoals of glittering fish flutter along beside you whilst enormous Green Sea turtles glide slowly over your head.
You’ll continue your journey of discovery as you explore the mysterious creatures that inhabit the world’s coastlines, species ranging from the depths of the Pacific Ocean to the breadth of the Atlantic.
7. Royal Observatory
Stand on the world-famous Meridian Line with one foot in the west and one foot in the east. Discover the past, present and future wonders of astronomy at the centre of time.
With your complimentary audio guide, learn about the discoveries of great scientists and inventors based at or associated with the Royal Observatory. Explore how great scientists first mapped the seas and the stars in Charles II’s magnificent Christopher Wren-designed Octagon Room – dating from 1675.
Marvel at the Great Equatorial Telescope, the UK’s largest historic telescope which gave astronomers new views of the universe over 100 years ago.
8. Art galleries
There are many in London and most of them are free. If you’re right in the centre but you get caught in a downpour in Trafalgar Square, then the National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery and Somerset House are all within a couple of minutes’ walk of each other.
These are obviously the most well-known but there are plenty of other options such as The Estorick Collection of Modern Italian, famous for its futuristic painting styles and Dulwich Picture Gallery, specialising in the greats such as Canaletto, Rembrandt and Gainsborough. However, they also have temporary exhibitions featuring new and emerging artists.
9. Choccywoccydoodah
The final thing to do on this list is a bit of a treat. You HAVE to come here and indulge into the gorgeous hot chocolate they have to offer.
Photo: The Art of Travel Partners
Its version of the cocoa classic comes with whipped cream, large pink marshmallows, a dusting of cocoa and a magic wand of curled chocolate. You can also choose from 70-percent-cocoa-butter dark, 38 percent milk or 29 percent white chocolate.
When it comes to travel, leisure, or business opportunities, few places rival that of the Caribbean. Caribbean countries typically top the leader board as a preferred vacation destination.
But, did you know beyond being a robust tourism market, the Caribbean also boasts strong business opportunities? And that you can apply and have a dual citizenship here?
Photo: Caribbean life / The Art of Travel Partners
In today’s world, a second passport is beneficial. Not only does it open doors, but it also gives you options for how you travel and conduct business. Having second citizenship in the Caribbean is an insurance policy, providing security for your assets and your future.
A second citizenship has become an increasingly popular way to enjoy the ease of travel and operating a profitable lifestyle or online business.
Today, we’ll discuss the whys and hows of getting a Caribbean second passport as a wise lifestyle and financial move. But first of all, let’s begin with the basics.
What is dual citizenship?
For most, the concept of dual citizenship may seem foreign. By definition, dual citizenship, sometimes called dual nationality, means being a legal citizen of two countries.
In some situations, this can happen automatically, for example, when children are born in a specific country to foreign parents.
In this instance, dual citizenship is achieved through a specialized legal process. This includes obtaining a second passport in the Commonwealth countries of the Caribbean through a Citizenship by Investment Program.
For affluent travelers, Citizen by Investment programs can also provide access to a secure line of protection to safeguard your family’s private wealth.
Benefits of a Caribbean second passport
Obtaining a second citizenship provides numerous benefits. Besides receiving a passport from both countries, being a dual citizen includes benefits and privileges such as:
Visa-free travel
Lifestyle in a tropical paradise
Investment opportunities
Business opportunities
Wealth preservation
Access to the finest offshore schools
Access to either country’s social services
How to Get a Caribbean Second Passport
Dual citizens are also afforded the ability to work in both countries without a permit or visa and vote in either one.
A second passport can give you and your family certain economic and educational advantages in addition to mobility benefits that make the Caribbean one of the most advantageous second citizenship destinations.
Obtaining a second passport
The traditional journey to acquiring a second passport can be long and arduous.
Not only can it take many years, but it can also be very expensive, with years of physical residency required. The costs of obtaining a second passport will vary, but often include legal and professional fees and government fees.
Dual citizenship through naturalization
The conventional route to obtaining a second passport is done through naturalization. Most countries will provide a means to acquire dual citizenship by applying for residency.
Applicants must then spend a certain amount of time, usually many years, in the country they apply to.
While this is the ideal option for many, eligibility through naturalization will vary significantly by each country. Residency options may change frequently as they are subject to the laws of supply and demand.
Countries facing an economic recession or that have increased demand may have a much greater barrier to entry. This application process is often intensive, expensive, and time-consuming.
Citizenship by Investment
In the Caribbean, legislation exists to make it easier to obtain dual citizenship.
Citizenship by Investment programs are the fastest option for obtaining a second passport. For qualified applicants, dual citizenship can be granted in as little as 90 days, with little or no residency required.
Affluent individuals applying for a second passport through an economic citizenship program can do so via specific investments. An individual would be required to meet a particular set of criteria, as well as different degrees of residency and investment.
There are different available channels for applying for Citizenship by Investment; this can be done by investing in a luxury property, making a donation to the government, and in some jurisdictions, investing in a business.
In return, applicants are provided immediate and tangible rewards and financial and personal security.
The value/benefit ratio of the Caribbean passports is one of the best in the world: relatively low cost and low processing time, little or no residency, and excellent travel and tax structuring benefits, versus years of residency and high cost for the U.S., Canada, and European programs.
As a dream vacation destination for many, the Caribbean has always been a paradise and region for international culture. With uncertainty in the current geopolitical climate, obtaining a second passport might just be the best investment you and your family could make.
Author Bio
Kaline Kennard is the co-founder of Citizens International, a white-glove specialist firm offering private client services necessary for citizenship investment into the Caribbean. Based in the Caribbean for the past 15 years, she is an experienced consultant who works directly with many professional partners and advises clients worldwide.
Many tourists who visit the United Kingdom or Nordic countries ask where they can see real Vikings. However, no country or tribe has ever been called a Viking nation. ‘The Vikings’ is simply the word for “sailors” or “pirates” in Old Norse, a language spoken in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden during the Viking age.
The Nordic (literally “the North”) countries have an interesting history going as far back as to the end of the last Ice Age. Scandinavia was covered by an ice sheet around 10,000 BC.
As the ice melted, the north Germanic peoples populated southern coastal areas and Finns and Sami migrated from the Ural Mountains. Thus, the Nordic countries were among the last parts of Eurasia to be settled by humans.
The Vikings
The Vikings mainly came from three countries of Scandinavia: Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. These were primarily Norse seafarers who spoke the Old Norse language, and sailed, raided, and traded across wide areas of northern, central, eastern, and western Europe.
The Viking Age was during the 9th and 10th centuries, when the Norsemen sailed the seas and rivers of Europe, reaching as far as Canada, North Africa, and Central Asia.
While overseas adventures were nothing new to the Norse peoples, their range, intensity, and frequency of travels became significantly high between the 8th to 11th centuries.
The Norse were the first people known to have crossed the Atlantic ocean. Iceland was settled during the 9th century, with Reykjavík as its first settlement. Shortly after, Greenland and parts of today’s United Kindom was also attacked and settled by the Vikings.
Below is the list of over 50 top Viking sites you can visit in the Scandinavian or Nordic countries, Latvia, Germany, United Kingdom, and Canada.
Odin on an eight-legged horse (Norse mythology)
Note: It’s important to note that most of these Viking sites are only open from late Spring to start of Fall season. When planning your trip, just make sure that the place is open by simply Googling.
Sweden
Ale Vikingagård
A Viking farm, north of Göteborg which is open every Sunday. Events throughout the year including feasts and markets in the spring (early May), autumn after harvest time in late October to early November and around Jul, a Norse pagan celebration at Christmas time.
Birka
Viking Age grave field at Birka archaeological site on Björkö Island, Sweden
Birka is a UNESCO World Heritage site near Ekerö, Stockholm. Birka was established in the 8th century and was an important trading center in the Viking Age. There is a museum on the island of Björkö, including a reconstructed Viking village. Roleplays, guided tours, craftsmen, and events are planned throughout the year.
Foteviken Museum
An open-air Viking museum, south of Malmö, Foteviken Museum is centered around a large Viking settlement reconstruction. The area is an important archaeological site of the Viking Age and the naval Battle of Fotevik was fought around here in 1134. Experimental archaeology, roleplays and season program and engaging activities for the whole family.
Gamla Uppsala
Gamla Uppsala (aka the “Old Uppsala”) is a former settlement outside the modern day city of Uppsala, and was the political and religious center of Viking-era Sweden. It was once the site of a legendary Norse pagan temple, which brought visitors from all around Scandinavia.
The temple was however lost; no-one knows what it looked like, or where it stood exactly. The site also hosts some impressive burial mounds and a large museum.
Gamla Uppsala Museum
The Old Uppsala Museum is in Disavägen and houses many of the Viking era archeological findings from Old Uppsala.
Gotlands Museum
Gotlands Museum is located in Visby, Gotland. Though Gotland’s Golden Age was during the Hanseatic League years from the 13th century, the island was a commercial center long before, possibly the home of the legendary Goths.
Gunnes gård, Ryttargatan
A reconstructed Viking Age farm, mostly open during summer.
Gustavianum, Akademigatan
Is the university museum of Uppsala University, and among other things they exhibit findings from Vendel- and Viking-era boat burial field in nearby “Valsgärde”. FREE entry for people under 19.
Järnåldershuset i Körunda
A reconstructed Viking Age longhouse, north of Nynäshamn.
In Visby, Gotland. While conversion to Christianity in the 11th century marked a divide between the Viking Age and the Middle Ages, Gotland remained an autonomous region of peaceful mariners and merchants until Sweden annexed the island in the 17th century.
While the people of Gotland were not true Vikings, this festival week creates a Viking-like (sailers, pirates, or mercenaries) atmosphere.
Rök Runestone
The world’s largest runestone, near Ödeshög, and also the oldest known written record in Sweden. The name of the village Rök has the same roots as rock or stone, which means that Rök Stone is a tautology.
Stallarholmen Viking Festival
Annually the first weekend of July, in a village near Strängnäs with plenty of runestones and other Viking-age artifacts.
Storholmen
A reconstructed Viking village situated on the shore of Lake Erken, north of Norrtälje. A small nature reserve of Norr Malma to the south, including a large graveyard from the Iron Age. The whole region – known as Roslagen – is steeped in history.
In the Viking Age, there trade with the East was important. There is a nice 18th-century inn and restaurant nearby and a child-friendly lakeside beach.
A reconstructed Viking village
Swedish History Museum
If you’re interested in older Scandinavian history, from the Stone Age to the Vikings, you will want to visit the Swedish History Museum. In the Gold Room, you’ll find gold treasures from the Bronze Age to the 16th century.
Trelleborgen
In the modern port town of Trelleborg in Scania, close to Foteviken Museum or a 20-minute drive from Malmö. One of only seven known Viking Ring Castles from the 980s.
“Trelleborg” is the name of the town, the castle and a general term for Viking Ring Castles. It is 143 meters in diameter and was largely reconstructed with palisades and houses in 1995.
Watch role plays and reenactments or engage in the Viking market, and Viking board games. Stories from Norse mythology are occasionally dramatized here, but only in Swedish. FREE for people under the age of 20.
Uppåkra Arkeologiska Center
Uppåkra Archaeological Centre is located south of Lund. A historical museum by and about the Viking-era archaeological site Uppåkra. This area was supposedly a cultural and religious center in Scania with a pagan temple but was abandoned in favor of modern-day Lund around year 990.
Vikingatider, Ådalsvägen
At the village of Löddeköpinge near Lund. An archaeological Viking-themed open-air museum and landscape with Viking houses and farms. Engage in everyday activities of the Vikings at the farm or in the workshops.
Guided tours (in English) of the settlement and surrounding landscape and special events throughout the year, including re-enactments, craft shops, and markets.
Årsjögård
At the lakeside village of Årsunda, south of Sandviken. An open-air museum centered around a reconstructed Viking farm in the midst of a historic region known as Järnriket (The Iron Realm). Experimental archaeology and occasional role plays, re-enactments, feasts, music, and crafts.
Learn more about the cultural history of this area, in particular, the Viking Age. The Sörby grave-fields with 90 burial mounds and stone settings are nearby, as are the popular lakeside bathing site of Strandbaden at the lake of Storsjön, locally known as “Gästriklands riviera”. At Strandbaden you will find a camping site and restaurant.
A Viking museum opened in 2017. Does not exhibit any archaeological findings, but rather showcases information about the era and a Viking themed-train ride, as well as replicas of Viking craft.
Norway
Lofotr Viking Museum
Located on the island of Vestvågøya in the Lofoten archipelago, is a huge reconstructed Viking Chieftains hall situated in a dramatic landscape. The hall holds exhibitions and there are walking paths in the surrounding landscape.
In the summer it is possible to sail with a Viking ship replica nearby. There are seasonal events and programs with roleplays, Viking feasts, Viking Festival and more.
The Viking Ship Museum
Located in the University of Oslo, the main attractions here are the all original Viking ships such as Gokstad, Oseberg, and Tune. The Viking Ship Museum is part of Museum of Cultural History, a department of Oslo University.
Museum of Cultural History also houses Historical Museum with a permanent exhibition themed around the Norse and Vikings in particular. Tickets include admission to both museums within 48 hours. The Bygdøy island can be reached by road or ferry (in the summer).
Gokstad Mound (Gokstadhaugen)
Gokstad is in Sandefjord. The burial mound at Gokstad where the Gokstad ship was discovered in 1880. The ship is the largest found in Norway and is now on display in the Viking ship museum, Oslo. The Norwegian government has asked UNESCO to include the mound on the world heritage list.
Stiklestad (Trøndelag)
The site of the battle in the year 1030 where King Olav died.
Trondenes historical center, Trondenesveien
Displaying more than 2,000 years of history in the region, which was a Viking power center (Tore Hund from Bjarkøy just north of Harstad killed St Olav at the Battle of Stiklestad, according to the saga).
Three Swords
Sverd i fjell, (literally “Sword in Mountain”), is a monument outside the center of Stavanger, beside the Hafrsfjord. The swords themselves are massive and in the background is the fjord. The monument commemorates the battle of Hafrsfjord in the late 800’s where Harald Hårfagre beat his eastern opposition and became the first King of Norway.
Midgardsenteret, Borrehaugen
New museum in Birkelyveien about history, religion, and wars of the Vikings, next to Borrehaugen, the Viking cemetery.
Kaupang
Around 800 AD, a Viking trade post was established here, and today it is both an archaeological site and a venue for Viking events in the summer.
Bronseplassen
Open May to September. Reconstructed houses from the Bronze Age and Viking times and is located in Høvåg, approx. 15 km west of Lillesand. There are also bark boats, labyrinth, offering space and cemetery.
Avaldsnes
A former Viking settlement, nowadays featuring a Viking farm, a history center, burial mounds and archaeological excavations.
Gulen Assembly, Eivindvik
Gulating was the Viking era legislative assembly and high court (þing) for West Norway. The site had a central location along the shipping lane (the highway of the time). The assembly may have been established by Harald Hairfair around year 900 (perhaps older) and existed until 1300.
Originally Gulating was a “common assembly” where all “free men” joined for the annual meeting, later only delegates from each district.
Two ancient stone crosses mark the original site, and new monument marks a later site nearby. Similar assemblies and laws existed for Trøndelag and for Eastern Norway. When Norway’s modern constitution was crafted in 1814 the name Storting (grand assembly) was adopted.
Frosta assembly, Trøndelag
Frostating was the Viking era court and general assembly for the Trøndelag area, similar to Gulating for Western Norway. The “Thing hill” is marked and can be visited.
Denmark
Bork Vikingehavn
In the village of Bork near Skjern and Ringkøbing, at the bottom of a large lagoon. A Viking village and harbor area with Viking ship replicas and a town market. Re-enactments and roleplays that varies throughout the year. Great for kids.
Fyrkat
Viking Ring Castle and re-constructed Viking houses. Sometimes roleplays and craftsmen. FREE to the public.
Jelling Monuments
A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Jelling, a Viking Royal residence. Enormous stone ship monument, burial mounds, runestones and 10th-century church. Newly built exploratorium bringing the site’s rich history to life. Good for all ages. Free.
Lindholm Høje
Pagan Iron Age and Viking Age burial grounds with hundreds of stone-set grave sites. There is a museum building.
Ribe Vikingecenter
A large Viking Center and open-air town museum reconstructed at the former site of a large Viking town. Re-enactments, craftsmen, roleplays and experimental archeology of varying themes throughout the year. Ride Icelandic horses, help the farmers, watch the falconry displays, shoot with bows or learn to fight like the Vikings; there are many activities here suited for all ages and interests.
Sagnlandet Lejre
March – December. Large open-air Viking and pre-historic center with themes reaching back to the Stone Age as it unfolded in Scandinavia. Located in Lejre, a former royal homeland in the Nordic Iron Age and early Viking Age. Engaging activities for all ages.
Trelleborg Castle
A Viking Ring Castle, one of the only seven known of its kind. A small museum and some reconstructed Viking buildings.
Viking Ship Museum
A museum with several original Viking ships, a Viking research center, a harbor with copies of Viking ships, and a shipyard making new ships. Study the originals, watch how archaeologists preserve them and engage on a small sea-voyage with replica ships in the summer months. FREE for children under the age of 5.
Greenland
Norse settlements in Greenland
Vikings settled parts of Southern Greenland, starting with Erik the Red, who gave the landmass its name to make it sound appealing to travelers. Remains and reconstructions of the Norse settlements can still be visited, some of them forming a world heritage site.
Iceland
The Settlement Exhibition
Run by the Reykjavík City Museum, this exhibition in central Reykjavík was built around the oldest archaeological ruins in Iceland. As the name indicates, these ruins date to around the year 870. This interactive exhibition brings you the early history of the area that today forms central Reykjavík. FREE for children under 18.
A Viking Ship in Reykjavík, Iceland
National Museum of Iceland
This museum, located right by the University of Iceland campus, takes the visitor through the history of a nation from settlement to today. Includes a café and a museum shop. FREE for children under 18.
Reykjavík City Museum
In the suburb of Árbær, and frequently called Árbæjarsafn (Árbær museum), this open-air museum contains both the old farm of Árbær and many buildings from central Reykjavík that were moved there to make way for construction.
The result is a village of old buildings where the staff takes you through the story of a city. The staffs are dressed in old Icelandic clothing styles and trained in various traditional techniques, for example in making dairy products or preparing wool. FREE for children under 18.
Also spelled as Thingvellir in English, it’s the place where the Icelandic parliament (Alþing) met for a few days every year from 930 until 1798. This yearly event also served as a supreme court and a huge market and meeting place for people from all over Iceland.
Vikings landing in Iceland
The Settlement Centre, Brákarbraut
A media center showcasing the Viking sagas, stories or descriptions of their everyday life.
Eiríksstaðir
Around 150 km north of Reykjavik, Eiríksstaðir is an open-air museum centered around the recreation of the homestead of Erik the Red and his son Leif Eriksson (considered to be the first European to set foot in America).
Saga Centre
In Hvolsvöllur, 15 km to the southeast of Hella. A museum showcasing Njals Saga, the main saga of the Icelanders.
Snorrastofa
A museum and research center showcasing Snorri’s Saga, written by the 12th and 13th-century writer Snorri Strulasson.
Viking World, Keflavík
A museum with five Viking exhibitions, including a replica of a ship.
Germany
Haithabu
Located at the southern end of the Jutland peninsula, Haithabu was once the site of the largest Viking town in Scandinavia. Now an open-air town museum with reconstructed Viking houses. Experimental archeology, craftsmen and engaging roleplay and reenactments of the former life in the Viking Age town.
Latvia
Grobiņa Viking Settlement
The west coast of Latvia has Viking heritage, where there was once a settlement named Seeburg (now in Grobiņa city).
United Kingdom
Jorvik Viking Centre, England
The world famous Jorvik Viking Centre is a must-see for visitors to the city of York and is one of the most popular visitor attractions in the UK outside London. Welcoming over 16 million visitors since 1984, Jorvik Viking Centre invites visitors to journey through the reconstruction of Viking-Age streets as they would have looked 1000 years ago.
Lindisfarne, England
An early Christian monastery at the Northsea rocky shore. The Norse raid at Lindisfarne in AD 793 usually marks the beginning of the Viking Age.
Up Helly Aa (Shetland Islands)
Europe’s largest and most famous fire festival. It takes place on the last Tuesday in January. Over the year the ‘Guizer Jarl’ or Viking Chief and his squad prepare costumes, weapons, and a replica heraldic style Viking Galley and torches.
There is a torchlight procession of over 800 participants and then the Galley is ceremoniously burned. Tickets to the halls are by invitation only, but public tickets are available for the Town Hall from the committee. Although the Lerwick festival is the largest and most famous, eleven other fire festivals are held across the islands.
Battle Abbey and Battlefield
The Abbey was established after 1070 on the site of the Battle of Hastings in 1066, the Pope has decreed that the Norman conquerors should do practical penance for the deaths inflicted in their conquest of England. William the Conqueror initiated the building, but it was only completed and consecrated in 1094 in the reign of his son William II (Rufus).
The Abbey is in an incomplete, partly ruinous state, having been dissolved during the Reformation, then re-used as a private home. Visitors can stand on the reputed site where Harold was slain on 14 October 1066.
Bayeux
A cathedral town which features the Bayeux tapestry, which chronicles the Norman invasion of England, culminating in William’s victory over Harold in 1066.
Canada
L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site
A UNESCO heritage and archaeological site in Great Northern Peninsula, Newfoundland. It features the remains of the North American Viking settlements described in the Vinland Sagas: depressions in the ground that were once the foundations of houses, a sod longhouse reconstructed according to Viking-era building methods, plus some unearthed artifacts displayed in the museum contained in the visitors’ center.
Norstead, Newfoundland
Located just down the road from the L’Anse aux Meadows UNESCO site, Norstead takes a more interactive, living-history approach to the subject of the Norse incursion into North America, with a “village” of reconstructed longhouses populated by costumed interpreters reenacting daily life in a 12th-century “Viking port of trade” with a respectable degree of historical accuracy.
The modern world is full of all sorts of novelties: science, technology, medicine, faster transportation, etc. People have never had such strong knowledge in various fields. Amazing things and phenomena surround us.
Nowadays you can get news from your pocket, connect to a network that exists only in the cloud (aka remote data centers), to convey a message to a person who is thousands of miles away from you.
Thanks to information technology and the digitization of the world, we can now meet people who live far from us, in other cities and even countries.
No electricity, no wi-fi, but my laptop has enough apps to keep me busy.
The Impact of Technology on Travel
Recently, tourism has become the industry whose role in the global economy has grown significantly due to rapid technological development, cheaper flights, long-lasting geopolitical peace, and an increase in both the domestic and international tourism sector.
Along with the development of tourism services, a significant rise is also observed in the creation of the infrastructure around tourism and travel technologies, transportation, roads, hotels, and restaurant economy.
And this, in turn, has influenced the fundamental structural changes in many of the world economies. There are several countries where travel and tourism have become the largest piece of their economy.
Technology Has Changed the Way We Travel
Modern tourism has become a highly developed industry, because every person, who is curious, inquisitive, or loves leisure, likes to visit other places. That is why both domestic and international tourism is flourishing.
The way we travel is changing in different ways. You can travel by cruise or ships, by airplane, by car, by bicycle, or even on foot. It all depends on your choice and budget.
Of course, there is an element of practicality involved, for example, you would not bike from New Delhi to New York but you can certainly bike across Europe if you wish. Same is true for road-trips or cruising.
If money is in the way, then you need to plan ahead and work smartly around it. There are travel hacks you should certainly look into and we recommend you read:
If you live in Europe or Canada or USA, then you can certainly travel by cars to far away places. You can certainly travel train or plane if you have a long journey.
Some young people prefer to travel on foot or hitchhike, and stay in hostels and/or camp whenever possible. These are all ways to reduce spending. Plus, you meet new friends, have fun, and have no idea where you will be tomorrow.
This is a great advantage for travelers those who want to get everything that is possible so they can maximize their travel time exploring the world, and without burdening people around.
Devices and Apps that Improve Our Travel
Newer technologies have made travel easier to plan and overall more fun. Technology puts you in charge. You control your travel plans on your own terms.
You can now book your own flights, rent cars in foreign cities, book accommodations, carry digital maps, and even a language translating app. You don’t need to print or purchase paper travel maps anymore; you can simply download a mobile application, such as Google maps.
1. Uber or Lyft
This service is for ordering a taxi at your convenience has won the world market of transportation due to low prices and faster availability. With these taxi-on-demand apps, the customer has all the power and freedom on how and when she/he wants to travel from point A to point B.
2. Google maps
Google maps is a well-known application built by Google’s free cartographic service and technology. The service is a map, as well as satellite images of our planet. The service has an integrated business directory and a map of roads with route search.
Where you want to go?
3. Navigator
This program will show you how to get to the goal of bypassing the crust. By calculating how to get from the start to the destination, the app takes into account traffic congestion and road accidents. Navigator also knows about speed limits on different roads.
The current speed limit is displayed on the screen throughout the entire journey, and if you go too fast, the app notifies you by an audible signal. Isn’t that cool?
4. Hola Better Internet
Hola Better Internetis a program that improves the work of the Internet in any country; it gives you access to videos without interruption. The minus of the application is that the device discharges very quickly, but it is free and without any advertising.
5. Foursquare
Foursquare is a social guide in the city with the ability to recommend places to visit, based on your activity, activity of your friends and other users of the service.
6. Yelp
Yelp is a review site for restaurants and bars. When you travel to a new town or city, you can simply check what food options you have available near you and also read user reviews, ratings, and photos of food and drinks. Yelp makes your restaurant choice easier.
People travel not only for pleasure but also for business. They have to travel to other countries to participate in various conferences and negotiation meetings, or to review and sign important documents, or to participate in various exhibitions to show the goods of their company.
How can we benefit from the major changes in the travel industry?
Traveling is Easier and Cheaper
Fifty years ago, not many people went on vacation abroad. Most people spent their holidays in their country. Today that situation has changed, and the world seems to be much accessible. It is far easier today to travel anywhere you want on a fraction of a cost compared to just 50 or 100 years ago.
The travel industry is faced with many positive changes due to technology. Today it is possible to reserve a place at a seaside resort on the other side of the world. You can book tickets online or over the phone without leaving home.
The train or airplane will take you right where you want to be, and within a few hours after leaving your country, you will be able to find yourself on the tropical coast, enjoying the purest air, swimming in the crystal clear, warm water of the tropical sea.
It has become possible to order or to be accompanied by travel guide/advisor, who will provide you with the main tips for travel.
At present, tourism has become a highly developed business. Trains, cars, jetliners, buses, ships provide us with a comfortable and safe journey. And all of this has been made possible due to new technologies.
So, where are you traveling next?
About the Author
Carol James is a writer and senior editor at the USA writing service EssayLab. She has MA degree in social sciences and writes articles and reviews on different subjects. If you have any questions regarding the writing, please feel free to ask her.
The ancient wisdom and old tales always hold a mysterious lure for common folk. One such myth is the Ley lines which supposedly covers the entire Earth. It’s invisible to the human eye but a special magnetic field or earth’s energy can be sensed if one walks over it.
What is a Ley Line? What is its significance? And above all, what is the reason for the existence of it?
Ley Lines
Scientifically speaking, Ley lines are like an energy grid system. They are often straight and move along in all directions. They connect various places of ancient religious and spiritual significance, often including human-made megastructures.
Spiritually speaking, these paths were known to almost all ancient civilizations. For example, to the Germans, these were known as “Heilige Linien”, to the Irish, “Fairy paths”, to the Chinese, “Dragon Lines”, to the Peruvians, “Spirit Lines”, and to the Australian Aborigines, “Song Paths”. These routes and landscapes are believed to have spiritual significance.
In 1929 the term Ley lines first held its importance. If you take a closer look at the world map then you can see that many important structures are at a straight line path from each other. Not only that the distance between them is also geometrically meaningful. For example the Stonehenge, Great Pyramids of Egypt, and Great Wall of China.
Many people believe that Ley Lines are grid lines of Earth which hold the energies of Earth. There are many theories behind the puzzle of Ley Lines or The Old Straight Track. Below are a few to sate your curiosity.
According to the Chinese Art of Feng Shui, every building, every stone, every tree, every object should be in a position of harmony with the Earth’s magnetic and spiritual energy field. They believed that the dragon currents or the Earth’s magnetic field flowed in the grid of Ley Lines.
Earth has its own magnetism, and maybe the Ley Lines are the imaginary lines along which the magnetism of the Earth flowed. It is also a belief that the dragon currents determine the routes of sun, moon, and planets.
Astronomical alignments of the Ley Lines is not a common hypothesis. The first significant Ley line to be traced was determined from crossing through Stonehenge.
To our ancient ancestors, the earth’s landscape was a canvas upon which humans connected points on the ground with points in the sky. The Sun, Moon, Stars, and the change of seasons was critical to our species survival. Most megalithic constructions are connected in a straight line or triangular pattern.
This St. Michael’s Ley Line runs from Great Yarmouth to Penzance. The interesting fact about it is – it follows the path of midsummer sunrise, and connects Stonehenge, Glastonbury, and Avebury which are all ancient Megalith sites.
Spirit ways or Death Roads is the most mysterious theory of all. In most of the cultures, there are beliefs that the soul takes it path after death. We had seen evidence in history when the dead bodies got buried with valuable goods that were required in after-life.
There are many Funerary English traditions in which the paths of the dead get marked. Mourners carry pebbles which they threw at certain spots on their way to the grave. And it was a way for souls to know the route (as believed).
British also followed –no going over a bridge twice holding a corpse. All these traditions point towards the existence of an unseen spiritual path, something like the Ley Lines.
Dream Time
The Aborigines of Australia believe that there was a time in history called the – Dream time. It is at this time that the Creative Gods came to this land and traversed the country.
And they laid certain paths called “Turingas” which hold energies. At certain times of the year, the energy in this paths gets revitalized and fertilizes the countryside.
Spirit Lines of Inca
The Incans believed the presence of supernatural energy on Earth, that is why they created “Ceques” or “Spirit Lines”. These lines were sacred pathways and often marked by stones, springs, and temples. Most of them ended at the foot of Holy Mountains.
You will not find the explanation of Ley Lines in any geography book because officially they do not exist. But the idea of a hidden network of energy lines across the earth is intriguing enough to fire the imagination, and hence it became a New Age interest.
What do you think about these ancient energy tracks? Will you walk one of these to seek what you may be seeking?
Five centuries after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, a new trend started to dominate people’s imagination. Pilgrimages in ancient history were about seeking repentance, healing, or self-transformation.
Be it Christian, Hajj, or visit to the Ganges. In our modern world, pilgrimages have a whole new meaning.
Adventurers of our time, in the twenty-first century, continuously try to explore new horizons. A pilgrimage is a journey inward. Be it a long hiking trail or climbing the tallest mountain or walking an ancient path…it is a journey that has a power to transform lives.
Here are five of my favorite modern pilgrimages which will change your heart and instill courage in your soul. From the holy cleansing of the soul to an adventure like none other. Let’s begin.
Inca Trail, Peru
The old remnants in Machu Picchu hold significance in history as well as religion. Every year from July to September thousands of pilgrims walk on the Inca trail in Peru. If you want to test the waters but don’t want to take risks, then book with a travel guide company.
Only 200 tourist pilgrims can have the visiting pass to Machu Picchu. The trail is only 43 kilometers long; but due to the elevation, it will put you through pain (you might curse the gods). But finally, when you reach the ruins, you will feel like you are blessed to be here.
Camino De Santiago, Spain
Santiago de Compostela is the cathedral that houses the body of Saint James in Northern Spain. There are many roads that lead to the cathedral. But the most preferred and UNESCO heritage site is Camino de Santiago.
The onset of pilgrimage is from St Jean Pied de Port. You can trek this 780 kilometers long trail through an entire month. Your legs will get stronger, and you can have an insight of Spanish culture.
Mount Kailash, Tibet
Tibetan culture welcomes any pilgrim who is ready to attain Nirvana. The lofty Mount Kailash is an intriguing chunk of landmass, with mystical powers. If you are successful in making 108 rounds of it, then you can achieve Nirvana (a Hindu religious belief).
Keeping that aside, let us pay attention to the 52 Kilometer long hike, that takes you around the mountain. Avoid winter months, particularly November-January, which is cold and uncomfortable, to say the least.
Canterbury, England
This one is called the Pilgrim’s Way to Canterbury. History and Canterbury are woven together. The Saint Thomas Beckett did not receive the honor when he was alive. He died on this trail from London to Canterbury.
Beckett performed miracles and attracted a lot of followers, which was the reason behind his death. (Silly kings of olden days.)
Now the trail from Winchester to Canterbury is not available for pedestrians. But there is another trail North Downs way, which will lead you to Canterbury. Walking through the 180 kilometers, you can have a glimpse of the beauty of rustic England.
Kumano Trail, Japan
In the Kii Mountains in Japan, there are three shrines which lead to Kumano. These ancient trails winds through the south of Osaka. It is the next UNESCO pilgrimage walk after the Camino de Santiago (in northern Spain).
Unlike other pilgrimages that tax your body and challenges your fitness, Kumano trail has classy hotels and hot springs on the way to relax your aching body. But please keep in mind though, this 6 weeks long pilgrimage can get monotonous at times.
To fight the boring vibes, you can visit the many shrines, nature, and nearby tea plantations.
So are you ready embark on a pilgrimage? If yes, which one are you planning for? Let me know in the comments.
Long distance travel is a luxury most of us cannot afford. Not because it is expensive. But, because it takes time off from your work or study, money for tickets and lodging, and not having a lot of responsibilities back home (kids, pets, elderly parents, etc).
In this blog, I would like to cover how can you save money during your travel to make the best out of it. We have 10 fantastic money-saving tips for you compiled from several travel experts to make you able to travel like money doesn’t matter!
To get rid of the TML (Traveler’s memory loss), you can quickly make a checklist. This is the first money saving tip you ought to follow. List out all the things that you need during your travel, including brush, toothpaste, shampoo, tampons, and every necessity.
Once you are sure that you have all that you need with you, you won’t have to spend your money on things you already have. In this way, you save your money and invest it in other things during travel.
IS A ROOM WITH VIEW NECESSARY?
This year I traveled to three different places. When I was in Puri, I booked a room with an ocean view with a large window. And it cost me an enormous amount of money. Other than that, when I went to Darjeeling, I booked a room with a view of the Kanchenjunga, and it also cost me heaps.
But on my next trip, I booked a room which accommodated all my needs but was without any view. It cost me lesser than any one of the rooms. The point is, you hardly stay in your room when you travel around the destination. You only get back at night, when it is dark to see anything.
So, why spend money on something which you are not gonna enjoy for most of the time? Instead, follow this money-saving tips to save more for doing something adventurous on your trip.
SHORTER YOU STAY, LESSER YOU PAY
Don’t pick up debts just because you are having fun
Traveling is the drug of our choice, and if travel were free everyone would be a vagabond. But travel isn’t free; it costs bucks which do not come easily to you.
Plan your stay at the destination, and make it the shorter you can. It lessens most of the cost, and a day off before you get back to your normal schedule is always relaxing.
ALTERNATE DELUXE & STANDARD
Those who do not travel often, always tend to go for luxury rooms during their vacation. But luxury rooms are pricey and are out of the budget for few.
In that case, you can stay in standard rooms during most of your trip and then change to deluxe rooms at the end of your stay. Your wish gets fulfilled, and your pocket doesn’t hurt much either.
KEEP TRACK OF CONVERSION RATES
As you know, the Euro and pound are at the lowest conversion rates ever! It is making all the travelers crazy, as they pack their bags for a trip to London this fall. If you keep track of the currency rates in different parts of the world, you can steal a cheap travel vacation.
We all want tourist attractions all to ourselves when we travel. But it seldom happens during the peak season. This is the number one money-saving tips that travelers follow. Travel experts advise that if you travel in the off-season, then not only will you ditch the crowds but also lower your expenses.
And if you want to travel somewhere during the peak season, go to a destination which is underrated. That lessens your price tag as well as the crowd. And then in the off-season travel to the big places.
GRAB A TOURIST CARD
When you travel to any destination, do your research on the tourist cards available in that area. It helps save you more than you can imagine. It offers free or discounted rates on sightseeing, hotels, dining, and transport. Check that you don’t spend more on the tourist card, than what you want to save.
In India tipping is not a gesture that many follow, but Americans are so used to tipping that they do it even when it is not required.
If you tip a lot, then do your homework before you visit a place, so that you do not waste your precious money on tipping, when it isn’t needed. Keeping these money-saving tips in mind you can avoid unnecessary expenses.
There are times as a traveler when I wanted to strangle the housekeeping because they did not offer me the jug of water I so badly needed. Then I started keeping a reusable water bottle with me, which I filled whenever I got a chance.
But When the water needs were taken care of, I got the hunger cramps. Keeping biscuits, dried fruits or nuts with me helped me get rid of that hunger pangs.
Packing your food and water beforehand means less unnecessary expenses. You don’t have to spend extra dollars on a bottle of water or snack. Little money saving tips save much.
CREDIT CARD SURPRISES
You should use everything that is at your disposal to make your travel cheap and easy, and that includes your credit card. There are hidden perks of credit cards which most of us are ignorant of.
If you have a Visa Signature card, then you can get serious perks on over 800 hotels listed in the luxury collection. And the American Express card users can avail perks on about 900 hotels.
Not just that you also get Travel insurance and lost luggage reimbursement in Visa Signature cards. There is an extensive list of perks hidden in your card. Put it to use.
SELL UNWANTED GOODS
We all have those old books or furniture or that camera or old iPad which we do not read anymore! You may even have clothes that don’t fit you or interest you anymore or that pair of boots. A simple rule you can apply when trying to get rids of things is this: if you haven’t touched it in a year, you don’t need it.
It is therefore wise that you put such items on sale at a website (eg. Craiglist), apps (Offerup, Facebook Marketplace), or simply do a garage sale.
SET WEEKLY SPENDING LIMIT
You should not bite more than you can chew. Be practical! And save every week. Put aside a specific amount for your needs and do not spend more than it. If say you save at least $70 USD a week, you will have a minimum of $280 USD saved in a month. (Which by the way means you can comfortably live for up to two weeks in Thailand with that money!)
DECIDE YOUR DESTINATION
There are wannabe travelers all around, planning a trip that is never going to happen. We are saying “never going to happen”, because the majority of us have full-time jobs and a tight budget.
How are we going to make that trip to Hawaii or Singapore? We keep thinking, planning, plotting but the vital link we all forget is “money.” Now that we have covered the money part, there remains one last step.
You must decide where you want to go and carefully narrow your lists of available options. Pick a destination that fits both your budget and your dream. Those who want to travel abroad might like to take a decision on a country where their currency is valuable than the local currency.
For example, Americans can plan a trip to Thailand, Indians can go to Hong Kong, Europeans can go to Hawaii. A Smart way to choose your destination is to check your currency value. And…cheap flight tickets.
USE GOOGLE FLIGHTS
Google flights is hands down the best free tool that you can use to find a flight that is both viable and available. Even if you are planning a last minute trip. You can set your home destination and then play with the dates (into the future) to find a cheap deal.
We hope that you have found our article helpful. By keeping the tips we have shared with you in mind, we’re sure that you will be able to make every dollar count in your trip.
Cheers to the wanderers, gypsies, explorers, travelers, and the free-spirited. You will see many new and unexpected additions to the travel list in here. So, refresh your bucket list with these amazing travel destinations.
Buckle up for the incomparable thrill in Switzerland. It is not new that Switzerland does everything in its power to attract tourists. But on June 9th, 2016, Schilthornbahn AG opened the new “Thrill Walk” cliff path at the Birg mid-station.
The walk consists of railings, glass and air segments which even scare off the bravest hearts. At the height of 3000 meters, a 200-meter long walk is a sheer madness! But braving the odds is what explorers are best known for. The effort and courage pay off when you reach the observation and see the panoramic view.
After taking London by storm, Food Ink is now ready to take over the world. This pop-up restaurant uses 3-D printing technique to cook a three-course meal. If you want a quirky dining experience, then be ready.
Food Ink embarks on a world tour this year. Although a three-course meal costs $250 per head, the experience of tasting tech-food is epic. Jazz up your bucket list and at least head for having a look at how the 3-D chef works at Food Ink.
PIKE PLACE MARKET, SEATTLE
Pike Place Market is not just a 40-year-old market in Seattle. It is the largest food market in America. A hefty amount of money was invested in improving the Marketplace. An extra of $34 million ensures the building of more stalls.
And an extra 30000 square miles will let shoppers wander easily rather than clumsily in the marketplace. It is the best place in America for food enthusiasts as well as those who want to buy something local from the artisan shops.
The scenic hike to Machu Picchu is now a different thing altogether and is a top addition to your bucket list. Peruvian rail launched the Andean Explorer which takes ten and a half hour to trail through the quintessentially beautiful landscape of Andes.
There is an open-air car that allows you to take pictures of the stunning landscape, and not just that the services of the train are beyond luxury. Drink in the natural splendor while experiencing the symphony of Peruvian music.
Rottnest Island is all set to open the Pinky’s Eco-Retreat and Beach Resort. This resort emphasizes sustainable tourism. Hence there are eco-star tents. There are options according to price for all kind of travelers, starting from $75. It has a café, restaurant, bar and a deck to give you a fantastic view of Perth.
Not just the facilities but the 63 stunning beaches play a major role in tempting visitors. Come, and be part of our generation’s move towards a new travel trend: Sustainable tourism, at one of the best islands in Western Australia.
Talamanca in the Southern Caribbean region of Costa Rica is home to an indigenous tribe of Bribri. The individual tour guides of this region planned to open a tour agency. A tourist can choose an itinerary focusing on rivers, farms, forest, indigenous reserves, wildlife or a combination of all these.
The costs of the tour are cheap, approximately $40 per person, and it started from April 2017. Live like the Bribri ancestors amidst the pristine natural landscape. This ought to be on your updated travel bucket list.
With the increase in tourist numbers, New Zealand needs more all-season attractions to lure tourists. All Blacks is a step towards it. This attraction will stand in Wynyard quarter. Everybody knows about the passion of Rugby in New Zealand. All Black’s Experience is to immortalize the great players and the passion. The event is held in Auckland.
While refreshing your bucket list this year, keep in mind that the world is now obsessed with the current American Politics. If you want to enhance your knowledge of America’s political history, then the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadephia is your place.
The museum opened on April 19, 2017. It exhibits everything that shaped the history of American Politics. The three-story building just two blocks away from Liberty Bell displays the historical tent of George Washington (second floor). It is the same tent he used during the War of Independence. There is also a Museum shop and café on the sidewalk to engage the estimated 500,000 tourists/annually.
Want to unveil the mysteries of nature? Lava Center is an Earthquake and Volcano center in Hvolsvollur, Southern Iceland. Those who want to explore the fiery heart of Iceland can take a tour here.
From molten lava oozing out of Volcanoes to record-breaking earthquakes, everything is within an arm’s reach. And the best thing about it is the proximity to Iceland’s other tourist attractions. What are you waiting for? We all agree that Iceland is a destination to be explored.
All those who have a writer’s streak, here is what your heaven looks like. The American Writers Museum founded in 2010 in Chicago, Illinois displays many exhibits related to writers. It represents everything that is American Literature and writing.
It opened in April 2017 this museum boasts exhibits like Writer’s Hall, Word Water Fall, The mind of a writer, Children’s Gallery, Writing across America.
There are only a few places around the Earth where the Tea plantations thrive. And most of the Tea plantations are in the East. If you want to taste something exquisite, these 13 unique tea destinations will live up to your expectations.
A Tea Plantation is not just about the green leaves sprouting, but the surrounding valleys (and the methods used to make it) play a significant role in luring travelers.
When the word tea is on the tip of my tongue, I can’t help but think of Darjeeling. The mighty views of Mount Kanchenjunga offer a stunning backdrop for the Tea Valleys in Darjeeling. Some of the popular tea plantations are Happy Tea Valley Estate, Glenburn Tea Estate, and Tirrihannah Tea Garden.
SRI LANKA
Ceylon Tea is one of the world’s finest tea that is grown in Sri Lanka. The humidity, cool temperatures, and rainfall of the country’s central highlands provide a climate that favors the production of high-quality tea.
These tea is popular in England and the Middle East. The tea industry was first introduced in 1867 by James Taylor, a British tea planter who arrived in Sri Lanka in 1852.
ASSAM, INDIA
North Eastern India abounds in valleys, and the weather here is conducive for nurturing tea plants. Assam is one of the seven sisters which has numerous Tea Plantations like the Rajmai Tea Garden (which has a beautiful pond), Socklatinga Tea Garden, and Baruah Tea Garden.
MUNNAR, INDIA
When we are talking about India, it is not just the North Eastern states that are rich in tea plantations. But the Southern States have enough hilly regions to support vibrant tea gardens.
Kolukkumalai Tea Estate is one of the best places not only to experience the Tea plants but also to see the sun rise behind the hills. There are small tea stalls on the way up the hill, do taste a cuppa tea here in the early morning.
In the little town of Wazuka, there are about 300 families who come together to take care of the Obubu Tea Farm near Kyoto. There are many ways to tweak up your tea experience here.
If you want you can take up tea internship, or you can visit during spring when the Geisha Dance Festival – Miyako Odori takes place.
MAINLAND CHINA
Green Tea in Mainland China
The Yunnan, Fujian, and Zhejiang tea tours are some of the best you get in China. You will find plenty of tea houses and shops to entertain your tea passion. Yunnan Tea Market and Jinan tea Wholesale market are places which follow Chinese tradition.
It means you can walk into any shop and take a free sip of tea. And if you like it, then buy some.
DA YU LING, TAIWAN
The tea plantations in Taiwan are closing up rapidly. And Da Yu Ling area is a must visit for every tea lover. You see the Taiwanese high mountain teas up close and also get an enchanting view of the mountains. But you ought to keep up your energy as hiking and trekking will drain your energy.
MALAYSIA
Malaysia has some world class and award-winning tea estates that you should visit if you are a true tea connoisseur. Tea was likely introduced to Malaysia by Chinese traders and it has been since enjoyed by Malaysians for hundreds of years.
The majority of Malaysian tea is produced in the Cameron Highlands region, sometimes referred to as Malaysia’s “Green Bowl”. It’s located about 3.5 hours from Kuala Lumpur by a car and is situated on the scenic Titiwangsa Mountain Range, which is also a popular destination for it’s scenic beauty.
Hawaii offers you a tropical tea experience. There are some classy hotels here which have a brand name that revolves around tea. The Modern Honolulu and The Halekulani provide a power-packed three-course meal which heroes tea.
Be it tea sandwiches or scones, everything served has a taste of tea.
ENGLAND
Even though Europe is not great in the production of tea, The British have inculcated a 5’o clock tea habit. There is a myriad of hotels which bring you a Typical 5’o clock British Tea Experience.
One such place is Tea and Cake London by Zena Alkayat where there are 80 rooms to make your tea visit formal and perfect.
MOROCCO
Morocco never fails to surprise me, and in the Tea Department also it has got a secret weapon in its arsenal. Tea in Morocco is generally a man’s duty. The man of the house prepares the tea, and that custom runs in most of the families.
Mint Tea is like water to the Moroccans. It is customary to drink 2-3 cups of Mint tea before having a meal.
AUSTRALIA
Unlike Europe, Australia has a long history related to Tea. And there are loads of farms for you to visit. You can take a tour of the factory in Nerada Tea plantation or join in the Devonshire Tea feast.
Another place on your list should be Tea Estate Madura which is the one and only Tea Estate in Australia.
VANCOUVER, CANADA
It is hard and nearly impossible to grow tea in the freezing temperatures of Canada. Still, there is a farm in Vancouver called just the “Tea Farm.”
Growing tea plants is in an experimental phase. But you can visit, and see history made before your eyes as it is the first such place in Canada.
Nobody likes feeling vulnerable, especially Solo Travelers. It is one of the worst feelings in the world. But when you travel alone that is what happens. You have to come out of your comfort zone and start doing something you never did. It requires a lot of guts. But as you know – No Guts No Glory!
Many times when we travel alone, do we meet other solo travelers! It is always more fun to come across a fellow traveler who can understand you better and can correlate with you.
Top Solo Travel Destinations
Airbnb shared some of its data. And there is good news for solo travelers. The solo traveler bookings of Airbnb increased from 14% to 27% over the past year. And not just that it also let out the data on where these solo travelers love to go.
So, if you think that you do not see any solo traveler where you go, then book your tickets for these destinations next. You are going to meet lots of kindred souls on your trips here. We can guarantee that.
London
Having a taste of London alone sounds tempting. But what is the fun if you have an already planned itinerary? Nothing is more fun than being spontaneous. And London is a city where you can do whatever you want and enjoy it.
A survey by Visa Global Travel Intentions in 2015 mentioned that 24% of the overseas visitors were solo travelers. What more? Most of them were women. So girls, pack your bags because London is your next stop.
Paris
When we hear Paris, we imagine couples kissing under romantic architecture. That is what we dream Paris is all about. But Paris has a lot to offer to Solo travelers. As you drive along the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower you can’t help but be in awe of it.
And as French men are most charming in the World, solo female travelers can have their share of fun. (Just a thought ladies!) . That is just an added perk. And why not Paris? Airbnb stats say that it was the second most booked location by solo travelers.
Los Angeles
In the third place, we have Los Angeles which is not a surprise. Most of us have this weird obsession to see the Hollywood sign at least once in our lifetime. That is what drives people to LA. But it is just a part of it. The amount of talent that Los Angeles has makes it the “Creative Capital of the World.”
It is just, the electric atmosphere in LA that doesn’t let you feel like you are traveling alone.
Tokyo
Tokyo is a top choice for solo traveling especially if we are talking about female travelers. From separate hotel floors, to separate train cabins – Tokyo makes sure that women feel safe in their environment.
You will not see anyone giving you “What are you doing alone?” stare. Tokyoites keep to themselves. They won’t bother you. The full essence of Solo travel gets fulfilled in Tokyo (and Japan in general).
Barcelona
At first, you are going to hear stories, lots of it – about pickpockets and thieves. But do not let those tales put you off. Barcelona is a city of panoramic views, do not let a few tales scare you off.
Follow few precautions like a smart solo traveler, and you can stroll down Las Ramblas. And eat as much as tapas as you can and get drown in cava.
New York City
NYC is the city where aspiring artists and dreamers go. And if you are just here for a few days then you are not a solo traveler anymore. Nobody here is alone. Whether you stroll down the Highline or grab a brunch at the eatery, you will always be surrounded by people.
The best way to have fun while you are here is to join Meetup. It is free and lets you meet people who share your interests. Isn’t it a great way to spend time when traveling? Making new friends!
Toronto
Like Tokyo, Toronto is also a safe place to travel. It has fewer crime rates, and people here are too busy to stare at you. Walking around in Toronto is the best thing a solo traveler can do because every turn will take you to a mini Toronto with its own ethnicity.
Above all the young solo travelers can have the time of their life at the lively Toronto Club scene. Drinking age is only 19, which is a plus for the young travelers. But we say, stay smart to avoid trouble.
Madrid
The capital city of Spain is overshadowed by Barcelona most of the time. And even though it sees fewer travelers than Barcelona, Madrid is a beauty of its own. If you are doing a Europe tour, then you shouldn’t miss any of these cities.
The people here are friendly, and you will feel safe here. Be careful with your money belt (keep it hidden). And follow standard precautions like a solo traveler and you are good to go.
Berlin
The understated charm of Berlin comes into focus only when you care to visit it. And those solo travelers who love a quiet and comfortable trip will enjoy Berlin. It has the classiest collection of hotels to choose from.
People are helpful and welcome. And the public transit is easy to figure out as well as inexpensive. Just get a Berlin WelcomeCard, and you get a discount on tours and attractions as well as free public transit. Isn’t that a catch? You will find all pros in Berlin for solo travelers, no cons, I bet.
Seoul
Safety is a priority of solo travelers. And Seoul offers that in spades unless you decide to act stupidly. Solo travelers like Seoul because it is pedestrian friendly, has inexpensive public transport, delicious food, helpful tour guides and a laid back lifestyle.
Now, plan a trip and go somewhere new! Safe travel!
Manchester (in the UK) is well known for its nightlife and culinary delights. Whether you are a local looking to explore, or a visitor who wants to get a real feel for the city, there are new and exciting dining options that grow by the day.
With so many exclusive restaurants and new experiences to choose from it can be overwhelming to make a decision. We have selected 5 of the best restaurants in Manchester to add to your culinary bucket list.
The French is an extremely prestigious restaurant based in the heart of the Midland Hotel. Adam Reid, the head chef at the French, is one of Manchester’s finest chefs. Reid trained at the Bridgewater Hall and worked in numerous Michelin-starred restaurants.
He combines traditional British food with new and interesting flavors. This restaurant is renowned for being consistently excellent, utilizing all of the fresh grown local produce from season to season. If you’re looking for a fine dining experience in a luxurious setting, then the French is certainly a must.
Tattu is one of Manchester’s most elegant and sensory dining experiences. The décor is on a different level than any other restaurant; it is even equipped with a blossom tree in full bloom. If you’re looking for a more high-end Asian infused dining experience, then Tattu is definitely a restaurant for you to consider.
With the best cuts of meat, infused with oriental spices, oils, and fresh vegetables, this is truly a place that will leave your taste buds tingling and your mouth watering.
When it comes to the best traditional British cuisine, the refinery bar in Spinningfields has come to answer all of your prayers. This establishment boasts beautiful décor with plenty of attention to detail, some of the finest cocktails in Manchester, and excellent food at a fraction of the price of a “typical Spinningfields bar.”
The Refinery offers exclusivity and luxury on a budget. If you are visiting the area, don’t dilly and instead eat some good food.
This restaurant is not for the faint-hearted. If you’re somebody who loves meat… and lots of it, then you will really enjoy Fazenda. This Brazilian Rodizo style grill combines fine cuisine, with a sophisticated setting, extremely attentive servers and an endless supply of side orders. Prepare to have your plates piled with succulent cuts of meat and delicious samplings of a Brazilian lifestyle.
Menagerie is the equivalent of Barbie’s playground, it has burlesque entertainment, pink cocktails, and even a bathtub! If you’re looking for a sophisticated place to dine, drink and be entertained, then this is definitely somewhere to go.
They title themselves the home of experiential dining and this place will certainly suck you in and keep you coming back for more. Menagerie’s menu will take you on a journey, through France, Italy, and the rolling countryside hills of England.
Autor’s Bio
Roman Winter is an aspiring freelance writer with a passion for finance, legal and travel. Winter has a large backlog of articles that he has written for several different types of publications. Follow him on Twitter: @RomanWinter5
There are a lot of stunning places in the world for you to see. You want to visit these places, and you have already started planning. Sadly, it often does not go further than the planning stage. You always end up not making these plans a reality, which is utterly frustrating.
In most cases, though, it is your fault why it didn’t happen. You have not saved enough money to cover all the expenses of the trip. This should not happen again.
Make sure that the next time around, the trip will finally push through. If money is the problem, there is something you can do about it. You just have to stay committed to the goal and be disciplined no matter what happens.
Start Saving Now
The first step is to start saving money for that dream vacation. Yes, it is not easy considering all the expenses that you have to pay for, but it is not impossible. As long as you work hard to earn money and you are also willing to sacrifice, you will have enough in your savings account in no time.
You should also avoid procrastination. It is easy to say that you want to visit different places, but it is not easy committing to it. There will be a lot of times when you are tempted to not follow through with your plans. It is easy just to buy new clothes or dine at a fancy restaurant with your extra money instead of adding it to your savings.
Make Serious Plans
Another reason why your plans are always getting canceled is because you don’t have any serious plans. You keep on saying that you will go for it, but in the end, you don’t. You have not even researched the plane tickets or made advanced hotel reservations. It is one thing to say that you are interested in traveling and another thing altogether to do the necessary steps to make it happen.
The moment you start with serious planning, it is easy for you to keep moving ahead with the plans. You can ask for help whenever necessary. You should read reviews or seek out recommendations from those who have traveled before. Create a timeline that you can easily follow and make sure to go back to what you have written and see if progress has occurred.
Don’t Be Discouraged
There are times when you feel like you don’t have enough money left because of all the expenses incurred. You might also feel like the prices just keep going up each time you check. These are just additional obstacles in your plan, but it does not mean you have to give up.
Rest assured, there are other ways for you to get cheap plane tickets or hotels. You just need to keep searching. Airline prices, for instance, are not constant. They go up or down depending on when you make the reservations. Hotel rooms might be expensive, but if you can find budget hotels, you will save more money.
Find a way to cut the overall cost of the trip whenever possible. You should learn how to use public transportation, so you won’t spend a lot taking cabs. You should even know how to walk around the destinations if possible. This will help save a lot of money.
You Are the Only Obstacle
In the end, you will realize that the biggest obstacle in this plan is you. If you are determined, this trip will happen. If you can sacrifice to save more money, it will pay off. If you can let go of club memberships or stop eating out even for a month or two, it will go a long way.
The moment you change your lifestyle and stick with more practical choices in life, you can easily reach the necessary amount for this trip to happen.
Save Money for Your Dream Vacation
If you still feel confused and you don’t know the concrete steps you have to undertake to save money for your journey, read the infographic below. We have compiled important tips that you can use to save up for this trip easily. They are effective in helping others to pursue their plans. They will also work well for you.
This trip will happen soon. It is just a matter of finding the right strategies and learning to make sacrifices. Before you know it, you will be in your dream destination. The best part is that after the trip, you arrive home without any regrets because you did not blow up your budget.
One Last Step
There are wannabe travelers all around, planning a trip that is never going to happen. We are saying “never going to happen”, because the majority of us have full-time jobs and a tight budget.
How are we going to make that trip to Hawaii or Singapore? We keep thinking, planning, plotting but the vital link we all forget is “money.” Now that we have covered the money part, there remains one last step.
Decide Your Destination
You must decide where you want to go and carefully narrow your lists of available options. Pick a destination that fits both your budget and your dream. Those who want to travel abroad might like to take a decision on a country where their currency is valuable than the local currency.
For example, Americans can plan a trip to Thailand, Indians can go to Hong Kong, Europeans can go to Hawaii. A Smart way to choose your destination is to check your currency value. And…cheap flight tickets.
Use Google Flights
Google flights is hands down the best free tool that you can use to find a flight that is both viable and available. Even if you are planning a last minute trip. You can set your home destination and then play with the dates (into future) to find a cheap deal.
We hope that you have found our article helpful. By keeping the tips we have shared with you in mind, we’re sure that you will be able to make every dollar count in your trip.
We wish you safe travels!
Author’s Bio
Sarah Smith loves to travel. She has been to several countries and has also inspired others to pursue their travel goals. Despite running several businesses, she has still managed to achieve her travel goals. She also loves to explore places most travelers ignore. Learn more about money saving tips on her blog Personal Income.
