destinations

The Best Places to Visit in France With Kids

October 23, 2019 by John Telford

Due to its proximity to the UK, a large number of families cross the sea every year in favour of the French coast, with great transport links such as the Eurostar allowing families to travel abroad in a few short hours. France is not only enjoyable because of its proximity, there are also a wide range of attractions and places in Paris and beyond that your kids will fall in love with.

1. Disneyland

If you do not have the time or money to travel to America to enjoy the magic of Disney World, you can still experience the magic with Disneyland tickets, giving you the opportunity to relax in a resort only a stone’s throw from Paris. Disneyland is a haven for kids and adults alike, with a wide range of slow and thrill rides for every age group, from the excitement of Splash Mountain to the iconic ‘It’s a Small World’, which will have your children singing along for days afterwards. Not only this, but Disneyland is also filled with other activities for all ages, whether that be watching one of their colourful, musical parades or tucking into some of the special grub that can only be found in the Disney parks.

2. Eiffel Tower

France is the second most visited country by UK citizens, and Paris is the top destination for Brits. You can’t visit Paris without going to the Eiffel Tower, and for kids, this will be one of the most recognisable monuments in the city, though you may want to beat the queues. Your kids may complain about the 1,710 steps to the top of the structure, so how about taking one of the elevators to help them along? From the top of the tower, you will be treated to amazing views of Paris beneath you.

3. French Alps

If your kids love being active and you want to try out an activity that you may not be able to enjoy in the UK, head to the French Alps. Skiing in the French Alps is a must-do for any sport-loving family, with slopes for every age group. Not only this, but the French Alps is also home to many ski schools where your children can learn the basics of the slopes with other individuals their own age.

4. The Louvre

If you want your child to come home having learnt something new, France is a hub of culture, with many museums scattered about the country. The Louvre in particular is a favourite with families due to its famous portrait, the Mona Lisa. Museums in France also regularly set up workshops that your children can attend, which usually take place on a Wednesday afternoon, when French children are off school.

5. The Beaches

If you want to spend your final days in France relaxing, your kids will love nowhere more than France’s variety of beaches. Family-friendly locations include Plage du Bosquet in Portiragnes and Conche Des Baleines, which is close enough to the A-list glamour of St Tropez for the adults in your family to have a relaxing outing too. If you want to travel off the mainland, Ile D’ Oleron is also the perfect option for families looking to entertain the children, with beautiful beaches such as Plage de Saumonards.

Things Every Traveler Should Know About Melbourne

October 23, 2019 by John Telford

The city of Melbourne is located in the state of Victoria, Australia. This is a fabulous city that has so much to offer in terms of attractions, sights, and places of interest not to mention culture, history, and entertainment. Whether you want to step back in time, relax and enjoy a high tea event, or delve into the culture of this city, you can find plenty to keep you busy.

Of course, before you head to any major city such as Melbourne, you should take some time to find out more about the destination. This is especially important if you are a first-time visitor to the area. So, in this article, we will look at some of the key things that every traveller should know about Melbourne.

Valuable Information and Tips for Visitors

If you want to make the most of your trip to Melbourne, you will find plenty of valuable tips and information that can help. Some of the key things to tips to take on board include:

Invest in a Myki Card

When travelling to Melbourne, you may want to make use of the public transport network if you are not hiring a car. Well, if this is what you plan to do, make sure you invest in a Myki card. These cards cost around $6.00 and are easily accessible at booths, train stations, and at some retailers. There are a number of card options to choose from, and these will save you money and hassle when using public transport in the city.

Try to Plan Your Trip During a Festival

If you really want to make your trip to this city special, try to time your visit with one of the major festivals that take place here each year. This includes fabulous events such as the Fashion Festival, the Jazz Festival, and the Melbourne Fringe. There are plenty of other festivals and events that take place over the course of the year.

Use Escalators Correctly

In this big city, you may find yourself using escalators on a regular basis. If so, remember the rule of thumb – stick to the left of the escalator if you plan to just stand and wait for it to transport you to the top or use the right if you want to speed things up by walking up the escalator.

Explore on Foot

Melbourne is a place that has plenty of fabulous sights and places of interest. The chances are you will have booked some trips and excursions around the city before your arrivals. This is great but you should also make sure you do some exploration on foot or at least book a walking tour, as this will enable you to enjoy sights you might otherwise miss.

Be Prepared for Fluctuating Temperatures

People who visit Melbourne often expect very stable temperatures throughout their time there depending on the time of year they visit. However, you should prepare yourself for fluctuating temperatures when it comes to the clothes you take along on your trip.

For instance, in the winter, you may find that there is an odd day or two when it really warms up and you can enjoy the sunshine and higher temperatures. In the summer, you may find that the days are hot, but some nights get a little chilly.

Explore Places Not on the Main Drag

In order to ensure you get to see the real Melbourne, make sure you explore areas that are not on the main drag. You will find plenty of alleys and laneways where you can take in the street art, discover hidden bars for a refreshing drink, and get a feel for the real vibe of this city.

Take in Free Galleries and Museums

Exploring Melbourne doesn’t have to cost a fortune, as there are plenty of free places to explore during your visit. This includes a range of excellent museums and galleries, which makes it ideal for culture vultures and history buffs. Places such as the National Gallery of Victoria and the Seventh Gallery are among the many free attractions you can look forward to.

Use Beaches for Relaxation not Surfing

Last but not least, you will find some great beaches in Melbourne, but they are all located along Port Phillip Bay. This means that they are great for relaxing, soaking up the sunshine, playing beach games, and enjoying beautiful surroundings. However, they are not for surfing because their location means that waves are minimal.

Enjoy the Trip of a Lifetime

By planning ahead and learning more about this city before you visit, you can enjoy making the most of your time here. Melbourne is a great place to enjoy an incredible, diverse, and exciting vacation experience with a huge variety of things to keep you busy.

First Time in Asia: 5 Savvy Travel Tips for Your First Trip to Southeast Asia

October 15, 2019 by John Telford

How many times have you returned from a vacation only to wish you’d done some things differently while you were there?

That’s okay if your adventures were just around the corner. It’s another thing altogether if you’re planning to join the ranks of the 323 million tourists who visited Asia in recent times.

If you’re heading off to spend time in Asia, take note of these tips so you don’t have any regrets after your trip.

1. Make the Most of Your Time in Asia

This doesn’t mean try to cram as much of the place into your travels as possible. Sure, it’s a wonderful idea to take in all the famous sights and activities on offer, but try to keep it simple.

You’ll get far more out of the experience if you focus on a few destinations and explore them thoroughly. Rushing from place to place is hardly enjoyable or relaxing.

2. Pack Light

Seriously, Southeast Asia is pretty advanced. You’ll find great hotels and shops in all the main centers.

You don’t need to bring all the comforts of home along with you. If you need something, you’ll probably be able to buy it.

Plan to do doing laundry every chance you get. That way, you can get away with packing fewer clothes.

3. Prepare Thoroughly

Before you leave, make sure that you’ve gotten all the necessary vaccines for Southeast Asia. While you can get your inoculations in Bangkok on arrival, you don’t want to waste precious time searching for a clinic when you get there.

Anti-malarial medication will spare you the agonies of this tropical disease. However, there’s nothing like a good insect repellant to save you from buzzing annoyances throughout your stay.

If you do need a visa for Southeast Asian travel, you can get one on arrival. The trick is to come prepared.

Make sure you have US dollars and passport photos handy at the time. You can also save time by printing out the necessary online forms and filling them in beforehand.

4. Travel Differently

Don’t confine yourself to using standard public transport like planes, trains, and buses. Hire a bike, hop on board a tuk-tuk, or take the ferry.

When you try something new, the journey can be as exciting as the destination.

That said, hiring a scooter can be fraught with risk. The crowded urban roads are daunting and everyone drives on the left. Mastering these two aspects at once may prove a little much, even for experienced scooter drivers.

5. Change Money on Arrival

Hotels and airports aren’t the best choices if you’re after a good exchange rate. Rather, opt for a local bank when exchanging your currency.

Be sure to keep plenty of cash on hand as you travel. You’ll need it for tips, fares, and attractions. If you want to use a credit card for some purchases, make sure you have one that doesn’t charge a fee for foreign transactions.

Keep Exploring

One of the best ways to prepare for a trip abroad is to research destinations before you leave. Travel bloggers and tourist sites are filled with helpful information for incident-free journeys.

Whether it’s some time in Asia or you’re after or other lifestyle tips, you can rely on us for the latest information. Keep browsing our website for more.

How to Experience the Best of Iceland on a Budget

September 12, 2019 by John Telford

Visiting Iceland is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many people and offers travellers a unique experience that no other country in the world can match. The cost of living in Iceland is high, so the prices of food, drink, travel, and accommodation can be a bit of a shock to tourists. However, this doesn’t mean that only the very wealthy can experience Iceland.

Flights to Iceland generally use up the biggest chunk of your budget, but if you use comparison websites, you might be able to get cheap flights online and save yourself a significant amount of money. For accommodation, hostels will usually offer the best deals. If you prefer to stay in a hotel, make sure you compare international accommodation prices to find something that fits into your budget.

Here’s how to keep your trip as budget-friendly as possible.

Avoid eating in pricey restaurants

Food in Iceland is renowned for being costly and, if you’re not careful, you could end up over spending on meals. Try to find a hotel or hostel that includes breakfast so you can fill up before you head out in the morning. Eating in restaurants in cities and near tourist attractions is likely to be expensive, so the more regularly you can eat in smaller cafes or food stands the more you’ll save. If you can find a supermarket (the main store chain is called Bonus) try and stock up on snacks you can take with you while you’re out and about.

Instead of buying bottles of drinking water, bring a refillable bottle you can top up when you find a cold water tap. Cold tap water in Iceland is pure and safe to drink, but be careful with hot water from the tap as it is often high in sulphur. Alcohol is also expensive in Iceland so stock up on some duty-free alcohol at the airport.

Take your own layers

While it sounds like an obvious statement, the weather in Iceland is incredibly cold and many people underestimate just how many layers they will need when out seeing the sights – especially at night. If you end up having to buy extra layers while you’re there, you’ll be eating into your budget unnecessarily. In addition, if you’re planning on camping or staying in hostels, bring your own sleeping bag and sheets as you may be charged extra to hire them.

Take advantage of free activities

Often people can spend a lot of money on tours and visiting the famous natural landmarks, but Iceland has more than enough free beauty to keep you busy. For example, while many people head to the Blue Lagoon and pay around 5,000 ISK (around R600) to enter, there are free hot springs that are just as beautiful, such as Reykjadalur – only 40 minutes outside of Reykjavik.

Another stunning place to visit is the seaside village of Vík í Mýrdal with naturally formed basalt stacks which border the black sands Reynisfjara beach. Other natural sights to see include the Seljalandsfoss waterfall, the Hallgrimskirkja church, or a nature reserve in Iceland’s capital called Elliðaárdalur.

To get the most out of your trip to Iceland, the best strategy is to research and plan as much as possible before you arrive. Look at several different options for accommodation, plan your itinerary with as many free activities as you can.

5 Reasons You Need to Visit Oman at Least Once in Your Life

September 11, 2019 by John Telford

When you put your bucket list together, you probably have the typical exciting adventures on it. Attractions like the Eiffel Tower and the Grand Canyon are commonly placed on the “must visit” list, and skydiving or swimming with dolphins are on the “to do” side. But an overlooked treasure that should be on everyone’s “must” list is visiting Oman.

This small but incredible country is full of history and charm. Oman is celebrated around the world for its unique architecture and focus on protecting its country’s past and treasures, with good reason. There are some magnificent sights one can only see in this area, so you should make sure to visit Oman at least once in your life and explore.

Add These 5 Attractions in Oman to Your List

Muttrah Souq – If you want to experience the hustle and bustle of the marketplace in Oman, head to Muttrah, in the capital Governorate of Muscat. Here you’ll find just about anything you’re looking for to purchase. The traditional Omani products are sought after everywhere because of their high quality. Bring home some Omani clothes, fabrics, or jewelry as your souvenir.
The Grand Mosque – Omani architecture is seen in many movies and cartoons as the source of their settings. The Grand Mosque is one of the most commonly replicated. It’s one of the Sultan Qaboos’ most impressive creations, built in 2001. The magnificent large dome is seen from miles away and the expansive minarets, arches, and other aspects of the mosque make it unique and awe-inspiring.
Salalah – There are incredible options if you want to book a Salalah tour package from Dubai. The problem is trying to decide which part of this historical city you want to explore. Choose from the city tour in which you get to explore tradition through museums and parks and one of the most ancient cities, Zufar. Or take a camel ride to the Eastern villages to see how everyone lives when they are mired in history and tradition. There’s no wrong choice when you head to Salalah.
The Beaches – Oman is surrounded by the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Gulf, so if you want to head to the beaches, there are plenty to choose from. These beaches are known around the world for their spectacular pure white sands. It’s a beauty unlike any you’ve ever seen.
The Castles – With such a vast and ancient history, of course Oman has had to defend itself over time. This is evident in the historical forts and castles that still stand and are there for you to explore. Immerse yourself in the history of Oman while you are transported back in time through forts like the Nakhal or Nizwa and castles like the Jibreen. They’re found just about everywhere you go.

History and Tradition are Still Alive in Oman

Oman has it all: sandy beaches, shopping, nature, and museums. They’re all found in a perfect balance of contemporary living and tradition. Why not do something out of the ordinary and explore this wonder of the ancient world on your next getaway?