0

Best apps and websites for the discerning traveller

by - Smith / May 24th, 2013 / / categories: Guest Blogs /

Best travel guides

Ditch your travel guide – there’s a good chance it’ll be out of date and will fail to tell you about that must-try restaurant that’s only just opened.

If you’re jetting off to Asia, Travelfish has created a range of destination-driven apps for indicial places like Bangkok, Ankor and Singapore. And the Lonely Planet travel app combines a useful translator with audio walking tours and detailed city guides.

Travelling is most fun when you stumble across a hidden gem or unexpected delight without planning everything too much. But you might want to find out a bit more about the place to get some context. That’s where the mobile Wakitude app comes in. Take a photo of the scene and (so long as you’ve got an internet connection) Wakitude will tell you all about it. Clever, huh?

It may be a bit out of the price range for the average tourist, but Google Goggles could seriously change the way we interact with our world. Pop these specs on and it can add layers of meaning onto your world, telling you more about a painting you’re looking at or showing you reviews of things before you buy.

Speak the language

The best way to get to know a country is to leave your fellow tourists behind and mingle with the locals, trying exotic foods and navigating the local transport. To avoid cringeworthy situations and being met with blank faces, download the Google Translate app on your phone. All you need to do is speak a sentence into it in English and Google will translate it into the language of your choice.

And new app Word Lens magically translates text into English for you when you point your phone at a piece of foreign writing (on a menu or at a street sign, say).

Stay healthy

Getting sick while you’re abroad can be a nightmare, especially when if you’re not sure how to use the health system. The last thing you want to be doing when you’re ill is searching frantically for a doctor.

But if you’ve been clever enough to sort out medical health insurance before your trip, all you need to do is use a Facilities Finder online and you can find the closest medical help in just a few clicks.

Where to eat

Stumbling upon that quintessentially Parisian restaurant or finding the perfect plate of pasta in Rome is the Holy Grail in the travel world. We all want to eat where the locals do, not sit side by side with tourists. Mobile app Local Eats will point you in the direction of a nearby restaurant that’s been recommended by actual locals. It’s like having a foodie friend in every country.

Keeping in touch

Smart travellers never fall into the trap of paying for expensive texts and phone calls when they’re abroad. Use Skype on your mobile, tablet or desktop for video or telephone calls and download mobile app WhatsApp to send free message to your contacts (but they have to use it too).

Generic postcards bearing predictable scenes are so passé. Touchnote lets you take a snap of your travels, type in a personalised message and they will take care of the rest. They’ll print out the postcard with your image and message and post it for you.

Stay connected

Never be far from an internet connection with Wi-Fi finder, which helps you tap into Wi-Fi when you’re outside the hotel. This is perhaps one of the most practical apps out there if you like to stay online.

Before you book

High street travel agents are really struggling because there are so many online alternatives that let you source the very best prices yourself. Never book a flight without checking Kayak’s website and make thetrainline.co.uk your first port of call for organising rail travel. TripAdvisor is also making the hotel and restaurant industry more transparent. It helpfully rates places based on reviews by travellers rather than award stars.

0

Top Tips to Make an Adventure Trip by Car

by - admin / May 21st, 2013 / Tags: / categories: Travel Tips /

There is nothing so fun like having a road trip. Most people love exploring their country by travelling by road with their family or friends. However, there are several things which you should consider in order to make your trip more adventurous. Fortunately, these top tips to make an adventure trip by car are illustrated below.
Plan your trip

This is very important to do, first it is important to determine where you are going and then plan for your trip. Ensure that you have a valid driving license and in case you do not have one seek assistance from DVLA which is a reputable firm that issue driving license. Therefore, ensure you have DVLA Phone Number in order to enquire anything you want from acquiring a new driving license to renewing your old ones.
Another thing which you should know is the route which you are going to take and the points of interesting along your way where you will stop and explore. More than a half of the road trips is seeing and exploring site along your way. Ensure that you rely on the GPS or real map for the areas you will be travelling to & plan alternative routes if it’s necessary.
Make hotel reservation before your trip

It is important to book your hotel rooms in advance since good hotels are booked in advance. Therefore, you will not risk slipping in your car due to lack of a hotel room. In case you are travelling with your friends or your family, consider renting all-suite hotel or a time share which is a great option for a group of people. However, more than 90% of the people own a timeshare do not know how utilize it regularly. There are many offers that are available at some big hotels chains which offer timeshares & many of them even have a dryer and a washer.
Service your car before opting for renting

One week before you go for your trip take your car to the garage for service. Ensure that the air pressure in the car is at the best for-highway driving, car fluids are topped and other concerns regarding your car are addressed. Also, ensure that you have packed roadside safety before your trip just in case of emergency. However, if you are sure that your vehicle is not road trip worthy then you can opt for renting a car for your road trip. There are some great deals on rental car which you can take advantage of.
Pack your-own food & plan a picnic

Packing your own food is important during your road trip because you will eat healthy and also save money that you spend buying snacks on your trip. This is important if you are travelling with your family. In addition, planning for your picnic is better than flying through-the drive through.
Avoid trouble

When you are in your road trip, you need to take extra caution. Do not be a target for crime by leaving behind you valuable such as DVD players, IPhones, Game Boys just to mention a few. Also do not advertise that you are on a road trip by exposing your blankets and pillows everywhere. Therefore, hide your valuable when you pack your car to avoid any trouble with thieves.

0

Enjoying Holidays at Walt Disney World Resort

by - Ashwin / May 17th, 2013 / / categories: Travel Tips /

Buy your Disney tickets soon to explore the enchanting magical world
Image attributed to Wikimedia Juliancolton
A trip to the Walt Disney World Resort is a dream of every kid. The amazing world of fantasies, magic and dreams come true when visiting this enthralling land of Disney. Not only children, but adults as well love the charm, fun, innocence and lovely ambience of Disney World. It takes your complete day to explore all the areas of Disney World. It is an expensive trip too; thus it is important that you plan your trip carefully so as to enjoy the fun thoroughly. Appropriate planning and management help you make your trip unforgettable for years to come.
When visiting Walt Disney World Resorts, remember the following tips to have great fun:
• Check the itinerary: When booking your tickets to Disney, check the itinerary provided on the website. It may happen that your kid’s favourite attraction is not up because of maintenance so ensure that you have chosen the right time to visit Disney World. Disney World provides various packages for children of various age groups; so check all the packages meticulously and select the one that best matches your suitability and budget.

• Enter early for great fun: There are lots of parks including water parks and four important parks that you can explore at Walt Disney World Resort; therefore, it is imperative that you choose your fun zones early so that you can enjoy them fully. Visitors who are staying near the resort are advised to enter early into Disneyland as the park opens an hour earlier for them. You can enjoy your favourite rides at your leisure without crowds. Do not forget to bring the key to Disney World identification card for extra benefits.

• Meet animals early in the morning: If you want to watch animals having great fun and in full form, you should consider reaching Animal Kingdom Park, Blizzard Beach, water parks and Typhoon Lagoon early in the morning. During the morning, animals are relaxed and fresh while during the noon they seem quite lazy and dull.

• Have adequate rest: When you are tired after your morning schedule, you should consider having a small break in the afternoon so that you can enjoy rides in the evening with fresh liveliness. You can rest at the Walt Disney World Resort or you can also go back to your hotel for an afternoon nap. Don’t forget your Disney tickets when you head back to the resort for more entertainment.

• Enjoy your evening with great shows: A few of the splendid shows that will completely mesmerize you in the evening are the Majestic Pagodas, Mayan Pyramids, Blue Lagoon and Parisian Patisseries. You will also be able to enjoy Disney Castle, fireworks and the spectacular Magic Kingdom in the evening. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is something that should not be missed at Walt Disney resorts.
Remember to carry a bottle of water and energy drink to keep you hydrated and fresh all day long. Also, consider taking a change of clothes. A trip to Disney World can be great fun if planned carefully.

0

Visit the British Countryside This Spring

by - Smith / May 17th, 2013 / / categories: Vacations /

A holiday in the British countryside this Spring provides you with the opportunity to travel around the country and enjoy a milder climate as the UK gears up for the Summer. The British countryside is particularly ideal for family activities and cottage holidays, whether you’re heading through the West Country, or going for remote peace and quiet in the Scottish Highlands. It’s worth reviewing some popular countryside destinations, places to stay, and some key attractions and activities for the Summer.

Popular Destinations

Consistently popular during the Spring, Cornwall and Devon offer a generally warmer climate than the rest of the UK at this time of the year, and can be reached by a 3 to 4 hour train journey from London. Cornwall is particularly recommended for the Eden Project, a collection of rare plants and fauna. Other options include visiting the beautiful Lake District, which is ideal for walkers, as well as boat rides and stays in quiet towns like Ambleside and Keswick.

Alternatively, you can head North to enjoy the countryside of the Scottish Highlands, as well as the neighbouring Orkney Islands and the Outer Hebrides; there you can spot birds, go cycling, and simply relax in a traditional cottage or lodge in a quiet location. If you want to stay closer to London, then the Cotswolds and the Norfolk Broads are within a short drive. For the centre of England, try Sherwood Forest and Hampshire’s New Forest, or cross into Wales for the mountains of the Brecon Beacons.

Places to Stay

Perhaps the best option in terms of Spring accommodation in the UK is a cottage. Compared to camping and staying in hotels and bed and breakfasts, renting your own self catering cottage will give you plenty of space for the family, as well as extra features like free Wi-Fi and games rooms; most cottages are also pet friendly, and are designed to offer you the chance to unwind in peace. Be quick, though, as cottages for the Easter school holidays go particularly fast.

Other accommodation ideas might include lodges and family adventure parks in areas like Cornwall, where you can combine a stay with kids’ clubs; parks and camping sites are similarly available in National Parks and on the coasts. If you want something a bit more unusual, it’s also worth trying a canal boat ride along the UK’s locks – you can rent a canal boat or barge and stay on it while stopping off at towns and sights along the way.

Attractions

In terms of attractions during the Spring, it’s worth taking advantage of the activities at stately homes like Windsor Castle and Beaulieu in Hampshire, as well as safari parks such as Longleat; these sites tend to have Easter celebrations and special events during the Spring. You might also want to base yourself in Cornwall and see Tintagel Castle and Land’s End, or travel out to the Norfolk Broads to take in steam railways and wildlife gardens. If the weather’s warm enough, you can also surf or go out in the sea along the coast, with Cornwall being particularly popular during the Spring.

Kevin Maddox loves the staying in dog friendly accommodation in the British countryside so she can take her best friend for long holiday walks.  She can be found blogging online about various vacations around the UK.

 

0

Best Beaches on the East Coast

by - Smith / May 17th, 2013 / Tags: , / categories: Travel Tips /

If you are looking for the best places in America, there is no need to worry. You will surely have several options to choose from. Surely, there will never be a dull moment all throughout your trip in US. For those who want to experience sun, sand and sea, you should check out the breathtaking beaches in East Coast. These beaches will show that America is more than just about skyscrapers.

  • Old Orchard Beach. Perfect for families, this beach with 7-mile stretch of sand offers more activities than just swimming and surfing. Families can spend time flying kites. Even small children will love the gentle but alluring waves of the sea. If you have heard of tire pooling, this Maine attraction is the perfect venue for it. Strengthening its trademark as a family destination, Old Orchard Beach even hosts the Annual Family Sand Sculpture Contest and the Beach Olympics Weekend.
  • Myrtle Beach. You should never visit East Coast and miss out on Myrtle Beach, regarded as East Coast’s ultimate vacation spot. Once you set your feet on the sand of Myrtle Beach, you will surely experience summer at its best. This South Carolina hotspot also hosts amusement and water parks, restaurant and bars. You will never run out of activities to add fun to your vacation. You may even run out of time to check out all the happenings in Myrtle Beach.
  • Manhattan Beach. If you think Coney Island is packed and crowded, it does not really apply to Manhattan Beach. Manhattan Beach will surely delight with its vibrant shores. You will also enjoy fishing, diving, snorkeling and all your other favorite aqua activities. Its remote location also appeals to those who want privacy. Nevertheless, accessibility is also not an issue since you can already take a quick subway ride from Manhattan proper.
  • Duck. This North Carolina spot should never be missing from your itinerary. This beach stretches approximately 130 miles along the Atlantic Coast. You will also see the high sandy dunes that have served as the trademark of this locality.
  • Joseph Sylvia’s State Beach. Located in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, Joseph Sylvia’s State Beach is made even more appealing by its small waves, seashells and the breathtaking view of Cape Cod. Aside from the fact that Martha’s Vineyard is frequented by tourists and residents, it is no longer a wonder that Joseph Sylvia’s State Beach is teeming with people. After swimming, you can also take a kayaking adventure at the nearby Sengekontacket Pond.
  • Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach never runs out of fun and exciting activities – from the Boardwalk Art Show to the East Coast Surfing Championship. Virginia Beach’s 28 miles of public beach and three-mile boardwalk will never leave you bored even for a single second. After your Virginia Beach swimming escapade, you can also check out the nearby First Landing State Park for hiking, biking and camping. There are also numerous restaurants in the vicinity, such as the Five 01 City Grill, that will satisfy your gastronomic interests.
0

Make City of Palace Your Next Holiday Destination

by - Smith / May 14th, 2013 / Tags: , / categories: Guest Blogger /

Mysore, the city of Palaces is a beautiful place in Indian state of Karnataka. It is crowned as the headquarters of Mysore district and Mysore division. This amazing city lies around 140 km southwest of Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka. Until 1947, it was considered as the capital of Kingdom of Mysore and the whole Karnataka State was known as Mysore before 1973. Located 770 m above from sea level, Mysore covers an area of 128.42 Sq. km. It houses the City Municipal Corporation since 1977. As per the census of 2011, more than 8, 87,440 people lives in Mysore.

Post independence, Mysore has emerged as one of the commercial hubs of the country. Since then, this city is growing by leaps & bounds and is counted among the most preferred destinations for foreign investment in India. Owing to commercial, educational, administrative centers & heritage monuments, both business & leisure travelers are attracted to the city. Besides, Mysore is the home of many great music composers, Sanskrit scholars, dancers, writers and intellectuals. The city is also referred to as the cultural capital of Karnataka as it boasts the unique combination of contemporary achievements and historic heritage. Wodeyars, the patrons of art & culture have contributed significantly in the cultural growth of Mysore city. The continuous support and patronage of the Kings in almost every field has lead to the emergence of a distinct style called “Mysore Style” in architecture, painting, poetry, music and more. It has a gamut of religions that clearly depicts the important part of culture. Be it the Muslims, Hindus or Jains, they all live cordially with one another in the city.

There are numerous palaces in Mysore, hence, is known as the City of Palaces. Ambavilas Palace is considered as the most famous palace as it is visited by thousands of tourists every year. A majority of people love to be in the city during Dasara festival celebrated for the triumph of good over evil. Along with this festival, the worship of Devi Chamundaeswari is also celebrated with high spirits in Mysore.

There are various tourist attractions, where visitors can explore more about the city. Some of these include Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hills, Brindavan Gardens, Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion, Jaganmohan Palace, Lalitha Mahal, St. Philomena’s Church, Rail Museum, Wax Museum – Melody World, Wax Museum – Melody World, Oriental Research Institute, Regional Museum of Natural History and Happy Man Park. These gardens, royal mansions, water bodies and public buildings reflect an indelible impression of vision of the Maharajas, their Dewans and various other talented luminaries on City Municipality. Some of the other places like Srirangapatna, Shivanasamudra Falls, Bylakuppe, Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary and Talakad around Mysore add to the city’s attraction.

The most exciting thing about spending holidays in Mysore is probably be the heady experience of royal historical palaces along with many other charms. Not only as a tourist destination, Mysore is also considered as the burgeoning center for Ashtanga Yoga. While in the city, you can also make a short trip to Coorg and other places located close to Mysore.

There are many hotels situated in the city to provide comfortable accommodation to thousands of business and leisure visitors. Every Mysore hotel is known for its great food options and hospitality. These have modern infrastructure and are well-furnished with lavish facilities to offer an unique experience to their guests.

Budget travelers can choose any of the Mysore hotel that provides accommodation at reasonable prices. Along with accommodation, these fulfill the basic requirements of their guests. You can also look for the reviews of hotel in Mysore online before making the reservations.

Author Bio:

John Milan is an experienced content writer published many articles on the web currently rendering his service to goibibo.com and focusing on online booking of Hotels in Mysore for providing convenient travel to all.

0

Kuala Lumpur: An Enchanting Summer Holiday Destination of 2013

by - Smith / May 13th, 2013 / Tags: / categories: Travel Tips /

Kuala Lumpur is a greatest and largest southest asia’s city centre of Malaysia. This is the youngest capital city of Malaysia which includes many features and destinations. One of the popular travel destination in the world. This is also called as Metropolis City Centre of Malaysia. It fully made up of architectural floor’s such as Petronas Twin Towers and Menara KL.

Need to travel a few an hour from city centre to reach the greenery islands, Lake Gardens and hill station of genting highlands. Kuala Lumpur is also very famous for nightlife dinner, events, party and shopping ar local street shop.

Top KL Attractions:

1. Petronas Twin Towers:

Petronas Twin Towers are the famous twin faces of Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia. This is landmark of Kuala Lumpur with huge collections of regular photographs by travellers. This is one of the world tallest building with 452m in tall. Petronas Twin Towers have a large giant shopping mall, museum, aquaria and Malaysian events.

2. Menara Kuala Lumpur:

Menara Kuala Lumpur is the another massive landmark structure with 421m in tall and also this is another world tallest building tower in Malaysia. Menara is the Malaysian telecommunication and broadcasting tower with high of above the sea level of 515m in tall. The district tower of Kuala Lumpur have show you a best views of entire KL city.

3. Merdeka Square:

Merdeka Square is the another landmark of Kuala Lumpure which is the heart building of KL by Sultan Abdul Samad. Merdeka Square is the capital of Malaysia tourist attractions. This is oldest and popularized hertiage building and highlights of Kuala Lumpur city. At present Melia is the best hotel in Kuala Lumpur for accommodation.

4. KL Lake Gardens:

Lake Gardens is the green heart of Kuala Lumpur city which having many kind of popular KL attractions like KL Bird Park, Orchid Bird Park, Butterfly Park, Islamic Art Museum and Malaysian Police Museum.

5. Bintang Walk:

Bintant Walk is the shop walking mall, which is popular for food eating chioces. Here you can find the satisfaction eating chioces and shopping accessories. Pavilion Mall is the one of the newest shopping next to Bitang Walk, it also best chioces for eating.

<< Older Entries