For as long as the internet has existed, scammers have been trying to unlawfully take money from unsuspecting users.
Online scams exist in pretty much every industry. So, whether you’re wanting to buy clothing, a car or even booking a holiday, there’s probably a scam loitering in the background.
Everyone will have heard of some of the big online scams in recent years, even if it is hard to believe their success. The Nigerian Prince email scam is almost certainly one of the best documented.
In fact, Yahoo has put together an interesting list of these scams which you can read by clicking here.
Travel Scams
The entire process of booking a holiday has changed dramatically in recent years. Only a few years ago, the majority of us would head down to the local high street and speak to the travel agent.
Now things couldn’t be more different. A trip around the world is simply just a few clicks away and the options we have available are much broader.
Take a look at this interesting article from the Express which suggests the high street travel agent will have totally disappeared in the next five years.
Unfortunately, the ever-expanding nature of the online holiday market means that it makes it slightly harder for casual users to realize the difference between reliable and respected sites and untrustworthy ones.
It is for this reason that it was recently reported on the Mail Online that between 2014 and 2015, British tourists were scared out of £12 million alone.
Infographic
The question is, what should you be on the look for to ensure that you don’t get stung by scammers?
Well, citybaseapartments.com has now put together a helpful infographic with all the information you need to stay scam free when operating online.
It’s called ‘5 Online Travel Scams & How To Avoid Them‘ and you can take a look below.
5 Online Travel Scams & How To Avoid Them – An infographic by the team at Citybase Apartments
In the global scheme of things, there seems to be a constant stream of new food and drink trends which tend to go from relative obscurity to gaining international popularity in no time at all.
Let’s begin with the world of food. If you entered almost any restaurant five or ten years ago (especially outside of the United States and ordered pulled pork, you’d end up leaving hungry and empty handed.
However, now you literally can’t avoid it. This really interesting article from The Guardian delves into the growth of pulled pork and suggests its rise in popularity is to do with the “modernisation of barbecue foods in the US around 2008-10.”
It’s not just the world of food which has undergone a number of taste bud tantalizing revolutions in recent years either.
The world of drinks (and in particular alcoholic ones) has also seen a number of recent trends, one great example being craft beer.
Craft Beer Revolution
Craft beer, which also can be traced back to the United States, is defined as beer which is made traditionally by a small brewery and has spread into a global phenomenon.
Initially, the popularity of American craft beer led to it being exported outside of the country.
While this is still the case, countries from every corner of the globe are creating their own, which is only broadening the industry.
Take a look at this post from fortune.com, which provides some staggering statistics about the industry such as the fact that in 2015 the industry posted a double-figure growth for the eighth year in a row.
Craft Gins Infographic
Another drink which is going through somewhat of a global revolution is gin.
Gin has never been one of the more vibrant, classy or exciting spirits on the market,but thanks to the craft gins revolution, perceptions are changing.
Take a look at this great infographic from citybaseapartments.co.uk titled ‘Around The World In 21 Craft Gins’ which showcases some of the most exciting and flavorsome craft gins taking the world by storm.
When we are planning on heading abroad for a short break or even a couple of months travelling, there are certain essentials that we must not forget.
First of all, it is worth working out whether you’ll need to apply for any kind of visa to enter the country or countries you plan on visiting.
Travel Essentials
Visa HQ is a very helpful site which lists the 123 countries which warrant a visa for any UK visitors which is well worth looking at before booking your flights anywhere.
Next up, you’ll want to consider the currency of the country or countries you’re visiting. If you’re heading to Europe it is easy to assume everyone uses the Euro, however, this is far from the truth. Take a look at this list on the European Union site for the full fun down.
Once you have your currency sorted, there’s lots of smaller things which aren’t vital to your stay, but will no doubt make a difference.
Things like plug adapters, correct clothing, sun cream won’t necessarily destroy your holiday if you forget them, but will certainly make things a lot more frustrating and expensive.
Another thing which we should all feel is important when travelling abroad is accepting the culture we are about to experience.
Travel of all about stepping outside the comfort of your daily norms and embracing another culture, from its food to its art, its music to the languages spoken.
Infographic
Far too many English speakers have a sense of entitlement and get a little lazy when heading abroad, relying on the locals to speak a little English.
Despite being the third most popular language in the world, there are plenty of people who don’t speak it. For this reason, we should all perhaps make a little effort to learn a few words or phrases before setting off on holiday.
City Base Apartments have put together a handy infographic to help you on your way. Titled ‘Saying Hello In Each of Europe’s Many Languages’ it lists all of the languages and even gives the correct language for countries which share a common tongue.
Take a look below and get your language crash course started!
We’ve all done it. Walked onto the plane and longingly glanced to our left toward the mysterious curtain into first class, only to be led away into economy.
When you see just how much first class can cost, it can really get you thinking: “What is it through that curtain that could possibly justify paying so much!?”
Is it as simple as a couple of free drinks and some comfy cushions? Or is there something they’re not telling us!
Well, wonder no more, as SilverDoor serviced apartments have put together this infographic to give you a peek behind the curtain and see exactly what separates economy, business, and first class.
The Benefits Of Each Class
The benefits of each section of the aircraft vary a lot depending on the airline, length of the flight and type of aircraft, but they’ve come to some general conclusions about what you can expect from each.
One of the things most of us complain about the most when it comes to flying is the legroom, so it’s understandable that this is one of the benefits that you’d look out for first!
On a standard economy flight, you can expect to find around 29 to 34 inches of legroom, and 17 inches of width in your seat, which really isn’t all that special!
Make the jump up to first class and you can expect as much as double the legroom on some flights, as well as an extra 2 to 3 inches width as well as a reclining chair that might even turn into a bed.
The menus for your in-flight meal will also differ quite considerably, with dishes designed by the likes of Michel Roux Jr. and Gordon Ramsey such as roast dinners, seafood dishes and curries.
A far cry from those foil trays you can expect on an economy flight!
See The Benefits & Perks For Yourself
To see the full range of benefits and perks business and first class can bring, check out the infographic below.
Economy vs Business vs First Class – Everything You Need to Know – An infographic by the team at SilverDoor.co.uk
Whether you like it or not, travel is becoming an increasingly important part of business and industry success.
Business Travel On The Rise
Meetings Today recently reported that businesses are spending more on global travel each year, with the 2016 forecast set to reach a whopping $1.3 trillion. With certain industries becoming truly international, the need to travel abroad for engagements like meetings and conferences continues to grow.
All of this global travel adds certain stresses and strains to employees that perhaps didn’t exist at quite the same level a few years ago.
For example, instead of attending a meeting a couple of hours drive away and returning later that day, a couple of days have to be scheduled to make the journey.
This means there’s a lot more to think about; such as flights, hotel booking, working on the move and preparing for the actual business once you arrive.
Working on the move can be particularly difficult. Without your usual workplace set up, it can be tricky to stay productive when working off a laptop combined with intermittent wifi and plenty of potential distractions.
This post from The Muse has a number of interesting ways to keep productive when travelling away on business.
Sleep is another thing which gets majorly affected when travelling away for work. Staying in hotel rooms the night before an important meeting can be disorientating, to say the least, and then there’s the potential issue of jet lag.
Infographic
Thankfully, this is now one less thing to worry about. Sleepy People have come up with a handy infographic titled ’13 Sleep hacks Every Business Traveller Needs to Know’.
With advice on resting in airport lounges to sleeping during your journey, from sleep travel essentials to clothing advice, there are plenty of actionable tips here so that even the more experienced business travellers can learn something.
Don’t just take our word for it, take a look at the infographic below.
13 Sleep Hacks Every Business Traveller Needs To Know – An infographic by the team at SleepyPeople.com
An increasing number of us are travelling both within our country and abroad for business engagements.
Business Travel on the Rise
The Business Travel Magazine reported that UK business travellers alone spent over £5.8 billion heading abroad in 2014, a rise of a staggering 30% on previous years. All in all, business travel is increasingly important to a number of UK industries.
Even with the aid of calling and conference apps like Skype, it’s still very important that we meet with business peers, clients and partners to talk face to face to further our success and learn more about our industries.
For anyone who has travelled for a business engagement, the whole experience is very different to jetting off on a relaxing holiday.
There is a great deal more to consider other than organising flights and hotel rooms. The majority of businesses will expect you to do some level of work between destinations, you also might have to prepare for a presentation or do some level of research ahead of a conference.
It’s fair to say that all of this responsibility while travelling can make business trips quite stressful, but they don’t necessarily need to be.
Infographic
There are lots of ways to make even the busiest business trip go as smoothly as possible. There are plenty in this handy infographic from Central London Apartments.
Titled ’21 life Hacks Every Business Traveller Needs to Know’, this infographic covers all of the necessary areas of a business trip, providing actionable tips to make your journey as easy as possible.
From planning your trip to all of your luggage essentials, from how to stay connected on the move to communicating with the locals, this infographic offers essential tips that even a seasoned business traveller can benefit from.
To make sure you make the most of your next business trip, take a look at the infographic below.
After working hard all year round and saving every penny possible, there’s nothing better than getting away for a week or two on a summer holiday to relax and recharge.
As summer begins to approach, we start searching for all the usual destinations to find a great deal.
Popular Destinations
There are a number of locations which we all love to return to every year. For example, this UK Business Insider article shows that UK residents love heading back to the likes of Benidorm, Crete and Gran Canaria each summer.
It’s also true that even though we all love to return to the same locations, more of us than ever are able to travel a little further afield.
Destinations like Central and South America, Southeast Asia and even Australia and New Zealand are continuously on the rise as long distance flights have become increasingly affordable.
Staycations
There are also plenty of us that prefer to enjoy a holiday without heading abroad. ‘Staycations’ as they have become known, are more popular than ever.
This article from the Guardian suggests that up to 2.5 million UK residents chose to enjoy a staycation instead of heading abroad. The most popular locations in the UK include the Lake District and Cornwall.
However, no matter how much money we manage to save each year, it’s fair to say that we all have our limits.
There are always a few locations or certain resorts that we could only dream of booking.
The Turks and Caicos Islands are the very definition of a Caribbean paradise, with sun, sea, and sand providing the perfect place to kick back and relax.
However, it’s not all about the sandy white beaches, and there’s plenty to enjoy for the more active holidaymakers, such as boat trips, scuba diving, and snorkelling.
Here are five of our favourite things to do in the Turks & Caicos Islands.
Grace Bay Beach
Grace Bay is not just the number one beach in Turks and Caicos, it’s the number one beach in the world!
With breath-taking views over the ocean and soft sand underfoot, as well as being right next to plenty of shops and restaurants, there’s certainly a lot to love about Grace Bay.
What’s more, it’s situated right next to most of the resorts so you won’t have far to travel once you roll out of bed!
So whether you want to spend the day sunbathing or cooling off in the ocean, there’s no better place than these 12 miles of sheer paradise.
Boat Tours
While Providenciales (or Provo as it’s known to locals) is the biggest island, and where you’ll find most of the resorts, shops, and beaches, the islands are actually made up of around 40 tiny islands, many of which are totally uninhabited.
So why not hire out a boat for the day or take in a tour to explore some of these true desert island paradises.
If you visit between February and April, you could even take a whale watching tour, in the hope of spotting these gentle giants at an amazingly close range.
Provo Golf Club
Image courtesy of www.golficity.com
If your idea of relaxing is spending your afternoon getting 18 holes under your belt, what better place to do so than shaded by palm trees with the Caribbean sun on your back?
The Provo Golf Club is the only course on the islands, but the perfect conditions make it ideal for getting a few rounds in.
After all, where else are you going to be able to play a round of golf with flamingos chilling out by the side of the green!
Taylor Bay Beach
Image courtesy of www.islandescapestci.com
If you’re after a beach that’s a little more secluded than Grace Bay, look no further than Taylor Bay.
This beach is also perfect for parents with young children, with the shallow waters with no steep drop-offs perfect for paddling around in.
The relative quiet of Taylor Bay does come with something of a drawback as it can take a little longer to get to, but it’s more than worth it when you discover its tranquil rippling sands.
Scuba Diving / Snorkelling
Image courtesy of www.sevenstarsgracebay.com
If you want to get up close and personal with some of the marine wildlife that the islands have to offer, what better way than by trying out scuba diving or snorkelling.
One of the best destinations to do so is Bight Reef, just offshore from Provo. Check out all of the various mini-caves and crevices to discover a whole new world of colourful fish in their natural habitats.
And with reefs varying from as shallow as 3 feet to as deep as 16 feet, there’s something for every level of experience.
For a much more comprehensive of list of all of the great things to do on these gorgeous islands, check out this list of 78 Things to Do on Turks & Caicos Islands from Beach House.
Here are ten reasons to consider the Lake District for your staycation. 10 reasons that are sure to inspire, lure and excite just about everybody, from those in search of adventure and excitement to those looking for respite and relaxation. If you’ve never been, it’s somewhere you’ll want to visit! For some, it’s somewhere for an annual staycation. For others, a weekend break. For many around the world, a dream! Forget beaches; this is nature at it’s most beautiful.
For those who have never been to The Lake District, here’s 10 reasons why you’ll fall in love with the region:
1. To Eat…
With rich, luscious and well-watered country comes some of the finest foods, ingredients and flavours nature is capable of creating. The Lakes are world famous for their Cumberland sausage, pies and rum butter. In addition, don’t forget the native Westmorland damsons, Kendal mint cake and char fish. You can learn more about all of these via the Go Lakes website.
Image courtesy of www.cumbria-food-blog.co.uk
Today, the District has also become well known for its Grasmere Gingerbread too. ‘Quite simply the best gingerbread in the world’, even Prince Charles whilst up north on official business made a b-line for this humble little bakery. Other well-known folk to frequent or have popped into the bakery include Tom Cruise, Jamie Oliver and Renee Zellweger.
2. To Drink…
The Lake District is home to a much celebrated Vodka Distillery, Lakes Vodka, which relies on the River Derwent to provide the base for its unique spirit, Bedrock Gin which is made using Lake District botanicals and the much loved Keswick Brewery which specialises in producing craft beers and ales.
Image courtesy of www.eebria.com
Of course, a proud northern District, The Lakes is actually home to nearly ten breweries, including the award winning, well known of and oldest independent Cumbrian born brewery in existence, Yates Brewery. And for those excited to discover all of the Breweries the Lakes is home to, the Lake District Grand Tour website makes has all the information needed, and much more.
3. To Experience a Quintessential Country House Hotel…
Created from having been the once location of ‘the ring of fire’ (a literal hotbed of volcanic goings-on), the Lakes is today a treasure trove of natural rock and stone that has consequently been used to forge and build some of the country f not the world’s most stunning architecture. What is more, those travelling to the Lakes needn’t simply make a day of visiting these locations but can even opt to stay within them by booking in at one of the three, for example, country house offerings proudly provided by Lake District Country House Hotels.
Image courtesy of www.booking.com
All ideally situated in the heart of the district, in particular, the Cragwood Country House Hotel, which was built of stone mined on the very site on which it sits on the lip of Lake Windermere, is a particularly stunning and quintessential Lake District hotel sure to please anyone looking for some luxurious yet homely.
4. To Explore and Experience Astounding Natural Beauty…
England’s Largest National Park and most mountainous region, the Lake District spans over half a million acres. The region is also home to over 200 fell tops, the country’s largest lake, its longest lake and yet only one official lake.
The district is also home to the wettest inhabited place in the whole of England. In fact, its impressive annual rainfall is largely the reason why the District remains so lush and rich with botany and wildlife all year round.
To learn more facts about the Lakes and where the ones stated here came from, head over to the Lake District.gov website.
5. To Go Ape…
Go Ape in Grizedale Forest Park just east of Coniston Water is the name of an adventure tour operation that gets adults and kids alike zip lining through the ‘sky-scraping Douglas Firs’, trekking this unique ‘Cumbrian hideaway’ and even Segway racing the forest floor.
Hence, the perfect day out for the kids, big kids, sports lovers and adventurers, Go Ape is a truly unique way to explore and experience the region.
6. To Holiday in a District Home to Over 15 Stunning Villages and Towns to Explore…
The Lake District is of course, famed for its lakes, mountains, landscapes and beauty. But, what many who opt to visit or holiday there are surprised to realise is just how accessible all of its many towns and villages are, and how wonderfully unique each is.
To learn more about its different towns, villages and what you can enjoy whilst visiting each of them, visit the Lake District Guide website.
7. To Discover the Real World of Beatrix Potter…
Whichever Beatrix Potter character best captured your heart as a child, you can find them all and where they came from at The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction.
This is one adventure that isn’t just unmissable for the kids but one which people (young and old) travel to the Lakes especially to visit. Aside from the plethora of exhibitions, the tearoom really is the cherry on top of this unique and rather magical Lakes attraction.
8. To See Some of Britain’s Most Amazing Lakes
No visit to the Lake District is complete without a tour of its 16 major, lakes and many more ‘waters’.In fact, only Bassenthwaite is a traditional lake in the truest sense, though the district is home to over 80 ‘glacial lakes.’ Lake Windermere Water is commonly held as the largest naturally formed lake in England and the Lake District’s most famous.
The District is also home to a number of smaller lakes and tarns. These are equally stunning and arguably even more beautiful, such as Buttermere one of the least known of yet best loved by those who discover it, at least according to the 350 people who have all given it 5 out of 5 stars via the Trip Advisor website which has also awarded Buttermere a Certificate of Excellence.
9. To Get Romantic (Literarily)…
Ask a person to name something associated with the Lake District and second to water or lakes, they are likely to quip: ‘Wordsworth!’ The Lake District was not just Wordsworth’s home, but his spiritual home. Consequently, much of his poetry was written in, about and inspired by this enigmatic and enchanting landscape, including the poem which has since become the most famous to have ever been penned in the English language.
To celebrate, commemorate and show our enduring appreciate for one of the country and world’s finest poets and as well more generally the Romantic aesthetic and literary period which is so inextricably bound to the Lakes themselves, visitors to the district can in 2016 still visit Wordsworth’s home, Dove Cottage in Grasmere which is today a museum standing alongside the home of The Wordsworth Trust.
Last but not least, one of the best reasons to book a staycation in the Lakes is, quite simply, to escape the hustle, bustle and rat race of city life and simply reconnect, either with one’s self or nature.
Let’s face it; holidays are for having fun and one of the best ways to do that is to visit one or more tourist attractions whilst you’re away. From family-friendly attractions to those a little more adult-focussed, you won’t struggle to find numerous ways to fill your days but it’s always interesting to take a look at what there is a little outside of the norm.
Citybase Apartments recently launched an infographic which looks at the world’s strangest tourist attractions and, for some of those included in the list, being dubbed strange is an understatement! From humongous pineapples through to the USA’s version of Stonehenge; one constructed from old cars!
The infographic highlights ten bizarre or strangest tourist attractions from across the globe and, as far as we are concerned, every single one needs to be on your bucket list!
Just what, however, are these ten bizarre attractions and where can they be found?
The Big Pineapple – South Africa
Ever fancied visiting a giant pineapple? If so, take yourself to South Africa and the day at ‘The Big Pineapple’ which can be found in Eastern Cape. The region is famous for their pineapples and the world’s only pineapple museum can be found within this one which is 55-foot tall!
Sedlec Ossuary – Czech Republic
Sedlec Ossuary certainly isn’t your regular church and, despite being tiny, is home to more than 40,000 skeletal remains. Spooky! It’s all arranged in a morbidly artistic fashion, however, it’s probably one which is still best avoided on Halloween!
Mother Shipton’s Cave – England
Deep inside North Yorkshire lies Mother Shipton’s Cave, one which, according to legend, was home to Mother Shipton, a prophetess who predicted the Great Fire of London. A great day out for the whole family and an attraction which is also home to a ‘petrifying well.’
Inverary Jail – Scotland
If your travels take you to Scotland, do yourself a favour and pay a visit to Inverary Jail. If you’ve ever wondered what an 18th Century Scottish jail was like, this is your opportunity to find out in the setting of a ‘living museum.’
Carhenge – USA
You are most likely familiar with Britain’s Stonehenge, however, few have yet to come across the USA’S own Carhenge. Yes, this really is a series of cars arranged in the layout of Stonehenge. A must-see attraction for anyone heading to Nebraska or nearby.
Paris Sewer Museum – France
You most likely don’t fancy spending your holidays down a sewer, but Paris’ sewer museum is a fantastic attraction, despite being one which initially sounds otherwise! This stunning museum takes you deep down under Paris itself and offers an insight into the history of an area you wouldn’t normally have the benefit of seeing for yourself. Add to your to-do list on your next visit to Paris.
Upside Down House – China
Yes, you really can pay a visit to an upside down house in China, one which is a little bit of a mind-bender. The house comes complete with furniture on the ceiling (or should that be the floor) and is a must-see sight for those who like things a little extraordinary. You’ll find the attraction an hour south of Shanghai.
Battle Of The Oranges – Italy
The battle of the oranges happens only once a year so timing is the key to visiting this attraction. The small Italian town of Ivrea plays host to the world’s largest orange fight. You must see this for yourself to believe it! Great fun nonetheless.
Gnome Reserve – England
Who loves gnomes? Or perhaps more a case of who doesn’t love gnomes? In the heart of Devon lies the UK’s very own Gnome Reserve, an attraction dedicated entirely to our tiny garden friends! You’ll have a great day out here, we promise!
Yunessun Spa Resort – Japan
You may be wondering why a spa resort makes the list, but when you find out that it’s one where you can take a dip in your favourite drink, it makes sense! However, who wouldn’t want to take a dip in green tea, wine or honey?
The World’s Strangest Tourist Attractions – An infographic by the team at Citybase Apartments
Best Travel Guides to Destinations Around the World
