Nowadays, more and more people are choosing to go on walking holidays, rather than your average vacation getaway. This is because walking holidays give you the chance to really get out and explore the world and everything that it has to offer. One of the best walking holidays you can choose to take is undeniably the Camino de Santiago. It has a variety of different routes that you can take to get to Santiago de Compostela. The capital of Galicia is actually a historic city, complete with a beautiful cathedral. There is definitely a lot to see there, but getting there is all the fun!
Here are a few of the best Camino de Santiago routes:
#1 – Camino del Norte
The Camino del Norte is actually not as well known as many of the others. It is sometimes referred to as the Camino del Costa. It travels along the coast, giving you views of the sea along the way. For those that love a beach view, this could be a great route to take. It is historically known for being one of the oldest routes to Santiago de Compostela. This route is also well developed, making it ideal for new travelers. It starts out in the small town of Irun, and runs alongside the coastline. The full distance is 825 km.
#2 – Camino de Madrid
The Camino de Madrid is one of the less popular routes. If you are looking for a walking holiday that is not too packed with other tourists, this may be the route for you. Along the way, there are a lot of great historic places to stop in at and visit. From churches and signs, to other relics, this route offers a lot in the way of culture. This route starts out in Madrid, and is only 322 km long. It has a pretty decent terrain, but it can be challenging in the beginning as you go through some hilly areas.
#3 – Via de la Plata
The Via de la Plata is a great route to take if you are looking for a longer holiday. This is actually the longest route leading to Santiago de Compostela. It was not really populous until just a few decades ago, when there were a lot of upgrades made. It starts out in the lower region of Spain, and is 1000 km long. That means that it can take up to 8 weeks to make the entire trip. The good news is that you can start the trip further in if you need to, based on how much time you have. Take in views of Roman architecture and culture all along the way.
#4 – Camino Frances
The Camino Frances is the most popular route along the way. It is 780-kilometers long, and starts out at St. Jean Pied de Port. Since it is more popular than others, chances are you will meet some people from different walks of life right away. The route is really very built up, and has great infrastructure. This means it is great even for those that tend to get lost. Just follow the road and the signs and take in the sights on this journey.
#5 – Camino Ingles
Finally, we have the Camino Ingles. This route takes you through the northern parts of Spain. It is actually the shortest route, at just 118 km. That makes it a great choice for those that don’t have a month to spend hiking and walking. It does have some patches of rough terrain, however it has good markings so you can be sure you will not get lost.
Croatia is, for years, in the top of European countries of sea cleanness. Sea quality is excellent in 99% cases of diameter measurements. Croatia is constantly taking care of sea cleanliness because of sea environment, clean nature and it’s development potential, especially for touristic ones.
Croatia, is on the quality of the sea, in the top three countries.
PERFECT WEATHER
Croatia belongs in the Mediterranean climate zone which is characterized by dry and warm summers and mild winters, with an average of 2,600 hours per year. The Adriatic coast is one of the sunniest in the Mediterranean and the sea temperature in summer period is from 25°C to 27°C. Croatian islands and middle Dalmatia have best climate, warmest summers and mild winters. All this makes Croatia ideal location, for summer and winter adventurers!
BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES
Hidden bays, sandy beaches, secret uninhabited islands, amazing untouched nature, early sunrises and late sunsets. Croatia has fantastic natural landscapes, it is very known because of islands and coastal towns. Whole Croatia is full of greenery, but most beautiful are islands and Dalmatia, where summer shows all the best. Best way to discover Croatian landscape is gulet cruising Croatia.
DIVINE FOOD
Mediterranean food is one of the best! That’s confirmed! Seashells, crabs, lobsters, shrimps, fishes, mussels, octopus and other divine seafood, are something that you MUST taste if you’re staying in Croatia. Amazing Croatian coast is one of the most beautiful and well known in the world. Characterized by amazing clear sea, beautiful landscapes, kind people and the best food ever. Because of its position, Croatia has the best climate and it makes it the top destination for tourists during the whole year, but especially during the summer period.
That is one of the things that makes Croatia such as it is – special.
KIND PEOPLE
Croatian people are very kind and friendly. People in Dalmatia are traditionally engaged in tourism, and they will do their best, so that you can remember your cruising in Croatia, only for good things.
PLENTY ACTIVITIES
Many restaurants, beaches & cocktail bars, beach entertainment with day and night activities are something that you can’t miss it in Croatia. Every bar and restaurant is full, every beach is full, jet skis, bananas, kayaks, paragliding, rafting and scuba diving are one of the many things that Croatian coast offers to their visitors.
UNFORGETTABLE NIGHTS
As the matter of fact that Croatia is the host of Ultra Europe festival, good fun is guaranteed, that’s for sure! Festival revises town of Split in the middle of summer and it gives it special magic. Except for this manifestation, Croatia (particularly Dalmatia) lives during summer holidays, so because of that, your holidays will be filled with many fun, good people, cheap drinks and food. In summertime every night is a night to go out and have fun!
LOTS OF PEOPLE
Croatia is favorite destination for all ages of people, from younger till middle ages, so everybody will definitely find something for themselves. Beautiful beaches are perfect for long summer walks, quiet and louder restaurants and bars will find their customers, crowded or hidden beaches and bays are just waiting for swimmers. In every direction where you look can find many people, from tourists to local people. If you wish for a little piece, you can walk at the beach at night and enjoy in warm air and summer in Croatia. And you can go for a night swimming! We recommend!
GOOD PRICES
This land is known because of good prices, so you will be able to eat, drink, have fun in a very cheap way. There are couple of things that are more expensive, but most prices are acceptable.
PERFECT PLACE FOR PERFECT MEMORIES
You could not choose better country for making memories…
To see more check your Croatian cruise expert!
You’ll find everything in Singapore that you could ever imagine. It’s the land where people rarely can’t get what they set their minds to. But, in terms of flowers, we could rarely find something that literally took our breath away. Flower bouquets can be seen everywhere, but nothing was quite standing out. Until A Better Florist came along.
Their florists have unique designs and each flower bouquet and arrangement is carefully put together, until what the arrangement is absolutely perfect. It’s exactly what you would expect to see on Pinterest, but in real life. And finally, Singapore has a florist that does amazing bouquets. But that’s not all.
They also have the best gifts delivery Singapore has ever encountered because they can pretty much tackle anything with fruits, flowers and little gifts and turn it into a spectacular gift.
Imagine having the ideal gift and accompanying it with breathtaking flowers. And now imagine having a 24-hour florist Singapore florists offer every day of the year, so you have access to amazing gifts and flowers all the time. Well, now you don’t have to imagine because A Better Florist covers it all.
They are able to maintain a swift delivery because they have a florist in Suntec City, a Bugis florist and a flower shop in every part of Singapore. This enables them to tackle any order and deliver their gifts and flowers within only 90 minutes.
Such a large number of flower shops throughout entire Singapore also enables them to keep their flowers fresh for longer, and that means, you’ll get a longer lasting bouquet. You can always count on them because they are available 24/7/365. They make Valentine’s Day Flower Delivery in Singapore and work on even the busiest holidays, so all of their loyal customers and first-time customers don’t miss out on a chance to get their loved ones flowers. This makes them the best flower delivery in Singapore.
After reading more online to find out all there is to know about them, we’ve learned that they make almost every top 10 list on the most respectable websites. They are the best florist in Singapore, best florist in Hong Kong but also the best florist in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. They have expanded beyond Singapore because their flowers impressed so many people outside of our sunny island. They are equally successful at maintaining their reputation when it comes to the delivery. The same principles and systems apply when it comes to their Dubai flower delivery and a Hong Kong flower delivery.
A Better Florist is an excellent florist that every Singaporean should be crazy not to try out. They bring a little piece of flower heaven into the arms of all people who appreciate luxurious beauty.
It seems impossible that the best florist in Singapore can do it all, and still be cheap, fast and reliable, but don’t doubt it. Believe it. A Better Florist has truly revolutionized the world of flowers and you should definitely become a part of their world.
Stunning coastline, windswept cliffs, spectacular scenery and fabulous unspoiled beaches are the promise on one of the world’s great road journeys. Unfortunately, all we can see at the moment is fog.
My wife and I are on the Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland with high expectations but so far the results have been disappointing. We have crawled out of Belfast and are now peering through the gloom at Carrickfergus’s well-preserved 12th century Norman Castle.
The road heads north and the weather improves. It’s now inland to the charming village of Glenarm then on through flower-filled Broughshane where Saint Patrick is said to have tended livestock in the 5th century.
Bright sunshine appears on approaching Ballycastle. Our spirits have soared and so too has the scenery. We stop at the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge which traverses a 30-metre deep canyon. I am immediately intimidated, however, despite my fears I make it across, as have salmon fishermen for 350 years.
We are surprised to discover that the bridge is more than a kilometre from the car park but the walk along the cliff-top path is exhilarating with stunning views across to Rathlin Island. Spring has brought wildflowers and a profusion of bird life.
Rangers control access to the bridge and we are told that sometimes there are considerable delays for the thousands of visitors who want the challenge of the crossing.
It is now on to Northern Ireland’s top natural attraction, the Giant’s Causeway. Apart from the amazing layered basalt columns plunging into the ocean, there are famous legends and colourful folklore associated with the causeway.
The six-sided basalt columns have been formed when molten lava filled a river valley 60 million years ago, then cooled and cracked. The site is now owned by the National Trust there is an excellent Visitor’s Centre.
The area around the causeway is attractive. Grasslands, heath, cliffs, marshes, the rocky shore and the sea provide homes for a wide variety of plants and animals. We see purple orchid flowers, vivid yellow gorse, colourful stonechats, petrels and peregrine falcons.
The tourism development manager tells us how the causeway is made up of three promontories with one curving gently out to sea towards Scotland. She also points out strange rock formations known as the camel, the organ and the harp.
The historic 1830s Causeway Hotel is serving food but we cannot resist a visit to the Old Bushmills Distillery, Ireland’s oldest whiskey distillery which was granted a licence in 1608. Luckily there are guided tours, a gift shop and a cafe.
A few kilometres, further along, is Dunluce Castle, said to be the most romantic and picturesque in Ireland. The ruined castle has clung onto its dramatic hilltop location since the 14th century. We pay the admission charge then wander around by ourselves fantasising about events long past.
Nearby Portrush has been a fun destination for generations of people and its beaches, hotels, amusements and stimulating nightlife are still here. We stop at the Royal Portrush Golf Club which is home to 2010 U.S. Open winner Graeme McDowell and 2011 British Open Champion Darren Clarke.
The club founded in 1888 is one of Ireland’s premier tournament venues and has dramatic physical features that provide a formidable challenge to all players.
Mountsandel Wood is a venue of a different kind. This is the earliest known settlement of man in Ireland dating back nearly 10,000 years. There are an earthen fort and a forest walk.
Next is Downhill Demesne, a stunning landscaped park with sheltered gardens and cliff walks. Close to the edge of a sheer drop stands Mussendon Temple, an 18th century folly based on the Roman temple at Tivoli, Italy.
We drive on to Londonderry, Northern Ireland’s second city but our thoughts are still on the special place we have just visited. As they say here, “When God made time, he made plenty of it!” we have seen it in a day but we could equally have taken a week.
Marriage proposals in Italy, baking bread in the shape of babies in Ecuador, and burning expensive possessions to appease the souls of the dead in China. Across the globe there some strange but wonderful ways locals celebrate their own versions of Halloween. Thomas Cook has collated 50 of the outlandish laws, traditions and locations to create a Halloween map of the world full of need to know trivia you never knew existed.
Here are a few highlights from around the globe:
Halloween Haters
In Dublin, Georgia, USA your face must be fully visible and recognisable by law on Halloween
Vendragues, France it is illegal to wear clown costumes or makeup on this event if you are more than 12 years old
The country of Jordan made Halloween in its entirety illegal in 2014
Most haunted destinations
Multiple UFO, ghosts, orbs sightings and the abduction and reappearance a decade later of a young girl at Barranco de Badajoz in Spain make this the place to visit for believers in life beyond earth.
Visit the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, to become one of many who have spotted a Pharaoh wearing his golden collar, headdress, and riding a fiery chariot with black phantom horse.
Ghostly Traditions
The Romanian ‘Feast of St. Andrew’ involves eating garlic the night before and placing it near doors, windows and chimneys to ward off evil spirits.
In Germany, locals look to protect the visiting spirits drawn out during ‘All Souls Week’, by hiding all their knives so they won’t be injured.
Hati locals celebrate ‘Fed Gede’ alongside the visiting spirits, eating, drinking, warming their bones by the fire and dancing with them.
The travel and tourism industry is booming as more and more people take advantage of low airfares and increased opportunities to see new places. While there has been some resistance to increased visitor numbers in some European destinations, much of the world is still welcoming visitors with open arms.
Here are some suggestions for places to travel and activities to experience in 2018.
The Philippines
Brilliant green rice fields, teeming cities, colourful jeepneys, stunning beaches, and smiling, happy-go-lucky people are all part of the Philippines scene. With more than 7000 tropical islands to choose from, you can find what you are looking for. Divers have long known about the country’s underwater attractions while Northern Palawan is perfect for sea kayakers, and Boracay is a world-class kiteboarding and beach destination.
The Philippines was colonised for 400 years and vestiges of the Spanish era can be seen in exuberant town festivals and centuries-old stone churches while huge shopping malls, fast-food chains and widespread spoken English come from the influence of the Americans.
Boracay Beach. Credit: Philippines Tourism
Manila, the capital, is a pulsating hub that blends the quaint with the modern, the mundane with the extraordinary. Cebu is a choice tourist destination with balmy weather, pristine beaches, crystalline waters, and luxurious resorts. Banaue is a place for nature adventures and cultural immersion and the rice terraces are quite extraordinary. Palawan has thick green forest, white-sand beach, sparkling water and magnificently sculpted jade islands.
Philippines Airlines operates from most continents to Manila and there are some direct services to Cebu.
South Africa
Go almost anywhere in South Africa and you can experience a combination of nature, wildlife, culture, adventure, heritage and style. During these tough economic times, it’s good to find a bargain destination where you can even afford luxury and have spending money left over. There is natural beauty in mountains, forests, coasts and deserts and world-class facilities.
It is not possible to talk about South Africa without mentioning wildlife. Everyone wants to see the Big Five, but there are also whales, penguins, meerkats, wild dogs, birds and much more. If you are looking to experience wildlife viewing in luxury, Tintswalo Safari Lodge, in the pristine private Manyeleti Game Reserve could be the answer. It shares an unfenced boundary with the renowned Kruger National Park and suites are decorated to reflect colonial times.
The same company has beach-side Tintswalo Atlantic, a 5 star, award-winning boutique lodge nestled at the base of Table Mountain National Park near Cape Town. This is one of the city’s hidden gems. The views of a wild sea crashing below contrasting with a roaring fire and fabulous welcome drinks will set the tone for a memorable stay.
For a city location, the all-suites Michelangelo Towers in Sandton, Johannesburg appeals because it is directly connected to the Michelangelo Towers Mall and the Sandton Convention Centre, and is located directly opposite Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square in the in heart of South Africa’s Richest Square Mile.
Monaco
Situated at France’s southeastern corner near the Italian border, occupying an area of just 2.8 sq. km, Monaco might be the second smallest country in the world (after the Vatican), but what it lacks in size it sure makes up for in attitude and variety.
There is an ornate opera house, Michelin-starred restaurants, and casinos, palaces, cathedrals, supercars, mega yachts, deluxe hotels and designer boutiques. There are also museums and galleries, festivals, nightclubs, and gardens with exotic plants and sea views.
Monaco. Credit: Monaco Government Tourist Bureau
The country is one of the most surprising and rewarding destinations in Europe. It is just 30 minutes by car, bus or taxi from Nice Airport through hairpin bends and along rocky cliffs. Monaco enjoys over 300 days of sunshine a year and a temperate climate.
Berlin
As most readers will know, Berlin has had a chequered history in recent decades. It is now emerging as one of Europe’s leading centres of culture. The modern Mitte district has the Museum Island UNESCO World Heritage Site, but also two opera houses and six major theatres, as well as museums, innumerable galleries and arts venues. Now, many new major cultural projects are locating here, just a few minutes’ walk apart.
Opened earlier this year, the new Pierre Boulez Saal is a major international concert hall with the elliptically-shaped hall regularly presenting concerts and chamber music. A complete contrast is provided by the 1740s Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Berlin’s first opera house, which reopened in October 2017. Unfortunately, Berlin’s most popular museum, the Pergamon, is partially closed but from mid- 2018, visitors can view part of the Pergamon Altar’s treasures at a temporary exhibition building directly opposite Museum Island.
The James-Simon-Galerie will be the Museum Island’s new central entrance and visitor centre with central ticket office, cloakrooms and facilities, cafés and a museum shop when it opens in 2019.
Berlin-Ansichten. Credit: Visit Berlin
To complement all this development, several major hotels have opened in 2017 and more are scheduled for 2018.
The Berlin City Centre Alexanderplatz, opened in May offering 344 rooms with a modern design over nine floors. Later, The Yard, 4-star boutique hotel with 55 rooms opened, followed by the Orani Berlin, a classy hotel with 42 subtle but rather luxuriously furnished rooms. Between now and year’s end the 60-metre-high Motel One Berlin-Alexanderplatz with 708 rooms, The Meininger Hotel Berlin East Side Gallery with 245 rooms and the Hilton Berlin City East with 254 rooms will all open.
Bargain rooms may well be on offer during the European winter.
Los Angeles
Many readers will have been to Los Angeles, USA but most will not be aware of the wide range of museums, art galleries and concert halls that are spread throughout the city. In the downtown area, the futuristic Walt Disney Theatre is an architectural masterpiece and is right next door to the city’s newest cultural and design showpiece, The Broad. L.A.Live is another vibrant entertainment complex offering restaurants and live music venues.
Walt Disney Theatre. Credit: Discover LA. Photo by Matt Marriott
The Westside perhaps has even more attractions. There is the Getty Center located atop the Santa Monica Mountains then on Museum Row, there is the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Pettersen Automotive Museum, the Craft and Folk Museum and the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum. In Century City you will find the Annenberg Space for Photography.
Hollywood, known as the entertainment capital of the world, is an essential part of the L.A. experience. Film enthusiasts will love the renovated TCL Chinese Theatre and you can tour the Dolby Theatre, home of the Oscars. Not far away is Universal Studios Hollywood with its rides, shows and tours.
If you consider L.A. nothing more than a gateway to the USA, you had better re-think. It is one of the top picks for places to visit in 2018.
The Best Travel Destinations for 2018www.LenRutledge.com
Cruise vacation provides a unique experience. Since you are not limited to a single location, it is easy to feel disconnected from the world on a cruise. After all, that is the point. If you decide to embark on such a journey, it can be one of the greatest adventures of your lifetime. Everything is neatly wrapped up into a package of pure hedonism: comfortable accommodation, effortless transportation, various awe-inspiring locations, delicious meals and smashing entertainment.
If these attributes are enough to convince you and you want to learn how to cruise like a pro, here are some travel tips you should know as a first-time cruiser.
Pack smart
Let us discuss the first advantage of the cruise that has already been mentioned in the introduction – you get to travel to numerous locations, yet you will only unpack once. A cruise ship is your hub of entertainment and your home away from home. You will rarely stay in one location longer than a day and you should always have a trusty backpack prepped. Fill the backpack with things that are necessary for a daily excursion – one extra t-shirt, a bottle of water, and a tablet. Keep your wallet and your phone in your pockets. If you suffer from hearing loss, you can follow this guide which has some tips on how to travel with hearing loss. This is all you need – pack as light as you can and leave the rest of the stuff in your room on the ship.
As far as packing for your cruise goes, try not to pack more than one big suitcase. After all, you’ll get a chance to wash your clothes on the ship, so you do not have to bring along the entire wardrobe. Take a close look at the itinerary for your cruise before you pack and check if you will need at least one formal attire. Shoes are the most important thing – pack the most comfortable sneakers you have, two pairs at least, and one pair of formal shoes. Fitness clothes are a must – there are gyms and various sport venues on the cruise ship.
Choose a specific cruise
There are many types of cruise programs you can choose for your perfect vacation. These programs are fashioned to follow a particular theme and focus on specific things, such as carnivals or historical locations or tropical islands or entertainment shows. This gives you an excellent opportunity to sift through reasonable deals for Carnival cruises and find the one that will give you everything a cruise can offer for less money, which you can use to spend on day trips and sea excursions on apower catamaran for example. Knowing where to find the best deals (and when) is another trait of a real cruise pro, but there is no specific instruction that can get you faster up the learning curve. Since various agencies offer different deals all the time, the best course of action is to just start scanning the internet for the best deals. Cruise Critic’s review website is a good place to start. Look for early-bird rates and last-minute deals.
As far as tech goes
Check with the cruise agency how much using the internet and Wi-Fi costs. You’ll be surprised to learn that roaming charges and Wi-Fi can take a sizeable bite out of your travelling budget. However, remember you are on vacation. The point of the cruise is to disconnect from the world and enjoy yourself. Keep your “outer world” contacts to a minimum and use applications, such as magicApp or Viber to make phone calls by using wireless network – no matter what it costs, it surely beats the roaming price tag.
Alcohol is a touchy subject
Alcohol policies on cruise ships are a complicated subject. The regulations themselves can be mind-boggling, but they usually boil down to a simple thing – you can bring one 750 ml bottle of wine onboard with you. It’s best to nip that hope in the bud. Even though cruises are all-inclusive packages, your bill can really turn dizzyingly big if you drink alcohol onboard. That bottle you’ve brought along with you seems like a small thing, but it can mean a lot in the long run, and avoid drinking alcohol on a cruise in general – there are a plethora of other activities to enjoy that are bound to keep you busy.
In my opinion, all the advantages of a cruise vacation boil down to great organization. You do not have to bother with organizing your own adventure. Everything is prepared for you and there is a schedule so that you won’t have to worry about planning. The impression of your first cruise will hardly wear off for months after you have returned home. Soon enough, with these tips and a little bit of cruise experience, you will become a cruise pro who shares advice online.
One of the most iconic and exotic cities in the world, Dubai is a city of wonder. You will understand the true meaning of development after taking a look at Dubai in the 80s and 90s. There is a lot more to the city than just skyscrapers and 5-star hotels. Whether you are a tourist or a businessman, you will find plenty of accommodation in the numerous apartments in Dubai. What was initially a desert backwater, is now a tourist hotspot.
Here are 10 reasons why you need to visit Dubai right now:
City of multiple cultures
Home to at least 200 different nationalities, Dubai is the city of multiple cultures. Approximately 90% of the population from Dubai are not from the country, making it one of the most diverse cosmopolitan city in the world. As the majority of the population belong to the first-generation, they bring a myriad of cultures along with them.
Foodie heaven
As the city has a wide range of cuisines to offer, Dubai is a heaven for foodies. Whether you are a vegan or a meat lover, the cuisines of Dubai will light up your taste buds. There are hundreds of Arab, Chinese, Japanese, French, Persian, Pakistani, and American restaurants in the city of Dubai.
Hub of modern design and art
Design and art lovers will find Dubai the place to be, because of the various art galleries that dot the city, from Alserkal Avenue to the Financial Center. You can take a look at what the local artists have to offer in the Dubai Design District. On top of that, there are various festivals such as Design Days and Art Dubai, attracting artists from all over the world.
Paradise for shoppers
The largest mall in the world, the Dubai Mall is in this exotic city. Shoppers from all over the world come to Dubai just to satisfy their shopping cravings. Every year, the city hosts the Dubai Shopping Festival, which has discounts and giveaways for anyone and everyone.
With thousands of partygoers and miles of exquisite beaches, Dubai is a heaven for night clubs and beach bars. Spend the morning soaking in the sun and nights partying to the music of the hottest DJs in the world.
The incredible Gold Souk
Situated in the oldest part of the city, you can take a look and purchase some of the best and authentic pieces of jewelry in the Gold Souk. As you can bargain in the Gold Souk, you won’t have to burn a hole in your wallet to get gold jewelry.
Home to the 7-star hotel and other amazing hotels
As the city is known for tourists and businessmen, the city is home to amazing hotels, especially the Burj Al Arab, a 7-star hotel. The hotel has a fleet of Rolls Royces so that guests can go around the city in style. The exotic hotel in Dubai is standing on an artificially built island.
Unbelievable view from the Burj Khalifa
Almost twice as high as the Empire State Building, the Burj Khalifa is the tallest man-made building in the world. See what Dubai looks like from a height of 828m, while enjoying a meal.
The mind blowing skyline
Wherever you are in Dubai, you can never escape the mind blowing skyline of the city. The city is filled with exquisite skyscrapers, bringing the cityscape to life, both during the day and at night.
Palm Islands
Last but not the least, you can visit Palm Jumeirah, the largest artificial island in the world. On this incredible island, you will find multi-million dollar mansions, 5-star hotels, and resorts. Whether you are flying over the island or passing by on a boat, the palm islands are nothing short of breathtaking.
These are the ten reasons why you should visit Dubai. Book your tickets, pack your bags and head over to Dubai right now.
If you’re looking for a new and exciting way to have a family adventure and see the world, then consider cycling. It’s an activity that’s great for the whole family, it’s not too fast nor too slow, it’s cheap and good for fitness and health, so it’s not a surprise more and more people choose bikes to travel with. If you want to join the trend, here’s where you can start from.
Otago Central Rail Trail, New Zealand
This popular 150-kilometre trail will take you through right back in time through the once-crowded goldfields of Otago, New Zealand. Central Rail Trail connects Clyde and Middlemarch while passing through many valleys and little hills. This trail is perfect for all levels of cyclists because it never gets steep, but it still offers amazing views and beautiful nature. Even if this is a short ride, you can still stretch it, thanks to the abundance of pubs and B&Bs you’ll want to check out.
Confederation Trail, Canada
This island is just perfect for cyclists, so much that a long time ago, all motor vehicles were even banned from the island. Prince Edward Island is flat, rich in produce and food and blessed with beautiful nature such as its red cliffs around Basin Head and sand dunes in PEI National Park. So, if you don’t have enough time to check out all 470 kilometres of the trail, make sure to check out those beautiful cliffs and dunes. PEI also has some high-quality food you taste, so don’t miss out.
San Juan Island, USA/Canada
Right between Vancouver and Seattle is San Juan Island, called by many “cycling perfection”. These islands are perfect for families of all kinds because each island can be toured in a day, the weather is nice, it’s relatively flat, and there are ample ferry connections between each island. This archipelago is contained from over 100 islands, but most cyclists choose San Jan, Orcas or Lopez.
Lopez is the tamest of the three, while Orcas is perfect for more seasoned cyclists (but it offers amazing views). If you still choose Orcas, make sure to keep both eyes open for orcas as you paddle along the coast. Your kids are going to love those beautiful predators. Also, accommodation on the islands is plentiful, so you can stay a couple of days and enjoy your time together.
Isle of Wight, England
The Isle of Wight is known as one of the most bike-friendly places in Britain and is also included in Lonely Planet’s 10 best cycling destinations. It has many scenic towns, narrow lanes, and white cliffs, and you can see all that while paddling a route that’s barely over 100 km long. It makes a perfect 2-day journey for biker families.
Murray to the Mountains, Victoria, Australia
This gentle trail of only 83 km will give you a great insight into Victoria’s High Country. It can be cycled in a day, but you better stretch it out for at least two, because there’s so much to see and taste there. The route passes many cellars, hotels, and restaurants you shouldn’t miss. If you’re a family that has very little or no cycling experience, then be free to start with this trail. You’re not going to need much, just some solid bikes, helmets and some Shimano mtb shoes, and soon you’ll be ready for some more challenging adventures.
Arusha Trail, Tanzania
If you want to experience a true adventure and travel a bit further from home, then why not visit Africa for a cool safari trip. When you get bored of sitting in a jeep, you can take a bike ride through the lush landscape of Arusha just in the foothills of Kilimanjaro. Saying that the views are beautiful is an understatement, and you can see many interesting villages, coffee plantations, cow markets and chat with friendly locals. You and your kids will remember this for the rest of your lives.
Hanoi, Vietnam
Vietnam is widely famous for being a cycling country. Its also a stunningly beautiful country with many different cycling routes you can take to enjoy a perfect, relaxing vacation while taking in all the natural splendors along the way. Whether its urban centers like Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi, or the beautiful outlands and the Mekong Delta, Vietnam will surely leave a great impression on almost everyone.
As you can see, you don’t have to be a pro cyclist to have a paddling adventure with your family. Take as many stops as you need to get rest, refresh with some local drinks and food, and take in all the beautiful scenery our planet has to offer. You’ll be itching to have another adventure as soon as you get home.
Imagine yourself, right now, stood at a music festival of your choice, all of your pals around you, your favourite band playing your favourite song.
Imagined it? What are you likely to do to capture this moment? Of course, it’s going to be taking a photo and uploading it to Instagram, because that’s half the fun of spending a weekend in a field, right?
Accessorize have researched into the most Instagram worthy festivals in the UK, US and Europe and plotted them on a wanderlust-worthy interactive map.
From the wonderful land of the free (USA) to the UK across to Europe – there are some pretty cool festivals to be attending.
The top ten are as follows for the US:
Coachella, of course, could not be any less than number 1 – the biggest A-Lister festival set in in the Colorado dessert, California. Whether you’re looking to pile in with friends or lounge in the lap of luxury, Coachella has lodging options for every festival goer.
The festival offers more delicious food than you could eat in a weekend, with over 100 choices serving everything from wood-fired pizza and handcrafted burgers to authentic street food and fresh-from-the-wok noodles.
It was without doubt that Glastonbury gained the throne within the UK festivals, of course – set in Somerset on Worthy Farm in Pilton, Glastonbury has been going for 47 years and started out with a capacity of 1,500 which has increasingly grown to over 135,000.
Ohh wonderful Europe, how many festivals there are!
Sziget, based in, Hungary takes the festival crown for Europe – with a capacity of over 496,000 that attended the 2016 24th edition of the festival.
Sziget takes place on a beautiful island on the Danube every August and brings together people from all over the world, as well as musical (mainly) and other acts and events. It’s a fantastic multicultural experience, and a lot of people take advantage of it every year.
Check out the interactive map courtesy of Accessorize, and explore the rest of the UK, US and European festivals.
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