Born to be Mild – Survey shows 20˚C’s is where Brits are at their happiness
The Great British weather can often have us longing for a 30 ˚C beach holiday in the Caribbean. Surprisingly Thomas cook’s national survey looks like we are the average, play it cool Brits – because our comfort heat and the one we long for is actually 20˚C, and that’s just 1˚C off our average room temp.
So with that being the findings, I thought I’d lay out on the table a top pick of countries Brits can get their perfect heat.
January – Mexico, Los Angeles
During January, the weather is at its coolest but that doesn’t mean to start packing your sweaters just yet, the lowest temperature in January is 20 degrees. So keep that factor 25 packed.
February – Morocco, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria
The canneries is on my top list of destinations, Player Del Carmen in Lanzarote had some awesome hot spots. Scuba diving on the coast, in 20˚C, can still be a treat, but I would suggest packing a light sweater for your walk back. The canneries tend to have slightly higher winds which can make the sun look deceiving, although you may feel a little chilly, the sun is still beating down on your skin.
March – Tunisia, Ayia Napa
If you want to experience Ayia Napa away from the 18-30’s crowds that flock there in the summer months, then I’d highly recommend visiting this beautiful island during March.
Tunisia is a country I’m yet to explore although friends and family say it’s one of the most beautiful countries in the world, with the Grand Erg Oriental a must visit. For most, dune buggies and camels are a popular attraction but what’s better than sitting on a huge sand mountain watching the sunset.
From April to December, you can experience our nations best voted temperature of 20˚C’s in the below destinations.
The healthy lifestyle has already started turning into a dominant pattern for the modern human being. At the helm of this ship is fitness, an integral part of paying tribute to our physical and spiritual selves. In 2016, in the US alone, 20.9% of the population engaged in sports/exercise on a daily basis! That’s a whole lot of people leading healthy lifestyles.
Even the most active of people, however, consider vacation “break time”; or at least they used to. The trend of an active vacation is growing and an increasing number of destinations now feature fitness as a concept. In this entry, we will feature top fitness travel destinations.
Koh Samui, Thailand
Fitness means more than good looks – it stretches across the psychological, the physical and the social aspects of our culture. The Absolute Sanctuary Fitness offers balance between the three, featuring programs that will help you improve your fitness levels, while providing mind clarity.
The goals are set in accordance with your fitness aims and your fitness assessment. The activities that are included are everything from weight training and cardio exercises, to beach boot camp, Pilates and even Muay Thai kick boxing lessons. These sessions are balanced with yoga classes that feature Hot flow and Yin yoga, as well as the Ashtanga.
Towards the end of the day, you can relax with a back, neck, shoulder or a Thai massage.
Monchique, Portugal
Even though a growing number of people are looking to get into fitness as a road towards a better lifestyle, many of us are approaching this with weight loss in mind. The Longevity wellness retreat, located in the mountains of Monchique in Portugal, is an excellent way to lose weight on your vacation.
The experts here will start you off with an extremely personalized program that targets everything from weight loss to other physical, emotional and mental imbalances. The feature program focuses on teaching the participants how one’s attitude and emotional state can influence the weight loss success – something not enough people pay attention to.
This program features a variety of activities, ranging from Pilates and yoga to hiking. After you’ve completed the Longevity wellness program, you’ll feel relaxed and energized, in addition to a couple of pounds lighter.
El Albir Beach, Spain
In the neighboring Spain, near the gorgeous El Albir beach lies the world’s leading medical spa, the SHA Wellness Clinic. The entire concept, when it comes to food, is based on an ancient macrobiotic diet that roots back to the era of Hippocrates, when it was widely believed that a simple and balanced diet is the road towards a long and healthy life.
Although it revolves around the concept of a balanced diet, the SHA Wellness Clinic includes a weekly activity and exercise schedule that features hiking and yoga.
Melbourne, Australia
The Restart Health Escapes organizes both individual and corporate retreats that feature full room and board, healthy fresh meals, a thorough health and fitness assessment, beachside yoga, but also everything ranging from language lessons and spa treatments to cooking classes and personal lifestyle counseling. To top it off, activities such as kayaking through caves and Muay Thai kick boxing lessons are included, so you better come prepared with quality and durable gym equipment in order to feel as comfortable as possible.
Crete, Greece
Food and physical activity are pillars of physical health and the Wild fitness Food+Fit retreat brings the two together in the best possible way. The 10-day “vacation” includes outdoor movement activities that range from running to jumping and climbing, followed by food workshops that go into detail as to where a particular food is grown, how to prepare it properly and what effect it has on our bodies.
The retreat is located at Milia, a village that features refurbished farm buildings, set in the White Mountains National Park. Health, inspiration and breathtaking sights are to be expected here.
These five locations feature excellent health and fitness programs that will help you stay or even get fit on your vacation. The road towards spiritual peace is paved with fitness, healthy eating habits and a good mental balance.
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
A lot of world trotting travellers tend to be content with picturesque surroundings without delving deeper. It is a matter of style over substance, but Napa Valley is a place for connoisseurs of quality. It is completely understandable if a question crosses your mind – but why Napa? Is it not one of those over-puffed regions everyone recommends, kind of like Toscana or Provence? Well, just like the two marvellous European landscapes mentioned along with it, it is worth the hype. These are the 5 must do things in Napa Valley, California:
Visit St. Helena
A visit to Napa Valley is incomplete without a visit to St. Helena. With a population of nearly 6,000, it does not seem like much of a town on paper, but it is so much more than that. The area is brimming with a variety of interesting activities every newcomer should experience. Visit the CIA campus which was established in 1968 – that is the Culinary Institute of America, if you were confused for a bit.
This locale produced many virtuoso chefs in the area. Also, if you are particularly hungry, you can get a burger at Gott’s Roadside Diner, a bona fide original which opened here in 1999. The town homes numerous wineries and three Michelin-star restaurants, so take your time to have the exact day in St. Helena that suits your sensibilities.
Castello di Amorosa
If you ever set foot in Napa Valley, you simply have to visit Castello di Amorosa. At first, you will not believe your eyes – it is an incredible castle transported straight out of medieval Italy onto the Californian meadow. However, this is far from a reverie and there is actually an interesting story behind it. It first opened to the public in April of 2007, and it is the pet project of Dario Sattui, the 4th generation of wine merchants.
Sattui actually inherited a winery from his grandfather who immigrated to California in 1886, and earned enough to have means to realize such a daunting project. The castle spreads on 171 acres and it has eight level, 197 rooms, a drawbridge and a moat. This was all built out of 8,000 tons of chiselled stone. What’s best of all – you can visit two levels of the castle for a general admission ticket and enjoy 5 wine tastings.
Enjoy some quality art
Napa Valley does not only aim to please your senses, it also wants to delight your mind. If you are in the mood for a refreshing tour of exquisite art pieces, the region does not fall short. Numerous exceptional art galleries, studios, museums and outdoor exhibitions dot the landscape and most of them are fitting for people of all generations, even toddlers in strollers.
If you have a chance, you must visit diRosa art gallery – a 217-acre home to more than 2,000 pieces of contemporary art. The variety of artwork is staggering and you will have an opportunity to enjoy the pieces both indoors and outdoors, in a variety of media. More than 800 artists are responsible for this vast collection, so it is an opportunity you should not miss if you are in the region. Additionally, if you want to have a unique and pleasant experience which is as charming as it is casual, visit Jessel Gallery. Trust us, you will feel as if you are an honoured guest at a reception.
Of course, what is a Napa adventure without savouring that sweet nectar of Californian hills, the same drink that has been passed onto us, through tradition, from ancient Greeks and through historical whirlwind and turmoil as an answer to all anguish – wine. Coupled with amazing scenery, this wine tasting adventure can turn into a cherished memory you will gladly return to in times of stress.
Believe it or not, there are more than 400 wineries in the region, so it can turn into an unruly excursion if you and your friends are not careful. If you don’t know where to start, after a short consultation with a reliable DMC in California, you’ll be able to get all the information you need and visit some of the best wineries in the area. If you get around it, visit Crystal Cellar, Raymond Vineyard or Robert Mondavi Winery. You will not regret it even if it is out of your way.
Explore the great outdoors
Would you define yourself as an indoor person? If so, Napa Valley is as good a region as any to turn you around completely. Known for its natural beauties and gentle wavy landscapes, Napa Valley has more than 50,000 acres of pure unadulterated nature that include hills, mountains, fields and meadows. All this space if yours to trek, hike, run, bike and explore to your heart’s content. If you truly need a recommendation when it comes to outdoor activities in Napa Valley, be sure to explore Mayacamas and Vaca mountain ranges.
Some regions are gifts that keep on giving. One of those locations lies at the far end of the world, bathed by the gentle orange sun on the very edge of Pacific. Once you embark on an easy-going trip across the breezy slopes of Napa Valley, you will feel fulfilled by such a gentle surge of joie de vivre, you’ll ask yourself why haven’t you come here sooner? If you ever get a chance to return once more, do not miss it. The wide roads of Napa Valley are welcoming to all visitors, all the time, and if you are an old acquaintance, she is bound to introduce you to more intriguing secrets.
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.
Even with a large family, it is easy to slash traveling expenses. Traveling with large family can be a fun adventure for the entire family. It is also fun to discover how far the family can make their dollars stretch. Here are eight ways to save when going on large family vacations.
1. If at all possible, drive instead of flying. Even if gas prices are soaring, it is generally cheaper to drive than to fly for large families. Plan well ahead of time to make your road trip all about attractions, and not miles. Plan to drive several hours a day and stop along the way to take in relevant historical sights and attractions. Driving increases the family’s ability to see and feel the world around them. If anyone uses a wheelchair, make sure every accommodation is available for the trip.
2. Pack well. It is easy enough for small families to lose track of clothing. With large families, it is almost a given. Knowing how to pack for a large family can save a lot of headaches on the trip. Pack outfits in gallon zipper bags. Keep pajamas in a special bag.
3. Make it a priority to find lodging accommodation that fit your family’s size. It is difficult to fit a family of five or six into a standard hotel room. Rooms that adjoin can also end up being quite expensive. Why not look for vacation home rentals or an extended stay hotel with all the necessary accommodations?
4. National parks are beautiful and can provide some of the best memories for vacationing families. You may even plan your family vacation around several national parks. Consider renting a lodge for your large family if one is available. Some families even choose to camp outside.
5. You may or may not be familiar with the term “shoulder season.” This includes the weeks just before and after your destination’s peak season. Traveling during shoulder seasons can lower your costs and save on lodging or airfare. For example, ski resort areas are less crowded in the autumn while the weather is still nice. For the beach, the shoulder season is May or September. Also, there is a good chance that families can upgrade to bigger suites, without additional cost, during a shoulder season.
6. When traveling with large family numbers by air, book the family flight far in advance. Airlines usually post their schedules about 300 days in advance or so. Beyond 300 days, prices generally increase. Families should also look for nonstop flights. Connecting flights generally cost more money. With large families, it is preferable for everyone to sit together too.
7. Decide on locations, venues, and dates and get everyone to agree. Everyone usually has a place they would like to visit or experience. Most People also have a place they would rather not visit. Let one family member take charge and gather all the information well ahead of time. Plan the trip based on what the youngest family member can handle. Be ready for multiple breaks during the day and lots of stops.
8. Buy your family snacks in local grocery stores. This can be a small adventure all by itself. Local stores offer a glimpse of what it would be like to live in your vacation destination. How does the store pack its fruits and vegetables? What new candies are available? Are there familiar brands your family prefers? Buying in local grocery stores, if available, can reduce food bills. It is also a good idea to bring water if you can to rinse off scrapes and to clean sticky fingers and hands.
Your family can also tap into the power of technology. There are apps you can download for nearby gas stops, sites to see along the route, local restaurants, inexpensive hotel accommodations, rental cars, vehicle maintenance, attractions, medical assistance, and so much more. Technology can be a great friend when it comes to family road trips. A travel agent can also help find your family the very best deals. Some travel deals offer specials for five or more people. Utilize your travel agent’s insider information to your advantage and enable your family to have the time of their life.
When you become a parent, you accept that you won’t have many of the kind of footloose and fancy-free vacations that you used to have. It’s just part of the territory. Trips away now generally include the kids, rather than being romantic breaks for two.
But you can, and indeed should, still have an occasional vacation with just the two of you. The daily grind of parenting can be relentless. There’s always something to do, someone who needs you. Faces to wipe, homework to help with, dinner to cook, bottles to wash. It’s good for you, your relationship and your family to get away without the kids once in awhile. Ask the grandparents for a weekend babysitting favor, and jet off somewhere amazing for a couple of days. You’ll return relaxed, refreshed and ready to go again.
Here are our ideas for the best weekend getaway locations for parents:
New York City
New York City is a classic weekend break destination. The city that never sleeps is packed with things to do all day and all night long. It is the world’s busiest and most exciting city, with endless bars, restaurants, shops, galleries and museums to explore. Whatever you want to do, you’ll find it in New York.
The best thing about New York is the way it mixes a big city feel with distinctive neighborhoods. This makes it easy to plan a short break because you can choose what you want to do and pick the neighborhood to hang out in. Even if you’ve been to the Big Apple many times before, you’ll find somewhere else to go that is new to you.
If you’re a New York virgin(or even if you’re not) start with a trip up the Empire State Building or the Rockefeller Center to check out the views and get your bearings. Then take a wander down to 5th Avenue for some indulgent shopping, and head out to East Village for lunch in one of the latest hip restaurants. Spend time strolling through Battery Park to work up an appetite for dinner, which you could follow up with a Broadway show or a night out dancing.
New York is definitely best enjoyed child-free.
Vancouver
Vancouver offers the perfect combination of city break and outdoor life. One of the world’s most beautiful cities, it is backed by snow-capped mountains and fringed with sandy ocean beaches, but still has a trendy, urban feel with plenty of nightlife and café culture.
Head to the cobbled streets of Gastown, Vancouver’s old quarter, and take a wander. You’ll find lots of cozy cafes and hipster bars, some great independent stores and a vibrant restaurant scene. Nearby Chinatown was built around the same time and hosts everything from edgy bars to traditional Chinese grocery stores.
When you’ve had enough of city exploration, you won’t have to go far to get some fresh air. Head to Stanley Park, the city’s green lungs. An 8km trail takes you around the seawall, through forest trees. Walk it, or hire a bike. After that, head to the beach to chill out, or travel up to the mountains. Time your visit right and you could ski in the morning and sunbathe in the afternoon.
Charleston, South Carolina
If you’re desperate to slow down and stroll,Charleston could be just perfect. It’s warm, beautiful and relaxed, and offers a completely different pace of life to almost anywhere else. Take a wander through its cobbled streets, which are lit with gas-lamps at night time, and enjoy its beautiful antique buildings.
Amongst all the history, you’ll find some fabulous modern restaurants, with plenty of innovative cuisine on offer. Take some time to browse through Charleston City Market, for a real taste of the Old South. And if you want a day at the beach, it’s just down the road at Sullivan’s Island. The weather is good too, with a November average of 76 degrees.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan is another great choice if you want a bit of beach and a bit of culture. It’s a hassle-free choice if you want to spend a weekend in the Caribbean, as you won’t need a passport. San Juan is a vibrant Spanish colonial city, complete with pastel colored plazas and fortified walls. You can spend hours wandering the streets, taking in the architecture, soaking up the vibes and visiting art galleries.
When you’ve worked up a sweat from all that walking, it’s time to hit the beach. San Juan boasts an impressive strip of palm-fringed sand, lined with beach bars and restaurants. If you want to check out a family vacation in the Caribbean or something more luxurious just for the two of you, those are options as well.
Las Vegas, Nevada
If you’re feeling like being a little naughty, Sin City is your place. It’s big and brash, but a couple of days in Vegas is sure to make you forget all about your everyday life of kids and work.
Treat it as a wonderful opportunity to escape, and embrace that brashness. Go for a wander down the strip, take a gondola ride at the Venetian hotel, spend some time in the casinos and see one of the famous Vegas shows. It’s a place to really indulge and go as wild as you like.
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.
13 Of The World’s Oldest Living Things And Where To Find Them
While humans now wander just about every corner of the planet, there is still something truly fascinating and mysterious about the natural world.
In fact, while we have extensively mapped Planet Earth, we still know staggering little about what lives on it.
In recent years, scientists have discussed what they consider to be the number of species which have been catalogued.
According to National Geographic, they believe only 15% of all species have been discovered, that’s right, 15%!
Even among that seemingly tiny 15%, it’s fair to say that the world is full of truly fascinating nature and wildlife.
Natural Wonders of the World
The excitement of seeing natural wonders is something which many of us travel in search of.
A number of things which feature on most bucket lists are the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. You can take a look at them in this list from World Atlas.
For animal lovers, there are a number of stunning creatures to see before you die. The most common tend to be The Big Five.
The Big Five are all from the continent of Africa and are the reason so many people go on Safari. They are the Lion, Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino and Leopard.
Obviously, there is slightly more urgency to see certain natural wonders than others. This is because some species are closer to extinction than others.
13 Of The World’s Oldest Living Things And Where To Find Them
There are also a number of individual creatures which have lived for an incredibly long time. Witnessing them before they shuffle off this mortal coil is certainly something many travellers try to achieve.
You can find the most interesting of them in a new infographic by Globehunters. It’s called ‘13 Of The World’s Oldest Living Things And Where To Find Them’ and you can take a look below.
It covers everything from the world’s oldest living Black Rhino to the oldest standing tree in Europe!
Best Travel Guides to Destinations Around the World
