Around The World In 16 Banksy Street Art Locations [Infographic]

12/08/2016 James Brockbank Leave a comment

Around The World In 16 Banksy Street Art Locations

If you stopped someone on the street and asked them to name you 5 popular artists of the 21st century, you’d struggle for many answers.

However, there is almost certainly one who will be known by many millions around the world, and that’s, of course, Banksy.

Who is Banksy?

The mysterious, British satirical street artist has said that he/she would never reveal their true identity which has lead to years of speculation. This article from the Telegraph is a classic example of the speculation.

Banksy has created many brilliant pieces of art in recent years, all of which either being an observation of today’s society or a satirical statement on the state of the politics of capitalism of a particular country.

While being based in England, Banksy is truly a globe-trotting artist. However, because of the subject of all of Banksy’s work, and the fact that it is often graffiti, it doesn’t hang around long.

In fact, there is a great list you can read here which compiles all of the Banksy pieces which have been damaged or destroyed.

All of this means that it is often hard to go and visit his works of art in person because many of them are removed.

Infographic

Thankfully you can take a look at many of Banksy’s greatest works of art in a handy new infographic from citybaseapartments.com.

The infographic is titled ‘Around The World In 16 Banksy Street At Locations’ and it covers some of the artist’s greatest works as well as some you may not have seen before.

For example, it presents the famous London piece which shows a young girl with a heart shaped balloon just out of reach. The words, “There is always hope” are written nearby.

Maybe less known is a piece on a wall in Toronto Canada. It depicts as businessman carrying a briefcase. The man has a sign around his neck which reads, “0% interest in people”.

To see these and much more from around the world, take a look at the infographic for yourself below.

Around The World In 16 Banksy Street Art Locations – An infographic by the team at Citybase Apartments

Infographic

9 Weird British Expressions Illustrated

12/06/2016 Marilyn Vinch 1 Comment

9 Weird British Expressions Illustrated

One of the beautiful things about travelling is the opportunity to be submerged in another culture’s language. If you’re familiar with a bit of Spanish or French, it is rewarding to battle your way through the occasional shop transaction without just using the international language of ‘louder English’. In bars and on public transport, it can be fun to figure out at least the subject that people are talking about – it doesn’t feel intrusive when you don’t have a clue what they’re actually saying about it.

In more far-flung places with languages that rarely cross the borders, it can be liberating to hear verbal sounds and emphases you’ve never heard before. You really get an idea of how strange and wonderful the very concept of language is when you literally can’t understand a word. And communication becomes about something deeper than words – and hopefully more patient!

But make your way to Great Britain, and it’s a whole new experience again. Of course, we’re all familiar with London accents and at least a smattering of sanitized southern slang that travels around the world smuggled in British film and music. Travel a little further afield, though, and something strange happens. If you can figure out the words that they’re saying in Glasgow, Keighley or Formby, you’ll recognize most of them as familiar English. But the sentences that they are found in seem to be part of a strange code that only people from certain parts of certain counties can understand!

“You’re all bum and parsley,” “you’re peckin’ me ‘ead,” “that’s the badger!” – what on earth are these tea-swilling lunatics talking about? Well, you can turn up prepared to deal with all manner of strange utterances by first taking a peek at this infographic from Sykes Cottages. Britain is going to be a ye olde linguistic adventure like no other – so here’s a guide to some of the odd expressions you’ll hear uttered on those fair isles.

Europe

5 Reasons Why The Lake District Makes The Perfect Holiday Destination

12/03/2016 James Brockbank Leave a comment

The Lake District is England’s largest national park and attracts 17.32 million visitors a year. It’s not hard to see why, with stunning lakes, mountains, coastline and historic sites.

The Lakes are popular in all seasons, and are as beautiful in the autumn and winter as it is in the warmer months with any families choose to spend Christmas or New Year in the Lake District.

Here are five great reasons why the Lake District is the perfect destination for your next holiday

1. It’s Beautiful!

With stunning views all year round, from the endless landscape and lake views to the carpets of bluebells that erupt in the warmer months, the Lake District is truly an area of outstanding natural beauty.

There is also an abundance of wildlife such as Golden Eagles, red squirrels, and stags, ducks and badgers to name just a few. There are six nature reserves in Cumbria.

Whether you are a keen photographer, or just want to relax and unwind surrounded by the calming beauty of nature, the Lake District is a wonderful place to be.

2. There’s So Much To Do

There is so much to do in the Lake District that you can visit time and time again and experience something new each visit.

Take a cruise on Lake Windermere, attend exhibitions at Abbot Hall Art Gallery, have a treetop adventure at Go Ape, visit The World of Beatrix Potter, visit one of the many castles, or much much more.

Thrill seekers can even cross the Infiniti Bridge, suspended between two mountains. At 2,000 feet above the valley floor, it is double the height of the shard!

3. The UK’s Best Walking & Cycling

If you fancy getting outdoors and exploring the Lakes, there are many great walking and cycling routes, and you can take a look at them on the Lake District National Parks Website here. You don’t have to be a hardcore hiker to enjoy exploring the lake district, as there is still plenty to see if you just fancy a gentle stroll.

4. Plenty Of Great Food

The Lake District is heaven if you are a foodie. Not only does the area boast some incredible restaurants, but also a lot of foods you may be familiar with have their origins in the Lakes.

Kendal Mintcake, the famous sugary energy boost loved by walkers and climbers, Sticky Toffee Pudding, and of course Cumberland Sausages all originate from the Lake District.

Image courtesy of www.lakedistrictdeli.co.uk

The Lakes are now home to four Michelin Star restaurants. The Forest Side in Grasmere, The Samling in Windermere, and The Gilpin, also in Windermere, were awarded Michelin Stars for 2017, joining L’Enclume which held on to its two Michelin Stars and has been named Britain’s Best Restaurant by The Good Food Guide for the fourth year in a row.

There are also an abundance of wonderful pubs if you want to enjoy some hearty pub grub with a pint of beer, perhaps even by a roaring fire in the colder months.

5. The Perfect Accommodation For Everyone

Whatever type of holiday you are after, there is sure to be an accommodation to suit you. If you are a big fan of camping, you won’t struggle for choice when it comes to finding a camp site. Check out the National Trust guide to campsites in the lake district here.

If you’re after a little more comfort and luxury, Lake District Country Hotels offer three stunning country house hotels. In the heart of the Lake District, they boast stunning views, and indulgent and stylish accommodation, perfect for unwinding on a romantic getaway or family holiday.

If you are looking for a home from home, look no further than Pure Leisure who offer well equipped, modern Lodges in fantastic locations throughout the Lake District. You can rent one out if you just fancy a holiday or if you really fall in love with the Lakes you can even own your own holiday lodge and come back regularly.

Infographic

15 Ways to Overcome Your Fear of Flying [Infographic]

11/29/2016 James Brockbank Leave a comment

Even in the sheltered and largely safe world the majority of us live in today, plenty of us suffer from fears and phobias, some of them irrational, others entirely rational.

According to fears.net, some of the top ten phobias of all time include the fear of small spaces (Claustrophobia), a fear of spiders (Arachnophobia) and a fear of heights (Acrophobia).

Rational vs Irrational

Overcoming a fear of something can be difficult, especially with both irrational and rational fears.

A rational fear is one which exists because there is potentially a real danger involved in the action or event. An irrational fear is a fear which exists without this danger existing.

The difficulty of overcoming fears is amplified when the particular fear sits somewhere between the two. One great example of this is a fear of flying.

Fear of Flying

There is no hiding from the fact that throughout history, people have died as a result of a plane crash. This fact makes a fear of flying rational.

However, the frequency of deaths as a result of flying is incredibly small, almost making it irrational.

For example, Fly Fright statistics show that there’s a 1 in 11 million chance of being involved in an aeroplane incident.

They also show that 96% of people survive these accidents. All in all, air travel is by far one of the safest modes of transport in the world.

Despite this, there are still millions of people around the world who suffer from a fear of flying. This fear can really limit your ability to travel, be it for business or pleasure, meaning it could have a massively negative effect on your life.

15 Ways To Overcome Your Fear of Flying

To help those who do struggle with it, silverdoor.co.uk has created this infographic titled ‘15 Ways To Overcome Your Fear of Flying’ which presents lots of handy ways to tackle this phobia.

Whether you genuinely are afraid of flying, or just fancy a little more reassurance, this infographic could be a real help, so take a look for yourself.

15 Ways To Overcome Your Fear Of Flying – An infographic by the team at SilverDoor.co.uk

Editor's Picks, Europe, Sport and Adventure, Travel Planning

Things To Do on a European Football Break

11/29/2016 Irma Hunkeler Leave a comment

Fancy a European football break? We bet you’re not alone. With Premier League ticket prices not exactly the easiest on the pocket, lots of football fans are heading to the Continent to enjoy the beautiful game.

It’s not hard to see why. Affordable airfares, reasonable ticket prices and the thrill of Champions League and Europa League action are all encouraging football fanatics to up sticks and enjoy an away day or weekend break across the Channel.

If you’re hankering after some of this action for yourself, we think you’ll love a new guide to the away grounds and cities of European football teams developed by the travel experts at Expedia.

Their European Football Away Games Guide is designed to help footy fans travelling around Europe as they follow their teams in Champions League action. It’s there to help you figure out how to get to an unfamiliar football ground and find your way around a new city, enjoying all that it has to offer in the process.

But hey, it’s not just about the football. The beauty of a European football break is that, as well as soaking up some football artistry, you’ve got a whole city to explore. And when we’re talking about places like Munich, Naples, Madrid and a whole host of other historic cities, there’s a whole world of wonder to discover.

To introduce Expedia’s fantastic interactive guide (take a look, it’s great), we’ve picked out three of Europe’s great footballing cities – Manchester, Barcelona and Munich – and given you a few places to visit that aren’t just to do with the Beautiful Game

Manchester

You might have heard people mention that it rains quite a lot in Manchester. They’re not wrong – it does. Escape the raindrops with a day of culture – blogger Becci Brown recommends immersing yourself in Manchester’s buzzing art scene.

The Whitworth Art Gallery won Visit England’s gold prize for the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year in 2016, and with 55,000 items in its collection, from historic exhibitions to contemporary commissions, it’s not hard to see why. Manchester Art Gallery, HOME, the Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art, Gallery Oldham and The Lowry are a few of the city’s other artistic highlights.

Barcelona

After all that football you’ll need some food. Food blogger Ben Holbrook says you should head to La Pubilla, in the Gràcia district of the city. Enjoy a starter, one or two main courses, bread and dessert and a few beers for around €25 – not bad, eh?

Image courtesy of www.lapubilladeltaulat.com/

Munich

Blogger Samantha Angell says Munich’s Viktualienmarkt is a must-visit. One of the city’s greatest farmer’s markets, it’s home to more than 100 stalls selling German sausage and cheese, beautiful flowers, fresh fruit and veg and more. Perfect for a pre- or post-game snack, be sure to visit it on a trip to this brilliant German city.

Heading off on a football break? Be sure to take Expedia’s resource with you!

Food, Infographic, Wine and Drink

Around The World In 16 Winter Warmers [Infographic]

11/29/2016 James Brockbank Leave a comment

There’s no getting around the fact that winter is finally upon us. Once the temperature is cooler and the days become shorter, we find ourselves turning from the pleasures of summer to the comforts which will keep the chill at bay.

As soon as the temperature drops, there is something a lot less appealing about light summer meals. Instead, we replace them with heavy, warming foods like stews, pies and roast dinners.

Hot Drinks

We do the same with our hot drinks. The lemonades and ice teas don’t seem very appealing when the cold arrives, so we turn to hot drinks instead.

Coffee, tea and the occasional hot chocolate become commonplace at work, at home and pretty much everywhere else to give us that welcome fuzzy feeling.

Somewhat surprisingly, despite the coffee revolution which has swept the face of the Earth several times in the last few years, tea is still the most popular beverage according to National Geographic.

It’s fair to say that despite the obvious variations of coffee and tea, there’s actually not much choice, especially in comparison with refreshing summer drinks.

However, this isn’t entirely true. There are actually many delicious hot drinks from around the world which many of us are missing out on.

Around The World In 16 Winter Warmers

The people at citybaseapartments.com have created a taste bud tingling infographic which offers up a number of tasty alternative from around the world.

It’s called ‘Around The World In 16 Winter Warmers’ and has drinks ranging from Canada to Colombia, India to Ireland and Sweden to South Africa.

This infographic is packed with plenty of drinks you won’t have tried or maybe even heard of. However, you absolutely have to try them!

There’s also plenty that you can spice up for the adults by adding certain alcoholic drinks to give you that extra added cozy feeling on chilly nights.

Don’t just take our word for it, take a look at the infographic below and go try some of these out yourself!

Around The World In 16 Winter Warmers – An infographic by the team at Citybase Apartments

Travel Tips

Arrival Procedure at Your Destination Airport

11/29/2016 Tim Scott Leave a comment

After you arrive at your destination airport, if you valet checked a carry bag, wait for it on the boarding bridge or by the plane if there is no boarding bridge. Do not enter the terminal until you receive your gate checked bag. If your bag, which you personally tagged, is not returned to you, inform the gate agent who meets the plane or if one is not available, alert the flight attendant. Otherwise, your bag will go to the concerned authority and you must retrieve it there. If you did not put a tag on your bag, this is the moment when you will get upset that your bag is not returned to you. Even if you tagged your bag as instructed, do not attempt to retrieve it as it is offloaded.

It is mighty nice of you to help the ramp workers but for security reasons, passengers are not allowed to handle the bags or approach the loading area. Thanks anyway. Please be patient. If you are connecting, locate your next gate. The gate assignment is on your boarding pass, however, last minute changes may occur so it is wise to check the departing flight board you will find in the terminal. When you know where you must go next and time permits, you are free to stretch your legs and enjoy browsing the shopping opportunities in hub airports.

For your convenience, airports locate post-flight services such as the Baggage Service Office (BSO) and ground transportation (rental cars and taxis) in close proximity. Pick up your bags first, especially in small airports and most especially when you arrive on the airline’s last flight of the day in a regional airport. Airlines at small airports have limited staff that performs all agent functions. They man the ticket counter until boarding time, then close the counter and go to the gate to meet the inbound flight. When the plane goes out again, they meet the inbound customers at the BSO. They may only staff the BSO for a short time after a flight arrives before they must dash off to meet another flight or return to the ticket counter to check in passengers for the next departure.

Airlines do not have access to each other’s offices or storage areas. Asking a Delta BSO agent to open the United BSO door to retrieve your bag is like asking a Burger King employee to open the MacDonald’s next door and fix a Big Mac for you. At the end of the day, or when the BSO agent leaves the office, the office is locked and leftover bags are secured overnight. Airlines pay stiff fines to the airport authority if bags are left unattended. Dragging your bag to the car rental area is a drag, but so is starting your trip without your bag. In addition to car rental counters, taxis, shuttles, and limo services pick up from the arrivals area.

Since you personalized your bag before you embarked on your journey, you will recognize it easily as it takes a leisurely ride on the baggage carousel. If your bag is large or heavy, use the edge of the carousel for leverage to roll the bag off the belt. A wrenched back is a bad way to start a good trip. Most bags of size feature a side handle that makes removal easier. When you lift your bag, you may question how necessary your necessities are.

If you are travelling with EasyJet, one of the most renowned low-cost British airlines, use Easyjet contact number to get the essential details by speaking directly to their customer care representatives.

Infographic

5 Online Travel Scams & How To Avoid Them [Infographic]

11/29/2016 James Brockbank Leave a comment

5 Online Travel Scams & How To Avoid Them

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

Asia, Travelling with Kids

Visiting Singapore with Kids this Christmas? Check out the Best Places to Visit!

10/28/2016 Priya Ghatol 1 Comment

Singapore is one of the best places to spend Christmas with kids, as it offers a range of fun activities with a flavor of the festive spirit. There are a number of things to do with kids in Singapore if you are visiting with your family this Christmas. Here’s our list of the best.

Port of Lost Wonder, Palawan Beach, Sentosa Island, Singapore

The Port of Lost Wonder at Sentosa island is one of the best places to spend Christmas with your kids in Singapore. A kids’ club by the beach, Port of Lost Wonder offers a range of activities for kids all year round, but during Christmas, the fun increases twofold. Santa descends upon the place with his family filling the place with a festive color. Port of Lost Wonder is also among a hit among local tourists, as in addition to recreational activities, kids also get a chance to learn about Santa’s workshop while getting a hands-on experience on creating one of the many Christmas delicacies.

Indoor Skydiving at iFly Singapore

Christmas can be the best time for a family outing and what better place to be at than iFly Singapore. The place is known all over the globe for its in-house skydiving for kids and it is the best present you can give your kids this Christmas. The experience is like a real skydive and there are two standard packages that include two and four skydives in the wind tunnel. The Challenge (2 skydives) starts at $119 SGD whereas the Adventure (4 skydives) costs $199 SGD. Prices are lower during weekdays but do check out if this applies during Christmas holidays. iFly Singapore remains one of the best Singapore tourist attractions for kids and adults alike.

Christmas Wonderland, 18 Marina Gardens Drive

One of the best places to spend a white Christmas with kids, Christmas Wonderland can be an exhilarating experience for adults also. The place dons a festive look during Christmas and offers a range of activities for a perfect family outing. You can shop from the local market and have your kids spend some quality outdoor time. Last year, the event featured Luminarie Light Sculptures, Spiegeltent, Ice Palace, rides and carvinal games. The details for this year’s Christmas are awaited, but they promise to be fun and exhilarating. You can apply for Singapore visit visa online to plan a seamless, hassle-free trip.

Snow City, Jurong Town Hall Road

A great place for spending a snowy Christmas, Snow City off th Jurong Town Hall Road becomes an attractive tourist destination for families during Christmas. The place is open to visitors all year round, but during the festive season, it becomes merrier. There are snow sculptures designed by Jeffrey Neg and some small slides, but the main attraction for kids will be 3-storey high snow slope. Well, your kids can enjoy a long slide, with a setting that mimics a sky resort. One of the well-known Singapore tourist attractions, you can have a great day out with your kids at Snow City.

Marina Bay

Well, a list about the best Christmas places to be at cannot be complete without the mention of Marina Bay. One of the best places to visit in Singapore throughout the year, Marina Bay becomes the epicenter of Christmas-themed food, shopping, and fun activities. The best time to visit Marina Bay is just after the sunset as the ambience becomes serene and tranquil. You can take your kids to shopping malls or dine a range of Christmas delicacies.

Botanic Gardens

Botanic Gardens are not only a fun place to be at for kids, but they also a great learning experience. The Gardens are specially decorated during Christmas, and your kids will be enthralled to see tropical Christmas trees that decorate the path from Tanglin Core to Bandstand. While you are at the Botanic Gardens, don’t forget to miss out on visiting the National Orchard Garden. The varied species of flowers is a treat to the eyes and spending some time at the gardens is a time well spent.

These are some of the best things to do with kids in Singapore this Christmas. There are a number of other attractive destinations you can explore when you are in Singapore with your kids as the island city offers the best tourist experience. We hope your trip to Singapore is filled with fun and frolic and you get to spend some quality time.

Infographic, Wine and Drink

Around The World In 21 Craft Gins [Infographic]

10/28/2016 James Brockbank Leave a comment

Around The World In 21 Craft Gins

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.

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Around The World In 16 Banksy Street Art Locations [Infographic]