Europe, Travel Planning, Travelling with Kids

Best Family Vacations You Cannot Miss in 2017

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Spending time with family has become a precious activity in today’s busy world, and to take time out from hectic schedules and plan a holiday would mean that you would want everything to be perfect for your special family bonding time. The world over the decades has become a smaller place and today it is possible to travel anywhere around the world without much stress and hassles. But when it comes to planning a family holiday, your choice of destination becomes a prime aspect that you cannot overlook. The destination for your family holiday should have all the essentials to suit and entertain every member of your family which becomes a bit challenging when you have teens and little kids in tow. If you’re looking for a holiday destination that has something for the whole family, take a look at this list of best family vacations in 2017 where you and your family can choose experiences from a myriad of options to have a fun packed family time.

Italy

View at Tiber and St. Peter's cathedral in Rome
Italy stirs your memory to think about renaissance structures, spectacular architectures and sculptures, beautiful Mediterranean coastline, pizzas, pastas and gelato. The charming Mediterranean country has a fascinating collection of places to keep you thrilled as well as captivate the interest of your kids where they can marvel at medieval structures, run around vast landscapes, splash in timid Mediterranean waters and indulge in lip-smacking Italian cuisine. Get an insight into stunning historic heritage, beautiful churches, piazzas and works of world’s most celebrated artists at Rome and Florence. The striking sights of Colosseum, Trevi Fountains, Cathedral of Santa Maria, Palazzo Vecchio would blow your minds away. Explore the lesser known laid back quaint countryside and towns which are just few hours away from major cities. Visit the colourful seaside town of Cinque Terre, picturesque towns along the Amalfi Coast and Tuscany and the pretty lakeside villages at Lake Como and Lake Iseo. Indulge in genuine Italian food scene with delicious variations of pizzas, pastas, cheese and wine. In Italy, kids would love to dig into authentic Italian pizzas and some of world’s best desserts and ice creams. Preparing for an Italian vacation is easy, all you have to do is apply for Italy visit visa online and appoint an Italian specialist tour operator who would guide you through the best family-friendly accommodations and Italy attractions for a pleasant family holiday.

Dubai

Dubai
A top notch family destination, Dubai knows how to attract and entertain visitors of all age group. A trip to Dubai – be it a short stop over or a long vacation, the futuristic city will keep you delighted throughout your journey. The bewitching sights of soaring metallic skyscrapers to contrasting toned down old neighborhoods, Dubai has sights to keep you intrigued and attractions that are superlative and extraordinary unlike any other in the world. Take your family on a journey that would leave them gaping in amazement at sights of Burj Khalifa, Dubai Fountain, Dubai Miracle Gardens, Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo to name a few. Take a stroll through the old quarters of Dubai to get a glimpse of how Dubai used to look before its rapid modernization. Venture into the Arabian desert and have an adventurous day with a desert Safari tour. Kids will have a gala time at many unique attractions such as Dinoland, SEGA Republic, Ski Dubai keeping them occupied during the holiday. If the heat is getting a bit too much to handle, spend a splashing day at Aquaventure Waterpark or Wild Wadi Water Park. Finally, a Dhow Cruise Dinner on Dubai Creek is the ultimate place to have a quiet family dinner and enjoy the gleaming Dubai city skyline.

Singapore

Singapore
It wouldn’t be fair to judge Singapore by its size since the miniscule nation located at the tip of Malay Peninsula is brimming with fabulous attractions that have something engaging for every age. A family holiday to Singapore would be a thrilling experience where adults as well as kids, can enjoy mind-blowing attractions. Visit Sentosa island which houses the marvelous Siloso beach, Singapore’s iconic – the Merlion, and Resorts World Sentosa which has Asia’s first ever Universal Studios Singapore. Back on the mainland, venture into the world of animals with visit to Night Safari, Singapore Zoo and Jurong Bird Park. Get onboard the Singapore Flyer to witness the magnificent vistas of Singapore City.

Hawaii

Maui-Island-Hawaii
Maui Island

Looking for a piece of paradise to revel in while kids have their own enjoyment time, head to Hawaii Islands and experience laid back bliss while spending quality family time. Hawaii islands is everything about sun, sea and sand – right from the moment you touch down on these islands, you would get a gist of how pleasant island living can be. Get pampered by Hawaiian hospitality and friendly locals then laze around the serene beautiful beaches facing azure waters under the tropical sun while your kids can enjoy splashing around and making sand castles. Take a family cruise and explore the tranquil ocean surrounds where you might even sight humpback whales on your trip. If you are looking for a detour from the idyllic break, go exploring Hawaii’s beautiful national parks which are preserved among volcanic mountains. A Hawaiian holiday gets your family to experience leisure at sun-soaked beaches, discover untouched landscapes and revel in the warmth of friendly locals and extraordinary culture.

Australia

Australia
The colossal continent is filled with appealing attractions and destinations that you would be spoilt with choice in regards to what to see and where to go on your Australian vacation. The airy skies and long stretched open meadows, stunning elegant cities and beautiful nature trails, Australia takes you amid a blend of modern elegant cities, fascinating nature vistas, pristine beaches and exotic wilderness. Come face to face with kangaroos and koalas, take nature walks together with your family, have thrilling family bonding sessions at splendid theme parks, enjoy the sunny beaches, explore the Great Barrier Reef or head down to the pleasant vineries of South Australia. Australia is much more than just the usual destinations of Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast. Head down to New South Wales or Southern Australia and you will be surprised at how much Australia has in store for your family to have a great time together.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong
One of the most favoured destinations by families, Hong Kong gets kids delighted for one reason – Hong Kong Disneyland. The star attraction destination in Hong Kong manages to allure kids to come with their families to Hong Kong year after year. With its expansion and addition of more themed attractions, Hong Kong Disneyland works its magical charm on families to spend a day or two here while visiting Hong Kong. Apart from Disneyland, families can have fun time amid wilderness and animals at Ocean Park and Global Geopark. Head to Tian Tan Buddha familiar as The Big Buddha and explore the surrounding panoramas or get to the top of Victoria peak to view unperturbed vistas of Hong Kong city below. A ride aboard a ferry on the river lets you marvel at the amazing illuminated skyline. Later, let loose and go shopping at various street markets and malls, and grab a bite of Asian or international cuisine at countless restaurants and food outlets.

Start the year 2017 earlier than rest of the world by waking up in Australian dawn or simply experience the New Year in a whole new destination either on a serene beach of Australia or Hawaii, or roaming around contrasting urban and cultural towns of Italy and Dubai. With a fantastic range of destinations waiting to be explored, pack your bags to head forth in full of energetic verve into an adventurous new year 2017.

Infographic

How To Shake Hands Around The World [Infographic]

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The handshake: a universal greeting of peace and fraternity, right? Well, yes and no.

While widely believed to have evolved as a gesture to show that the greeter bears no weapons, and used in countries on every continent, the precise format of the handshake in different cultural contexts can be a matter of grave importance. Everything from strength of grip to the order in which you greet your hosts can give subtle hints about where you’re from, can potentially cause offence – or can display both affection and respect for your counterpart’s culture.

In nations as diverse as Canada, Mexico and Morocco, for example, a man should wait for a woman to offer her hand before extending his own, to ensure it is appropriate – while in Thailand, you shouldn’t shake a woman’s hand at all. In Australia, women should likewise make the first move – but as a woman, you shouldn’t try to shake hands with another woman.

In South Korea, a gentle handshake is preferred (one out of five on the firmness scale!) and it is important to greet a group in order of age, starting with the eldest. Supporting your right wrist with your left hand while shaking shows respect. If it sounds a lot to remember, it will soon become second nature, and you’ll recognize that such detailed customs raise one’s awareness of the beauty and fragility of our togetherness to a special level.

In France, the handshake is considered too formal when meeting family and close friends, while over the border the Swiss will shake hands with anyone but reserve the use of first names for their nearest and dearest. A simple train ride across Europe can become fraught with social complexities! But to get a better idea of what is appropriate and where, do check out this infographic before you go – it’s indispensable when overseas and keen to make a good first impression.

a-global-guide-to-handshakes

Infographic

What Country Best Fits Your Manners? [Infographic]

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If you’re a big tipper, you could be big in South Africa. If you’re generous with your hugs, you’ll likely be embraced by the people of Brazil and Spain. But if you wear your Sunday best to business meetings, you’re going to look out of place in Ireland. Across the world, the gestures and behaviors that make up our day-to-day life vary in subtle but important ways that can help us to accustom ourselves to the areas we visit, and on occasion even prevent us getting in trouble. Conversely, if you’re sick of the tardiness of your compatriots or want to visit somewhere that you’ll actually be given some personal space for a change, it’s comforting to know there are certain areas that we might be able to fit in with our own personal preferences.

Of course, it’s not a failsafe approach, and often the same kind of behavior may mean different things or have a different heritage in different countries. Did you know, for example, that far from a gesture of solidarity, tipping in America dates back to the country’s post-Civil War bourgeoisie, who travelled to Europe and picked up the custom like a souvenir to impress and belittle their less well-off compatriots? Or that in Singapore, tipping really means something – that it’s rare, but used when the service really demands applause?

Below is a roadmap for regional manners: this flowchart from Expedia will help you find the place that you’ll fit in best. Whether it’s eating with your right hand only in Indonesia or politely leaving gifts unopened until the party’s over in Colombia, you’ll be surprised how many of our basic manners are considered alien by those from other places. It’s a great opportunity to come together and celebrate the wild and varied differences that make us human.

what-country-fits-your-manners

 

Food, Infographic

How the World Serves Eggs [Infographic]

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Eggs are pretty weird when you think about them too hard. But they are also delicious, convenient, and highly versatile – as is demonstrated by the regional variations on show around the world. If you’re planning to travel, and want to know what the egg world has in store for you, or if you just want to add a bit of exoticism to your weekend brunch, you can do a lot worse than making a trip to the supermarket with a list of ingredients for some of our international neighbours’ signature yolk n’ albumen dishes.

The North African ‘shakshuka’, for example is a real humdinger. Fried and garnished with spices and salty feta, red peppers and tomato give it that extra kick. This one could well be considered a kill-or-cure hangover remedy. The Chinese have a more mellow alternative: egg flower soup is a comforting treat, with peas and mushrooms adding body to the chicken-based broth. Soy and rice wine ensure the Asian spin still delivers with every mouthful.

The Scotch Egg, which stretches way beyond Scotland to the whole of the British Isles, is something of a reliable classic. A boiled egg is wrapped in meat and breadcrumbs, making for a substantial picnic side-dish with no nonsense. Contrast this with the Philippines, where their notorious ‘balut’ consists of a boiled, fertilized duck egg eaten straight from the shell, and you’ll start to believe there’s little you can’t learn about the world through the consumption of regional egg specialities.

After all that savoury weirdness, though, you’ll want to sweeten your palette – and there’s no need to hold back on the egg mission now. French meringue is a crunchy dessert that hits you right in the sweet tooth, and is made from just the egg white and sugar. Combine it with cream and fruit, though, and it becomes a complex of flavour and texture that feels quite Gallic, and quite decadent.

If you’re still not overdosed on eggs, check out the infographic below that explores some of the other weird and wonderful ways that different cultures deal with the small oval ones. Always buy free range, but other than that – perhaps don’t think too hard about where they come from.

how-the-world-serves-eggs

Image sources: Featured image / Infographic

Europe, Infographic

Saying Hello In Each of Europe’s Many Languages [Infographic]

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When we are planning on heading abroad for a short break or even a couple of months travelling, there are certain essentials that we must not forget.

First of all, it is worth working out whether you’ll need to apply for any kind of visa to enter the country or countries you plan on visiting.

Travel Essentials

Visa HQ is a very helpful site which lists the 123 countries which warrant a visa for any UK visitors which is well worth looking at before booking your flights anywhere.

Next up, you’ll want to consider the currency of the country or countries you’re visiting. If you’re heading to Europe it is easy to assume everyone uses the Euro, however, this is far from the truth. Take a look at this list on the European Union site for the full fun down.

Once you have your currency sorted, there’s lots of smaller things which aren’t vital to your stay, but will no doubt make a difference.

Things like plug adapters, correct clothing, sun cream won’t necessarily destroy your holiday if you forget them, but will certainly make things a lot more frustrating and expensive.

Another thing which we should all feel is important when travelling abroad is accepting the culture we are about to experience.

Travel of all about stepping outside the comfort of your daily norms and embracing another culture, from its food to its art, its music to the languages spoken.

Infographic

Far too many English speakers have a sense of entitlement and get a little lazy when heading abroad, relying on the locals to speak a little English.

Despite being the third most popular language in the world, there are plenty of people who don’t speak it. For this reason, we should all perhaps make a little effort to learn a few words or phrases before setting off on holiday.

City Base Apartments have put together a handy infographic to help you on your way. Titled ‘Saying Hello In Each of Europe’s Many Languages’ it lists all of the languages and even gives the correct language for countries which share a common tongue.

Take a look below and get your language crash course started!

Saying Hello In Each Of Europe’s Many Languages

Asia, Australia, Editor's Picks, Luxury Travel

Luxury Around the World

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Len Rutledge

Luxury and experiential travel are changing the travel industry and the way many people think about travel. While trips to see grandma will always occur, family trips today are often camping safaris through Africa or visits to remote lodges in Bhutan.

Today’s travellers are braver than ever and are prepared to travel well off the beaten track. They are looking for something unique and individual.  As new destinations emerge, traditional tourist hotspots and resorts have to rethink their approach in order to stay relevant.

I have just returned from Luxperience, an unmissable annual get-together for all those associated with the high-end travel industry. It was a meeting which exposed all the newest and best operators, and showed where this growing part of the industry is heading.

I have selected five products which show the level of luxury and diversity that is now available to world travellers. Any of them would be an experience of a lifetime for most people.

Deccan Odyssey

This is a luxury train in India comprising 21 luxuriously appointed coaches; 11 are to accommodate guests and the rest are used for different purposes such as dining, lounge, conference car and health spa. All the cabins of Deccan Odyssey are fully equipped with air-conditioning, internet connectivity, and personalized guest amenities that make sure that your journey is a comfortable and memorable one. There are two restaurant cars available which serve Indian, continental and oriental delicacies.

deccan

There are six itineraries which travel to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an excellent vineyard, palatial residences, sun-kissed beaches, magical cities, and tranquil backwaters. All is done with the luxury and pomp that only India can muster. Truly, this is the journey of a lifetime.

Over the Top

This New Zealand helicopter company based in Queenstown provides more than just a helicopter ride. You can visit alpine glaciers and remote lakes, for hiking, boating, extreme golfing, winery visits, heliskiing or fly fishing. For guests wanting an interaction with some distinctive New Zealand characters, you can fly with eco-guides, chefs, artists – genuine New Zealanders who delight in making your stay a once in a lifetime experience.

over-the-top-golf-tee

One activity that is gaining in popularity is Over the Top Golf. This provides access to New Zealand’s most picturesque golf hole. Nestled at 4500 feet in the New Zealand alps this par 3 hole overlooking Queenstown has four tee boxes so you can attempt your hole in one. Players have to fly in, drive, chip and putt out on the top.

The Racha

This deluxe island hideaway in Thailand is set on a pristine beach on Racha Island 18 km south of Phuket. The resort features 85 luxurious villas and strives to be recognized as a leader in responsible and environmentally sustainable tourism. The island is known for its natural beauty and for its excellent corals and marine life. It is also a wonderful place for relaxation and for doing nothing.

lighthouse-pool

Many rooms have a large living area and a spacious private terrace. Each villa is superbly designed and features a luxurious bathroom and a rain-shower outside. The Earth Cafe is a contemporary chic international café serving Western and Thai food in air-conditioned comfort or on the terrace. Sunset Beach is a casual restaurant serving local specialties and snacks for lunch and fresh barbequed seafood and steaks for dinner right next to the beach. Firegrill is a fine dining restaurant offering Mediterranean cuisine.

R.M. Williams Tour

R.M.Williams was an Australian hero who did much to put the Australian Outback on the map. His famous boots became a symbol of toughness and style which continues to this day. The Tailor, in conjunction with R.M.Williams, has designed the ultimate tribute to RM Williams. In RM’s Footsteps is a 4-day journey which traces his personal history, telling the story of how he created the famous leather boots now sold around the world.

This amazing trip offers guests a rare opportunity to explore the legend of RM Williams by visiting several magnificent Outback destinations, such as the Flinders Ranges and Lake Eyre, enjoying traditional country hospitality and eating delicious regional cuisine. Guests travel in ultimate luxury aboard a Swiss-built Pilatus PC12 aircraft.

nilpena-station-with-the-flinders-ranges-behind

The trip begins in Adelaide with a private tour of the RM Williams workshop, factory, and museum, plus a chance to be fitted with your own boots, clothing and other bush apparel. You will receive a complimentary pair of Craftsman Boots. Another highlight is a visit to the historic Nilpena Station, a tour of the nearby red desert dunes, and a rare visit to the heritage listed Ediacara fossils made famous by the likes of Sir David Attenborough.

The Strand Cruise

On a languid journey along the Ayeyarwady River, the new luxurious Strand Cruise reveals the core of Burma in exceptional comfort. Cruise itineraries include 4 nights from Bagan to Mandalay and 3 nights from Mandalay to Bagan. While cruising you can clear your mind with a rejuvenating massage, or relax by the swimming pool. Enjoy the magnificent sunset from the upper deck while the sommelier delights you with a wide variety of wines. At dinner, the Chef will take you on a journey through refined cuisine.

slide-strand-cruise-b

Pampering and relaxation are the goals of the spa. You can heighten the experience with a massage in either an individual room or share the experience in our double room. The foot reflexology station will leave you ready to take on a new day of exploration and discoveries. The fitness room comes complete with treadmills, weights, and other gym equipment; everything needed for an invigorating workout.

Excursions allow you to explore the royal cities of Mingun, Amarapura, and Ava by horse-drawn cart; take in landmarks such as the U Bein bridge; and marvel at the enduring beauty of the country’s innumerable temples and monasteries.

Further information:

Deccan Odyssey: http://www.deccan-odyssey-india.com/

Over the Top: http://www.flynz.co.nz/

The Racha: http://www.theracha.com/new/index.htm

R.M.Williams Tour: http://www.thetailor.com.au/rmwilliams/

The Strand Cruise: http://www.thestrandcruise.com/

www.LenRutledge.com

Infographic, Luxury Travel

Economy vs Business vs First Class – Everything You Need To Know [Infographic]

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We’ve all done it. Walked onto the plane and longingly glanced to our left toward the mysterious curtain into first class, only to be led away into economy.

When you see just how much first class can cost, it can really get you thinking: “What is it through that curtain that could possibly justify paying so much!?”

Is it as simple as a couple of free drinks and some comfy cushions? Or is there something they’re not telling us!

Well, wonder no more, as SilverDoor serviced apartments have put together this infographic to give you a peek behind the curtain and see exactly what separates economy, business, and first class.

The Benefits Of Each Class

The benefits of each section of the aircraft vary a lot depending on the airline, length of the flight and type of aircraft, but they’ve come to some general conclusions about what you can expect from each.

One of the things most of us complain about the most when it comes to flying is the legroom, so it’s understandable that this is one of the benefits that you’d look out for first!

On a standard economy flight, you can expect to find around 29 to 34 inches of legroom, and 17 inches of width in your seat, which really isn’t all that special!

Make the jump up to first class and you can expect as much as double the legroom on some flights, as well as an extra 2 to 3 inches width as well as a reclining chair that might even turn into a bed.

The menus for your in-flight meal will also differ quite considerably, with dishes designed by the likes of Michel Roux Jr. and Gordon Ramsey such as roast dinners, seafood dishes and curries.

A far cry from those foil trays you can expect on an economy flight!

See The Benefits & Perks For Yourself

To see the full range of benefits and perks business and first class can bring, check out the infographic below.

Economy vs Business vs First Class – Everything You Need to Know – An infographic by the team at SilverDoor.co.uk

Festivals, North America, Travel Planning, Travelling with Kids

Best Places to Celebrate Christmas and New Year in Canada

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People in Canada welcome the Christmas season along with the New Year through parties and celebrations either at their respective homes or in clubs, lounges, and pubs. The type of celebration may vary depending on the area you are in Canada like in rural areas of Quebec; people love to spend the night ice fishing with their beloved ones. Most of the day on the 1st January is consumed recovering from the celebrations the previous night or till wee hours early morning. Many people do escape out of Canada during this season for a vacation at a comparatively warmer location.

The 1st of January is declared as a statutory holiday, and if this day falls on the weekend, then the statutory holiday is shifted to the next day. Businesses, organizations, schools and universities are closed on this day. Even the public transport system enjoys a holiday or is open for short duration through the day. Some provinces and municipalities vary the rules and regulations; so don’t be surprised if you find the stores shut down in some locations.

Ottawa

New Year Celebration in Ottawa, Canada

Located on the south bank of the Ottawa River towards the east of Southern Ontario, Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. The season celebrations kick off with an illumination ceremony held in the first week of December. The Parliament Building itself is covered with vibrant colored lights. The ceremony also provides free distribution of hot chocolate, Christmas carols, and Beaver Tails, which is often followed by wonderfully illuminated displays in the entire month. Some of the popular hotels in Ottawa, which are known for their celebrations during this festive season, are Comfort Inn Ottawa East Hotel, Residence Inn Ottawa Downtown Hotel, National Hotel and Suites, Les Suites Hotel Ottawa, and Capital Hill & Suites Ottawa Hotel.

Toronto

New Year And Christmas in Toronto

The capital province of Ontario and the largest city in Canada, Toronto is located in the southern part of Ontario towards the northern shore of Lake Ontario. Toronto is home to the biggest Santa parades in the world, there are thousands of visitors who love to be a part of this parade. This 6-kilometer route runs through the heart of the city. The Cavalcade of Lights takes places through the entire month of December. This festival starts off with the lighting of the gigantic Christmas tree in front of the City Hall in Nathan Philips Square. Some of the popular hotels in town are Thompson Toronto Hotel, Best Western Plus Travel Toronto Airport, Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Toronto Hotel, Howard Johnson Yorkville, and Easton Chelsea Hotel. Book early to avoid any last-minute hassles.

Quebec

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A Province, which is located in east-central Canada. An area, which is predominate with French-speaking people and the only province that has French as an official provincial language. A great place to be during the Christmas holidays, which is home to beautiful & fluffy white snow, cobblestone lanes, marvelous historical architecture. The Quebec-Adabra, which is a festival offering large-scale illuminations. An authentic German Christmas market and a beautiful light show are some of the key attractions of this festival. You can count the celebrations during the Christmas season is one of the best held in North America. The best hotels in the region are Marie Rollet Hotel, Hotel le Priori, Delta Quebec Hotel, Jardin Ste Anne, and Hotel Le Louisbourg, etc.

Vancouver

Christmas in Vancouver

The coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia. Considered to one of the largest municipality in Canada, there is an annual tradition, which is followed for more than 50 years, where hundreds of boats decorated with light parades around Deep Cove, Port Moody, and False Creek move into the water for celebrations. Book a romantic cruise dinner with your partner if you are looking forward to some private moments. Other attractions include Stanley Park, which is one of the finest additions to the green space of Canada. Some of the best hotels in Vancouver are The Burrard Hotel, Hyatt Regency Vancouver Hotel, Empire Landmark Hotel, Wedgewood Hotel & Spa, and Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel, etc.

Edmonton

New Year in Edmonton

This is the capital city of Alberta, a province in Canada. The Christmas along with the New Year is considered to one of the most vividly celebrated seasons here. Some of the star attractions to check out are Candy Cane Lane, where you will find festivals running all through the month of December. Get ready for peak nights with bustling crowds during the weekends leading to Christmas.

Enjoy upcoming Christmas and new year with your family and friends in top most cities of Canada. Don’t keep your loved ones waiting, plan your Canada trip today and enjoy  the fantastic new year & Christmas in Canadian style.

Infographic, Travel Tips

13 Sleep Hacks Every Business Traveller Needs To Know [Infographic]

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13 sleep hacks every business traveller needs To know

Whether you like it or not, travel is becoming an increasingly important part of business and industry success.

Business Travel On The Rise

Meetings Today recently reported that businesses are spending more on global travel each year, with the 2016 forecast set to reach a whopping $1.3 trillion. With certain industries becoming truly international, the need to travel abroad for engagements like meetings and conferences continues to grow.

All of this global travel adds certain stresses and strains to employees that perhaps didn’t exist at quite the same level a few years ago.

For example, instead of attending a meeting a couple of hours drive away and returning later that day, a couple of days have to be scheduled to make the journey.

This means there’s a lot more to think about; such as flights, hotel booking, working on the move and preparing for the actual business once you arrive. 

Working on the move can be particularly difficult. Without your usual workplace set up, it can be tricky to stay productive when working off a laptop combined with intermittent wifi and plenty of potential distractions.

This post from The Muse has a number of interesting ways to keep productive when travelling away on business.

Sleep is another thing which gets majorly affected when travelling away for work. Staying in hotel rooms the night before an important meeting can be disorientating, to say the least, and then there’s the potential issue of jet lag.

Infographic

Thankfully, this is now one less thing to worry about. Sleepy People have come up with a handy infographic titled ’13 Sleep hacks Every Business Traveller Needs to Know’.

With advice on resting in airport lounges to sleeping during your journey, from sleep travel essentials to clothing advice, there are plenty of actionable tips here so that even the more experienced business travellers can learn something.

Don’t just take our word for it, take a look at the infographic below.

13 Sleep Hacks Every Business Traveller Needs To Know – An infographic by the team at SleepyPeople.com

Europe, Travel Tips

How to Explore Paris on a Budget?

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Paris is a dream city for most of us however it won’t be a surprise for you if we say the French capital can be pricey and tops the list of ‘world’s most expensive cities’. But there are many great travel hacks that will help you to enjoy the city without breaking your bank. Exploring the city can be a gala time as the city is so rich in its architecture and heritage.

Here are some of the tricks that can help you save the euros while exploring the best of Paris.

paris eiffel tower

Follow these simple tips that will help you to tour Paris on a budget

Food

France’s gourmet delight is the best thing that you cannot afford to miss. You can enjoy Paris’s world-famous food culture and great local restaurants while still taking care of your budget.

  • Savour the golden croissants and chocolate-filled pastries with a cup of coffee at the local bakery for breakfast
  • Look for meals priced as low as €5 which is available at the Parisian food carts
  • Go for ‘Take-away’ options in restaurants and it will cost you less
  • Visit Latin Quarter neighbourhood for fixed 3-course menus that are available at affordable rates
  • Avoid having brunch and dinners in restaurants. Lunch menus are less expensive
  • You can also buy fresh groceries from food markets and cook food at your apartment

Stay

stay in paris

Looking for a good accommodation option in Paris can cost you high. You might not know but cheap lodging and affordable Paris serviced apartments are also available which are well-furnished and equipped with all modern amenities to make your stay comfortable. You can also opt for stay with locals with couchsurfing and share a room with other tourists in a hostel.

Getting around

To enjoy the picturesque sights and iconic monuments of the city off course you need to travel a lot and for which you’ll incur heavy cost.  Here are the few hacks that can help you save a lot transportation cost.

  • Exploring the city on foot, Paris offers 5 daily Discover Walks walking tours to Notre Dame, Montmartre, Latin Quarter, and Marais for free
  • A €10 boat ride on Bateaux Mouche gives can offer you a unique perspective of the city landmarks
  • Rent out Velib bikes with €1.7 daily and/or €8 weekly passes.
  • Opt for a one-day €7 Mobilis travel card to enjoy unlimited metro rides in Central Paris that includes most of the tourist destinations

Exploring the city

We know Paris is popular for its iconic museums and monuments and architectural marvels. Do the following hacks to save the entry fee in these tourist destinations.

  • Visit Musée de Cluny and Musée Carnavalet, for free on first Sunday of every month
  • Louvre can be visited for free during November – March
  • For EU citizens aged 18 – 25, entry to these museums is free on all days
  • Buy Paris museum pass that covers entry fee to most of the museums
  • Popular beautiful garden like the Garden of the Tuileries, the Luxembourg garden, the Place des Vosges can be visited absolutely free of cost
  • The Sacré-Coeur church famous monument that is also free for visitors
  • To get amazing views of the Eiffel Tower and the city climb Arc de Triompie for a meagre fee of €8. This way you can skip the line at Eiffel Tower and still get the best views of the iconic monument by paying less

Best Travel Guides to Destinations Around the World