The Top 5 European City Break Destinations

May 8th, 2012 Tushar Mathur

So you have decided to take a short break and you’re looking for some suggestions on where the best place is to take a City break in Europe. The good news is there’s many more than one; in fact Europe is littered with fantastic Cities in which to while away your time. As a seasoned traveller, it is my pleasure to introduce you to my top five short break Cities in Europe, all of which I have visited myself on a number of occasions. If you haven’t been to Europe before then you are in for a real treat!

1.  Barcelona:
Oh how I love this place. It’s easy to get to from all international and small airports and can be done on a shoestring or extravagantly. The City is a shrine to architecture and I spent most of my first visit here walking around looking up. Every building has a uniqueness that is rarely seen in any other metropolitan City. Barcelona is most proud of its son Gaudi, who has left a lasting impression in this wonderful part of Catalunya, and his Sagrada Familia is a must see. For foodies, you can book a bed & breakfast via Wimdu and have a real treat.

2.  Koln (Cologne):
A feast for the eyes in the wintertime or the summer, Koln has so much to offer lovers of history, shopping and sport. (Now that’s some combination). My favourite time to visit is in December, when the Christmas atmosphere is at full swing and the world renowned Christmas markets will enchant you.

3.  Budapest:
An age old City that has been given a new lease of life since its entrance into the EU. The city is split in two by the Danube River, Buda on one side and Pest on the other. The last time I visited was in January, where the river was almost totally frozen, a sight to behold and still makes me gasp when I think of it. Fishermen stood on floating rafts of ice in the freezing cold while they caught what could only have been the freshest fish in the world!

4.  London:
My home (so I am slightly biased). There’s not enough words here to describe how many things there are to see and do in this amazing City. The bustling streets host a fantastic cultural mix, restaurants of every cuisine and markets that will have you smiling for the day. You can’t leave without catching a show in the Westend and doing a night tour on one of the big red open-topped buses.

5.

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Travelling tips for the older generation

April 30th, 2012 Tushar Mathur

There are many options for travelling in the modern day – even when you reach a vintage age. In fact, retirement is considered by many people to be the best time for travelling. After a lifetime of hard work, the elderly should be able to enjoy the latter period of their life to the fullest. Here are some ideas about how to travel when your financial and physical resources are limited:

Bus

Public transport is always a great option. Once you reach a certain age, usually the same time that you can qualify for your pension, you can receive a bus pass. This is limited in what times it can be used within, notably restricting you from 9:30 am onwards, but provides free transport. If you live near a bus stop, this can become a vital link between you and your potential destinations, providing a free, safe method of getting to and from town, shops or wherever you need to go.

Train

Additionally, if you live near a train station, you may wish to consider a rail card. This will initially cost you an annual fee, but it reduces your travel costs by 33%. Of course, whether you save money in the long run is based on how often you travel each year.

Finally, depending on where you live, your local council might have additional offers or schemes for senior citizens. It doesn’t hurt to enquire as you have nothing to lose. In short, there are many options regarding elderly support to assist senior members of society in both mobility and travel options, whatever your situation.

Mobility Scooters; a good idea to move around

Mobility Scooters are, in essence, automated wheelchairs or scooters. They can vary in terms of power, number of wheels and shape, but they are usually seated mobility units that travel between 4 and 8 miles per hour, depending on where you are using it.

The main advantage of a scooter is that it allows you mobility combined with the comfort of sitting down. However, the drawback is that you should really be trying to exercise whatever parts of your body you still can; it can be quite easy to avoid this and lapse into a routine which does not encourage exercise. In this regard, a mobility scooter should not be an option unless it is deemed necessary, in other cases a temporary wheelchair or walking stick should suffice.

Accommodation abroad; trust stair lift solutions

 

Many elderly people don’t travel because they fear that their destination will not have the facilities they require to get around. The reality, however, is that this is not always the case.

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Grange Hotels: Luxury Modified

April 25th, 2012 Tushar Mathur


The Grange Hotels are the group of luxury hotels based in London. This famous group of independent hotels offers impressive accommodation facilities, catering services and amazing hospitality to their guests. Grange Hotels provides 4 and 5 star accommodation as per required by the guest in one of the beautiful locations of the city London. They have the unique combination of traditional comfort with modern facilities. The reason of your stay in Grange Hotels is served perfectly whether it is a business meet or some family outing you will definitely enjoy your visit. The overwhelming location of the bedrooms, delicious cuisines and spaces like conference room, meeting hall will attract anyone to visit the London tower bridge hotel. Grange hotels for London hotels have a lot to offer and everything that you will experience here will be memorable as they have world-class hospitality and services.

There are special offers that Grange Hotels provide for their customers like the holiday at home, spa break, Windsor weekend etc. you will relish all the services that these London hotels have to offer. The rooms of these famous hotels are excellent and well equipped, visitors never return unsatisfied. Grange Hotels maintain the quality and quantity both when it comes to impress their customers. The location of the London tower bridge hotel mesmerizes everyone and the infrastructure that is worth flaunting is breathtaking. The interiors of these hotels are mostly old-fashioned to keep the culture alive and at the same time the modern cuisines and friendly staff will impress you. There is a public parking too and no issue related to parking is faced by the visitors. It is an ideal hotel for staying when you are going to visit UK, there are chains of hotels and you can choose the location according to your comfort and requirement.

The Grange Hotels are famous contemporary luxury London hotels and serve their customer with dedication; the staff is polite and provides all that you need during your stay there. What else a customer expects from a hotel? It has everything that will leave you spell-bounded and amazed. Thus, if you are visiting London anytime soon the Grange Hotels should be your choice to make the stay worthwhile.

Gay Cruises 2012: Top 5 Gay Friendly Destinations

April 24th, 2012 Tushar Mathur

Planning to take a gay cruise in 2012? There are a number of travel companies who are offering gay cruises that includes top tourist destinations all over the world. One of the most frequented gay friendly destinations is the beautiful paradise of islands in the Caribbean.

Caribbean Cruise

The Caribbean has never failed to temp tourists, both gay and straight alike, to visit and relax in the heavenly paradise and vacation experience that only the Caribbean can provide. Though the Caribbean may be considered on top of every person’s list for gay cruises, there are still quite a number of places that can make your cruise one to remember.

For gay cruises in 2012, why not head on out to Asia and be mesmerized by the wondrous mix of historical significance, the beauty of the natural world and the excitement of fast paced modern cities? Asia has some of the best tourist destinations in the world. In fact, any tourist can find a thing or two that will capture his interest during a visit to one of the Asian countries.

To help you decide on what country or countries to visit for your cruise in and around Asia, here is a list of some of the most gay friendly countries in Asia for 2012.

Nepal

Some might directly disagree with the choice of Nepal as one of the most gay friendly country in the Asian continent, but still, Nepal is included in this cut. Due to the country’s strong opposition to gay people up until the year 2007, Nepal may be a questionable entry to some for this category. But over the past few years, they have steadily improved their treatment to gay people which includes allowing gay marriage in Nepal. It is now being considered as the next big thing in gay travels in Asia.

Thailand

If the only category to consider in choosing the best gay cruises destination is the number of gay bars present in that locality, Bangkok in Thailand may come out as the runaway winner. Thailand is also home to Pattaya, a great gay friendly place that celebrates being homosexual on an annual gay pride parade.

Shanghai, China

If you’re gay and would want to experience China, the beautiful city of China is just the right place for you. The busy and fast paced life in China has also lead to the acceptance of the gay community in the once overly strict and conservative city.

Philippines

A list of the most gay friendly places to visit for your gay cruise in 2012 would never be complete without a mention of the Philippines.

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Business Travel With A Family

April 23rd, 2012 Tushar Mathur

Traveling with the family can be a very fun and rewarding experience. It is nice to have the ones you love close at hand when going leaving the home for business. However, there are things to be cautious of. Adequate preparation and some initial thought will go along way to ensure that everyone has the best possible time whilst away from home. Here are some suggestions to make your next adventure with the whole family fun and successful.

First and foremost, do research before going anywhere with a group. How many people are you going with? What are their ages? Having a plan will go along way when traveling and it is absolutely essential to avoiding potential problems. Use the internet to research your destination before going. Find where locals enjoy spending their time. Make sure the places you plan to go are accommodating for everyone in the group. A solid plan will go a long way to ensuring a pleasurable experience.
Next, consider how long your trip will be. Will you be staying for more than four days? If so, trips can be extremely expensive, particularly when traveling with a group. Have some ideas that will not cost a lot of money. This can include things like a trip to the local parks or seeing landmarks in the area. Avoiding large tourist attractions not only eliminates run ins with large crowds but is also light on the pocket book. Again, you can use the internet to find the best locations for parks and lesser known attractions.

Eating Arrangements

Eating can present some difficulty as well. Some places might be overly expensive. Others may not present the correct atmosphere for children. Look for places that are both cheap and delicious. There might be some places that give discounts for families or let children eat for free. Food is one of the biggest expenses for any trip. Feeding four or more people can be very expensive. Another idea is to go to a local grocery store and purchase bulk items. Every meal does not have to be eaten in a restaurant setting. Saving money will make the trip less stressful and more enjoyable for everyone who participates.
Next, it might be nice to enjoy the day without the kids. Look for a place with trustworthy people to let the children go when you and your spouse take some time of and enjoy each others’ company. Another option is to let the kids stay in the hotel and put on a movie while you and your partner go to a nice meal in an upscale restaurant.

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Perfect Songs For The Amazing Trip

April 23rd, 2012 Tushar Mathur

Traveling is certainly a lot of fun. You can go somewhere you’ve never been to before, and experience new and exciting things. You get to leave your job for a couple weeks and really spend some quality time with your family. Of course, traveling is very expensive, which is why many people refrain from doing it. But one way that is becoming more popular is the road trip. When you travel by car, you don’t have to bother with intrusive airline rules, you don’t have to pay high prices for low service, and you can go wherever you want, and take your sweet time. Of course, there are some things you’ll need to do to prepare, otherwise your road trip might be filled with horrible psychological pain that you may never forget. In this article, you’ll learn how to make your road trip a wonderful experience.

When you’re on a road trip you need many things, one of the most important is great music!

When you are on a road trip to Las Vegas, you obviously intend to enjoy to the fullest. There are a few road trip songs which you should make it a point to hear. Here, we will list a few good songs for a Las Vegas trip which you must hear when you are on a road trip.

If you are driving to Las Vegas. here are some of the best road trips songs ever  to get an idea of the best songs which are sure to entertain you while you are on a road trip to one of the finest and the most entertaining places in America.

The song which we would recommend has to be Fast Car by Tracy Chapman. There is no doubt that you are going to love this song while you are seated comfortably in your car. You are going to be absolutely in love with this clip as it would show how songs can ease up your mood and make you feel refreshed. The other good road trip song has to be born to be wild by Steppenwolf.

If you love to remember the old memories of the gone by days, we would also recommend you to hear to summer of 69 by Bryan Adams as you are going to enjoy the beats of the song. Also, if love tracks seem to enchant you, make sure to plug into the evergreen song addicted by love lord Enrique Iglesias.

Thus, these are few of the songs which can make your trip absolutely fabulous.

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The Best Design Cities In Europe To Visit In 2012

April 20th, 2012 Tushar Mathur

Designers and architects are constantly coming up with new and exciting ways to amaze people on the street. Buildings are taller, wider and more extravagant than ever and this can be seen all over Europe. Some cities are at the forefront of European design and they are worth a visit based on this alone.

One of the cities that have made the biggest transformation in the shortest amount of time is Berlin. When the Berlin wall fell it ignited a flame in Berlin, a flame driven by forward-thinking architects and designers; a flame that changed the face of a city in 20 years, a flame that changed some of the darkest places in the world to some of the most beautiful.

The city is now full of exciting pieces of art and buildings. The German Reichstag is a prime example. A building with a dark history was transformed to a building of outstanding beauty, with a massive glass bowl on the top to show the world that Germany is now transparent and bright country. This combined with the futuristic Sony Centre and the remodeling of Berlin Railway station are the three main pillars of German design and ingenuity.

When you travel to Barcelona, Spain, you will instantly be struck by the outstanding beauty in almost every single structure. The city is now at the forefront of European architecture with some of the most exciting buildings in the entire world. The people of Barcelona have been able to incorporate the traditional architecture with new and modern influences to create some astounding structures.

The Fish, an artwork by Frank Gehry, is an iconic building that really defines Barcelona as a place of outstanding design and architecture. This along with the Mare Nostrum Towers and the Agbar Tower makes up the foundation for any great design trip to Barcelona.

London has been seen as a very traditional and old city for many years. Tourists have travelled to the city to see Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. But along with the changing approach to design in the city, the city has started to change as well. The British Museum is a perfect blend of old and beautiful along with new and exciting. Old Victorian buildings with massive stone pillars are combined with huge glass domes and a weave of steel frames.

The Gherkin was one of the buildings that lit the spark that started to change the face of London. This massive structure, made mostly from glass, rises several hundred feet in the air and dominates the skyline.

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5 Things You Should Never do Abroad

April 20th, 2012 Tushar Mathur

Whether drawn their by the allure of sunnier climes, or a simple desire to see more of the world, when you’re a visitor in a foreign country there are a set of unwritten rules that should never be broken.

In the interest of upholding tourist etiquette the world over, here are 5 cardinal sins you should never commit. Thou shalt not;

Use Your Own Language, Only Louder and Slower

Photo source

Though undoubtedly one of the most popular, English is not a universally understood language. Unfortunately, this comes as a surprise to many, who, having made no effort to learn even a few stock phrases in the native tongue of their chosen destination, become confused and angry when confronted with locals who can’t understand them.

Miming is one solution if you don’t have a phrase book, but it will only get you so far. There are no easily understood gestures that covey the message “where can I find soy milk, I’m lactose intolerant” for instance. Attempting to innovate some will make you look like an idiot.

Whilst looking like an idiot is one thing, looking like an abrasive, odious, idiot is quite another. Therefore, no matter how frustrating the language barrier may be, never give in to the temptation to break it with sheer volume alone. Shouting in English, will not make it easier for a non-English Speaker to understand you, even if you do it v-e-r-y, v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y.

Wear a T-Shirt Proclaiming Your Love for the City You’re Temporarily In

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No matter where you are, or how genuine the sentiment you’re attempting to express with such a garment, wearing it will make you look ridiculous.

Of course, looking ridiculous, whilst inadvisable, is not a crime. It can, however, make you the target of crime. Tourists in any popular destination are usually seen as a meal ticket for petty crooks anyway. Wearing a T-shirt adorned with a slogan that might as well read “I’m New Here, I’m Carrying Money and I Have No Brain” is not going to help any.

Eat in a Restaurant Serving the National Food of a Different Country

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There are, admittedly, many instances where this is permissible. In a city like New York for instance, you can find top quality food representative of a host of different nations, prepared by highly skilled chefs.

That said, if you are in one of the many places in the world that is not known for its culinary flair in general, you are only letting yourself down if you avoid the local specialty.

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Whitewater Rafting in the Tasmanian Wilderness

April 20th, 2012 Tushar Mathur

One way to access an otherwise inaccessible wilderness is to take a raft. Travelers with a serious taste for adventure, a passionate love of the great outdoors and a sensitivity for the environment have found whitewater rafting on the Franklin River in Tasmania the perfect way to get everything they are looking for and more.

Although not dangerous or life threatening if undertaken with an experienced guide, a rafting tour of the Franklin is not an excursion for weekend warriors. For one thing, the excursion takes around 10 days to complete if you travel the full length of the river. For another, Tasmania’s climate is cold and sometimes harsh. You won’t be stopping your raft on the shores fronting a resort every afternoon: you’ll be camping out in one of the world’s great wilderness areas.

Are you still interested? Here are some of the things you can expect to encounter when you go whitewater rafting on the Franklin River:

  • An easy start will take you down the Derwent River to the confluence of the Derwent and Franklin Rivers
  • A stunning first day on the Franklin River as you traverse Aesthesia Gorge, the first of many.
  • A climb to the top of Frenchman’s Cap to an elevation of nearly 5000 feet.
  • Some serious rapids, combined with tranquil paddles surrounded by stunning wilderness.
  • The breathtaking Great Ravine.
  • Some portaging when necessary before tackling the infamous Cauldron.
  • Adventures through thick rainforests and explorations of limestone caves.
  • Finally, you will meet the Gordon River and enjoy a leisurely drift to your final destination.

Several experienced whitewater rafting companies offer excursions like the one outlined above. As exciting as it sounds, words can’t do such an adventure justice, though. Should you decide you want to go on one of these adventures, you’ll need to come prepared. A 0 degree Celsius rated sleeping bag is recommended, plus thermal underwear and warm socks. Footwear should be rugged enough to handle the areas where you’ll be portaging and you may even want to bring along a wet suit or dry suit for some of the rapids. Other than that, you will need to travel light.

Franklin River whitewater rafting excursions are eco-friendly. What you take in with you, you will also take out. No waste will be left to tarnish the pristine wilderness you pass through. Also, don’t expect to even find a comfortable tent site, much less any amenities. On many nights you will be sleeping in densely wooded areas where erecting a tent is not an option. Tour operators recommend skipping the tent altogether and bringing just a tarpaulin to lay your sleeping bag on top of.

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What to Pack for a Walking Holiday

April 20th, 2012 Tushar Mathur

Footwear:

Probably the most essential thing to make sure you get right on a walking holiday is your choice of footwear. You will probably have a detailed itinerary of how far you will be walking each day and over what type of terrain. You should use this to plan the type of boots you will need. If you are doing less than 10 miles a light, mid or trail show will do. For day long hikes then choose a thicker boot with a higher cut. If you are walking for a number of days then choose something with arch support and a strong toe box. The best thing to do would be to visit your local outdoor store and have a chat with them. If you are buying new boots for your holiday then make sure that you do so well in advance so that you have ample time to break them in. Always take a second pair of shoes (something like sandals) to change in to for after your walk for comfort.

Underwear:

If you are carrying your own gear then it is essential that you pack light. A minimum of three pairs of socks and pants will be required but it is probably best to play it safe and go for four. That way you can wear one, wash one, have one drying and one spare. Choose socks with an elastic support so that you are not constantly stopping to pull them up. Women should wear a well-fitting sports bra for walking holidays as undulating terrain and climbs can put strain on the chest.

Sun Protection:

You must protect yourself from the sun when walking. Even if it doesn’t appear to be a bright day you can still end up with sun burn and so a hat should be worn at all times. Choose a hat with a large rim to protect your face and the back of your neck from the sun. Some caps will have flaps that can be let down to cover the ears and neck and protect you from the wind & rain as well as the sun.  Choose a sports sun screen that is water resistant and keep it will you at all times as you will need a number of applications during the day.

Other essentials:

-A signalling device such as a whistle and a mobile phone

-Blister plaster

-Water

-Insect repellent/bite cream

-Plastic bag (for rubbish)

-Torch

-Maps, compass and any other navigational devices

-Camera

Vicky loves to go on hiking tours, especially in the UK and Spain. She is also a passionate writer and likes to combine the two and write useful travel articles.

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