Travel - Best Places of Interest

October 12, 2018 Round the world, Travel

Autumn in Austria! – Part 2

Vienna

Vienna is an eventful city with lots of things to see and visit. We began by taking a two-day hop-on hop-off pass on Vienna tourist bus as that allowed us entry to a lot of places free. This is advisable to avoid queues at venues as these passes have priority acceptance at most landmarks.

No trip is worth it if you have not visited Schönbrunn Palace to name a few of the sights. Together with the zoological garden the Schönbrunn Palace is the most popular tourist target in Vienna. The Palace served as an imperial summer residence. Only a small part of the 1441 rooms are publicly accessible. If you are interested in history, splendor and imperial lifestyles you should not miss the opportunity. One can choose from various tour options available.

The Imperial Tour usually takes at least 30 minutes and the Grand Tour approximately 50 minutes. It is an excellent choice if you have further time and interest. Please make sure you have time to visit the private zoo of the Palace as well.

Vienna Opera House –

was built-in May 1869 and has 1709 seats and 567 standing-rooms from where the audience can watch daily opera performances, ballet shows and concerts.

One of the most popular events is the Vienna Opera Ball where the dress code (tailcoats for men and evening dresses for women are mandated) and the glamorous opening performed by the young ladies and gentlemen make this ball in Vienna a very important occasion.

For a guided tour, which lasts around an hour, one can buy tickets for 9 Euros. The tickets are sold directly in the foyer or free if you hold a Vienna Sightseeing Pass.

Vienna Parliament building–

Austrian Parliament, Vienna — Austrian Parliament building Image credit- Filip Maljković

has a splendid Pallas Athene statue at the front. Build between 1874 to 1883. You are unable to go inside if the Parliament is in session.

The Hoff burg Vienna is an impressive building at the Heldenplatz with long history. It is located at Vienna’s splendor boulevard, the Ring Strasse and is reachable from there through the Burgtor gate.

Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna–

brimming with works by Europe’s painters, sculptors and artisans gives an unforgettable experience of a trip to Vienna.

The Graben Vienna is an exclusive and pulsating shopping street in the heart of the inner city with a plague column. The area is surrounded by popular alleys, streets and places, which stand for the typical flair, elegant tradition and gourmet pleasures of Vienna. It is a pedestrian zone. Wonderful buildings house luxury brands all around the area. With a tax rebate for tourist, one can enjoy some high-end shopping.

The Stephenson Vienna with the famous Pummerin Ball.

The Romanesque Church St Stephan in the heart of Vienna was consecrated in the year 1147. The local people use the name Steffel for this impressive Cathedral. As it’s a high tower, one can climb 300 odd steep steps to reach the top but one needs to buy a ticket for 6 euros or free to those holding a Vienna Sightseeing pass.

The entrance of this imposing building is free and the numerous arts, historical and architectural details like the pictures, altars, figures as well as the atmosphere in this cathedral of Vienna are worth visiting. Both towers offer an impressive view over the city center.

No visit is complete if one does not visit the biggest mall in Vienna: Donauzentrum. One can reach it through the metro as well. It has many stores and restaurants with free Wi-Fi available.

christkindlmarkt (advent market) in front of the town hall of Vienna — Das Wiener Rathaus am Rathausplatz im 1. Wiener Gemeindebezirk, Innere Stadt wurde von 1872 bis 1883 nach Entwürfen des Architekten Friedrich von Schmidt im Stil der Neogotik errichtet. Hier findet von Mitte November bis Ende Dezember der alljährliche Christkindlmarkt statt.

Rathausplatz Vienna– In the summer months you can find a lot of different food stands offering various cuisines. You can also enjoy an open-air cinema or screening, free of charge.

So, have you been to Austria? What are your #favourite attractions in #Austria”?

October 10, 2018 Round the world, Travel

Autumn in Austria!

Salzburg, famous for being the birth town of 18^th century classical composer Mozart, is the fourth largest city in Austria and renowned for its baroque architecture. Tourists visiting Salzburg make it a point to tour the historic centre and the scenic Alpine surroundings.

Mirabell Palace, Salzburg — Austria, Salzburg, Mirabel Palace Image credit- Steveurkel

1) The Mirabel Palace and Gardens–

built in 1606, is used for political business. It houses the offices of Salzburg’s mayor and the municipal council. The Mirabel Gardens are a joy to visit. Considered to be one of the most beautiful Baroque gardens in Europe, they are world-famous, thanks in part to being features in the classic movie ‘The Sound of Music’.

Its centrepiece is the Pegasus Fountain, which was installed in 1913. If one plans to visit, please note of its timings…normally open from early morning till dusk. The admission to the Mirabel Gardens is free. Great photo taking opportunity with beautiful gardens as backdrop. It’s huge area to walk around and admire the lush surroundings and expert gardening, with seasonal flowers blooming.

As you walk further, you come across the birthplace of Mozart. The building he grew up in is a museum. One must visit the museum to have a look at the famous composer’s work. Take some time to see the various sections. Entrance is free if you hold Salzburg tourist card.

Mozart Platz Square, Salzburg — https://farm5.staticflickr.com

2) Mozart Platz Square

In the heart of the old town of Salzburg holds the statue of Mozart and the area is well-connected with horse-drawn carriages for tourist to enjoy a refreshing ride. You will find some historic buildings all around this area including the residence of Mozart, now turned into a museum.

3) Further walking along, one comes by The Grand Cathedral, which is truly awe-inspiring. Rebuilt in 1181, with its three huge domes and paintings all over, the area above the entrance of the Cathedral has four large sculpted figures of Saint Rupert holding a salt barrel, Saint Vigilius holding a church, Saint Peter holding keys and Saint Paul holding a sword.

Getreidegasse, Salzburg — Image credit Sage Ross, Flickr

The Getreidegasse near the Cathedral is Salzburg’s busiest lane: one super-expensive boutique next to another! The area has quite a few alleyways where you can find some exclusive shops and restaurants all decked up. What we noticed is people eat early, by 6pm, most of the restaurants were full.

Hohensalzburg Castle, Salzburg Austria — Hohensalzburg Castle (German: Festung Hohensalzburg, literally “High Salzburg Fortress”) is a castle in the Austrian city of Salzburg, atop the Festungsberg mountain. Erected at the behest of the Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg, it today with a length of 250 m (820 ft) and a width of 150 m (490 ft), is one of the largest medieval castles in Europe.
Img credit- Rene Rivers

4) The next day we visited Hohensalzburg Fortress, which is the biggest fully preserved castle in Central Europe. This emblem of Salzburg is one of the most famous landmarks in the ‘City of Mozart’. Discovering more than 900-year-old Hohensalzburg Fortress is truly an amazing feat of Salzburg’s medieval history.

The castle hosts many events during the year and it also has a major concert hall. Inside the castle there is a permanent Fortress museum that can be visited anytime of the year. The visit to the castle costs approximately 9 euros per person but they have various packages to suit a larger family. If you hold a Salzburg tourist card entrance is free. The opening hours are from 0930-1800, but this can change if they have an event, details of which can be obtained when buying your ticket at the Funicular railway desk.

To be continued…Autumn in Austria – Part 2

October 8, 2018 Travel

4 Proven Tips To Make Your Group Travel Special

It is that time of the year again when you might be thinking about going on a vacation. Would you be able to enjoy your trip alone? No, right. Then why not take some of your best friends with you or take your family with you on a group travel extravaganza. There is no denying the travelling alone has its advantages but travelling with your best friends is an experience that stays with you for decades.

Secondly, you can reap the benefits of inclusive prices for everything from meals, accommodation, flights, cultural experiences and itineraries. This translates into significant cost savings. In addition to this, you get an opportunity to meet with more people. On the downside, you are restricted to places where your travel agent want you to go and you can not choose your own places and activities.

To enjoy your #grouptravel fully, here are four proven tips you should use when you are travelling.

Know Your Group

This tip works best if your group includes strangers who you did not know. Introduce yourself and strike a casual conversion with your group member. Look for common interests as it is the basis of friendship. Share your experiences with them and ask them to do the same. This way both can learn new things, but it will bring you closer to one another.

When you come back from your trip, you always want to bring fond memories of the people you met and places you visit but that would only happen if you befriend with all your group members. Remember that every individual has different preferences, so they might not like what you love. You will have to learn to deal with. You never know if one of your group members becomes one of your best buddies in the future.

Communicate with Group Members

“Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy and mutual valuing.”—Rollo May

We all have been in situations where there is pin-drop silence in the room and everyone is busy playing with their smartphone and not talking to each other. There is nothing worse for a group travelling together than this. Break the ice and ask all your team members to share their experiences and preferences. This will give you a lot of insights about that person so the next time you approach them for a conversion, you know what to talk about. Give equal opportunities for everyone to voice their opinion and listen to each group member carefully.

Patience is Key

“Patience is not simply the ability to wait – it’s how we behave while we’re waiting.”—Joyce Meyer

When you are travelling with a group of individuals, you will have to show patience. You will have to bear things that you want when you are travelling alone. For instance, you are travelling to a museum and your art-loving friend doesn’t want to leave because he is busy exploring the masterpieces in the museum. On the other hand, you have no interest in them. You will have to wait for him to come out of the museum before you can make your way back to your hotel.

Going on a Dubai city tour means that you will have to deal with all kinds of people including kids. They might get on your nerves, but you will have to be patient and deal with it. In most cases, there is always one group member who becomes a pain in the neck for you and constantly keep annoying you, but you must show patience and should never react to what they are saying or doing. In short, you need a completely different mindset on group travel. You should know how to control your anger otherwise group travel might not be the right choice for you.

Always Have A Backup Plan

There is no denying the fact that group tours are well planned but what if you don’t want to go to a dhow cruise marina dinner where all other group members are going. You should have a backup plan ready. A backup plan can come in handy in case of airport transfer as a large group tends to forget the airport gate numbers to entry and assembly points. You should also consider renting a recreational vehicle for group commutes. The level of pleasure your group can have on these vehicles is well worth the cost you are paying to rent it.

Which is the best tip you received for group travel? Feel free to share it with us in the comments section below.

October 5, 2018 Travel, Round the world

Top 7 Things to keep in mind while travelling to Dubai

Dubai is one of the favorite destinations in the world perfect for all types of holidays. Be it an adventure escape, a romantic interlude, or a fun-filled family holiday, Dubai welcomes each and every guest with plentiful options in sightseeing, adventure sports, and remarkable recreational experiences. However, as with any destination, one must take into consideration certain facts for a comfortable travel experience and understand what is unlawful and what can seem offensive to the locals of that particular destination. As the famous saying goes ’When in Rome, do as the Romans do, in Dubai, you need to follow it sternly in order to have a pleasant vacation. It is essential to follow rules in Dubai as the emirate is also highly influenced by Islamic laws. If you are traveling to Dubai for the first time, here are some essential points you should keep in mind before you apply for a Dubai visa online and plan your holiday trip.

Keep in mind the best time to visit Dubai

Dubai, a desert land is mostly known for its monotonous climate. It is mostly hot throughout the year with temperatures spiking up during summer months. In short, the weather is typically hot or hotter. It is essential to do your homework on when to visit Dubai as its summer months are unbearably scorching. Climate change can be particularly agonizing if you are used to cooler climates. Plan your visit between October and April when the temperature descends to a pleasant warmth. This is the time when you wouldn’t have to face the harsh heat of the desert and can indulge in outdoor activities without worrying about sunstroke. Other months of the year in Dubai witness a sharp slash in prices and can feel like a good time for a budget-friendly holiday, but then you would have to spend most of your days in Dubai indoors, getting away from the sweltering sun.

Book your services in advance

The mellowed weather in Dubai from October to April allures hordes of tourists which makes it the peak season period of Dubai tourism. This is also the period when Dubai gears up for its annual festivals and events to entertain its guests and capture more tourists’ influx during its high season. This is why you would need to book hotels, flight tickets, and restaurant reservations in advance to avoid any disappointments on your holiday. If you have a particular hotel or resort in mind where you would prefer to spend your stays in Dubai, you need to keep a lookout for availability as most popular hotels get sold out swiftly for peak seasons. Hence, it would be better if you book your hotel stays three to four months before your travel date to avoid any inconvenience. Flights also get full and tickets are sold out quickly during cooler months. The same goes for high-end and popular restaurants where it wouldn’t be easy to make a spontaneous reservation on the night you prefer to dine at your choice of swanky fine dining restaurant during the bustling tourist season in Dubai.

You may like to read 5 Tourist attractions in Dubai

Strict laws against drug use

The United Arab Emirates has one of the longest lists of banned substances in the world and it has an absolutely zero-tolerance policy against drug use. One main traveling to Dubai rule is that drugs are strictly prohibited and not allowed within the emirate. You could land in serious trouble if you are caught with traces of drugs on you. There have been cases where unaware visitors have been detained just for having poppy seeds scattered on clothing and bags. Even if someone is not in possession of narcotics, having traces of drugs in urine or blood testing also accounts as “possession” under UAE law. Even certain medicines are listed under drugs and you would require a doctor’s prescription to carry them with you while entering Dubai. Hence one of the important things to know about Dubai before visiting is its list of banned goods and drugs. If found guilty, you may have to pay a hefty sum as a penalty or be sentenced to jail.

Respect the culture and locals

Dubai being an Islamic destination has a conservative cultural scene. There are certain norms and customs you should take into consideration while visiting Dubai which in turn will benefit you to have a hassle-free Dubai trip. Always consider the comfort of the locals around you; irking them and a complaint to the local police against you can attract trouble for you. Dubai does not encourage loud noises, music, and processions on streets and public areas. Stay away from swearing and public display of affection even as little as holding hands in public as these are considered offensive to locals. While taking photographs in public places, it is better to ask permission to avoid any unnecessary issues. Taking photographs of locals, especially of women without consent, any government buildings, airports, and military sections can land you in trouble with the authorities.

Dress modestly.

Dress Code For Dubai in religious places

Dubai does not have a strict dress code but it is essential that visitors dress modestly to avoid any problems. Women travelers should be aware of what to wear and which apparel is considered inappropriate in Dubai. Apart from certain hotels and designated spots, it is essential to cover shoulders and knees, especially in public arenas. Men too are not allowed to roam shirtless or in sleeveless attires. While visiting a mosque, women should cover their heads and the attire should cover their legs. It is best to carry a shawl or a cardigan among the things you need for a Dubai city tour if you are not sure of the dress code at public spots and malls.

Be careful where you are drinking alcohol

Unlike other emirates of the UAE, Dubai doesn’t have strict bans on consuming alcohol. But there are restrictions on when and where to drink. In Dubai alcohol is allowed in designated restaurants, private clubs, and hotels that have a license to serve alcohol. Even if you plan to have a drink with your friends and chill at a licensed hotel or bar, you should not leave the premises in a drunken state as public drunkenness is an offense in Dubai. Dubai is very strict about drunk driving and consuming liquor in public areas and beaches. Publicly consuming alcohol can lead to six months of imprisonment and heavy penalties.

Show respect during Ramadan month

It is probably best to avoid visiting Dubai during Ramadan month as it is very little you can explore and experience during that period. If you are planning to visit Dubai during Ramadan month, you have to consider following the customs of Ramadan month which mainly involve not eating or chewing in public during fasting hours. The locals practice fasting for a month between sunrise and sunset and everyone irrespective of religion is bound to respect the custom by not eating and drinking in public. Most of the restaurants will be closed during this time, some remain open behind closed screens. However, it is best to refrain from eating in public and respect the traditions of the holy Ramadan month.

Hey Friends, I am Shivam Khandelwal. I am a restless soul. The only time I am sitting still is when I am reviewing all the various places I’ve traveled. Yes, I love to travel, shop, eat good food, and write about it. I am truly living a blessed life and will continue to share my experiences with you. Let’s stay in touch!