Travel - Best Places of Interest

January 1, 2019 Round the world, Travel

Five European Countries That You Need to Visit in 2019

person sitting on rock formation beside body of water European

The start of a new year typically comes with a list of goals, plans, and dreams that you want to achieve. For many people, one of the things that pop up on their to-do lists is to do some travelling. If this sounds familiar and is something that you want to be able to do in 2019, then Europe may be the destination you have your eye on.

Saying you want to visit “Europe” doesn’t really narrow down the list much, so to help you out we’ve put together a list of five European countries well worth visiting

Let’s take a closer look.

Ireland

For many people, visiting Ireland isn’t just an intriguing place in Europe, it’s a bucket list kind of trip that takes you to a magical and absolutely stunning country. Known for its natural beauty and castles galore, there is plenty to do and see in Ireland. It’s for that exact reason that you may want to book a guided tour through a company such as Go Irish Tours. They offer a wide array of vacation packages and tours that will ensure that you see all the very best that Ireland has to offer. You can also tie it in with a visit to the UK and Scotland if you choose.

Italy

Of course, you can’t create a list of must-visit European countries without including Italy. The country has so many noteworthy cities and towns – in fact, one visit to Italy isn’t usually enough. Standout places to tour in Italy include Venice, Rome, Florence, Milan, and Lake Como. You can opt for a bustling metropolitan city-style vacation, or something more laid back and relaxed where the scenery and architecture is the real star of the holiday.

Austria

Here’s a country that doesn’t always get the buzz it deserves, and can prove to be a traveller’s paradise. While many are familiar with Austrian’s most popular city of Vienna, there is so much more to the country. Austria is well-known for its unbelievable ski hills, spas, architecture, palaces, churches, castles, shopping, markets, entertainment, and dining. You can easily spend an entire vacation in the city, or make it a stop on a European tour.

Croatia

Here’s another European country that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. For anyone who has ever travelled to Croatia before, they will be the first to gush about just how spectacular it is. If you happen to be a beach-type of person, Croatia offers some of the most awe-inspiring shorelines there is. With that said, you can easily combine a classic beach-style holiday with European flair, history, and culture, making this a really unique destination.

Norway

For those who simply want to get away from it all, feel as though you have taken a step back in time, and really left all the stress and worries behind, then Norway can act as the perfect sanctuary. It’s here where you will find glaciers, rugged mountains that run the length of the coastline, massive fjords, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Because Norway is located within the Arctic Circle, you will also get to experience the Midnight Sun.

No matter which of these countries you choose to explore in 2019, one thing is for sure and that is the fact that you will be building memories that last a lifetime.

December 11, 2018 Travel

Travel hacks to make a long haul flight enjoyable

Life on the airplane is a life of its own! Do whatever you can to keep yourself busy!

During long-haul flights I recommend:

Watch 2 movies on the entertainment screen.
Read almost a whole e-book on my Kindle
Sort some pictures in my digital camera.
Play a few games on my smartphone.
Have a nap (or two).
Speak to a neighbour.
Stare at some fellow passengers 🙂 secretly, of course.
Eat a few snacks, have a few drinks.
Stretch in the toilet area, walk in the aisle.
Inspect the toilet, check how much paper there was, do a little dance, stretch again, just fool around.

It’s a good idea to do everything separately – don’t try to multitask. If you are eating, don’t watch a movie at the same time. When the meal is served, take your time and just eat, as slow as possible. It will pass 30 minutes at least. Also make sure not to drink too much, avoid alcohol (as it will dehydrate your body and make it difficult to sleep, as you will be waking up all the time with your mouth dry).

Drinking alcohol on long haul flight — Cabin attendant offers a drink

Finally, think of some story and write it down. If you don’t own a blog or a diary, just post it on your Facebook. Share your thoughts! In today’s fast-paced world we hardly get to slow down and think about our life – this could be a perfect time!

More tips: How to survive a long flight

How to avoid a jet lag

Adjust your internal clock.
Several days (at least four) before departure, gradually shift your sleeping and eating times to coincide with those at your destination. Once you arrive, adopt the local time for your daily routine.
Opt for overnight flights.
You’ll have dinner at a normal time and be much more likely to sleep than on an afternoon flight. Depending on the length of the flight and the number of time zones you cross, you’ll arrive at your destination in the morning or afternoon. This is the best way to replicate your normal schedule, and it’ll be easier for you to reset your clock.

Happy travels!

November 29, 2018 Travel

China travel visa – what you need to know

Innumerable people from various states in the USA intend to visit China for their vacation and holidays. Till few years back there were restrictions on visiting the country. However, now the Chinese government has become flexible in its policies and regulations opening up its doors to foreigners from across the globe. Interestingly, with this step, China has become a leading tourism destination and bringing in lots of revenues for the country. It is a well-known fact that China is a country which abounds in historical and cultural richness and heritage. Moreover, the country offers attractions for all kinds of travelers and tourists in all age groups. You would need a valid China travel visa for entering the country and exploring the places.

Getting a visa for China for travel and tourism has become convenient now. In this article, you will get all information required to get a valid Chinese visa intending to travel to the country for tourism.

What is actually a Chinese tourist visa?

A Chinese tourist visa, which is also known as L Visa, is the most common kind of travel paper visa issued to US citizens. The visa is affixed to the page of a passport. Usually this visa remains valid for 10 years. Even if the passport in which the visa stamp is affixed gets expired, the visa on it remains valid. You will only have to carry your old passport with the new renewed one and that will suffice. The traveler can easily visit China for travel and tourism with this kind of visa in hand.

What are the documents which are needed for obtaining Chinese travel visa?

To get your China tourist visa without any problem and hassle, it is important that the right documents are submitted so that there are no chances of visa application cancellation or rejection. The documents are as follows:

The Chinese visa application form, which should be duly filled up without any errors. It is recommended to read through the instructions in the application form and then fill it up accordingly. Do not leave any part unfilled or incomplete. Do not overwrite as well.

You will need your passport, which should have validity of at least six months from your return date. If the validity is less than that or just by the deadline, it is recommended to get the passport renewed and then apply for the visa to avert any kind of problem later. Along with the validity, it is also important to check the numbers of blank pages which are available in the passport. There should be minimum two blank pages, save the ones on which visa stamps cannot be affixed.
You will need a clear photocopy of the passport data page. Try to see that your name and photograph in the copy comes clear enough.
A recent colored passport sized photograph will be needed.
You will need to furnish the China travel itinerary, which should display information about the hotel reservations and the flight tickets (both going and returning). In case you are not staying at a hotel and have no reservation details, you will need to produce an invitation letter with various kinds of details in the same. The details will be of the person inviting you, of the planned itinerary and lastly your details.
If an US citizen applies for Chinese tourist visa from outside USA, he will need to furnish evidence of residence status or legal stay in the country from where the application is done.
Visa fee needs to be provided at the time of the application as well. Chinese tourist visa fee is $140. However, if you need express and expedite service for obtaining your visa, you will have to shell out few extra dollars for the same.

Submission of the visa application and documents

Once you have filled up the form and gathered all the important documents required for the visa application, you can proceed towards its submission. Find out a Chinese consulate which is nearest to your place and make the application in person. Visa applications via the mail are not accepted. The office hours of the consulates vary from one another and might be closed on holidays and on weekends. The payment for the application is accepted via cashier’s check, credit card or by money order. Personal checks and cash are not accepted in any way.

It takes about 4 working days for the processing of the visa. However, expedite services can be availed on paying extra charges.

Take some time in planning the trip so that you have abundant time in hand for obtaining the visa without any kind of hassle.

Dorothy Jones, an experienced content writer having 5+ years of experience in “Travel & Hotel” industry. She is also associated with some renowned travel and food blogs as a guest author.

November 19, 2018 Travel, Round the world

Istanbul: Traditional Yet Modern

Istanbul, Turkey, Bosphorus, Sea, Outlook, View Image credit -Maxpixal.net

Istanbul is unique. Do you know that this city stands half in Europe and half in Asia? Straddling the two continents on both sides of the Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul is the cultural hub and the most populous city of Turkey. The city is proud of its seventy museums, 17 palaces, 64 mosques, and 49 churches of historical significance.’

Founded in 660 BCE as Byzantium, and as Constantinople in 330 CE, the Old City is amazing. Go around the Sultanahmet district, and see the open-air Roman-era Hippodrome (the ancient site of chariot races), Egyptian obelisks, and the Byzantine Hagia Sophia which has a soaring 6th-century dome and rare Christian mosaics.

Do you know that Bosphorus, being the only sea route between the oil-rich Black Sea and the Mediterranean, is one of the busiest waterways in the world – three times that on the Suez Canal?!

Hamam, Akko | by Jean-David & Anne-Laure, Istanbul Turkey — Hamam, Akko | by Jean-David & Anne-Laure

Hamam- Not to be missed – are the famous Turkish Baths and the Belly Dancers! The Turkish Baths, or hammams, are a great escape for all seasons.

Turkish belly dancers are known for their energetic, athletic style of moving their torso, and their adept use of finger cymbals.

Istanbul is famous for its historic seafood restaurants, many of which you will find along the Bosphorus, along with the Sea of Marmara, at the Prince Islands, and at the Eminonu Pier. Head for the Corlulu Ali Pasa Medresesi for smoking some flavored tobacco as well as for traditional tea and Turkish coffee.

Don’t miss out on Istanbul’s famous nightlife, wine houses, pubs, and historic taverns, which you will find along the Istiklal Avenue, Çiçek Pasajı, or Nevizade Street as also Nişantaşı, Ortakoy, Bebek, Kadıkoy and the Beyoglu Square.

Blue Mosque, Istanbul –

Exploring the city’s rich historical sites will be a rewarding experience. One of the most famous is the Blue Mosque with its huge dome, its lighting, the bright blue of the shining tiles, the awesome blue stained glass windows, and blue painted ceilings! The Rustem Pasha Mosque, on the other hand, was built by Rüstem Pasa, the Vizir of Suleyman the Magnificent, as atonement for his very sinful life! In addition, do go to the Hagia Sophia Museum / Church (Ayasofya) and see the Viking graffiti carved into the wooden rails of the top floor.

At Basilica Cistern, remember to keep your camera ready. The ancient ruins are the largest of the many hundred ancient cisterns lying beneath the streets of Istanbul. Also, don’t miss the upside-down Medusa and the Carps! Attending a concert here would be an amazing opportunity to enjoy the unique acoustics here.

istanbul turkey topkapi palace castle sultan, Istanbul Turkey — Istanbul Turkey Topkapi palace castle sultan
Image credit-pixabay

The Topkapi Palace is famous not only for its large collection of jewels and artifacts but its harem too! Include a tour to see the sacred relics believed to be Abraham’s Pot, Moses’s Staff, David’s Sword, Muhammad’s footprints, and much more.

An unparalleled shopping experience awaits you at Grand Bazar in the dozens of covered streets and thousands of shops. However, try to keep an eye on the signage pointing to the different exits if don’t want to get lost. Haggling is OK here!

Spend a day at the Golden Horn and see the Eyup Sultan Mosque, the Saint’s tomb, shop for Turkish Oya scarves and pashminas, and rose and jasmine oils, and visit the old Ottoman cemetery and the Sufi Monastery.

Spice Market, Istanbul Turkey — Istanbul Turkey spice market colorful local shop
Image credit-pixabay

The famous centuries-old Spice Bazaar is a haven for budget shopping and delectable food. Pick up gifts, sweets, spices, rose and jasmine oils, saffron or pastrami, or plenty of traditional Turkish meats and cheese, as you wind your way through this aromatic place. Harking back to the 6th century the Galata Bridge is famous for its numerous bars and restaurants and the sunset views. The 1,500-year-old Galata Tower offers some of the best views of the city, the Golden Horn, and the Bosphorus.

Scan the local news before heading for Taksim Square as this is the place not only for festivities like New Year’s Eve but also for hosting political protests! You must also enjoy a cruise on the Bosphorus which will give you a chance to explore the 15th-century Yoros Castle, views of the Black Sea, and have a seafood lunch near the base of the castle or on the waterfront. The gardens and the fountains at Dolmabahce Palace are gorgeous. This is the modern palace of the Sultans, but more importantly, the place Atatürk passed on.

Always carry a scarf and a long-sleeved cardigan to wear to mosques, etc. as shorts and miniskirts are not allowed. Also, Istanbul is a very hilly city, so wear comfortable shoes and bring your own socks because you’ll need to take your shoes off to enter mosques. Unfortunately, if you are wheelchair-bound, I do not recommend Istanbul.

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