Wednesday, March 26, 2014

London Travel Tips, Popular Tourist Attractions

London´s Big Ben
London travel is exciting for tourists as there are many sites to see and things to do in this historical city. But if you plan on traveling to London, you better map out your destinations carefully as there is a lot to see. Whether you're looking for nightlife, history, or gardens you are sure to find it in London.

London is home to 200 galleries, 300 museums and over 150 events that happen every day so they are sure to be enough to keep you busy on your London trip. You might visit the Tate Museum after breakfast, pop over to Kensington Palace for lunch, and check out the display of Crown jewels at the Tower of London after supper. If you're into history, then Westminster Abbey is sure to be at the top of your list. Here, not only will you find great architecture, but you'll also be able to see where many of the famous people in history are interred. This working church which performs services for all denominations is the final resting place of many kings and poets as well as scientists including Henry III and Isaac Newton.

Leonardslee Gardens, London

Don't forget to include a visit to some of the many beautiful parks in your London travel itinerary. Regents, Hyde Park and St. James offer gorgeous trails and gardens in addition to outdoor activities such as soccer, model sail boating and tennis to name but a few. Also you want to pencil in a stop at the Japanese gardens at Holland Park and, of course, Kensington Gardens next to Kensington Palace.

Another garden you want to visit which really isn't a garden at all is Covent Garden. Here you will find a wide array of shops and theaters along with entertaining street performers, pubs and restaurants. Covent Garden is home to the Royal Opera House along with great shopping and dining.

Best Beaches Porth London
You also want to visit London's famous outdoor markets such as Portobello Road where you can haggle over antiques just as they did centuries ago. Borough market has been a popular trading place for thousands of years and has the atmosphere of a Moroccan bazaar complete with interesting and unusual foods.

London's West End, is home to many different pubs and restaurants where you can find anything to suit your palate and pocketbook. While you're there, don't forget to take in one of the many shows or performances which are said to rival those on Broadway.

Tower Bridge England Wide London
No one would travel to London without visiting one of the museums and you'll sure have plenty to choose from. From science museums to natural history museums, you be able to see personal items at the Victoria and Albert Museum and of course visit the world-famous British Museum. They're interesting sites to see also in the museums that the Tower of London and Kensington Palace.

If you want to get a gander at some of the newer things in London check out the Tate modern where you can see the works of great 20th-century artists including Picasso and Matisse or visit the London Eye or you can take a glass gondola boat ride or ride on the world's largest Ferris wheel.

No matter what your London travel itinerary entails, you're sure to see plenty of interesting sites. Be sure to write down everything that you missed, so you can visit them the next time you travel to London!

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Vacations in Italy - Places to Go, Things to Do!

Colosseum in Rome Italy
Every year or maybe once every few years, you are faced with the opportunity to take a vacation. The excitement of planning a trip to another part of the world can take some a few years to plan and save for and others are lucky enough to take a different vacation every year. The choice of location is the first step when you are planning your next vacation. Italy is one of the locations that should be on the top of your list of places to visit when planning your next holiday.

Italy is a country made up of diverse regions that offer travelers exciting nightlife, world famous art work, delicious foods and gorgeous countryside. When you are deciding on your next vacation, Italy has something for everyone.
Manarola Italy Coast

Honeymooners will find that Italy is the perfect choice for a romantic trip and a wonderful place to start off a marriage. Enjoy the beauty and romance of Venice or explore the historic city of Rome on your honeymoon vacation. Tuscany is a romantic and visually stunning location to spend a honeymoon. Explore the historic city of Florence and view the countryside that some of the world's most famous artists viewed.

Vacation packages to Italy take the work out of your vacation planning. Packages include tours of the regions, accommodations and your flight in many cases. You can relax and begin to learn about the areas that you will travel to when your travel plans are all made for you.

Venice, Italy

A family vacation to Italy is a wonderful way to introduce a new culture to your children and give them the opportunity to see the gorgeous scenery of Italy. Family vacation packages can provide you with a great chance to take the whole family on a reasonably priced trip to Italy.

To determine if an Italy vacation is the right choice for you and your family, make a list of the factors that make an ideal vacation for you. Italy will give you great food, world famous art and spectacular scenery. Weigh all of your options and take a look at the prices that you can get with Italy vacation packages for your family.
Greek Theatre and Mount Etna Taormina Sicily, Italy

Do some research on the regions of Italy to choose where you would prefer to spend your vacation. You can choose to take a tour of the country and enjoy a day or two in each region, or you can devote all of your vacation time to one region and explore it thoroughly.

There are three secrets to an unforgettable Italy vacation:

Join Wine and Culture Tours: We all know Italy is famous for its wine and food. Both are the key element of La Dolce Vita and the focus of life for about 60 million Italians. So what can be better than a tour focused on the Italian way of living?

Tuaredda beach, Sardinia, Italy
Visit non-tourist spots: The famous tourist destinations in Italy are a must-see, however, there is so much more to Italy. The non-tourist spots are the ones that you will remember for the rest of your life. Visiting beautiful towns that have as much history and charm as the famous cities, but are only known by the local people. These are the places that make a vacation unique and unforgettable.


Travel off-season: The best part about joining a Wine and Culture Tour is that it is not dictated by the weather. Wine and culture in Italy are always in season. You can take advantage of super low airfares and un-crowded sights if you travel in the Spring, Winter and Fall, instead of Summer.

Before planning your next vacation, look into Wine and Culture Tours of Italy and sign up for the experience of a lifetime.

Fantastic vacation in Spain


The Rock of Crary Castles, Spain
As you plan your trip, you will come to see that vacationing in Spain is a wonderful idea. It is very affordable and provides you with the chance to explore another part of the world. Living or vacationing in Spain just cannot be summed up in one sentence, nor can a single person's understanding sum it up, since everyone's Spanish experience is different.

If you are interested in embarking upon your own adventures in the country of Spain, you could consider purchasing a timeshare if you end up loving it, so that you can return year after year. And each time you will be able to add a new dimension to your own Spanish adventure story. If there are people who want to live in or stay during a trip to Spain, then there are people who can manage accommodation for them. Spanish property agents can offer two way services; to both those who want to buy or rent property and also to those who want to sell or let property. And if you want to be in Spain during the running of the bulls, then it is strongly recommended that you book your Spain accommodation early to avoid disappointment.

The Popular summer Yacht charter location Spain
Vacations in Spain may also be a good choice for the enthusiastic adventure junkie. Whenever one travels to Spain, you will simply have to go to Madrid before you travel to smaller towns like Pamplona, which is only a three hour train ride from the city. The partly finished cathedral is a beautiful and unique building, and should not be missed when you are on a trip to Spain. Or maybe you would like to add a dash of Tuscan cooking and a pinch of Provencal cuisine to your vacation with some cooking classes, which always includes the meal with wine after the lesson, of course.

Pyrenees Mountains Spain
A winery visit, wine tastings and an olive oil seminar can also complement your relaxing getaway. When it comes to French and Spanish wine culture, the main difference may be that, while the French savor their wine and bottle it away to be admired from afar, the Spanish simply drink theirs! Wine and other alcoholic beverages are also cheaper in Spain than anywhere else in Europe.

Imagine the memories you or your family can enjoy as they fondly reflect upon all the fun shared while you were in Spain. You may enjoy thinking about the wonderful wine and gelato. Or maybe the fact that everyone pretty much walks everywhere, and hat there are many things to do to keep you entertained.

Toledo at sunrise The Alcázar on the left and Cathedral on the right dominate the skyline
Ronda Spain

Art and architecture lovers, ecotourists, gourmands, history buffs, wine aficionados, culture scholars, and even outdoor sports fanatics - Spain truly has something for everybody. Its great weather and many varied attractions make it fully for vacationing year round.

Many people traveling abroad like to purchase items to bring home from their travels. One fun thing to buy is local dishes or Spanish pottery. Each region is known to have it's own unique colors and patterns that are specific to their area. Getting one dish from each city you visit would be a great thing to purchase. Also, if you plan on visiting a lot of museums, it is recommended to buy the museum book from each place.

Formentera is true paradises in the Mediterranean

Formentera Balearic Island Spain
What do you know about the Balearic Islands? Have you heard of them collectively? I bet you've heard of some of the islands themselves, but what do you really know about them? Have you considered a vacation in Spain - if so, maybe you should read this article and find out a little bit more about the Balearics.

Holidays in Ibiza and other Balearic Islands have been popular for individuals who love the sea and the sun. Since this group of islands is located in between mainland Spain and the coast of North Africa, it's not surprising that tourists from Europe and other countries spend their Christmas holidays in one of the villas in Ibiza, Majorca, Menorca and Formentera to get away from the chilly weather in their respective countries. Meanwhile, sun seekers and party animals from the younger generation usually come in droves in these fantastic islands during summer for enchanting beach escapades.

Formentera Beach

Although the best time to visit the Balearic Islands is from April to November as the weather is usually hotter and more appropriate for summer holidays in Ibiza and other islands in this part of Spain, you'll still find that there are a lot of things to do and places to visit even during the off-peak season. For one thing, Ibiza and the other Balearic Islands are known for their night parties. Clubs, bars, chill out places, discos and other entertainment establishments are scattered all over the islands. However, the most popular and hip places include the Blue Bar in Plataja de Migjorn, Garito Club in Plama de Mallorca and Vinateria Parra in Mao.

Formentera Island
If the bustling nightlife and the promise of big waves and sun-filled afternoons are not enough reasons to spend your holidays in Ibiza and other Balearic Islands, then probably the rich culture, interesting edifices, fascinating fishing villages, and Stone Age ruins will make you want to visit this part of the globe. Tourists who are interested in architectural wonders and beautiful buildings usually visit medieval archway Arc de Sant Roc, the small but spectacular castle Castell De Sant Nicolau, and museum Ecomuseu Cap de Cavalleria which are all found in Menorca. Meanwhile, Majorca also boasts of old buildings, churches and historical sites that you may want to see. These include Miramar which is the home of Archduke Luis Salvador, the 18th century monastery Monestir De Lluc, and a Gothic inspired church Parroquial De San Bartolome.

Nature lovers will also find holidays in Ibiza, Majorca, Menorca and Formentera to be unforgettable. Aside from beautiful beaches and structures, there are also remarkable caves like Coves D'en Xeroni, Coves Del Drac and Coves D Arta which can all be explored and enjoyed by tourists.

Map of Formentera Island

About the island

Formentera is very easily accessible by ferry as it is situated only 18 kilometres away from Ibiza. Cyclists and those who love hiking are in paradise on its very well marked routes that offer them the possibility to admire the breathtaking landscapes. The swimming lovers adulate the island for its sandy beaches and crystal waters and the art and culture lovers come here attracted by the Ca Na Costa Megalithic Monument. It is thought that its paving stones are actually a cemetery dating back 4,000 years. Will you find such diversity anywhere else? The Romans, the Moors, the Christians, even the Vandals occupied the island at some time, leaving vestiges of their presence: the Fortified Church in Sant Francesc de Formentera and the objects in the Ethnographic Museum are just some of them. The main tourist centre is Es Pujols, situated on the Estany Pudent lagoon shores, waiting for you with numerous craft shops in hippie style. On the eastern side of the island you will find the monument dedicated to Jules Verne, the writer who immortalized the beauty of this island in one of his writings.

The beaches

The beaches are always ready for tourists; the water is perfect for those who like to dive and for those who are snorkelling fans, so if you are one of them, try spending at least one of your days in Spain here. You will be excited and delighted by what you find here, so give the island a chance!

>High Quality Guide Book To The Spanish Island Of Formentera<

Eastern Europe Tour - Reasons to Visit Hungary

Hungary, Budapest
The best time to visit Hungary, contrary to popular belief is the autumn season at which time it has the best things to offer. Most tourists tend to make their trips in the summer months when its extremely humid and the streets are crowded. The winter months can be biting cold with occasional snow falls. But it's the autumn season that offers the perfect and deserving environment to explore the wonder that is Hungary.

Budapest is the capital city that is also one of the most famous tourist spots in Hungary. It is well connected by flight with other European and major world cities. It is located on the Danube river and has a lot of sights to offer to the tourist including the Buda and the Borque castles.

Visegrad Castle, Hungary


Hungary is a mostly flat country with very few high areas and mountainous regions. It is mostly covered by wetlands and wooded forests which offer a thriving breeding ground for the many wildlife species that Hungary is a home to. This also offers a opportunity for wildlife hungry visitors in Hungary to fulfill their desires. The many national parks that Hungary has to offer are also a safe way to encounter wildlife in a controlled environment. Hungary lies on a major fault line due to which there are many hot springs in the country which have been utilized by spa resorts as well.
The Hungarian cities offer a great insight into the science of architecture with Hungary being home to one of the greatest architectural marvels in Europe. The Eszetergom Basilica, the third largest church in Europe , the Pannonhalma Archabbey which is the second largest abbey in Europe are all situated in Hungary. The Baroque castle in Budapest is a famous spot frequented by most tourists who land up in Hungary offering them an insight into its interesting history.
Hungary is a paradise for tourists who are artistically inclined with the local shops there filled with crafts and art pieces like carvings, paintings, pottery and embroidery works. Folk dace is very popular in Hungary with different regions offering different varieties of it.

Széchenyi Chain Bridge Night view, Budapest Hungary

Hungarian hotels are very reasonably priced which offer something for every traveler though they might be slightly higher priced during the summer months when the inflow of tourists is higher than usual due to which it is recommended that people visit Hungary during the Autumn and winter months when the streets aren't as crowded and the hotels are cheaper and offering better service due to less crowds.

Balaton, Hungary

Hungary uses the currency Forint which functions alongside the Euro. If you are a citizen of one of the EU member countries you do not need a VISA to enter Hungary or even work but people coming from outside need to obtain one if they are planning to live for more than 90 days or planning to work.
Lastly some manners for your Hungary visit. You are not expected to clink mugs in pubs in Hungary like we traditionally do in our countries as there was a decree that expired in 1999 which forbade people from doing so as a token of respect to the 13 fallen generals who were ill treated. But even after the expiry of the decree, people still respect it. So don't clink, but you can enjoy your beer or wine, there is no decree that forbids having fun!