Budapest Parks and Gardens

There are a large number of parks sprinkled around the city of Budapest. The lush vegetation and fresh open air are a welcome contrast to the city vibe when it’s time to relax. These green spaces are so beautiful, have much to offer and there is no fee to enter them.

Vajdahunyad Castle

Photo By: mrgarris0n

There is no charge to stroll the courtyard of this beautiful site. It is a must see. The architecture and surroundings are breath-taking.

Heroes Square

One of the most visited sights of the Hungarian Capitol is Heroes Square. The is no charge to visit. This monument was built in 1896 in commemoration of the arrival of the Hungarians in the Carpathian Basin. This is the site of many special events.

Castle Hill

Photo By: Roger 4336
Take in the beautiful buildings, rich history, and amazing views at Castle Hill for free. The churches, synagogues, and other medieval structures will transport you to another time. Don’t miss this spot on your visit.

Central Market Hall

Photo By: IK’s World Trip
This is Budapest’s largest indoor market. It is a huge attraction for local shoppers as well as tourists. This structure is both beautiful and historic. Entrance is free.

The Ludwig Museum of Contemporary Art

This museum is a free attraction offering International and Hungarian art. It houses artwork that has been collected by Peter and Irene Ludwig over the last 50 years. Enjoy the parallels of valuable American Pop Art and Eastern European avant-garde pieces from the 60,s and 70’s at no cost.

Free Walking Tours

You can enjoy the sights of Budapest on your own or participate in a free walking or sightseeing tour. Having a guide can be an advantage when you want to take in all the sights. There are many free tours available on both the Pest side and the Buda side of Budapest.

The city of Budapest is amazingly beautiful, historic, and vibrant. And you can truly enjoy it all on just a small budget.

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This post was brought to you by Leah Prendergast from HostelBookers.com

Here it is : http://www.groupon.com/pages/delta-air-lines

Thankfully, at the moment, there’s a lot of competition with big banks (for example Santander travel insurance) mixing it up with more traditional suppliers of insurance. This is great news, because it means there are deals out there to be found, but sometimes you have to do a little digging to find it.

These days, most people start their search with a comparison website, but these aren’t always a great idea. First of all, they don’t always have every deal on the market, and secondly, they often get paid through commission from the companies who sell policies through them, those commission fees are likely to come straight out of your pocket when you get round to buying the policy.

That’s not to say that comparison websites don’t have merits, just that if you’re prepared to put in a little extra leg work, you can turn a good deal into a really great one. Use the prices that you get from comparison websites as benchmarks to try and get under when you start negotiating.

The next thing to do is go to some of the companies directly, see whether they are offering special deals for comparison websites, or if they’re willing to negotiate with you directly, you might find that you get a real bonus.

Also, head into high street banks, sometimes it can be a little awkward negotiating with someone, but if you’ve found a better deal elsewhere, don’t be afraid to say so. If they can’t offer you a better deal, then there’s no harm in saying that you’ve found better elsewhere.

That said, with travel insurance, quality is important. So for that reason you might want to take a look at the Defaqto website. Defaqto is an independent body which certifies the quality of all things financial from credit cards to insurance. So, if you want really high quality cover, a good idea is to head to the Defaqto website and look for insurance policies which have four or five stars. That way you can be sure that you’re paying for quality cover.

Ultimately, getting a really good deal involves legwork and being prepared to negotiate, insurance is often flexible if you can talk to someone face to face. Most importantly, make sure that your policy covers you for everything you might want to do (and that you know what it covers you for), when it comes to insurance, quality is definitely more important than getting the lowest price.

Thailand: This is an extremely popular destination and it is no surprise as last year Thailand attracted 15 million international tourists. This beautiful country has so much to offer, from insane nightlife in the cities to the architectural and historic wonders in the country such as Phanom Rung; it is truly a humbling country. No wonder it is known as the land of a thousand smiles. Thailand can cater for just about any tourist whether it’s backpacking, sun seeking, adventure or just some relaxation you can find it here. However, prices are on the increase in Thailand so it is advisable to go sooner rather than later to make the most of your holiday.

Mexico: Mexico is catching up quickly with its big brother in the north and has seen an explosion in its tourist industry in recent years. Mexico boasts some of the world’s most stunning beaches such as Cancun and Acapulco, great food and an enchanting culture. This country has all the allure of the Caribbean but with probably the richest culture and history in the Americas. From Aztec and Mayan temples to more recent historical monuments it is truly an awe-inspiring place to see.

Egypt: If you want guaranteed sun, you can’t go far wrong with Egypt, this is a country that basks in the sun all year round. Much like the previous two destinations, this country is steeped with history, being home to some of the first centres of civilization and one of the few remaining ancient wonders of the world. With sandy beaches lining almost the entire country and incredible diving spots this is definitely a sun seeker’s paradise.

It is never straight forward if you are looking for an affordable holiday, but they are of course out there. Many people choose to camp when they don’t have quite as much money as they might be accustomed to, but this is not ideal for everyone. It takes a certain outlook on life to be able to actually enjoy camping, and if you don’t think that you are going to particularly enjoy traipsing to the shower blocks to go to the toilet in the middle of the night then it might be one to strike off the list!

It used to be that another option was to stay in Britain for your holidays. The thought being that you immediately cut down the cost of the holiday by removing the need to fly anywhere, but with petrol prices so high, and the cost of accommodation in Britain soaring, it is hard to see where the savings are going to come with this sort of holiday. Factor in the increasing cost of eating out in Britain and you are left with a potentially expensive holiday that could well be bettered abroad.

These days, one of the few countries that is still cheap to visit is Spain. On arrival you immediately notice the differences in prices. A quick stop to fill up a car or to buy a bit of lunch tells you that prices are a lot cheaper than the British Isles, and if you smoke or like the odd drink then the savings can be enormous. The benefits don’t stop here either. You will find that accommodation in Spain is as cheap as anywhere else in Europe, and considering the level of accommodation you tend to find, there are some real bargains to be had. The best way to find these deals is to search online for Cheap Hotels and you should find some great bargains show up for Spain. It’s worth a look even if you don’t think you are going to be able to afford it, because you might be really surprised at just how affordable some of the accommodation is.

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This post is brought to you by Travel Republic.

Huge areas of verdant forest have supported a diverse assortment of birdlife in New Zealand. Since there were no predators from which to take flight, many bird species lost the ability to fly completely. A number of New Zealand’s most iconic birds evolved to become flightless, namely the kiwi, takahe, kakapo and the now-extinct moa. It was only when human beings arrived (with their attendant dogs, rats and other predatory mammals) that these birds faced any danger at all. The Moa was hunted to extinction, while the kiwi and kakapo and are now endangered.

The kiwi is, famously, New Zealand’s national symbol. Nocturnal and flightless, these timid creatures are very rarely seen in their natural habitat. Thankfully, they have been preserved extensively at zoos and wildlife parks.

The moa remains the only wingless bird known to fossil hunters. A number of flightless birds have evolved throughout pre-history – notably the emu and the ostriches – but they all retained some vestige of wings, however ineffectual. The moa is different. Before it was hunted to extinction by Maori settlers over 400 years ago, the moa was a true monument to New Zealand’s isolated evolution.

The tuatara is a unique animal. The only beak-headed reptile still living, it’s something of a link to the dinosaur age – a ‘living fossil’. Every other species of this family is thought to have perished with the Cretaceous period, some 65 million years ago. Once found throughout New Zealand, tuataras – which can live for as long as 100 years – are now only found on protected island reserves. 30,000 of them live on Stephens Island in the Marlborough Sounds – a figure which, mercifully, keeps them out of ‘endangered’ status.

If you’re interested in visiting New Zealand to witness at first hand the splendor and magnificence of its unique wildlife, check out the DialAFlight website where you’ll find reasonably priced flights to New Zealand.

Preparing for the Trip

Nowadays, with changes in airport security and luggage regulations, it’s wise to check with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for an up-to-date list of items allowed in checked and carry-on luggage and a list of luggage regulations. It’s helpful to begin gathering the items for the trip at least a week or two before your departure. This gives you time to think about what you will need and eliminated “panic packing” which, inevitably leads to things being overlooked and forgotten. Place everything in the designated packing area so you can see what you already have and what you still need to get; it’s also helpful to keep a packing check list handy to keep you organized and on track.

Choosing and Packing Luggage

It’s very important to find out how many pieces of luggage you are permitted to bring. Many airlines and cruise ships have restrictions for the number of pieces of luggage allowed per passenger. It is easiest to travel with one large rolling bag and one carry-on; however, if you prefer not to check your luggage, you need to know the size requirements for carry-on items. Try to pick a carry-on bag that can be strapped onto the large bag so your hands will be free to access documents and money in the airport without having to put down your bag. Make sure all your important travel and identification documents are on your person or in your carry-on. It’s also a good idea to pack one change of clothes and necessary toiletries (particularly medication) in your carry-on bag in case your luggage is lost by the airport.

Clothing

Based on the nature of your trip, decide how many changes of clothes are needed per day. For most international trips, you will need two changes of clothes each day, especially if you are traveling to a warm destination and/or you are planning to put on fresh (or more formal) clothes for dinner. Sometimes you will be able to wear the same evening clothes more than once which will enable you to pack fewer pieces of clothing. It’s also a good idea to pack clothing that are all the same colors or that can be worn together in a variety of combinations so that you can pack fewer items but still have many options. Make sure you have accessories that match each outfit because you don’t want to have to hunt for a certain color socks or nylons in an unfamiliar place.

Toiletries

Write down a list of all things you use in the morning and in the evening. Do this at least a month before traveling because sometimes you don’t use an item every day. When possible, purchase travel size quantities or purchase empty travel size bottles and transfer products into them. Also, it’s helpful to pack toiletries in individual plastic bag in case of leakage during your flight and one leaky bottle of shampoo doesn’t ruin the rest of your toiletries.

Odds & Ends

When traveling internationally, there are other items that are sure to come in handy. First, you might want to bring a small travel notebook. This is great for keeping track of things you’ve seen but is also good for recording the contact information for new friends you’ve met and for keeping a record of purchases for your customs form at the end of the trip. Another good tip is to fill a plastic bag with small useful items like paper clips, rubber bands and safety pins; these are things you won’t know you need until you can’t live without them.

Packing for an international vacation doesn’t need to be overwhelming. If you plan ahead and plan thoughtfully, the process will be easy and you’ll have everything you need on your vacation.

This post is sponsored by : Viking River Cruises

Tip 1: DON’T pick the first holiday you see, DO shop around
There are some people who will see a holiday online or in a brochure, decide that that they want to go there and book it immediately with no real thoughts that there might be a better holiday or deal around. Shopping around will give you inspiration if you don’t know where you want to go, or help you to find cheap holidays if you have your heart set on somewhere specific.

Tip 2: DON’T book without research, DO research thoroughly
If you have decided to go somewhere, make sure you research it thoroughly. This applies to both the place you are going to and the hotel/resort you want to stay in. Make sure you know about the local customs, any restrictions that might restrict the type of holiday you will go on and maybe most importantly the temperatures – if you are looking to go in certain month for sun, it doesn’t mean that month is warm in the place you are going to. Check out temperature charts for your proposed destination. For hotels you should read reviews online, make sure that you read a few review sites to avoid fake reviews! Use your instinct, if there are a few 1 star reviews among glowing ones, don’t go there!

So these are the best tips for when you are booking the holiday, but that isn’t where the disorganisation usually ends, it usually begins when it comes to packing before the holiday, which can be a problem in itself!

Tip 3: DON’T pack the morning you are leaving, DO pack in good time
Many people pack late for their holiday, either the morning they are leaving, which leaves you wide open to forgetting something important or missing the little things that will make your trip away that bit more comfortable. You should really make a list as you go along, from weeks before the holiday, and then pack over the days before you go, ticking off things as they go in. This will make you more organised and make it very unlikely that you will actually forget something important

This goes for your passport too, DON’T dig it out the morning of thinking it’s in a “safe place”, find it when you book the holiday, meaning if you’ve lost it you have plenty of time to find it again or get a new one. When you do find it, put it somewhere you WILL remember, and then dig it out again a week before the holiday to prevent that morning scramble!

All of this will ensure that your holiday is a smooth one, with no nasty surprises!

This post is sponsored by : icelolly.com

With some of the most famous buildings in the world to be found in London, together with many other landmark locations, visiting the city can feel a little like stepping onto a film set and there are so many fantastic photo opportunities that you’ll want to have your camera handy at all times.

With a population of close to eight million, this vast cosmopolitan city is a major centre for the arts, shopping and fashion and sets global trends in music and gastronomy making it a great holiday destination.

When visiting London you will be seeing iconic images at every turn, all of which combine to give London its unique sense of place. Here are 10 of the best to look out for.

1) London buses

The red double decker buses that rumble along the streets of London are famous the world over. Although the most instantly recognizable of the buses, the vintage Routemaster, has largely been phased out, it still runs along two vintage routes in London. Meanwhile, more modern buses in the city continue the tradition for red double decker vehicles and are one of the principle forms of transport in the city, as well as a tourist attraction.

2) Buckingham Palace

The world reignited its love affair with the British Royal Family when Prince William announced his engagement to Kate Middleton and their fairy tale wedding saw the world’s media descend on Buckingham Palace like never before. This beautiful palace, with its guards in their bearskin hats, is an unmissable London landmark and the residence of the Queen when she’s in the city. A flag flying outside the palace signifies the Queen is in residence.

3) London Eye

Far more than just the world’s largest Ferris Wheel, the London Eye is an architectural wonder and has become London’s biggest tourist attraction. Constructed to coincide with Britain’s Millennium Celebrations, the London Eye offers spectacular views over the city and its many iconic attractions. Sitting on the edge of the River Thames, the London Eye is visible from miles around.

4) Big Ben

The world famous clock tower at London’s Houses of Parliament is instantly recognizable and a real postcard image of London. The origins of the name ‘Big Ben’ are unknown, but the clock’s bell has been ringing out across Westminster since 1859. To give an idea of the scale of Big Ben, the minute hands are 14 feet long and the figures on each of the four clock faces are two feet high. Big Ben is particularly magnificent after dark, when the clock faces are illuminated.

5) Harrods

Arguably the most famous department store in the world, this luxury store in upscale Knightsbridge is worth a visit even if the budget won’t stretch to making a purchase. While the store is now synonymous with luxury goods, it began life in 1849 as a simple grocery store, employing just two members of staff. Today it is a London landmark in its own right, lit up at night by 11,500 twinkling lights. Stocking everything from designer fashion to luxury food. The Egyptian Hall and the Pet Department are both worth a visit, but make an effort to look smart, because the top-hatted door staff aren’t just there to be decorative and may decline entry to anybody likely to lower the tone of the store.

6) Wembley Stadium

London and football go hand in hand and Wembley Stadium is London’s shrine to the sport. The site of many a historic London sporting event, including England’s 1966 cup final victory in the FIFA World Cup, Wembley is one of the largest sports stadiums in Europe and serves as England’s national stadium. While the original Wembley Stadium was demolished in 2003, the new stadium stands on the same site and is an awe-inspiring sight on match days, with capacity for 90,000 people. Wembley Stadium also hosts major musical events and visitors can take organized tours of the stadium.

7) The British Museum

London is an historic city and nowhere is this history better exhibited than at the British Museum. One of the most famous museums in the world, attracting nearly six million visitors each year, the British Museum has some fascinating collections, with exhibits spanning some two million years of Earth’s history. The museum opened to the public in 1753 and the handsome building is an attraction in itself. The British Museum is an essential stop on any cultural tour of London and an ideal place to visit when the famous London rain clouds threaten to burst over the city.

8 ) The London Dungeon

A city steeped in a somewhat bloody history, London has more than a few creepy stories to tell, not least of which is the gruesome story of Jack the Ripper. The London Dungeon brings Victorian London to life in all its gory glory and visitors can scare themselves silly at this grisly theme museum, where actors recreate the mist-shrouded world of Victorian London.

9) Black cabs

The sight of a black taxi cab driving through the streets of London is instantly recognizable from any number of films and television shows. The Hackney Carriage, to give the Black Cab its official name, is as intrinsic to London’s street scene as the yellow taxi is to New York and visitors can hail the cabs anywhere in the British capital. The first registered Hackney Carriages in London were the horse drawn carriages of the 1600s and the current incarnations are a lot more modern, with motorized cabs becoming the norm in the early twentieth century.

10) The River Thames

The image of the River Thames snaking past London’s landmark buildings is an unforgettable one and visitors to London can take a boat trip along the river, or just cross over the water at the world famous London Bridge. The Thames winds through central London, past tourist attractions such as the Houses of Parliament and is magnificent when viewed from above on the London Eye.

A truly unique city, London’s vibrant blend of the ultra-modern and the historical make it impossible to forget. With so much to see and do in the city, London is a great place to visit and thanks to the variety of London hotels available to meet all requirements, you’ll be able to find the perfect accommodation to suit your budget.

However in recent years the hotel providers have realised that the holiday doesn’t have to start when you get to the resort, it can start in the airport hotel!

With the recession still gripping the UK, holiday and business travellers have taken notice of the value of cheap airport hotels, and their use as a stop gap between journeys has increased dramatically.

Why choose an Airport Hotel?

An obvious one: It’s usually next to the airport!
Travelling can be a tiring experience, early mornings and late nights will not make it any better. Hotels at Heathrow Airport have 5-10 minute bus journeys directly to your terminal, meaning you can stay in bed for an extra few hours plus you will have had time to have breakfast.

Costs less
Airport hotels can sometimes be fifty percent cheaper than normal inner city hotels, it doesn’t matter whether you’re going on holiday or going to a business meeting everyone wants to pay less for accommodation.

Luxury
Airport hotels now know that their customers want value for money and quality; this has meant that most airport hotels have gyms, swimming pools, Wi-Fi access, restaurants and bars. Everything you will need to keep you occupied in case of any delays with the flights.

For more information on airport hotels a great suggestion would be Cheap.co.uk Airport Hotels. They compare a wide range of hotels from some great hotel chains.