Travelocafe - Cultural & Luxury Travel

Tips for Your Next Summer Holiday in Europe

2013-06-19T19:20:00.000+02:00

This article was written by Alex Pierce

While the cold winter months seem to drag on forever, the summer holidays tend to feel as though they last no more than a blink of the eye. Make the most of this short, and plan your ideal holiday today!

Trips for the Beach Bum

If you’re idea of the perfect summer holiday includes feeling the sand between your toes as you sip on an ice-cold drink and listen to the soft waves of the sea, then consider spending some time at one of Europe’s many seaside vacation resorts. The island of Corsica, with its 1000km of coastline, has many gorgeous beaches; Pinarello Beach is an especially beautiful spot, offering white sand and craggy coves. Greece is an absolute must-see for beach-lovers; Myrtos Beach in Kefalonia is absolutely stunning, and its perfect crescent shape makes it the iconic Mediterranean beach. For a more luxurious beach vacation, head to France; St.Tropez on the Côte d’Azur is a gorgeous beach that is filled with equally gorgeous people, lounging about on yachts and dining in the high-end restaurants.

Trips for the Thrill-Seeker

Are you always looking for your next big adventure? Do you thrive off the exhilaration that is experienced when diving from a cliff or leaping from a plane? Why not enjoy a hot-air balloon ride over the exotic landscape of Cappadocia in Turkey, or go glacier-walking in Norway? Europe has a never-ending list of extreme activities for you to try. After all, there isn’t much that is more nerve-wracking than running with the bulls in Spain! Mountain-biking enthusiasts will find plenty of great trails in Europe; head to Lagos in Portugal to ride down a volcano, visit Glentress in Scotland to see its well-maintained bike park, or bike through the Swiss Alps in the Berner Oberland. Do you prefer getting your thrills in the water? Believe it or not, Europe has some of the best surf spots on the planet. Portugal has tons of great surfing beaches, including the famous Amado beach, and you can even surf in more northern areas such as Ireland and Scotland if you’re up for it!

Trips for the Family

Europe has some excellent family-friendly destinations, and while it can sometimes be expensive to travel with the family, there are many of deals to be found, giving you the chance to save up to 20% on summer breaks in Europe. A beach vacation is always a safe bet with the family; Sardinia in particular is a good destination for those travelling with kids. If you’re looking for a more culturally-rich vacation, Barcelona is a terrific choice; young ones will surely be impressed Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia and the quirky Picasso Museum. The city’s cable cars are always a blast, and there are plenty of parks and accessible beaches for the kids to enjoy. When it comes to the ultimate family-friendly holiday in Europe, it’s hard to beat Disneyland Paris. While you do have to deal with crowds and over-priced snacks, kids will swoon over their favorite Disney characters and gravity-defying rides.

Accommodations

The possibilities for accommodations during your summer holidays in Europe are endless. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option and don’t mind roughing it a little, consider a camping holiday. Chateaux de Lez-Eaux is a great campsite located on the grounds of a 19th century castle located between Normandy and Brittany, and its indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, and fishing lake make it an ideal family destination. However, if you’re on a tight budget but are hesitant about spending the nights without a solid roof over your head, don’t panic; there are plenty of ways to save money on your stay at a hotel. Booking ahead is always a good idea. For example, you can save a good deal by booking in advance at Hilton Worldwide. If you’re a big group and will be staying in one place for a while, consider renting an apartment or a villa; it gives you the chance to settle in and relax.

Enjoy your summer holidays!

About the Author: This article was written by Alex Pierce. I am a travel-holic, adventure hunting and adrenaline lover. I am building my career as a travel journalist as I can’t imagine any other activity the will enrich my life at a greater extent. Huge part of travelling experience is to meet people and exchange different views, so please share your comments below this article I would be glad to come back to you asap.

10 Things to Avoid When Visiting Orlando's Theme Parks

2013-06-19T11:05:00.000+02:00

Walt Disney’s first Florida theme park opened in 1971, envisaged as a place where dreams could come true, even if only for a little while. It took six years and $400 million to create “Disneyland East,” which has surpassed Walt’s own dream: instead of being a spin-off of California’s Disneyland Park, it has become the USA’s most popular theme park, attracting more than 15 million visitors every year (some 40,000 each day). And here are 10 things that you should avoid if you plan to visit the theme parks in Orlando.

1 Park Visits When School’s Out

All the parks are packed during school breaks (late Jun–late Aug; late Dec–early Jan; mid-Feb, and Easter),

since that’s when locals hit the parks with their kids. Summer is the worst, since not only is it crowded, but it’s also brutally hot. The least crowded months are November plus early and late February.

2 Theme Park Isolation

Don’t spend every waking minute in Orlando’s theme parks, because burn-out is inevitable. Make sure you take time to see Central Florida’s natural attractions, Smaller Attractions, and Museums.

3 Early Arrivals

It might seem smart to hit the theme parks as soon as they open, but it is not always the best plan. Kids who arrive early tend to collapse by 2pm and are a mess the rest of the day. Instead, take it easy in the morning and head for the parks in the afternoons and evenings. Temperatures are cooler and the parks take on a magical glow under the lights.

4 Inflexibility

Relax. It’s a vacation. There are no prizes for those who joylessly cram every single ride at their chosen theme park into one day. Make plans, but be flexible. Don’t attempt to do everything on your list, and maybe save a few things for the next visit.

5 Big Meals In-Park

In general, theme-park food is bland and overpriced, so don’t waste your main meal of the day on it. Instead, at Universal, check out the eateries on Citywalk; while at Disney, visit one of the excellent resort dining options, where you’ll find that high-end restaurants offer great value. Parks allow same-day re-entry on single tickets – just be sure to get your hand stamped before leaving.

6 Free and Discounted Tickets

There are a lot of offers floating around Orlando that sound too good to be true. If someone promises free or heavily discounted tickets, ask “What’s the catch?”, especially if they’re promised a Disney ticket. Most are timeshare salespeople trying to get you to “buy” a week’s holiday for the next 20 years. In some cases they have legitimate tickets, but most of the time you have to endure hours of sales pitches. Usually, such properties are overpriced. However, I advise you plan your trip ahead and get your Orlando tickets online before you leave home.

7 Wearing Skimpy Bathing Suits at Water Parks

Ladies should consider one-piece suits at water parks since most of the best rides can quickly rip off a bikini top. Alternatively, wear a T-shirt over the bikini for added protection. Guys, for reasons not necessary to elaborate upon here, should avoid Speedos altogether.

8 Public Transport

Lynx buses might appear to be everywhere, but don't set your schedule by them, especially for longer trips. They stop frequently, are notoriously slow, and are generally ignored by locals.

9 Downtown’s Westside

The area of Downtown south of Colonial Drive and west of I-4 is not a particularly safe place to wander around. Avoid it. But if you are going to a destination here, including the Greyhound Bus station, call a cab.

10 Rush Hour on I-4

Sometimes called “Orlando’s Parking Lot”, I-4 can get very congested, particularly during evening rush hour (3–6:30pm), as attraction employees head home. Disney-generated traffic on I-4, between Lake Buena Vista and US Hwy 192, has a life of its own. Traffic jams there can occur around the clock.

Photos via Flickr Creative Commons

Trattoria Baita Belvedere, Bellagio. Welcome to the Family Farm

2013-06-15T13:42:00.000+02:00

Watching the sunset from Trattoria Baita Belvedere, with views over Bellagio and Lake Como

Benjamin Franklin once said 'Eat to live, don't live to eat'. While he might be right in most cases, there are certain exceptions from this rule... Like when you find yourself in a little trattoria on top of the mountain, overlooking Lake Como.

Trattoria Baita Belvedere is a family run restaurant in Bellagio. And it is special from quite a few points of view. First of all, all ingredients are either produced right there on the family farm next to the restaurant, or locally produced (like fish from the lake). Second, from the terrace, guests can enjoy some of the most breathtaking and unique views over Lake Como.

As Trattoria Baita Belvedere is situated on top of the mountain, you certainly need a car to get there. There are no sidewalks and the road is steep, with horseshoe curves through the forest and to be honest, it looked pretty dangerous to me. On the other hand there aren't many cars. But this should not impend you from having lunch or dinner here. The owners of the restaurant run a daily shuttle service from downtown Bellagio to the restaurant. They even drive everyone back to their hotels after finishing the meal!

Trattoria Baita Belvedere has a friendly and informal atmosphere, with old photos and tools once used for farming decorating the walls. From the very first moment we stepped inside we were treated like family, we were given an amazing table on the glass covered terrace (they also have an open air terrace, but in May when we were there it was still too cold for eating outside), from were we could admire the sunset and the views. To be honest, the lake was so beautiful from up there, I almost couldn't take my eyes away from it.

The dishes served in the restaurant follow old, traditional recipes from Northern Italy. And since pizza was invented in Napoli, in Southern Italy, quite a long way from Bellagio, there is no pizza to be found on the menu. Instead, all main dishes are accompanied by polenta (boiled finely ground yellow cornmeal).

We started our dinner with a selection of cold cuts and cheeses from the farm and I'm not exaggerating when I say they were some of the best we've ever had. Definitely a must try and a great way to stir the appetite, especially if served with local wine.

Local cold cuts

Local cheeses produced on the farm

As a first course, I insisted on going for lasagna, as it is my favorite Italian dish after pizza. Over the years I became a bit of a lasagna snob, so I was happy to dig in this homemade lasagna goodness. My husband on the other hand went for the crepes, as he is a big crepes fan and he didn't regret his decision at all.

Lasagna

Buckwheat crepes

By now, we already realized we ordered too much food. The rations at Baita Belvedere are pretty generous and we certainly didn't take into consideration that all the cheese and pasta was going to fill us up before we knew it. But we were determined to go on and try the main course as well, simply because the temptations was too big. Unfortunately I was never a big fan of polenta and this didn't turn me into one either, especially as I was already feeling stuffed, but the rabbit was nicely flavored, juicy and delicious and it reminded me of the rabbit my mother used to cook when I was a child.

Stewed wild boar served with polenta

My husband seemed pretty happy with the wild boar too, so we took our time and worked our way through the main course while watching a gorgeous sunset.

Roasted rabbit with herbs, served with polenta

We never skip dessert, so we ended the evening with a little something sweet. Yummy!

Tartufo

Latte cotto

Trattoria Baita Belvedere might not win any awards for creativity, but it surely compensates with fresh ingredients and a lot of soul. The dishes served are unpretentious, but fully flavored and at the end of the day I believe this is what matters most. There were many families with kids and though at one point it got pretty noisy, is was also nice to have all that child laughter around. Many of the guests were local too, and the owners of the restaurant seemed to know quite a few of them, and that projected even further the family atmosphere.

Trattoria Baita Belvedere is a relaxed place, but nothing fancy. It can be very romantic given the absolutely wonderful views of the lake and Bellagio itself. It also serves delicious fresh food and for that it is definitely worth a visit. Before we left we even bought cheese and marmalade produced on the farm, and as we approached our hotel, we had the feeling that we were coming back from visiting grandma! For families with kids, I believe this restaurant can be a god-sent. It really has the fervent atmosphere of a home where the whole family gathers for the Christmas dinner. And everybody behaves! To be honest, I've never seen anything like it.

Inspiration for Your Next Rail Holidays in Italy

2013-06-14T13:37:00.002+02:00

This article was written by Kat Prescott

Brits have been flocking to Italy since the days of the Grand Tour, but thankfully, it is a little easier to reach this destination than it was around 300 years ago. For those interested in rail holidays in Italy, there is plenty for you to discover.

Convivial

One of the best reasons you may have for selecting one of the many rail holidays to Italy is that you will have the opportunity to spend time with like-minded people and be able to relax, safe in the knowledge that your tour director will take care of any aspects of a holiday booking that you might find tedious. All you’ll have to do is turn up at St Pancras International and start your journey to one of one of the most beautiful countries on the planet.

Florence

So much has been written about this Tuscan Renaissance jewel that the city often appears to be remarkably familiar. From the beautiful Uffizi to the Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge in English) this city is truly stunning.

The art on display at the Pitti Palace is awe-inspiring and the building holds Medici valuables as well as examples of 16th and 17th century paintings. There is also a more contemporary collection on the top floor.

If all of this beauty is a little exhausting, then take some time out to enjoy an iced coffee and soak up the beauty of the city.

Venice

Gondolas, St Mark’s Square, the Rialto Bridge and of course the ubiquitous canals, Venice is one of those places that you’ll want to return to time and time again. It sometimes seems impossible to believe that so much beauty can be crammed into one small city but then a look at the history of the place, including the intrigues and maritime achievements, makes everything fall into place.

The writer Casanova never recovered from his banishment and spent the rest of his life trying to return. Vivaldi composed his angelic music as a result of the influence of the city, but for a more modern perspective, include writers like Donna Leon on your holiday reading list. Then go and grab a Prosecco and see if you can actually understand any of the local Venetian dialect.

It might be better to visit this city outside of the normal tourist timetable as the crowds swarming across St Mark’s Square can prove to be a little daunting.

Lake Garda

If after all this history and high culture, you want to explore a more relaxing area, then a train trip to the North Italian lakes could prove more to your taste. Lake Garda is the largest of the northern lakes and the little town of Riva del Garda is idyllic. Water sports are available but a stroll around the lakeside also offers many attractions and you might find this a useful spot to recharge your batteries.

About the Author: Kat Prescott is a rail enthusiast with a passion for exploring new and exciting regions by train. A regular travel blogger, Kat contributes a range of travel tips and comments on her experiences to help others take advantage of the wealth of rail holidays on offer from leading companies.

Photos by stevehdc, John-Morgan & Ilares Riolfi via Flickr Creative Commons

Barcelona’s Spring and Summer Festivals

2013-06-13T11:33:00.000+02:00

One of the world’s most stylish cities, Barcelona is full of amazing architecture, design and artworks. It is also home to some of the most exciting festivals, thanks to a strong tradition and the inventive Spanish spirit. But finding flights during the festival period is always problematic, and for many, a turn off. So when searching for flights to Barcelona, given the wealth of attractions this city offers, it is always a good idea to book your flights a few days before the festival starts and ends.

Some of Barcelona’s best-known festivals take place in spring and summer. You can enjoy outdoor drama, music and dance in a Greek-style open-air theater during the prestigious Grec performing arts festival; leap over bonfires on the beach on Midsummer’s Night; party hard with tens of thousands of music fans at the Sónar; join in the fun at old-fashioned neighborhood festivals; or simply soak up the romance of Lover’s Day in April. But keep in mind, when booking a holiday in Barcelona for the festivals, do it way in advance.

La Diada de Sant Jordi - 24 April

The feast of St George is Lover’s Day in Catalunya, when couples traditionally exchange gifts of roses and books. The air is heady with spring and romance, and the streets become a sea of rose petals. There are also outdoor readings from Cervantes’ Don Quixote in tribute to the chivalrous hero of the book.

Festival de Música Antigua - Late April/early May

The Festival of Early Music takes place in venues such as the beautiful Palau de la Música. Most atmospheric of all are the concerts held in the Saló del Tinell – a sublime Gothic banqueting hall that’s now part of the Museu d’Història de la Ciutat.

Festival de Flamenco de Ciutat Vella - Late May

Flamenco is not part of Catalan culture, but the flood of immigrants from southern Spain has ensured that the spirit of this dance remains vibrant in Barcelona. The flamboyant dancing takes over the streets in the last week of May, with live outdoor performances on the Rambla de Raval.

Festa de Sant Joan (Midsummer’s Eve) - June

Midsummer’s eve on the night of 23 June is explosively celebrated with huge bonfires on the beaches, fireworks – every balcony and terrace seems to crackle with volley of fizzing rockets - and plenty of cava-fuelled carousing across the city.

Sónar - June

During one long, crazy weekend in mid-June (dates vary), Barcelona hosts one of the biggest and slickest festivals of music and multimedia in Spain. Sónar by Day has exhibitions, conferences and record fairs. Sónar by Night, held in the SónarPark in Hospital de Llobregat, features some of the biggest names in electronic music, such as Ryuichi Sakamoto and Massive Attack.

Dia per l’Alliberament Lesbià i Gai - End Jun

On the last Sunday in June, Orgull Gay (Gay Pride) is celebrated with a parade of floats in the city centre and political speeches in front of the City Hall. There are market stalls and live concerts on Plaça Universitat and, of course, plenty of action in the bars and clubs.

Classics als Parcs - Jul

Throughout July, free classical concerts take place in several city parks. Schedules change annually, but Saturday-night concerts (from 10pm) are mostly held in the Parc de la Ciutadella. The other main parks involved include La Tamarita (entrance on Passeig de Sant Gervasi), Turó Park (entrances on Avinguda de Pau Casals and C/Josep Bertrand) and Jardins Can’Altamira (entrances on C/Horaci and C/Mandri).

Festival del Grec - End Jun–early Aug

Barcelona’s biggest festival of performing arts gets its name from Montjuïc’s open-air Teatre Grec, where many of the main performances are staged against a romantic backdrop of ivy-clad stone. Throughout July the festival offers an excellent and wide-ranging programme of theatre and dance, as well as classical, world and contemporary music. All of Barcelona’s main venues play host to the performances.

Festa Major de Gràcia - Aug

Long known for its feisty independence, Gràcia puts on a fantastic show every August during its colourful neighbourhood festival. Each street vies to create the best decorations, and there are parades featuring traditional Catalan gegants and capgrossos (giants and fatheads). The festival culminates with a wild correfoc, when locals dressed up as fire-spitting dragons and demons race through the streets.

Drinking Coffee in Seattle? Do It Like a Local

2013-06-12T21:17:00.000+02:00

This article was written by Lara Bellford

If you are the type of traveller that loves to visit a new place on each trip and try to live like a local, Seattle is a great choice for your next trip. Life in Seattle is definitely distinct, and perhaps in part this is because of the rain, the spectacular evergreen trees, the thriving local music scene or maybe it is just the coffee. The truth is the Emerald City could have just as well been nicknamed the Café City.

Seattle locals love their coffee and they aren’t afraid to show it. Where else would you find an annual competitive event called “Coffee Fest?” Seattle is also birthplace to that now world-dominating coffee brand – Starbucks (yes, at one point in time, Starbucks was just a Seattle gleam in Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl and Gordon Bowker’s eyes!) If you plan to visit Seattle, consider this your guide for “how to drink coffee like a local” and have the real Seattle cafe experience.

3 Coffee Brewing Models — All Seattle Born and Bred

Traditionally, there are two main models for brewing coffee; a third, newer model is now gaining prominence as well. Understanding Seattle’s brewing models can help you get oriented to all the unique flavors and aromas Seattle has to offer. As you are shopping for great hotel deals you can also note which cafes are nearby so you can try a different brewing model each morning at breakfast!

* The single-roaster model. The independent coffee shop buys all of its beans pre-roasted from a single roaster.

* The multi-roaster model. The independent coffee shop buys a selection of pre-roasted beans from premiere roasters.

* The brewpub or distillery model. The chain coffee shop roasts its own beans to brew and sell.

Locally Roasted Beans

These cafes feature locally roasted beans — both sourced from a variety of growers and grown in-house.

* Starbucks. Seattle is the only city in the world where a visit to Starbucks might be considered seeing a local landmark. Have a cup of Pike Place Roast, the chain’s original roasted offering that is named after the nearby Seattle market.

* Lighthouse Roasters. Owner Ed Leebrick is as much winemaker as coffee roaster. His model is a combination of the distillery and the multi-roaster, in that he buys small batches of several beans but roasts them himself on the premises.

* Seattle Coffee Works. Owner Sebastian Simsch is also the “roast master” of Seattle Coffee Works, a staple in Seattle’s competitive local roasters market since the 1950’s. All two dozen varieties of beans are roasted on-premises in “Anna,” Simsch’s red race car.

The Landmark Cafes of Seattle

These landmark cafes are not to be missed – they are as much a part of the “Seattle experience” as the city’s famous evergreen trees (responsible for giving Seattle its nickname as the “Emerald City.”)

* Milstead & Co. Milstead’s owner, Andrew Milstead, is a true coffee gourmand. His café is never deserted. His business model is simple —“Meet people where they are. Be nice to people.” His coffee may be high-brow, but the customer service is pure down-home Seattle friendliness.

* Aster Coffee Lounge. If you want to experience your cuppa roasted and brewed on a Seattle-made Clover coffee machine, the Aster Coffee Lounge is the place to do it.

* Equal Exchange. Like Aster, the Equal Exchange coffee co-op uses a Seattle-made machine, the Slayer, to brew and serve its socially conscious beans.

The Drive-Through Coffee Culture

If you find you have an especially busy schedule of sightseeing one day, this may be the perfect opportunity to experience Seattle’s singular drive-through coffee culture.

* Cowgirls Espresso. If you like your beans roasted and served by bikini-clad cowgirls, then Cowgirls Espresso’s founder and owner, Lori Bowden, read your mind. With theme days like “School Girl Thursday” and more than 15 locations to choose from, you can drive through as many times as you like during your trip.

* Blue Dog Kitchen. Kid-friendly Blue Dog Kitchen is open only from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily. In addition to coffees, Blue Dog offers interesting teas and scrumptious pastries for kids and adults alike.

With so many great local cafes to sample, your only challenge while visiting Seattle may be to sample them all!

About the Author: Lara Bellford moved to Seattle when her husband got transferred for work. After he retired, they decided to stay — in part for the sights, in part for the scenery and in part for the fabulous coffee.

Photo by bfishadow via Flickr Creative Commons

360º View of Lake Como From the Gardens of Villa Serbelloni

2013-06-11T12:07:00.000+02:00

Lake Como is known worldwide for its luxurious villas, perfectly manicured gardens and dramatic landscape. So the small town of Bellagio, considered the pearl of the lake, is guaranteed to knock your socks off from the very beginning, even though it has only two gardens open to the public - Villa Melzi d'Eril and Villa Serbelloni. The two of them are extremely different, and while the Gardens of Villa Melzi are for me the perfect expression of heaven on Earth, the Gardens of Villa Serbelloni offer some of the most spectacular and unique views over the three branches of the lake.

Villa Serbelloni and its gardens is located on top of the hill at the very tip of the Bellagio peninsula. The gardens can be visited by guided tour only, while the villa remains closed to the large public.

As the grounds belong to the Rockefeller Foundation, the villa is used as a conference and international study centre for scholars and artists and visitors to the gardens can't even get close to it. Actually the main building can barely be spotted from the guided tour, but we could see it from afar, while sited on the terrace of our hotel, Il Perlo Panorama, located on the opposite hill (it's the large, yellow building in the photo above)

The guided tour starts next to the medieval tower in the church square, where Promo Bellagio is. Temporal exhibitions are hosted in the same building (we visited a nice one with paintings by Hermann Hesse), so if you are into fine arts, it's well worth taking a look.

The gardens are really huge, about 20 hectares, with 18km of pathways. The tour however, is a nice and relaxing walk among old trees and evergreen shrubs, circling the hill, so that visitors can contemplate the lake from all angles. The guided tours are organized twice a day and take about one hour and a half.

The visit starts with some incredible views over the Como branch of the lake and the rooftops of Bellagio. In the distance we could spot as far as Villa Balbianello in Lecco, the one where scenes from Star Wars and Casino Royale movies were filmed.

Then we walked up the hill (the hiking really has a low difficulty level and the guide stops often for explanations) passing by small studios used by the artists who come here via the Rockefeller Foundation. The studios are small and they've surely seen better days, but they blend in very nicely with the lush green surroundings.

Don't expect many flowers, as the grounds have more the feeling of a park than a garden. But you will find the occasional statue hidden among the trees and the views of the mountains and the villages surrounding the lake are truly breathtaking.

The villa with its gardens date back to the 18th century, and it was a private residence until 1959 when it was donated to the Rockefeller Foundation. Nowadays artists and scientists come here to do research and let the creative juices flowing in one of the most inspiring settings on this planet.

We also got some inspiration of our own while visiting the gardens of Villa Serbelloni, hence we spotted this small port on the Lecco branch of Lake Como and this intriguing church transformed into a private residence and at the end of the guided tour we went to check them out. Totally worth it, by the way!

While the Lecco side of the lake is not as interesting as the Como one, it is still very beautiful and the views from the gardens were pretty special.

But of course, the most breathtaking panorama was towards the Colico side. This is a sight I could hardly leave behind. We could see till far in the distance, the snow caped mountains close to the end of the lake. However, the end of the lake can never be seen from Bellagio.

This is a different perspective than the one we got from our hotel room, where the whole Bellagio laid in front of us before the lake came into sight, and also a bird's eye view different from the water level one from Punta Spartaviento.

During our stay on Lake Como at he beginning of May, we visited four gardens, and each of them had something very different to offer. I believe one should visit the gardens of Villa Serbelloni first of all for the unparalleled views of Lake Como and second for the nice hike on horseshoe pathways winding among the trees. Just as I believe the gardens of Villa Melzi need to be visited for their sheer beauty and perfection, Villa Balbianello for the sake of the pop culture and Villa Carlotta... well, because everyone does it anyways.

Romantik Hotel Castello Seeschloss, Ascona. Accommodation to Fall in Love With

2013-06-08T15:45:00.000+02:00

We started exploring Lake Maggiore in the beautiful Ascona, Switzerland's lowest lying town. I said it many times before, and I will say it again - it's impossible for me to find a single spot in this country that doesn't make me fall head over heels with it time and time again.

So there we were, for the very first time on the shores of Lake Maggiore, walked along the car free spectacular promenade. And as Romantik Hotel Castello Seeschloss majestically raised in front of us, it literally gave us goose bumps.

Castello Seeschloss Hotel was built on the spot of a 13th century castle with four towers from which only one remains. Guests can opt for a room in the medieval tower, reached through a narrow staircase, or a room in one of the adjacent, newer buildings.

Location

The hotel is located only a few minutes walk away from the ferry dock. There's also a free car parking in the vicinity. Plus there are many bars, restaurants and shops along the promenade that can be reached nothing but turning right as you leave the hotel. Ascona is a pretty and quiet little town and walking it's old, cobbled streets in search of original artworks is yet another pleasant activity. On one of the days during or stay, a street market with arts and crafts besides delicious local products was organized along the promenade, a delight for the eyes, as well as a great opportunity for a shopping spree.

Our room

We stayed in one of the lake view rooms in the main building. And though the room was special from many points of view, it really stood out for its beautiful old painted ceiling and the crystal chandelier. The atmosphere was classy and the room was spacious, and to be honest, hard to leave, as from the window we had a privileged bird's eye view of the colorful promenade, the lake and the mountains.

Watching the sunset from our room

View from our room

Restaurant by the lake

Romantik Hotel Castello Seeschloss falls nothing short of its name. Everything about it inspires romance. One of our favorite spots was the terrace of Restaurante 'al Lago'. Centuries ago the castle uses to be have direct access to the lake, and even it's own private boat jetty. Nowadays, a quiet street with restricted traffic parts the building of the hotel from the lake front restaurant and it's gorgeous gardens. When we visited back in May, there were tulips and other spring flowers everywhere. Plus the special Mediterranean climate allows palm trees and other plant species to thrive in this micro climate, the result being pure beauty.

All guests are given a drink voucher when they check in. We exchanged ours for two glasses of local wine. Not only that the wine was good, but the atmosphere and the views of Lake Maggiore and the Brissago Islands were breathtaking.

Breakfast

The breakfast is served either in 'Sala Castello' in the main building, or if weather permits, outside on the terrace. Fresh cut flowers decorated the tables each morning, and the natural light getting in through the generous windows were creating a nice atmosphere for the start of the day.

The breakfast was composed of a great variety of healthy choices, including many types of fresh fruit, and locally produced delicious cheeses, cold cuts and breads.

Romantik Hotel Castello Seeschloss has some beautiful ceilings decorating both the private guest rooms as well as the common areas, and one of these ceilings is to be found inside 'Sala Castello' Restaurant.

The inner garden and swimming pool

The buildings of the hotel enclose a gorgeous private garden and a heated swimming pool. The old walls are covered in lush green ivy and some very carefully trimmed shrubs, giving this space the feeling of a secret garden. Many of the rooms of the hotel face this quiet space, but while the views are definitely nice, we greatly enjoyed the lake views from our room, which though facing the street, was still very much quiet as well.

The lobby

The lobby was recently refurbished. It now features both a big, classy fireplace that during cold evenings lights up with a real fire, as well as elegant furniture. Always a luxury sign for me, fresh cut flowers decorateed this space as well, and I simply loved feeling their fragrance in the air.

The hallways leading to the rooms have comfy sofas, beautiful artworks, elegant carpets and wooden beams.

Some other rooms of the hotel

We also picked inside other rooms of the hotel. What stands out is that it's nearly impossible to find two rooms looking quite the same. The overall feeling is preserved from one to another, but they each have their own personality. For more room pics, you can click here.

Romantik Hotel Castello Seeschloss blends in nicely with the small town of Ascona. The atmosphere created by both the decor and the staff were very friendly and personal, making it a very homey place to stay.

For more info, you can check out the hotel's website and Facebook page.

Getting Around Europe On A Budget: Everything You Need To Know About Eurail Passes

2013-06-06T16:59:00.001+02:00

This article was written by Alex Pierce

What Is A Eurail Pass?

For budget travelers who want to get the most out of their European trip, a Eurail pass is a must have. In a nutshell, a Eurail pass is a train ticket that allows people to travel along the railways of the Eurail Group (a consortium of about 30 Europe-based rail companies, carriers and shipping lines) to any country on the European mainland.

Lisbon Train Station

How Can I Purchase My Eurail Pass?

Non-European residents or those who have lived in a permanent residence outside of Europe for a minimum of six months can purchase a Eurail Global Pass. The most convenient way of purchasing a Eurail Pass is through the Eurail website at www.Eurail.com. Passes bought online are often priced cheaper than those bought from travel and sales agents. Also, buyers have the option to have their passes delivered straight to their current places of residences. No need to queue up to a travel office or agent just to buy one.

Different Types of Eurail Passes

Travelers should choose a Eurail pass that is suited to the kind of traveling that they are planning to do. Most passes offer unlimited travel among European countries within a specified time period. This duration vary according to the kind of train pass that you will buy.

Here's a quick rundown of the different kinds of Eurail passes available for purchase:

Eurail Pass: Allows the bearer unlimited first-class train passage to twenty-four European countries namely: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania,Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Turkey. The validity of the pass ranges from ten days to two months, depending on the price.

There are variations of the basic Eurail pass that allows people to travel at a discounted price:

Eurail Pass Youth: For non-European citizens, aged 26 and under. The Eurail Pass Youth is for second-class train travel, but the price is almost 50% off than the regular Eurail pass ticket. This is highly recommended for students.

Eurail Pass Saver: If you're traveling with a group of two to five persons, the Eurail Pass Saver allows discounts of 15% off for adults and 50% off for kids.

Eurail Select Pass: Pay for what you need. A Eurail Select Pass allows travelers to choose only the countries that they will be visiting. This is cheaper than the basic Eurail pass because it is limited to 3, 4, or 5 neighboring countries, depending on the price.

Liege Train Station, Belgium

Eurail Tips

- A Eurail Pass is a great value if you're traveling to a lot of European countries. This is apparent especially in countries in Northern Europe like Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway, since ticket prices in these countries are relatively expensive.

- Some trains require reservation beforehand - make sure to inquire first.

- Take advantage of Eurail's travel benefits. A Eurail pass holder is entitled to a lot of discounts and benefits that are offered by the countries of their choice. Just check this information out on the Eurail website.

A Piece of Heaven: The Gardens of Villa Melzi on Lake Como

2013-06-05T17:43:00.003+02:00

The Gardens of Villa Melzi along the shores of Lake Como are by far our favorite. And it's not only because the camellias, azaleas and rhododendron were in bloom when we visited at the beginning of May, it's also because of the wonderful vibe this gardens have. Nowhere else on the lake have we felt quite the same. It's like Melzi Gardens have a guardian angel watching over them.

Part of the charm of the gardens is that they end straight in the water. There's nothing to obstruct the views. It's a blissful and harmonious continuity between the grounds of the villa and the bigger picture of Lake Como. The line of trees by the shores is magnificently pruned and during the hot summer months they offer shadow to the visitors without interfering with the views from the higher paths of the garden.

End of April, beginning of May must be the best time of the year to visit Villa Melzi's gardens though. It's a magical walk among hedges of camellias and copses of azaleas and rhododendrons that alternate with beautiful statues. The gardens are terraced, and visitors can walk along three different paths, always having the amazing spectacle of the mountains reflected in the lake on one side.

The villa was built back in 1810 as a summer residence of Francesco Melzi d'Eril, Vice President of the Italian Napoleonic Republic and it's the perfect example of Neoclassical style. But the gardens are English inspired and even have a small Japanese garden nested by the entrance from Bellagio. Given our love for everything Japanese, we tremendously enjoyed this romantic pond surrounded by a myriad of maple trees.

But then, there is this other lily pond right in front of the villa itself, a beautiful transition between the God created nature and the man made grounds.

We must have spent over four hours strolling around Melzi Gardens, taking pictures. This is a photographer's heaven nevertheless. And though the villa is not open to the public, the perfectly manicured gardens are enough for anyone to spend a full morning or afternoon here. There are benches along the shoreline where visitors can rest, and though the gardens are reasonably sized and can be seen in far less than half a day, we took our time to let all the beauty sink in, and I definitely recommend you do the same.

The Moorish kiosk by the lake is one of the garden's most interesting features, and besides the villa itself, the element that catches the eye most from the water.

The kiosk is also called Dante and Beatrice kiosk as a monument of the two stands just in front of it.

Plus some incredible views of Bellagio's waterfront can be enjoyed from here.

The gardens also host centuries-old trees and rare and exotic plants, which makes it worth a visit any time of the year. It's honestly impossible not to be captivated by the sheer opulence of these gardens.

The villa might not be as breathtaking on the outside, but it surely is pretty and blends in harmoniously with the surroundings. A walk around it and a visit to the nearby orangery, now a modest history museum, are recommended.

But for me personally, maybe the most intriguing element were the lions in front of the main villa. They all have a cork stuffed in their mouths as symbol of discretion of Melzi d'Eril family. They are also pretty cute.

And last but not least, the chapel at the very end of the gardens (that is if you come in from the Bellagio side) - the gardens have two opposite entrances - hosts some pretty statues as well. The Villa Melzi's grounds finish by the small port of Loppia where a couple of old boats, typical of Lake Como, can be spotted.

The Bellagio peninsula is full of wondrous corners waiting to be discovered. It is also one of the most beautiful places we've seen on our travels. And Melzi Gardens are nothing but the jewel in the crown. We liked them best from all the gardens we visited on Lake Como. And it's not because the Gardens of Villa del Balbianello are not charming or the famous ones of Villa Carlotta are not beautiful. They are! But the first ones are not all that big, the protagonist here being the villa itself, and the last ones are overcrowded and therefore lack the zen feeling of Villa Melzi.

Foodies: Taste the Delicacies of Nice

2013-06-04T17:27:00.004+02:00

This article was written by Simon Dance

With a population of about one million people, the city of Nice is France's fifth most populous city. Located on the French Riviera on the Mediterranean Sea, the city is known for its beauty and culture. While travelers from around the world visit the city to stroll along its seafront or see its historical and cultural attractions, many simply enjoy soaking up the city's atmosphere while dining in one of its bistros or cafes where the tastes of Nice demonstrate why its cuisine is so revered.

The Culinary Charms of Nice

In many ways, Nice's cuisine is so extraordinary because its position near the Italian border. While many of its dishes are comparable to those of Provence, Nice cuisine contains many Italian accents. Moreover, as a celebrated tourist city, many people from North Africa, Spain, and other parts of Europe have influenced one dish or another. Naturally, seafood is a hallmark of the cuisine as are herbs and olive oil. Yet because Nice is so popular with tourists in search of a French experience, it is possible to found dishes that are well-known throughout the country. Yet travelers who want to taste the best of Nice itself will have ample opportunity by visiting restaurants that serve dishes of Provence and specialties that are unique to Nice. When dining in Nice, the following dishes should not be missed by foodies who want to experience genuine tastes of the city.

Salade Nicoise

Today this salad is served throughout the world; however, it's named for Nice where the salad reigns supreme with its bed of mixed greens, tomatoes, green beans, anchovies, tuna, and egg. Served with vinaigrette, this refreshing salad is traditionally served with peppers, shallots, and other vegetables as well. For a delicious lunch while sightseeing or shopping, this is the perfect Cote d'Azure meal.

Socca

Essentially a crepe made from chickpea flower and olive oil, this rustic dish has no pretensions; it's merely simple and served warm and sprinkled with pepper. In some ways, it reflects the region's more historic past before tourists and posh hotels, when fishing villages dotted the coast and people relied upon simple snacks as they went about their busy days. Socca is believed to be a Genoese influence, but the people of Nice adopted it so long ago that it has become a city staple.

Pissaladiere

This type of white pizza may have come been a Roman influence on Nice and surrounding cities on both the French and Italian border. It's been enjoyed, therefore, for centuries and many recipes for this signature dish are quite old. Cheese is seldom used to cover the thickened dough and the top is generally covered with nearly-pureed anchovies, garlic, olives, and onions. It's a typical Nice appetizer and the perfect meal to enjoy at a sunny café.

Ratatouille

Few visit the south of France without sampling this rustic dish. Ratatouille originated in Nice before spreading to the rest of Provence. It is a vegetable stew that features tomatoes, garlic, onions, peppers, eggplant, zucchini, and various herbs of Provence. Often eaten as a side dish, it is also enjoyed in crepes or added to omelets.

Dining Out

While these are among the city's most noteworthy dishes, travelers also hope to try cuisine favorites such as soupe au pistou, pan-bagnat, and daube. Nice boasts elegant bistros where these dishes can be enjoyed, but cafes, inns, hotels, and traditional Nice restaurants may also serve them. For unforgettable versions of Nice's best culinary traditions, be sure to dine at Les Viviers, Chantecler of the Hotel Negresco, La Merenda, and La Reserve de Nice. This beautiful city has so much to see and do, but its cafes simply beckon with delicious flavors tempting one to simply relax, eat, and drink in the warm sunshine.

About the Author: Simon Dance loves to travel and has a penchant for food tasting. His articles mainly appear in travel blogs. Visit HouseTrip for more travel ideas.

Last Minute Luxury

2013-06-04T10:56:00.000+02:00

This article was written by Celina Bledowska

Just because you’ve left all your travel plans until the very last minute doesn’t mean that you’ll have to forgo luxury for the sake of immediacy. It isn’t always possible to plan ahead and in an increasingly hectic world it’s reassuring to discover that you can still be pampered in splendour without a massive amount of advance scheduling.

Possibilities

Depending on your time scale you can either travel to your destination by plane or train or you could take advantage of some of the many last minute cruises currently on offer. If you’re travelling around the world and feel in need of a little comfort and relaxation, then try and plan your budget so that you can just take off on a whim and chill out and indulge yourself.

Paris

The magical ‘City of Light’ can be visited on a tight budget or if you really want to push the boat out then this is the place to really blow your euros. The rue du Faubourg Saint- Honore has always been synonymous with glamour and a visit to the magnificent ‘Hotel le Bristol’ just endorses this image. Just revel in the 18th century style of the hotel, it actually opened its doors in 1925, but pre-revolutionary French décor is more opulent than that of the 1920s. Staying on the Right Bank and passing the Champ Elysees, you’ll be able to indulge in all your excessive shopping whims with a trip to Chanel, just down the road from the hotel. For last minute dining, just ask the concierge and they’ll be able to book you into the very best restaurants that Paris has to offer. A meal at ’ Le Meurice’ will set you back a mere 200 euros, but this 3 Michelin star gourmand’s palace really will provide you with a meal to remember. You could, alternatively, just enjoy your trip to Paris with a cruise down the Seine; this is one of the best ways to actually view the city without the noise and bustle of the streets.

Travelling

The small island of Madagascar, just off the east coast of Africa is in a state of transition. International mining conglomerates are rapidly exploiting the island and you should really seize the chance to book a last minute cruise to this idyll before it is too late. If you unwind on the lengthy sea journey, you’ll be able to summon the energy to visit some of the wonderful forests and natural habitats that abound here. Of course, no trip to Madagascar would be complete without a visit to the Lemur Park in Antanarivo or if you really want to experience the stunning Madagascan habitat then a trip to Camp Amoureux near the Kirindy Rainforest in the west of the island is essential. Luxury camping is available and you’ll be able to spend the night with the lemurs and frogs for company safe on your platform bed having had a shower and beer before retiring.

About the Author: This article was written by Celina Bledowska, journalist and writer who loves travelling.

Mind-free Holidays in the World's Most Unusual Hotels

2013-05-31T16:40:00.000+02:00

This article was written by Alex Pierce

Travel around the world to any extent and the chances are that you’ll be able to tell tales of hotels good and bad, cosy and cold, clean and filthy. It’s a sad fact of tourist life that there are no guarantees, particularly if you want to be adventurous and stray a little off the beaten track. In the internet age it’s easier than it’s ever been to keep track of the latest reviews and ratings, but things can still sometimes slip through the gaps and, indeed, this unpredictability is, in itself, one of the chief pleasures of travelling.

Whilst you may be perfectly happy to ‘rough it’ a little bit, and write off some of your hosts failings as quirky local colour, there are times when bad treatment crosses over the line, and this is never more so than when it results in you getting hurt or being injured. Merely because you’re in another country, you shouldn’t be expected to just put up with this, and if the person or organisation looking after you has been negligent in some way then you’ve every right to claim compensation for the injury you’ve received. For more information on negligence and the processes of making claims check out http://www.claims4negligence.co.uk/. After all, not only will it have negated the considerable financial investment a holiday entails, but it may well still cost you money when you get back home, in the form of medical bills or lost earnings.

In many ways, the fact that you can make such a claim can be seen as a sort of ‘safety net’, encouraging you to be a little bit more adventurous in your travelling choices. Along those lines, this is a selection of some of the world’s more unusual hotels. Sick of booking into the same old rooms with their tasteful wallpaper and fluffy white bathrobes? Well, these may be just the places for you:

Poseidon undersea resort, Fiji – want a room with a view? At this, the world’s first permanent, pressurised undersea building, the view from your room will consist of the majesty and magic of the aquatic life swimming by outside. The rooms are made up almost entirely of windows and, should the water look simply too tempting, you can also board a personal submarine to explore, as well as taking lessons in scuba diving.

Oberoi Vanyavilas, Ranthambhore – if you’re a fan of all those wildlife programmes on television which bring the exotic flora and fauna into your living room then this could be the place for you. You stay in a tent which is so luxurious it comes with its’ own private butler, but the real thrill is provided by the fact that you’re right next door to the Ranthambore tiger reserve. The combination of decadent luxury and safari thrills should bring out the David Attenborough in anyone.

The Point Resort, Saranac, New York – this is set on the banks of a lake in the Adirondack country park, upstate New York. If we say log cabins then you might start thinking it’s pretty basic, but this place is anything but. It combines rustic solitude with utter luxury and the actual location is such a secret that you only get directions once your reservation has been confirmed.

Ice Hotel, Jukkasjjarvi, Sweden – if you’re the polar opposite of a sun seeker then a hotel made up of more than 6,000 square feet of snow and ice should be perfect. There are other ice hotels around but this is the largest and was the very first. You sleep in a thermal sleeping bag on a bed which is made of snow and ice and covered in reindeer skins.

Kunsthotel, Berlin, Germany – seasoned travellers tend to look down a little on the concept of ‘themed hotels’, a phrase which conjures up dark visions of a room ‘dedicated’ to Elvis Presley via the mounting of a couple of old guitars on the wall over the bed. The Kunsthotel, on the other hand, is in a different class all together. The rooms have been created to represents artistes as diverse as Vincent van Gogh, Edward Hopper and Audrey Hepburn. If this is a little too specific for you there are more eccentric choices, such as a room celebrating the colour yellow and one which is based around shoes, and the aesthetic theme is enhanced by the fact that the hotel also boasts its’ own gallery.

7 Gastronomic Stops in Perth

2013-05-30T11:57:00.001+02:00

This article was written by Alex Pierce

Australia’s city of light, Perth, is a great place to be when you are up for a gastronomic crusade. More than just the eclectic capital of West Australia, Perth offers a wide array of attractions from colorful festivals, marvelous tourist spots, and an abundance of adventure.

In this lively city, you’ll never lack for anything to do or eat because aside from all of its attractions, it is renowned as some of the best dining destinations in the world. Perth’s cuisine is a melting pot of flavors from Italian to French to European and Asian delicatessen. There’s no other way to sample the excellent culinary of this city but to sink your teeth into the local food offerings. When in Perth, you should grab the chance to sample the fine cuisine from these restaurants:

Bistro Gillaume. Inspired by the famous bistro neighbourhoods in Paris, this light filled French restaurant has the warmth and the richness that every bistro should have. With its French oak timber panelling and the quirky grass green colour in the entrance and the bar area, every patron would feel welcome in this wonderful food hub. Intimate and group seating makes this place perfect for couples, for families and for anybody who is looking for stylish modern French cuisine. The laid back holiday feel makes this dining hub along Crown Perth Great Eastern Highway in West Australia a great place to grab a meal.

1907 Restaurant & Cocktail Bar. Located in a century-old rag factory in the buzzing central business district in Perth, this restaurant has one of the most glamorous interiors. Stepping into the luxuriously decorated building feels like entering the world of Hollywood. This classic yet fine dining restaurant has a contemporary cuisine with influence from all over the globe. Named as 2012’s Best Fine Dining Restaurant by Restaurant & Catering Awards for Excellence, 1907 can turn a sophisticated fine dining occasion into an unforgettable experience for your taste buds.

É cucina Wine Bar & Restaurant. Centrally located opposite Wesley Quarter on Hay Street and overlooking Central Park, é cucina is a great destination for an exceptional tapa. This restaurant has wide food offerings from its a la carte lunch and dinner menu and the delicious crème brulee tops the list of the restaurant’s dessert offerings. For patrons who are looking for a tantalizing dish, it would be best to take a pick from the chef’s stuzzichini menu that features tapas é cucina-style.

Restaurant Amuse. Vegetarian and pescetarian options abound in this exquisite East Perth restaurant. The degustation menu of Restaurant Amuse changes on whim, the season and the quality of produce. With its new look, this restaurant captures every diner’s attention. Best known for its immense selection of ice cream, wines and beers, this restaurant is a must try for anyone who visits the city.

Nahm Thai. This multi-awarded restaurant is little but it has earned every award for a reason, that is, a unique menu for a Thai restaurant. This Vietnamese-owned restaurant right along 223 Bulwer Street stays away from standard Thai cuisine and aligns its menu with innovative and fresh creations. Known for distinctive dishes such as galloping horses that features caramelized pork, missing this restaurant would mean missing a lot from Perth’s cuisine.

Rockpool Bar & Grill. By combining their signature wood fires grill with a luxe dining room and an open kitchen, this unique steakhouse is the perfect place to taste the best beef choices. More than just your ornery steak stop, Rockpool has 1,350 wines to choose from. This must visit grill is a haven for sports enthusiasts with a wide array of entertainment and snacks in the morning and a favorite spot for a wide array of clientele who are looking for an assortment of sweetbreads, stews and desserts for dinner.

Divido. Peasant style Italian cooking has never been this good. Within an intimate and a stylish venue in 170 Scarborough Beach Road, Mt. Hawthorne, this restaurant has a sophisticated and cozy atmosphere. Highly influence by old Croatian recipes and Italy’s peasant cuisine, Divido brings out the best out of the simplest dishes. By blending new cooking techniques with time-tested Italian cookery, Divido’s signature style remains to be unparalleled. The standout dish on this restaurant’s menu is the Wood Roasted ½ Duck which has accumulated its own fan base.

Exploring the Italian Lakes By Car

2013-05-29T18:47:00.000+02:00

When it comes to Italian lakes, Lake Como is the first one to pop into people's minds, partly because of all the Hollywood movies filmed in this location, partly because a few years ago George Clooney bought a villa here. But while Como is my favorite Italian lake, Lake Maggiore is a very close second.

Lake Como from the gardens of Villa Melzi

At the beginning of May, my husband and I went on a trip that covered both lakes. I must admit that for us, this turned out to be one of the most enjoyable trips ever. Because of the period of the year chosen, the gardens surrounding the lakes were in bloom. We also got spoiled rotten in some amazing hotels. The food was fantastic, plus we were lucky enough to have great weather as well.

While both lakes are very popular with tourists, they are also very different. Lake Como is extremely popular with the Americans (George Clooney is in part to be 'blamed' for this), while Lake Maggiore is mostly popular with the Swiss, French and German. Lake Como stands out for the luxurious villas and perfectly manicured gardens along the shores; Lake Maggiore on the other hand is perfect for lazy weekends, long walks among colorful houses and enjoyable atmosphere.

Ascona by night

Though public transportation around the lakes is plentiful, we decided to rent a MINI and explore the villages surrounding the lakes at a leisurely peace. We opted for this car because of all the great MINI reviews we previously read. We had never driven a MINI before, but we greatly enjoyed the experience.

MINI has won numerous awards throughout the years, including 'Car of the Century', back in 1995, but at a personal level, for us MINI was just perfect for various reasons. MINI is an economical car, which totally took care of our pockets for the whole duration of our trip. On the other hand, the roads surrounding the lakes, especially the one connecting Bellagio with Como, though having some arresting views, are pretty narrow. At times, cars were forced to pull aside to let other cars from the opposite directions pass by. Well, this wasn't our problem at all. We could drive around relaxed and enjoy the views. The third perk of driving a MINI was the easiness with which we could get on the car ferry running in the central area of Lake Como, between Varenna, Bellagio and Menaggio, which allowed us to further explore the villages on different sides of the lake.

So from our point of view, the best, though not the only way to explore Lake Como and Maggiore is by car. We managed to visit an impressive number of villas and gardens, including our all time favorite Gardens of Villa Melzi, Villa Balbianello where Star Wars and a James Bond movie were filmed, and revisit the famous Villa Carlotta, to mention just a few places of interested around Lake Como. We also visited the beautiful town of Ascona, in the Swiss part of Lake Maggiore, discovered the most romantic spot on the Italian riviera during our stop at Cannero, and explored the breathtaking Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola Pescatori near Stresa. It was a fun filled trip and we took a ridiculous number of photos which I can't wait to share with you in future posts.

The last photo is courtesy of mini.co.uk. All the other photos are copyright of Travelocafe.com

8 Places You Must Visit in Japan

2013-05-27T14:21:00.000+02:00

Japan was not that high on my list of priorities, but luckily it was right on top of my husband's bucket list. So when we planned our first trip to Asia, we both compromised a little and we tailored an itinerary that included both Japan and SE Asia (Bali, Bangkok & the Angkor temples). But even after buying the flights to Tokyo, my expectations didn't skyrocketed. I was mostly enthusiastic about eating sushi and visiting a cat cafe than anything else. So there was plenty of room to be surprised.

Truth is, after 3 weeks in Japan, I was sold. Strike that. I was actually sold in the first few hours in Tokyo, right after my mind cleared a bit of the fog it was submerged into during the intercontinental flight. The scenarios revealing in front of me were so different from everything I previously knew and so unbelievable, that I gave in and only days into our trip, I already knew Japan was the most amazing country I've ever been too and probably I'll ever go to. Its culture is so uniquely beautiful, the customs so incredible and the people so civilized, that it almost makes my eyes water.

During our trip to Japan we used a JR Pass, and this gave us great mobility and flexibility when it came to exploring different parts of the country. It also made the formalities more swift, as we avoided the cues in front of the ticket offices. But what we both liked best about this travel style was that all in all, we didn't need much planning ahead and we could allow spontaneity to take over from time to time. So we ended up exploring quite a few places in Kanto, Chubu and Kinki regions in central Japan. Here are only the ones we consider a definite must see.

Tokyo

Tokyo grew on me in unexpected ways, to the point that I know refer to it as my favorite city in the whole world. Of course, this is highly subjective, but as I think anyone who visited this mad city would agree, Tokyo is a different world altogether. You'll probably either love it or hate it, but there's little space in between for this place to leave you cold. What makes Tokyo so special in my eyes is simple: the people. Don't expect neither futuristic, nor beautiful architecture. But with over 13 million people walking it's streets every day, the capital of Japan definitely has a soul and multiple personalities. Best places to see my point proven right are a stop at Shibuya and a stroll through Yoyogi Park on a Sunday.

Kyoto

Kyoto is the most Zen city I know. And while most buildings and even the people here keep a low profile, from time to time it's impossible not to be surprised by a pretty lady in kimono crossing your path or the worship places that dot the city. Kyoto has more temples and shrines than any other place in Japan. Seeing them all would be a tremendous task, as one would need to spend months on end here doing nothing but sightseeing. What's even more surprising, is that not only the large or popular temples and shrines are an eye candy, but the quiet and hidden ones too. However, my favorite attractions in Kyoto remain the Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine and the Golden Pavilion, but if you are in search of a bit of peace and quiet in the middle of nature, don't miss the famous Arashiyama bamboo forest, on the outskirts of Kyoto, either.

Nikko

Nikko is home to some of the most lavishly decorated temples and shrines in Japan and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Far from the tempered traditional Japanese architectural style, the buildings here are gilded and adorned in excess. It is a beautiful and unique sight. The paths connecting the temples are framed by a forest of giant cedar trees, no less impressive than the man-made structures. The whole complex can be seen in approximately 3 hours, but it takes a 2-hour train ride to get here from Tokyo, so it is better to plan your day in advance and start early.

Nara

Nara was once the capital of Japan and therefore remains a very interesting place to visit. It can be easily reached by JR from either Osaka or Kyoto in just under 1 hour. The shrines and temples of Nara are included on the UNESCO Heritage Sites list, and though there's plenty to see and do here, all the attractions are pretty much grouped together and walking from one to another is extremely pleasant and entertaining. Everything is encompassed inside the Nara Park and intriguing Japanese elements can be found every step of the way, plus over 1,200 sika deer roam freely all over the place and visitors can even buy them crackers and feed them. This is a must visit place especially if you travel with kids or are an animal lover yourself.

Kamakura

Kamakura is just 1-hour train ride from Tokyo, a quiet little residential town that can make for a very pleasant and relaxing day trip. Its most famous sight is the Great Buddha (Daibutsu) at Kotoku-in, the second largest bronze Buddha in Japan. But there are many Zen temples and Shinto shrine to be discovered here and one day might not be enough to explore them all. Compared to big cities like Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo or Nagoya, Kamakura is an oasis of peace and quiet that you will come to appreciate once you've spent a few days in any of the above mentioned metropolises.

Magome

Magome-juku was the forty-third of the sixty-nine stations of the ancient road that connected Kyoto and Edo (today's Tokyo) during the Edo period. Nowadays it consists of a beautifully restored row of wooden houses along the former post road. Most houses were built in the mid-18th century by common people and therefore are nothing grant, just extremely interesting. They host shops, restaurants and little exhibition rooms, which makes a day trip to Magome both a relaxing and educative one. In my opinion, Magome is a cute open air museum stripped of the joys of daily life, lined along a pedestrian only cobblestone street, which makes it quite unusual and unique. Also, only a 3 hour hike away, there is the post town of Tsumago, and if you have time, the hike and the town in itself are worth the trouble.

Takayama

Nowadays Takayama is famous for its well preserved old town dating back to the Edo period. One doesn't visit Takayama seeking religious enlightenment, but rather a certain enlightenment related with design and architecture. The old wooden houses hosting souvenir shops, restaurants and sake breweries are painfully charming, and walking along the little pedestrian streets is like stepping back in time. There is a wealth of detail related to the daily life and Japanese traditions to be discovered here. It's like the time stood still. Some of the houses are even open to the public, exhibiting local crafts and arts, providing a window into understanding the lives of the local merchants. Also not to miss, not far from the town center, is the Hida Folk Museum.

Matsumoto Castle

For us, Matsumoto Castle, also known as the 'Crow Castle', was the most beautiful castle we visited in Japan. Situated a 2-hours and a half train ride from Tokyo, it's black and white facade are of an unspeakable elegance. The town of Matsumoto doesn't stand out in any other way, but even so, the castle in itself it's well worth the trip. Visiting Matsumoto Castle is an interesting experience to say the least. Expect to have to take off your shoes at the entrance, steep and slippery stairs, low ceilings and dark interiors. Matsumoto Castle is one of the four castles designated as 'National Treasures of Japan' and the oldest castle donjon remaining in Japan.

Our time in Japan was courtesy of Japan Rail Pass

Top 3 Tropical Cruise Destinations for the Sun Seekers

2013-05-27T13:36:00.000+02:00

This post was written by Emma Jane

There’s simply something magical about tropical cruising. The stunning cruise liners are the epitome of luxury, style and sophistication, while the exotic destinations conjure up images of endless pristine beaches, cocktails by the water and palm trees waving lazily in the warm breeze. Here are 3 of the best tropical cruise destinations for travellers looking to soak up the sun and enjoy a truly stunning vacation in style.

Maldives

With a tagline saying “the sunny side of life”, the Maldives is definitely among the top picks for cruisers seeking a quality tropical escape. Surfing, fishing and diving are all highly popular shore excursions that show off the superb climate and stunning natural beauty of the Maldives. There are a range of top cruise lines that offer trips to the Maldives from all over the world, and can often be combined with other great tropical destinations on the way.

South Pacific

The South Pacific is packed full of amazing tropical destinations, in fact, the hardest part is deciding where to explore first! From the wonders of Vanuatu to the warm welcome in Fiji, you can immerse yourself in a world of culture, nature and a supremely relaxing tropical lifestyle. Cruises of the South Pacific can be either short or long, depending on where you want to visit and how long you’d like to spend in port. There’s so much to see and do on a South Pacific adventure, so make sure you leave enough time to explore beyond the luxury of your cruise liner.

Caribbean

It’s easy to see why Caribbean cruises are some of the most popular in the world. This tropical haven offers something for everyone, and has an experience for even the most discerning tastes. Those seeking the thrill of decadence can experience the glitz and glamour of world class casinos, clubs and restaurants. For the adventurers, there are countless hikes and tours to help you explore the wilderness and dig deeper into the supreme natural beauty of this unique destination. Finally, for the sun seekers, there are miles of unspoiled beaches on which to relax, with stunning azure waters ready for a casual swim or snorkel whenever the temptation strikes.

Cruises to the Caribbean are highly popular, so make sure you book well in advance, or consider cruising in the off peak season for a quieter experience. No matter when you go, your holiday cruise to the Caribbean will truly be the adventure of a lifetime.

These amazing destinations are bound to make all of your dreams of a tropical escape come true. To ensure that you get the best deals on your next holiday, make sure you check out the Cruiseabout website. Not only will you find unbeatable specials on tropical cruises, you’ll also be able to do detailed itinerary and destination searches to help you decide which cruise is right for you. So go on, treat yourself to a tropical getaway like no other, and book your next cruising holiday today!

About the Author: Emma Jane has been a freelance travel writer for 4 years. She has recently been invited to go on a press trip to cruise the Alaska and described it as once in a lifetime experience.

La Gomera. Paradise is Just Hours Away

2013-05-24T16:12:00.000+02:00

This post was written by Jenni Tulip

There are few location on Earth where time stood still in the last decade more than in La Gomera.

Those who went there a decade ago may recall that there was just one hotel, and a helicopter transfer directly from Tenerife Sud was standard. Fortunately, La Gomera has not been overdeveloped and, being a comfortable distance from Tenerife keeps the place relatively quiet.

The relaxed way of life can be unappealing to some, but for many, this is just another benefit. Even if just popping across from a Los Cristianos package holiday for a day or two, this is a visit well worth making.

A hiker's dream

An extinct volcano, the whole of La Gomera has long been the domain of lush flora and fauna, much seldom seen anywhere else on the planet. With as many variances in the weather as Britain, cloudy days are often swiftly followed by intense heat.

There are almost innumerable hiking trails criss-crossing the island, so having a chat with a helpful tour rep to recommend a guide might helps. Co-op Travel is particularly well attuned to such matters.

With ravines and valleys, open areas and dark forested enclaves, a whole year could quite easily be spent here though.

As much as the wildlife is a draw as you trek through the landscape, so are other elements. Interestingly, one of the favoured points is, on a clear day, the view of Mount Teide in Tenerife, which revels itself in a majesty that cannot be appreciated from anywhere else.

Pipes of peace

As hard as it is to draw oneself away from the Prehistoric ferns and trees, there is far more of this island to discover. Indigenous people, for example, not 'blessed' with the communication devices of today, used to chatter through pan pipes. Today, this music turns into visitor playlists.

In contrast to the verdant hillsides, much of the coast is Spartan, seemingly untouched by time too, as the capital, Playa Santiago, as it is, is really nothing more than a fishing hamlet. It is a beautiful juxtaposition, the likes of which is often repeated in this wonderful part of the world.

This contrast is what makes La Gomera so special and intriguing. The place may shut down around 10 in the evening, but by then, you will be happily dreaming of the beauty already seen, and the beauty yet to come.

About the Author: This guest post was written by Jenni Tulip, a freelance writer for Co-op Travel and many other travel related publications. She enjoys spending her holidays in Europe and Africa, experiencing the food, culture and sights of new destinations.

Photos via Flickr Creative Commons

Terrazza House, Kyoto. That Time We Stayed in a Japanese House

2013-05-23T10:49:00.000+02:00

Many people would argue Kyoto is THE city to visit in Japan. Its shrines and temples are equal to none, and this city is the best incursion in the traditional Japanese culture. Well, I would go even further and say that if you want to really experience Japan, you need to stay in a Japanese house.

I'm talking from personal experience here. One of the memories I'm most fond of from my time in Japan is having spent a couple of nights at Terrazza House, a huge apartment with superb views over Kyoto.

Terrazza House is just one of properties made available to the travelers by Japan Experience. Besides Kyoto, they also offer accommodation in Tokyo. But what they really stand out for is the friendliness they treat their guests with and the beautiful apartments that let you truly sink your teeth in the modern Japanese lifestyle.

When we booked Terrazza House, the good people at Japan Experience sent us a map and comprehensive instructions as of how to get to their property. This was extremely helpful as we were first time travelers to Kyoto.

Upon our arrival, Daniel, their travel angel, welcomed us at he house. It was actually nice to see a European face after two weeks wandering through Japan. It didn't take us much to realize Daniel was actually leaving up to his job description. He really was an angel. He showed us the house, explained us how everything worked, gave us pointers towards the best temples and shrines to visit in Kyoto... all in all he must have spent almost two hours with us, patiently explaining and answering all our questions. Before leaving, he also gave us his number in case we needed anything else.

Well, let's talk about he house now...

The first thing you need to know about it is that... it's HUGE!! Forget the image of the cramped Tokyo apartments. This is Kyoto, baby!

Terrazza House is 150sqm of awesomeness. Plus is has an extra 50sqm of terrace with amazing views over Kyoto and the Philosopher's Path.

As we entered a Japanese house in Japan, we were asked to take off our shoes at the entrance. Then we steped inside this incredibly spacious living room.

Right in the middle of it all, there was a beautiful white piano!

I had never played the piano until then. But this was way too tempting not to try. My husband even taped me playing, but that video shall remain hidden from all eyes and ears. He says I wasn't that bad. All I know is that I enjoyed it tremendously. I've been dreaming of playing the piano my whole life, but for some reason I never did it. All in all, it was sooo much fun! We laughed a lot and we built some great memories.

Terrazza House had the 'wow' effect over us the first time we step in. And the next time and the next. Our favorite part of the house was however the Japanese room. This truly is a masterpiece. Though there was a table with chairs in the living room, we by far preferred to eat at the low Japanese table and sit on cushions and tatamis. It was one of the most rewarding experiences we had while staying here.

The Japanese room

The polished wooden floors were yet another great feature of the house. Beyond the aesthetics, the floor was heated. During our second day at Terrazza House it poured down rain almost the whole time and we were confined to stay inside. Which turned out pretty well, because we were actually happy to do so, plus we really needed some rest. It didn't hit me till later. But sometimes it's better to be careful what you wish for because you might end up getting it.

When we arrived at the house the first day, I remember telling Daniel the house was so beautiful I felt like rather staying inside than exploring Kyoto. Well, that day we really manged to explore the surrounding area, but the next day, my wish came true. I just can't imagine a better place to have spent a rainy day. We ended up experiencing the house in all its beauty and comfort and this was great. I don't think I was ever more grateful for a rainy day when traveling.

Another thing I loved about Terrazza House was that it had so much natural light. I always appreciate a well lit room, but this time all that floor to ceiling glass really kept a pleasant mood inside even when the sky was covered with clouds.

From the terrace, we really got this feeling that we were on top of the world. Nested amongst trees, Terrazza House is really quiet and zen. It's contemporary architecture is also unique and pleasant. And yes, the Japanese influence could be felt again and again. Though it's hard to imagine, Terrazza House it's actually an apartment atop another apartment. The entrances are separate and private, but what called our attention is that we couldn't hear our neighbors at all. People are very private and respectful in Japan and experiencing this peaceful cohabitation was a nice cultural lesson.

One more thing about this house is that it is situated just minutes away from the famous temple Ginkaku-ji, with its Silver Pavilion. Terrazza and the temple are actually on the same street. Ginkaku-ji and its perfectly manicured gardens is one of the most impressive sights in Kyoto. But, truth is, the street where Terrazza House is situated is flanked with one gorgeous looking temple after another. Just across the street, the Honen-in Temple stole our hearts. In spite of not being a very popular tourist attraction, it is extremely charming and zen. Also, Japan Experience organizes a number of activities, like private tours around Kyoto.

Another perk for choosing a house over a hotel room, is the fully equipped kitchen. There was a Tesco just down the street and a bakery not far away. The apartment had a refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, microwave, rice cooker, toaster, all the plates, tableware, pots, pans and everything you might need. So, one plus one, we could prepare some of our favorite dishes that we had been missing since we left home, plus try some new local ones.

The house also has a washing-machine which again came in very handy and a tumble dryer. But what impressed us even more was that all the essentials were also provided. There was salt, sugar, tea, olive oil, soy sauce, etc. in the cupboards. You know, all the stuff you desperately need in a kitchen but don't use much of, so buying them would be expensive and you would leave most of them behind anyways. So it's decided. This house it's a real saver!

Terrazza has two European bedrooms and the possibility of transforming the Japanese room into a Japanese bedroom as futons are provided. After sleeping on futons in Tokyo, we were just happy to use the bed, but if you've never slept on a futon before, believe me, it's an experience you want to have!

Throughout the house there are a number of travel guides, mostly on Japan but not only. They really served as inspiration, plus it was nice that anywhere we went in the house there was something to explore and discover. We also had free Wi-fi at our disposal throughout the house, so we were really set from this point of view. One little detail that the house lacked though, is a TV set, but to be honest, it was my husband who noticed this by the end of the second day here. I was so absorbed and enthusiastic about the house that I wouldn't have ever noticed it by myself.

Towels, fresh linen, a hair-dryer, liquid soap, shampoo and bath gel were all provided.

The house also has two bathrooms, one Japanese and one European. The latest, nothing out of the ordinary, just very clean. But the Japanese one... well, let's just say that I still miss that toilet. Actually, it's one of the main things I miss from Japan. Of course, the toilet had many buttons, like any respectable Japanese toilet, but what I really loved (using the buttons was pretty tricky, believe me!) was the warmed toilet seat. If only they sold those in Europe too. They would make a fortune!!

The Japanese bathroom

The European bathroom

As their name says, staying with Japan Experience was a very beautiful experience. Terrazza House is a truly unique place to stay in. And we were treated like family. Actually, there were so many advantages of staying here, that it's impossible to count them all.

Just before we left, we met Saki, another travel agent. She came in to check if we needed any help getting to our next destination and to pick up the keys. Well, Saki is Japanese and proud of it. Oh, and she speaks perfect English. I really mean it. If you heard her talking without seeing her face you wouldn't say she's a local.

Our time in Japan was courtesy of Japan Rail Pass

The Real Cost of Trekking the Inca Trail

2013-05-22T10:54:00.000+02:00

This article was written by Helene Cooper

The Inca Trail has always been at the very top of my favourite expeditions. Trekking through Peru’s Andes, admiring some of the world’s most beautiful and unspoilt scenery, combined with ancient ruins and the epic Machu Picchu, is every adventurers dream. However, be prepared for an emotionally and physically draining experience which will leave you nursing more than just a hole in your back pocket!

The classic Inca trail begins at Kilometre 82 of the Cusco–Machu Picchu rail track, allowing you to pass over the Abra Warmihuañusca, or “Dead Woman's Pass”, and visit the ancient ruins of Phuyupatamarca and Wiñay Wayna. You eventually arrive at the Sun Gate above Machu Picchu early in the morning after three long days of trekking.

Warmihuañusca, the highest point of the trek, is 13,900ft above sea level. Such heights bring incredibly cold temperatures and low oxygen levels, although the reward is well worth it, one of the most amazing views I have ever seen.

The classic trek is the most popular and subsequently become over-crowded and busy; around 500 people embark on this route every day. We had to camp closely alongside other groups, making lots of new friends and sharing experiences. Be warned though, the evenings are absolutely freezing – I wore three pairs of socks - on my hands - and my fingers were still cold!

The impact of such large tourism of the Inca trail brings benefits of money to the local economy and can help to improve education in local communities. However, money is not always distributed to those most in need, putting pressure on local resources and creating some difficulties.

In this respect I would recommend that you try an Inca Trail community trek, which gives you the opportunity to venture away from the overcrowded classic trails and into relatively unchartered territory, camping with local families and communities.

I camped in several beautiful villages, met local families and got involved with community work, harvesting a family’s crops and helping at local schools. A percentage of money generated from the treks goes back to the communities, paying for doctors and dentists or sponsoring new teachers. This was a really rewarding experience – remember to ask for ‘cuy’, roasted Guinea pig, an interesting local delicacy!

Our guide through Peru organised mules and horses from local villagers to help carry our equipment; this brought a real sense of authenticity to our trip; they can also offer you a ride in the event that you become exhausted, which at this high altitude is quite likely.

Both the classic and community trek will end with the reward of Machu Picchu – the famous ancient ruins which cling to a steep mountainside.

The classic trail gives you the opportunity to climb a final set of stairs towards Sun Gate, one of my most memorable parts of the Inca Trail. After such a long journey, my legs were ready to collapse from beneath me. As we approached the zenith, I was so overwhelmed by my own sense of achievement that I wasn’t ready for the humbling experience that followed. Sun Gate offers a truly breath-taking view of Machu Picchu; you really have to see it to believe it.

About the Author: The real cost of trekking the Inca Trail has been written by Helene Cooper who is a keen globetrotter and has spent much of her life trekking and exploring all seven continents including summiting Aconcagua in Argentina and climbing live volcanoes in Ecuador.

5 Ways to Get Yourself A Flight Upgrade

2013-05-21T14:30:00.000+02:00

This post was written by Emma Jane

Flight upgrades turn a potentially nerve-wracking experience into an almost-vacation. Coach flyers can turn their tickets in for the comfort of business or first-class status. According to an April 2013 article in The Independent, customers can no longer rely on airlines upgrading their status for gratis. The following lists five ways to get yourself a flight upgrade without sacrificing your dignity.

1. Bid on It

A recent travel trend involves bidding for premium status. Airlines including Virgin Atlantic and Air New Zealand encourage coach passengers to compete for upgrades that include expedited security screening. The practice creates an unbiased platform and removes some of the covert façade associated with obtaining upgrades.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of upgrade bidding is the process makes luxury affordable. With price points between $4,035.92 and $27,242.46 Australian dollars (AUD), many people do not have the resources to purchase premium seating. Hopefully this trend will continue increasing in popularity.

2. Dress Nicely

No matter how much money a passenger has, airline staff is hesitant to upgrade slobs. Travelling in conservative gear, like a pair of slacks or a modest dress, ensures that upgrade candidates meet the aesthetics expected of business or first-class passengers. In some cases, looking the part can result in complementary upgrades.

3. Use Frequent Flyer Points

This approach requires advanced planning, but can be quite rewarding. Contact the customer service department and ask about seats reserved for frequent flyer point redemption. Some airlines require reservations up to one year in advance and enforce a number of travel restrictions.

4. Speak Up

Travel experts have various opinions on asking for flight upgrades. Some companies are notorious for refusing a request because people asked. Here are a few items to consider when making a verbal request:

- Demanding upgrades guarantees a traveller goes to the bottom of the list.

- Hovering over airline employees does nothing to help your plight.

- Dressing appropriately ensures that airline staff takes requests seriously.

5. Book with an Agent

Travel agents can access upgrades that are not available to the public. They can also put in a good word during the reservation process to increase the possibility for potential upgrades. During a time when many people create their own travel experiences, a little outside experience from a professional is invaluable. Check out some of the Travel Associates flight deals on their site.

Obtaining flight upgrades has nothing to do with begging or sliding a tip to airline personnel. Upgraded passengers happen to be in the right place at the right time. By using some of the previously listed suggestions, passengers can snag a comfortable seat and better food while retaining their self-respect.

How to Safely Use Your Credit Card in Qatar

2013-05-21T12:36:00.001+02:00

This article was written by Alex Pierce

Qatar is quickly becoming one of the Middle East’s most popular destinations for travellers and holiday makers as it has an endless list of recommended attractions for visitors to the country. If you are currently planning your visit you should give some consideration to the ways in which you will pay for transactions whilst in the country.

The use of credit cards differs across the world. Some countries have restricted facilities available to take credit card payments or simply through custom their vendors prefer to be paid in cash. The use of credit cards in Qatar, however, is common and as a result you shouldn’t encounter problems with this form of payment being accepted in most large shops, tourist attractions and restaurants. Despite this, it’s important to exercise caution prior to handing over your card to someone you don’t know. Small businesses and market stalls across Qatar may be using older facilities to take credit card payments and these may not be entirely secure. You should make your own judgement in these situations and be aware of what is happening with your credit card at all times, no matter what country you are visiting, and never allow the cashier to take the card out of your sight. Always ensure that no one can see when you are entering your PIN into the device.

Even the most careful traveller can succumb to credit card fraud. It happens at home, and as a result you should be equally vigilant when using your card in ATMs and other machines abroad. Ideally only use official ATM machines securely located inside banks or shopping centres.

As credit card fraud can happen to even the most careful users you should look to prevent any fraud from escalating if it did occur. Regularly check and track all transactions you make on your credit card, this will give you the opportunity to quickly spot any rogue transactions and prevent this from continuing. Credit cards are often sold with insurance for fraud, if you have a policy with your bank check the terms and conditions to ensure that you are covered when using the credit card internationally. If not, consider the cost of taking out a policy prior to your trip.

In addition to the safety aspect of using your credit card for purchases in Qatar you should also consider the financial aspect, ensuring you stay in control of the costs. Prior to your trip you should look into any potential additional credit card charges you may incur if you use your card abroad. You may find international banks have lower fees for transactions abroad compared to withdrawing a different currency from an ATM. Due to these charges it is often recommended that you exchange some currency before your visit Qatar to avoid any ATM and currency conversion charges for those instances where you need to pay by cash. If you need to exchange currency, Qatar has a large number of international bank branches in the city.

Doha, the capital of Qatar is home to a combination of cultural and shopping attractions including endless shopping malls, visitor centres, museums, galleries and restaurants from the world’s top celebrity chefs. Often billed as the main attraction of Qatar, the Khor Al-Adaid is a landmark known worldwide for its naturally beautiful group of sand dunes and inland sea. Must-visit museums include the Museum of Islamic Art and the Islamic Cultural Centre.

The Rice Fields Near Ubud, Bali

2013-05-20T18:34:00.000+02:00

One of the things I was most excited about to see in Bali were the rice fields. And I wasn't disappointed at all. Some of the best rice paddies on the island are right next to Kamandalu Resort on the outskirts of Ubud, were we were hosted. I loooved walking among the lush green rice fields that seemed to be at their best during the time we were there. But I just couldn't believe my eyes that even the fields were decorated with stunning Balinese statues. It seemed to me the whole island was like a masterpiece. Anywhere I looked I found reasons to gasp in amazement. And the fact that every rice field was flanked by gorgeous palm trees was just as inspirational.

Where in the world are you favorite rice fields?

The Alcazaba – A Fortress Embracing Centuries of History

2013-05-17T14:43:00.003+02:00

This post was written by Sam Browne

Malaga is the gateway to the Costa del Sol and people often arrive, rent a car from the airport and head off on the highway to Torremolinos, Fuengirola and other beauty spots along the coast. However those that speed off in their hire cars, could miss one of the most magnificent highlights of the region, one which is only 8 miles away from the airport and in the centre of Malaga Town; that of the Alcazaba.

Sitting on a mountainside overlooking Malaga, the Alcazaba was originally built by Islamic King Badi, beside a crumbling Roman theatre (now reconstructed). Being easier than transporting stones up the hillside, he ordered many of these Roman stones to be used in its construction.

The word alcazaba is derived from the Arabic ‘al qasbar’ which means citadel and this one is considered to be the best preserved Moorish fortress in Spain, at least three centuries older (circa 765) and in our view more picturesque and interesting than the better known Alhambra in Grenada or Alcazar of Seville

Piracy and invasion was an ever-present threat, so a fortress located high on the side of Mount Gibralfano, with its panoramic views over city and coastline, not only afforded early warnings but also acted as a deterrent. Nowadays the only invasion is that of tourists who relish the many delights that the Alcazaba has to offer.

Most walk up a fairly steep path to get to the entrance but for those who might find this challenging it is easier to park your rental car near the Town Hall and take the lift. Entrance fees are relatively inexpensive but take note that small change is needed for a ticket machine when taking this route.

Originally three defensive walls were built but now only two survive. The larger outer one, which follows the topography of the hillside, encloses an inner citadel and boasts several look out towers which make ideal photo opportunities.

The entrance through the ‘Puerta de la Bóveda’ may at first appear uninviting as one of the typical Moorish defenses was to make pathways double back on itself, the intention to hide the defending army, confuse invaders and make progress challenging. This same defensive device can be seen four times when paths appear to lead only to brick walls but ultimately make sharp turns into previously hidden gateways.

The cobbled path leads through a series of magnificent arched and keyhole gateways, two of the more interesting being the Puerta de la Columnas where you can easily see recycled Roman columns and Torre del Christo, built following the catholic siege of Malaga(1487), under the instructions of Ferdinand and Isabella to serve as a church.

Flanked by a rill that trickles along, disappears, reappears, divides and forms pads on which flamboyant stone fountains appear to float, the cobbled path continues through magnificent formal gardens. Many large pots have been utilised as architectural features either showcasing beautiful flower displays or as part of the several fountains.

From here the path leads into the inner citadel, and it’s less formal gardens, through the Puerta de los Cuartos de Granada where, in season, jasmine, bougainvillea and honeysuckle assault the senses. Three main walled courtyards are accessed via this route. Patio de los Surtidores, resplendent with magnificent star shaped fountains, a testament to Moorish design, Torre de la Armdura Mudejar which features a splendid 16th century carved wooden ceiling and Torre de Maldonaldo affording panoramic views from its many balconies.

Shortly after the catholic invasion, a period of building resulted in an extensive palace and other dwellings designated as homes for the governors and other officials. These surround two other courtyards worth visiting; Patio de los Naranjos, a beautifully scented orange grove (in blossom time) and Patio de la Alberca, with its large shaded pool.

Positioned higher on the hillside, Gibalfaro Fortress was once an important historical link to the Alcazaba but destruction of the third outer wall now means that it is only accessible by going down to the town and up a different pathway. Perhaps it is best to take time to drink in the delights of the Alcazaba in a leisurely fashion and enjoy the sounds, scents and views it has to offer. After all Gibalfaro has stood there for several centuries, it will still be there tomorrow.

Opening hours:

Tuesday to Sunday

Summer: 9.30am to 8pm

Winter: 8.30am to 7.30 pm (last admission 19.00)

Closed 1 Jan, 28 Feb & 25 Dec.

Entrance fee: 2.60 Euros.

Restoration is ongoing so there may be some disruptions to your visit. Current information can be found at Tourist Information www.malagaturismo.com.

A small museum exhibits Moorish ceramics and artifacts and other temporary exhibits are located in the inner citadel.

About the Author: Sam Browne is a passionate traveller with a particular interest in visiting and exploring remote areas of the world. He has been travelling since he was in his early 20’s. So far he has visited 14 countries and the journey has just begun! He is also a passionate photographer with a particular interest for nature photography.

5 Hidden Parisian Gems – Treading the Off-Beaten Path in Paris

2013-05-16T18:23:00.003+02:00

This article was written by Alex Pierce

So you're all set to go on that well-deserved vacation to Paris - you've packed your luggage, learned a few French phrases, prepared your international travel insurance and kept a list of some popular Parisian landmarks that you are planning on checking out.

Eiffel Tower? Check. Notre Dame Cathedral? Check. Mona Lisa at the Louvre? Check.

These famous sites are definitely at the top of most people's must-see lists whenever Paris is in the itinerary. The city is so overwhelmed with tourists already, that it's hard to believe that there's anything left for the more adventurous traveler to discover anew.

Fortunately there are still a few surprises to be had especially if one takes the time to go off the beaten touristy path. Here are some of the best hidden gems of the City of Light:

Catacombs of Paris

Definitely not for the faint of heart, the Catacombs of Paris is an underground ossuary filled to the brim with the bones of about six million Parisians. The catacombs, an intricate web-like network of pits, tunnels and caves, was intended to be a solution to the problem of overcrowded cemeteries and burial grounds in the 19th century. While some parts of the Catacombs are off-limits to visitors, there are still a lot of areas that are accessible for brave tourists to explore.

Chapelle Expiatoire

Chapelle Expiatoire in rue Pasquier is one of the finest specimens of Neoclassical architecture in France. Built in 1815 by Louis XVIII, the small chapel stands in the same grounds where his brother, Louis XVI, and Marie-Antoinette were once buried after their execution in the late 18th century. The courtyard is now known today as the Louis XVI Square, a public park open for anyone who is interested to learn more about France's rich history.

Statues of Liberty

It is common knowledge that the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor was a gift from France to the people of the United States. But did you know that you can also find Lady Liberty in Paris? Two of her, in fact! One of the statues, a 37-foot high copy that can be sighted from the top of the Eiffel Tower, is located on Iles de Cygnes next to the Grenelle bridge. Its smaller six-foot high sister is in the Jardin du Luxembourg. This replica has the distinction of being the original model used by the artist Frederic Auguste Bartholdi when he produced the full-scale Statue in the late 19th century.

Headless Saint Denis of Notre Dame

The Notre Dame Cathedral has always been a tourist magnet. But among the dozens of statues of famous kings and saints that adorns the entrance of the church, there lies a particularly strange sculpture - that of a headless man! The headless guy is St. Denis, a beloved bishop of Paris and Christian martyr who was executed in Montmartre Hill in the 3rd century. It is said that after his beheading, the headless body of the bishop picked up his head and walked six miles while preaching along the way! The sculpture of St. Denis can be found on the left side of the Cathedral's entrance.

Montmartre Hill

For those who want to relive the carefree bohemian days of old, Montmartre Hill is the perfect place to visit. It has been the home to artistic luminaries such as Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, and Salvador Dali. Aside from the popular Saint Pierre de Montmartre church on the summit, there is a thriving arts and culture-oriented community at the base of the hill, where cobblestone streets, thrift shops, art studios, and quaint cafes are common sights.