No two romances are alike, but thankfully London has infinite choices for picky partners of all tastes. Cancel your booking at that overcrowded restaurant and head off with your date for something unusual and memorable!
1. Off To The Races

Horse racing is pretty romantic when you think about it. The epic stories of glory and defeat. The graceful racehorses and tiny, heroic jockeys. Kempton Park is London’s best loved horse racing venue. It’s home to some of the most important races in the sporting calendar and they’ve recently refurbished their bar and renamed it in honour of celebrity racehorse Kauto Star.

2. Gothic Romance
If traditional Valentine’s activities are too saccharine for you – then try taking your date on the London Ghost Walk. You’ll hear all about London’s most gruesome tales as you visit the creepiest places in the city. The highlight of the walk is probably Westminister Abbey. Incredible national landmark and just really creepy to boot. A good excuse to cling to someone in terror.

3. Animal Attraction
The Natural History Museum is catering to couples with its ‘Turn Me On’ tour which will take you on a tour of romance in the animal kingdom. However, if you get there and decide you don’t really like your date that much, you can defect to the rival ‘Turn Me Off’ tour which will delight in all things creepy and a little bit unhygenic.

So are you convinced that you should cancel that restaurant booking? Take the stress away by choosing a relaxed date that you’ll both really enjoy. Choosing an unusual date will surely make for better conversation than the usual restaurant-booking-and-overpriced-boredom Valentine’s custom. You’ll get a chance to explore your interests together and show your personality. And if all else fails, at least you might win some money on a horse.

With economic prosperity and many people having more disposable income, the demand for luxury items, luxuries exotic holidays and fancy hotel rooms increased over the last decade. There has been a steady rise in number of people going for holidays all over the world resulting in need of more and more luxury hotels.

Tourism industry has witnessed the biggest growth in last few decades and has become increasingly important within people’s lives and this in turn has resulted in prevalence of luxury hotels in the world’s most visited destinations.

However, with every hotel claiming to provide luxury and luxurious service, it is very essential to understand the true nature of a luxury hotel and what exactly makes a hotel a perfect luxury hotel. A good luxury hotel is determined by its authentic look and ambience, world class service and the utmost comfort.

One of the top luxury destinations in the world is London.

London is renowned for many eminent 5 star hotels. These include the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, Brown’s Hotel, the Dorchester and the newest luxury hotel the Montcalm. All luxury hotels in London are marked for spectacularly designed suites, world class spas, gourmet cuisines and boutiques. There are variety of hotels in London which are specifically clubbed as 5 Star hotels, Spa Hotels and boutique hotels.

Few points which determine the status of the hotel are listed below.

• Location – An ideal location is the first catch in choosing a hotel. The location and the view offered by the hotel influences people to choose it over others.
• Service – Service in a luxury hotel should out of the world experience for its customers.

The hotel should be equipped with world class attendants who would go above and beyond to meet its customer’s expectations at the drop of a hat.
• Facilities – The hotel should ensure that every facility provided by it to its customer should be world class and of best quality. The customers of such luxury hotels are top class vacationers who expect quality comfort at their door step which worth the value for money. All luxury hotels are expected to be equipped with swimming pool, bars, hot tubs, and spas and multi cuisine restaurant and bar for a comfortable stay.
• Look and Ambience – Every luxury hotel of the world makes sure that it has best art work, architecture and decorations sourced from some of the finest regions to give a very classy and authentic look. The interiors and exteriors of the hotel are made and designed in such a way that can’t be replicated anywhere else.

Luxury Hotels, London are perfect for both business and pleasure. So next time you plan a vacation to London, you know what to look out for.

There is always a slight risk when you take a holiday in the UK. That risk is also known as the Great British Weather.

Avoiding adverse meteorological conditions is a primary thought for most when they book a holiday. Many a man, woman or child has demanded a holiday with a single prerequisite: sun. We all need a bit of sunshine and warmth in our lives, and let’s be honest, Mother Nature doesn’t often seem to provide that for us on these isles of ours.

But why is our weather so changeable? And what can we do to avoid it?

Last year, Spring saw some of the best weather and hottest temperatures on record. A miserable summer was also followed by a prolonged Indian summer, which saw temperatures close to 30 degrees at the start of October. These bizarre fluctuations are by and large because the British Isles sit on the Gulf stream, and also between one of the biggest water masses on Earth and the biggest land mass around. This sandwich effect means strange weather patterns are almost ievitable.

Abroad, Forecasters can sometimes predict weather patterns accurately up to 2 months ahead; in the UK, they simply can’t provide any solid predictions beyond a week in advance. This is why booking a UK camping holiday is always a risk.

But there is a solution! Grabbing one of the UK’s luxurious holiday cottages gives you the best of both worlds should the weather sweep across unpredictably like a deflating balloon. You’ve got a comfortable indoor location to eat, sleep and drink – plus you can take all manner of entertainment from home to keep you happy. And should our weather choose to grace you with its good side, you’ve also got the perfect base to spring forth quickly and soak up any sunshine that emerges from the gloom.

So get a holiday cottage in 2012 and enjoy the best of both worlds!

1. Venice

Not for nothing is Venice known as the Jewel of the Adriatic. The Serene Republic is a string of islands in a lagoon and is famous for its canals and the bridges across them, such as the Rialto Bridge and the Bridge of Sighs. Arguably the most romantic city in the world, it is centred on St Mark’s Square where you will find the Basilica and its treasures, the ornate Doge’s Palace and the Campanile with its panoramic views over the city.

2. Paris

Whether in spring, winter, summer or fall, no city is more associated with love than Paris. Sit outside at a pavement cafe, stroll around the arty Left Bank, picnic on the Champs-Élysées, gaze at the enigmatic smile of Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa in the Louvre and to top it all, literally, take a ride up the world famous Eiffel Tower.

3. New York

The Big Apple, the City That Never Sleeps, so good they named it twice. Even if you’ve never been to New York, you’ll know it from a thousand films and TV shows. Shop on Fifth Avenue, roller skate in the green swathe of Manhattan’s Central Park, marvel at the lights in Times Square, ride the Staten Island Ferry and meet your loved one at the top of the Empire State Building… after having let loose at one of many hen Spa breaks in the city!

4. Bali

With its golden beaches and glorious sunsets, the Indonesian island of Bali is an ideal honeymoon destination. You can stay quite cheaply in posh hotels by the beach or in jungles and cultural highlights include the famous Balinese dancers, gamelan music and the island’s Hindu temples.

5. French Polynesia

The islands of French Polynesia in the South Pacific are another idyllic honeymoon destination. One of the most sought after honeymoon destinations its crystal clear blue sea lapping around the white shores of palm-tree lined atolls and the sun setting over the lagoons of Tahiti will make you never want to leave this special place.

6. Rome

The Eternal City has been attracting tourists for centuries. Skip down the Spanish Steps, throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain and head for St Peter’s Square and the Vatican, a repository of treasures that includes Michelangelo’s painting of the Last Judgement in the Sistine Chapel.

7. London

London is another city with an iconic skyline. One of the best ways to see it is to cruise down the River Thames past the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, the Tower of London, Tate Modern art gallery and the London Eye

8. Florence

Another stunningly beautiful Italian city, its attractions include the Duomo the cathedral topped by Brunelleschi’s renowned 1436 dome, and the Uffizi gallery with its world famous collection of Renaissance paintings by Da Vinci, Botticelli, Titian and Michelangelo.

9. Hawaii

The most isolated archipelago in the world is also a favorite destination among honeymooners- there are not many places in the world where you cab begin your day with a morning helicopter ride overlooking Kauai’s Na Pali coast, enjoy lunch on a whale watching cruise and call the day over at a secluded picture perfect beach dining gourmet food.

10. Santorini

Known for its breathtaking sunsets, calm waters of the Aegean Sea, rich Greek food (think fish, honey, olives, feta), and couples-specific accommodations (on cliffs overlooking the Aegean Sea), Santorini is almost tailor-made for those who’ve just tied the knot. The streets, which wind past white-washed buildings and blue-domed churches, are lined with boutique shopping and restaurants; otherwise, honeymooners can enjoy lazing about on beaches or visiting the island’s wineries.

[Photo credits @Flickr : Alaskan Dude, ibontxo, billandcathy]

And now it’s your turn:

Where did you go on your honeymoon? Where would you do on your honeymoon? Would you include your destination here? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below, and this post too if you like it!

Related posts:

1. Disabled Travelers: Dream Destinations Are Accessible
2. Top 5 Destinations in the USA for Family Travel
3. Interviewing Walt Balenovich, a World Backpacker on a Blue Wheelchair. Alone.

Reference: Wedding speeches

• Made from comfortable spun silk
• This sturdy, ultra-light under-the-pants money belt is your best guarantee against pickpocket theft
• Features a main zippered compartment and 2 other easy access compartments
• Soft elastic strap adjusts to your body
• Strong buckle makes it easy to clip on and off

Made from comfortable spun silk, our sturdy, ultra-light under-the-pants moneybelt is your best guarantee against pickpocket theft. Its soft elastic strap/neck cord adjusts to your unique abdominal circumference and the slim, strong buckle makes it easy to clip on and off. The main zippered compartment features a moisture-barrier liner, perfect for deep storing your airline ticket, rail pass and passport. A second, opposing zipper reveals two easy access compartmentsone for your cash, and one for your debit/credit cards.

• Two front pockets
• Elastic strap

List Price: $ 12.95

Price:

Each and every one should realize that holiday insurance is a necessary when on holiday or vacation. Surgical emergencies can cost up to 0,000 or more if an discharge is mandatory. Interrupted place, cruise or tour tickets can also be very expensive and sometimes there is nothing you be able do it avoid it. Even stealing of luggage can be expensive now that more people travel with notebooks and mobile phones.

Every now and then you may not want to pay the cost of holiday insurance. For long trips it may absolutely cost more for insurance than it does for airfares. This is especially true of backpacking holidays through places like Asia or Europe. Also backpackers may not have expensive tours or luggage to be fascinated about. The common comprehensive level of vacation insurance is largely wasted on these people.

Many vacation insurance providers present plans that accommodate the budget conscience and backpackers.

These plans tend to detail common medical expenses such as hospital stays, doctor and clinical fees, dental expenses, and medical discharge. Occasionally these will also offer limited cover in other areas like luggage, credit card and document replacement. It is up to you to decide if you choose this as it will increase the premium.

In Europe some companies that offer budget and backpacker vacation insurance are: iTrek Travel Insurance, Downunder Insurance, 1Cover Direct Insurance, Insure4Less, and Travel Insurance Direct. You should search for reviews to help find out the best policy for you.

Look out for the excess. The standard excess tends to be 0 but some companies fill a higher excess to provide you lower premiums.

It is normally best to fend off high excesses as it discourages claiming. Nevertheless, this tends to not be an obstacle on low-cost travel insurance as it really only covers costly medical fees where the excess fee is only a fraction of what the bills would be.

Since each plan offers a different level of cover which its own agreement and conditions it is clever to analyze the Product Disclosure Statement. This is essential in Us and outlines all the conditions of the plan.

Click here to find out the best deal on Budget Holiday Insurance. Visit for more information

The Full Moon Party

This all-night beach party takes place on the island of Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand on the night of every full moon. The Full Moon Party has been known to attract over fifty thousand travelers, mostly backpackers who get there thanks to the cheap flights to Phuket, partying to R&B, drum and bass, house, dance and reggae music and downing the lethally alcoholic drinks ‘buckets’.

Song Kran

Song Kran is a festival held in Thailand to mark the New Year,on April 13th. It has become popular with Western tourists and travelers visiting Thailand, especially in Chiang Mai where it can last for up to a week, and is celebrated by throwing water at each other.

Holi

Holi is one of the best known religious festivals in South Asia, and indeed the world.  It is celebrated by millions of Hindus not only in India, Nepal and Malaysia but also in the Indian diaspora in Britain, the Caribbean and the United States. Taking place in early March, it involves lighting bonfires and throwing colored powder and water at each other.

Mardi Gras in New Orleans

The New Orleans Carnival has its roots in the Christian season of Lent, starting two weeks before Mardi Gras, the day before Ash Wednesday. At least one major parade takes place each day with the riders of floats throwing plastic beads and cups to the crowd. The parades march along Canal Street, on the upriver side of the French Quarter.

Burning Man

The Burning Man festival has been held in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada in the USA since the early 1990’s and can attract up to fifty thousand people. It takes place on the weekend before the Labor Day holiday in September and involves people performing music and dance and making art before the forty foot high effigy which gives the festival its name is set alight. (http://www.burningman.com)

Running of the Bulls

This famous event takes place in the Spanish city of Pamplona every July and involves hundreds ofyoung men, among them travelers from across the world, who attempt to outrun the bulls who chase them through the narrow streets en route from their pens to the bullring where matadors fight them. 

La Tomatina

One of the most famous festivals in the world, La Tomatina (http://www.tomatina.es) is held in Buñol, a small town in southern Spain near Valencia. It involves pelting other festival goers with tomatoes which have been crushed first to avoid anyone getting injured, although many participants still wear goggles and other protective gear. The throwing, which is accompanied by singing and dancing, lasts an hour and the pelters normally get through around a hundred and fifty thousand tomatoes.

Battle of the Oranges

A similar event to La Tomatina is held every year in the small town of Ivrea in Piedmont, northwest Italy. Rather than pelting each other with tomatoes, the participants are split up into teams with colorful names like the Devils and Black Panthers who then attack their opponents with oranges. The carnival takes place in the run up to Lent and is thought to have its roots in resistance to the medieval lord’s droit de seigneur. (http://www.storicocarnevaleivrea.it/English)

Oktoberfest

The Oktoberfest is not only Germany’s best known beer festival but is also one of the most famous parties in the world, attracting five million visitors to Munich who consume industrial quantities of roast chicken, pork and sausages, all washed down with seven million litres of beer.(http://www.oktoberfest.de/en) Only the following breweries from the city of Munich can sell beer in the festivals tents:

•  Augustiner
• Hacker-Pschorr
• Löwenbräu
• Paulaner
• Spaten
• Hofbräu

Carnaval, Rio de Janeiro 

Rio de Janeiro has earned its sexy and scintillating reputation (and its nickname, “Cidade Maravilhosa,” or “The Marvelous City”) the easy way — it simply lives up to it everywhere you look at. The city throbs to the infectious beat of Brazilian music, the choro, the samba and the bossa nova, and is the main source of Brazil’s national culture. Its annual carnival, known simply as Carnaval, draws together the population of the city (known as the ‘Cariocas’) ranging from rich to very poor who take to the streets for the world’s largest samba parade in the world on the Sambodromo.

And now it’s your turn:

Which of these parties have you had the time of your life at? Which would you like to experience at some point? Which would you never join? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below and this post too if you liked it!

This post is brought to you with the collaboration of American golf holidays[photo credits @ Flickr: wyndhan, puuikibeach, Kate McKenna]

Related posts:

1. Weird Yet Wonderful: Spain’s Strangest Festivals
2. 5 of the Best Cultural Attractions in Mexico
3. Top 10 Cities in the USA to go Gaming and Gambling
4. Dancing to the Beat of the Santa Cruz De Tenerife Carnival
5. Top 10 Outdoor Activities in Florida

Reference: maitravelsite.com

• Quickly and easily connect your toddler’s car seat to your rolling carry-on suitcase.
• Creates a travel stroller perfect for the airport.
• Slips easily into the pocket of your carry-on when not in use.
• Works with any LATCH, and top tether, equipped car seat (not compatible with European equipped IsoFix seats)
• Your toddler flys in the comfort and safety of their own car seat

ATTN: Britax owners. If our product is too short, please check to be sure your LATCH straps are in the forward facing position. Whether flying on an airplane or traveling by train or bus, it is safest and most comfortable for your child to be in a car seat. But traveling with a young child, their seat, and your carry-on can be tricky. Not anymore. The Traveling Toddler strap allows you to attach your LATCH and top tether equipped toddler’s car seat to a rolling carry-on suitcase. Simply attach the LATCH and top tether straps from the car seat to the Traveling Toddler and adjust the straps so that the car seat is held securely on the suitcase. Once adjusted, the car seat can be detached and reattached to the suitcase in seconds. Lift the handle of your carry-on bag and you have a fun new stroller. Now there’s an easy and inexpensive way to take your toddler’s car seat and other gear on your trip. You do not have to buy a special seat or suitcase. As long as your suitcase handle locks in place, you can push it like a stroller. Your hands are free for check in and its simple to unhook for security. Keep your child safe and comfortable in their own seat. The Traveling Toddler has been tested with most major car seat brands including Graco, Eddie Bauer, Cosco, Evenflo, and Britax, and a variety of carry-on suitcases and has worked with every combination. It is important that the telescoping handle of your suitcase locks in place. If not, it might not stay extended when you try to push your child in front of you, though you would still be able to pull them. If flying, make sure that your car seat is FAA approved before traveling. The Traveling Toddler strap is made from heavyweight polypropylene webbing that will withstand 900 lbs of force. When not in use it easily slips in the pocket of your carry-on. As with any other wheeled child carrier, do not use the Traveling Toddler on stairs or escalators. Car seat and suitcase sold separately. Patent pending.

List Price: $ 14.99

Price:

Backpacking insurance provides financial coverage to loss resulting from curtailed, delayed or cancelled trip, missed, delayed or cancelled flight, theft/damage or loss of baggage, money, mobile, laptop, watch, jewelry, passport, sports equipments and other important documents, injury, sickness, personal accident, broken bones, fractured ligaments, allergy, hospital expenses, ambulance expenses, surgical treatment, emergency evacuation and repatriation.

In the event of any mishap, the financial loss will be compensated by insurance company.

Once you have made up your mind to purchase backpacker insurance, make sure that you get exactly what is required. Most people purchase it just for the sake of buying it. They actually don’t know how much coverage they want. If you’re a backpacking enthusiast and planning a trip, it is wise to gain understanding about insurance coverage before shelling out your money. By knowing what to cover and what not to cover, you can buy adequate insurance cover at cheap prices. Internet is a good source of information. You can conduct an online research before buying insurance.

Once you know what you want, contact the insurance companies of repute and ask for their quotes. Critically examine these policies and check if they match with your requirements. Buy the one that perfectly meets your requirements and budget. Always remember to buy insurance only from those companies which operate on national or international basis.

Backpacking insurance provides financial coverage to loss resulting from curtailed, delayed or cancelled trip, missed, delayed or cancelled flight, theft/damage or loss of baggage, money, mobile, laptop, watch, jewelry, passport, sports equipments and other important documents, injury, sickness, personal accident, broken bones, fractured ligaments, allergy, hospital expenses, ambulance expenses, surgical treatment, emergency evacuation and repatriation. In the event of any mishap, the financial loss will be compensated by insurance company.

Staying in a hostel

If you are going on a short trip or backpacking for a few months, staying in a hostel might be the cheapest option.  But if you are planning on traveling further afield or for a longer period of time, the drawbacks of this type of accommodation will soon become apparent. Not only will the costs of staying in a hostel start to mount up but so will your feeling of irritation with the habits of your fellow guests. So what are the alternatives open to you as an independent traveler?

Couchsurfing

Many people have friends who live overseas.  If you are lucky enough to have friends dotted around the globe, an international trip could be the perfect opportunity to drop in on some of them, especially if you haven’t seen each other for a long time.  And the benefit to your pocket is obvious: free accommodation is even better than cheap accommodation, leaving you more money to spend while on holiday.  Having said that, this method of globetrotting does need to be used carefully. Even with the best of friends it is possible to outstay your welcome.  And even if you only stay for a few days, it is always a good idea to repay your friends’ hospitality, for example by buying them a small present or taking them out for a few drinks on your last night.

Should you not have as many friends around the world, which is probably the case, then why don’t you make them?  Couchsurfing is a great way of meeting local people and making new friends while saving money on accommodation. The most popular website where to contact people who are willing to offer you a place whereto sleep at no cost is www.couchsurfing.org .  The CouchSurfing International website now has more than three and a half million registered users in over 80,000 towns in the United States, Canada, Germany, France and England and many other countries. In many ways, couchsurfing is an offshoot of social media.  Think of all the people you know on Facebook who you have never met, whether they are friends of friends or people with whom you share an interest or similar ideas. I have couchsurfed in Japan, New Zealand, Australia and Tahiti and had an absolute blast in each and every place. If you want to learn more about couchsurfing make sure you read my in depth article on the ins and outs of couchsurfing.

We couchsurfed in Tim and Amelia's house in Sydney (we actually had a room for ourselves) and developed a frienship that is still ongoing.

Why not volunteer?

One way of traveling the world on the cheap is to volunteer for a charity or other organization that sends people overseas to work on one of their projects, and perhaps the best known example of this is WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms: http://www.wwoof.org/). Established in England in 1971, this movement has now spread to fifteen countries worldwide and, as the name suggests, recruits volunteers to work on organic farms.

If you have got expertise or an interest in a specific area – whether it is in teaching, engineering or medicine (www.hvousa.org) – this can be an ideal way to pick up invaluable experience that will stand you in good stead in your future career. Bear in mind however that in return for free accommodation and other living expenses you will be working most of the time.  If you have got a genuine interest in what you are doing, this won’t be a problem but if not you will soon resent the amount of time spent working rather than lying on the beach or heading for a bar.  If the cost of accommodation in the country you’re visiting is quite cheap anyway, volunteering for an organization just to get a free bed and board is probably not a good idea.

Home swapping and sitting

Many people use house sitting or house swapping in order to travel to countries they wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford to visit.  Nearly all of these arrangements work out without any major problems but all the same it’s still a good idea to set some ground rules in place.  As you may not be meeting the person you’re house sitting for or house swapping with, this often takes the form of a list of instructions, advice and simple dos and don’ts that should help to avoid any problems arising.  And unless it’s a private arrangement between you and a friend, you can also arrange this via websites like www.homeexchange.com or  www.digsville.com/ where people around the world add their homes to a listing and all conditions and requirements are arranged form the beginning.

Travel overnight when possible

Could you avoid having to book a hotel room by traveling overnight between cities? If you decide to do this, bear in mind that you may have to set off late at night and arrive early in the morning in what might be an unfamiliar city.  If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to book a sleeper compartment on a train or travel on a sleeper bus (common in Vietnam,) although in some circumstances you might have to share the train’s cabin.  On the other hand, you might have to travel in an uncomfortable seat for hundreds of miles with noisy neighbors.

This is what a sleeping bus looks like

Camper vans

Camper vans  are not cheap to rent, but if you’re traveling as a couple or in a group they can certainly save you good money in some countries. Liza and I chose to rent a camper van when  traveling in Australia and had such a good time that decided to do the same in New Zealand. The advantage is that you can sleep pretty much anywhere (I recommend getting a Hi-Top if the climate is cold or wet) and if traveling during the winter months rates can be  65% cheaper than during summer, making them affordable even if traveling solo.

OK, OK… I admit I got 10 days use of the camper van for free, but it can still be cheaper than staying in hostels!

Camping

I once met a traveler in Nicaragua who told me that if accommodation was going to cost him anything over 2.5 USD for a night he would pitch his tent somewhere and sleep there.  While this is certainly a money saving option it can get a bit tiring in the long run, and in some places camp sites are not even that cheap, plus you also have to drag the tent and sleeping bag around.  Yet the option is there , and if you can free camp in secluded places that are conveniently located you are saving a good chunk of money.

Redeem miles and points from cards

Do you have any points from customer loyalty cards you could use to defray some of your accommodation expenses? If you haven’t you better get one or more than one because if you really

And now it’s your turn:

How do you save money on accommodation when traveling long term?  Which  of the above mentioned opportunities have you tried? What were your experience like? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below and this post too if you think others might find it useful!

[Photo credits @ Flickr: oriolsalvador (hostel room), shok (sleeping bus)]

Related posts:

1. 6 Ways You Can Save Money on Airport Parking
2. 4 Essential Tips That Will Save You Money When Visiting Oahu (Hawaii)
3. 5 Steps to Finding the Right Travel Deal

Reference: maitravelsite.com