Dr Tonik Travel & Tours

How to Maximise Your Days Off to Gain 48 Days for Holidays in 2021 Using 19 Days Annual Leave

2021-01-03T16:34:00.001+01:00

You can effectively triple your days off by strategically booking your time off from work.

It's actually pretty easy to more than double your time off during 2021 by being smart with which days you book as a holiday from work.

If you want to make up for the lack of freedom during 2020, stretching your spare time outside of work is simple if you know how.

And if your holiday allowance has reset with the new year, now is the time to do it.

In fact, if you are creative when you book your annual leave, you can turn 19 days annual leave into almost seven weeks off.

By strategically selecting specific days in the lead up to and beyond bank holidays, workers could massively extend their time off - assuming they don't usually work public holidays or weekends.

This could mean an extended holiday with minimal annual leave - or extra time when the kids are off school without it making too much of a dent in your annual allowance.

The trick is to combine existing public holidays with the days surrounding them, creating the biggest blocks of time available for the least working days missed.

This is how to maximise your time off work in 2021 by creatively booking annual leave to get the most time off in a single stretch with minimal holiday days taken:

January 1 – January 9: Take a 10-day holiday by booking 5 days off (4,5,6,7 and 8 of January)
April 2 – April 11: Take a 10-day holiday by booking 4 days off (6,7,8 and 9 of April)
May1 – May 9: Take a 9-day holiday by booking 4 days off (4,5,6 and 7 May)
or
May 29 – June 6: Take a 9-day holiday by booking 5 days off (1,2,3 and 4 June)
28 August – 6 September: Take a 9-day holiday by booking 4 days off (31 Aug and 1,2 and 3 September)
December 25 – January 3: Take a 10-day holiday by booking 3 days off (29,30 and 31 December)

But it might be wise to get your requests in early as these holiday booking hacks have become popular with savvy employees hoping to get the most time off for their leave.

UK Public Holidays (Bank Holidays) for 2020-2021

2020-08-31T19:52:00.000+01:00

Public holidays, or "bank holidays" as they are known, are spread throughout the year and mark religious, historical and special events.

Many of the shops, attractions and businesses in the UK, including its capital, London, stay open throughout the public holidays. Make sure to check opening times before travelling to or visiting the UK on these days, as some only open for reduced hours and others might not open at all.

Public transport may also be affected, with reduced services. Plan your journey in advance on the Transport for London website.

Public holiday dates

Public holiday	2020	2021
New Year's Day	Wednesday 1 January	Friday 1 January
Good Friday	Friday 10 April	Friday 2 April
Easter Monday	Monday 13 April	Monday 5 April
Early May bank holiday	Friday 8 May	Monday 3 May
Spring bank holiday	Monday 25 May	Monday 31 May
Summer bank holiday	Monday 31 August	Monday 30 August
Christmas Day	Friday 25 December	Monday 27 December (substitute day)
Boxing Day	Monday 28 December (substitute day)	Tuesday 28 December (substitute day)

Christmas holidays and closures

The one time of year when the UK feels quiet is on Christmas Day (25 December) and Boxing Day (26 December).

There is no public transport on Christmas Day, and a reduced service on Boxing Day and the Christmas bank holidays.

Most UK attractions and shops, as well as and many restaurants, are closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Easter holidays

On Easter Sunday, large shops have to close by law. Small shops, pharmacies, airport and train station shops are allowed to open.

There may be reduced public transport over the Easter bank holidays. Most attractions are open over Easter.

School holidays

School term dates change from year to year and differ from school to school. There are sometimes differences between term dates for local authority-run schools and independent schools.

Traditionally, there are three school terms, with short mid-term (half-term) breaks and a longer break over the summer:

Summer holiday: late July to early September
Autumn half-term: final week of October
Christmas holidays: late December to early January
Spring half-term: one week in mid-February
Easter holidays: two weeks either side of Easter Sunday
Summer half-term: one week at end of May/early June

There are further differences with many local authorities now adopting a standard school year. This is made up of six terms, each of a similar length. Find out more about school holidays and half term in London.

Things to do in the UK on a bank holiday weekend

Spending bank holidays in London?

A bank holiday in London provides the perfect chance to discover more of the city, from its top attractions and family activities, to exploring new areas of the capital. Pick up a sightseeing pass to see many of London's top sights in one weekend and keep a look out for special events.

Start the year on a high with activities on New Year's Day in London, enjoy an action-packed Easter weekend in the capital, celebrate spring during the early May bank holiday and the spring bank holiday later in the month, or soak up the sun and carnival atmosphere over the summer bank holiday weekend in London. Towards the end of the year, there are many fun Christmas activities, including unique things to do on Christmas Day.

Spending bank holidays outside of London?

Explore the fun things to do if you are spending your holiday in:

South East England
South West
East of England
West Midlands and Black Country Living Museum
East Midlands
Yorkshire and the Humber
North East
North West
Wales
Scotland
Northern Ireland

Planning all your journeys within the UK

If you will be in London, plan all your journey in advance on the Transport for London website. If outside London, then plan your journeys ahead of time as below:

South East England
South West
East of England
West Midlands
East Midlands
Yorkshire and the Humber
North East
North West
Wales
Transport Scotland and Traveline Scotland
Northern Ireland and Translink

WHO Public Health Advice as International Travel Resumes

2020-08-16T13:51:00.002+01:00

Many countries halted some or all international travel since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic but now have plans to re-open travel, or have already reopened.

The World Health Organization (WHO) in a recent document titled, Public health considerations while resuming international travel, outlines key considerations for individuals and national health authorities to consider or implement during the gradual return to international travel operations.

You may see the whole document here.

This article summarizes the core essentials in this all-important guidance document for travellers.

1). Look to your country's government for local guidance. Every country is expected to conduct a risk-benefit analysis and decide on its priorities based on data within its borders, and its general geographical region.

2). Avoid non-essential travelling at this time. WHO recommends that priority should be given to essential travel for emergencies, humanitarian actions (including emergency medical flights and medical evacuation), travel of essential personnel (including emergency responders and providers of public health technical support, critical personnel in transport sector such as seafarers and diplomatic officers), and repatriation. Cargo transport should also be prioritized for essential medical, food and energy supplies.

Avoid non-essential travelling

3). At-risk individuals should continue to delay or avoid travels. Sick travellers and persons at risk including elderly travellers and people with chronic diseases or underlying health conditions, should delay or avoid travelling internationally to and from areas with community transmission.

4). Social and economic factors must not be ignored. There is no “zero risk” when considering the potential importation or exportation of cases in the context of international travel. Therefore, thorough and continuous risk assessment and management will help identify, reduce and mitigate those risks, while balancing the socio-economic consequences of travel measures (or temporary restrictions) against potential adverse public health consequences.

5). If you must travel, seek information and clarity on local situation of your country and the country you are travelling to. The following factors should be considered:

local epidemiology and transmission patterns, the national public health and social measures for controlling outbreaks in both departure and in destination countries;
public health and health service capacity at national and subnational levels to manage suspect and confirmed cases among travellers, including at points of entry (ports, airports, ground crossings) to mitigate and manage the risk of importation or exportation of the disease; and
the evolving knowledge about COVID-19 transmission and its clinical features.

Because the COVID-19 epidemiological situation will vary among countries, international travel carries different levels of risk of exportation/importation of SARS-CoV-2 virus, depending on the passenger’s country of departure and country of arrival.

The epidemiological situation of COVID-19 in each country is available through WHO Situation Reports, which follow the transmission scenarios defined in the Interim Guidance WHO Global surveillance for COVID-19 caused by human infection with COVID-19 virus.

For the most current advise from the WHO, please see the WHO situation reports.

Covid 19: A Guide to Holiday Destinations in Europe

2020-07-26T01:31:00.002+01:00

Across Europe, governments have opened their borders after weeks of closure during the coronavirus pandemic. With the summer holiday season upon us, people have wondered whether they will be able to get away for a break abroad - and how far they will be able to go.

The prospect of a summer holiday abroad is now on the cards again, with the number of COVID 19 cases dropping and easing of quarantine rules across most countries.

The border situation for Europeans remains a mixed picture, with each country imposing its own rules and its own timetable for re-opening.

For countries outside of the bloc, the EU has opened its external borders to a select group of countries, based on their coronavirus record. The list is updated every fortnight. Currently, citizens of Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay and China can enter. The US, Montenegro and Serbia are among the countries on the banned list. But member states are not, however, legally obliged, to follow the EU's recommendation.

Given the pace of change, this article is a handy guide to the situation in each European country.

Albania

Commercial flights resumed in Albania on June 15.

All EU nationals and residents are eligible to enter Albania at the moment.

The country can be reached with flights from Germany, Italy, the UK, Serbia, Austria, Greece and Turkey.

Passengers at all terminals are expected to pass through a "disinfection tunnel" and undergo "body temperature measurement". Anyone with body temperature higher than 37.5°C "shall be interviewed by the company doctor".

Austria

There are no restrictions with most European Union countries except for travellers from the UK, Sweden, Bulgaria, Romania and Portugal who must still present a medical certificate or self-isolate.

Due to a high number of cases, travellers from the Gütersloh district in Germany will need a negative COVID-19 test (administered in the last 48 hours) to travel to Austria.

Austria is also performing random checks at the border with Slovenia, following a spike in COVID-19 cases in the Balkans.

Also, flights from Belgrade, Sarajevo and Bucharest have been cancelled.

Entry by air is prohibited to citizens coming from countries outside the Schengen Area, however, those who hold a Visa D, as well as seasonal workers in the agricultural, forestry and tourism sectors, are exempt from this ban.

Find out more here.

Belgium

Borders have reopened to citizens from the EU, most of the UK and the four other Schengen countries (Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway).

However, travellers arriving from certain areas of Spain and Portugal (detailed here) as well as Leicester in the UK must undergo a COVID-19 test and quarantine upon arrival.

All air travellers to Belgium must fill a "Public Health Passenger Locator Form" and hand it over to the border authorities.

Non-essential travel to and from outside the EU and Schengen countries remains prohibited.

More info here.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia opened borders on July 16 to EU and Schengen citizens carrying a negative coronavirus test not older than 48 hours.

There is still a travel ban for all other foreign nationals, although people with special circumstances (like medical treatment, a business meeting, a funeral or who are in the company of a spouse that is a Bosnian national) may be allowed entry. However, a negative COVID-19 test may still be required.

Bulgaria

Bulgaria opened its borders on June 1 to EU countries, the UK, San Marino, Andorra, Monaco, Vatican, Serbia and North Macedonia citizens, as well as to medical workers and family members of Bulgarian citizens, as listed on the government website.

Travellers from Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay and Ukraine are now allowed in too.

The list of countries not subject to a travel ban or quarantine obligation is updated periodically and can be found here.

Tourists, coming from Portugal, Sweden and any country not mentioned above must hand a negative PCR test done up to 72 hours prior to arrival, or undergo a 14-day quarantine.

Tourists from the other countries must meanwhile submit a declaration acknowledging the have been informed of the country's anti-epidemic measures and with risks associated with COVID-19 to health inspector at the border.

Croatia

Borders remain open to EU, UK, Switzerland, Norway, Lichtenstein, Andorra, San Marino, Monaco and Holy See citizens. This also includes the families of the mentioned nationals.

But Croatia has reimposed quarantine for travellers from North Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo and Bosnia following a new coronavirus outbreak in the region.

However, entry from third countries may also be permitted for business, study and even tourism reasons, providing relevant documentation, listed here. In these cases, it is obligatory to present a negative PCR test that is not older than 48-hours upon arrival. Travellers who fail to present a test that fulfils these criteria must undergo a 14-day quarantine.

The government has advised all travellers to fill an online form in order to shorten border checks.

Cyprus

Cyprus resumed tourist travel on June 9 after closing its borders for almost three months.

The country will also cover health costs in case of coronavirus contamination occurring on the Mediterranean island.

Authorities have created two lists of countries.

Travellers from Category A countries — Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland — face no restrictions.

Those from Category B nations — Israel, Poland, and Romania —must present a health certificate no older than three days.

Travel from other EU countries not included in the lists is only allowed in exceptional cases and requires government approval. These include the country’s two main tourism markets, Britain and Russia.

However, flights from Britain could restart in mid-July, and a few weeks later from Russia.

Citizens of the US, France, Spain, and Italy remain excluded until further notice.

Entries from countries outside the EU/EEA/Schengen are for now not allowed.

Czech Republic

Borders with Austria and Germany reopened on June 5, 10 days earlier than expected. The country opened its frontier with Slovakia and Hungary on May 27, but with restrictions.

The other EU countries have been divided into coloured groups dependent on risk: green, orange, and red.

From June 15, Czech residents and EU citizens from green countries — eastern and Baltic member states, Finland and Norway — were able to travel to and from the country without any requirements.

Those from the yellow group, which includes France, Italy, and Spain, must have a valid health certificate to enter.

Test and quarantine conditions will apply for people entering from the UK and Sweden — the two red nations in Europe.

Denmark

Denmark’s borders have now reopened to most European countries, but this is subject to change based on a set of health measures and analysis. Borders to Sweden and Portugal are still closed, and a list of open or closed countries is updated weekly.

Estonia

Opened borders to Baltic neighbours on May 15 and to the rest of the EU, the Schengen area, and the UK on June 1.

"Travel documents and medical symptoms are checked" at points of entry, the Foreign Ministry has said.

Those coming from countries with a high infection rate will have to self-isolate for two weeks.

Finland

Finland has allowed travellers from Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania from June 15.

From 13 July travel restrictions were lifted for Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Malta, the Netherlands, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, and the Vatican.

Also from 13 July, Finland is allowing work-related travel and other essential traffic from the following non-EU countries: Algeria, Australia, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay and China (provided that reciprocity is confirmed in the EU).

Restrictions on travel to Finland have been extended for the UK, Spain, Poland, Portugal, France, the Czech Republic, Sweden and some other European nations.

France

Travellers from EU member states as well as Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, and the Vatican have been allowed to visit the county since June 15 without a health certificate or any form of quarantine upon arrival.

But passengers from Spain and the UK are asked to submit to a voluntary quarantine, "in reciprocity" to current regulations in place in both countries, France' Foreign Affairs Ministry has explained.

Per the EU Council's recommendation, France reopened its borders to 15 non-member states on July 1.

Germany

On June 15, Germany lifted border restrictions for travellers coming from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and the United Kingdom.

Germany, however, decided to extend until August 31 its warnings on travelling outside the EU.
Those that do manage to get in must self-isolate for 14 days.

Greece

The Foreign Affairs Ministry published on Sunday, May 31, its plan for reopening borders, which entails three different phases.

Phase 2 saw tourism travel from EU countries resume on June 15, with flights landing in Athens and Thessaloniki.

Travellers coming from any of these airports listed by the European Aviation Safety Agency, as well as Italy, Spain, the Netherlands or Sweden are tested upon arrival until June 30, with the authorities stressing that an overnight stay is required. If the test if negative, travellers can then continue on to their final destination.

Only essential travel from Albania and North Macedonia is permitted while a travel ban from the UK and Turkey is maintained and all visitors are subject to sample testing.

Phase 3 is expected to start on July 1. International flights will be allowed into all airports in Greece and all travellers subject to random tests upon arrival.

"Additional restrictions regarding certain countries will be announced at a later date", the Foreign Ministry says.

Arrivals by sea will also be allowed on July 1, with travellers subject to random testing.

The border with Serbia is closed until July 15 following a new outbreak in the country.

Hungary

Hungary is reimposing travel restrictions from July 15 due to a resurgence of coronavirus infections around the world. It has a traffic lights system for countries based on their infection rate.

Only Hungarians will be allowed to enter if they are coming from ‘red’ countries with high infection rates. These include Albania, Ukraine, Belarus and almost all of Asia, Africa and South and Central America. Arrivals will have to quarantine for two weeks.

Hungarians and foreigners coming from ‘yellow’ countries have to quarantine for two weeks, but can leave quarantine after being tested. These include: Bulgaria, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, the UK, Russia, Serbia, Japan, China and the United States.

Hungary had opened its borders without restrictions to citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area (excluding the United Kingdom) and of Switzerland on 21 June.

Hungary opened its border with Austria, Slovakia, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Serbia on June 12 without the need for going into quarantine.

Iceland

Iceland reopened to EU and UK travellers on June 15.

Tourists are tested upon arrival. A few hours later, they get the result on their phone, after downloading a tracking app.

The test, free for a period of two weeks, will cost 15,000 Icelandic Krona (€100) from July 1. Children born in or after 2005 will be exempt.

Authorities are yet to clear procedures for those who test positive.

Ireland

The Irish health authorities currently require anyone coming into Ireland, except from Northern Ireland, to self-isolate for 14 days, upon arrival, including Irish residents.

Arrivals have to complete a passenger locator form, although exemptions are in place for providers of essential supply chain services such as hauliers, pilots and maritime staff.

Italy

Italy opened its borders on June 3 to EU, UK, Schengen area, Andorra and Monaco citizens, following the nationwide lockdown which came into force on March 9. Borders also opened with Vatican City and San Marino on this date.

Travellers coming from the above countries don't have to undergo quarantine unless they have been in any other country in the 14 days before reaching Italy.

The government dismissed any possible attempt to apply different confinement rules in different regions as "unconstitutional" following spats between local governors.

Therefore, the same confinement rules will apply in the same way to all regions.

Cruises on Italian ships are currently suspended.

Unlike France and France, Italy opted out of reopening its borders to non-member states on July 1 as recommended by the EU Council with health minister Roberto Speranzaarguing the country was taking "the line of caution".

"The situation at the global level remains very complex. We must avoid that the sacrifices made by Italians in these months are in vain," he added.

Latvia

Opened its borders to Baltic neighbours Estonia and Lithuania on May 15. Since June 1, there have been no border checks with Lithuania.

From June 3, residents of EU and EEA countries, as well as Switzerland, have also been able to enter the country without being submitted to a 14-day quarantine if the country they travelled from has a 14-day cumulative number of COVID-19 cases not exceeding 15 per 100,000 population.

Flights to and from European countries where the number of cases per 100,000 within the last 14-day cumulative period is between 15 and 25 can also resume.

The country is among the EU member states which reopened its borders on July 1 to 15 non-EU countries.

Lithuania

Lithuania has opened its borders to citizens from the EU, EEA, Switzerland and the UK provided the incidence of COVID-19 in the country they reside in does not exceed 25 cases per 100,000 population in the last 14 calendar days.

Requirements to self-isolate when arriving from these countries have been lifted.

However, Vilnius introduced a 14-day isolation requirement for its nationals or residents arriving from 50 countries most affected by COVID-19 including Sweden, Russia, Belarus, Portugal, and the US. Previously, they were only "advised" to self-isolate.

Luxembourg

Luxembourg's border with Germany reopened on May 15 and travel has not been restricted with other European nations, although travel from outside Europe is banned.

Malta

Malta's Tourism Ministry announced that it will reopen tourism travel on July 1.

On that date, borders will reopen to travellers from Germany, Austria, Cyprus, Switzerland, the Italian islands of Sicily and Sardinia, Iceland, Slovakia, Norway, Denmark, Hungary, Finland, Ireland, Lithuania, Israel, Latvia, Estonia, Luxembourg, Czech Republic, Italy, France, Poland, Spain, Croatia, and Greece.

Restrictions on all other flight destinations will be lifted on July 15.

Montenegro

Entry to Montenegro is allowed without quarantine, so long as you are coming from a country with a rate of transmission less than 25 per 100,000 inhabitants.

Travellers from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Turkey, Israel, Poland, Romania, Italy and Ukraine must, however, present a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival.

The Montenegro government is keeping an up to date list of countries where people are allowed to enter from without entering quarantine.

French, UK and Spanish citizens need to self-isolate upon arrival, as well as travellers from all those countries not mentioned in that list.

The Netherlands

The Dutch government is restricting non-essential travel from people from third countries until July 1, but EU citizens - including British nationals - can now enter the country.

Tourists from the UK and Sweden are being urged to self-isolate for 14 days.

Like many other nations, there are strict requirements around shaking hands, maintaining social distancing and hand-washing.

Norway

Norway has closed its borders and only travellers for fellow Nordic countries — Denmark, Iceland, and Finland — were able to return on June 15.

Sweden was excluded from the measure.

"Travellers from EEA/Schengen countries with acceptable levels of infection" will be able to visit the country from July 15.

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health will update the map showing areas with exemptions of quarantine duty on 10 July and the list will be updated at least every second week.

Norway currently has a 10-day quarantine for those returning from international travel.

Poland

Borders reopened for EU nationals on June 13 with no quarantine condition, and some international flights from within the bloc have restarted. Poland's external EU border remains closed, except for specific circumstances.

Portugal

Nationals of EU countries, Schengen area and passengers on flights from the UK, Brazil, the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, the US, Canada, Venezuela and South Africa are allowed in the country.

Border controls have been in place since March 16. There is currently no requirement for arrivals to go into quarantine, except in The Azores and Madeiras island.

The border with Spain reopened on July 1.

Russia

Russia is considering resuming international flights after July 15, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said in a news conference on July 10.

She said Russia would resume flights to countries where the average incidence rate is below 40 cases per 100,000 population.

It has drawn up a list of 13 countries that it could resume flights with: United Kingdom, Hungary, Germany, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Finland, Vietnam, China, Mongolia and Sri Lanka.

International flights were halted in March. On June 8, Russia said it will partially reopen its borders as the country eases coronavirus restrictions.

Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said that travelling abroad for work, medical or studying purposes will be allowed, as well as for taking care of relatives.

He also said Russia will let in foreigners seeking medical treatment or taking care of family members.

Romania

People coming from Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Croatia, Switzerland, Germany, Greece, Island, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malta, Norway, Slovakia, Slovenia and Hungary can go in without the need to quarantine.

People coming from EU/EEA/Schengen countries not listed above must still self-isolate for 14 days.
Flights to a number of European countries including Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and the UK remain suspended.

Serbia

Serbia's borders are open.

Slovakia

Slovakia reopened its borders to Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Slovenia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Norway, Denmark and Iceland on June 10.

The country's borders to Austria, Hungary and the Czech Republic were opened a few days earlier, on June 5.

Slovenia

Slovenia reopened borders to citizens coming from 18 countries on May 15, including neighbouring countries such as Austria, Croatia and Hungary. Montenegro and Italy were added to this list from June 15. Anyone entering from a country with high levels of COVID-19 will have to quarantine for 14 day.

Spain

Spain reopened its borders to EU member states, Schengen area countries and the UK on June 21. None of these travellers have to self-isolate.

Portugal had been the only exception to the above, but the border between the two countries reopened on July 1. The country also opened up to the list of non-member states approved by the EU Council.
Sweden

Sweden has introduced border restrictions but it only applies to non-essential travel from countries outside the EU/EEA, except the UK and Switzerland.

That restriction came into effect on March 19 and has been extended until July 7.

Switzerland

Switzerland, who brought in border controls on March 13, will reopen borders to all EU countries, the UK, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein on June 15, instead of July 6 as previously planned.

The government is also reopening borders to non-EU and non-EFTA workers on July 6, as it announced on June 24.

Any foreign nationals who currently try to enter Switzerland without a valid residence or work permit will be refused entry.

Air passengers from abroad are currently only able to enter the country through the airports at Zurich, Geneva and Basel.

The Swiss authorities have not imposed any quarantine measures on persons entering the country. However, you must comply with the government’s hygiene and social distancing rules.

Turkey

Turkey has opened its border to foreign travellers, except for the land border with Iran. Arrivals may have to go through health checks.

United Kingdom

Borders are currently open. Since June 8, visitors from abroad are required to quarantine for 14 days. Those exempt from these measures include people travelling from Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.

As in other countries, certain professions are exempt from these rules, such as healthcare workers travelling to deliver healthcare in the country. Upon arrival, those who are required to self-isolate need to provide their journey and contact details.

On July 3, England announced plans to scrap its quarantine rules for a number of countries it deems low-risk, including France, Spain, Germany and Italy.

This will come into effect on July 10, meaning travellers arriving from those countries will not be required to self-isolate for 14 days.

Travelling by Bus? Here are 5 Tips to Survive a Long Bus Trip

2020-07-25T21:14:00.002+01:00

Over the years, bus journeys have somewhat fallen to the bottom of the list of transport options for long distance travel in most parts of the world, although this may not hold true in some African nations like Nigeria.

Largely consisting of a middle and lower class populace, bus journeys are still a preferred norm, as it saves the traveler a lot more money than taking a flight will.

While bus is often the cheapest form of transportation in any part of the world, it can be very stressful for the traveler as sometimes, they are required to sit for hours on end and endure the physical stress that comes with the often bumpy road ahead.

Luckily there are tips to help alleviate the drudgery that comes with sitting on the road, for travelers. This article suggests 5 ways to survive a long bus trip.

How to overcome stress of long bus trips

1). Keep yourself entertained

Thanks to technology, entertainment is now easily accessible. You can play games on your phone or even watch a movie or listen to songs, you just need to make sure that it is fully charged before you set out from your hotel room.

Alternatively, you can pack a book to read on the way or a journal to write in while travelling. Go for whatever keeps you busy and entertained. Sitting and staring into space is a huge recipe for boredom and frustration and is certainly no way to survive a long bus trip.

2). Pack edible treats

Besides getting hungry on the road, you can get puckish at intervals. Pack some snacks including mixed nuts, sandwiches, fruits and cereal bars in a small container to nibble on.

Some juice and water are a good addition, however you may want to watch your intake to avoid frequent visits to the bathroom. Alternatively, buy some light refreshments at bus stops on the way to your destination or if you are lucky, the bus may have snacks to offer passengers and you can take advantage of that as well. Either ways, snacking tends to reduce the stress of being on the road and makes the entire trip much more enjoyable.

3). Bring your toiletries

While travelers are advised to pack light, there are certain toiletries that are important while travelling within countries like Nigeria.

In such countries, most buses do not have toilets and you may have to make random stops to ease yourself or use the loo. Tissues and hand sanitizers are key essentials to ensure you stay germ free before you reach your destination.

4). Catch some sleep

Not everyone can sleep while in motion, however, if you can, try and occupy your time by sleeping through the journey.

It helps if you have ear muffs, a neck rest or a travel pillow and sleeping mask, however, you can also improvise and use a rolled up sweater or shirt as head rest. Sleeping is a sure way to survive a long bus trip as it has a way of making the time go much faster.

5). Chat up other travelers

Most buses carry four passengers per row and usually, every traveller has someone who they can engage in a conversation sitting close to them.

If you are sitting next to other people, get friendly, raise a topic and chat with them. This has a way of spicing up the trip. Unless, of course, the person sitting next to you is utterly boring. Most people have built strong friendships from simple conversations while others have even met spouses on the bus.

How Social Media Can Add Fun To A Long Road Trip

2020-07-25T21:14:00.001+01:00

Social Media is here to stay and that is a good thing! With the right hashtags, follows and downloads, you can have a marvelous time doing almost anything, including while going on a road trip.

Road trips can get boring especially when travelling alone or long distance, however, with this platform you can find the right pit stops, tourist sights and new travel buddies whose companionship will ‘literally’ spice up the trip.

If you are looking for ways to jazz things up while on the road, Nkem Ndem Vivienne, a writer at Jovago.com, Africa’s self-acclaimed No.1 online hotel booking portal has listed 3 ways social media can save the day.

3 Ways Social Media Can Add Fun To a Long Road Trip

1). More friends, more fun

With the social media, people do not sit through a journey feeling bored or lonely. Most of the social media portals have forums through which subscribers can meet other users, giving them an opportunity to make more friends with similar interests and expand their circles.

Instagram for instance has the ‘Instameet’, where you can search for new friends or business contacts who are possibly going on the same trip as you are. On twitter, you can search for new contacts using a hashtag related to your destination and meet those who have opinions to share. You can even send them a direct message and get a one-one connection.

2). Home away from home

Social media is the perfect way to stay connected to home while you are on the road. Rather than make phone calls, you can keep family and friends updated via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by sharing pictures of your activities on the road at intervals.

It offers an opprotunity to receive feedback through comments, likes, shares and direct messages. You end up feeling safe and more relaxed on the trip and the communication takes away that feeling that comes with being too far from home.

3). Information galore

There are a ton of ‘hands-on’ information available via social media, all you need to do is ask or search. For instance, you can just ask questions like: “Does anyone know where I can find a restaurant on my way to Lagos from Enugu?” or “Is anyone attending the Young Writer’s Conference in Abuja tomorrow?” on many of the online forums and you will find a lot of people responding and even sharing links with you.

Several online forums are available and easily accessible to you out there on the internet. In Nigeria, aside the very popular Facebook, Twitter and Instagram; Nairaland is also frequently visited. So go on and catch yourself some fun as you hit the road for that next long trip of yours!

Related: Five Tips to Survive Long Bus Trips

Author
Nkem Ndem Vivienne works at Jovago, an online start-up; and is a Travel/Technology Writer. You can reach and connect with her via the Twitter handle: @ndemv and on Facebook

4 Ways to Deal with Flight Cancellations

2019-04-22T14:42:00.000+01:00

Air travel on its own is a hectic experience; even when everything goes according to plan. So when there is the added challenge of unexpected delays or cancellations, it starts to feel more like ‘living through hell’.

In many countries, especially Nigeria, airlines are quick to cancel domestic flights on the grounds of factors such as extreme weather, mechanical malfunctions and workers strike actions, and this continually throws the plans of thousands of travelers in these countries into disarray.

But while there are many totally unpredictable circumstances, there a few things you can do to get your travel plans back on track. This article throws some light on these travel relief strategies.

How to deal with air flight cancellations

1). Know your options

Unknown to so many travellers, they have a lot of rights when their flight is cancelled. Every single airline has its own policies and so, first thing to do is to find out whose fault the cancellation is – the airline or natural causes – determine your rights as a passenger, then vehemently pursue it.

Some of these rights could include compensation, auto-rescheduling, or endorsement of your ticket towards a competing airline. Go to the airline office at the airport and ask questions or use your internet for research. You can also ask around to know what others in your situation are doing. Finding out your options is a good head start.

2). Turn on the charm

Most times, charm is the only way to get the best deal off your flight cancellation. Despite the nightmare, it is essential to remain as polite as possible when making a complaint to the relevant officials. That way you get a constructive response which will help you keep your cool and reach your destination as quickly as possible.

Keep your thoughts on the positive, and constantly remind yourself that like you, the officials are also having a bad day. Indulging your temper can set everyone off and lead to unnecessary arguments. Most people are naturally inclined to help those who make it easy by being friendly, patient and understanding.

3). Fight for compensation

While most Nigerian airlines are not legally required to offer accommodations and meals, especially with weather-related delays, some still do if you ask for it.

Fighting for compensation in form of meals, ground transportation and hotel accommodation can take some time and energy, but can be achieved if one persists. Other possible gains could come in form of travel vouchers, frequent flier miles and so on. There is no harm in fighting for added ease and comfort. This compensation usually softens the blow of a delayed flight.

4). Re-book your flight

No doubt cancellations can keep you stressed worrying about the possibility of reaching your destination on time. However, you can save yourself the headache and re-book as soon as possible.

Most airlines will automatically re-book passengers from canceled flights on the next available ones, but the dates and times may be inconvenient for you. Get on the airline’s webpage, or check to see when you have been re-booked, if it does not work for you, quickly ask for a refund (you are usually entitled to a full refund). To make things faster, you can use an agent or go to the airline’s social media account. The managers of these social media accounts most times respond faster than the officials at the counter.

Four Helpful Ways You Should Travel With a Wi-Fi Only iPad

2019-04-21T22:30:00.000+01:00

The iPad is a line of tablet computers designed, developed and marketed by Apple Inc., which run the iOS mobile operating system. The first iPad was released on April 3, 2010; and there has been several recent models.

The iPad has come to be quite popular in a lot of countries (as of January 2015, it was second-most popular tablet computer, by sales, after Android-based ones) with a user interface built around the device's multi-touch screen, including a virtual keyboard. All iPads can connect via Wi-Fi; and some models also have cellular connectivity.

Traveling with a Wi-Fi only iPad can be challenging, however there are a few ways to make the best of the circumstance and make it a bit easier. This article shares 4 helpful ways to travel with a Wi-Fi only iPad.

4 ways you can use your iPad during a travel

1). Get a Mobile Hotspot

If you have a Wi-Fi only iPad, it’s best to work on purchasing a mobile hotspot to go along with it so you can always have access to the internet as often as you need. When buying a mobile hotspot, be sure to get one with a wide coverage that is likely to work in all or most of the places you’ll be traveling to.

2). Download Offline Areas for Google Maps

If you’re traveling to an unfamiliar area and plan to use your Wi-Fi only iPad as a city guide, it’s best if you download the area you will need from Google Map so you can view it offline. This is done in case you are not able to get Wi-Fi access to browse Google Maps when you need to, or in the event that your mobile hotspot (if you have one) has a poor connection and disappoints.

3). Tethering

This is similar to having a mobile hotspot, but this turns your smartphone into a hotspot instead, by feeding on your cellular data. However, the downside to this is that, because the Internet connection is being shared with your smartphone, you’re likely to experience a slower connection overall. Your cellular data is also likely to be exhausted much sooner because of the shared connection.

4). Turn Off Your Wi-Fi When Not in Use

Constantly searching for a Wi-Fi signal can drain the battery of your iPad much faster. If you intend to use the iPad later on, it is best to turn the Wi-Fi off when it’s not in use.

Author
This article was written and sent in for publication by Damilola Ojo, PR Associate of Jumia Travel. It has been extensively edited by Drtonik. You can reach Damilola at damilola{dot}ojo{at}jumia.com.

The Six Most Spectacular Festivals of 2019

2018-12-29T16:38:00.001+01:00

The six eclectic festivals listed below are to tick off in 2019, and range from cherry blossoms in Washington DC to dancing under aurora-streaked skies in Iceland.

1. Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, China
20 December 2018-28 February 2019

Disney-style castles, giant glittering Buddhas and ice-block beer bottles the size of telephone boxes – this is the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, a frosty fest carved entirely from ice and snow. Taking place across venues in the northern Chinese city of Harbin, this is a winter wonderland featuring mind-blowing ice buildings made from the Songhua River. There's also an ice and snow carnival, Olympic scale dance performances and sports events such as ice hockey, ice fishing and ice swimming for the brave.

Nearest airport: Harbin Taiping

2. London Coffee Festival, London
28-31 March

For three fragrant days in March, east London wake ups and smells the coffee, literally. Held in Brick Lane’s sprawling Old Truman Brewery, the London Coffee Festival is an aromatic, obsessive, caffeine-fuelled celebration of the UK’s favourite hot beverage. Expect latte art competitions and master baristas creating slurpable works of art. There’ll be coffee cocktail parties and coffee-inspired art exhibitions, not to mention free handouts from around 250 vendors brewing enough to keep a city awake for a week. If, after an espresso or two, you want to make one that good at home, tune into one of the live demos or talks.

Nearest airport: London City

3. Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington DC, USA
20 March-13 April

Think of cherry blossom and you’ll probably picture Japan’s Kyoto, those candyfloss-pink puffballs clashing dazzlingly against the imperial red of the shrines and torii gates. Although Japan is the home of cherry blossom viewing, the biggest event of the season takes place in none other than the US capital. Here, around 3,000 trees – a gift from the Japanese government in the early 1900s – explode into bloom along the shore of the city’s Tidal Basin. You’ll find live music events, a Japanese-themed street festival and restaurants creating spring-inspired menus. The must-not-miss event though, is the closing parade, which blares down Constitution Avenue in an all-singing, all-dancing blaze of pink.

Nearest airport: Dulles International

4. Sonar Reykjavik, Iceland
25-27 April

In late April, while the Northern Lights sends plumes of light streaking across Reykjavik’s star-frosted night sky, inside the steel-and-glass honeycomb shell of the city’s Harpa Concert Hall, a different kind of light event is taking place. Lasers criss-cross and pulse over the crowds across the four indoor stages of Sonar Reykjavik, one of the world’s largest and most northerly electronic, hip-hop and alternative music festivals. It brings together the hottest and up-and-coming artists from the Land of Fire and Ice, as well as established heavyweights from around the globe.

Nearest airport: Keflavik

5. Venice Regatta, Italy
9 June

Like a technicoloured armada, it makes its way along Venice’s teal-hued Grand Canal: roughly 1,500 boats of all shapes and sizes, from one-man plastic kayaks to traditional wooden barges, propelled by teams of red-and-white-stripe-wearing oarsmen. The Venice Regatta is one of the most dazzling events in the water-logged city’s calendar, and has been taking place since 1974, when a handful of locals came up with the idea to help preserve the ancient tradition of rowing. These days spectators line the main thoroughfares, but you don’t just have to watch. Sign up online in advance and you could be joining the action at water level.

Nearest airport: Venice Marco Polo

6. Bali Arts Festival, Bali
16 June-14 July

Usually as laid-back and serene as a tropical breeze, the Indonesian island of Bali accelerates into full-blown show-off mode for around a month every summer, as its annual arts festival comes to town. Drawn from all over the island, but centred in the capital Denpasar, it’s where Bali’s spiritual customs meet creativity, with photography workshops, painting and cooking competitions overlapping with parades and traditional dance performances. Expect sizzling Balinese street food and pyrotechnic feats such as fire-walking, plus flamboyantly colourful theatre productions.

Nearest airport: Ngurah Rai International

Article Credit: Written by the Globe-trotting writer Alex Allen (connect with @AJAllen_esq on Twitter). Culled from British Airways Ltd magazine, The Club

Zidora Travels Unveil Corpers’ Special visa processing offer

2018-10-11T14:36:00.003+01:00

Are you a National Youth Corps Member or You know a Youth Corps Member? Here is a life time changing opportunity for NYSC members.

Did you know that Corps Members who graduated with a First Class can process their visa application to any country of their choice for just 50,000 Naira? Whether for tourism or for further studies?

Corps Members who graduated with a Second Class Upper Division, Second Class Lower Division, or Third Class can process their visa applications to any country of their choice for just 75,000, 100,000 and 150,000 naira respectively.

As these offers end on the 23rd of October, the requirements are your NYSC Identity Card, International Passport and Passport Photograph, CV, your results and transcripts.

Please note that Zidora does not issue, nor claim to issue visas, neither do they have the power to prevail over the decisions of the embassy. Zidora only assists in the application, document checklist and verification of documents and are known to have a high success rate. Visit the testimonial page of their official website here to view their successes. They can’t wait to share yours! Also, only the enquires of those interested in the stated duration of time will be welcomed. As the company only encourages instant readiness.

Therefore, do not contact if you are not interested in starting immediately.
And also, do not contact if you are not a Youth Corps Member.

NATIONAL OFFICES
Incorporated in 2011, Zidora Consults Nigeria Ltd is a conglomerate of many unique services. Its offices are spread out as follows:

1). Lekki Office -- Plot 24d adewunmi drive beside standard chartered bank by Marwa B/stop lekki phase 1 , Lagos. Call 09084602481 for directions.

2). Okota Office -- 54 ago palace way beside diamond bank Okota, Lagos. Call 09030544073 for directions.

3). Ikeja Office -- suite 31A alausa shopping mall, radio b/stop, Ikeja Lagos. Call +2349038165363 for directions.

4). Abuja Office -- 14 Emeka Anyioku Crescent Garki Abuja. Call 07053029962 for directions

5). Anambra Office -- 3 Awka Road by National bus stop close to Conoil. Call 08035582300 for directions

Kindly spread the word as someone could desperately be in need of this. Refer a friend and get paid your commission, refer five people and get yours done for free.

Take that bold step today.
Zidora Awaits You!

How To Get A Dubai Visa This Christmas

2018-10-01T02:00:00.000+01:00

Christmas is already upon us and everyone is making plans on where to spend the vacation. The United Arab Emirates, more specifically Dubai, is a favored destination for business and leisure firstly because the city is ultra modern with an irresistible Arabian mystique about it, and then because it’s relatively easy to obtain a visa.

The Burj Khalifa (Arabic for "Khalifa Tower), known as the Burj Dubai before its inauguration,
is the tallest structure in the world since late 2008

If you do indeed decide to travel to and tour that lovely city, Dubai, this article will get you to speed because it has researched and found the basic things you need to know when getting a Dubai Visa.

What Type of Visa Do You Need?
Did you know there’s more than one type of visa you can get to gain entry into the UAE?

1. A 96-hour Visa
This visa is valid for 4 days and non-extendible. It’s mostly acquired by transit passengers who are making a stopover at Dubai International Airport (DXB) for at least 8 hours. In order to be granted this type of visa, your passport must be valid for at least 3 months.

2. Tourist Visa
This visa is usually valid for about 30 days, but if you plan to stay longer, it can be extended another 30 days at an extra cost.

3. Visit Visa
This visa has a non-extendible validity period of 90 days. And it is issued to people entering the UAE to visit family or for a long business trip.

What Do You Need to Apply?
1. Of course, the first, and most basic, item you require is a valid Passport. If you’ll be staying for up to 3 months, your passport should be valid for 3 months after your date of entry, and 6 months if you’ll be staying longer than that.

You don’t have a Passport? That should be no more as there is still time to apply for one. Visit your country's government or immigration office closest to you or official government website to apply for an international Passport. See government and immigration websites here.

2. If you have a passport, the next thing you need is a photocopy of its data page, and any visas it may contain (valid or expired). You may need a copy of your ID Card as well.

3. You’ll also need copies of your most recent bank statement, as well as proof of health insurance.

4. You’ll be required to present copies of your confirmed itinerary, which means you will have to purchase round-trip tickets or risk being denied entry at the airport. And you will also have to present evidence of hotel reservations or secure accommodation.

5. If you are applying as a tourist, you will need a letter from your employer stating you are on break and will be returning to your place of work upon return. If you are self-employed, you’ll need to present a copy of your business registration and tax documents.

6. If you are visiting a relative or friend, he/she will need to send you an invitation letter that includes a copy of their UAE passport data page, or residence permit or national passport information page, their contact information, address, signature, and date.

How Do You Apply?
Applying is pretty easy. Once you have your documents in order, you can apply through a travel agency or a UAE resident if you happen to know any. You’ll also need to fill out a visa application form.

How Much Does A Visa Cost?
The cost of your visa will be determined by how long you wish to stay and what type of visa you are applying for. A visa for 30 days will cost $57 and one for 96 hours costs $44.

When Will It Be Ready?
Depending on what type of visa you’ve applied for, it should be processed within 2 to 8 days. Your application is subject to the decision of the Dubai immigration services, so if you’re certain your documents are in order and you’ve used a trusted agent, then you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.

Related: Visa Application Tips Everyone Should Know

Top 5 Low-Cost Paradise-like Destinations to Visit

2018-09-26T03:00:00.000+01:00

Wonderful places exist that can be visited at really low budgets. You can profit from a mind-blowing diversity of travel experiences with hotel rates and services that are down the average.

South Africa
Nelson Mandelas’ hotel rate is 8 percent down compared to the previous years. You can enjoy safari or just hang out with the free-roaming penguins on Boulders Beach, Cape Town. Let’s take the case of Kruger National Park. The entrance fee is 20 USD (14, 51 EUR). In the Park, you will discover savage animals of Africa such as buffalo weaver, elephant shrew, leopard tortoise, ant lion, and rhino beetle. They are gathered in one place just to make visitor’s pleasures. And this is mostly the case in all sites and attractions in South Africa. You can go swimming and surfing with lifeguards present. In Soweto township, in Johannesburg, holiday makers are free to pay a visit at the Nelson Mandela Museum and the Apartheid Museum. Restaurants in Vilikazi Street offer the best African food at a very low price.

Zebras in Kruger Park

Venice, Italy (favourite destination and yet low-cost)
Although Venice is categorized as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, hotel rates and services are low-cost compared to other destinations. With opulent Venetian atmosphere, consider that you can have commodities and luxuries easily. One night 3-Stars hotel only costs around 14 Euros or 19,3 USD minimum. The maximum is reaching 80Euros or the equivalence of 110,26 USD. Spending holidays in Venice is now more affordable than before with hotel rates down 7 percent compared to last year. Meanwhile, you can plan a trip visiting the Piazza San Marco and other attracting places.

Venice in fall, with the Rialto Bridge in the background

Dominican Republic
Hotel rates are pretty the same as in Venice. For instance, let’s take the Plaza Real Resort – Juan Dolio. Rooms are equipped with multiple services made at tourists’ disposal. One night in this luxurious hotel cost from 34,46 USD (25Euros). Resorts are more than affordable offering the best panoramic view to beaches and ocean. Another option is a visit to Los Haitises National Park where renting a kayak is at $3 (plus a licensed guide), or the beautiful Constanza valley. You could also visit Santo Domingo to see the Cathedral of Santa María la Menor, the oldest cathedral in the Americas, built 1512–1540.

Mangroves in Los Haitises National Park

Bueno Aires, Argentina
Some people call it the “Paris of South America”. This romantic city provides one of the most affordable commodities and services at very low price. This place is the paradise for pizza and tango. You can also visit parks, museums (Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires for example) and other historical sites at low price. Tickets for Teatro Colon, houses opera and ballet performances are sold at reasonable prices (about 9USD) and the guided tour at 10USD.

Teatro Colón (Spanish for Columbus Theatre)

Atlantic Canada
Seafood and a rich history await holidaymakers at affordable prices. Special deals and discounts can be seen in almost all hotels in Atlantic Canada. With 48,24 USD (35 Euros), you can spend one night in Country Hearth Inn Atlantic City/Galloway – Galloway. Of course, with more than that, all attractions, services and commodities are at your disposal. You can also buy a ticket at 10USD to enter the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic and its wharves.

NOTE: Atlantic Canada is the region of Canada comprising the four provinces located on the Atlantic coast, excluding Quebec: the three Maritime provinces – New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia – and the easternmost province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Surprising Places Nigerians Can Travel to Without a Visa

2018-09-25T03:23:00.000+01:00

Nigeria is often referred to as the "Giant of Africa", owing to its large population and economy. Unfortunately, continuing mismanagement and corruption with successive governments have resulted in ordinary Nigerians leaving the country in droves to seek greener pastures in faraway lands.

Some might find this surprising, but there are actually lovely countries that Nigerians can travel to without a visa. This article shares 4 of these surprising countries that Nigerians can travel to without a visa.

1). Barbados
Barbados, the birth country of Rihanna, welcomes Nigerians past their borders for a 6-month visa free stay. The country is 100 kilometers east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea and is also in the western area of the North Atlantic. It’s official language is English (which is great since that of Nigeria is also English) and it boasts of about 60 amazing beaches, a myriad of restaurants with mouthwatering dishes and shopping centers (particularly in Bridgetown, its capital city), where you can source for stunning jewelry and gorgeous clothes.

2). Cambodia
This southeast Asian nation offers Nigerians a 30-day visa on arrival in major airports like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, as well as at major border crossings. Cambodia boasts of picturesque beaches that offer visitors a chance to enjoy some solitude, as well as a chance to explore other tourist attractions like the Banteay Srei and Tonle Sap. The people of Cambodia are also known to be kind, benevolent and welcoming.

3). Cape Verde
This former Portuguese colony is another country that offers Nigerians visa-free entry. Cape Verde, an island country, can be found on the West African coast. Its weather is welcoming with nearly year-round sun because of its surrounding seas and it also boasts of stunning beaches, is quite easily accessible, has lively music and an incredible volcanic landscape. It is no wonder that tourism has been flourishing in Cape Verde and that it is one of the major centers of tourist attraction. Cape Verde’s official language is Portuguese while it’s national language is Kriolu. It is also one of the safer destinations for solo female travelers with loads of fresh fruits for tourists and guests to enjoy.

4). Maldives
With over a thousand coral islands, Maldives is a tropical nation in the Indian Ocean. It is known for its beaches, blue lagoons and extensive reefs, and Nigerians can enjoy a stay in this beautiful nation visa-free for 30 days on arrival. Most of the islands in the Maldives are used mainly for tourism and agriculture, as the country can indeed be said to have a ‘rich and fresh bouquet of tourist attractions’ just waiting to be explored and enjoyed.

Most Popular Foods in Africa

2018-09-24T02:02:00.000+01:00

The continent of Africa is home to hundreds of different cultural and ethnic groups and this diversity is reflected in its local cuisines, driving the popularity of these foods across the continent.

This article shares 4 of the most popular foods in Africa.

1). Suya
This is a spicy shish kebab (skewered meat), especially popular in the West African region. It is traditionally prepared by the Hausa people of northern Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, Ghana and some parts of Sudan (where it is called agashe). Suya is typically made with skewered beef, ram or chicken. The thinly sliced meat is marinated in various spices like salt, vegetable oil and other flavourings, and then barbecued. It is then served with further helpings of dried pepper mixed with spices and sliced onions.

2). Fufu
This is a stable food that’s common in many African countries especially Nigeria and Ghana. It is basically made by mixing and pounding separate equal portions of cassava and green plantain flour thoroughly with water, which is adjusted to either increase or decrease the viscosity of the Fufu depending on your preference. Other flours like semolina, maize flour or mashed plantains can be used in place of cassava flour. Fufu is a finger food (eaten with the fingers) and is usually served with light or draw soups like groundnut soup, okro soup etc.

3). Jollof Rice
This is a popular rice dish in many West African countries especially Nigeria and Ghana. It is consumed throughout the regions of Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Togo, Cameroon and Mali. The dish is basically a mixture of rice, tomatoes and tomato paste cooked with onions, salt, spices (such as nutmeg, ginger, Scotch bonnet, curry, thyme etc) and chilli pepper. Other ingredients like vegetable, meats and/or fish can be added to the dish.

4). Nshima
This is a fufu-like staple food popular in Zambia and Malawi. Nshima is basically made from maize flour (white cornmeal) and water. It is widely eaten across Africa and is typically prepared by boiling maize flour with water into a porridge. It is then ‘paddled’ to create thick paste with the addition of more flour. Once cooked, the result (Nshima) is portioned and dipped in water or coated in oil called ‘Chipande’. The Nshima is usually eaten with two side dishes known as ‘relishes’; one of the side dishes is dubbed the ‘protein source’ and is called ‘Ndiyo’, and the other is dubbed the ‘vegetable side’ and is called ‘Masambaor’.

Mouth-Watering Lebanese Dishes You Need to Try

2018-09-22T02:00:00.000+01:00

The Lebanese have an impressive amount of recipes featuring delicious spices, wonderful flavours and fresh ingredients. Lebanese cuisines are definitely foods your taste buds need to explore.

This article, from Dr Tonik's Travel & Tours, shares 4 mouth-watering lebanese dishes to try.

1). Kibbeh
This Levantine Arab dish is made of burgul (crushed wheat) or rice and chopped meat. It is popular in Lebanon, Syria, the Palestinian territories, Jordan, Iraq, Turkey, Iran, Cyprus, Egypt, the Arabian Peninsula, Armenia, Israel and several Latin American nations which received part of the Syrian and Lebanese diaspora in the early 20th century. Kibbeh is a ‘torpedo-shaped’ fried croquette that is stuffed with minced beef or lamb. As per shape, Kibbeh can also be shaped into balls or patties, and baked or cooked in broth.

2). Shawarma
This is an Arab method for cooking meats such as chicken, lamb, beef and sometimes goat. The meat is typically placed on a vertical split that slowly turns. Slices of fat and seasoned or marinated meats are layered on the spit and meat slowly cooks through the heat from the center cone throughout the day. Meat shavings are then removed from the top-to-bottom with a large knife or similar tool, and collected in a tray below. For extra flavour, an onion, lemon or tomato maybe added to the top of the skewer. Shawarma can be served on a plate with accompaniments, or as a sandwich or wrap (which is what is commonly done in Nigeria).

3). Falafel
These are scrumptious, round, golden-brown croquettes that are crispy and crunchy on the outside, and warm and moist on the inside (sounds delicious right?). It is a vegetarian dish that consists of fava beans, chick peas and a special blend of spices. It is typically served with tahini sauce and can be eaten on its own or wrapped up and rolled into a sandwich with pita bread.

4). Mujaddara
Mujaddara is an Arabic word for ‘pockmarked’, which is fitting considering the lentils among the rice resemble pockmarks. The dish consists of cooked lentils together with groats, generally rice, and garnished with sauteed onions.

5 Mega Reasons to Attend the Calabar Carnival

2018-09-21T07:59:00.000+01:00

The Calabar Carnival is simply the single greatest festival in Nigeria! The history of this event, also tagged ” Africa’s Biggest Street Party”, points to its beginning in 2004 when it was created as part of the vision of making Cross River State the number one tourist destination for Nigerians and tourists all over the world.

Calabar carnival street party

As the largest festival in the country, it draws in some 50,000 visitors each year. Masques, parades, colorful street party and dance shows all get together to create a mood of celebration and this year’s edition of the Carnival Calabar theme tagged ‘Climate Change’ will be holding at the Old Calabar Zoo Garden. And while the fun already began on the 1st of December, celebrations will run till January 1 2016, giving you ample time to buy your feathers and flight tickets and get going!

This article gives five reasons why this year’s Calabar’s Carnival is the place to be.

1). The fusion of color, culture and modernism
It is no secret that Calabar has rich traditions and a profound cultural heritage, however due to the ensuing of commercialism; this rich traditional heritage is not seen quite as much. The Calabar carnival revitalizes the people with renewed energy, exposing the city’s unique identity.

You can savor traditional Calabar food and drinks while tapping your feet to a local band’s music. Also, most activities are interposed by the very modern and chic shows, colorful parades and DJ Nights which bring on a different hue to the carnival altogether.

2). Communal camaraderie
The Calabar Carnival is open to all and sundry, people from all over the world attend and all kinds of people from different sects, age groups and societies participate and mingle. Every member of the family and society at large have a way to participate and enjoy, as even toddlers are enthralled by the colorful clothes, music, masquerades and dances too. Masses unite in feting and friendship, creating opportunities for accruing best-time-ever moments with old friends, and turning strangers to kindred.

An entertainment group at the Calabar carnival street party

3). The continuous festivities
Feting for the Calabar carnival is an enduring business. The carnival stretches out over a month and features a lot of activities. Your stamina will certainly be tested, but you will enjoy every moment. From the colorful atmosphere and live band performances to the street dances, the food and drinks, the glee revivifies anxieties with festive fervor, causing a major distraction from the dilemmas of life.

4). A sure way to discover the city
As is with carnivals, the Calabar carnival involves a lot of gallivanting and trekking, you are bound to move around and explore a lot of areas while carousing. The Carnival ensures that participants travel around Calabar and are basically guided through the entire city via interesting routes and boulevards. The best thing about the exploration is the umpteen merrymaking and fun that always comes with it.

5). An opportunity to unwind
In addition to the activities and location, the Calabar carnival gives the participant a good chance to relax and unwind. The activities and fun distract you from your worries, you don’t just witness these events, but participate in the madness as well and that has a way of revitalizing your life and spirit. Also, there are ample restaurants, bars and lounges where you can kick back and relax. The fiesta holds in December.

Is there a better way to end the year?

Top 4 Places in the World to Travel to

2018-09-20T09:00:00.000+01:00

There are indeed beautiful places in this world, places that will make you marvel at their allure, and this article shares 4 of these beautiful destinations to visit and explore whenever you are chanced.

1). Copenhagen, Denmark
This Danish capital has an allure that has attracted an increasing number of tourists to the destination over time. As a matter of fact, travel to the city has recorded an over 80% increase over the past decade (according to Time Magazine). There are a host of activities to enjoy and explore here, and visitors are attracted due to the city's harbour, cultural attractions and award-winning restaurants, with new dining and drink options opening in recent months.

Copenhagen city skyline features many towers and spires (reproduced with permission)

2). Mauritius
This is a remote island nation off the east coast of Africa. Over the years, it has been a choice destination for travellers who just want to getaway to enjoy some solitude, and towards the tail end of 2017 more airlines were recorded to have begun service to Mauritius (according to Time Magazine). This provides an opportunity for more visitors to enjoy the country’s stunning Indian Ocean beaches, exciting tourist activities and destinations, as well as mouth-watering seafood cuisine and delightful hospitality.

Tropical beach, Trou-aux-Biches

3). Zambia
This is one of Africa’s great safari destinations and the birthplace of walking safari. It is also the home of some of the most highly trained guides on the continent. In Zambia’s national parks, visitors can hope to be captivated by beautiful animals as well as baobab trees. The Liuwa Plain National Park is the setting for the world’s second-largest wildebeest migration, and just last year, the ‘King Lewanika Lodge’, a six-villa safari lodge which overlooks a watering hole where hyenas and antelopes gather, was built. The North Luangwa, South Luangwa and Kafue National Parks have one of the most prolific animal populations in Africa. The Victoria Falls in the Southern part of the country is a major tourist attraction.

Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya Falls) a UNESCO World Heritage Site

4). Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is the capital and the second most populous city of the United Arab Emirates (the most populous being Dubai), and also capital of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the largest of the UAE's seven emirates. This destination has a growing reputation as the cultural capital of the Middle East that is fast becoming a treasure-trove of world-class art and groundbreaking architecture, and this is especially manifested in the ‘Saadiyat Cultural District’. Stunning and beautiful places to explore in the city of Abu Dhabi include: the Jean Nouvel-designed Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr al-Hosn, Sheikh Zayed Mosque, etc. You can also do some shopping and enjoy good entertainment at the Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi.

EtihadTowers, Abu Dhabi, November 2012 (reproduced with permission)

How Technology Has Changed The Way We Travel

2018-09-19T11:34:00.000+01:00

The internet is probably at the top of the list of technologies that have changed how we travel. The internet basically brings the whole world on your screen giving you a glimpse of numerous travel options and holiday destinations around the world.

Here are top 5 internet attributes that can make your holiday travel and tours exquisitely unique and memorable:

1. WHERE TO TRAVEL TO
Where to travel is a question most holidaymakers ask when the holiday season is approaching. This will probably happen when you assume that you have been to all interesting places around the world.

The internet will not only prove you wrong but also give you the best answer because:

It will provide you with a variety of exotic options in remote places around the world that you can easily access using search engines.
The internet can provide you with a vivid glimpse of what to expect through video sharing sites such as YouTube.

2. HOW TO TRAVEL
The internet is a rich store of updated information where you can easily access the best transportation options once you have chosen your holiday destination. You can browse through a variety of sites to establish which of the transportation options listed below best suits your needs:

Air transportation
Commuter train
Rental cars
Public bus
Taxi
Limo
Water transportation
Hiking

3. HOW MUCH TO PAY
The cost of your holiday travel is an important consideration during planning. However, this can be a problem when your travel destination is a remote place in another continent.

The internet is at the top of the list of technologies that have changed how we travel.

The internet provides the best solution because you can find information such as:

The hotel with the most competitive rates.
The cheapest transportation option.
Interesting travel destinations with the best offers

The information will allow you to plan for your holiday more accurately and effectively and avoid last minute inconveniences.

4. SEASONS AND FESTIVALS
Two of the most important reasons people go for holiday in remote places is to enjoy perfect climate and experience the adventure of exotic festivals. The internet will not only provide you with information on the best seasons to visit tour destinations but also the dates and venues of the most interesting festivals.

Furthermore, you can also find information on what cultures are associated with the festivals like what people should wear for the festival. For instance, you can browse the internet for information about the following festivals in Europe:

La Batalla Del Vino
La Tomatina
Pamplona
Oktoberfest
Halloween Trek

5. ONLINE RESERVATIONS
The internet gives you the option of making early reservations to avoid last minute rush. You can make online reservations for the following services:

Accommodation reservations
Transportation reservations
Tour guide reservations
Sightseeing reservations to museums, art galleries, cultural and heritage destinations, and national parks.

In essence, the internet basically changes the way you travel for the better by giving you a preview of what to expect. This makes planning your holiday more efficient and productive because you can choose where to travel, how to travel, and how much to pay at the planning stage.

Furthermore, you can also make online reservations to ensure that everything is covered before you leave for your holiday.

Author
A Student from United Kingdom who loves to travel and write on Health and travel niche, Hannah has traveled to India, Australia and Switzerland. She engages in all types of outdoor adventure and explores the local way of life. She is presently working on Australian Visa.

Things You Shouldn’t Do When You Travel

2018-09-19T04:37:00.000+01:00

Travel dates back to antiquity when wealthy Greeks and Romans would travel for leisure to their summer homes and villas in cities such as Pompeii and Baiae.

While early travel tended to be slower, more dangerous, and more dominated by trade and migration, cultural and technological advances over many years have meant that travel has become easier and more accessible. People travel for varied motives including pleasure, relaxation, discovery and exploration, getting to know other cultures and taking personal time for building interpersonal relationships.

The world is indeed a beautiful place and is now easier to explore than ever. However, while exploring, there are things to keep in mind and avoid doing to help maximize your experience and evade avoidable hassles. This article shares 4 things you shouldn’t do when you travel.

). Don’t Take Photos of People Without Their Permission
Just because you think the person would make a beautiful subject or add some liveliness to your photo or video, doesn’t mean you should take photos or videos of people without their permission. You should first put the camera or smartphone aside and politely ask for their permission to take their photos or include them in your videos, and be respectful if they decline.

2). Try Not to Litter
Honestly, this should go without saying, nevertheless, it is important for you to refrain from tossing your garbage indiscriminately around your environment. There are areas that have strict rules/laws about carrying out accumulated garbage and properly disposing of it, and it can be quite embarrassing to be harassed in these places because of littering.

3). Don’t Skip the Local Tourist Office
The local tourism office is one of the best places to get advice on current events, festivals, and information you’re likely not going to find in a guidebook or by just asking random people. This is because the job of those working at the local tourism office is literally to know everything about the place you’re in, so when you get to a new city, be sure to go the tourism office to get information on what to see and do, and where the deals are. They can also help you with maps and discount cards as well as help you to book accommodations. This can easily help you save time and find a more rewarding and cheaper travel experience.

). Try Not To Eat Near Major Tourist Sites
This is because the food sold near major tourist sites are more often than not sold at double the price. In addition to this, the flavour and quality of the meal is unlikely to be consistent since the restaurants know that majority of the tourists visiting are unlikely to come back, so the incentive to be top-notch is more or less lacking. However, if you eat at local, ‘non-touristy’ restaurants instead, the flavour and quality of the meal is likely to be higher because they know that if it is anything less, locals will stop eating there.

Packing Tips To Help You Save Stress On A Trip

2018-09-18T12:07:00.000+01:00

One of the most annoying things about travel is baggage check. The whole stress and hustle of it all can be overwhelming. And then the excess luggage charges.

Holiday packing tips: Roll your clothes rather than fold them to save on space

You may just want to get to the airport, check in, get on the plane, fly, get off, and just walk straight out of the building. Thing is, sometimes you may feel like you can’t fit everything you need into a carry on.

In this article, we have put together awesome tips that can help you pack all you need effectively into a carry-on bag and avoid luggage stress at the airport.

Packing Tips To Help You Save Stress
1. The perfect travel wardrobe is one that you can mix and match into several outfits. A week before your trip lay out all your preferred clothing items and accessories and start coordinating them. Don’t create imaginary emergency scenarios for yourself. Stick to items you are absolutely sure you will use on your trip.

2. Here’s a secret: hard case carry-ons may be durable, but they aren’t flexible enough to let you fit a lot into them. Opt for something that can stretch a little. Some carry-ons are very pliable. They look small on the outside, but can actually hold a lot.

3. When packing, think from the soles of your feet to the crown of your head. Shoes go at the very bottom, then pants and skirts, then sweaters and jackets, then long-sleeve shirts, then tees, vests, and tanks and then scarves, hats, etc.

4. Some people prefer to roll their clothes up rather than fold them into the box. If you can do this very well, it may actually be able to save you a lot more space in your carry-on and let you fit more items in. Just avoid thick items.

5. Did you know those strappy belt things in your box actually aren’t there for decoration? Compression straps help you tighten down the stacks of clothes, keep items from moving around in the box, and create a little extra room at the edges where you can stuff extra little items.

6. Some carry-ons come with a separate compartment for laptops and gadgets, but it’s not a problem if you don’t have one that does. If you’ve packed properly, you can fix your laptop at the top of your stuff inside the box.

7. You can bring a carry-on suitcase plus one personal item on any flight, so make the most of this privilege and invest in a backpack. In this backpack, you should be able to fit all the extra bits and pieces you will need on your trip – makeup, toiletries, camera, sunglasses, jewelry, etc

Practical Things You Should Pack
And now, what exactly should you pack? Honestly, it depends on what type of trip you’re going on. Each trip has its dress code, as you must know. I mean, you can’t pack just shorts and flip flops for a business meeting and vice versa. But here’s a pretty basic list of male/female clothing items it wouldn’t hurt to have packed.

Packing for a 2-week trip	Packing for a 2-week trip
2 pairs of flats 1 comfortable pair of wedges 1 dressy shoe 1 pair of sneakers or casual shoes 3 bottoms - pants, shorts, jeans 2 skirts 2 dresses 6 versatile tops 2 long-sleeved shirts 1 thin sweater or pullover 2 scarves/wraps 8 pairs of underwear 2 sets of pyjama		2 casual shoes 1 pair of flip flops 1 pair of dress shoes 1 pair of sneakers 4 bottoms - pants, shorts, jeans 5 button-down shirts 7 T-shirts 3 long-sleeved shirts 7 boxers

Now that you’re all set, all you have to do is enjoy your trip, free of all the baggage check hassle.

4 Popular Foods to Eat When in South Africa

2018-09-18T01:14:00.000+01:00

South Africa is a beautiful country with a lot to offer in terms of culture, entertainment, nature and even food. Foods from many cultures are enjoyed by all and especially marketed to tourists who wish to sample the large variety of South African cuisine.

South African cuisine is heavily meat-based and has spawned the distinctively South African social gathering known as the braai, a variation of the barbecue. South Africa has also developed into a major wine producer, with some of the best vineyards lying in valleys around Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl and Barrydale.

The country is home to quite a number of delicious, savoury and mouth-watering cuisines to savour and enjoy. This article shares 4 of the most popular and best foods to eat when in South Africa.

1). Chakalaka
This is a traditional South African food and a ‘mainstay on the South African dinner table’. Chakalaka is a classic vegetable dish and a relish of tomatoes, carrots, baked beans and chillies with curry powder. This mouth-watering cuisine typically involves making gravy from chopped tomatoes and onions, then adding grated carrot, chillies, garlic, grated cabbage and/or diced cauliflower. The mixture is cooked until soft and seasoned as appropriate to bring out its rich taste. It is mainly served cold together with Pap (a starchy dish made from white corn maize), along with barbecued meat, breads, salad and stews.

Chakalaka

2). Boerewors
This is a type of sausage that’s very popular in South Africa. It’s basically made of seasoned pork or from coarsely minced beef, sometimes combined with minced lamb and spices (typically toasted coriander seed, black pepper, nutmeg, cloves and allspice). It’s mostly prepared outside, where it’s grilled in an electric griller, or it can prepared indoors by baking in an oven.

3). Braai/ Shisha Nyama
This is a very popular meal in South Africa and is largely considered a part of the South African eating experience. This meal largely consists of barbecued meat and is usually accompanied with maize porridge (Pap en Vleis) and a cold glass of beer. The barbecued meat usually comprises of beef, chicken, pork, lamb or sausages.

Shisha Nyama

4). Cape Malay Curry
This dish is one of the widespread curry dishes in South Africa and is known for combining sweet and savory flavours using sweet spices like cinnamon and ginger, dried fruit (especially dried apricots), and savory seasonings like garlic and onions. This delicious South African delicacy basically consists of chicken thighs spiced up in South African curry and packed with flavourful spices. It is usually served with a side dish of sweet and fragrant rice.

Discover Freedom Park - From Colonial Prison to Purposeful Art

2018-09-17T18:57:00.000+01:00

Lagos is a city in the Nigerian state of Lagos. The city is one of the fastest growing cities in the world, and full of hustle and bustle. Amidst the chaos of Lagos is a park whose pulse vibrates arts, culture, and a painful history.

Background and history
Inaugurated in October 2010, Freedom Park shed its old skin of being known as the Broad Street prison grounds. Built in 1882 with mud and grass thatch, the prison building was reinforced with bricks 3 years later.

Persistent riots and arson attempts were attributed to anti-colonial activists who fought against the absence of freedom. Notable Nigerians who were incarcerated on this grounds include Herbert Macaulay, Obafemi Awolowo, and Lateef Jakande. All of this history was preserved by Theo Lawson, the architect who headed the team that transformed this former prison to a favorite park.

From prison to art and entertainment
A museum of sorts, visitors to Freedom Park can take a self-guided tour of the grounds. Mornings and early evenings are perfect weather for a leisure walk with friends or alone. There are epigraphs and inscriptions that describe what each building or space was used for formerly. This attention to detail is remarkable and adds a layer of depth to the park.

Walk through the holding cells if you are not claustrophobic and take the time to observe the Freedom park ducks as they play. The restroom facilities are one of the cleanest among public spaces in the city and there are even more inscriptions adorning their walls.

Freedom Park is the home to hundreds of creatives and peace seekers who troop in daily. A combination of music, exhibitions, performances, and well-articulated tour exhibits hold an appeal that visitors find irresistible. School aged children can be observed rehearsing energetic choreographed dance moves at the park’s amphitheater grounds; well-manicured hedges provide a perfect backdrop for film directors shooting outdoor weddings scenes; while the galleries have hosted innovative exhibitions such as Ozoz Sokoh’s “Postcards from Lagos.” However Freedom Park’s most popular event remains the Ade Bantu led show, Afropolitan Vibes.

Weekly thrill
Every third Friday of the month, evening visitors are thrilled by acoustic sounds and eclectic performances delivered by the Afropolitan Vibes crew and guest artistes. Calabashes of palm wine fuel the cultural experience and guest revel in the no-frills atmosphere.

Both attendees and performers create new experiences in this transformed space.

If you are in Lagos Nigeria, why not make this a weekend where you infuse arts, music, and history in your visit? Let the grounds relax, inspire, and entertain you.

Visa Application Tips Everyone Should Know

2018-09-17T01:50:00.000+01:00

Visa applications don’t have to be the tedious process that they can sometimes be, as long as you have the right information on the things to do to aid a smooth visa application process.

This article, written in partnership with Jumia Travel, one of the leading online travel agencies, shares 5 visa application tips that can aid a smooth and possibly successful visa application process.

1). Ensure Your Documents are Well Organized
Make sure documents are properly arranged and in order, both the original documents and the photocopies. This is so it can be easier for you to retrieve relevant documents on request during submission, which can help to greatly reduce your anxiety during the process and improve your composure.

2). Try to Apply Early
Much like ensuring your documents are well organized, applying early helps eliminate the anxiety and stress that comes with late applications. During your visa application process, an important thing you will be assessed on, especially during the interview, is your level of composure, and eliminating minor things that can interfere with or compromise your ability to remain calm and composed should be top of mind. It is thus best to put in your visa application early, so no matter how long the visa processing takes or the delays that come up, there will be no need for you to panic or be agitated.

3). Visa Agents Cannot Guarantee You a Visa
You would think that most people would know this by now but many of us still fall prey to scammers that erroneously make us believe that they can guarantee us a visa provided we do this and that, or pay so and so amount. Basically, for a successful visa application, you need to be able to show proof of your genuine intent and your financial capacity to sustain yourself for the duration. There is no agent that can do this for you or guarantee you this regardless of how much you pay them, the best they can do is help fill the necessary forms properly and see that you have all the documentation required. At the end of the day, the consul will typically decide on your application based on your documents and your responses to the interview (where it is required, like in the US).

4). Try To Show Proof of Strong Socio-Economic Ties
Try to prove that you have strong socio-economic reasons like a good job, investments, sufficient funds etc., to return to your home country at the end of the specified period for the visa. In fact, being able to prove this is so important that according to the US Embassy, the 214(b) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) states that “Every alien shall be presumed to be an immigrant until he establishes to the satisfaction of the officer, at the time of the application for a visa . . . that he is entitled to nonimmigrant status . . .” So visa officers really only just want to make sure that after your trip is over, you will return back to your country, and the best way you can do that is to prove that you have strong socio-economic ties in your home country that can encourage you to return. Some evidence of strong socio-economic ties that are considered are business ownership, employment, social and family relationships etc.

5). Avoid Mistakes in Your Visa Application
Avoid slangs, big grammar or ambiguous phrases that can lead to avoidable mistakes on your visa application. During the application and even during the interview (where it applies), you should try to keep your responses ‘short, simple and straight to the point’. It is much easier to avoid mistakes this way. Also, during interviews (in cases it applies), be sure that your answers are in line with what is written on the forms submitted.

Ikeja City Mall: 4 Reasons ICM is One of the Best Things to Happen to Lagos

2018-09-16T16:55:00.003+01:00

ICM (Ikeja City Mall) is a shopping center located at Alausa in Ikeja, Lagos State. It’s the first of its kind on the mainland metropolis of Lagos.

Ikeja City Mall includes specialist facilities for departmental stores, banks, cafes, bars, restaurants and hairdressing/beauty salons as well as a 5-screen cinema for movie viewing pleasure. There are many reasons why ICM is one of the best things to happen to Lagos but Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares 4 of these reasons.

1). It’s Easily Accessible
Aside having multiple entrances, ICM is in a relatively centralized location on the Mainland metropolis of Lagos which makes it easier to access from any location on the Mainland. This works well for many considering the center is a hub for engaging and relevant commercial as well as leisure activities (as highlighted earlier).

2). It's a Hub for Commercial Activities
The shopping center is home to over 90 stores which include restaurants to enjoy varieties of delicious meals, fashion outlets for clothes and accessories shopping, a large groceries store packed full of an array of groceries and household items from different parts of the world, hair and makeup stores, banks, pharmacies, specialist clinics and even spas for catering to your body and health, as well as gadget shops for the sale and repair of varieties of gadgets and gadget accessories, etc.

3). It's a Great Place to Relax and Unwind with Family and Friends
With so many facilities offering the promise of various interesting and engaging activities, ICM is indeed a great place to meet up with family/friends and have a good time, it was after all created with the aim of becoming a destination point that caters for all members of the family. Be it morning or night, there is something to do at every point in time for every type of person.

4). It’s Home to a Number of Local and International Brands
This is great because it makes it easier to get products directly from the brand owners, thus reducing, if not totally eliminating the risk of purchasing fake or counterfeit items.

DEFINITIONS
A shopping mall is a modern, chiefly North American, term for a form of shopping precinct or shopping center, in which one or more buildings form a complex of shops representing merchandisers with interconnecting walkways that enable customers to walk from unit to unit. A shopping arcade is a specific type of shopping precinct which is usually distinguished in English for mall shopping by the fact that connecting walkways are not owned by a single proprietor and are in open air. Shopping malls in 2017 accounted for 8% of retailing space in the United States.

Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort - the Perfect Getaway (an interview with advise for intending visitors)

2018-09-16T10:24:00.004+01:00

In this exclusive interview with Jumia Travel, Miss Sophia Allison Oguru, a presenter at Pulse Nigeria, shares her experience at Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort in Ekiti

The interview details the basics of her journey to the resort, the cost of the trip, her time and activities at the resort as well as her overall experience on the trip. She ends by giving some useful advice to those intending to visit the resort in the near future. Enjoy.

Introduction
Miss Sophia Allison Oguru is a presenter at Pulse, Nigeria. She is also a makeup artist that caters to all occasions from weddings to photo-shoots and so on, through her makeup business, ‘SparkleByMisaziba’.

Miss Sophia Oguru at Ikogosi Warm Springs

Journey to the Resort
Her reason for the trip to Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort was mainly work-related. According to her, the trip was for a video and photo-shoot for a brand and she was the makeup artist on set. She went on the trip with a group of people, consisting of colleagues, crew members and friends. Overall, she described the 5-hour journey by road to the resort as a smooth one, but long and unending to her. She judged this to be caused by the fact that she had never gone on such a trip before, and added that returning to Lagos from the resort felt shorter and more normal to her. She shuffled between listening to music and chatting with people to entertain herself during the trip, and when she was doing neither she was quietly asleep.

Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort, Ekiti, Nigeria

Cost of the Trip
According to Miss Sophia, the trip was a sponsored one, a work-trip, and as a result was embarked on at no monetary cost to her. However, she did add that a stay at the resort is generally not really expensive and the cost should be a little over ten thousand naira (N10,000).

Time and Activities at the Resort
She left Lagos for the resort in Ekiti on Thursday and got there with her colleagues in the evening, around 4pm to 5pm. When she arrived, it seemed to her that she and her colleagues were the only guests around at the time and there was no electricity supply. When the management was asked about the lack of power supply, they explained that they typically switch on their generator at 7pm in the evening and leave it on till about 7am the next morning. However, when they do have guests come in before this time (7pm), they switch it on for an hour to give guests time to use the electricity to do whatever they need to until 7pm when it will switched on overnight. They explained that it’s done this way to manage operational costs as the resort has not be privy to national power supply for almost three years. In line with this, at the request of Miss Sophia and her colleagues, the generator was turned on for them to use the hourly supply to do things like charge their devices etc. till it will be switched on again by 7pm.

Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort

At the resort, a guide was assigned to Miss Sophia and her colleagues to take them on a mini-tour of the resort, and they used the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the resort and find the best locations for their planned shoot. After this, they had their dinner and settled in for the night. The next day, which was a Friday, was the shoot day. They were to finish with everything on Friday and return to Lagos the following day, Saturday. The call time for the shoot was 7am, so by 7am they were up and at the location to begin the work. The breakfast eaten was complementary, and according to Miss Sophia, consisted of either yam and eggs or bread and eggs, there wasn’t really variety when it came to the resort’s food offerings. Though the quantity and price was fair, the taste was, in her opinion, just okay.

Experience at the Resort
She tried as much as she could to enjoy the trip and have some fun because ‘all work and no play makes Jill a dull girl’, and she was successful at this as she shared some of her interesting activities and memorable experiences at the resort. Firstly, during her break from work Friday afternoon, she mentioned going on a walk. She described her experience during this walk as memorable and refreshing. The sun (which wasn’t too hot) and other nature around her was refreshing. The air, according to her, was different and soothing; the scenery was also pleasing to the eyes. Then, she talked about her work (the make-up work) and because as she enjoys what she does, making women beautiful amidst the calm and refreshing natural setting gave her enjoy and made the trip all the more memorable. Also, she mentioned intending to join a pool party happening Friday evening at the resort with her colleagues. However, it unfortunately started to drizzle and they had to return indoors. But in all, it was a memorable experience for her which she described in three words as beautiful, amazing and refreshing (with emphasis on the refreshing aspect).

Conclusively
After sharing her experience, Miss Sophia advised that because the resort doesn’t generally have good cellular reception, it’s just easier to prepare to be ‘incommunicado’ while there. According to her, the only social media she could use while there was ‘Whatsapp’ and if she had to make or receive calls, because the warm spring doesn’t have cellular service, she had to walk all the way back to the rooms, which was quite a distance considering how big the resort is. Coming along with your own food or junk food was another thing she recommended because the resort doesn’t really offer varieties when it comes to food and you might not exactly find their meals delicious. Finally, she added that in all the resort is indeed a great place to take a break from the world, which includes a break from work and the like. For her, a trip to the resort is a nice way to getaway and do something different, and it is especially suitable for couples that just want to escape for awhile and be together.

Copyright reserved. Reproduced with permission from Jumia Travel, January 2018