Travelocafe

GoPro HERO5 - The Best Travel Campanion

2017-04-12T19:51:00.000+02:00

Don't you just love to have a great camera with you on your travels so you can capture stunning photos and videos? In the past, this used to mean you had to carry around one or two heavy bulky cameras with big lenses. And in your bag, you would also have a laptop where to store the pics and videos and from where to share them online with friends, family and the rest of the world. Well, not anymore. These days all you really need is a smartphone and a great tiny action camera like the GoPro HERO5 Black.

The GoPro HERO5 Black impressed me with amazing results for video recording, as well as stills. It is the advanced version of Hero4 Black with added stabilization feature and improved resolution so that users can enjoy immersive recording on the go.

GoPro is undeniably one of the very best brands out there. GoPro cameras are synonymous with quality and dependability; they are rugged, and they are exceptionally well-suited for recording virtually all types of outdoor activities and recording in any and all weather conditions.

The GoPro HERO5 Black allows you to shoot astonishingly professional looking videos, even if you have absolutely no photography experience at all. In that respect, GoPro has successfully put professional video creation within reach of anyone and everyone.

The GoPro HERO5 Black comes with touch screen display and is designed with classic waterproof material so you can easily use it even for snorkeling or other underwater applications. Useful voice controls, improved audio capabilities, image stabilization and its GPS enabled controls make the GoPro HERO5 Black one of the best selection for any traveler. It is perfect for capturing memories during trekking, snorkeling, cycling or while getting lost on purpose through a new city.

Design

The HERO5 Black has a rectangular shape, is coated with a grippy material and the corners are rounded up to enhance the beauty of the product.

The HERO5 Black has a completely new design, along with a much-appreciated 2” touch screen which really makes life a lot easier. The touch screen makes it much easier to operate even for beginners, whereas on the other side its three-microphone system picks the surrounding sounds nicely.

It is also waterproof up to a depth of 33ft/10m without the need of any additional housing and works beautifully underwater.

If you are upgrading from an older model you might be happy to hear about its longer battery life.

The GoPro HERO5 Black has clear Gorilla Glass covers over their lenses and you can take off the glass if you think it might be degrading your image.

Voice Control

In case you find yourself in a situation when you can't use your hands to control the camera, a new feature of the Hero5 Black is the voice control. And they do work!

Here are some commands that you could use:

GoPro turn off, GoPro Burst Mode, GoPro Photo Mode, GoPro Video Mode, GoPro Stop Time Lapse, GoPro Start Time Lapse, GoPro Shoot Burst, GoPro Stop Recording, GoPro Start Recording, GoPro Highlight, GoPro Take a Photo.

Photo and Video Quality

The GoPro HERO5 Black comes with an excellent video stabilization feature for 4k recording.

The new linear mode allows for better results with lesser barrel distortion.

You can use it with GPS tagged locations for all RAW and WDR photos.

If you travel in nature you might love to capture immersive natural beauty with its wide angle focus that leads to much better video quality.

The Apps

I mentioned earlier that all you need on your trip is a GoPro and a smartphone. Here is where the phone comes in handy. With Capture you can use your phone to preview and playback
shots, control your GoPro and share on the fly.

Quick helps analyze all video clips in a much more efficient manner so that the best collections can be extracted. It also helps users add creative effects and transitions to video clips. And you can sync the audio files easily to generate impressive beats for recorded videos.

After you return from your trip, you can also use the desktop version of Quick which contains all the above features but also has extended control functions, like enabling users to overlay the GPS data for extreme analysis of speed, G-force and other data fields.

Verdict

The GoPro HERO5 Black is the perfect choice if you're going whitewater rafting and you would like to capture the nail-biting ride on video, or if you are going on a skiing holiday and you want to record those exhilarating moments where you’re rocketing down the slopes. But also if you are just strolling through a city and want to capture the beauty of the architecture around you using the wide lens feature of the camera. The GoPro HERO5 Black allows you to do all this in style with built-in state-of-the-art wind noise reduction and image stabilization technology.

How to Create Stunningly Smooth Videos with the Smooth-Q Gimbal

2017-03-31T10:54:00.000+02:00

Gimbals have become my favorite camera accessories for any trip, as they add a professional touch to travel videos. They are the best tool to avoid shaky footage. But when I travel I want to have with me as little stuff as possible.

It would be great to have just an interchangeable gimbal for both my iPhone and my GoPro. This is how I came across the new Smooth-Q from Zhiyun. I found out that it can be used with both smartphones and action cameras. More importantly, it has a price tag of only 1/3 of DJI Osmo Mobile, so I had to check it out.

Making videos used to imply the use of tripods, sliders, jibs, hand-held rigs and gimbals, and of course big professional cameras. For a traveler or even a travel blogger, they were simply unpractical for any trip. But phone cameras have become better and better over the years and with the right app, the video settings can be controlled manually. Add to it a great gimbal and you are ready to go.

Design

The Smooth Q is a 3-axis hand-held gimbal that is specifically designed to work with the iPhone or the Samsung Galaxy series and other phones that are between 4.7 and 6 inches big and up to 220g heavy. The Zhiyun Tech Smooth Q weighs only 450g and is made from plastic which makes it very light, but still steady in your hand while walking or even running.

Smooth-Q is splash proof and works under extreme temperatures, up to 45℃ and -15℃. The control panel provides a flat joystick to control the head, a camera photo/video mode switch, video Rec/Stop button and zoom controls.

The smartphone can easily be attached to the gimbal and doesn’t require a complicated setup. All you need to do is mount the phone either horizontally or vertically and then press the ON button and the 3-axis gimbal will automatically adjust the position and angle of the smartphone.

There is no need to balance the gimbal manually, just insert your phone and Smooth Q will balance electronically. All three axis can be controlled manually as well as automatically by pushing the gimbal's joystick.

Battery

Zhiyun Smooth Q holds a built-in 26650 Li-ion battery which will give you an amazing 12 hours of use time on one single charge. A USB port at the bottom of the grip supports 5V/2A power output,so you can charge your smartphone or your camera while shooting. On the side of the gimbal, you’ll find a micro USB port to charge Smooth Q or power it with a power bank.

Pan / Tilt / Roll – Angle

Pan axis allows 360° unlimited rotation, tilt axis moves -135° to +185° and roll axis allows +/-30° movement.

Shooting Modes

You can use Smooth Q to stabilize your smartphone horizontally or vertically, which is great for Facebook Live, Instagram and Snapchat.

Mounting

You can mount Smooth Q on a tripod as a 1/4″ standard photo thread is integrated at the bottom.

Zhiyun Smooth Q is available in black, grey, gold and rose.

The App

These days all gadgets come with an app. So does the Smooth Q. But it is not just a half-baked app. The ZY Play app is actually useful and provides you with extra control over the shooting modes.

When using it on your smartphone you can enable special features like object tracking or face tracking. Select an object on your screen, which will be tracked during a movement and the gimbal’s head will follow automatically.

You can also zoom in and out, by just the touch of a button. It supports panorama mode and time-lapse mode by connecting to the app and it has a quick focus adjustment. In the near future, the app will support video editing, filters, and a sharing platform for YouTube and Facebook.

Verdict

I recommend this especially for vloggers but also for travelers who want to capture some quick but professional looking shots of their vacation. The Smooth Q is a great and affordable choice when it comes to mobile filmmaking. The Smooth Q does a great job in combination with your smartphone and even your GoPro, if you buy a separate adaptor.

Exploring the Best Cities in Europe

2017-03-29T11:23:00.003+02:00

When it comes to traveling, the continent of Europe offers a great range of delights. Whether you are looking for traditional areas harking back to bygone eras, modern cities, or an area that provides the best of both worlds, there is no shortage of options. With a growing number of budget airline routes and affordable accommodation, exploring the best cities in Europe is easier than ever before. It is good to have an idea of what you want from a European holiday before you start booking flights and accommodation.

Dublin is great for a party atmosphere

Anyone looking to enjoy a party atmosphere in Europe will find that Dublin in the Republic of Ireland is an excellent choice of destination. The Temple Bar area is the hub of lively nightlife, countless bars, and a chance to socialize and party with some of the friendliest people in the continent. A trip to the Guinness factory is a great way to spend an afternoon, with the Gravity Bar offering stunning views of the city. People looking for a sense of Ireland’s history should visit Kilmainham Gaol (Jail). And if you want to just chill for the day, the Dublin Botanical Garden is the perfect place.

Glasgow and Manchester are lively destinations

While many people cite the capital, Edinburgh, as the number one city to visit in Scotland, Glasgow is by far the more interesting and cosmopolitan destination. The Merchant City, just off the iconic George Square, is a fantastic place to stay, offering accommodation among some of the finest bars and restaurants. Glasgow is a sociable city that thrives on music and sport. Why not check out a gig in venues such as King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut or Nice N Sleazy? If you want to see what gets hearts racing in Glasgow, pay a visit to Celtic Park, home of one of the most famous and celebrated soccer teams in the country.

In England, you can never go wrong with a trip to London, but Manchester is well worth checking out. The city’s history is tied in with the Industrial Revolution, but Manchester is a thriving modern city. The Museum of Science and Industry is a must-see for any tourist or traveler in the area. In the Salford Quays dockyards, you can find the Imperial War Museum North and the Lowry cultural center. The world-famous Old Trafford stadium, home of Manchester United, is nearby and has a museum and tour.

Munich offers a huge range of museums

For those travelers venturing to mainland Europe, Germany is a country that has an interesting history and some major cities that offer everything that a tourist could ever want. Berlin is perhaps the most vibrant and exciting city in the country, but for the most authentic German experience, Munich is the city to visit. You’ll find a wide range of Munich rentals in central locations, and no matter what budget you have, there is sure to be something that appeals to you or suits your finances. With more than 80 museums in Munich, the city is ideal for tourists. The Münchner Residenz (Munich Residence) museum is well worth exploring. There are three tours inside the building, each encompassing different parts of German history and life, and the surrounding areas of the museum are also welcoming. If you visit Munich in the winter months, there is an attractive festive market to enjoy at this site.

Barcelona has stunning architecture

Spain is another nation that greatly appeals to tourists. Art lovers and fashionistas will appreciate Madrid, with Picasso’s Guernica, on display in the Museo Reina Sofía, being a highlight. For those looking for stunning architecture and cultured nightlife, Barcelona is likely to be the ideal destination. The heart of Catalonia displays the work of Antoni Gaudí with great pride, with Sagrada Família being his most famous building. Work is still being undertaken, long after Gaudi’s passing in 1926, and this building is one of the must-see attractions in the whole of Europe. There are many great examples of Gaudí’s work in Barcelona, with Casa Milà, popularly known as La Pedrera, being a slightly-overlooked gem in Europe.

If you had infinite time and money, you could spend the rest of your days exploring the major cities of Europe, all of which have their own unique charm and style. Rome is a city that has retained so much of its traditional charm, with the Coliseum remaining a hugely attractive tourist attraction. Paris is still the city that is associated with love, and couples flock to the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, Notre Dame, and the Arc de Triomphe every single day. With so many stunning European cities to enjoy, the hardest task may be deciding which city you should visit next.

Photos by Lali Masriera and Roman Boed via Flickr Creative Commons

Advice for Booking a Package Holiday

2017-03-15T11:36:00.002+01:00

Following an extraordinary couple of years with high-profile incidents in destinations across the globe, including terrorist attacks in Tunisia and Turkey and flight restrictions to Egypt, Brits are changing the way they holiday and are opting for more familiar destinations that are perhaps perceived as being safer. In uncertain times, people are booking package holidays for the support, protection and convenience they offer. In fact, ABTA highlights that 53% of the population opted for a package holiday in 2016 - a 10% increase compared to just five years earlier in 2011.

With so many people relying on tour operators for their holidays, JMW’s Personal Injury solicitors think it is important to share some advice on what to expect when booking a holiday through a tour operator, and how far their responsibilities stretch if you were to find yourself involved in an accident.

What is a tour operator?

A tour operator is a company that specialises in delivering package holidays, usually sold through a travel agent or via the internet, such as TUI (Thomson) and Thomas Cook. Typically, a tour operator will organise the tour and travel aspects of your holiday, selling individual components together in a bundle. For example, return flights to/from the destination, airport transfer to/from the hotel and a stay in a hotel. Extras might include sightseeing excursions or trips to popular attractions.

Expectations of a tour operator

When you go on a package holiday, there is always the risk that your expectations of a tour operator will not match their actual responsibilities in the event of you suffering injury or illness. A survey carried out by JMW asked 676 respondents what support they would expect to receive from a tour operator should they be injured on a package holiday. The following answers were given:

● 76% thought they would help with travel arrangements, such as an early flight home

● 75% thought they would help with getting medical assistance

● 63% thought they would help to contact relatives or loved ones

● 61% thought they would provide assistance with insurance matters

These statistics show that the vast majority of holidaymakers assume their tour operator will go to significant lengths to help them during an emergency. But do these match up with the legal responsibilities of a tour operator?

The legal responsibilities of tour operators

In order to understand what the legal responsibilities of a tour operator are, we must first look at the legal definition of a package holiday, as tour operators adhere to this definition when observing their obligations to customers.

According to the Package Travel, Package Holiday and Package Tour Regulations 1992, a “package” is defined as a pre-arranged combination of at least two components of a holiday (such as transport, accommodation and other ancillary services accounting for a proportion of the package) are set at an inclusive price, covering a period of more than 24 hours or overnight accommodation. A deal might not therefore, be defined as a package if components can be sold separately at the same price. However, people who book a holiday have the right to expect the package that they paid for, so being aware of what is included in the package is very important.

Despite providing the package a holidaymaker has paid for, tour operators have no strict liability, meaning should you be involved in an accident abroad, it is up to you to prove the tour operator breached their duty of care towards you. For example, if you slip on a wet floor in a hotel, you must provide evidence that appropriate measures weren’t taken to ensure your safety. As foreign countries do not have to follow English safety regulations, tour operators are not necessarily obliged to ensure they comply with them and instead are simply obliged to comply with local laws. This means that it comes down to you again to prove that an injury was caused due to a breach of the local legislation.

It may seem impossible to make a successful claim against a tour operator, however this is where dealing with a skilled and experienced lawyer can help. Remember, a tour operator can be responsible for an injury or illness if the incident happened either at the hotel complex or as part of an activity provided as part of the package holiday (e.g. during a flight, an airport transfer or on board a cruise ship) and a skilled lawyer will help you to prove their role in your injury or illness.

If the accident happens in the above circumstances, it would be expected that a tour operator will take care of you in the immediate aftermath of an injury, i.e. assist you with making travel arrangements, contacting family and dealing with insurance matters. This is because it is the tour operator’s responsibility to protect customers through the services they provide.

Chris Sutton, partner and travel claims expert from JMW, comments: “Tour operators should be more transparent about what their obligations to their customers are, and what customers can expect from them by way of assistance if they do encounter problems abroad. Customers put a great deal of trust and faith in their tour operators and this is something that rightfully should be rewarded, or at the very least, respected.

“However, the reality that has been reported back to me from my clients who have been injured whilst abroad suggests their good will is rarely reciprocated. There are very onerous duties placed on claimants to demonstrate that a tour operator has been negligent in their responsibility to paying customers who, very often, spend most of their year looking forward to making a holiday getaway.

“My goal is always to ensure that someone who is injured through no fault of their own is provided with everything they need to get back on track, and the appropriate means to do this. I feel strongly that tour operators should meet this obligation too, and step up to take care of their customers.”

What to do if you’re injured on holiday

Taking out travel insurance prior to your trip can make life that little bit easier should you be injured while on holiday. It gives you added security should you be involved in an accident and will help to ease any issues you may face if your tour operator fails to provide you with adequate support.

If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident abroad, there are certain steps you should take:

● Ensure you receive suitable medical attention immediately

● Report the accident to the tour operator as soon as possible

● If the place where the incident happened has an accident book, be sure to record the events accurately and request a copy

● Keep a record of as much information as possible:

○ Request a copy of the medical report, doctor’s report and accident notes

○ Keep receipts of any medical charges incurred

○ Take photographs of your injuries and the cause of the accident

○ Take note of the scene of the incident

○ Take down the names and addresses of any witnesses

Hopefully, you won’t suffer any illnesses or injuries whilst you’re abroad, however if you do, law firms, such as JMW, offer a specialist claims service to holidaymakers, designed to help them make a full recovery.

Photo by brianfagan via Flickr Creative Commons

Jabra’s Elite Sport Buds - True Wireless - True Freedom

2017-03-13T21:18:00.000+01:00

As a traveler, I like to indulge and eat a lot of the local food. In the same time, I try to stay fit and not gain weight. I might not have access to a gym while on the road, so I have to find other solutions, like running in a park or on a beach. And this brings me to the Jabra’s Elite Sport. This is the year of the truly wireless headphones. Jabra’s Sport line has caught my attention, especially the Jabra’s Elite Sport Buds. What makes the Elite Sport impressive is that they combine the tracking function with a pure wireless experience that is just about perfect. I am not kidding.

Design and Features

Let’s talk about the fit first. With six different types of ear covers, you are bound to find the fit for yourself. The rubber earbuds, which come in varying sizes to fit your ears, are a great help. So is the rubber lining wrapping around the edges of the otherwise plastic case, preventing any contact with your skin from being a jarring experience.

I used the medium foam tips. The Sport Elite, can stay in your ears for ages. Well, for the 3 hours that you have a charge. That’s long enough for a 21km run for many people! Impressive. However, it also comes with a charging case that holds another 2 additional full charges, and it charges them up fast. So while they are designed for working out, you can totally use them as regular earbuds if you want to. I love the case. Not only that it will keep my buds secure during my travels, but it also has a quality feel to it.

These are not regular earbuds. Yes, calls are crystal clear for both you and the caller and music sounds great. The no-wires aspect works perfectly. Until people get used to truly wireless buds, they might think that you are mad, talking to yourself. Still, the focus here is fitness. I have to say that the Jabra Sport Elite stay in your ears during workouts, nice and secure. I did fast walking, running, and some jumping and they did not fall out.

The heart-rate sensor picks up your heart rate through your ear and there's an initial delay of about 5-10 seconds before it picks up what seems to me an accurate measurement.

There's a hear-through feature that allows more ambient noise to enter your ears, a good safety feature for runners who want to hear traffic noise. It also comes handy when I simply want to talk to someone in the street without removing the headphones.

The device itself is waterproof up to the IP67 standard, which is good enough for the occasional rainy day out. This also makes them sweat proof. So, no worries there.

The Elite Sport buds do NOT use a small USB charging port, so there is no need for rubber stoppers to keep water and sweat out. I find this an important improvement. Instead, the Elite Sport is charged through a separate case that is connected to a power source via a USB port. Just remember to bring the case along on your travels, because it also acts as a standalone battery that can juice up the earphones, say, on a plane or a train.

The App

That fitness aspect requires Jabra’s Sport app. When you first pair up, as with the other Jabra Sport headsets, you will want to do so via the app, not your phone settings. The app has been improved on since I last tried it, with your heart rate right on the dashboard at all times. Oh, and setting up takes no more than ten minutes, as you need to set some baselines. Just another reminder that this is not a casual device, but a commitment.

You can also use the headphones with your favorite iOS and Android running and fitness apps, including Endomondo, RunKeeper, MapMy Fitness, Runtastic, and Strava, but I prefer Jabra's own training-management app called Jabra Sport Life. It gives you in-ear coaching and great feedback.

Verdict

For me, the main selling points are still the great fit and solid build, something I come to expect from Jabra, after using the Jabra Sport Pulse. They were among the first to come up with Bluetooth earphones for workouts more than five years ago in the Elite Sport. They have delivered another excellent companion for a run, a bike ride or a day at the gym, but also great headphones for my travels.

Jabra’s Elite Sport Buds are for someone who wants to be able to not just listen to music on great waterproof, wireless headphones, but also use them to track their fitness. If that is you, then these are perfect.

7 Places you Shouldn’t Vape

2017-03-11T11:14:00.000+01:00

When arguing about the merits of vaping over smoking, it’s commonly argued that vaping is better because you can do it anywhere. And while we (obviously) love vaping, we’re going to have to burst this particular bubble. It just isn’t true. Some places have regulations to limit vaping, and there are some places you shouldn't vape out of simple common courtesy. Sometimes it’s perfectly legal to vape in a certain place but pulling out your device would just make you look like a jerk. Not only does abiding by etiquette and consideration improve the image of vapers, it also means that you’re not forcing your personal choices on those that have chosen not to vape.

It’s also important to note that more regulation is coming in around vaping in public places as the practice becomes more widespread across the US and around the world. Businesses are also free to choose their own policies on vaping on their premises so there can be huge differences in vaping rules depending on where you are.

Here are our top 7 places you should avoid vaping:

1. Schools – This one should be obvious. Don’t vape in schools when you’re picking up or dropping off the kids. While there’s no evidence to suggest that second hand vapour can have an effect, vaping around children that you don’t know is at best likely to be frowned upon. Whether a child is exposed to vaping is the decision of parents and all vapers should respect that. Most schools will have restrictions in place and you’ll need to step outside of the gates before you vape.

2. Hospitals and medical buildings – This one is similar to schools. If you’re visiting a hospital or another medical building, such as a doctor’s surgery, it’s best to not vape even if there are no policies in place. These buildings will have designated areas for smoking and it’s a good option to head to these zones if you want to vape.

3. Restaurants – People go to restaurants to enjoy a meal and, as a result, you shouldn’t vape in such establishments. You might think that your vapor smells great but those trying to enjoy a steak might disagree. If you’re blowing clouds, it’s likely to annoy people in restaurants too. Many restaurants will ask you not to vape now so if you do feel the need to vape while eating out it’s likely that you’ll be required to step outside anyway.

4. Office or workplace – The majority of employers will look unfavorably on you blowing clouds in the office or your place of work, so it's one of the most important places you shouldn't vape. While many workplaces won’t have a specific policy on vaping you should consider your professional image and how vaping aligns with that. Many places now place vaping alongside smoking and if you’re unsure it’s best to ask about the policy.

5. Public transport – Traveling by public transport can be an ordeal at the best of times, so it's best to keep your e-cig in your bag or pocket. The enclosed spaces of public transport mean that you can make other passengers who don’t vape feel uncomfortable if you’re blowing clouds while travelling on the subway or bus.

6. Crowded places – Vaping in crowded places indoors should definitely be avoided unless it’s a vaping establishment or event. It’s important to respect people’s choice to not vape. Even if your outdoors in a crowd how you vape should be considered, such as taking care not to blow the vapour into the face of others, instead blow it towards the ground or above the heads of the group.

7. Other people’s homes – This will one depend on the person and how well you know them but if the people aren’t vapers themselves it’s best to give vaping a miss or step outside when you want a hit. Of course, in some cases it’s perfectly fine to vape in someone else’s home but it’s best to err on the side of caution if you’re unsure.

Overall vapers shouldn’t underestimate the importance of asking before they reach for their device. Most establishments won’t have vaping specific signs even if they’re against it and it’s critical to realise that vaping may make some people feel uncomfortable. Avoiding vaping in these places can help you avoid awkward situations, and help improve the image of the vaping community.

Photo by Mike Mozart via Flickr Creative Commons

How to Have the Time of Your Life in Las Vegas

2017-02-23T14:16:00.001+01:00

Gambling gets all of the attention when people think about things to do in Las Vegas. But people often forget that the city is filled with entertainment, shopping and eating on par with just about any city in the world. So when you come, in addition to trying your luck at the crap tables, there are many other things you can do to have a great time. Here are a few:

Eating

Las Vegas may have more restaurants per square mile than any other city in the country. And although there is much debate about which is the top restaurant in Las Vegas, there is no debate that the city has dozens of great eateries. The best part is that Las Vegas is a diner’s paradise for anyone at any budget. Whether you want a world renowned top steakhouse, sushi flown in from Japan, authentic Mexican, or great Chinese food delivered to your hotel room, you can have it nearly any hour day or night.

Shopping

Vegas is truly a shopper’s paradise. With thousands of shops, for every type of shopper, no matter what you are looking to buy, it is here in abundance. Top clothing brands like YSL, Valentino, D&G, and countless high fashion brands have locations throughout the city and inside some of the bigger hotels. And if you are on a budget or want more of a variety, the Fashion Show Mall has you covered. You can even take a quick break from gambling and shop right at the casinos. Try going to the Via Bellagio, Forum Shops at Caesars, or the Cosmopolitan Shops.

But shopping is not limited to clothing, just about anything you want to buy from memorabilia, to cars, to even private planes can be purchased in the city.

Play Golf

Las Vegas has some of the best golf courses anywhere. There are courses for any handicap and enough of them here to keep you busy. The outstanding weather brings players from all over the world and the courses are open year-round. You can play right on the famous Las Vegas Strip at the South Pacific-themed Bali Hai Golf Club or the grand Wynn Golf Club. You can also play at the Tom Fazio-designed Shadow Creek and Rees Jones' Cascata, both considered among the best and most exclusive open-to-the public golf courses in the country. And one of golf's greatest teachers, Butch Harmon, is headquartered at Rio Secco In short, there are courses for every budget, every taste and every ability.

The Shows

Partly because of its dozens of entertaining shows, Las Vegas, is recognized as the entertainment capital of the world. There are shows for every taste from music to magic, each with world renowned performers. In fact, nowhere else are so many talented performers performing nearly every night. Artists currently in residence include Celine Dion, Motley Crue, and Britney Spears. And on any weekend, you'll see the marquees lit up with today's hottest live acts. There are seven different Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas and staples like the Blue Man Group are here year round. Magic is also on the menu with Acts like Penn & Teller. If the lovely ladies are more your speed, you'll want to check out the adults-only shows like Fantasy and Crazy Girls.

So when you come to Las Vegas, be prepared to venture outside of the casino and get introduced to the most entertaining city in the world!

Photo by Moyan Brenn via Flickr Creative Commons

10 Things You Must Do on Safari

2017-02-23T13:08:00.001+01:00

How many different things can you do on an African safari? How do you decide between the must-see and the rarely-seen? Do you head for the savannas, the rain forests or the jungles? Planning an adventure around endless possibilities always keeps the thrill in travel alive and well.

Ask anyone recently returned from safari in Kenya, Uganda or Rwanda to name their favorite things about the trip. Enjoy the faraway look in their eyes as they recall exotic settings, incredible wildlife and unforgettable experiences. They're reminiscing about visits to our homeland.

Our Safari Top 10: Things You Must Do and See

1. Watch Wildebeest Cross the Mara River

From June through September, one of the largest migrations on earth covers 1800 miles. Try to count more than 2 million wildebeests as they make their trek up from Tanzania into Kenya across the Mara River.

2. Improve Your Vantage Point With a Balloon

Rise with the sun over Masai Mara savanna, and head skyward in a hot air balloon. This safari experience silently sails you over the beauty of Kenya's world-famous national preserve. It makes counting wildebeests easier too.

3. Capture the Big Five With a Camera

The Big Five earn their reputation by being Africa's most dangerous wildlife and its most popular beasts. The big cats weigh in with lions and leopards. Rhinos, elephants and Cape buffalo round out the Big Five lineup of amazing animals easily captured with your camera.

4. Look Closely for the Small Five

The Small Five stand tall as testament to Africa's incredible ecosystem. Look closely at the wonder of a leopard tortoise or elephant shrew. This remarkable band of small creatures includes the antlion, buffalo weaver and rhino beetle.

5. Mingle With Locals at a Favorite Watering Hole

Observe wildlife lingering along the banks of Mzima Springs in Kenya's Tsavo National Park. Admire giraffes, cheetahs and velvet monkeys at your leisure. Even hippos and Nile crocodiles seem relaxed in the springs' crystal waters.

6. Marvel at Skies Filled With Flamingos

Their grand migration into the Rift Valley fills the skies with an endless parade of massive V formations. Their numbers are estimated at more than 2.5 million. Flamingo flights offer spectacular air shows during the Kenyan dry season between January and February.

7. Make a Difference With Mountain Gorillas

Gorilla trekking leads you deep into Ugandan rain forests and up volcanic mountains in Rwanda. National parks in both nations are the only two places in the world where you can observe mountain gorillas. Your trek helps support efforts to stabilize and preserve their population.

8. Dance Across Victoria Falls

Schedule your African safari to Victoria Falls between April and June. That's when the Sambezi River runs wild with seasonal rains making the falls even more magnificent. Put on a rain coat, and walk along the rushing water's edge while you take in one of the most breathtaking views on the planet.

9. Camp at the Base of Kilimanjaro

There are seven official routes to the top, but you don't have to be a mountaineer to appreciate the sheer majesty of this dormant volcano in Tanzania. Kilimanjaro National Park earns a special spot on our safari list as one of Africa's most beautiful settings for watching the sun dawn on a new day.

10. Visit Your Adopted Elephant

Since 1977, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has dedicated its resources to rescuing and raising orphan elephants and rhinos. Its Nairobi National Park complex welcomes safari visitors year-round. You're cordially invited to become both a foster parent and a member of their conservation outreach.

Your List for a Lifetime

Every day on an African safari offers a different adventure. Every outing adds something exciting to your travel journal. Every experience creates a wonderful memory that will remain on your list of favorites for a lifetime. We know because Africa is our homeland. We hope your plans bring you here for a visit very soon.

Photos by John Hillard & Joe Turco via Flickr Creative Commons

What to Expect On A Viking River Cruise

2017-02-12T12:18:00.002+01:00

I'm almost certain we discovered the perfect way to explore Europe. It's a combination of cultural offerings, insider access, and carefree travel. And it's all packed in a posh experience that you'd never want to end. Yes, I'm talking about river cruises. And if you've never been on one before, you are missing out. Big time!

River cruises are all the rage right now. They are actually one of the fastest-growing segments of the travel industry. And after our experience with Viking River Cruises last December, we can totally understand why.

Viking Vili moored in Melk

Advantages of a Viking river cruise over other, more traditional types of travel

Easy logistics. You only have to choose the itinerary. Viking takes care of everything else down to the very last detail.
You only have to unpack once.
Your ship is like a floating boutique hotel.
You can drink all the wine you want. Someone else is at the helm.
It's impossible to get bored.
You will go as a guest and leave as part of the family.
High-end amenities combined with smart design and Scandinavian efficiency.

I previously wrote about our Castles and Legends itinerary with Viking River Cruises, but you probably still have lots of questions.

What's the average age of the guests?

How does the dining work?

How much free time do you have to explore each stop?

Is there a dress code on board?

What are the staterooms like?

I get it, I had the same questions like you do. So I'll try my best to cover all aspects of the cruise. However, if after reading this article you still have questions, don't be shy. Just drop me a line in the comments section below. Deal?

The bell

Pre-trip preparations

My husband and I booked our cruise 1 year in advance, but that's just because we are obsessed with planning. Soon after, we received an email with a link to My Viking Journey, where we could customize our cruise experience, explore the ship and most importantly, book shore excursions. While many of the tours are already included in the cruise package, some of them are optional and they are better booked in advance due to limited availability. This not only allowed us to plan our daily schedule way before the cruise but we also gained access to our own personalized calendar.

A few months before the trip, we received a package in the mail. It included a personalized booklet highlighting our itinerary as well as information about each destination we were about to visit; two beautiful red leather tags; two stickers to use upon our arrival at the airport; two paper tags so our luggage could be seamlessly delivered to our hotel room or stateroom; and a fabric toiletry bag.

The Aquavit Terrace at the bow of the ship offers al fresco dining in warm weather

Airfare and transfers

If you hate planning or simply don't have time for trivial stuff like booking airfare, Viking River Cruises makes your life easy by taking care of your plane tickets as well. Since we knew we were going to be in Europe at the time anyways, we declined. Nevertheless, we booked the airport transfer with them, which saved us a headache.

As we landed in Munich, we were greeted by one of Viking's representatives. A taxi was already waiting for us and we enjoyed the quickest transfer to our hotel. Lukas, the tour director for the land section of the trip, was waiting for us in the lobby and briefed us shortly, handing up the schedule for the next few days.

Viking Vili docked in Durnstein

Before and after the cruise

For most of their itineraries, Viking offers before and after land extensions or extra hotel nights. Our Castles & Legends itinerary included 4 nights by land and 7 nights on board Viking Vili. A post-extension in Budapest was available, but since it was Christmas, we preferred to spend the holidays with family and friends.

For the land section of our itinerary, we were a group of about 30 people. But once we embarked in Passau, we became a group of 174 people. Some of the guests were taking only the river cruise; others proceeded from itineraries that included different land sections.

Both our Munich and Salzburg hotels were carefully picked. The 4-stars Sheraton Munich was located a few subway stops away from the city center and boasted modern amenities, large rooms, and a pretty amazing breakfast.

Typical German breakfast at Sheraton Munich

On the other hand, the 5-star Radisson Blu Altstadt, located in a building dating back to medieval times, was right in the heart of Salzburg. It had exemplary staff that remembered our room number better than we did (true story!), heated bathroom floors, exposed beams, and charming rooms, although not 2 were alike.

Transfer between Munich and Salzburg and later on between Salzburg and Passau was by motor coach, which was comfortable, clean, and quite efficient. Every time we changed location, our luggage was loaded onto the bus, traveled with us to the destination, and later on brought to our new room or stateroom by the staff, due to the little paper tags mentioned earlier. Quite neatly organized and we didn't have to lift a finger ourselves.

What's the ship like?

Viking's longships are floating boutique hotels. We didn't know what to expect, but we were quite impressed by the cozy and comfortable design of the rooms and common areas. Think clean lines, neutral colors, and sleek surfaces.

Guests embark on the middle deck, right into the reception area. Just like a normal hotel, Viking ships have 24/7 reception. This is where we checked in (you'd be surprised how quick that was!), collected and dropped our boarding passes every time we went out, could book shore excursions, etc.

Reception area with stairs to the upper deck

Also on the middle deck, there is the open-seating restaurant where the fancy version of the breakfast, lunch, and dinner is served. The restaurant has large tables for 8 people and floor to ceiling windows. You can seat wherever you want, which means you get to meet lots of people and make many new friends. It also means you end up introducing yourself several times during the week.

A wide staircase leads to the upper deck, which boasts a library with a decent amount of books as well as table games. Towards the bow, there is a large lounge area and a bar where you can order cocktails all day long. At the very front of the ship is the Aquavit Terrace where an early breakfast, as well as a lighter, buffet style lunch and dinner, are served daily.

Aquavit Terrace. The sliding doors are closed in winter but the views are still amazing

It's amazing how smoothly everything seemed to run on the ship. The organization was first-rate, and although there might have been some dramas behind the scenes, we never learned about them. There were 49 crewmembers from 14 nationalities (mostly European and Asian). This means almost 1 crewmember for every 3 passengers. And they all made it work. Which makes you think this world has lots to learn from them.

What are the staterooms like?

Our stateroom was located on the upper floor. It had a balcony (unfortunately, it was too cold to use it for anything other than snapping a quick picture every now and then) and floor to ceiling windows.

The bed was super comfortable and the 40" flat-screen TV had complimentary movies on demand, including The Sound of Music and Amadeus, which were perfectly in sync with the theme of the trip.

Our stateroom

How cute is that towel animal?

There was also a hair-dryer (so you don't need to bring yours from home), a mini-fridge, a generous laptop size safe, several American and European outlets, as well as plenty of storage space (drawers, hangers, shelves).

A gold star needs to be given for the incredibly space-efficient bathroom. Although small, it didn't feel cramped at all and it had heated floors, which is always a plus, especially if you travel in winter. A second gold star goes to the fog-free mirror.

Super space-efficient bathroom

As we embarked, a bottle of champagne was already waiting for us in the room. Additionally, we received complimentary water and a plate of fresh fruits (think strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries among other seasonal fruits) every single day.

Daily plate of fruits in our room

However, while our room was certainly impressive by any hotel standards, let alone a floating one, the pinnacle of perfection was Razvan, the steward who made up our room. If you think towel animals are impressive, wait until you have someone folding your clothes for you. Twice a day!

Our stateroom always looked perfect, the bathroom was always clean, and our personal items carefully organized. Seriously, this guy was so amazing I wanted to take him home with me. We've stayed in many 5-star and even 5-star deluxe hotels, but nowhere else was so much attention paid to every little detail. You can understand why I didn't want this cruise to end, right?

What's the average age of the Viking River Cruises guests?

While you might still hold on to the misconception that river cruise are for the elderly, let me stop you right there. River cruises in general start from the premises that you wake up in a different location every day. There is at least one shore excursion that you can join in each port, and they usually involve either a few hours of walking or a walking/bus combo.

The Viking river cruises are tailored for active adults interested in the cultural aspects of the destinations they visit.

Let me put it this way. My husband and I took it pretty slow compared with other trips. This means many days we preferred to return to the ship as soon as the guided tour was over because...

We really loved spending time in our stateroom and in the lounge and we wanted to take advantage of our time on board as much as possible.
We had previously visited some of the places, some more than once.
It was December and there were some pretty cold days, although we also had beautiful sunny days that felt like spring.

Regardless, our Fitbit still counted an average of 15k steps per day each.

Of course, no one says you have to join any of the trips. You can spend the whole day in your stateroom watching Downton Abbey if so you please and nobody will tell you otherwise.

To answer the question, there were plenty of people in their 30s. Probably just a few in their 20s. There were no kids on board, and to be honest, I don't think the Viking river cruises are tailored for kids anyways. And as a punchline, some of the people in their 60s were fitter than me.

Most guests were from the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK, but we were all friends on board.

The bar and lounge area

The lounge area

What's included in the cruise?

That's a very good question and it's something I've been asked quite often. And my answer is... a whole lot! Almost everything on board and most shore excursions is included. But let's break it down.

Included:

Your stateroom
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including beer, wine, and soft drinks with the main meals
On board entertainment, including live music, quiz nights, workshops, etc.
Onboard Wifi
10 shore excursions including local guides, transportation, headsets and in some cases sampling local delicacies
Cookies, tea, coffee and hot chocolate available round the clock at the two coffee stations by the lounge
Daily bottle of water and a plate of fruits in your room
Top-notch twice-daily housekeeping service
Lot's of smiles and an amazing crew

Not included:

The drinks at the bar and anything other than draft beer, house wine and soft drinks with the main meals.
Optional excursions
Gratuities

Viking has something called the Silver Spirits Package that can be purchased separately, and it includes unlimited drinks any time of the day, plus you can take bottles to your room.

Another great thing about Viking River Cruises is that you can buy wine (or anything else) ashore, bring it on board where they will open it for you and provide you glasses to use with no corkage fee.

Scenic cruise along Wachau Valley, Austria

Is there a dress code on board?

The dress code on board is casual. People tend to dress up a bit more for Captain's dinner, but nothing really fancy. I mean, no ties, suits, and cocktail dresses. I had actually packed a strapless dress but then I felt out of place and decided against it because nobody was wearing such dressy clothes.

How much free time do you have to explore each stop?

It really depends on you. There are daily shore excursions included (and some optional as well), but if you decide you'd rather explore on you own, you are free to do so. There's no such thing as mandatory excursions or meals onboard Viking River Cruises. The atmosphere is incredibly relaxed because the idea is to make your cruise your own.

One of the many nooks and crannies where guests can relax on Viking Vili

That being said, you are always given a certain hour to be back on the ship. That is because river cruise ships have a schedule to go through locks. If the captain doesn't set sail before a certain time, there is the risk of being late and the whole cruise schedule is turned upside down.

Also, the European river cruises are meant for the guests to take in the charming villages and towns that line the waterway. Most of the stops on our trip (except Vienna and Budapest) didn't need more time that they were allocated. Even Budapest, in all honesty, was covered pretty well by the shore excursions available. I wrote a detailed account of our itinerary here.

How does the dining work?

There are two dining venues on Viking Vili, which gave us the possibility to choose between a quick, casual, buffet style meal in the Aquavit Terrace or a traditional 3-course sit-down lunch or dinner.

Also, the open-seating concept meant that we could sit somewhere different every time and meet new people and make friends almost daily.

Dinner

Dessert

The breakfast buffet includes pastries, cereals, salads, fruits, bacon, sausages, cheeses, eggs Benedict, French toast and so on. A dedicated chef mans an omelet station so you can choose the ingredients yourself. While American favorites are present, regional specialties from each port of call are also available. That being said, the pancakes were to die for and I could have had them every single day.

Loved these pancakes!

Lunch and dinner were inspired by the cuisine of the countries we were passing through and honestly, they didn't serve anything we didn't like. There were always 3 starters and 3 main courses to choose from and no dish showed up on the menu more than once during the duration of the cruise. The red and white wine included with the meals also changed daily, to match the chef's recommendation.

What about entertainment on board?

To start with, we joined all shore excursions that didn't overlap. This way we were ashore several hours per day. But there was never a dull moment on board either. On the contrary, there was so much to do; it almost felt overwhelming at times.

Scenic cruising was only part of the fun. Since days are quite short in Europe in December, and it was too cold to stay on the sun deck for anything longer than 5 minutes, most of our time on board was spent in the lounge chatting with newly made friends or in the restaurant, eating.

Dari, the onboard musician, playing the piano

We loved that there always seemed to be something going on in the lounge. If Dari, the onboard musician, wasn't singing and playing the piano, there was Meike, our program director, giving us an overview of the next day's schedule or a talk on European Christmas traditions. Or a gingerbread-decorating workshop was taking place. Or we were decking the Christmas tree. Or we were being spoiled rotten with Hungarian tea and cakes. Or it was cocktail hour. Or carol singers were coming on board. Or it was quiz night. Or dance night. You get the idea.

Some of the guests chose to spend their time on board playing cards. Some read books. But I think what I liked best whenever we were sailing in between ports was the relaxed atmosphere that constantly reminded me of the famous meme: 'I don't want to adult today. I don't even want to human today. Today, I want to cat.' And the best part was that nobody told me otherwise.

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Disclaimer: We were guests of Viking River Cruises, but all options are our own.

How To Start A Travel Blog and Make Money With It

2017-02-03T14:42:00.000+01:00

Today I’m going to show you how to start a travel blog in a matter of minutes; for the least amount of money possible; even if you and computers aren’t on the best of terms.

The purpose of this guide is to build a travel blog that’s set for success; the kind that will make you a handsome income within the first 6-months. Because let’s be honest, that’s the main reason why you want to start a blog, right?

I’m here to tell you that you are not just a dreamer. Making money blogging is totally achievable. I’m a full-time travel blogger, which means I make a full-time income off my blog. And I want you to be successful as well.

To put it bluntly, travel blogging is a pretty amazing job; and not only because you get to see the world more than the average person. It’s also because you meet and help people on a daily basis, and because it gives you unprecedented freedom. Literally, this is the kind of job you can do from anywhere in the world, be it from a lounge on the edge of an infinity pool overlooking the jungle in Bali or the comfort of your own home.

Which takes me to the next point: you don’t have to lead a nomadic life to be a successful travel blogger. Many travel bloggers, I included, don’t travel around the clock. And that’s okay because if experience has anything to do with it, anyone gets tired of the road after a while.

So my advice is to do what feels right for you. Regardless of your travel style, you will always find like-minded people to listen to what you have to say.

The interwebs have changed (a lot!) since I started this blog back in 2010. This means now it’s easier than ever to start a travel blog, but it also means you will find a lot of outdated information out there.

I want to help you start off on the right foot in 2017. Below I will show you how to start a travel blog with zero headaches and a ridiculously low amount of money. (Seriously, if you think you can’t afford to invest $3.95 per month in your dreams and business, then I don’t know what you are doing here.)

Ready? Just follow this easy step-by-step tutorial and set up your blog like you mean business…

#1 Let’s go shopping: Grab a domain name and hosting with Bluehost

Sounds fancy, I know. But simply put, the domain is like your home address. Web hosting, on the other hand, is your house. Only this time around, instead of being a brick and mortar property, it’s a virtual one.

To make it even easier to grasp, imagine you are planning a tea party. You can’t invite friends over when all you own is a PO box. Nor will anyone stop by if you don’t give them your address. Simply put, just like you need both a house and an address to host a party, you need both a domain name and hosting to start a blog.

What do you do when you want to buy a house? You go to a real estate agency. When you want to start a blog from scratch, you go to a hosting company.

Similar to the physical world, there are many hosting companies to choose from, but you should go to one that sells you both the domain and the hosting, and Bluehost does just that. Even more so, when you buy the hosting via them, Bluehost gives you the domain name for free. I know it makes total sense because in the physical world you don’t have to pay extra to get a home address. Regardless, most hosting companies do charge an annual fee for this, but I don’t know why you would want to pay for something you can have for free.

Besides the fact that the domain is free, I also recommend Bluehost because they are easy to use and they have great customer support. They are widely used by bloggers and their hosting is cheaper than coffee. Seriously! You only pay $3.95 per month. Do you know of any other business you can start for this little money?

So let’s get to the nitty-gritty stuff and actually buy that hosting and domain, baby!

To start with, CLICK HERE to go to the Bluehost website. This will open a new tab for you, so you can easily switch between this guide and the Bluehost page while you sign up for your hosting and domain.

Once on the Bluehost page, follow these steps:

1. Click on the green ‘get started now’ button.

2. You will be taken to a new page where you can choose between 3 different hosting plans. For now, I recommend you opt for the cheapest (basic). You can upgrade later. Click ‘select’.

3. Get your free domain. This will be your blog's name and it is what people will type in the browser when looking for your blog. Type only the name, without www. and without .com and don't use spaces.

Make sure it’s something easy to remember and that makes sense for the type of blog you want to start. Check to see if a .com is available (the .com is selected by default), but you can choose something different, like .net or .info from the drop down menu.

If you can’t decide on a domain name right away, moving your mouse around the screen will trigger a popup that says ‘choose free domain later’. Click on it. The domain name will still be free for you, but you can go on with your purchase for now. You will need to pick one before following with step 2 though.

Once you’ve found a domain name you are happy with, hit ‘next’.

4. You will be brought to a page where you will have to fill out your account info, like your name, address, and email. Make sure you introduce a valid email address you have access to because this is where your order confirmation will be sent.

5. Scroll further down to choose a plan. I highly recommend you go with the 36-month plan since you only pay $142.20 for 3 years and save tons of money. (As a comparison, if you opt for the 1-year plan now, you end up paying $65.4 for the first year, but subsequent years are $95.88 each, which makes a grand total of $257.16 for the first 3 years).

6. Uncheck all the boxes.

7. Scroll down and enter your credit card details (don't worry, it's 100% secure). Tick the ‘I confirm’ box and click ‘submit’.

8. You will be taken to the ‘welcome to Bluehost’ page and asked to create a password for your account. Click on the blue ‘create your password’ button.

9. A new page, that looks like in the image below, will open. Make sure the password you introduce is something complicated for others to guess but easy for you to remember. Don't forget to tick the 'I confirm' box.

10. Write password down for safekeeping.

#2 Log into Bluehost and install WordPress

Now that you’ve purchased your domain and hosting, you are ready to log into Bluehost. To do so, go to https://my.bluehost.com/web-hosting/cplogin and enter your domain name and password and click ‘submit’.

You are literally only 5 minutes away from having a fully functional website.

To make your blogging life easy, you have to install WordPress. WordPress is basically the most popular blogging software in the world, it’s free and since you purchased your hosting via Bluehost, you can install it in just one click and with zero technical knowledge.

Let’s see the step-by-step process:

1. Once you’ve login into Bluehost, you will be taken to your dashboard. Under ‘Website builders’ section you will see written ‘WordPress’. Click on it.

2. A new page will open. Click the green ‘Start’ button.

3. Select the awesome domain name you picked in step 1. Since this is a new account, this will be the only domain available anyways. Click ‘Check domain’.

4. Be patient while WordPress is installing. It only takes a few seconds, a couple of minutes at most.

5. Create your WordPress username and password. Just like before, these are very important and I recommend you write them down so you never ever run the risk of getting locked out of your own account. Plus you will need these to log in almost every time you want to write a new blog post or do other administrative tasks on your blog. Tick the ‘Terms and conditions’ box and hit ‘Install now’.

6. A new page will load, announcing the install is complete. Congrats! You've completed setting up your new travel blog. Now it’s time for the creative stuff!

#3 Make it pretty: Log into your WordPress blog and install a theme

Remember how I compared Bluehost with a real estate agency? Well, just like after you've bought a house you don’t pass by the real estate agency every day on your way home, you won’t have to visit the Bluehost website often either.

All the blogging and the fun stuff takes place on your WordPress blog that you access via the following link: www.YourNewDomainName.com/wp-admin - replace YourNewDomainName with your own domain name.

You will be prompted to a page that looks like in the image below. Enter the username and password you created in step 2.

Welcome to your WordPress dashboard! This is where all that behind the scenes magic happens.

This is where you write new blog posts, change the look of your website, add new plugins and functionality to your blog, etc.

But right now, your brand new house is empty. You need furniture. In blogging terms, this is called a theme.

Go to the left-hand sidebar and hover over ‘Appearance’. You will see a new menu. Click ‘Themes’ and then ‘Add New’. Here you will find thousands of blog designs to choose from. Don’t sweat it, though. Right now, it doesn’t really matter which theme you choose. You will probably change it anyway once you get the hang of blogging. What’s important now is that you familiarize yourself with the WordPress dashboard. You can easily pick another theme later on.

However, please do yourself a favor and don’t just upload one of those basic themes that look like they are stuck in 1999. Make use of the ‘Search themes’ box. Type in ‘travel’, for example, and you will get over a hundred FREE themes especially designed for travel blogs. Your theme should inspire you and it should inspire your readers too.

You can preview any theme with one click. Once you've decided on a theme, click 'Install' and then 'Activate'.

#4 It’s time to entertain, inspire and charm your guests

Exciting times! You’ve created a blog, brought in the furniture and you are ready to through a party. Not so fast! If there are no drinks and cookies, you can’t expect your guests to stay.

Write your first blog post and upload some images.

Close to the top left corner in you WordPress Dashboard you will find the ‘Posts’ tab. Click on it and then hit ‘Add new’. Write your first blog post.

What should you write about? Jeez, I don’t know, it’s your blog. Write about something you can’t shut up about. Something you are really good at. It doesn’t matter, as long as you claim your space in the spotlight.

The golden rule in 2017 is that you have to stand out. Be like Cirque du Soleil and make the competition irrelevant.

To add a photo, click ‘Add media’.

I always recommend you use photos you’ve taken yourself. But royalty free photos are always better than no photos at all. Websites like Unsplash and Pixabay have tons of high quality, do-whatever-you-want photos to choose from.

And of course, don’t stop here. Building a successful blog requires dedication and consistency.

#5 Keep the party going aka build a profitable blog

I showed you how to start a blog, now it’s time to talk about how to make it profitable.

Whether you should start monetizing your blog from day one or wait until you build an audience, it’s debatable.

Here are my two cents.

Start monetizing right away. No need to wait. You might not turn out a big profit the first few months, but that’s secondary.

Here me out. When you start a blog, you have no audience – okay, your mother and your cat don’t actually count. You have to work hard to get people to your blog. Some of those people will come back, some won’t.

Ideally, blog monetization should have to stages:

Stage 1: Sign up for affiliate programs.

Be it Amazon Associates or CJ.com, grab those links and insert them into your content whenever it makes sense.

It goes without saying that you should only recommend products you have used yourself and think your audience will find useful. Always use a disclaimer.

Use affiliate links sparingly; don’t plaster your new blog with them because it will look spammy. But this way your loyal readers will get used to the idea that you don’t do all this work for free. And those one time visitors might actually leave your website via one of your affiliate links and earn you a small commission.

Stage 2: Create your own products

Start creating your own products (ebooks, courses, printables, etc.) from day one too, but it doesn’t make much sense to launch them until you build a loyal audience.

However, I’m going to let you in on a secret – the size of your audience doesn’t matter (much). What actually matters is how interested they are in what you have to offer. And for this, you have to build relationships. One at a time. Seriously. It’s like high school all over again.

Start building an email list and actually send out regular newsletter even if you only have 3 subscribers. There are plenty of success stories of people who made 5 figures from a product launch with an email list as small as 500 subscribers.

Stage 3: The perks of owning a travel blog - did somebody say free travel?

You can actually start making money blogging via the above-mentioned methods way before you are invited on your first media trip or get a discounted hotel stay.

But unless you get financial compensation for joining a media trip or you can sell your photos to a hotel, for example, look at free travel as a perk of having a travel blog. Because free travel won't pay your bills and it won't make your blog a profitable business.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with free travel, but if you looked up how to start a blog because you wanted to make money with it, make the two options above a priority. At the end of the day, the more money you make, the more you will afford to travel the world.

Phew, you’ve made it until the end of this guide. Congrats! I hope you are now the proud owner of a brand new blog. It wasn’t hard at all, was it?

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Disclaimer: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. If you buy via them, I will get some coffee money at no additional cost to you. Thank you for helping me stay awake!

Vaping Whilst Travelling – What You Need To Know

2017-02-01T12:32:00.000+01:00

Many people may be thinking about booking their summer holiday at this time of year – as it gives us something to aim towards while we’re trying to traverse through the chilly winter months. We all have a different idea of the perfect holiday – some of us may want to go skiing whilst others may prefer an adventure holiday. But, no matter where you’d like to go, it is important to get lots of information about the destination beforehand. For example, many holiday destinations do not allow vaping. If you enjoy vaping, then this can have a huge impact on your ability to enjoy a break away, so it is important that you know the laws in the country that you’re visiting, including whether there is an outright ban, or whether you are able to vape in certain places.

Preparation and Packing

If you have a holiday on the horizon, then you may have spent a lot of time daydreaming about your getaway as a way to pass the time quicker. However, one thing that many people do not daydream about is the packing part and this is one of the most important stages of the holiday process. You can’t go away without having thought about your packing strategy. In the most recent update of the Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air document, it states that passengers are no longer allowed to take any kind of vaping device with them as a part of the luggage that they check in at the airport. This is due to incidents in the past where fires have been caused by such devices, and due to this issue all passengers are now required to keep all vaping equipment with them in their hand luggage that they take into the cabin. There are still some safety concerns, however, so you should make note of the tips below:

- If you are using a device that includes a removable battery, you will need to remove it and keep them separately in a clear bag. You also need to ensure that the battery is charged, as you may not be permitted to take an electronic device that cannot be switched on.

- Be careful with regards to the liquids that you take, as you will only be permitted bottles of up to a certain limit – this is usually around 100ml. Most liquids come in smaller bottles than this, but it is still worth remembering. These should also be held in a clear bag.

- There can be issues with liquids on flights due to the changes in air pressure, and because of this you should either make sure your tank is empty before you get on the plane, or ensure that it is placed with the tip facing downwards. For extra peace of mind, store your tanks in individual clear bags before you go through check-in.

Travelling Hot Spots 2017

Every year brings with it a whole host of places that are the “must-visit” holiday destinations of the season. If you’re the type of person who likes to tick plenty of places off the list then you are certainly going to enjoy the list featured below. However, it is important that you first take the time to check out the laws with regards to vaping – as there are some places that ban it outright, and this could be a definite deal breaker if you know you can’t go without it. Luckily for you, we have put together a list of popular destinations that do and don’t allow vaping, which means that you have the chance to check before booking those plane tickets.

Destinations Where Vaping Is Allowed

Belfast, Northern Ireland

Belgrade, Serbia

Bermuda

Cape Town, South Africa – (although cartridges and liquids containing Nicotine are illegal)

Cincinnati, Ohio – (Prohibited from the workplace, restaurants and bars)

Devon, England

Guayaquil, Ecuador

Hamburg, Germany

Hampi, India

Helsinki, Finland – (Considered a prescriptive drug so it cannot be purchased)

Indianapolis, Indiana

Jackson Hole, Wyoming – (Restricted in bars and restaurants)

Jerusalem, Israel

Jura, France

Kanazawa, Japan

Lake Lucerne, Switzerland

Laos

La Paz, Bolivia

Madagascar

Málaga, Spain

Montevideo, Uruguay

Montreal, Quebec – (But, one of the strictest regions in Canada)

Nashville, Tennessee –(And, they don’t even regulate indoor vaping!)

Nicaragua

Norfolk, Virginia

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Oslo, Norway

Panama City, Panama

Paros, Greece

Perth, Australia

Pisco Province, Peru

Provence, France

Rotterdam, Netherlands

Rwanda

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - (Need to be disposed of before leaving the country)

Suzhou, China

Tamuda Bay, Morocco

Turin, Italy

Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico

Veracruz, Mexico

Destinations Where Vaping Is Not Allowed

Angra dos Reis, Brazil

Cambodia

Honolulu, Hawaii

Jebel Akhdar, Oman

Noosa Heads, Australia (Queensland state meaning you can be fined more than $9,000 for possessing nicotine in your e-liquid)

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Queenstown, New Zealand (Cartridges and e-liquid containing nicotine are illegal)

Salta, Argentina

Tofino, British Columbia

Overview

If you do plan to take a device with you, it is essential to get as much information as possible about the laws – as there are some places that are much stricter than others. Some allow vaping indoors, others only allow it outdoors, and some places don’t allow it at all. If you are in any doubt about a specific place while you’re there, always ask.

Ultimately, there is no need to worry about vaping whilst on holiday provided you get as much information as you can before you leave. By doing your research on this subject before you start your travelling preparations you can ensure that you have one less thing to worry about – which means you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your travelling break.

Le Tre Sorelle B&B, Bari. A Blissful Retreat Among Orange Trees

2017-01-27T21:33:00.003+01:00

Imagine a land of charming small towns perched on hilltops, winding alleyways and whitewashed houses; a realm of opportunity for the foodie in you, where rustic valleys of millennial olive trees meet ancient vineyards and golden crops; and where you can relax by dipping your toes in hundreds of miles of Mediterranean coastline. Welcome to Italy’s sun-bleached heel, a region sprinkled with hidden gems with the likes of Alberobello and its iconic trulli district and Matera’s sassi (the world’s second oldest continuously inhabited settlement in human history).

We arrive at Le Tre Sorelle B&B after a one-hour flight to Bari and a short taxi ride, where we are delivered to a palazzo with an enormous, ancient wooden door that wouldn’t look out of place in a Game of Thrones set. We walk through the archway and up the stairs, following the ‘Welcome’ sign hanging from the wrought iron railing. Clara, a descendant of the Capitaneo family, the very same family who build the palazzo almost two centuries ago, greets us. She smiles serenely and welcomes us to her home. It only takes me a few minutes of looking around the grounds to understand: of course she’s blissed out; she gets to live here! As she shows us to our suite, we pass by the garden gate and we make a mental note to visit it later.

This place lives and breathes history. Back in the 10th century, there was already a fortified farmhouse on the grounds and this architectural element, later on, gave its name to the whole district – Palese. The B&B still preserves traces of a church and underground oil-mills, but it harmoniously integrated the previous structures, resulting in a place of charm, character, and tranquility.

Le Tre Sorelle is perfectly situated just 10 minutes away from the Bari international airport, which makes it the ideal accommodation for those early morning flights or late night arrivals. But it’s also the ultimate gateway to the city center of Bari and the region. A 5-minute walk and you are at the Bari Palese-Macchie train station that connects with Bari Central Station in only a few minutes. From there on forward, the sky is the limit! However, if you rent a car, the generous inner courtyard doubles as free parking space for the guests as well.

Our suite is a minimalist sanctuary with white walls and high vaulted ceilings. There’s just the right amount of furniture, with splashes of color here and there, but nothing overwhelming. It really helps us slow down, get rid of the inner mental noise and settle in.

The bathroom features C.O. Bigelow products and I fall head over heels for the little bottles of shampoo with lavender and peppermint formula. This place really gets me and my hair is grateful too.

The common spaces are located on the upper floor but they are a whole new ball game. They are not meant for emptying your mind but for acquiring new knowledge. The red velvet couches look incredibly inviting and there are magazines, books and even a piano covered with family portraits. Numerous collector items from around the world and a fireplace still decorated in the Christmas spirit catch our attention right away. It’s a really relaxed atmosphere, although this time around it seems rather intended for our body’s relaxation rather than our intellects.

Clara is very helpful and recommends us several fabulous restaurants nearby. In a country that lives for its food, Puglia still manages to stand out so it would be a sin not to indulge while here. There are also a couple of major supermarkets just minutes away, where we find other delicacies, like gift boxes of panettone, champagne, chocolate, torrone (Italian nougat) and Amaretti cookies, all for just €3,50. I guess visiting at the beginning of January has its perks. Plus, the area has experienced snow for the first time since anyone can remember so exploring the region proves to be quite memorable. The spectacular yet unusual views of olive trees popping out of blankets of snow are not something you see every day or forget easily.

We wake up in the morning to the smell of croissants and freshly baked cakes. Although not a huge spread, it’s a gentle reminder that simple and homemade tastes a thousand times better. There’s the same attention to detail, the same friendly smiles, and our smallest wishes are met with utmost anticipation. It’s like they can read our minds - an unprecedented experience. The table is set with the cutest of crockery, the lemon water is delicious, the jams and honey mouth-watering. The cappuccino here is simply the best, and I somehow manage to overcome my shyness and ask for a second cup every single morning.

During the summer months, guests can enjoy their breakfast on the outdoor terrace, but it’s too cold for that now, in spite of the sun shining through the floor to ceiling glass doors overlooking the garden.

The family puppy curiously looks at us from the terrace and as soon as we finish breakfast, we go join him in the garden. He sticks his nose in every hole in the ground he encounters, while we marvel at the orange, lemon, and grapefruit trees that bend their branches under the weight of fully ripe fruits.

Although there are no flowers in bloom, the garden is nevertheless fragrant and peaceful. The sea breeze gently caresses our faces and we blissfully indulge in the Zen atmosphere. We can easily see ourselves lounging in this ample garden in summer. With only 6 rooms, this place is not likely to ever feel crowded.

For more information on Le Tre Sorelle B&B or to book a room, please visit their website.

Cruising Down the Danube with Viking River Cruises: A Visual Itinerary

2017-01-21T19:28:00.000+01:00

View of Budapest from Viking Vili

Christmas in Europe is simply magical. Trust me on this one! Every December, for the past four years, my husband and I visited countless Christmas markets around the old continent. Each time was different - one year we traveled by train, another we traveled with friends. But this year was by far our favorite, as we went cruising down the Danube in the festively decked in holiday spirit Viking Vili.

But let's rewind a bit. Almost every time we told people we were going on a river cruise in the middle of December, they looked at us like we were crazy. 'But... isn't that something you do in... summer?' they would ask with a puzzled expression. Umm... I see what's going on. Most people still hold the preconceived notion that a cruise is about lazy afternoons spent on the sundeck wearing bikinis and sipping cocktails. But there's so much more to cruising than that!

Between me and you, what can be more charming than a Danube cruise, adorning the onboard Christmas tree together with your fellow travelers, joining gingerbread house decorating workshops, listening to traditional Christmas carols in the lounge, and making new friends over a glass of steaming Gluhwein?

The truth is until you try a cruise for yourself, it's hard to know what you are getting into. When we booked the 'Castles and Legends' itinerary with Viking River Cruises we were as green to cruising as anyone can be. But we knew we wanted to visit more European Christmas Markets and were tired of packing and unpacking our luggage every other day as we moved from one location to the next. Boy, was this a Godsent!

But let's recap our Viking River Cruises itinerary. I will cover more cruising tips and debunk more misconceptions in future articles.

The Castles and Legends is a 12-day itinerary that starts with a 4-day pre-cruise visit to Munich and Salzburg, followed by a 7-day cruise from Passau to Budapest.

Day 1 - Munich

At the Munich Christmas market

We arrived at Munich airport where we were greeted by one of Viking's representatives. We enjoyed a quick transfer to our Sheraton hotel in Munich where we met Lukas, the tour director for the land section of our trip. After a short briefing, we had the afternoon free, time which we used to browse through Munich's Christmas markets and enjoy some fragrant Gluhwein (how cute is that mug?).

Day 2 - Neuschwanstein Castle & Linderhof Palace

Linderhof Palace

In the true spirit of our itinerary's name, we kicked off our trip with a visit to two of the most spectacular buildings in Germany, both built by the same Kind Ludwig II, the Fairy Tale King of Bavaria.

We toured Neuschwanstein Castle, a fortress with extravagant chambers designed to resemble a theatrical setting. While built as an homage to Richard Wagner, later on, it served as an inspiration for Walt Disney's Cinderella Castle.

In the afternoon we visited Linderhof Palace which, despite its relatively small size, features some of the most lavishly decorated interiors I've ever seen. I personally fell head over heels in love with it. Let me put it this way. It's the house I've always wanted but only if I wouldn't have to clean all those gilded bronze ornaments myself! Seriously, that's the only deal breaker!

Day 3 - Munich

Munich Hofbrauhaus

Our day started with a tour of the BMW exhibition center where I got to feel posh behind the wheel of a convertible. I would have preferred it to come in yellow, but they explained to me those were on demand only, and I felt a bit disappointed - yeah, that's how much I know about cars!

Next, we made a stop at Hofbrauhaus, the famous state-owned brewery founded all the way back in 1589, where regulars can have their own beer mugs locked. It's Germany, what do you know! The even funnier thing is that the lockers are in such high demand, you'd have to wait for years before you get your turn, as they are usually rented for life. Never give up on something that you can't go a day without thinking about, right?

At 11AM sharp our tour guide brought us to Marienplatz, the city's main square, to admire Munich’s glorified Cuckoo Clock, the Glockenspiel, putting up a show for us by re-enacting historical events from the 16th century.

We walked around the Christmas market at the foot of the Town Hall a bit longer, enjoying the vibrant energy of the place and stuffing our face with German delicacies before we hopped back on the Viking bus on the way to Salzburg.

Day 4 - Salzburg

I grew wings in Salzburg!

Salzburg surprised us first of all though its festive mood. So beautifully decked for the holidays and so charming in its own right, Salzburg turned out to be the perfect place to enjoy the Christmas markets and do most of the Christmas shopping. Relatively small and easy to explore by foot, this city conquered our hearts, as we woke up to the sight of graceful domes and spires, the beautiful clifftop fortress and the mountains beyond.

In the morning we were busy dancing around the Mirabell Gardens and walking in the footsteps of Maria and the von Trapp children. Then our tour guide took us to see Mozart's birthplace. The afternoon was ours to enjoy, but the sound of music stayed with us. To be honest, I still surprise myself humming 'Do, Re, Mi' or 'Edelweiss' every now and then.

Day 5 - The Sound of Music tour

'The Sound of Music' gazebo

In the morning, we got on board our motor coach direction Passau. However, on the way, we made quite a few stops to visit some of the most renowned sites where 'The Sound of Music' was filmed. We stopped by the famous gazebo where Liesl and Rolf sang 'I am sixteen going on seventeen' and spent a couple of hours by Lake Mondsee, admiring the stunning views and visiting the church where Maria and Captain von Trapp were married.

But the tour was particularly interesting because it set apart film from reality. Like, did you know the real Maria and Captain von Trapp had been married for several years before they had to flee the country? Or that they didn't have to cross over the mountains to escape the Nazis, but instead just crossed the road to the nearby train station to take a train to Italy one day before the borders closed?

In the afternoon we arrived in Passau where we got on board Viking Vili. We were welcomed by the friendliest of crews and they reassured us right from the very beginning that our satisfaction and safety was of paramount importance to them. They also joked they won't let us disembark unless we gained at least 3kg (6.6lbs) by the end of the week. It turned out it wasn't a joke after all - we met the requirements to get off the ship just in time.

Day 6 - Passau

The gorgeous St Stephan's Cathedra in Passau

As we woke up in our cozy veranda stateroom, little did we know we were about to join one of the most entertaining walking tours of Passau.

Right after breakfast, we met Alex, a young guy with a certain amount of Scottish blood running through his veins and an incredible talent for words - happy to see my theory that Scottish people are natural born storytellers confirmed once more! Suffice to say that he was so delightfully funny and knowledgeable that he somehow managed to make us forget about the freezing cold weather that morning.

We sampled gingerbread and sipped Gluhwein at the famous Konditorei Simon, and our taste buds were tempted by more than one of the cakes on display.

Eventually, we ended our morning walking tour with an amazing organ concert at St. Stephan's Cathedral, the largest pipe organ in Europe and an egg punch at the nearby Christmas market.

The afternoon was spent on board Viking Vili, sailing down the Danube towards Linz. However, there was never a dull moment, as lunch was followed by Christmas cookie demonstrations, live music, and drinks. In a common effort, we all got busy decking the Christmas tree, and then we deepened our knowledge of Christmas traditions in Europe with our wonderful program director, Mieke.

Day 7 - Cesky Krumlov

Cesky Krumlov

On this day we had two shore excursions to choose from - Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic or a walking tour of Linz. We opted for the former and we certainly weren't disappointed.

Cesky Krumlov is a small UNESCO town built around a 13-century castle above the Vltava River. Its colorful buildings and astonishing views make for one of the most picturesque places in Europe. Of course, we found a cute little Christmas market right in the main square with plenty of stalls selling local delicacies as well as the famous chimney cakes (technically not Czech at all, since they are specific to the Hungarian-speaking regions in Romania, but incredibly popular all around the Check Republic).

The evening was spent aboard, enjoying a good dinner followed by an interactive quiz night and relaxing live music. By now, we certainly started to see all the advantages of a river cruise and get comfortable in this new way of travel.

Day 8 - Melk Abbey & Wachau Valley wine tasting

Views from the Melk Abbey

And so it was time to eat, pray, and love some wine.

The first shore excursion of the day was to the spectacular 900-years old Melk Abbey. Perched on a dramatic outcrop overlooking the Danube, this fortified abbey is a perfect example of Baroque architecture. Among the highlights are the monastic library, one of the most beautiful in the world, and the lavishly decorated church. Seriously, I didn't even know where to look first! But then, when we got to the terrace overlooking the village at the foot of the hill, I was mesmerized again by the amazing views all around it.

Back on the ship, we spent a relaxing afternoon sailing through the beautiful Wachau Valley, one of the most scenic stretches of the Danube and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We passed castle ruins and monasteries, quiet villages and rolling hills covered in vineyards.

As we moored near Durnstein with plenty of time to spare before dinner, we opted for a visit to a local winery instead of heading into town. This region has been producing fine Austrian wines since medieval times so it felt like the logical choice.

Our guide, Trincka, was simply hilarious and together with the owner of Morwald winery, they made quite a team. We visited the facility and we laughed until our bellies hurt. Then we drank some wine! We also tasted some schnapps, which I personally found delicious. The Morwald family has owned the winery for four generations and they have a lucrative contract with Viking Cruises, which meant we got to taste some more of their wines onboard.

We ended the day with a scrumptious dinner that featured many Austrian delicacies, followed by dancing and singing together with Dari, the onboard musician.

Day 9 - Vienna

Schonbrunn Palace

We sailed the whole night and woke up to the beautiful city of Vienna and the first snowflakes of the season. There were several shore excursions to choose from that day, including a walking tour and a motor coach tour of the city. A Christmas market shuttle was put at our disposal. A tour of the Schonbrunn Palace was also an option.

But we chose the Vienna Highlights tour for several reasons. It was a whole day trip. It included both a bus tour and a walking tour as well as a guided visit to the magnificent Schonbrunn Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It involved a traditional lunch in one of the restaurants inside Hofburg palace, where the Imperial Apartments and the Sisi Museum are. But above all, it included a Viennese Waltz lesson. Was I a disaster walking on two left feet? I was! Am I proud that I took my first dance lesson ever in Vienna? Absolutely! It's the number one thing that pops into my mind every time I think about our Viking cruise.

After an early dinner on the boat, we hopped back on one of Viking's buses (yes, every shore excursion was taken in a Viking bus) and off we went to enjoy a Mozart and Strauss concert in a Viennese palace. Not only was the location special, but the concert was really good and entertaining too.

Upon our return to the ship, steaming bowls of goulash soup were waiting for us in the Aquavit Terrace. We weren't really hungry, but we certainly were curious, so we sat down and relaxed enjoying the second dinner. Somehow we managed to put on 3kg in 1 week, you know!

Day 10 - Bratislava

Bratislava Castle

Bratislava welcomed us all dressed up in white. It was beautiful but cold and we were glad we had previously signed up for the home-hosted visit rather than the walking or the bus tour of the city center.

The home-hosted visit was an intimate one, as we were merely six guests, our guide, and the driver snuggled up in a minivan. We visited a family of artists in a village outside Bratislava, which was quite interesting. Since this was our second visit to the Slovak capital, it was just perfect.

In the afternoon we set sail towards Budapest and as we went through the last lock of our cruise, we took a tour of the wheelhouse and had a chat with the captain. Then it was time to get our creative juices flowing and decorate some gingerbread houses.

By the time we were served Hungarian tea with all kinds of delish Hungarian pastries, it was mid-afternoon. We lingered in the lounge enjoying the company of newly made friends, then did a champagne toast together with the captain, and eventually moved down to the restaurant to enjoy the farewell dinner. The evening ended with a music quiz and we won a bottle of champagne. Yay!

Day 11 - Budapest

Dohany Street Synagogue

By the time we woke up we had been docked in Budapest for a good few hours. We first joined a bus tour of the city, followed by a visit inside the Matthias Church and around the Fisherman's Bastion. From there we enjoyed stunning views of Budapest, including the much-celebrated Parliament building across the Danube.

In the afternoon, there were four shore excursions to choose from - soaking up in one of Budapest's thermal baths, a culinary tour of the city, a visit to the Grand Market or a tour of the Jewish Quarter.

We chose the latest so we got to marvel at the amazing Dohány Street Synagogue, the largest in Europe and the second largest in the world. We were impressed to tears by 'The Tree of Life', a sculpture resembling a weeping willow whose leaves have etched on them the names of many Hungarian Jews who died during the Holocaust. We ended on a sweet note, however, with a cup of tea and mouth-watering cake in a kosher coffee shop.

During the chef's dinner, it was finally time to say so long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye to our fellow travelers. Many of them would have flights to catch early in the morning. But we couldn't call it a night before one last visit to the lounge to listen to a local quartet that just came onboard. They filled the room with glee while singing Chrismas carols with a wrist, which put a smile on everyone's faces.

Day 12 - Farewell

I'm not got at goodbyes. I never know what to say and I never like to say it. Therefore leaving our ship and the crew behind was difficult. We came to care for this people because they took such great care of us. They really put heart and soul into our wellbeing. They always had a smile for us and were incredibly helpful. And by now, they felt like family. Thank you ALL!

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Disclaimer: We were guests of Viking River Cruises, but all options are our own.

Photographic Guide to Mount Everest Tour in Tibet

2017-01-04T12:17:00.000+01:00

Blessed with epic mountain vista, turquoise alpine lakes and profound Buddhist culture, for years Tibet has held its irresistible allure to world-wide photographers. Apart from the fervent Tibetan pilgrims on the street in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, the most common scene is the both amateur and professional photographers, snapping photos with their robust DSLR and chic lens.

Mt. Everest, the world’s summit, Tibet

Regardless of their varied specialties, such as portrait, landscape or architecture, street photography etc. all of them share one ultimate subject for photography in Tibet, i.e. Mt. Everest (8844.43m) , the summit of our planet. The following guide to Mt. Everest Photography Everest will help you get fully prepared for your Tibet tour.

Preparation for the Photographic Tour in Tibet

Camera and Lens

To have better image quality and travel light in mountainous region, it’s advisable to carry a full-frame DSLR or any film camera. Your camera shall be equipped with spot metering, aperture priority and manual mode as well.

A sample of camera gears

As to which lens are suitable for Tibet tour, particularly Mt. Everest photography, in reality a versatile telephoto zoom lens works better than a wide angle lens for it allows you to capture more details of the lofty mountains afar. However, it does not mean wide angle lens are useless. When it comes to the grander image like the architecture of Tibetan monastery and holy lakes and fluttering prayer flags around steep valley, etc. a wide lens has its edge.

In addition, a polarizing filter is also preferred for landscape photography. It can darken the sky, reduce unnecessary reflection and sun glare while increasing the contrast of your image.

Here are a number of recommended cameras and lens, you may choose one based on your need and budget.

A landscape photographer is adjusting his gears

Recommended full-frame DSLR:

Nikon D610; Nikon D750; Nikon D800; Nikon D810; Canon 6D; Canon 5D MarkⅢ

Recommended lens:

24-70mm, 16-35mm, 14-24mm, 70-200mm, 70-300mm; usually bringing a telephoto zoom lens with a wide lens will meet the demand in most cases.

Insider Tips: Do prepare more back-up batteries for your camera because the low temperature on the plateau drains battery faster than in normal temperature. Multiple SD and CF cards are also needed to seal the wonderful memory and stunning scenery of Tibet in your camera.

Clothes needed for Mt. Everest Tour

Mt. Everest region is marked by dramatic temperature change, biting wind and powerful solar radiation. A general packing list shall contain thermal tops, wind-stopper pullover, breathable underwear (5), light and heavyweight mittens, down jacket, wool pants, trekking boots, long and thick wool socks, etc.

General packing list

Other Gears:

Sunscreen, sun glasses, sun cream, sun hat, lip balms, sleeping bag, flash light, camera bag and toiletries and first-aid kit and necessary medicine for altitude sickness, cold, etc.

How to Travel to Everest

To be able to travel to Everest, firstly international tourists need to book the Tibet tour with a travel agency and fly to China to get your Tibet Permit before officially heading to Tibet. Then you can either board the Tibet train or take domestic flight to Lhasa (3658m), the capital of Tibet. After your arrival in Lhasa, for the first couple of days, you need to stay in Lhasa for the acclimatization to the high altitude there. Meanwhile, never miss the chance to visit the most iconic building of Tibet, namely Potala Palace and holy Jokhang Temple and Barkhor bazaar, etc.

Classic Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Map

Then you can follow the classic and also the most popular travel route from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp via historic Gyantse County and Shigatse city. After you enter Mt. Everest National Nature Reserve, Tingri, what await you would be the mind-blowing mountain scenery along Himalayan Range, esp. the magnificent Mt. Everest (8844.43m) at Everest Base Camp (5200m).

Best Season to Photograph Everest

April, May, Sept. and Oct are the best seasons to photograph Mt. Everest at EBC. During these periods, there is no need to worry about the heavy clouds and fog that interfere with photography. While from mid-June to August, Everest Region will have its rainy seasons due to the influence of monsoon. From Nov to Feb, the heavy snow might block the highway in Everest region, making it unsafe for travel.

Best Place to Photograph Mt. Everest

The top 3 places to photograph Mt. Everest are Gawu La Pass (5198m), Rongbuk Monastery (5154m) and Everest Base Camp (5200m).

Insider Tips: Do carry your sleeping bags and prepare enough clothes and some altitude sickness medicine and food before heading to Everest region. The sanitation in remote areas like EBC is bad with very basic accommodation and food.

a. Gawu La Pass (5198m)

Gawu La pass is the first you will stop by after you enter Mt. Everest National Nature Reserve. It’s also the only viewing platform where you will be able to enjoy the panoramic view of top 5 highest mountains standing side by side along Himalayan Range.

Appreciate the top 5 highest mountain range along majestic Himalayas at Gawu Las Pass

From left to right are Makalu (8463m), Lhotse (8516m), and Mt. Everest (8844.43m), Cho Oyo (8201m), Shishapangma (8027m). A good suggestion is to use a wide angle lens and place the fluttering prayer flags as the foreground as you take photos of imposing mountain range afar.

b. Rongbuk Monastery (5154m)

Known as the world’s highest monastery, Rongbuk Monastery is last religious site before reaching Everest Base Camp (5200m). It’s only 8km away from Rongbuk Monastery to Everest Base Camp. It’s the most ideal place to photograph the summit of Mt. Everest from the middle distance. It’s advisable to climb up to the hill beside Rongbuk Monastery to get better angle. And then use the monastery as the foreground to photograph Mt. Everest. You will get an engaging picture with nice depth of field.

Everest Base Camp is one of the most popular destinations for global photographers

Insider tips: The best time to photograph Mt. Everest from Rongbuk Monastery would be at sunset and sunrise. You will enjoy the spectacular “Golden Summit” of Mt. Everest. In the day time, if you are lucky enough, the well-renown “Flag Clouds” hanging over the peak of Mt. Everest. Besides, as long as you dare to brave the cold and venture out of the guesthouse in Rongbuk Monastery, you can enjoy the incredible moon light casting in the valley.

However, the accommodation in Rongbuk Monastery is very basic. The room is cold at night but you have electric blanket to keep warm while the toilet is dreadful to many western tourists. Nevertheless, it is such a fantastic location and is worth the discomfort of staying there for stunning photos.

c. Everest Base Camp (5200m)

To the majority of international tourists, Everest Base Camp is the closest place to observe Mt. Everest. As you stand at EBC, the entire summit and massive body of holy Mt. Everest will be exposed completely to your sight. You may use your telephoto lens (such as 70-200mm or 300mm) to have close-up shot of the summit of Mt. Everest. Meanwhile, colorful prayer flags, multiple tents and Everest monuments could also be used as the foreground.

Everest Base Camp is one of the most popular destinations for global photographers.

Take a glimpse of imposing Mt. Everest from holy Rongbuk Monastery

Insider Tips: Everyday, there are numerous global photographers who scramble to the EBC to capture the grandeur of Mt. Everest. It’s could be a bit crowded as everyone is trying to get the best position to shoot. The perfect timing to photograph Mt. Everest at EBC would also be the daybreak and sunset. Do wear a mitten and enough clothes, for the wind at EBC is bitterly cold. For astrophotographers, it’s highly recommended for you to stay overnight at EBC in yak tents run by local Tibetans. The jaw-dropping starry night at EBC would push your photography to a whole new level.

Imaginably, your photographic tour to Mt. Everest will absolutely be your lifetime experience with loads of incredible photos.

10 Tips That Will Help You Pack for Your Next Cruise

2016-12-13T21:14:00.000+01:00

Packing. We all do it differently. Some of us take our time and make sure everything is taken care of, and some of us leave it all to the last minute. It can be pretty annoying when you forget something important – it can also be frustrating if you pack too much and find yourself lugging around a massive bag everywhere.

One of the great things about going on a cruise is that you get to visit multiple destinations and you only have to unpack everything once! This takes a lot of the stress out of travelling to a few different places. Here are a few tips that will help you pack for your next cruise:

1. Divide your suitcase into sections for each type of clothing. With dresses in one corner and trousers in another, this will mean that you know where to find everything without throwing it all out of the suitcase each time.

2. Roll up your clothes to save space. Doing this will mean you can fit twice as many clothes into your bag. This takes a little time and preparation so don’t leave it all to the last minute.

3. Does your cruise have a formal dress code for dinner or special events? Gentlemen packing a blazer should fold it inside out – this way you will avoid wrinkles and creases. Ladies packing fancy dresses should use old dry cleaning bags to protect their formal wear.

4. Pack shoes at the bottom of your suitcase. These tend to be the heaviest items in your luggage so you don’t want them crushing and crinkling everything else.

5. Bring a few plastic bags with you! You never know when you might want to separate parts of your luggage. You don’t want wet swimming shorts or muddy shoes to spoil the rest of your luggage. Plastic bags can also be used for any liquids you may bring, meaning they don’t spill out in transit.

6. If you are travelling on a long cruise, bring some extra clothes hangers. Cruise lines tend to provide you with some hangers, but it can be frustrating not to have enough. Wire ones are easy to pack and more or less disposable, making them the best choice.

7. Pack a power strip. This is a classic cruise tip. Cruise cabins will have one or two outlets but if you plan on charging more than just your phone (think hairdryers, straighteners, games consoles) then this is a very useful item. Compact power strips are easy to get hold of. Unfortunately some cruise lines won’t allow these, so it’s always best to check.

8. Pack a jacket, even for a warm weather cruise. This is obviously essential if you are travelling to Alaska or Norway on a cruise. But even if you are going somewhere warm, it can get breezy and cold out on the open ocean. Be warned!

9. Thread necklaces through a straw. This may sound a bit weird, but it will ensure your jewelry doesn’t tangle and you look great at dinner. Use a pillbox to pack any smaller items like rings and earrings.

10. Always bring your favorite toiletries with you on a cruise. While ships will have basic toiletries on board, it’s best to pack any special potions you may require!

For more information on ocean cruises, take a look at the websites of experienced providers. Otherwise, pack clever and enjoy your holiday!

Photos by sagesolar and Myria via Flickr Creative Commons

Best Romantic Spots in Bucharest

2016-12-05T18:16:00.002+01:00

Bucharest, Romania’s capital city was once nicknamed as Little Paris or Paris of the East. And for a reason. Its glorious architecture made it one of the most beautiful cities in Eastern Europe in the beginning of the 20th century. However, most of the elegant buildings were destroyed during the years of communist misrule and a terrible earthquake. Today, the city is a mix of some pearls of that old sophisticated architecture, gray Soviet blocks, and modern buildings. Bucharest can’t be called the most romantic city in the world but it has a lot of nice places to see and visit with your loved one on your romantic trip.

Romanian Athenaeum

One of the most beautiful buildings in Bucharest is the Romanian Athenaeum. This is a glamorous concert hall built in the neoclassical style. It can boast luxurious exterior and interior. Doric columns and 40-meter high dome make it look like an ancient temple. The interior walls are decorated with mosaics depicting scenes from Romanian history. This is the home of George Enescu Philharmonic where you can listen to classical music.

Stavropoleos Monastery

This tiny but lovely church is a real gem of Bucharest. It’s built in the Brancovenesc style (Romanian Renaissance) combined with some Byzantine elements and Romanian architectural forms. The church is elegant and beautiful both from the outside and inside. Paintings and frescoes, wood and stone carvings can be seen inside. It’s known among the tourists for its rich library that features a collection of over 8000 books on theology, byzantine music, arts, and history.

Cismigiu Gardens

This is the oldest park in Bucharest. Although it’s often referred to as a park, it’s actually a 17-hectare garden. It’s located in the center of the bustling city so people come here to find peace and relax. Take a stroll among the lawns and winding paths surrounded by numerous trees and exotic flowers brought here from the Vienna’s botanical gardens. There is a lake so you can rent a rowing boat and explore it in summer or skate in winter. The Roman Garden laid out in the style of ancient Rome is probably the most romantic place in the park.

Palace of the Parliament

You can’t miss this administrative building because it’s so huge and impressive that you’ll notice it immediately. Situated in the historical center of Bucharest it attracts people’s attention by its dimensions and architecture. It is not less pompous inside and you can visit it via a guided tour.

Mogosoaia Palace

Treat your partner to a day of royal relaxation on the territory of Mogosssoaia Palace located 10 km away from Bucharest. Although the area where the palace can be found is far from impressive (it’s a rural landscape), the building and its courtyards are astonishing. The palace is open for visitors so don’t miss the chance to get inside and get lost going from room to room climbing spiral stairs. Also, visit the basement, a church, and a small house that serves as a museum. After that, take a walk in the gardens along the lake. Since it’s not very promoted among the tourist, it’s never crowded so you can breathe in fresh air, enjoy natural beauty, and listen to the silence.

Brought to you by Bridesbay.com

Photo by fusion-on-horizons via Flickr Creative Commons

5 Awesome Places To Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth In Valencia, Spain

2016-11-28T18:33:00.001+01:00

It's no secret I have a sweet tooth. I simply love everything from cakes to pastries and ice cream. So wherever I travel, I always try to stop by the most famous bakery in town. But in Valencia, I want to recommend you 5 places that you should really try. No worries, they are all centrally located and within easy reach.

Dulce de Leche Boutique

A photo posted by LAURA ✈ Travel Blogger (@lauraiancu) on Oct 2, 2016 at 11:54am PDT

This is my favorite pastry shop in Valencia, hands down. Walking inside any of their shops (they have two) is like stepping into a sweet, sweet wonderland. Many of their cakes are made with dulce de leche, of course, one delicacy I'm not entirely sure how I was able to live without until recently. But my absolute favorite is their dulce de leche coffee - simply the best combination!

Chocolates Valor

If you love decadently thick Spanish hot chocolate, this place is for you. Over the past 130 years, Chocolates Valor has become an institution. Their menu is quite extensive, ranging from the must try hot chocolate with churros and chocolate shots to chocolate slush and some really creative chocolate desserts.

Marzipan fruits

A photo posted by LAURA ✈ Travel Blogger (@lauraiancu) on Oct 6, 2016 at 3:16am PDT

Okay, so to be completely honest, you'll have to visit Valencia at the beginning of October if you want to eat any of these adorable marzipan delicacies. They are only produced in the days before the Saint Dionis celebrations, the local patron saint of lovers. I love marzipan in any shape or size, but these fruit and veggie shaped specialties, are among my favorites. Hot tip: they taste even better when they have an egg yolk filling.

La Mas Bonita

This is another place that made waves when they opened in Valencia a few years ago. Back then, their only restaurant was by the beach. But in the meantime, they also opened a more central restaurant, in the Russafa neighborhood. They have an abundant gastronomic offer, from breakfast and brunch to a lunch and dinner menu. But I recommend you visit them for their red velvet cake made with cheesecake cream. Finger licking good!

Pasteleria Dulces Martin

A photo posted by LAURA ✈ Travel Blogger (@lauraiancu) on Sep 28, 2016 at 1:41am PDT

This pastry shop has been around for many years and they pride themselves on not using any frozen products, while also staying true to the traditional baking methods. But forth and foremost what you should try here is their terrer, a typical Valencian cupcake, made after a recently rescued old recipe. Terrer is a moist cake with a hint of orange and a delish layer of burned turron on top. Can you say no to that? I know I can't!

For more food goodness and travel inspiration, join me on Instagram.

Erato's Apollo 7- Best Looking, Truly Wireless Earbuds

2016-11-17T11:26:00.002+01:00

Long live the wireless earbud trend that is shaping up to be the next revolution in the audio wearable. I always hated cables, especially the cables of my headphones. Every time after taking my seat on an airplane or train, I used to spend the first moments fighting with my headphone cables. But no more.

Gone are the days when I tread along my morning jog with a cable dangling in front of me. Enter the new wireless buds that connect to the phone via Bluetooth, but also don't have any physical connection between them to worry about.

After so many years of waiting, it finally happened. Out of the many startups and big-name companies that are trying to make truly wireless earbuds, a small company called Erato made a pair where the Bluetooth connection doesn’t continuously drop out. This has been the most consistent problem with just about every other pair of wireless earbuds.

But with Erato’s earbuds, known by their catchy name, Apollo 7, I don’t have to pay attention where I place my phone when I use them. Handbag, backpack, front pocket, back pocket, it really doesn’t matter where my phone is. The Apollo 7 offers a truly wire-free earbud experience that actually works perfectly.

Battery life

Firstly, let's get out of the way the two questions that most people will ask:

Are the buds easy to loose?

And how good is the battery life?

I thought the new wireless buds would come with a different set of problems, that I will have to worry about - losing one of them. But that was only until I got my hands on Erato's Apollo 7. The buds come with a dedicated carry case that also acts as a charging device. Once I finish using the buds, I just place them into the carry case and drop it into my handbag or pocket.

They have up to 4 hours of battery autonomy, but once in the case the buds will get recharged by the case, and they will be ready for me to use them again. Due to the compact charging case, I can go on using them all day long. The battery in the case can charge them two full times before I need to find an outlet or use my portable power bank.

Design and Features

I'm sure you'll all agree that Erato's Apollo 7 are the best looking wireless earbuds out there, right? I mean, look at this excellent design! It offers waterproof audio enjoyment for the active types without any cable hassle. Plus, the Apollo offers standalone touch controls for switching tracks or answering phone calls with the built-in omnidirectional microphone.

Weighing just 4 grams, these buds support the advanced AAC, SBC, and aptX audio standards, and lock into your auricle securely with an inventive horn system, while looking good on the outside. Each bud has a small button so you can control tracks, change volume and answer calls.

Those little buttons actually work surprisingly well, given the lack of available real estate. A long press will switch each bud on and off and activate Bluetooth pairing. A single press answers calls or pauses music. A double press, meanwhile, will increase or lower volume depending on the side. Just press the left ear for volume down, right for up, or activate Siri/Google Voice. They are amazingly easy to use!

While wearing the Apollo 7 you will notice that they stick out just a bit. They do not hang down from your ears like Apple's Airpods. They are comfortable to wear, and never feel like they are going to fall out, not even during jogging.

Even so, for the tiny bit that people might notice in my ear, I wanted the right color for me. I am happy to say there are four colors to choose from, which happen to match the colorways of the iPhone - dark gray, light gray, metallic pink and gold. Coincidence? The buds are so small that there's not really a lot to judge them on, but if you are paying attention to every little detail, these buds will not disappoint. They look amazing in your ear.

Verdict

So is it time to join the truly wireless club? If Apple has its way, the 3.5mm jack will be a thing of the past, and you'll want to consider wireless headphones even if right now you're not interested. I am not usually an early adaptor, mostly due to the costs that come with this type of life choice, but I hate cables so much, I had to go wireless. And Erato's Apollo 7 gives the opportunity to go truly wireless!

5 Ways to Build Your CV Whilst Travelling

2016-11-17T11:05:00.000+01:00

Despite what your parents or career advisor believe, spending a year or more travelling abroad isn’t simply an extended holiday.

Sure, there’ll be lots of beaches, amazing food and late night parties with new friends from around the world, but it’s not all fun and games.

Moving from country to country requires comprehensive planning and organisation, and being away from home for such a long time – in totally alien places – means you’re continually building invaluable life skills.

Unfortunately, for parents with more traditional views about life after school, experiential benefits aren’t always quite enough to satisfy their demands about “the point of travelling”.

To help you put their minds at rest, here are five other clear and practical ways of making sure your stint abroad adds to your CV.

#1: study as you travel

Distance learning courses can be completed from anywhere you choose, whether that’s your family home in Glasgow or a beach on the Italian coast.

It won’t be easy, and you may have to sacrifice a little relaxation time, but you’ll end up with a degree to help you get your dream job.

#2: create your own blog

It’s no secret that making money as a writer is difficult, yet that’s not quite the point of publishing a blog detailing your many adventures.

Even if it never takes off you’ll get to develop some CV-friendly skills, like writing, photography and editing. Plus, choose a free hosting platform and it won’t cost you a penny to keep friends and family posted on your latest activities.

#3: perfect a second language

Practise makes perfect when it comes to learning a second language, and travelling will give you plenty of time to have your high school French flawlessly fluent.

The reality is, in lots of countries you won’t have any choice but to learn the national language. When your knowledge falters and English isn’t working, there are apps and dictionaries to help you communicate all the important stuff – like asking for directions to the best pub.

#4: build work experience

Part-time jobs aren’t only good for building work experience to strengthen your CV, they also let you earn a little extra pocket money.

Waitressing, leading tours or even nannying – there are several different options. Just make sure you check the conditions of your visa first as places like Australia can have strict rules about visitors and the right to work.

#5: add volunteering expertise

Taking a place on a volunteering program can add both character and expertise to help your future job applications stand out from the crowd.

No matter what your interest – from conservation projects to teaching English abroad – with a little research you’ll find one that lets you develop professional skills and have some fun at the same time.

Make the most of every opportunity that comes your way whilst you’re travelling and you’ll come home with a winning CV neither your parents nor prospective employers will be able to resist.

Photo by Campaign Bootcamp under Flickr Creative Commons

Everything You Need to Know About Japanese Trains and The Japan Rail Pass

2016-11-10T12:53:00.002+01:00

Japan is one of the world’s pioneering countries when it comes to railway services and public transportation. The country is famous for its amazingly reliable train system. Their average delay time per whole year is one single minute. And if a train happens to be delayed even by 30 seconds, all passengers at the platform will surely hear a loud apologizing message with all the relevant information on the following train.

To give you a better idea of how incredible the Japanese punctuality is, here are some numbers:

• There are over 800 stations just in the metropolitan area of Tokyo, which means all must visit places in Tokyo are within easy reach.

• Tokyo’s central Shinjuku station provides service to over 3.6 million commuters daily.

• Japan’s trains make over 40 million daily journeys on the interconnected metro system and suburban railways.

Apart from these “tiny” details, you can also count on the trains always being spotless. I honestly cannot even think of how to make the comparison between how clean the trains are and their punctuality. There will be no winner in this comparison as Japan’s services tend always to be on a world-class level.

Unlike the typical experience you may have on the Tokyo metro during rush hours (getting squeezed in by specially hired personnel, wearing white gloves) the rapid and bullet trains are very comfortable and spacious. Generally speaking, there are two types of seating reservations on the national Japanese trains - reserved and non-reserved seating areas. Some train categories have reserved seats only, while others have a mixture of both.

For train journeys that require passengers to book a seat in advance, all you need to do is go to the train station about 10-15 minutes before the trip with your train ticket and book a seat. In case all seats are already booked (very rare, unless rush hour in major cities), standing tickets will be made available.

Types of Japanese trains

There are different types of Japanese national trains as well as different stop patterns of each train category. The trains that stop at each station are called local trains. They serve all local stops, until their final destination.

The trains that serve the same trajectory but stop at fewer stops are called:

• Rapid

• Express

• Limited Express

• Shinkansen bullet trains

A rapid train can easily develop the same speed as an express train, however, due to the number of stops it makes, it can take up to a couple of hours to arrive.

Since the majority of people that go to Japan purely for travel purposes make the most out of it by taking advantage of the discounted multi-use Japan Rail Pass ticket, I am going to discuss the 3 most popular points, accessible for free with the JR Pass:

1. Taking the Narita Express

Narita Express (N’EX) is the train that provides direct and rapid connection between the biggest airport of Tokyo - Narita (Terminals: 1,2,3) and the city’s central and primary stations:

• Shinagawa

• Shibuya

• Shinjuku

• Ikebukuro

• Omiya

• Yokohama

• Ofuna

Depending on your arrival station, the Narita Express journey can last from half an hour to one hour.

This is a reservation-only train, so make sure to book your tickets upon arrival at the airport, before boarding the train. The standard price for a one-way journey to Tokyo Station is a little over 3,000 yen. However, all JR Pass holders can book their tickets and ride the Narita Express as many times as they want. This advantage only makes for 6,000 yen of savings on airport transfer costs.

2. Taking the Shinkansen bullet trains

The Shinkansen bullet trains are one of Japan’s most famous attractions proving that apart from all the gorgeous places to visit in Japan, cultural experiences are high up on visitors list. The fastest of all bullet trains operates at a speed of 320 km/h (199 mph). Logically, the bullet trains make fewer stops than any local or rapid train, which is another speed-related advantage. A curious fact is that the Shinkansen trains require a different type of railways since they cannot ride nor reach their maximum speed on regular rail tracks. For this reason, all Shinkansen trains’ tracks are separated from the rest.

There are direct Shinkansen bullet train services, connecting, but not limited to:

• Tokyo-Osaka

• Tokyo-Kyoto

• Osaka-Hiroshima

• Osaka-Kyoto

The price of a bullet train ticket is always higher in comparison to the prices for local or express train tickets. This, of course, does not affect JR Pass holders, who can ride any national JR train entirely free of charge during the validity period of the given pass.

It is important to remember that the JR Pass covers all national rail services. This does not include the train categories Nozomi and Mizuho, which belong to private Japanese companies.

3. Bonus tip: Taking the Miyajima Ferry (Hiroshima)

The famous Miyajima ferry connects the port of Hiroshima (Miyajima Guchi pier) to the world and cultural heritage site of the Miyajima Island (also known as Itsukushima). Two different companies operate the ferries, and one of them is the national Japan Rail Group. Consequently, JR Pass holders can take the ferry the times they want. The standard travel time between the two piers is just 10 minutes. This makes for a perfect day trip itinerary.

Apart from the emblematic city of Hiroshima, its parks and Ground Zero memorials, travelers are impatient to visit the nearby island and admire the beautiful floating Torii gate, part of the unique Itsukushima Shrine.

Photo by Takeshi Kuboki under Flickr Creative Commons

Heathrow At 70 - How It Has Changed and Developed

2016-11-08T15:11:00.000+01:00

Heathrow celebrates its 70th birthday this year and it is safe to say that quite a lot has changed in those seven decades.

The airport started life way back in the 1930s as a small airfield in west London, where British aero engineer and aircraft builder Richard Fairley built a private airport to assemble and test aircrafts. It had a small single grass runway and just a few buildings. If you have ever been to Heathrow (and considering it is now the busiest airport in the UK, it is more than likely you have) then it is pretty hard to imagine it ever having looked like that.

During World War 2 the government took control of land in and around the village of Heath Row, to build RAF Heston – a base for long-range troop-carrying aircraft heading to the Far East. In 1944 work started to demolish Heath Row and clear land for runways. However, by the time the war ended the RAF no longer needed this and so, in 1946, it was handed over to Air Ministry and the capital’s new civil airport began to operate as London Airport. On the 31st May 1946, it opened its doors for the first time to commercial flights.

Picture the terminals now. Ok, got that image in your head? Now, let's go back to the 1940s. During these early years, you would have sat in a floral-patterned armchair in an ex-military marquee to wait for your flight. There was no time spent browsing the aisles of duty-free or enjoying a pre-flight cocktail in those days!

There was also no shuttle bus or walkway to take you between the terminal and the aircraft, instead, passengers walked over wooden duckboards to protect their footwear from the mud.

To celebrate the airport's milestone this year Adrian Balch has published a new book titled ‘Heathrow in Photographs’ – you can see some of the images from it in this Guardian article - including black and white images that take us inside these terminal tents.

By the end of Heathrow’s first operational year, 63,000 passengers had travelled through London’s new airport. So, in 1951 British architect Frederick Gibbard was appointed to design permanent buildings, which were opened by the Queen in 1955.

By 1961 the old terminal on the north side had closed and airlines either operated from the Europa terminal (later renamed Terminal 2) or the Oceanic terminal (now Terminal 3). In 1966 London Airport was renamed Heathrow and in 1969 five million passengers a year was passing through the airport and so Terminal 1 was opened.

During the many years of the airport's existence Concorde has come and gone, the Queen opened the airport's new Terminal 2: The Queen’s Terminal – over 50 years after she opened the previous one, The Beatles cemented their place in history as global superstars when they were mobbed here on their return from the US in 1964 and Terminal 1 was closed after 47 years.

Today, Heathrow is the UK’s premier international airport, being both the largest and busiest airport in the country – in fact, it is the busiest airport in the whole of Europe and the sixth busiest in the world. In 2014 a record 73.4 million passengers passed through it, ranging from those heading off to enjoy a weekend city break to those who had put all their belongings in nearby storage and were jetting off on a one-way ticket to the sun.

When Heathrow celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2006, it had handled over 1.4 billion passengers on over 14 million flights. With plans in the pipeline to extend the airport even further, who knows how high these figures will be by the time it is celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2026!

Photo by Curt Smith under Flickr Creative Commons

Best Value Last Minute Winter Breaks For 2016/17

2016-11-08T14:01:00.000+01:00

You may think that due to Brexit and the currency devaluation, it will be impossible to get away this winter. However, with great deals available on the Owners Direct app, you can whisk away your partner for an unforgettable last minute romantic city break.

Here we run through our top three:

Lille, France

In the heart of northern of France is the charming city of Lille. Though it is the largest city in the north of the country, you wouldn’t think it. Lille does not have the grandeur of Paris and other large cities but instead takes beauty in its simplicity, with its scattering of outdoor cafes often bustling come Friday evening with people looking to wind down.

Winter is one of the best times to visit Lille with the city transforming into a winter wonderland come Christmastime.

The Christmas market boats its very own Ferris Wheel, and the square is governed by an 18-metre high Christmas tree and there are a total of 83 wooden chalets at the market, each unique in their own right, offering decorations, festive food and hand-crafted gifts.

The local shop displays are just as wonderful as those you see from department store giants, with shopkeepers competing with their neighbours for who can be the best.

Dublin, Ireland

Dublin is another great city for a winter break, the pub-culture is a unique experience to say the least, with live music, the friendly atmosphere and the host of delicious beers on offer will leave you wanting to stay out all night long.

The Guinness Storehouse tour is a must and enjoy your pint in the Gravity Bar which offers stunning panoramic views of the city. The Eddie Rockets diner is also considered a must when visiting Ireland so escape the chill with a warm meal at the Irish American diner.

The Dublin Christmas markets are made up of 50 chalets each offering perfect last minute gifts and traditional Irish cuisine and beverages, such as club orange, that you just have to try.

Andalusia, Spain

If you’re after a warmer, more exotic holiday but still after something relatively inexpensive then Andalusia, southern Spain is the place for you. With mild temperatures even during the winter, it’s guaranteed to be warm and the blend of European culture with the Arab one in the alluring golden Triangle of Andalusia (Granada, Seville and Cordoba) will captivate your heart.

And perhaps even more alluring, the crowds are basically non-existent which means accommodation is cheap, and standout attractions such as Seville's cathedral or Granada's Alhambra aren’t frustratingly busy.

The old Alcazaba Arab fortress offers breath-taking views over the city and the crowded port. Designer labels and stylish stores line Calle Marques de Larios, perfect to finish that last minute Christmas shopping.

And for an alternative winter dish, head to the city’s old fishermen’s quarter, Pedregalejo, for a traditional seafood dish, or of course, go some tapas.

Modern Manners: Tips for Tipping with Takeout

2016-11-07T13:18:00.001+01:00

Whether you’re ordering takeaway for your hotel or are just getting a bite to eat while travelling to your next destination, it’s common to be caught in the awkward space where you’re deciding how much you should (or shouldn’t) tip the individual who delivered your food. However, tipping etiquette typically varies from country to country.

When it comes to tipping for takeout, we need to understand that there’s a difference between the etiquette of tipping at a sit-down establishment and tipping for takeaway:

You’re Tipping for Service

At some point in our lives, we’ve all had dining experiences that were amazingly unforgettable or utterly disastrous. However, even if the food may be lacking in quality, it’s the quality of service your server provides that ultimately decides how much you’ll be tipping at the end of the meal. After all, it’s not the server’s fault that the food was terrible.

Fortunately, there are ways to avoid terrible takeaway service. By sorting by highest customer ratings, Hungry House can populate a list of the best restaurants that are known to have the best service and food for the hungriest of people. You can even filter your search to see which restaurants offer free delivery in your area.

With that being said, tipping your takeaway driver is not an obligation, but a gesture and a business transaction. If the delivery was presented with hustle and additional accommodations, a tip may be well deserved. But there are still a few more things to consider…

Tip for One, Not All

While the local pizzeria may have a great staff that clearly all work to do their best in order to ensure your meal remains in perfect condition until it reaches your hands, there is no way you will be able to tip every individual who was involved with the preparation. On the one hand, you want to show your appreciation. On the other hand, you’re not a human ATM! Especially if you’re traveling, budgeting your travel expenses is important (Related Article on TravelOCafe.com: Travel Tips for Travelers from Travelers).

If you personally feel the service you received was exceptional and that service warrants a tip, either tip once on the receipt or put some cash in the tip container near the register if you’re taking the food home yourself (that way it gets distributed evenly). Then again, if you’re taking the food home yourself, a simple wave and thank you can go a long way.

Be Fair

While it’s not your responsibility to make sure the takeaway driver is getting a fair wage, they are still providing you with a service. If the restaurant you’re ordering takeout from does not charge for their delivery service, consider sparing at least some change for still having warm grub delivered to your door. In especially inclement weather like rain, hail, or snow, it then seems only decent to tip your delivery driver for that meal getting to your door. Even if you’re picking the food up yourself, keep in mind that the chefs did everything they could to ensure that your food ready by the time you arrived, particularly more so if it was a complicated order with more substitutions than usual.

The eBook Reader for Any Trip - The Kobo Aura Edition 2

2016-10-21T14:23:00.000+02:00

You know those long airport layovers, uneventful train rides, and halfway around the globe flights? Yes, those. Do you ever feel like your time is worth more than a tune on repeat?

I know I do, and that's precisely why I have been looking for an eBook reader to take with me on my journeys. Something that is steady, has a good battery life and is still affordable. Because no matter how romantic paper books are, they are not practical to pack in my carry-on. And I'm all about packing light. No compromises there.

The Kobo Aura Edition 2 is the latest e-reader to hit the market, and it is exactly what I was looking for.

Software

I will start maybe with the most important part, the software. The Kobo Aura Edition 2 has a heavily dynamic home screen that I like. If you create a new bookshelf, buy an eBook or start reading a newspaper, a new entry will be automatically created on the home screen. This enables users to be able to quickly jump into the last few things they have done, which saves time. Underneath every eBook title you can get a sense of your reading progression via a numerical value, represented as percentages.

When are set your device up for the first time and log into your Kobo account it automatically fetches all of the books you have purchased from Kobo in the past and also setups any customized shelves you have on prior devices. If a firmware update is available, the e-reader will periodically sync for new content and download it. You can also manually click the sync button from the settings menu.

The main home screen has a few simple navigation options. You can check out your reading statistics, such as how long it takes you to read an average title. There are also some awards and achievements you can earn using the e-reader. I found this funny. I will see if I can earn any.

The Kobo Aura Edition 2 reads a wide array of formats including, EPUB, EPUB3, PDF, MOBI, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, TIFF, TXT, HTML, RTF, CBZ, CBR and many text-based formats. It does have EPUB 3 support to render the complex Japanese characters and Manga. Amazing! So many formats.

There are 11 different fonts to choose from and over 40 sizes that you can customize with a slider bar. When you are reading a book, you have a number of options you can employ. Aside from font and customization options, you can long-press on a word and get an instant definition of it. If you speak another language, you can look the word up in Japanese, Italian, German, Dutch, and many more.

When long-pressing a word, you get an anchor that will allow you to select a single word, sentence, or entire paragraph. You can then highlight it or add a note, or look up the word in Google or Wikipedia. I don't usually share quotes online, but maybe now I will start to. With my new Kobo I can share a specific quote or word via Facebook.

Features

The Kobo Aura Edition 2 has a very clean design. The back is made of textured rubber with an embedded Kobo logo on the right. The texture makes it easier to grip. The power button is a small rectangular one on the back. It's a matter of preference, but although it's the only device I own with the power button in the back, I have to say the placement feels natural to me and I like it.

On the bottom, there is a single Micro USB connector that is used to charge and transfer data to your device. On the front there is a simple status indicator and the light blinks when it is booting up or running out of power.

The Kobo Aura Edition 2 features a six-inch E-Ink Carta display with a resolution of 1024 X 768 and 212 PPI. There is 4 GB of internal memory but unfortunately, it comes with no option to enhance it via an SD card. I don't really mind that, as for my needs I think a 4 GB memory is sufficient. That's more books than I can read on any trip.

The Kobo Aura Edition 2 has wireless internet access and allows you to shop for e-books right on the device and you can also use the internet browser to visit your favorite website. I still like my internet surfing in color, but its great to have the option.

The battery life is supposed to be two months. I guess it all depends on how much of a heavy user you are. Sometimes during my travels I have lots of time for reading, sometimes very little. But not having to reach so often for the charger is already a blessing.

I understand that Kobo has refined their entire lighting system. The Kobo Aura Edition 2 has a great front-lit display and you do not have the bluish hues that plague other e-readers on the market, but a beautiful warm light that does not strain the eyes.

Verdict

If you are looking for an affordable e-reader then the Aura Edition 2 can be the right choice for you. The Kobo Aura Edition 2 is a great six-inch e-reader, well designed, with an excellent front-lit display that is warm and easy on the eyes.

The Longest Journey with Jabra Halo Smart

2016-10-19T13:04:00.000+02:00

While traveling by train or plane, I like to listen to audiobooks. On the plane, I like to rest my eyes while on the train I usually let myself mesmerized by the passing scenery. For this, I like a good set of wireless headphones. However for long journeys, you don't just need a good pair of headphones, but one with great battery life as well.

For some time, that was not so easy to come by. I am not talking about some wireless headphones that you have to charge every 4 hours. I was looking for a set that would last a 15 hours flight on one charge. This is why I find that Jabra Halo Smart with its 17 hours continuous battery life is a game changer.

Until now going completely wireless used to mean sacrificing both battery life and weight, due to the need to duplicate much of the electronics in each ear. There’s also the issue of what to do with them when not in use. Jabra’s solution is to just wear the things around your neck the whole flight or train journey. This way you are not going to loose them.

After all, with a listed battery life of 17 hours, it’s not like you’re going to spend much time sitting around, waiting for the battery to top off. The company even built magnets into the sides of the collar, so the earbuds don’t have to dangle from your sides.

Features

Of course, with the roaming prices going down, I find myself using more and more my mobile abroad. So, I am also looking for good quality in this regard too. It so happens that Jabra's strong suit is exactly that - making and taking calls.

As advertised, the call quality is solid. One of the best I’ve experience on a headset, and certainly crystal clear, and it did a decent job helping mask some of the wind noise when I received a phone call up on a cathedral tower. I could hear my friend on the line very clearly. And she had not complained she couldn't hear me, indicating the onboard microphone is very adequate.

Incoming calls are signaled with beeps and you can switch from listening to your music/podcast/audiobook to talking on the phone by clicking one button on the headset.

There are four buttons on-board. The one on the left mutes calls and loads your smartphone’s on-board voice assistant, while the trio on the right handle power and volume/track advance.

After I dipped one of my earbuds in my orange juice on one early morning, before taking an early train, I discovered what Jabra means when it says the Halo Smart is “built for life.” I was pleased that the headset continued to function well. These earbuds aren’t delicate pearls that need to be sealed in a case when you transport them either – I just throw them in my backpack alongside my laptop and my tablet, confident they’ll survive and be ready to play music when I need it.

Now to the small magical details.

First of all, it can connect to multiple devices at the same time. That means I can listen to the audio from my laptop, and still answer an incoming call on my mobile with the headset seamlessly. Plus, you don’t have to fiddle with your Bluetooth settings on your devices to connect and disconnect the Halo Smart – it just connects and starts working.

The headset has the buttons you’d expect – play/pause and volume controls, plus a button that provides quick access to Siri on my iPhone, or Google Now on my HTC. This is a nice convenience since it lets me make a call or send a text hands-free.

There are magnets on the headphones and at two locations on the band that sits on your neck. So instead of just dangling, the headphones can either stick together or to the band. The band itself is adjustable so it will comfortably fit around your neck.

And to top all this, Jabra offers an app that you can use alongside this headset. Jabra Assist will read out your calendar notifications and email on Android, locate your device if you lose track of it, and display your battery life. Pretty cool.

Verdict

I can use Jabra Halo Smart headset in many different situations, blogging on my computer in a coffee shop, or connected to my smartphone while I’m on the go. The long battery life, reliable connection to my devices, and durable build quality put it over the top as a premium headset for me, a set of wireless headphone that I can rely on during my travels.