3 Kids and Us

4 Child-Friendly Asian Cities to Visit

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Family vacations are one of the best things to look forward to. It is the ideal time to relax, bond with one another, and have fun even for a short while. You will surely enjoy this moment and treasure it for a lifetime, for it is not every day you can have this kind of journey with the most important people in your life.

However, planning your family vacation can be frustrating and at the same time exhausting. There are plenty of things you have to consider first before deciding where to spend your vacation. You have to keep in mind that everyone should enjoy during this trip, so choose a destination that you can all have the best time ever.

Listed below are the child-friendly cities you can visit in Asia:

Singapore

Although known as a costly city, Singapore is still one of the best Asian cities to explore with your family, significant other, or alone. It is a multicultural region that makes it easy and hassle-free to roam around, even with your entire family. There are also a lot of attractions you can visit while here, including the Singapore Flyer, Gardens by the Bay, Singapore Botanic Gardens, and Sentosa Island. More so, before traveling to this wonderful country, make sure to have a cheap travel insurance in Singapore first. This will ensure that you are all protected when overseas.

Hong Kong

One of the most popular Asian cities perfect for every family is Hong Kong. This metropolitan city boasts its two main attractions for travelers – Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park. All kids, as well as kids-at-heart, will truly be delighted going here. Aside from these two attractions, you can also visit the Po Lin Monastery and Big Buddha in Lantau Island, Peak Tower, or Hong Kong Ferris Wheel. There are tons of family-friendly tourist spots around Hong Kong, so better plan your trip here properly and ahead of time.

Malaysia

A friendly and relaxing country, Malaysia is a must-visit travel destination, too. There are numerous cities around this beautiful country that you can explore, especially Kuala Lumpur. You can check out Legoland and Hello Kitty Land as well, in order for the kids to enjoy your Malaysia trip. With its outstanding cuisine, amiable local people, and diverse culture, you will truly feel Asia while here.

Japan

Another Asian country you should not miss when traveling with the whole family is Japan. This amazing country has one of the best tourist attractions in the world, especially its capital city, Tokyo. Once you are in Tokyo, make sure to add Tokyo DisneySea and Tokyo Disneyland on your itinerary. These amusement parks will definitely be a hit to you and your children.

Asia is absolutely a family-friendly travel destination. It offers a ton of great cities perfect for family vacations or solo travels. In case you are planning a getaway with your family, then make sure to consider these travel destinations specified above and you will all experience the ultimate Asian tour like no other.

Did You Know About These Hidden Gems of Kolkata?

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Kolkata is a small city, geographically. It is only 1/8th of the size of the capital, New Delhi and the main city is even smaller. However, Kolkata has so much more than you might have read on those travel blogs or what the travel packages of Yatra might offer. There are so many things to see which Google wouldn’t tell you. Sometimes, even your tour guide wouldn’t tell you because they think those places don’t deserve mention or because not many people ask them, the tour guides, to take them there. There lies the mysterious Kolkata, the unseen Kolkata, the Kolkata which you need to ‘explore’, not visit.

Shobhabazar Rajbari: Shobhabazaar Royal Palace would be a literal translation but Nabakrishna Deb was more of a super rich landlord with wealth generating from questionable sources. However, the palace he built in Shobhabazaar is amazing and you wouldn’t find a better combination of Indian and British architecture in Kolkata.

This is a saat-mahala house which means the interior of the house is divided into seven sections, ladies’ wing, drawing room etc., servants’ quarters and more. There is a thakur dalan, supported by seven really tall pillars. This is almost 250 years old but due to proper maintenance, has kept much of its original charm intact. You can visit the palace during Durga Puja, in October, when it’s open for the general public.

Kolkata Town Hall: Built in 1813, by architect and engineer Maj.-Gen. John Garstin, in Roman Doric style, the town hall cost no less than 700,000 rupees in those days! The result was amazing though, it is one of the most beautiful structures in Kolkata but sadly none, neither the manager of your hotel in Kolkata nor the tour guide you hire, would recommend it. It was utterly neglected in independent India because it was a symbol of British occupation! In fact, this magnificent building was almost ruined and the Kolkata High Court had to intervene to save it. Presently, Kolkata Corporation has done an appreciable job of restoring the former glory of this building and it houses a library on Kolkata, containing the rarest books and diaries on Kolkata and you can check out the magnificent history of Kolkata here. While, booking a hotel through Yatra, you can search a one near Town Hall.

Paramount House: Why only visit when you can eat and drink as well. Paramount is quenching the thirst of Kolkata for 100 years now and their sorbets and drinks (strictly non-alcoholic) is a must for you to try out. You might have drunk a lot many things in different restaurants and 5 star hotels in Kolkata, but I bet you will forget everything else when you take a sip at Paramount. Located at a not “so easily accessible” place at the back end of College Street, it is frequented by many who know the taste of their drinks.

Their price list is all set to surprise you because you wouldn’t believe that such heavenly manna is available for 50c or so. Their list is very, very long and you might be confused with the choice. The best thing to do here is to request them for a speciality. But then, each of their drinks is special, trust me.

Hastings House: One of the oldest buildings in Kolkata, it had seen better days when it housed the Governor General of India, Lord Warren Hastings. This place is now a Women’s College, under Kolkata University. If you are a fan of haunted places and spooky incidents, this is where you should go with many students complaining of inexplicable incidents in this building. In specific, there is an Englishman on a horse who supposedly asks for some lost files! This is in Alipore and you can get there easily.

Babu Ghat: Ghat is translated by American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language as “A broad flight of steps leading down to the bank of a river in India, used especially by bathers.” but the ghats on Ganga are much more than that. This is where Kolkata used to come for their afternoon and evening pleasures, then bathe in Ganga or sit in the breeze to have a respite from the oppressive heat. With Kolkata losing the use of Ghats, these ghats are now often neglected but Babu Ghat is a must see. You can see the vast Ganga flowing, the breeze, the local sellers and a true picture of old laid-back Kolkata.

Adding curb appeal to your property – how to do it affordably and easily

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Selling your home can be a stressful process. You want to try and get as much interest in the property as possible, in order to give yourself more chance of selling quickly, and of securing the best possible selling price. There are several things you need to take into account, when you selling your home. These considerations include choosing a real estate agent you can trust, or knowing the best way to deal with your own house sale.

One thing that you may not necessarily consider as a priority, can actually be very important; that is curb appeal. If your property looks good from the outside, you will be surprised how much interest you can get from people who are just passing by. There are ways that you can improve the curb appeal of your home, without having to spend a fortune to do so.

Consider cladding as an option

Cladding the exterior of your home is obviously going to cost you money. But you need to weigh this up against the amount of value that you could be adding. Cladding does not just improve the appearance of your home, it also offers protection to the exterior surface, as well as helping with home insulation.

If you speak to an expert such as Peter Bracey they can help you decide which type of cladding you should use. They can also advise you on how much of an investment you need to make.

Tidying and cleaning your outside space

If the front of your home looks untidy, dirty or overgrown, many people are not going to bother looking behind the issues. You could be putting off a lot of potential buyers. If you lead a busy life, and there is a house sale that is also complicating matters, it’s understandable that tasks may get neglected.

It’s important that you try and make time to tidy your outside space. You should cut back bushes and trees and ensure that dead plants are removed. If you have the time, it’s also worth adding a few fresh plants to give a splash of colour. You should also jet wash the driveway and get rid of any weeds that are present.

Painting and repairing

You may not think that a broken fence will be of much concern to people buying a property. The thing is that it’s not just about a broken fence. This type of issue can make it seem as though you are not bothered about the upkeep of your home; this is not something that people who are thinking of buying the property want to see.

You need to make sure that you fix broken fences, or other issues. It’s also worth painting the outside of the property, if the paint is peeling or faded. Do not forget to opt for a traditional or neutral colour scheme, as this is likely to appeal to more people.

All of these actions can help add curb appeal to your home. This can make selling the property easier and can help you to secure a better selling price.

Glorious Destinations to Enjoy this Summer

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Although a lot of places can be crowded and expensive during the summer season, without a doubt, this is one of the best times to travel. If you are clueless about where your itchy feet should go this summer, keep on reading this post and we’ll have a look at five of the best places you should see.

New York

Concrete jungle – this is one of the best ways to describe New York. More than its towering skyscrapers, it has a lot to offer for any traveler, making it a hot spot for a summer holiday. The Central Park, the green lung of the city, is one of the places that you should not miss during your visit. Other attractions that you should not miss include Metropolitan Museum of Art, Times Square, Empire State Building, Museum of Modern Art, Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, and American Museum of Natural History. If you are just including New York on a tour of the states, then here is an idea of what you can fit in to a weekend.

Maldives

For anyone who loves tropical paradise, this should be on the top of the places to see this summer. If you are looking for privacy while being able to enjoy sun, sea, and sand, this is a good choice. It is perfect if you are with your significant other. Here, you will not be staying in a multi-story hotel. Instead, you will be relaxing in an overwater bungalow. Many have their own private pools. You can jump into the ocean straight out of your room. It is also known for diving and snorkeling, among other activities. If you’d love to visit the Maldives but you are on a budget, then check out these handy tips.

Bali

This is another paradise for beach-lovers. Located in Indonesia, Bali has gained reputation as a world-class surfing destination, with the most popular place being the Kuta Beach. In Seminyak Beach, on the other hand, you can find a number of luxurious accommodations. There are many beach clubs that will get you in the mood for partying from day until late at night. If you had too much of the beach, head to Ubud, a town that is known for a vibrant art scene. Here, there are many hotels offering a good view of the rice paddies.

Amsterdam

The capital of The Netherlands has endless activities that are perfect for every traveler. For a taste of culture, head over the Museumplein, which is home of the Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art, Van Gogh Museum, and Rijksmuseum. Taking a canal cruise is another activity that you should not miss during your visit. If you love shopping, go to The Nine Streets, which is popular for its diverse collection of independent shops.

Dubai

This glamorous place is also another top pick for the best summer getaway. There are many luxurious hotels, which will offer the best choice of accommodation for those who do not mind splurging. It is home to a collection of manmade islands as well. The Dubai Marina and Dubai Mall are worth checking out. Of course, your visit will not be complete without having a sample of its food. For a unique experience, get out of the city and head to the desert.

Awesome Destinations for a Legendary Summer Road Trip

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Going on a road trip is one of the best ways to have a fun-filled vacation. It allows you to see more without the need to spend a fortune. You can create a plan in advance, but the beauty of going on a road trip is that if you see a signpost to something interesting you can stop off there and check it out. If you are going on a couples retreat, road tripping with friends, holidaying with your pets, or going with your family, enjoying a road trip will prevent the group from getting bored in one location. You can see below some great options for an awesome summer road trip.

California

Get started with your Golden State road trip in San Francisco. There are endless attractions that will offer fun for the whole family, such as Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz, and Golden Gate Bridge, among others. Next up, head to Monterey and Carmel. Children will surely have fun exploring the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is recognized as one of the best in the country. Dennis the Menace Playground is also a good idea. After this, go to Santa Barbara, which is popular for its seaside and Spanish architecture. Los Angeles and Orange County are your next stops. Here, you can enjoy Disneyland, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Griffith Observatory, and Santa Monica Pier. And for your last stop, head to San Diego and visit Balboa Park and San Diego Zoo.

Greece

If you are planning on driving across Europe, you’ll definitely want to add Greece to your itinerary. From history to architecture, from beaches to food, it has a lot to offer, making it another highly recommended destination for a road trip. Start your journey in Athens, which, in most cases, will also be your last stop. Explore its many heritage sites and be educated as you revel in the beauty of ancient architecture. Next, stop by Delphi, an archaeological site. Olympia and Naflpion are also worth seeing. For the best of island living, be sure to also visit Crete.

Croatia

If your group would love to travel through a tropical paradise, Croatia should be on the top of your road trip list. Split is one place that should not be missed, which is home of the Diocletian’s Palace. Hvar, a 68-kilometer island is also worth visiting. Slano, meanwhile, is perfect if you are looking for a place that has a chilled vibe. Of course, your visit will not be complete without going to Dubrovnik, dubbed as the Jewel of the Adriatic.

New Zealand

Gifted with picturesque landscapes, New Zealand is another popular choice. Its roads are not only safe, but also offer stunning views that make driving a relaxing experience. Whether you take the North or South Island route, you will surely be left in awe. If you have a week to spend, one of the best itineraries includes a trip from Auckland to the Volcanic Plateau. From kayaking to sightseeing, there will be endless activities that will give everyone a memorable holiday.

Canada

In British Colombia, you can go on a road trip from Vernon to Naramata. Highlights of this route include Elephant Island Orchard Wines and Lake Okanagan. If you are in Alberta, on the other hand, take the Dinosaur Route. Some of the attractions that you should not miss in this trip include Dinosaur Provincial Park and Royal Tyrell Museum. Meanwhile, in Manitoba, you can consider driving from Winnipeg to Grand Beach. The Viking Trail in Newfoundland, on the other hand, is best for discovering ancient Viking settlements.