travel Archives - Page 14 of 16

Exploring the English Countryside by Car – Top Destinations and Attractions

July 7, 2017 by admin

If you’ve got a bit of holiday time coming up and you would like to have a low-key vacation that doesn’t involve air travel, then you may want to stick close to home and plan a trip by car. Here in England, there are a number of beautiful, scenic, historic, and interesting places to visit, much of which is found in the world famous English countryside. Here’s a look at some of the top destinations and attractions worth visiting as you explore the English countryside by car.

Dorset – a Designated Area of Beauty

Don’t just take others’ word for it that Dorset is worth visiting, let its designation as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty speak for itself. If you’re interested in exploring ancient monuments, this is home to 5% of the country’s collection. Some of the most noteworthy sites include Cerne Abbas Giant, Gold Hill in Shaftesbury, and various hill forts such as the popular Maiden Castle.

Cornwall – a Dose of Seaside Scenery Await

Maybe you prefer to take in the countryside with a dose of seaside scenery. If that’s the case then Cornwall is well worth a visit. Here you’ll find stunning natural beaches lined with water activities, incredible landscape, opportunities for nature walks and exploring the villages, and that quaint feel that people love.

The Cotswolds – a Look at Traditional England Landscape and Architecture

Take a step back in time and explore “traditional England” when you explore the area between Oxford, Bath, Strafford on Avon, and the Cotswolds. What is so notable about this area is that little has changed over the past couple of centuries, it’s as though you’re stepping back into time. The area is known for its traditional limestone homes and walls, stunning valleys, quaint cottages, and Cotswold stone roofs.

Lake District – A Truly Relaxing Experience

The Lake District is the perfect way to combine the beauty of the English countryside with the lazy and relaxing feeling you get on a lake holiday. This area is filled with pristine lakes, rolling mountains, and a variety of villages and towns. Some of the most visited towns include Kendal, Keswick, and Ambleside. Visitors can go shopping, dining, hiking, and take a walking tour.

One Word of Note

Of course, if you plan to be exploring the English countryside by car, you’ll also need to have a valid driver’s licence and vehicle to drive. If you don’t yet have your licence and you’re looking to move through the process as quickly and smoothly as possible, then take a practice driving theory test on Toptests. Up to 25% of people fail their theory test the first time they take it, but by using these online practice tests you’ll be sure to be prepared, saving yourself a whole lot of time and hassle.

Make the Trip Exactly What You Want

The lovely thing about heading out on a driving trip is that you’ve got total control over what kind of trip you have, where you go, how long you’re gone, and the pace of the trip.

Travelling to Los Angeles Just Got Easier With Blacklane

June 30, 2017 by admin

So, you’re planning a trip to Los Angeles? Are you daunted by the idea of getting out of the airport and getting around the city easily? Well, fair enough. LAX Airport is one of the largest and busiest in the world, with millions of people travelling through it on a yearly basis. Let’s face it, with kids, it’s extra hard getting around peacefully. Fortunately, there’s Blacklane; a reliable airport transfer and city transport service. It brings a little luxury to your travels and that is something that is difficult to refuse. Read on to find out how Blacklane can make your trip to Los Angeles a little easier!

What is Blacklane?

Catering to 236 cities across the globe, Blacklane has quickly grown to become one of the most sought-after transport services for city-goers. It provides for easy and reliable airport transfer from LAX, and you have all the power in terms of how you book your ride. Via their user-friendly app, you can request a time of pick-up and a vehicle of your choice. Your driver will be sure to wait for you at the arrivals gate with a personalized sign to welcome you. They will also help you with the heavy lifting with regards to handling luggage. Also, if your flight is delayed, your driver will be notified via their flight tracker. To make it even more convenient, you get a free hour of waiting time so that if customs or baggage claim is running slow, you won’t have to rush through. For Blacklane, it’s all about convenience and making the chaotic experience of getting out of the airport easy.

Here’s a quick listing of some of Blacklane’s additional perks:

Professionally-licensed drivers
Modern, safe and luxurious cars
No surge pricing
A choice between three classes of cars based on your needs
A choice between three different service offerings based on your needs

What Other Services Does Blacklane Offer?

Blacklane is also available for customized limousine services in the event you want to show up to a set location in style. Considering you’ll be roaming around the city of the rich and famous, you might just want to take advantage of this particular service offering. Moreover, you can also hire a private driver on an hourly basis so that you have your own chauffeur for specific outings. Your private driver will also be knowledgeable on all things Los Angeles related so that you can get some helpful tips on where to go and things to do. The vehicle is also up to your choosing, depending on whether you want to go with Business Class, Business VAN/SUV and/or First Class.

Make your travels to Los Angeles a little easier with Blacklane. There’s a lot to see and do in a city with so much culture and entertainment. It’s a lot easier to enjoy when you don’t have to worry about how you’ll get around. Try out Blacklane for a stress-free stay!

How to Use Your Phone to Plan Your Next Family Vacation

June 19, 2017 by admin

Are you using your phone to its full potential when you travel with your family? Many people take their phones for granted and often don’t realize just how many ways it can help when you’re planning a vacation. Below are some of the ways you can address this issue and ensure that your cell phone becomes one of the most important pieces of travel-related equipment you possess.

Online Booking

More businesses than ever are making it easier for customers to book accommodation, flights, and a wide range of other travel-related services and products. For example, if are traveling to Bryce and require a good deal on a bed and breakfast near Bryce Canyon, businesses like Slot Canyons Inn makes it extremely easy to book this type of accommodation through your smartphone. In other situations, travel company chains have customer loyalty programs that you can easily access through their website or through mobile apps that you can install on your smartphone.

Deciding Where to Go

In many instances, you and your family may be unsure about where you want to go on vacation next. Your smartphone is the perfect research device and you can find out all kinds of important facts about each destination you are thinking about visiting.

A wide range of travel-related websites and mobile apps are available that include countless reviews and comments about different travel destinations and the experiences people have had with different hotels, bed and breakfasts, car hire companies, restaurants and other businesses in a particular city, town, or tourist hotspot.

Getting Organized

A large number of productivity and organization apps can be used on today’s cell phones and they will ensure that your trip goes as smoothly as possible. For example, packing apps allow you to input all of the items you and your family need to bring with you on your next vacation. Making sure that you remember to pack everything for everyone who will be traveling is a stressful and difficult task, but a mobile app like this will make your life much easier.

Eating and Dining

While you travel, there will be times when you and your family members will want to relax and eat. However, some restaurants and cafes are better than others, so you should turn to your phone once again for guidance. Most established restaurants, hotels, and cafes have an online presence and previous customers have probably already rated each of these places to eat. As a result, you can quickly determine which businesses serve the best food and offer the best value for money.

Important Updates

Unexpected events can ruin a vacation, so it’s crucial to keep up-to-date with the latest developments on the way to your destination and at your destination. For example, weather and traffic conditions can change rapidly, so it’s vital to keep informed about these latest developments through your smartphone.

A phone is no longer just a device to make and receive phone calls. It is now one of the most important tools people who go on vacation with their families can use to plan and prepare for a trip away.

4 Child-Friendly Asian Cities to Visit

June 9, 2017 by admin

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?

June 5, 2017 by admin

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.