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5 Reasons why Ireland is a must visit destination

February 16, 2016 Alex Europe, Ireland, tips, travel No comments

When you tell someone that you plan to visit Ireland, you soon become inundated with suggestions of where to go and places to visit. Research online is filled with lists of top ten or top 20 places to visit in Ireland, from the Hills of Tara in County Meath to the rain soaked Aran Islands. However there is more to Ireland than beautiful countryside and its friendly people. We have compiled a short list of 5 most see places when in Ireland, perfect if you are visiting for a long weekend.

Like anywhere do your research online and plan your holiday well in advance, some websites have a great selection of accommodation types to choose from. Ireland also has an extensive rail and transport network so getting around this beautiful country should be as smooth as possible.

The Cliffs of Moher

First stop on our list is in the west of Ireland to the most famous and breath taking part of Ireland’s craggy west coastline the Cliffs of Moher. With 3 main viewing points you will truly be in awe of this natural attraction, look out for the Aran Islands of the coast (a location in the recent star wars film) and the many wildlife that use the cliff face as a safe haven.

The Ring of Kerry

With spectacular views, a visit to the ring of Kerry is not to be missed when in Ireland. Located to the south to the country’s most southerly tip it is recognised as one of Ireland’s most scenic trails the ring of Kerry stretches for 120 miles. Taking you on a journey through some of Ireland’s jaw dropping landscape, with green dense meadows, ice cold lakes and heather clad mountain tops coupled with Ireland’s rugged coastline, the ring of Kerry covers a leg of the increasingly popular Wild Atlantic Way. Here, the idealized view of Ireland as a land of rural greenery and natural beauty springs to reality.

The Giants Causeway

The Giants Causeway one of the most amazing sites you will ever see. Located in Northern Ireland near the town of Bushmills in County Antrim it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the North of Ireland. This natural wonder is made of interlocking basalt columns formed from volcanic activity millions of years ago. Alternatively if you enjoy myth and legend, the story of Finn McCool a beloved Irish giant is said to have built the causeway in a fight with a Scottish Giant. I know what story I want to believe, but I will let you decide when you visit. Make time for a visit at the nearby Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, which will really test your nerve of heights.

Guinness

Widely reported as Irelands most popular tourist attraction it is then compulsory that when in Irelands capital Dublin for the first time to visit the Guinness storehouse. The Guinness Storehouse is the home of Ireland’s most famous export “the black stuff” Guinness, even if you are not a fan the storehouse tells an interesting story bringing alive a real segment of Irish History. A tour of the storehouse is spread across 7 floors as you walk through the whole process from grain to glass. At the end of the Tour you are rewarded with a pint of Guinness with 360° panoramic views over Dublin. If you can’t make it as far as Dublin do take the chance to sample Ireland’s most popular export wherever you are.

Temple Bar

Finish of your time in Dublin in the cities hub of Temple Bar. Here there will be Guinness and Irish “crac” (banter) aplenty. You will also get the opportunity to meet the locals with traditional music on offer and stories of old Ireland to be told you will be entertained until the small hours.

This list is designed to give you something to see in each corner of Ireland, it is not inclusive of everything that is beautiful and welcoming of this unique country.

Check out more benefits of traveling to Ireland in my other post. And if you are into culture and history at all, have a look at the best museums in Ireland, too.

Have you visited Ireland before? Do you think we have left anything out that should be in the top 5 places to visit? Let me know in the comments below!

Why Mexico should be on top of your travel list

February 9, 2016 Alex beach, food, Mexico, North America, tips, travel No comments

Fabulous Mexico is a must visit destination for keen travellers and sun seekers alike. A beautiful country full of contrasts, Mexico is packed full of surprises from the ancient Mayan temples to the powder white beaches and crystal clear waters.

4 reasons why Mexico should be on top of your travel list:

Beaches

You can find beautiful beaches across the globe but Mexico’s sands are some of the most incredible in the world. The soft sandy beaches which covet the Mexican Riviera are literally paradise on earth. From out of this world five star resorts where you can sip cocktails and watch the sunsets to hammocks strung from the trees on deserted stretches of sand, there’s a gorgeous Mexican beach destination for you.

Adventure

If spending your days lazing on a beach isn’t for you, there certainly much more to Mexico. For the adventurers there are amazing monuments to see like the Chichen Itza which is the home of ceremonial Mexican antiquity. A trip there is a definite must for keen explorers. There are lots of other amazing adventures not to missed in Mexico from the pre-Columbian architecture to the Oaxaca in the south where there are stunning markets and amazing woven rugs.

Amazing food

Authentic Mexican food is one of a kind and some of the tastiest cuisine in the world. There’s great food to be experienced in whatever area of Mexico you choose to visit. Be sure to venture out of your comfort zone and try something a little more adventurous than the traditional burrito (but those are great too!). The street vendors do some of the best Mexican food that you have to try, think lashing of salsa, spicy beans and rice so full of flavour that you’ll forever be disappointed with basmati afterwards.

Culture

We all think of the stereotypical poncho and sombrero combination when Mexico comes to mind but once you visit you’ll be enthralled by the vibrancy of traditional Mexican culture. In Mexico City you’ll be able to find real Mexican music performances and enjoy a ranchera which is a traditional guitar song. Sit back with a margarita and soak up the amazing Latino vibes.

*Images courtesy of iStock

Five things to do in Eastern Norway

February 8, 2016 Alex Europe, tips, travel No comments

When visiting Norway most travellers head there to see the amazing Northern Lights. With the probability of seeing them much stronger in the North, other areas of the country are often less populated by tourists, such as the East.

Map of Norway and Sweden.

The east has some of amazing experiences for you to enjoy, here’s the top 5:

Oslo

Based in the East is Norway’s dazzling capital. Famed for its breath taking beauty Oslo is a stunning cosmopolitan hub surrounded by such amazing natural scenery it’s really hard not to love. Packed with hip Scandinavian bars and cool cafes, Oslo is oozing with culture and a must visit destination for any avid city break lover. There are lots of museums and galleries so its perfect for culture enthusiasts and its vibe is unlike any other European city. Its location means you can easily leave the city by boat to experience so much more of Norway.

View of Oslo city from roof top of the opera

The Norwegian Opera and Ballet

Head to the famous operatic theatre to experience some amazing performances of the best ballet and opera in Europe. You can book an English speaking tour in advance and find out so much about the stunning building before settling down for an evening of entertainment like no other.

Telemark

The Telemark canal is one of the most iconic features of eastern Norway. Built in the 1890’s the enchanting canal runs from the mountains to the sea and has a reputation as one of Europe’s most beautiful waterways. Taking a leisurely riverboat cruise down the canal makes for a wonderful day out and ensures that you see all the amazing scenery Eastern Norway has to offer. Telemark is definitely a must visit location for any adventurous types as there are so many activities to do from hiking, walking and cycling to husky sledding and cross country skiing in the mountains for the real dare devils.

Lillehammer

Home to the winter Olympics in 1994 Lillehammer is one of Norway’s best known winter sports resorts. The town is an amazing place to visit for explorers and adventurous people who want to take a ride on the infamous 100kph bobsleigh.

Holmenkollen Ski Museum

The ski museum and jump tower is an incredible day out and a chance to see some death defying jumps if you’re lucky. Be sure to ring ahead in advance of your trip and find out what day there will be live action jumps happening for you to see.

*Images courtesy of iStock

Top tips to save your cash while shopping abroad

July 21, 2015 Alex tips, travel No comments

Shopping while traveling is fun, but it’s worth making sure you have enough money saved to continue enjoying your trip, as well as avoiding crippling debts or credit problems when you get back home.

Take a look at the do’s and don’ts below to help you stay out of financial trouble on your travels.

Do:

Check the currency exchange rate – it may be favorable for you, or it may be prohibitively expensive, so check before you buy.

Buy your local currency before traveling – this is cheaper than buying in your hotel or a local bank.

Set a realistic budget and stick to it – save your cash for the essentials and emergency funds.

Look for savings on every aspect of your trip – whether it’s clothes, souvenirs, food or entertainment, always look for offers and discounts.

Buy in the sales – in some countries, like the USA and France, these happen at certain times of the year, so check for dates. Try ‘outlet’ stores too where goods are permanently sold at a discount. If you’re looking for quirky bargains, vintage shops may also be worth looking at.

Buy locally produced goods – handcrafts, foods and in some cases even big brand names may be cheaper in their country of origin.

Buy away from the big cities – it can be tempting to stick to cities like New York or London to shop. However, out of town shopping centers, such as the on-site shopping center at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard in the UK, can also have a lot to offer and be much less

Negotiate the price – in some countries, such as Morocco, Egypt and India, haggling over a price is perfectly acceptable, even expected. Just make sure this is usual practice in the country you’re visiting.

Claim a tax refund – some countries, like the USA and UK, allow visitors to reclaim at least some of the local taxes paid on goods. Usually there is a minimum spend applicable, but it’s still worth finding out if your spending qualifies.

Use your Student ID card – if you have one, take it with you, as a number of vendors offer student discounts on anything from stationery, to clothing, to food. (I have managed to use my student ISIC card a few times to get some discounts even though it has not been valid for a couple of years already but they do not check it properly everywhere.)

Pack your bags carefully – rolling clothes and neatly packing items can save you space which could mean savings on excess baggage.

Don’t:

Shop in tourist areas – wherever possible, aim for locally used shops and vendors as they won’t have hiked up tourist prices.

Make too many ‘impulse’ buys – if you’d be stretching your traveling cash too far and it’s not essential, simply walk away from buying it.

Use your credit card – keep this to a minimum, for essentials and emergencies, as the interest added can make the full cost exorbitant.

Stick to your budget and seek out savings wherever possible to help ensure you’re in a healthy financial state when you get home. You’ll be very glad you did.

Reasons to visit Florida

May 20, 2015 Alex tips, travel, USA No comments

Florida, named as Flowery Land by the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon already in 1513, is the US state known for its longest coastline and subtropical to tropical climate. tickets to Disney world Orlando

I have a lot of friends who come from Florida, or moved in there but also many foreign friends who were attracted by its charm to pay a short visit at least. Some of them even decided to travel around in an RV renting it via RVshare website.

As well, I do know a few people who went to Miami or Key West to work for a couple of months, some of them were even my ex high school classmates from Slovakia.

Fortunately, I am one of those people who has had a chance to visit this paradise already. But I only managed to spend a few days in Miami with Colombian and German friends on my way to Aruba island.

Reasons to visit Florida:

Disney World – recently I’ve been visiting many amusement parks so visiting Florida could not go without getting tickets to Disney world Orlando. Would you join me?

animals – crocodile, manatee, alligator, panther, dolphins, whales, eagles and much more can be found in Florida – after my experience of swimming with caimans in the Amazon jungle of Bolivia, I would love to see the difference between them, crocodiles and alligators

Mockingbird is the state bird – I so love the birds! I honestly could spend days observing different birds flying, feeding and just cleaning themselves up.

Around 1,000 km of beaches – enough said about the Sunshine State to convince not only me to

*photo credit

Florida has more than 4,500 islands! Island paradise, here I come …

Hispanic community – I am one of the biggest fans of Latin American culture so Florida is definitely a place for me. It’s said around 20% of Florida’s inhabitants speak Spanish so I could discuss just anything with them talking in my favorite language ever.

Historic districts of towns

Fresh fruit and veggies – citrus, watermelon, tomatoes, celery and strawberries, yum! Around 40% of the world’s oranges is produced in Florida so the state drink is my favorite fresh orange juice.

Mild winters in Miami – no more freezing! (I am officially allergic to cold if you didn’t know)

Wikipedia states there’s more than 3,000 wildflowers in Florida and who doesn’t like flowers?

Caves, springs and sinkholes (I’ve visited more than 15 sinkholes in Yucatan peninsula in Mexico and am dying for more!)

Great for a city break – Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Sarasota, Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, Hialeah etc.

Unique architecture – Mediterranean Revival and Spanish Revival

Sports – such as baseball, tennis, golf, car racing, soccer, basketball, ice hockey

Special Flash of Green phenomenon can be sometimes witnessed after the sunset

Canoe, Kayak, Sailing, Fishing, Boating and Air Adventures – anything is possible in Florida

Perfect Wellness – there’s nothing better than relaxing in a spa after a cool adventure. That’s why I started my Adventure and Spa project and as far as I know, Florida is definitely a place to go for both.

All the points above make Florida top travel destination of the world, and no wonder why …

Would you add any more reasons to visit Florida? Have you been?

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