Travel Tips and Free Accommodations

The Sites of Edinburgh

January 20, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Edinburgh is the beautiful capital city of Scotland, filled with history, and located on the sea. If you are planning on visiting, make sure to do some online research first. Like anything from purchasing a new television to buying a new watch from JRDunn.com, by doing some research and getting some tips you will save money and time. So with that in mind, here are a list of some of the places to visit.

Edinburgh Castle. This is where the last freedom fight of Scotland was fought, and where the royal jewels of Scotland were rediscovered years later. These treasures can now be viewed at the castle. Also in the castle is a chapel, the armory, the battlements, and a scheduled cannon demonstration.

Holyroodhouse Palace. This is where the royal family still spends part of the year, and so it is not able to be toured year-round. Here you can see the old receiving room, read the tragic story of Mary, Queen of Scots, and see the old, ruined cathedral that the palace is based next to. Filled with ornate decorations and British history, this gem is worth the ticket price.

Arthur’s Seat. Of all the sites in Edinburgh, Arthur’s Seat is the most breathtaking and unique. It is a rocky hill that looks over the city and the surrounding sea. After an energetic hike, travelers are rewarded with spectacular views of the city, the sea, and the distant Highlands. Make the trek at the right time, and a bagpiper may be playing to his nation’s honor, creating an incredible experience that should not be turned down.

The Royal Mile. This is the road that stretches from the castle down to near the palace. It is loaded with vendors, shoppes, cafés, as well as alleys and old closes (covered alleys) that cross the road or open into it. The people, shops, and interesting sites and architecture make this stretch a must-see of Edinburgh.

National Museums Scotland. These museums are located a little bit off of the beaten path, and contain many interesting displays of history and art. Well worth a tour, these stops are a good place to get out of the weather and into the history and culture of Scotland.

Filed Under: Tourism Tagged With: Royal Mile, Scotland

Getting the Most Out of Your Vacation

January 19, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Planning your vacation should not be a hasty process. You need to take the time to plan out every detail so you will not be caught off guard. From airfare and accommodations to translation books and electric adapters, there are many aspects to plan for a vacation. You could leave it up to a travel agent, but you will not get the best deals available. Start saving money by planning your vacation on your own. One of the best ways to plan for your vacation is by utilizing the deals on websites like Offers.com.

Offers.com provides you with the latest, inexpensive deals on everything you need for a vacation. You can save money on travel rates, hotel rates and dining. You can even find gift cards and coupons for places that sell the vacation supplies you need. For instance, you may not even think about whether or not your hair dryer will work in another country. Chances are, you will need an electric adapter to plug it in the wall. Offers.com is a great resource to help you find electric adapters, translation books, luggage, and any other supplies that you might need. The best part is that the website will help you save money on every purchase.

Paying attention to every detail of your vacation will save you money that you can spend in other ways. You can even tuck your savings aside for a special splurge during your vacation, such as an expensive souvenir or piece of jewelry. Your vacation should be a time of rest and relaxation, not a time when you have to count every penny you spend. By utilizing places like Offers.com, you will not have to worry about your pennies because you will have already saved hundreds of dollars. Enjoy your vacation to the fullest by saving money before you ever leave home.

Filed Under: Travel, Vacation Tagged With: Money, Offers.com, Travel, Travel agency, United States

Four Ways to see England Like a Local

January 18, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Rent a Car. Renting a car allows you to take an adventure off of the highways and main streets of buses and city life, and to experience the country roads that are lined with hedges and which curve around the old farmhouses. Renting a car also gives you the driving experience of the local—on the other side of the car! If you can retrain your brain for a week or two in order to drive on the other side of the road, you will be rewarded with a unique experience.

Stay at farmhouse bed and breakfasts. The countryside is filled with old farmhouses and working farms that double as a bed and breakfast. Usually complete with a full English breakfast, you can spend the night or the week coming and going at British home, where a family is going about their everyday farm life. These hosts are also excellent resources for great restaurants in the area, directions, or things to do.

Make friends with a local. While this may sound unlikely, asking someone on the bus, or the host of your accommodation where the best places are may be the best way to see the sites from the eyes of a native. This is a valuable trait to have in any city, but particularly in smaller cities where travel guides don’t bother giving any advice. Every town has its jewels and its quirks, and asking around may be the best way to experience these. Where’s the best place to get this kind of advice? A local pub, of course!

Take a walk. In fact, take lots of walks. After all, this is primarily how the locals get around, especially in cities like Oxford and London. Do not limit yourself to walks strictly to get from one place to another, but take a stroll around and you may find an interesting shop or café you would not have noticed before.

Filed Under: Tourism Tagged With: London

How to Make the Most of your Holidays

January 18, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

: Image by davedehetre via Flickr

Maldives luxury holidays are a great getaway for couples. While you’re in the Maldives, you’ll enjoy dancing, dining, and water sports. You may even go to the spa and enjoy a couple’s massage. When you arrive in the Maldives, the first thing you’ll notice is the crystal, clear blue water. You’ll get to enjoy the view of the water while you’re on your holiday because the cabanas are located over the blue water. When you go out onto the deck of your cabana, the first thing you’ll notice in the morning is the water.

Sit on the deck with your loved one and enjoy the beautiful sunset. It’s so breathtaking that it’s a memory that you won’t forget. You can have a romantic dinner on the deck of your cabana by having your dinner delivered right to your room. You can also watch the sunset go down while eating your dinner. When it comes to the food and wine, you’ll have many choices to choose from. You can enjoy international cuisines and seafood. Keep in mind, all of the seafood that is served is fresh from the sea.

When it comes to activities, there are an unlimited number of things to do, such as snorkeling, canoeing, sailing, fishing, and scuba diving. You may want to explore the lagoon, which is a step away from your cabana. During the holidays, some people forget to exercise, but your Maldives luxury holidays won’t have to forget because they even have a gym available for all of their guests. After a long gym session, head back to your cabana and take a shower. You have the option of showering in or outdoors. After this, you can take your spouse down to the restaurant and enjoy one of their main dishes they have to offer and dance the night away.

Filed Under: Travel, Vacation

Experience the Sublime in North Wales

January 15, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

A trip to North Wales is ideal for vacationers who are eager to see rolling hills, ancient castles, sheep paddocks, and the quaint landscape and lifestyle of the Welsh. This tips can help give you the most authentic and beautiful Welsh vacation.

Stay in the country. While you could find a main city and put up in a hotel, the real charm of Wales is seen in its countryside, so why not stay in the midst of it? There are many different bed and breakfasts you can stay at in the towns that sprawl across this region, and several websites can help you search the many different options you have for accommodations, including bed and breakfasts, self-catering cottages, hostels, and local hotels.

Tour the Castles. There are five major castles in the province, all unique in their own way, and all players in the long history of Wales and the United Kingdom. Several of these castles are on the coast, making for beautiful views of the sea, and all are surrounded by the gorgeous terrain of the countryside. Getting a ticket into the castle allows you to peruse inside the castle, its ruins, and its on-site museums. Visiting these old and majestic beauties is well worth your time if you want to understand Wales’ rich history.

Go on lots of walks and hikes. The beautiful terrain of North Wales will practically drag you out of your cottage and into its sublime air. Rolling hills, streams splashing down moss-covered boulders, tall trees, old stone fences, and mountain views are what makes North Wales such a breathtaking adventure. Taking a walk outside of your accommodations may make you feel like you belong in The Lord of the Rings, and the many old fences and pastures filled with sheep may seem like they belong in a Jane Austen novel. After a week of living in the daily beauty of this region, you may come home a new person.

Filed Under: Tourism Tagged With: North Wales, Wales

The Road Less Traveled

January 15, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

: Image via Wikipedia

In the traveling world there are two types of travelers. One group of travelers are those that go on vacations to get away, relax and visit some of the popular landmarks and areas of the world. Another group includes those that go to exotic locations to experience the local sights and sounds as if they were a native. If you are in the second group, you may be wondering how to go about finding all the local hot spots that most tourists would overlook. To find these locations, that is where the traveling secret comes into play.

One of the best kept traveling secrets for those that wish to experience their vacation hot spot as if they were a local is to use the locals. It is the locals that are the best resource to use when trying to find all those little unknown hot spots. By living and working in your vacation destination, they know where all the locals hang out and all the little shops and restaurants to visit.

This little known secret is how I found one of the best local Chinese restaurants right in the heart of Ireland. Ireland isn’t known for Chinese food, but while wandering the streets I came across a unique cigar shop. This shop wasn’t just for smoking cigars—it was a leisure local spot with lounge chairs, a small bar and even a gaming room complete with poker tables. I headed in to get a better look at this local cigar shop and ran into the shop owner. He struck up a conversation and started talking about some of the best local hot spots. He told me as a traveler I just had to try this local Chinese restaurant down the street. That evening I stopped there for a quick bite to eat and now I can officially say that the best Chinese food I’ve ever had was right in the heart of Ireland.

Filed Under: Travel

Westward Expansion

January 13, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

If you are looking for a trip out West, consider using this trail guide to hit the important stops. Begin in Keystone, South Dakota, to see Mount Rushmore. Stay in the area to see the Black Hills of South Dakota, the most beautiful stop in the state. With museums and trails and historical markers, as well as plenty of adorable and chubby prairie dogs to feed, this place is ideal for the explorer and history buff.

Move even further west through Wyoming to experience Yellowstone National Park, the first national park ever created in 1872 by President Ulysses Grant. It is the home of dozens of famous geysers, including Old Faithful, as well as numerous hot springs. This area is also perfect for experiencing wildlife. Wake up early one morning before the sun is up, hop in your car with a cup of coffee, and drive around the beautiful countryside to see antelope, dear, moose, and even a bear or two. Just be sure you stay in your car!

Just a little south of Yellowstone is the Grand Teton National Park, a place known for its beautiful and majestic mountains, as well as plenty of great hiking, trails, and wildlife. An early-morning ride here, or even an afternoon trip, may find you taking pictures of several moose and bears (not seen together, of course).

Lastly, head further south to Estes Park, Colorado, a place known for its views and cabins and local life. With is world-renowned views, it is well worth a few nights’ visit. Of course, while in Colorado, you can always hop over to Pikes Peak to drive up or hike this famous mountain of Colorado, known because it is so visible out of all of the Rocky Mountains. All of these landmark sites are only a few hours from each other, making them the perfect trail to hit of you are looking for some of the most beautiful sites of the West.

Filed Under: Tourism Tagged With: Yellowstone National Park