Travel

Top tips for traveling on a budget

Traveling doesn’t have to break the bank. While it’s easy to assume that only trust fund kids get to travel, this couldn’t be further from the truth. If you’re hoping to travel more in 2019, here are some tips for traveling on a budget: Choose the right time You can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars by being strategic about when you actually travel. Avoid the school holidays at all costs. If you’re heading to Europe, make sure you avoid July and August- September is a great time to travel and May and early June can also be excellent. Not only will you pay less, but you’ll avoid the worst of the heat and crowds. Plan in advance The earlier you begin planning your trip, the better. Not only will you be able to snap up the best deals, but you’ll also be able to put a little money…

Top 7 Things to do in Chinatown, San Francisco

If you’re headed to the City by the Bay, visiting its iconic Chinatown should be on your bucket list.  San Francisco’s Chinatown is not only the largest Chinatown outside of Asia, but it is also the oldest in North America and one of the this city’s top tourist attractions.  There is plenty to see in this area near North Beach and Telegraph Hill, so it’s best to come prepared.  Here is a list of the top things to do in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Chinatown Gate This beautifully decorated gate marks the entrance to Chinatown on Grant Avenue.  The gate was unveiled in 1970 and marks the spot as one of the district’s central points. The gate has many intricate carvings and is inscribed with the saying, “All under heaven is for the good of the people,” by Dr. Sun. Yat-sen. Portsmouth Square Thought by many to be the true “Heart…

How to get your car ready for a trip around Europe

Planning a big road trip around Europe? How exciting! Before you pack your bags however, you’ll need to make sure your car is ready to go. As part of the #RoadtripsofEurope campaign, I thought I’d bring you some of my top tips to make sure you have a fun, successful, and safe trip. Here are some things to consider: Check your tyres This is one of the most important aspects. That’s because a blown tyre can be extremely dangerous if you’re traveling at speed, and can also cost you hours of your holiday if it suddenly begins going flat. One of the best ways to make sure your car is safe is to get your tyres checked by a professional and consider getting your tyres fitted at Kwik Fit. Check all fluids This includes your brake fluid, coolant, oil, and windshield-washer fluid. Take a look at your transmission and power-steering fluids…

How Often Do Hail Storms Occur?

Hail can occur any time precipitation and conflicting temperatures in the atmosphere exist. Essentially, hail is frozen rain that typically accompanies severe thunderstorms. The size of the hail depends on how many times the pellets are lifted back through the freezing process by updrafts before they plummet to the ground. The best weather software can help predict not only when hail is expected in your area but approximately how big the pieces will be when they fall. Who Gets the Most Hail? While hail is possible in a thunderstorm, it isn’t present in every thunderstorm. Most storms aren’t intense enough to produce the conditions required to create hail. The places such severe storms are likely to occur are in the central and southern plains of the United States during the seasons when cold air from Canada and warm air from the Gulf of Mexico collide. These plains span across several…

Planning your wedding on a budget? Read this post

If you’ve been to a few weddings lately, it may be easy to assume that the only way to have an incredible day is to spend in the region of $30,000 to $50,000. This is a myth though, and you can definitely have an incredible day without spending all of your savings (or worse, taking out a loan). Here are some tips if you’re planning your wedding on a budget: Actually set a budget You’d be surprised how many people haven’t sent a firm budget for their wedding. If you don’t set a budget, you don’t know what you’re working with, and it can be easy to say yes to things you can’t really afford. Confirm how much family members may be able to contribute, and work out how much you can spend as well. Prioritise Now’s the time to think about what you consider the most important things to…

Top ways to make travel easier for your next trip

Travel is one of the best ways to grow as a person, and it’s also incredibly fulfilling. But it’s not always the fairytale you see on Facebook in Instagram. Often, travel is delayed flights, rude cab drivers, lost passports, jetlag, and exhaustion. This doesn’t mean you should stay home. But it does mean that you should do everything you can to control the things you can and make travel easier. That way, you’re not down to your last nerve when you miss your connecting flight or can’t figure out the public transport system. Here are some top ways to make travel easier for your next trip: Make it a stopover If there’s one thing I’m not doing anymore, it’s long-haul connecting flights between Europe and New Zealand/Australia. These days, I always book a night in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Hong Kong, or Bangkok. Even if you’re not flying for that long,…

How to travel for less this year

While it’s easy to assume that travel is only for the rich and privileged, the truth is that travel has never been more accessible for people of all incomes. If you’re reading this, you’re already doing better than 90% of the world, and there are plenty of ways you can make the most of that privilege and get out and see the world. Here are some top ways you can travel for less this year: Be Flexible Maybe you’ve always wanted to go to Mexico. While Mexico is cheap once you get on the ground, it can be an expensive place to get to if you’re not flying from North America. Think about why you want to go to Mexico. Is it the beaches? A chance to interact with a different culture? Or the idea of lying next to a pool in a swanky resort? You can find all of…

Carry-on packing essentials

Whether you’re heading off on a six-week adventure, or a long weekend away, your carry-on luggage should always contain in-flight essentials, that are strategically chosen to make your journey as comfortable as possible. We all know that packing can be stressful, so we’ve put together the ultimate list of carry-on necessities, to help you be more organised on your next trip. The Bag Before you even start packing, you need to decide on a bag that is suitable for your in-flight essentials. If you are travelling with a lot of technical equipment (laptops, cameras) etc. then you might be best off with a multi-compartment backpack, so you can access your electronics with ease. Backpacks are also great for long-term travellers, as it can double as a day bag for excursions! If you’re heading for a weekend away with your friends and you’re happy to pack light, then a small wheelie…

Pricing up the perfect date around the world

Many couples try to treat themselves to a regular date night, as it allows them to spend quality time together amongst their busy schedules. Sometimes though, dates can be expensive and it can be hard to find a good location or venue on a budget. If you decide to have a date night at home or when you’re on holiday, we’ve got some suggestions. Angelic Diamonds, retailers of stunning engagement rings, tell us more: When in Rome The city of Rome is well-known for its vast history and famous landmarks. Home to the Trevi Fountain where you can make a wish and the outstanding colosseum, it’s a place that should be on your bucket list. Heading to a football game Are you and your partner football fans? Attending an A.S Roma match could be a good choice for you. At the grand Stadio Olimpico, you can buy a ticket for…

4 Incredible Summer Family Holiday Ideas

Summer is just around the corner and you can feel the weather warming up already. If you’re hoping to go away for the summer break, now is the time to start planning when and where you will head off to. If you’re anything like me, chances are you will want to find somewhere that has tons of sunshine so you can make the most of the warmer months. If you are in charge of planning the family trip away this year, you’re going to want to find a destination that will suit each family member, to ensure that everyone has a memorable trip away. Here are my favourite summer holiday destinations that are sure to delight everyone, no matter their age and even the hard to please teenagers will have a blast: 1) Head to Greece: Known for the stunning beaches, Greece has so much to offer families looking for a special…

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