Posts by : Izy Berry

Situated right in the heart of Europe, Germany has a plethora of fantastic tourist attractions and experiences. Visitors from all across the globe travel to this beautiful country to see fascinating places of natural beauty and architectural masterpieces.

There are indeed a lot of things to do when on a holiday – but the bulk of excitement comes from the place you choose to stay. There is nothing difficult about booking hotel accommodation, however it is recommended to reside in one of the holiday homes in Germany.

A stay in a holiday home endows lots of freedom and gives a much greater degree of privacy. To persuade you further, let’s go over the fantastic things you could do throughout your stay!

Colossal Cities!

Germany has some modern metropolitan areas including the famous cities of Berlin and Munich, however Frankfurt is a must-see city for avid travelers. Due to its commercialism, Frankfurt has developed a reputation of being cold and boring, however this wild accusation of its character is unfair.

Seen as the gateway to Europe thanks to its thriving airport, the city has world-class ballet, opera, theatre and art exhibitions. The huge skyscrapers and modern feel, especially around the Hauptbahnhof (main train station) and Westend districts, coupled with the city’s rich culture, history, dining and activity options might just surprise you!

Hamburg, Germany’s biggest port and the second-busiest in Europe is approximately 100km south of the North Sea. Also Germany’s second city, Hamburg is perfect for young travellers. With a fantastic nightlife scene, a bohemian hub and beautiful views, as well as Strand Pauli, a recreated Caribbean beach on the shores of the River Elbe complete with real sand, beach huts and a huge outdoor dancefloor, Hamburg will tickle all of your fancies.

Fascinating Festivals!

Also one for those who love a good knees-up are the famous Volksfeste (peoples’ festivals) that take place all over the country. The most famous of which is the Oktoberfest, the world’s largest funfair held annually in Munich. The Oktoberfest is an important part of Bavarian culture and since 1810, visitors have been able to enjoy beer, amusement rides and traditional food. Top Tip: Try the Käsespätzle (cheese noodles), a local delicacy!

Another unique tradition in Germany are the magical Christmas markets that take place in cities, towns and villages throughout the country. If you are fed up with Christmas commercialism, the traditional and romantic markets of Germany with their craft-made not mass-produced Christmas gifts will surely win you over! With so many Christmas markets, the most difficult choice is which ones will you sample the Glühwein at – highly recommended are the festivities in Nürnberg and Dresden.

Homely Holidays!

As well as the brutal winters, Germany has stunning summers and is a more than pleasant place to spend the holiday months.

With more than 600,000 tourists a year, the first resort that comes to mind is Sylt, well-known for its unique shape and geological spectacles. Sylt is a luxury holiday destination with a magnetic effect. To be fair, it is easy to see why! The western side of the island has over 40km of white, sandy beaches, one-third of the isle is covered by natural sand dunes and Sylt boasts a landscape dominated by large heaths that accommodate 2,500 animal species.

Germany’s largest island is called Rügen and is one of the most popular holiday destinations thanks to the beautiful seaside resorts of Binz and Sellin. Easily, one of the most popular activities on Rügen is bike riding. If you are one of the many cyclists who flock to the region, the route to Cape Arkona (near Putgarden) is highly recommended. Be it a family, seaside or adventure holiday, all interests are catered for due to the island’s diverse landscape.

Natural Niceties!

Germany is not short of natural beauty. For those interested in climbing peaks and national parks, don’t look any further than Sächsische Schweiz (Saxon Switzerland), a hilly climbing area with some thousand climbing peaks in east Germany. The 93km² national park protects the unique and earthy character of the range. Don’t forget to visit the beautiful castles of Neurathen and Falkenstein!

Talking of German castles, it would be rude not to mention Schloß Neuschwanstein (Neuschwanstein Castle) in Bavaria, or the romantic Rhine in west Germany. Parts of the Rhine straight out of picture books, the precipitous hills, lavish greenery and castles perched upon practically every hilltop. The region was recognised by UNESCO by designating it as a World Heritage Site. I’m sure if UNESCO rate it, you will too!

Ace Activities!

There is truly something for every taste in Germany. As the pun in the title explains, there is a plethora of activities to take part in or experience. Be it a luxury holiday on Sylt, a honeymoon in Hamburg, a family holiday on Rügen or a city break in one of the many urban hotspots.

The most popular holidays, thanks to Germany’s wicked landscape are skiing and walking holidays. The Allgäu and Schwarzwald (Black Forest) regions in south Germany are particularly popular thanks to the mountainous terrain and cosy cottages. In winter, the weather gets rather cold, leading to classic wintery weather including snowfalls perfect for skiing and other snowsports.

With fantastic accommodation available at cheap prices, as well as fantastic activities, this is a country with so much to offer.

With so much to do in London, it’s important to take advantage of what’s right under your nose. Amidst all the historic buildings, the London underground and amazing restaurants is some of the best shopping you’ll ever see in your life. I can hear you now, “Shopping?” you say, “That seems kind of shallow to come all the way to shop.” But that’s where you would be wrong, London is rife with shops and retailers found nowhere else in the world and boasts some of the oldest and most opulent department stores on Earth. You don’t have to spend your whole trip shopping till you drop, though you easily could, but you should definitely take at least a day to see what all the fuss is about and treat yourself.

Burlington Arcade

Let’s start off with the classics. Burlington Arcade is the longest and oldest covered shopping arcade in England. According to British Airways, the shopping center opened in 1819 (nearly 200 years ago!) and has long been a favourite destination for celebrities, royalty and other esteemed members of British high society. The area is now recognised as an architectural and historical landmark. There are over 40 different luxury retailers at Burlington including Chanel and La Perla along with some of the most famous antique jewelry and watch sellers in the world. Slip on something sophisticated and mingle with the upper crust while you see what it looks like for a building to spend nearly two centuries in business.

Covent Garden

For those looking for a little more culture with their shopping, you should check out the world-famous Covent Garden. A bustling convergence of retail, sightseeing, dining, and nightlife, Covent Garden is the place with something for everyone from the glamour gal to the gourmand. Covent Garden is also home to the Royal Opera House, which has been at its location (though not the same building) since 1732. Plan ahead and snag a ticket to a once-in-a-lifetime performance.

Selfridges

Savvy shoppers and PBS devotees know enough to make a stop by the legendary Selfridges flagship store in London. Opened in 1909, the over 100-year-old establishment is a pillar of English retail and one of largest stores in the UK (second only to Harrods). The history of the shop and its founder, Harry Gordon Selfridge, were recently brought to life on the small screen in the British television series (now a PBS Masterpiece series in the States), “Mr. Selfridge.”

Topshop

For the younger fashionista looking to find the latest looks fast then Topshop is at the top of the list for places to go. Topshop has become the official headquarters for fast fashion on the cutting edge and is a favourite of stars and celebrities. Paris Hilton was recently caught on an undercover trip to Topshop by The Daily Mail. Take the time at this store for some of the cutest clothing at the best prices you’ll ever find. Your wardrobe will thank you.

Harrods

You knew that we were getting to this. No shopping list would be complete without mentioning Harrods. The shop occupies five acres, has five floors, and spans over 1 million square feet making it the largest department store in all of Europe. Even if retail therapy isn’t your thing, you owe it to yourself just to take in how amazingly humongous this place is. Harrods is positively massive and with their motto of “all things for all people everywhere,” they probably have your number on something you don’t even know you want yet. The BBC reports that even footballers can’t keep their hands off the high-quality goods at Harrods, but you know better than to make the same mistake.

This is only a light taste of all that London has to offer when it comes to getting your shop on, but this should at least provide you with a good starting point, especially if you’re in a rush. With so much history and so many stories behind its stores, shopping in London means a whole lot more than a quick trip to the mall and a swipe of the credit card. It’s truly a whole experience in and of itself, regardless of whether or not you end up making a purchase.

Unless you have the memory of an elephant, which most of us don’t, then you could be forgiven for forgetting the odd thing every now and then. Provided the things you forget aren’t important, then really it doesn’t particularly matter if you forget to put the rubbish out in the morning, but in the case of holidays, if you forget a particular detail, you might be putting your whole holiday in jeopardy.

There are certain things which holidays need, and if you fail to do one of them, or forget to print something out, then you could run into problems. Don’t stress about it, simply make sure you organise yourself well ahead of time.

Consider this your list to tick off as you go through your holiday planning stages, and once you have a tick at the side of all of these points, you should be more than good to go.

Getting to the airport

Have you given thought to how you’re going to get from home to the check in desk? So many people leave this until the last minute and then find the cost of buses and trains has shot through the roof. Make sure you organise your transport ahead of time, and if you have an early flight, give serious consideration to booking an airport hotel, to make your travel day much less stressful as a result. I do this regularly, often using the Stansted Airport hotels, and I find this a stress-free approach to my travel.

Passport validity

Check your passports as soon as you book, because most holiday destinations the world over require you to have at least six months’ validity on your passport from the date you return home. This may mean you need to renew your passport early.

Do you need a visa?

Sometimes you may need a visa, other times you won’t, but do check early in proceedings, because if you need to apply in a more formal manner then this can be a lengthy process. Check online on the Embassy website if you’re not sure.

API

If you need to do API (Advanced Passenger Information), make sure you do this at least 72 hours prior to travel, to avoid problems at the check in desk.

Health issues

Check with your GP whether you need any additional immunisations or medications to travel to your chosen destination, and make sure you have enough of your regular repeat medications to see you through the duration of your trip.

Print out confirmations

Sometimes you don’t need a paper copy of a booking, but I always find it’s a good safety cushion to have one just in case. Check spellings of names and details on any confirmations, and print them out, storing them in your hand luggage.

Pack!

Obviously you won’t forget to do this, but I find doing my packing in stages eases the total stress-fest for me!

Tick off these items and you should have everything vitally important for your upcoming trip. If you forget anything else, well, that can be sorted out quite easily at a later date.

Every year people flock to Amsterdam to celebrate the orange experience, King’s Day (formerly Queen’s day). It’s a two day event, starting on King’s day Eve that is like a carnival, with people dressed in orange pouring into the streets. It’s a fun day, that both locals and tourists relish. There’s a citywide street sale, there’s fact painting for children and those who are young at heart, and there’s tones of parties and music. It’s the perfect time to visit Amsterdam and takes place towards the end of April.

KLM – Royal Dutch Airlines – decided to do something a little different this year to get people excited about the orange experience. They partnered with Heineken, also a Dutch brand, to find some bold explorers from around the world worthy of visiting Amsterdam during King’s day for free. In various bars scattered around the planet, when someone ordered a Heineken beer, they were propositioned with a Dutch challenge, such as singing ‘Oranje Boven’ – a Dutch song – in front of a large crowd in a busy bar. Those brave enough to follow through were rewarded with immediate flights to Amsterdam – for them and a friend, to enjoy the wonderful Orange Experience during King’s Day.

Thankfully the hilarious footage was filmed and turned into a video for our entertainment. If you’ve managed to miss King’s Day this year, why not put it on your bucket list for next year. While you’re planning your travels for next year, take a look at this hilarious video.

Would you be bold enough to participate in these challenges for free flights to Amsterdam? I think I would!

This is a sponsored post.

When you think of Italy, you probably think of melt-in-your-mouth pasta, the Colosseum and chucking a coin over your shoulder into the Trevi Fountain. However, these popular associations are only a small piece of what this beautiful country has to offer – and you’ll want to see them all. But with so many places to see, where do you even start? And if you’re a first-time traveller, how do you even begin to comprehend the idea of navigating your way around? Below are some helpful tips to put your mind at ease.

Do a Tour

Travelling overseas can be overwhelming. If you’re a first-time traveller, it can be even more nerve wracking. Italy is a big country in terms of sites, locations and history, and you’ll want to fit everything in! This is why doing a tour could be your perfect navigation option, as you will get the chance to see and experience a little bit of everything while having it all organised by someone else. For example, visiting the websites of tour companies like Albatross Tours will give you a good overview of what your options are.

Know Your Sites

The best way to navigate your way around Italy as a first-time traveller is to have a dedicated plan. Before you leave, do some research and chat to people about the best locations and sites to visit. By formulating a list of sites and locations you want to see, you won’t feel like you’re treading water when you get there. Having a list will allow you to prioritise your destinations if you’re running out of time, and it will also make it easier to group items together if they’re in nearby locations or cities.

Don’t Overdo It

With so much to see and do, it’s easy to get carried away with trying to squeeze too much into a small timeframe. This is the quickest way to ruin a holiday. To combat this, do your research on travel times, how busy the sites might be, and how long you’ll need to spend at each. You’re on a trip of a lifetime, so try picking a handful of key places and spend a decent amount of time at each one; don’t rush through it or you won’t appreciate it.

Research and Prepare

If this is your first time in Europe, prepare to have your eyes opened! Rich cultures, diverse customs and a mixture of personalities dominate Italy and can potentially leave its visitors with a fair bit of culture shock. Do plenty of research before you leave. How common is English? What are the tipping expectations? How safe will it be? Being aware of questions such as these will make navigating your way through Italy that much more enjoyable.

Italy is a country that offers a little bit of everything, including fine dining, museums and churches, stunning coastlines, and heartbreaking history. As a first-time traveller, you’ll want to do everything in the one trip, but this isn’t practical when it comes to navigation. By following the above tips, you may not get to see everything in the one go, but you will have a more enjoyable and memorable time.

What are the place or sites you want to visit the most in Italy? Leave your choices in the comments below.

Visa processing in the UK can be more involved depending on which country you are arriving from. The red tape involved can be made easier by starting your visa application in enough time before travel.

There are two methods for applying for a UK visa or UK naturalization. You may either submit your UK visa application through the Border and Immigration Agency of the Home Office services, or you can submit it through a UK consulate/High Commission/Embassy abroad, depending on the category of visa you want to apply for. The table below explains which applications immigration and naturalization services can be processed through each method, the processing times and the visa fees where applicable. Keep in mind that EU/EEA citizens and their families do not have to pay visa fees.

* – Processing times can vary depending on Embassy or Consulate.

Theresa May the current UK Home Secretary, revealed that she will revamp Britain’s visa system to make the country more appealing to corporations. The restructurings will decrease the amount of visa types free to foreign business travellers and performance artists from 15 to just four from April onwards.

Luckily, the changes will decrease red tape and speed up processing times. For the first time, professional travellers will also be approved to take a holiday in the UK alongside meetings. In the past, two visas were required, but many argued that the difficulties of the visa system are hurting Britain’s monetary recovery.

For non-business travelers who want to get visas into the UK, the processing is a little more difficult. The inbound travel industry is in favour of lifting visa limitations to increase the amount of Chinese visitors to the UK. These aims have caused Government procedures to proceed in allowing Chinese visitors to use an Irish visitor’s visa for travel to the UK without requiring them to get a separate UK visa. These measures will also allow people from the UK to travel to China without requiring visitor visas as well come autumn.

With regard to marriage visas in the UK, the UK Border agency has recently announced that there are new financial requirements, which are creating hardship for thousands of couples looking to reunite with their partner in the UK.

From the time when new financial limits for sponsoring a non-EU/EEA fiancée, partner or spouse for a UK settlement visa arose in July 2012, thousands of citizens and UK permanent residents have found that they cannot reach the income level required to bring their foreign partner or family member to live and work in the U.K. It has been reported that thousands of couples have been unable to reunite in the U.K. due to not meeting the new financial requirement introduced by the UK Border Agency (UKBA) just a little over a year ago.

While taking travel photos can be a fantastic way to remember our adventures, document the places we’ve been, and stir emotions years down the line, they are also a brilliant tool for engaging followers on social media sites such as Pinterest and Instagram, as well as a way to show our friends and family just what we’ve been up to on vacation. We are, by nature, a nosy bunch, and travel photos can be a great talking point; how many times have you struck up a conversation with a stranger because you happen to notice an exotic location on their desktop? More than that, though, your travel snaps could be worth money too, and it is worth investigating companies that purchase stock footage and photos prior to your travels. You never know where your humble photographs could take you.

The importance of sharing your vacation memories

There are a number of reasons why you may choose to take and share travel photos. The first, and most obvious, is for personal reasons; this may be your first trip abroad, a vacation with a loved one, or a voyage of discovery across many continents. Whatever the purpose of your travel, you’re bound to want to remember it, and taking numerous snaps can be a great way of retrieving these memories later on in life. Similarly, sharing these photos with friends and family who couldn’t be there is a great way of including them in your experiences. Perhaps they were too ill or elderly to accompany you, would be considered at risk if they attempted certain activities, or simply weren’t able to afford it; your holiday footage and photos will be a fantastic tool for keeping loved ones up to date, while ensuring their feet remain safely on the ground.

A little further from home, there are those who share travel photos with complete strangers. Whether you’re using social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest, or posting your pictures on travel sites and message boards, sharing images with others can be a wonderful source of inspiration to would-be travelers, as well as letting them in on a few little secrets, such as the best places to stay and some of the finest sites to see. There is, believe it or not, a huge market in other people’s travel photos. They can be used by travel companies, advertisers, numerous websites, and by budding artists. They can even be bought and sold by businesses that deal in stock photographs and footage. Why not try and monetize your travel images? You never know who you could inspire.

Basic video and photography tips

Of course, if you’re planning on sharing and selling your images when you get back from your travels, it pays to know how to take a decent shot; numerous images of the same subject, blurred shots, and badly lit scenic pictures do not a good travel photo make! First, conduct your research. After all, it’s important to know what type of scenery you’ll find when you get to your destination, what the most sought after subjects are, and if there are any different angles you could utilize. It’s also a good idea to study your craft before attempting to sell any photos, and there are numerous online and adult study courses that will help you gain a basic understanding of photography; if you want to be taken seriously and get paid as a photographer, you must take your profession seriously too. In many cases, a standard lens, flash, and natural lighting will be enough to capture the money shot. In other instances, you’ll need to adjust a few settings on your camera, perhaps research the best times to get the light right, and make sure you beat the crowds to get the most fantastic pictures. Whatever you do, though, be sure to pack batteries or charger cables, a zoom and a prime lens, a stand and tripod, and a laptop or external hard drive. Nothing is worse than finding the shot and being unable to take it.

Travel photos are fun to share. More than that, though, they can also be highly profitable and, when sold to the right people, can help you to establish yourself as a serious artist. Sharing your images can be the quickest and easiest way to get noticed, so be prepared to network; it’s time to get snapping.

Gazing at the stars on a clear night gives you such an appreciation of the vastness of the universe, but with artificial light from cities and urban settlements obscuring even the clearest of skies, stargazing might not be as easy as you think. Luckily, there are many sites in the US from which stargazing is still possible, thanks to the vast swathes of wilderness that remain in the country.

Some of the best stargazing sites in the US are:

• Death Valley National Park, California: There is very little artificial light within the confines of this park, so it is ideal for viewing meteor showers or lunar eclipses. The dry climate, allied to clean air and an expansive horizon, makes for spectacular stargazing.

• Mauna Kea, Hawaii: This dormant volcano, on the Big Island, is the highest point in all of Hawaii and is also home to the largest observatory in the world. There is virtually no light pollution atop the 13,803-foot volcano, and a tropical inversion cloud layer cuts the summit off from the effect of the moist maritime air below, ensuring a sky free from atmospheric pollution. The Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station, located at 9,200 feet, runs nightly stargazing programs for free.

• Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah: The skies here offer spectacular views, owing to clean, dry air and the high elevation. You can see as many as 7,500 stars with the naked eye. Bryce holds an annual Astronomy Festival.

2015 is shaping up to be a big year for stargazers, with many spectacular events occurring. The Southern Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower is scheduled for July 28 and 29, and might see around 20 meteors per hour at peak, with best viewing typically toward the east and after midnight. The following month sees the Perseids Meteor Shower, on August 12 and 13, with the possibility of up to 60 meteors per hour at peak. Neptune will be at its closest point to Earth on September 1, if you want a good view of the blue planet. These are just three of the stargazing highlights for 2015.

Outdoor Traveler offers a range of tours to different locations across the US, including wilderness locations, and seeing what it offers is as easy as visiting the Outdoor Traveler Twitter page. Booking your tour and accommodation can be done through the website, with online chat as an option, or over the phone if you prefer.

Start planning your trip to watch the stars, and you be able to experience the brilliance of the great outdoors at the same time.