Posts by : Izy Berry

A great wine holiday combines spectacular vineyards with rich heritage and top-notch wine. Whether you’re a novice or connoisseur, these world-class regions promise the experience of a lifetime. Learn more about your favorite wines, enjoy the local attractions and take in the beautiful landscapes.

Piedmont, Italy

Situated on the borders of Switzerland and France, Italy’s second largest region is home to the legendary reds, Barbera and Nebbiolo. The charming hilltop town of Asti is where you’ll also find the sparkling Italian white, Moscato d’Asti. It’s this impressive legacy which makes Peidmont one of the best destinations in Italy for the wine lover.

Some of the vineyards such as Roero and Monferrato have even been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Expect magnificent scenery in the nearby Alps and be sure to indulge at one of the many fine dining restaurants.

Rhone Valley, France

Boasting 13 wine trails, this picturesque landscape in Southern France stretches an impressive 150 miles. Producing wine for over 500 years this region is responsible for many full bodied reds and was the birthplace of Syrah.

Visitors can explore the many quaint villages and take culinary workshops which are offered throughout the region. You’ll be given pairing advice for locally sourced foods including truffles and cheeses. The active individual can also enjoy an array of activities from hiking the Mont Ventoux or if you’re feeling brave, you could cycle the entire length of the Rhone.

Galicia, Spain

Nestled in the northwest corner of Spain, this verdant region receives plenty of rainfall throughout the winter. It creates a lush green landscape unlike anywhere else in the country.

Tour the famed vineyards of Ribeira and Monterrei where you’ll find plenty of opportunities to taste the wine and find out more about producing methods. The region is also home to Albarino wine which is becoming increasingly popular on the international stage. Be sure to sample some of Galicia’s world class seafood and visit the many historic sites including the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral.

Stellenbosch, South Africa

Travel down the awe-inspiring Garden Route on the southeastern coast of South Africa and you’ll eventually stu8mble upon a wine mecca. The famed route covers dozens of exclusive wineries, showcasing the regions signature Pinotage and Chenin Blanc wines.

The spectacular backdrop of mountains provide the perfect setting for a full day tour where you’ll visit beautiful vineyards including the famed DeMorgenzon. These masters of production play baroque music throughout their estate as it is believed to enhance the ripening process! From here, finish your adventure by visiting the bustling capital, Cape Town which is home to plenty of great restaurants and chic bars.

Treat yourself to an indulgent holiday in one of these wine destinations and you’ll be guaranteed a one-of-a-kind experience.

Image by puliarf used under Creative Commons License.

Reading my articles has showed you, without a doubt, that I am very fond of unique experiences. I’ve had quite a few already, and I plan to have even more in the coming years. Next year – if I can find the time and the energy – I plan to spend a few days in a picturesque part of Europe, which is unfortunately off the tourist maps most of the time, exploring some of its less known wonders hidden underground.

The salt mines of Turda

Turda is a small town near Cluj Napoca, one of the most important university centers of Romania. While it was for a long time overshadowed by another salt mine of the country, it has quickly gained notoriety as one of the most spectacular underground attractions in Romania. The mine itself, which has been turned into a tourist attraction and a place of relief for respiratory issues, was producing table salt as early as a millennium ago.

“Spectacular” is the word I’d use to describe the wonders of this tourist attraction. People could spend days underground, wandering around in the vast man-made caverns, breathing in the healthy air. The resort offers a series of activities to explore, from rowing on an underground lake to simply sitting on a bench, using its free WiFi to read the news or play casino games while letting the air do its job. And it could be worth it even beyond the experience – a friend of mine who has spent a week there told me he didn’t even catch a cold in the next year and a half.

The ice cave of Scarisoara

An unsung wonder of the Romanian countryside, hidden between the mountains of Alba county, is the ice cave of Scarisoara. To reach the cave, you’ll have to drive – there’s no train, no bus to take you close to it. By car it can be reached at the end of a scenic drive, followed by a 10 minute walk in the woods. But once you get there, the wonder begins. First you’ll have to walk down over 200 steps into something that resembles a giant sinkhole. Once you get to the bottom, you’ll feel the change in the air: it’s cold. And when you enter the cave, you’ll find out why – it is filled with ice, even during the hottest days of the summer. And it’s amazing.

Once you’re in, you’ll be amazed of the dimensions of the Big Hall, from where you can visit the Church (with over 100 stalagmites made of ice) and the Little Reserve. There are other areas inside, but these are reserved for researchers and scientists. But the part you can see is amazing in itself.

Travel broadens the mind but it also puts it under a great deal of stress. Your body also gets a pummelling from travel, changing time zones and kicking around in airports. This harm can only be minimised, so how do you make your air travel as enjoyable as possible? We have tips on what you can do on long flights to slay boredom including offline tablet games. Also we share other tips to get through the journey which bookends any holiday or trip you may have.

When most people book flights the first operators they think of are the budget airlines such as Ryanair, FlyBe and Easyjet. We have all experienced the sardine effect on these flights so why not consider other airlines which may give you more leg room and comfort, Skyscanner for example compares flight destinations and airlines as often the price difference will be smaller than you think. Don’t assume that price is everything as you may wish to pay a little more and have a better flight experience.

You may be past that point and in a week or so you will find yourself (once again) on a plane possibly dreading a flight. The novelty of having 5000 books on the kindle has worn off so you get out your tablet, flick airplane mode on and fire it up. Then you realise you are bored of all the apps and games on there.

Wi-Fi is freely available at most airports so the seasoned traveller will take advantage of this – some airlines even offer this service.

Why not try Euro Palace Casino which has a variety of games that you can bring with you on the flight. These games are always updated so if you are a regular flyer you can find new challenges and different gaming environments. Euro Palace also has an accompanying blog which provides an update to the latest games that you can play. Games range from Basketball and Rugby Star, Brides Mades, Penguin Splash and many more which keeps things fresh.

Other kit to bring on the flight include a travel cushion – it takes a lot of air miles to invest and get used to bringing one on a trip but they are well worth it. When the alternative is your fellow passengers shoulder or a rolled up coat you will be so glad you packed it. Flight socks may look ridiculous but they are essential especially on longer flights, socks mixed with comfortable clothing will make the journey far more bearable. To top it all you can now buy attractive travel wallets which will put your boarding passes, passport and car parking tickets all in one place. No more searching in your bag and coat to find the boarding pass you thought you didn’t need anymore!

So for travel its best to be realistic about how stressful a journey can be and also to refrain from making the same mistakes twice. If you ever say “next time I am going to” – stop. Make a note and ensure your future flights are more comfortable next time. With a mix of technology and the practical flying doesn’t have to be an endurance test and could actually be enjoyed.

The island nation of Sri Lanka is situated to the south of India and boasts a tropical climate combined with rich culture and stunning natural beauty. Sri Lanka attracts people from all around the world with its stunning sandy beaches, ancient religious sites and large jungles and national parks. Here are some of the things that are waiting to be discovered in Sri Lanka.

Sigiriya

This colossal rock is the national monument of Sri Lanka and no trip to the country would be complete without taking the time to view it. The gigantic rock measures two hundred metres high and set is set in a picturesque garden. A path leads to the very top of Sigiriya and visitors who complete the climb will be rewarded with spectacular views, while Sigiriya is also famous for its ancient and remarkably well preserved rock murals.

Pinnewale Elephant Sanctuary

This impressive sanctuary serves as a safe haven for dozen of elephant’s who have been injured by Sri Lanka’s poachers. One of the great things about Pinnewale is that the elephants are allowed to roam freely on large padlocks and visitors are permitted to interact with them in a controlled way before being put in an enclosure while the mighty beasts make their way down to the river each day to bathe. People who want to get even closer to these magnificent animals have the chance to volunteer to help take care of the elephants at Pinnewale for a few weeks or even months.

Adam’s Peak

This mighty mountain measures 2,243 metres high and can be found in the very heart of Sri Lanka. It takes around four hours to climb to the top of Adam’s Peak including plenty of rest stops along the way. The best time to start the climb is 02:00 so that visitors will have plenty of time to reach the top before securing a stop to watch the enchanting sunrise. While climbing to the top of Adam’s Peak is no easy task, people who have plenty of stamina will find that the effort is definitely worth it.

Kandy

This picturesque town can be found in the very heart of Sri Lanka and is the country’s cultural capital. Kandy is home to the Temple of the Tooth, which is believed to house one of the original teeth of Lord Buddha from the period when he explored Sri Lanka.

Galle

This charming town can be found on the south coast of Sri Lanka and is famous for its large cricket ground where regular matches are held. Galle also boasts several stunning sandy beaches and this is a popular place to go surfing among active travellers.

Sri Lanka is a nation that is just waiting to be explored by people who have a strong sense of adventure and a love for nature. Those who enjoy taking part in adventure activities are sure to get the most out of exploring Sri Lanka and naturally taking out a travel insurance policy before leaving home is essential.

The travel industry has an ongoing challenge. People cancel trips all the time, leaving hotel rooms standing empty. Revenue is lost, good reviews are lost, and it’s never good for a hotel to look like it couldn’t find customers.

It didn’t seem like all that much of an issue to me, though, until I found out the extent of the problem. Millions of hotel reservations are cancelled every day. That’s not an exaggeration. In the US alone, 220,000 hotel rooms are cancelled daily.

It’s because of this that most hotels don’t offer refunds. They’ve got to cut their losses. Of course, that’s not much comfort when you can’t get your hard earned money back.

No one wins. Everyone is frustrated. It’s a good thing there’s a solution.

Hotel Rooms Recycling

Recycling is probably not something you associate with hotel rooms. You recycle paper, plastic, and glass. Not cancelled reservations.

But a company called Roomer have found a way to recycle hotel rooms. Those non-refundable rooms standing empty are being wasted. The money has already been spent, and although it’s not coming back, the person who booked is getting nothing out of it.

Recycling a hotel room is as easy as selling it on to anyone who wants it. Instead of leaving those hotel rooms empty, fill them up with replacements.

Hotel bargains.. Someone?

Frustrated sellers are willing to sell cheap. It’s the perfect opportunity for bargain hunters. The hotel rooms are great quality, even though their prices don’t show it.

All we need to do is match these people up. Sounds simple? Good luck with that. Even if you manage to find a good match, you won’t really know how good it is until everything goes off without a hitch.

But the brilliant solution that Roomer found makes it easy, which is why they were selected as one of USA Today’s top 3 travel websites. This is how I found the company that had the perfect bargain for me.

Discounted hotel rooms, here I come!

Every time I go away, I inevitably spend far more than I budget. Everything costs more than the last time. And no one wants to compromise. If I have to pay more for comfort, I find a way. Or change the destination.

But Roomer’s deals were incredible. While looking through their hotel-marketplace, I found prices which made me more than a little suspicious. Over 70% off loads of 4 and 5 star hotels. Could I really trust those ratings?

The answer is a resounding yes. The prices weren’t low because of the quality. They were low because sellers were willing to settle for less. Any remaining suspicion was taken away by Roomer’s advanced automated verification system. They make sure the seller and the hotel are not misleading you over what you’re going to get. That’s something most other bookings sites won’t do.

A win-win-win situation

The sellers get their money back. The buyers get great deals. And the cancellations no longer affect the hotels. Those rooms and hallways which would have been empty are now filled.

The hotel industry recognises this. Many hotels partner with Roomer to ensure the best service possible. They also offer exclusive deals on unreserved rooms through Roomer’s website. This means you’ve always got a great chance of finding what you’re looking for.

More trips, more often

The solution also allows people to travel more often. When you’re getting bargains this good, you free up money for the next time. A vacation doesn’t have to be a rare event.

Travel destinations fill up, as more and more people take advantage of recycled rooms. The quality is amazing. The service is flawless. Roomer is really a great find – it will change the way I travel.

Have a look for yourself, and see what sort of deals you can dig up.

Tired of tackling the crazed Christmas shopping crowds? Over the commercialisation and sense of obligation that is bestowed upon us during the ‘silly season’? If so, you’re not alone; you’re part of a growing community looking to get back to basics or, quite simply, to get away from it entirely. What better way to do this than plan an escape to a gorgeous, intriguing and captivating part of the world where Christmas largely goes unnoticed? If this sounds like your ideal Christmas, then you simply have to head to the Mediterranean.

While the European side of the Mediterranean (Spain, France, Italy and Greece) celebrates Christmas, consider venturing south or east to explore exotic, Christmas-free havens such as Morocco and Turkey. Here’s a closer look at what you can get up to in these countries on December 25th.

Morocco

Swap cheesy Christmas merchandise for a veritable sensory tour through mesmerising Morocco. Savour the distinct and tantalising flavours of North African cuisine in the country’s largest city Casablanca or wander and get lost in the narrow and maze-like streets of the medina in Marrakech. However, avoid the many tacky tourist traps and relentless merchants pedalling their wares. For a truly authentic travel experience, consider joining a small, intimate tour group with an experienced company that uses local guides, such as Gypsian Boutique Tours.

To take a break from all the sensory overload of Marrakech, schedule in a trip to Morocco’s film-shooting capital and the World Heritage site of Aït Benhaddou. This region has provided the backdrop for a number of Hollywood’s blockbusters and, once you’re there, you’ll understand why. You can explore and climb the narrow streets of this ancient fortified city to reach the top for spectacular views of the surrounding area.

While in Morocco, a visit to the Sahara is an absolute must. Imagine watching the sun set over 160m-high sand dunes. Initially, the sand glows rose-gold, then morphs into orange and finally pink-and-purple as the light changes and night descends.

Turkey

From one vibrant, intoxicating city to another, the Turkish capital of Istanbul is kind of like the love child of the once powerful Ottoman and Byzantine empires, set against the stunning architectural backdrop of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. The food is out of this world and the Turkish people are welcoming and friendly. Wander through the Grand Bazaar and admire the beauty and workmanship of the famous Turkish carpets.

Turkey is a vast land and an extraordinary blend between European and Asian cultures. It also offers breathtaking scenery, like the surreal and otherworldly Cappadocia region in the country’s east. Take a hot air balloon to drift over the lunar-like landscape consisting of tall, cone-shape rock formations. During the Bronze Age, people carved their homes into these natural structures and you can tour through these astonishing ‘fairy chimneys’.

Not to be outdone by the east, Turkey’s southwest offers travelers Pamukkale, meaning “cotton castle” in Turkish. Gleaming white terraces have been naturally formed by calcium-rich thermal waters that cascade over them to create stunning turquoise rockpools.

Not far from Pamukkale is Ephesus, the grandest and best preserved of Turkey’s hundreds of ancient cities and ruins. In fact, Ephesus is one of the best preserved Roman cities in the Mediterranean.

If these sites and attractions sound like the perfect alternative to staying at home for Christmas, don’t delay – book your trip to the Mediterranean today!

We are all looking for that perfect life, but how content can we actually be and how easy or difficult is it going to be to achieve it? You will always have your office to go to or maybe run a business, raise a family and still balance it all without running out of steam. Yes, everything has to be well organized and planned, otherwise it could all get a bit too much to handle.

One of the main reasons why we all work for is to keep our families happy and to provide them with all the amenities they need. We can over time lose sight of this especially as responsibility grows and expands, but in all the confusion you need to maintain the right balance.

There are many ways of achieving balance at work and handling the family life as well by taking some time out. Actively participate in leisure activities for yourself by going for a walk, spending time with your close friends, play a round or two of online games over at GameVillage or anything that can keep your mind distracted from all your worries. Then when you are refreshed, you can retreat again with a fresh mind.

To get started at GameVillage, you must have an account with a valid e-mail address to claim wins. After signing up, you need to make an initial deposit on the site. After which, the bounty comes in all shapes and sizes: bonuses, loyalty points, surprise visits by chat hosts, palpable gift items and more.

Once you log on to the site, you will find many options out of which you can choose either bingo or casino games. Click on the one that you want to play or bet on and begin gaming.

In the bingo section, they have quite a few variations. This includes games of 90-ball 75-ball, 80-ball and 50-ball i.e., Speed Bingo, Elimination Bingo, Village Inn, Seaside Bingo, etc. The rule of the game remains pretty much the same. Marking the numbers as and when they are called out. The only change is in the winning pattern and the prizes involved.

In order to get started, you need to purchase at least one ticket before the onset of the game. There will be a countdown that occurs on the left-hand side of the screen determining the commencement of the game. Another thing you must know about the game is that the pot sizes for every room on the site is directly proportionate to the number of players buying in.

90 ball bingo is the more popular variant of bingo that is played mainly in the UK. If you play 90 ball bingo at gamevillage.com there are three consecutive ways to win. Any one row (1 line) or two rows (2 lines) or cover the entire card (full house). If more than one player claims the same prize, it will be divided equally among them. So whichever game you may decide to play, with a few tries, you too could be on your road to riches.

For those who love to travel, Chile represents the pinnacle of why we travel, and is a great example of how travel can be life-changing. Chile means “when the world ends” and the shape of the country is particularly interesting, at around 4300km long and only 180km wide.

This country has some of the most beautiful and diverse landscapes in the world, combining more climate zones than anywhere else, from ice and glaciers, hot springs and volcanoes to the driest desert in the world, rainforests, sandy beaches, grasslands and mountains.

Along with truly breathtaking scenery, the cultural diversity is incredible in this country. Here are some reasons why you should visit Chile:

Santiago

Santiago is a metropolis and shows the sophisticated side of Chile. You’ll find tree-lined boulevards, gorgeous colonial buildings, huge public parks, a business district filled with skyscrapers, bohemian neighbourhoods, trendy restaurants and great art museums. The transportation system is modern and the subway system is the largest in South America.

The Mercardo Central is a must-see, with huge displays of produce, vegetables, meat and fresh fish.

The Atacama Desert

This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Chile, due to the fact that this dessert is the highest and driest in the world. The unique rock formations attract photographers from around the world, and the most popular places to visit include Moon Valley, Death Valley and Dinosaur Valley.

Easter Island

Easter Island is one of the most isolated places in the world, and the linage of the people who live there can be traced back to Micronesia and Polynesia. It’s easy to travel around the island and you can hire bikes. LAN is the only airline which flies into the island, and you can get a flight from Santiago.

Vine Del Mar and Valparaiso

These cities are just an hour apart and located between 3 and 5 hours from Santiago. Valparaiso is a great place to see graffiti art, and you’ll find interesting portraits throughout the city, along with the Pablo Neruda museum. Vine Del Mar is where you’ll find the gorgeous (and famous) flower clock and a nice beach so you can relax in the sun.

Patagonia

Patagonia looks like it belongs in Switzerland, with towering snow-capped mountains on the border of Argentina and Chile. The Torres del Paine national park is also here, and the lake country is waiting to be explored.

Colchagua Valley

Chile produces 10 times as much wine as Argentina and is the fifth-largest exporter of wine in the world. The Colchagua Valley is home to around 20 wineries and the climate here makes it ideal for wine production. be sure to visit some of these wineries and explore the region before you leave.

Chiloe

You’ll find Chiloe south of the Lake District, and it’s part of a mountain range that actually sank below the water after the last Ice Age.This is where you’ll be able to explore rural Chile, along with more than 150 wooden churches and chapels from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Asia is a continent that’s both accessible and affordable, offering colorful cities, fascinating cultures, amazing wildlife, and diverse landscapes to adventurous souls. Here are the top 8 Asian adventure hotspots that you should visit when you are in the region:

Surfing in Japan

Japan has many surfing resorts, mainly in the Chiba, Shonan and Shizuoka areas. In the south, there’s a series of islands with great surfing and a tropical climate the whole year round.

Cruise down the Ganges in India

Explore the Ganges River and see India’s communities, wildlife and cultures untouched by tourism. The Ganges is the most sacred of Indian rivers and is now navigable, a 7-night City of Light river cruise taking you to Moghul forts and palaces and India’s holiest cities.

Paddling in Thailand

River paddling is popular and, during the dry season from January to the end of May, you can paddle in the Maekok and Pai rivers, which flow through lovely gorges and remote wilderness. Paddling and/or kayaking also enables you to venture deeper into the unexplored natural environment of Northern Thailand.

Kite surfing in the Philippines

The Philippines has numerous beaches and kitesurfing schools. The monsoon winds dictate the kite surf season and surfing conditions can vary. The tropical weather provides a relaxed setting, perfect for lovers of the outdoors escaping to any of the 7,107 islands. The best area to kite-surf in the country is Boracay, an island off the Panay coast. Known to the world as a tropical paradise, it offers other beach- related activities other than surfing. If you wish to stay longer, there is a great selection of condo for rent on Zipmatch. Take a look at the luxury properties of the Philippine real estate and get lost in love with the country’s best sceneries.

Cycle Island Hopping style in Sri Lanka

Cycle across the paddy fields and lowland jungles before heading along the winding roads of the Knuckles Mountain Range with tea plantations, Buddhist shrines/temples, old hill stations with their colonial architecture. Finish the trip with a couple of nights at the beach.

Explore Gigantic Caves in Vietnam

In Vietnam’s jungles are some amazing caverns, the largest being Son Doong Cave. It is one of the world’s biggest and only recently accessible caves to tourists. Forests of tall trees grow in spaces big enough for skyscrapers and include giant stalactites, monkeys, hornbills and flying foxes. Visits are limited and costly but there are other more affordable caves nearby, which are equally spectacular.

Walk between the villages of Nepal

Nepal has many charming historical hill villages to visit. Stay in one of the comfortable guesthouses while enjoying delicious local food. Sailung Peak, at 3,146 metres, is a holy area for Buddhists and Hindus. The rolling hills are visually stunning and the area is famed for having great sunrises.

Trekking in Bhutan

A scenic trek in Bhutan is the Laya-Gasa, with views of beautiful and unspoiled Himalayan landscapes. A typical trek lasts 1-2 weeks over several hundred kilometers of alpine meadows, high mountain passes and sub-tropical jungles.