Home Articles Posted by Izy Berry (Page 67)
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This Post Might Just Change the Way You Think About Cruise Ships
A million leagues from the gentile activities and amenities traditionally associated with cruise holidays, the world’s first smartship – Quantum of the Seas – offers technologically-advanced excitement for sea-faring guests.
Rather than simply allowing you to enjoy all your beloved home comforts at sea, the Royal Caribbean ship seems determined to offer a high-tech experience straight out of a science fiction film.
Cruise ships have changed a lot in recent years – in this post we’re going to explore what we can expect from these revamped entertainment behemoths…
Photo Credit: Royal Caribbean
Improved Internet
Over the past 15 years, cruise lines have been trying to address the issue of offering high speed, inexpensive internet connectivity – even when hundreds of miles from land. As we’ve all become more dependent upon online services, super quick internet has become the cruise industry’s white whale – with all the major lines striving to improve their services.
Quantum of the Seas benefits from the fastest internet on a cruise ship, able to offer speeds comparable with the strongest on-land connections. Provided by O3b Networks, the connection is capable of supporting video chats, movie downloads and TV streams. Compared with other cruise lines which offer internet services which often struggle to download web-based images – the Quantum is miles ahead.
This feature certainly helps the Quantum appeal to perhaps the most difficult of all demographics, teenagers, who will invariably rather chat on Facebook than enjoy their holiday.
Photo Credit: Royal Caribbean
Technologically-Advanced Crew
As well as the robotic bartenders, the organic crew members aboard the Quantum of the Seas have received technological upgrades. Every crew member has received a Windows tablet device which allows them to access important passenger and ship information at the touch of a button. With a capacity of more than 4,000 guests, the crew can instantly check for any dietary or health requirements of any guest – allowing for a more personalised service.
A spokesperson for cruise travel agent, Cruise1st, explained: “As the demand for cruise holidays continues to grow, cruise lines are building bigger and bigger ships. Passionate cruise fans who have enjoyed cruise holidays for decades have voiced concerns this could compromise the personal service – however with improving technologies, the crew are able to offer the personal touch to a greater number of guests.”
Unique Activities
The Quantum of the Seas is the first cruise ship to play host to a skydiving simulator, the RipCord by iFly, positioned on the vessel’s top deck directly next to the surfing and body-boarding simulator.
Also located on the top deck is the NorthStar Observation Pod – a small glass pod which lifts passengers 300ft above sea level, offering incomparable views across the oceans and approaching landscapes.
The number of Royal Caribbean smartships will triple by next year as the Anthem of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas join the fleet in April 2015 and Summer 2016 respectively. This demonstrates a firm belief on the company’s behalf that cruise holidaymakers want a more futuristic and technologically-advanced experience.
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Three reasons to visit Portugal
From charming villages and culturally rich cities to beautiful beaches and captivating coastlines, Portugal boats a great deal of attractive qualities. But in addition to these alluring characteristics, the country also has a low-key and laid-back attitude, which makes it perfect for those wanting a relaxing break from the daily routine.
What’s more, every inch of Portugal’s stunning landscape has something special in store. So, regardless of where tourists and travellers decide to go, they’ll be greeted by a variety of beguiling sights and sounds.
Saga Travel makes holidays in Portugal happen throughout the year. If you’re thinking of visiting but aren’t sure what to do or where to go, these three locations and justifications should help you make the right decision.
Lisbon – For the history and culture
Despite benefitting from a gorgeous waterfront location and favourable yearlong climate, it could be argued that Lisbon’s finest assets are an intriguing history and various cultural attractions. After all, this is Europe’s second oldest capital and has witnessed countless changes over the years.
Be sure to visit Castelo de São Jorge (Castle of St George), which was the royal residence until the late 15th century, the impressive medieval Manueline architecture of Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Hieronymite Monastery), and perhaps Lisbon’s most famous sight – Torre de Belém (Belém Tower).
Porto – For the food and drink
Like Lisbon, Porto is packed full of historic and artistic delights including the UNESCO-listed old city centre. However, this destination’s crowning glory has got to be its food and drink, especially the wine.
Despite the fact Portugal’s cuisine might not be as famous as neighbouring Spain, the fresh seafood diet featuring plenty of spice simply has to be sampled. However, this should always be accompanied by a glass of Porto’s finest wine. And as you might have guessed, this is where port comes from, so be sure to indulge in a tasting or two.
Madeira – For the landscape and scenery
Seeing as Madeira has earned the nickname “Pearl of the Atlantic,” you know that this island around 622 miles from mainland Portugal will be quite unique. With dramatic yet diverse landscapes in addition to a wide range of stunning flora and fauna, Madeira’s scenery has to be seen to be believed.
Island activities include a hike along ancient irrigation channels known as the Levadas, admiring the village of Santana’s architecture, climbing its highest peak of Pico Ruivo (1,862m/6,109ft) and enjoying a round of golf.
As you can see, Portugal provides a wide variety of holidaymakers with an equal amount of attractions and activities to enjoy and experience. Whether you choose to explore cultural cities such as Lisbon and Porto or decide to discover an awe-inspiring island like Madeira, this country is the place to do so.
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Dealing with Travel Burnout
It was bound to happen. The day I didn’t want to travel any more. Not for ever, just that day. I was in Granada, Nicaragua. It was one of my favourite places I had visited and I really loved it. I had been there for two weeks, unpacked all my things. I had my favourite cafe. I had my favourite massage lady. I felt like I had a little bit of a community, a bit of a routine and… I liked it.
I had planned to go to San Juan Del Sur for weeks and while a part of me was excited to be back at the beach and to be getting some sunshine, a bigger part of me didn’t want to pack my bag. I didn’t want to leave. I didn’t want to move. I didn’t want to see another new place and I didn’t want to meet new people I’d have to say goodbye to in a few days.
I started thinking about traveling from Nicaragua to Guatemala by land and felt anxious. I just didn’t want to do any of it. I felt a little guilty as flights from Nica to Guatemala were close to $500 and it would have been around 1/10th of the price to make the journey by land, but also two days. In the end I decided my happiness was worth a little more than some money, so I booked some flights to Guatemala for as soon as possible and made a resolution to make the most of San Juan.
And I did. I loved this little sleepy beach town, but after seven months of travel and constant change I was so ready to be in Antigua.
Travel burn out turns even the most travel obsessed (like me) into tired, grumpy and unappreciative monsters. I know I’m insanely blessed to have the freedom to travel wherever I want to, but I also need a little yin to balance it out.
After a week in Antigua, Guatemala, I can say I’ve found “my place”. I almost cried the first day I arrived here. It was more beautiful than I could imagine and it fitted me and what I needed for this year perfectly. There’s the tax benefits, the language benefits, the fact that it’s safe, beautiful, warm, cheap, friendly… it’s comfortable without being too plain.
It’s my place.
And every day I walk around in awe of what’s around me.
On Thursday I’m viewing an apartment, I “invested” in a pillow in Guatemala City, I have a local number, I have a coworking space. I have some friends that I can see next week and the week after.
I feel like I’ve come home. Except it’s somewhere I’d never been before.
So, I’m burned out. I’m tired. I don’t care for another flight, train ride or bus ride for the next few months. I want to knuckle down and write about all the beautiful places I’ve visited in the past seven months and the wonderful things I’ve learned along the way.
Is this the end of travel? Nope. But this is the beginning of a home base, a place to sit down and reflect on the journeys that I take. It’s an opportunity to have a home base so I can travel lighter and smarter. It’s a way to save a lot of money on tax and it’s a chance for my to submerge myself in a new culture and a language.
It feels like exactly where I should be and exacetly what I should be doing right now.
And it feels good.
What’s the longest you can travel before you get burned out? Seems it’s seven months for me.
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Touring Versailles – Why and How to Visit the Palace of Versailles
Ah, Paris, it’s most girl’s dream destination and for good reason; one of the most romantic places in the world. If you love fashion, history, romance and amazing food then Paris is an obvious travel destination for you. Year after year Paris comes up as the most travelled to destination and if you are planning on visiting Paris then you should be sure to visit Versailles. Paris is so much more than the Eiffel tower and the Palace of Versailles or as the French call it – Château de Versailles – is a great way to see this.
What’s the Palace of Versailles?
Château de Versailles is a very important place in French history. Versailles is a wealthy suburb of Paris, some 20 km from the centre. Traditionally Versailles was a country town, but for over 100 years the palace of Versailles was the centre of France’s political power. But in the middle of the 17th century during Louis XIV’s reign, this palace is absolutely grand and has some beautifully manicured gardens that are worth the trip alone for.
At present there is a €400 million restoration program underway to update and restore the palace to its former glory. In saying that, it is still perhaps one of the most beautiful buildings in France and with such a rich history is an essential place to visit on any trip to Paris.
How to See the Palace of Versailles
It is possible to visit the Palace of versailles independently, by either taking public transport, a taxi or driving to the property yourself. However, due to the rich history and the size of the palace I would personally suggest that you consider taking a VIP tour of Versailles so you don’t miss out on any of the important rooms and get a full run down on all the important parts of history that took place here. In addition, when you take a VIP tour, you’ll get special access to areas that are closed off to the general public. I feel if you’re going to visit the palace, why not do it properly? It’s also nice to be able to enjoy some of the spaces without the crowds who are often present in the main areas of the palace.
I suggest that you plan to spend the entire day in the grounds and palace. You should also make some time to visit Marie Antoinette’s private home. Marie Antoinette was Queen of France and Navarre from 1774 to 1792. Considered very beautiful and charming, she held the French’s affection for some time before eventually being resented. She is considered to be an important part of French history and her home is absolutely stunning and a unique insight into French history.
No matter the time of year, a trip to visit the Palace of Versailles is essential. Don’t forget to take your camera!
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How Much Does Travel Really Cost?
This is one of the most common questions I get about my travels. How much does it cost? It’s such a broad question that depends on so many factors: Where are you going, how do you want to travel, are you staying in 5 star hotels or budget backpackers, how long do you plan to go for, do you want to do any specific activities? And the list goes on and on.
I can’t give you an estimation for how much your trip will cost and I think most people feel a little lost and intimidated when they’re planning their trip and the budget for it. I think the best piece of advice I can give you is to compare costs of the countries you’re visiting with that of your home country to get an idea of how much more – or less – things may cost. Also booking things in advance, especially if you’re traveling for a short period of time is a great way to get an accurate idea of what the trip is going to cost.
If you want to get an idea of how much other places around the world cost for things that you might be able to find in your own country, check out the following infographic. It is designed for a South African audience (so hello especially to any South Africans reading this) but it is still useful for anyone from any country. Just pop the amount into a currency convertor and change it to your home currency.
This infographic will help ensure you are more prepared financially for your next trip. What’s not to love about that?
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Where to Go in Europe for Great Food
I’m planning my trip to Europe at the end of April and I can’t wait to be somewhere new, experiencing new cultures, sights and of course, flavours. I love trying to new foods in different countries and Europe has such a great mix of cultures that offer so many different cuisines. From the starchy delights that are world-famous from Italy, to the hearty cuisines in the Czech Republic, I love trying something new.
I’m knuckling down to the planning stages of my trip and want to make sure that I experience some new places. I have a habit of going back to the same places over and over, but this time I’m looking for something new. Many of the countries in Europe host food festivals, which are a great opportunity to try some of the most famous dishes from the respective country in a busy and engaging environment. I’ve been playing around by this great infogrpahic by Travelex which allows you to choose country, find out about their national dish, best street food, average meal price and also when the most famous food festival is on.
If you’re planning a trip to Europe then this is a must-see, and even if you’re not and feel like getting some food inspiration, check it out below:
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Where Are the Expats Headed?
As someone who’s just become an expat, herself, the idea of moving overseas is something I’ve done a lot of research into. However, it’s hard to find information on where expats are going, how long they’re staying and all these other details which are particularly interesting if you’re contemplating the move yourself. I’ve been in Guatemala for nearly a week now and love it so far.
If you’re considering becoming an expat yourself, there are a lot of benefits including work opportunities, being able to explore a different region of the world and another country as well as the opportunity to immerse yourself in a completely new culture and even learn a new language, like I am.
Want to learn more about what other expats are doing? Why not check out this awesome infographic below. I really like it because it makes it easy to visually see where people are heading, how long they’re going for and the motivations behind their moves. If you’re on the fence about making the big leap, this might give you that final push you’ve been waiting for.
Many people worry about making the move abroad and the logistics of it, such as how to send money abroad or keep in touch with friends and family back home. Thankfully the Internet has made most things a LOT easier, so if you’ve been thinking about it, why not now?!
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A New Way to Plan Travel? Yonderbound
If you haven’t heard of Yonderbound, you’re missing out. I love to hear about new types of travel planning sites and apps because I spend basically all of my free time in a state of trip planning. It drives me crazy!
Innovative, Easy and Resourceful Trip Planning
Sometimes I find myself finding so many options for hotel rooms, having nowhere to save and organise them that I end up emailing them to myself, only to never look at the emails again. Then when I’m actually committed to booking my hotel, I have to start from the beginning again.
With Yonderbound you can save hotels you like, share them with family, add notes – which is a really helpful feature as you can add notes as to why you wanted to stay there – and make direct bookings. It’s like a trip planner, scrap book and booking site all wrapped into one tidy package. You can also get paid if people use your tips and Yonderboxes to book things themselves – a whopping 70% of the net profit is given back to you in the form of Yondercredits which you can then use to redeem on your own travel.
Why I LOVE Yonderbound
As someone who’s constantly on the road, living out of suitcases and hotels, I wouldn’t say that organisation is my strong suit. I’ve lost countless things on this trip, including clothes, and I have no idea where I left them. I feel like my online life is almost as disorganised with lots of open tabs, random hotels I find and can’t remember and just general chaos. I know that Yonderbound will give me the option to easily save hotel ideas and keep my travel plans condensed so I can share it with friends or family.
All Inclusive Prices
I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve been on a website and felt like I was getting an incredible deal on a hotel, only to click through a few pages to have numerous charges added to my bill. When this happens, often it pushes the price of the hotel above my budget and I’m back to the beginning. With Yonderbound the prices are all inclusive so what you see is what you’re paying. Each week this will save me considerable time in the planning stages, allowing my bookings to be easily organised from the beginning.
It’s a Visual Site
I created three Yonderboxes for my confirmed upcoming travels to Coachella, Copenhagen and Barcelona. I love that you can add a pretty cover image to your Yonderbox – it really gets me excited about the places I’m going to. You can see all your bookings through Yonderbound in one place which will help keep bookings properly organised. It’s simple, clean, but has everything you need.
If you’re planning a trip sometime in the future why not sign up for Yonderbound (it takes about 10 seconds to sign up) and explore Yonderboxes. Who knows, you might even make some Yondercredits along the way that you can use for your own travel.
In collaboration with Yonderbound
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The Next Move
I feel like I’ve been sprinting for the past seven months. Running towards the next adventure, the next country.
I was supposed to be in Guatemala months ago, with a week-long stop over in Panama.
That stopover grew and grew. It became a week in Peru, 5 weeks in Costa Rica and now it’s become almost a month in Nicaragua.
The other night I was packing my bags, getting ready to head to San Juan del Sur, and I realised I just couldn’t be bothered doing another border crossing with all my stuff. I’ve reached the point where the newness of travel just feels exhausting. Adventure feels more like a burden.
Serious first world travel girl problems. But problems they are.
The plan was to make my way to Guatemala by land via El Salvador, but the thought of two long bus rides and lugging all my crap across the borders by myself made me feel super anxious.
Why are border crossing areas some of the seediest places in the world?! Ugh.
So I decided I wouldn’t do it.
Instead, I booked some flights to Guatemala for this weekend. The flight cost more than my ticket from LA to Copenhagen.
Since booking the flight, I’ve felt my stress melt away.
Is This the End of Travel? Nope. Nope. NOPE.
It’s more like changing travel up. Finding a balance between exploring and having a home base to work in.
There are things I want to do and achieve this year that are almost impossible when I’m traveling and continuously on holiday. While traveling and working online is great and has a lot of benefits, you would be surprised by the amount of time that I spend cursing shitty WIFI and trying to refresh my connection. I also want a place to store all my things so that I can travel lighter and feel more refreshed.
So on Sunday I fly into Guatemala, I have a room booked for a month starting from the Monday. I’m on a blind date with this cute colonial town and I’m really hoping it’s love!
If I like Antigua, I’ll be basing myself there for the next two months until I head to the states. I’m planning on visiting Austin, San Diego, Los Angeles and of course Coachella. After then I fly to Copenhagen for a few days, Barcelona and I have nothing else planned for the rest of Europe. At some other point in the year I plan to visit New Zealand.
Outside of that, I want to get to know Guatemala. I want to get fluent in Spanish. I want to volunteer. I want to work on my photography. I want to get fitter, stronger, and more me.
But for now, I’m going to enjoy the sleepy town of San Juan del Sur and soaking up Nicaragua before I leave.
So there we have it, after almost 7 months on the road, I’m craving an apartment, a bed to call my own and a place to unpack my things.
What’s the longest you can travel for before going crazy?
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3 Essentials to Pack When Travelling to New Zealand
The land of the long white cloud can be a beautiful place to visit with a seemingly endless supply of photo-worthy sights. But to get the most out of your time here, need to arrive prepared for your trip. Below are a few of the essential items you should pack for an unforgettable time in New Zealand.
Bring Your Best Joggers
New Zealand is a land for outdoors enthusiasts, so it pays to bring your favourite pair of walking or sports shoes, as you’re bound to use them. Pack them into a sturdy hiking pack (you can get one from luggage retail websites like Bags To Go if you don’t have one), and head onto the hiking trails down south. Don’t forget to bring a packed lunch of some description, and watch out for the kia birds – they will steal it if you give them half a second’s opportunity!
Bring Your Favourite Poncho/Raincoat/Umbrella
One of the things New Zealand has plenty of is rain, and you don’t want to be caught out on holidays unprepared. Find something that will be light to travel with, easy to pack and stow, and, most importantly, will keep you dry! Depending on your intended activities, an umbrella may be a bit cumbersome, and isn’t particularly useful if you’d prefer to be taking photographs. If you opt for a poncho or raincoat, just remember that the cheaper it is, the more likely you are to get wet. One of the positives of a rain protector like this is that you can also cover your backpack and keep your belongings dry too. If neither of these are taking your fancy, you can choose to splash out on a high-quality spray jacket. If you’re not sure what to get, you can wait until you get to New Zealand; there is no shortage of sports clothing stores there to help you choose the perfect jacket.
Get Ready to Become a Shutterbug
New Zealand has one of the most beautiful and diverse environments in the world. The one thing you must not forget is your camera. You will want something that isn’t going to get in the way of you enjoying yourself, but will still take enduring, beautiful photographs to soften your post-holiday blues. If you’re a bit of an adventurer, then it might be worth looking at a GoPro or something that can capture the journey without requiring both your hands. If you’re planning to get involved in water sports, a waterproof camera will be a necessity.
Whatever your intended holiday plan, there’s no need to stress. New Zealand has just about everything you could possibly need, so if you forget to bring something, you have two options: pick yourself up a new one in New Zealand or realise it probably wasn’t that important if you forgot it and get on with enjoying your trip. Have you travelled to New Zealand before? What do you think is an absolute must-take for a trip there? Share your NZ travel tips below.
