Keeping Safe Whilst Travelling in Winter

Traveling in the winter can be dangerous especially if you are from a warmer climate that the area you are staying at. If you’re saving money for a trip, you don’t want it to be wasted with any accidents or spending your time freezing on your vacation. As such here are tips on how to stay safe while traveling in the winter.

1. Check the Forecast

An obvious precaution but one that deserves to be restated. Keep an eye on the predicted temperatures, especially the wind chill factor, so you can dress appropriately or stay inside during poor weather.

This is especially important if you are planning any outside, physical and/or long distance activities. A warm, at least comparatively, sunny day can quickly shift to wet, cold and/or icy weather with surprising swiftness and being caught out in such a situation can, in extreme cases, be life threatening.

2. Have Appropriate Clothing and Supplies.

Spend the time to workout what sort of winter clothing is right for the weather you will be experiencing. For cold climates this will typically include several layers from thermal underwear to parkas and ski jackets. Make sure to find out what is best for the area you are traveling in so you can pack appropriately.

When doing outdoor activities in cold weather make sure you have some form of method of outside contact and have either a map or other directions, because though winter scenery can be beautiful becoming lost can cause severe injury or be life threatening.

3. Travel Safely.

Driving in cold or icy conditions is dangerous. If you, or the person driving, don’t experience in driving in such conditions it is best if you find different transport. Never drive into a storm. Also make sure to learn if hail or sleet is common and be careful if either of these conditions are forecast. Hail can cause injury as well as damaging cars and equipment. Sleet is also dangerous, its liquid water content soaking warm clothes reducing their effectiveness.

This also applies to flying, keep an eye on the weather for your flight and make sure you know how to re-book or get a refund for flights grounded by storms, snow or other bad weather. If your flight is canceled a train ride can often get you to your destination.

4. Keep Electrical Devices Charged

In case the weather takes an unexpected, or expected, turn for the worse make sure your phones and/or other devices are charged. In confusing and crowded situations your phone may be the only place to get reliable information and will certainly be the only easy way to reassure friends and relatives or to organize around an unavoidable delay.

Following the twitter of your airline can make it easier to get up to date information about flights and potential delays. Twitter and Facebook can also be useful in informing friends and family of your situation when calls or regular internet access is an issue.

5. Check Opening Hours

Many tourist attractions will have shorter opening hours during winter, make sure to check what the best time to visit is. Weather can also influence this, especially for outside activities such as skiing or hiking, so be sure to check if an outing has been delayed or canceled.

In the end the best winter travel tip is to be careful and aware of your surroundings and to then prepare for the potential outcomes. If you plan to travel places like Thailand or Mexico, you won’t need to worry about these winter safety tips. But we have to travel for business sometimes as well and many places through Europe and North America can experience very cold winters. That being said, many winter locations make excellent holiday locations for the prepared and cautious.

Below is an infographic from Slater and Gordon Lawyers, who have been kind enough to provide us with some crucial tips for staying safe during winter travel.

Florence Travel Tips and Facts

Florence, once the home of the famous, and infamous, Medici family is a popular tourist destination. You’ll want to spend at least a week exploring the city. After your airport pickup, stay in a hotel which is close to the main sights so that you’re able to walk to all the historic landmarks.  Although what to do and see in Florence can be overwhelming, so here is the top 5 things to do in Florence.

1. Piazzale Michelangiolo

Undoubtedly the best place to have a full view of the city, Piazzale Michelangiolo was built in 1869 as part of the Risanamento or the Renovation which changed many parts of the city. The panoramic view encompasses the majority of the city, from Forte Belvedere to Santa Croce and is a wonderful place to see the dome of the Florence Cathedral. There is also bronze copies of several famous sculptures, including Michelangelo’s David.

2. Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore

Start saving money for your trip to Florence now, because you won’t want to miss out on this beautiful sight. Widely known for its massive brick dome, the largest in the world, the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore or Florence Cathedral visually dominates the centre of Florence. Replacing the 5th century church there before, the Cathedral took some 140 years to build starting in 1296 and finishing in 1436. Part of a larger complex the Florence Cathedral was designed in the Italian Gothic style, with its façade done in the Gothic Revival style in 1887. The completion façade, a polychrome marble panels in shades of pink and green, signalled the true finish of the building of the structure, the outer decoration never finished during original construction.

3. Boboli Gardens

One of the first formal 16th century Italian gardens, Boboli Gardens covers 111 acres and includes the famous Fountain of Neptune and Isolotto. Originally solely for the use of Medici family now the massive Boboli Gardens is an open air museum for many pieces of sculpture. Luckily unlike their original state, where not even parties had been held there, in the modern day the gardens are open to the public.

4. Uffizi Gallery

Another travel tip for Florence is to visit more art galleries, and certainly the most visited Uffizi Gallery is home to many pieces of art, particularly Renaissance pieces but the massive gallery also includes sculptures, jewellery and many other types of art as well. Renovations, started in 1989 and continuing today, have more than doubled the floor space of this 16th century complex. Though the construction continues the gallery is still open, only having necessary rooms closed, with what artworks can be moved located elsewhere in the complex. Attempting to list even a fraction of the artworks in this gallery would be a futile task, but there is no doubt that everyone will find something that interests them in the Uffizi Gallery.

5. Galleria dell’Accademia

Home of many of Michelangelo’s artworks, including the famous statue of David (a copy now stands in its original place in the Piazza della Signoria), the Galleria dell’Accademia or Gallery of the Academy of Florence is smaller than the Uffizi Gallery and houses a more specialized collection. That collection, which includes several unfinished Michelangelo sculptures and paintings by Bottecelli, mostly consists of work by Florentine artists from the 13th to 16th centuries. Though far smaller than Uffizi, the Galleria dell’Accademia was the second most visited museum in Italy.

With its famous museums and expansive and scenic views Florence is a wonderful destination for art lovers around the world, but anyone could have a great time in the capital of Tuscany.

5 Spots to Take a Selfie in Dubai

The place of the richest, the most luxurious, the most splendid, where money can buy you happiness, the dream destination of a vast majority of the people of the world – Dubai is almost a magical city. Because in Dubai people do not wait for things to happen, they just make it happen. So what are you waiting for? Book Mumbai to Dubai flight tickets online and head over to the place of your dreams this vacation. And if you love to click selfies, you are at the perfect place! Read on to find the top five places in Dubai, you must not definitely miss clicking a selfie, or two, at to keep records of probably the most glamorous vacation of your life.

The Burj Khalifa: Probably the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear about the tallest building in the world is in Dubai. The Burj Khalifa boasts of not only the maximum height of a building, but is also the most elegant and one of the most elite in the world. Remember that tickets for a view from atop the Burj Khalifa are best bought two weeks before the date of visit, as on spot tickets are quite pricey. It had extremely strict security measures, and you would do well to remember the same. The views from atop the building are marvellous, needless to say, and a selfie from the top of the highest building in the world is surely on everyone’s bucket list.

The Dubai Marina: One of the most popular locations in Dubai is perhaps the Dubai Marina. It is crowded all day long, but it thins out the most late at night or quite early in the morning, and the views are simply spectacular. The skyline is amazing and would provide the most elegant backdrop for your perfect selfie. There are a few no photography zones, but the most of it is unrestricted.

The Business Bay: This is, by popular opinion, the most famous spot for photography in Dubai. If you are a selfie addict hoping for the perfect photo for your Insta account or to show off on other social media accounts, and you are armed with a fabulous low light camera that takes amazing low light pictures, the backdrop for this photo shoot is the ideal one. Flaunting the amazingly lit Burj Khalifa in the background, with the spectacular arc of the bridge, this always accessible place is a must visit.

The Palm Jumeirah: If you’re looking for a backdrop that involves a beautiful city scale for your selfie, then the Palm Jumeirah is one great place you must not miss out on. To one side of the Palm life’s the view of the Dubai Marina, and on the other side you will be greeted by one of the most luxurious hotels on the planet – the Burj Al Arab. Keep in mind however that a wide angle or zoom lens would be preferred in addition to your phone’s front camera.

The Jumeirah Public Beach: Of the creative professor in you lights up at the sight of something reflections of skyscrapers in the placid water, red from the setting sun, this is the fifth most important place to click your selfie at, while in Dubai. This beach will mesmerise you with its spectacular views.

So, head over to Dubai with your phone juiced up, book Mumbai to Dubai flight tickets online, and off you go on a holiday you will never forget! This is because, once the sands of Dubai have settled on your shoulders, you cannot just shake it off, ever. And, if getting clicked is your new-found hobby, don’t forget to carry your selfie stick!

How to have a Health Retreat in France

Every now and again, we all need to take a break from the stresses of day-to-day life and escape to rejuvenate for a few days. One of the favourite places for this in Europe is France. The country has some of the most beautiful scenery, and lots of charming villas in France are readily available making the perfect place to stay.

Why France?

There are many reasons that make France the perfect destination for a health retreat including its natural beauty, diversity, world-class food and fine wine. It is fully worth saving money to travel to this beautiful destination. If you want to escape the noise and pollution, head to one of the many charismatic villages dotted around the countryside. Most villages have ATM’s, restaurants and a strong Wi-Fi connection while still retaining their traditional character. If you want to explore the history, you have castles, palaces and former battlefields to check out. Or perhaps, you just want a few days relaxing in the French Alps or along the Riviera. And then add in the mild year-round climate, and you have the perfect spot to relax.

Where to Go in France for a Health Retreat:

So now that you know why France makes an excellent destination for a health retreat, let’s take a look at a few of the best places to spend your time. You won’t need to worry about nutrition facts or counting calories, all the food and exercise is readily available. After all, who wants to spend their time walking around the busy and noisy streets of Paris when they want to relax?

Provence in France’s southeast shares a border to the east with Italy and has a large section of the Mediterranean coast to the south. The environment is somewhat special with lavender growing in the fields and the endless stretches of olive trees. Popular activities in Provence include enjoying the outdoors with several trails for hiking. Kayaking is also a favourite pastime. You can explore ancient Roman ruins and spend your time soaking up the charm and atmosphere in one of the many villages. Spending a few days in Provence is certain to make a perfect place for a retreat.

If you’re flying into Paris and want to spend a few days recuperating in a medieval town, head to Chartres, which is about 100 kilometres from the capital. You’ll find a 13th-century cathedral along with lots of gothic buildings. The old town is very romantic with its ageing facades and cobblestone streets. A number of hotels and vacation rentals are sure to provide you with the luxury you need.

Brittany has lots of places that make an ideal spot for a health retreat. But few beat the small town of Locronan, in the north-western part of the province. Locronan is consistently rated as one of France’s most beautiful villages making it a suitable place to enjoy a few days. Inside the town, you’ll see various 18th-century buildings and a Gothic church and you’re within a few minutes of nature. Can there be anything better than relaxing with a glass of wine while soaking up the wonderful atmosphere inside this town?

What to Do on Your Health Retreat:

There are lots of health spas around France offering services from facials to the full day treatment. Most are in serene environments and make for a great place to relax. You should consider looking into what spas are around the area you’re planning to stay and try to arrange a day of treatment. Yoga is also popular in France and finding a class in your area is never very difficult.

Apart from the above, many of France’s towns and cities have large public gardens full of flowers and colour in the warmer months. Why not head down and spend the afternoon with a picnic and a good book? Few can find anything more relaxing than spending an hour or two in a beautiful garden surrounded by fantastic scenery. And after that, you could head to the nearby cafes and restaurants for a coffee or some of the world-famous French cuisine.

If you ask people around the world what France is famous for, wine is sure to be one of their top answers. So, for those of you who like the odd glass of wine, joining a wine tour is a must. There are many tours to choose from, and it all depends on the region you’re staying in. But it’s worth the excursion, and you may be able to bring back a bottle for yourself.

Tips for the Having Perfect Health Retreat:

A health retreat means different things to different people. Make sure you define exactly what it means to you before planning where to go in France. If you want to spend your time at the spas, don’t book accommodation in one of the smaller villages. And, likewise, you’re not going to get much peace when you stay near Paris. Be clear about what you want, and you can start planning the ideal retreat.

A range of hotels and resorts are around France with some offering the full package including an adjoining spa and other amenities. These are ideal places to start your search. You may also be able to find recommendations online from other travellers to help you make the right decision.

France is a Great Place for a Retreat:

France has beautiful scenery, fine wine and lots of high-end resorts, vacation rentals and hotels. You can find what you’re looking for to have a perfect health retreat whether you want to spend the week in a spa or on the beach. Just make sure you plan the activities beforehand, and the ultimate relaxation will come next.

5 Facts About Thailand Travel

If you’re looking for a relatively cheap travel option that will also whisk you away to tropical beaches, an array of rich culture and one of the best countries to visit in Southeast Asia, Thailand may be just what you’re looking for. However, there’s a few things you should keep in mind before you go. Here’s five facts about Thailand travel to help you plan your trip.

1. Best time to go: Thailand weather is broken down to two main seasons, known as the wet (or low) and the dry (or high) seasons. The dry season occurs between November and March and the wet from July through to October. With a generally warm year-round climate overall, it’s still best to make sure weather conditions are right for what you want to do before you go. For example, in peak seasons like Christmas time there will be far more tourists and higher costs, while some places close in the wet seasons due to storms.

2. What to wear: It’s important to respect the Thailand culture when visiting. Though you could wear flip-flops(rubber soled shoes) just about anywhere, there are some cultural factors to consider. Visiting temples, ruins or sacred places requires covering the entirety of your arms and legs with longer clothing as a sign of respect. In areas such as public beaches and swimming pools, swimwear such as bikinis are fine to wear, but clothing that surpasses your knees and shoulders must be worn in other public places.

3. What to do: There’s plenty to see and do in the beautiful land of Thailand. You can partake in jungle trekking, visit National Parks or museums, seek out elephant sanctuaries, take a tour of the many tropical islands (and maybe even scuba-dive, this is offered particularly at the Similan islands), go shopping at one of the many floating markets, explore one of the cities or visit ancient temples and ruins. Bear in mind that these things will cost a range of different prices, and some involving hiring drivers or tour-guides.

4. Laws:Beware of Thailand’s laws and safety before you go to ensure you don’t wind up getting yourself into trouble.The people in Thailand have immense respect for their king and it is illegal to badmouth their king or deface him (so avoid stepping on any money). Drugs are strictly illegal, and the worst-case scenario is the death penalty, while you must be at least 20 years old in Thailand to legally consume alcohol, and carry your ID with you everywhere you go.

5. Watch out for: Thailand culture frowns upon public displays of affection, no matter who you are, so do not engage in such behaviour on the streets. It is not safe for tourists to drink the tap water in Thailand, so make sure you only drink bottled water. Watch out for scams when hiring motorcycles or jet skis and only hire them from well-known places otherwise they may not be in a safe condition. And lastly, beware of some lovely females on the streets and in bars who may not be as female as they seem.

Thailand is a beautiful place to travel, and we hope these facts and tips help you plan a trip to the beautiful, tropical beaches to smile with the locals and enjoy a relaxing or adventure-filled holiday.

5 Facts About Peru

The South American country of Peru is well-known and highly visited for its ancient ruins and the Inca trail. However, there’s so much more to see during a stay like the Amazon rainforest, diverse geography, art, festivals and ancient culture, and the costs are relatively inexpensive. Convinced, yet? If not, here are five facts about Peru.

1. Transport

Getting around Peru is actually relatively easy, with an array of options available. Lima has intra-city buses that operate well towards museums and the suburbs and microbuses are available but vary on distances. Uber is also available in Lima, Cusco, and Arequipa which is a great way to save some cash on travel. Registered taxis are another option, but avoid unlicensed taxis. There are also cruises in the Amazon region, and boats and planes are another great way to get around.

2. Hiking and Walking

If you do want to tackle the difficult but rewarding Inca trail to Machu Picchu, be sure to plan ahead and make a booking well in advance as it’s highly popular and spots do get snapped up. The winding, multiple day hike is well worth it though as you meander the trail of the Incas through ancient ruins and mountainous jungle. There’s plenty of other hiking and walking available in the country that’s less strenuous such as the Cola Canyon, the deepest in the world, Iquitos – a city amidst the rainforest for jungle exploration, or perhaps Arequipa known as the White City for its construction from white volcanic ash.

3. Wildlife

Unknown to most, Peru is home to thousands of wildlife species. In the PacayaSamiria National Reserve (north of the Amazon jungle) alone, there is immense biodiversity with many of species of mammals, birds, reptiles and aquatic life as well as flora and fauna. Particularly impressive is the pink river dolphin, for which there are opportunities to swim with, the spider monkeys in the jungle and the jaguar. In the south of Peru known as Paracas, you can even spot sea lions and penguins perched along the river banks.

4. Relaxing

Aside from all the hiking and walking, Peru does offer some elements of relaxation in its vast landscape. Beautiful beaches dot the coast, with surfing facilities among other watersports available for your leisure. A great well-known spot for this type of activity is Mancora beach, which experiences constant sunshine throughout the year and suitable waves for surfing. On the other end of the spectrum is a beautiful desert oasis in Huacachina for a perfect relaxing destination by the lagoon, surrounded by palm trees, with sandboarding and sandbuggies on offer nearby.

5. Safety and Altitude

Due to the mostly mountainous terrain of Peru, altitude sickness should be taken into account. Particularly if you’re traveling to Machu Picchu, take care and keep hydrated with bottled water, lower your alcohol intake, and rest well to help prevent illness. Where safety is concerned, some parts of Peru are subject to violent crime and civil unrest and should be avoided during a trip. It’s best to try not to venture out alone after dark, and stay away from areas within 25km of the Colombian and Ecquardorian borders at non-official checkpoints.

And there you have it! Some added information about Peru and its wondrous culture and landscape that make it well worth a visit.