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Travel with Meaning: Five Ways to Improve Every Trip You Take

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Travel is a luxury only few of us are privileged enough to do, which is why when you take a trip, you need to make the most of it. This means exploring, relaxing, shopping, and experiencing far off lands. Traveling half-heartedly is a waste. If you want to make the most of your trip, you need to travel with meaning. To do this, you need to start doing these five things to improve every trip you take:

Learn the History

 

History is, inherently, fascinating. That is why taking the extra time to read up on the history of a country can make you appreciate it all the more. Every place has a history. Some histories are thousands of years old, some are only a few hundred or even a few years. The older the place, the more important it is that you read up and know what has gone on there in the past. If reading isn’t your style, there are also audio-books and documentaries, meaning that you’ll be able to learn before you go no matter your schedule and preferences.

Know Your Options

 

Though scheduling every part of your day is not advised, knowing your options is. Knowing the top places to go and having them saved on an offline map can mean that you can create a custom itinerary as the day goes on, without missing the top destinations in the area. This also keeps you open for spontaneous decisions and adventures. It’s a great way to plan, without over planning.

Be Respectful

 

Every culture has its rules, and every country has its laws, which is why you need to know them and be respectful of them. That is why you should generally read up on these cultural and legal rules that you should follow, or else face the consequences. This might seem obvious, but some common behaviors we do at home can be illegal in other countries. Know what is different before you go to ensure you continue to have a great time.

Take Home Better Souvenirs

 

The best souvenirs are the ones that not only support local artists and the locals in general, but also holds meaning and value. For instance, if you visit Italy, bypass the cheap Pisa tower keychains and instead pick up a bottle of wine from a vineyard. You could even purchase a crate of investment bottles, where if you wait for it to mature, it will become one of the best bottles you have ever tasted. However, ensure your bottle does not spoil after you bring it back home by storing it within the Octavian Vaults, a luxury wine storage facility, and in a few decades, you’ll have a beautiful bottle of wine to celebrate with. If you enjoy brining back bottles of wine from your travels, by storing them properly, this can even become a unique and profitable investment opportunity.

Memories are Not Forever: How to Capture Your Trip of a Lifetime

 

Forget the selfies and focus on taking photos of where you are, who you see, what you do, and the friends you make. Having more photos of yourself won’t help you remember, but focusing on capturing your experience will.

Travel is a wonderful thing, and when you can travel, you need to make the most of it. Making the most of it means having better memories to carry with you, and having an even better time.

Up For a Spanish Tour?

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Spain is one of the wonderful counties in Europe. This country is said to receive thousands of tourists all the year round. Getting to Spain is not a tough task if the prospective tourist has taken the assistance of a reputed travel agent or tour operator. Spain is an interesting place and has many locations of interest. The most important question for the prospective traveler is where he wants to spend his holidays. Some of the travelers would like to spend their holidays among nature. It simply could be on a beach or in a reserve forest, mountain, hill top or in a city, while some prefer to visit historical places. Whatever, be the area of choice, the tourists have plenty to enjoy in this country and cherish it for a long time to come.

The country of Spain is said to have a very long coastline along the Mediterranean Sea that covers an area of approximately around 250 kilometers. Some of the popular Hollywood films have been filmed on this coast which in itself speaks of its immense popularity. The Spanish beaches are said to be perfectly maintained and immaculately clean. There are plenty of adventure and water sports such as deep sea diving for the tourists to enjoy. Some of the popular Spanish beaches include Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca and Malaga. There are plenty of apartments and villas along the coasts where the tourists can relax and be assured of a luxurious stay without overshooting their budget.

Spain also has some interesting hill stations. Interestingly, most of the hill stations tend to run parallel to various beaches in the region. Hence, the tourists can easily enjoy the roaring sea from the hill top. Whereas, the visitors on the beach can simply enjoy the beauty of the mountains, that stares at the sea. The tourists can also enjoy the popular local cuisines at the villages located on the mountains.

There are plenty of historical locations in Spain. According to a survey conducted in the country, there are around 10000 historical buildings such as castles, cathedrals and churches that were constructed centuries ago, of which around 2500 structures are preserved by the government of Spain. The remaining have either crumbled or dilapidated due to the passage of time, but still offer a wonderful view of the historic past and rich culture of Spain.

The Spanish people also take pride in welcoming their guests from all parts of the world and try to make them comfortable as possible. You will go a long way with speaking to them if you learn Spanish before you visit. There are some popular festivals performed throughout the year that attracts people in hordes. The best part of visiting Spain is that one can get access to all forms of transport to reach it. The country of Spain also has been a wonderful location for couples getting married and enjoying their honeymoon. The markets, malls, shopping centers, spas and various other features of entertainment have induced the tourists to visit this beautiful country from all parts of the world all the year round.

 

Getting The Gist Of Luxurious Versus Budget Vacations

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When you want to plan your next upcoming vacation, you will probably want to make sure that you are doing everything you can in order to get the most out of the entire experience. This might take some planning on your part, but it will be more than worth it, especially considering that these will be memories that will last you and your loved ones for many years.

The Luxury Vacation

If you want to make sure that you are creating the best possible vacation adventure for yourself and your family, you will want to find the places that offer a little bit of everything. All inclusive trips are usually highly desirable, as these types of trips allow you to simply lay back and relax, as everything is planned out for you.

You will also want to make sure that you are flying first class to an airport where a driver or rental car will be waiting to take you to your quality resort, such as the Cabo San Lucus luxury resort. You can really enhance your luxury resort experience by getting in touch with a professional from the resort itself, or simply from around that area, who can tell you about all of the hot spots that you need to hit up. If money is no object, you will want to make that clear, as you may then be invited to some of the more upscale events and venues that others may never hear about. It’s okay to spend some extra money when you are on your lavish vacation. After all, who knows when you will be returning to the same vacation destination again.

The Budget Vacation

Too many people make the mistake of assuming that a budget vacation means that it is not going to be as comfortable or as fun. This is hardly the case, especially if you’re taking a little time to plan before taking off. The more you think about how you can enhance this experience for everyone, the more memorable this experience will be for everyone.

One of the things you might want to do is to skip out on the air travel and take a road trip. Does this sound like a boring experience? It really doesn’t have to be! One of the best things you can do is to plan your road trip so that you will drive through some great tourist places. You can stop and see many sights along your way to your main destination. This will provide a lot of fun for your family, which will also help to make sure that the entire road trip does not feel as dull and long.

Saving Up For Future Vacations

Whether you simply want to make sure that you are saving up enough money for your next budget vacation, or you want to make sure that the next vacation is one of total luxury, you will want to start planning as far in advance as possible. This might mean starting a vacation savings fund, as you can not only keep those funds separate from your regular bill money, but you can earn some interest on it throughout the year. That gives you even more money to work with. You’ll just want to make sure that you are spending some time checking out the various ways in which you can maximize savings account profits.

Before you know it, you will have planned the best possible vacation for you and your family. You won’t have to stress about the vacation planning pat again, as it can now be looked at as an adventure for making sure that you’re getting the best deals and experiences possible.

Capitalise On Canada – Why Tours Are The Best Way To Visit The Great White North

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If you’re the type of person who wants to head off to a far flung and adventurous locale you may also be the kind of person who wants to see as much as you can and pack in the most adventure during your time there. A lot of the time going to a new country means trying to get your bearings and figure things out which means precious hours wasted wandering around trying to find something or even getting lost! Not great for someone who wants to pack as much adventure into a trip as they can. When it’s a country as big as Canada though, it can be even more of a time waste if you get lost or can’t find your way with everything so spread out. Here’s a couple great reasons why you should consider going on an organised tour for your next trip to the Great White North.

Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy

Going on a tour to somewhere like Canada is one of the best ways to ensure you see and do the things that are important to you. Whether it’s adventurous stuff like rafting, hiking, snowshoeing or climbing up onto the Athabasca Glacier in Alberta, tours are great for packing all this into your short time in the country. You can go on a Canada tour easily and pick and choose which types of tours suit you and your travelling companion or family best. Between classic tours and VIP tours to choose from you can be sure that you will find the perfect type of package to suit your tastes and preferences. You can even choose small group tours for you and your friends to have the high quality professional guide without the massive tour group numbers.

Travel In Comfort And Style

Tours in Canada can incorporate a whole host of things to see and do but also will almost always provide high quality, high class buses and other various transport as well as accommodation in top quality hotels in your touring area. This means you will get the VIP treatment along with a knowledgeable guide who is an expert on Canada and the sights and attractions you will be visiting, meaning you get more bang for your buck in terms of value for money on your tours. Return home being an expert on Canada and become the envy of your friends, inspiring them to book their own tours to the Great White North.

No Better Way

With the vast size of Canada it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the things you want to see and how much time you have to do it in. Between getting yourself from A to B and beyond and to all the things you want to do, driving yourself can be exhausting. This is where tours come into take the work off you so you can sit back, relax in style and just enjoy the breathtaking scenery Canada is famous for while your tour company takes care of the rest.

 

So if you’re coming to Canada soon, consider taking a tour instead of doing it yourself, especially if you want to mix with like-minded individuals and enjoy comfort and class on the trip regardless of which part of this fantastic and beautiful country you choose.

Have You Ever What It’s Like To Go on a Cruise?

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Nowadays they aren’t just reserved for elderly couples. They are, in fact, becoming the fastest growing travel division, with one in eight foreign package holidays being a cruise. More and more people are coming around to the idea of an entire holiday packaged into one large, boat-shaped bundle. Your travel, accommodation, entertainment, leisure facilities, food and drink are all tied in together. It’s more of a safe, stress-free option. There’s no searching for flights and hotels within your price range, trying to synchronise your travel between different countries.

Why Go On a Cruise

Having everything right there at your disposal, in one package, means you aren’t relying on other holiday maker’s suggestions of restaurants, risking a bad meal or attempting to find a nice sight down a dark street somewhere. You’re not getting on, and off different transportation to get to various destinations, lugging your bags here, there and everywhere.

The lengths and destinations of cruises are adaptable too. You can choose a short 2 or 3-day cruise with a couple of stops not too far from home or, you could opt for a decadent 2 week plus cruise, visiting several destinations in one hit and really making the most of the inclusive facilities that you’ll get when you go on a world cruise.

What To Do?

Taking a cruise around the world is no mean feat. A quick stop one will see you travelling for at least 104 days, but, on average, you can expect to be cruising for 140; a third of the year! However, there’s zero risk of boredom during your time on board, swimming pools, various classes where you can take up a new hobby or learn a new skill, cinemas, gyms, musical acts, stage shows. This is all in between visiting numerous countries that this great globe has to offer.

There are some common myths associated with a cruise that I’ll help dissolve.

Seasickness; highly unlikely with modern technology such as stabilisers on the hull, it can’t be guaranteed that running into some bad weather won’t happen, but pressure bands, natural remedies or travel sickness medicines are widely available just in case.

Boredom has already been covered, there’s not a cat’s chance of that happening!

Eating?

Dining options, you won’t be forced to sit in a ball gown at the same table, with the same people, every night. Many cruises have flexible dining options just like any restaurant, allowing you to book a table for a certain time and even just for the 2 of you if that’s what you wish. Dress code wise, be respectful, on land you wouldn’t be going out for dinner in shorts and flip-flops. There are also varying diet options too, gluten free, healthy options, kid’s areas etc.

Why A Cruise Makes So Much Sense

I mean, can you imagine, it must be so stressful being surrounded by endless amounts of calming blue ocean, catching a glimpse of dolphins as you take in the views from your balcony. Taking the time to watch as the gorgeous orange and pink sun sets or rises over the deep bluey turquoise of the sea. Having endless entertainment, a variety of foods all throughout the day, no travel plans to worry about, taxi fares or car hire, no worries about attempting to navigate another country’s train or bus system. Sounds horrendous, right?

How to Give Your Hotel a Big Online Presence

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The hotel industry is fighting pretty hard right now for customers thanks to the success of private vacation rental companies such as AirBnb. There are some hotels around the world which are never likely to have issues because of the way in which they do things. Just last week for example I was in the impressive Bicycle Casino Hotel in California which has so much going for it from its casino and its entertainment suite that it will always have people coming through its doors. For smaller hotel owners however, the best way to fight against the new trend is to go big online and ensure that you have a solid online profile which will attract customers. If this sounds like something that you may need, here is how to go about it.

Social Media

One of the best ways in which you can market your hotel and give it a brand which people can warm to, is to be highly active on social media. At the every least you should have a profile with Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. The key to using these channels is to constantly show off the cool things that are happening in your hotel, give guests sense of what they can expect if they stay in your place. You don’t have to be the bets hotel in the world, to look like the best hotel in the world and with smart social media usage you can really sell your hotel. Don’t be afraid to add a human touch to your social media account, the more that you engage with people, the more trust you can build.

Exposure

Very few people actually book hotels directly on the hotel website and the large majority of people are using sites such as booking.com and Expedia. In order therefore to boost how many customers you are getting in, you need to make sure that you are being featured on all of these websites. Be careful with this as all of these sites encourage reviews from people who have stayed at the hotel and before you put your hotel on these sites, you must ensure that you provide exceptional service and quality as a bad review can kill you.

Search Engine Optimization

Search Engine Optimization or SEO is a strategy which digital marketeers employ so that you can appear on the top pages of the search results for a certain set of keywords. And so if you have a hotel in Dallas for example, the best case scenario is that when people search on Google for ‘Dallas hotels; the idea is that your hotel features on the top pages. The reason why this is so important is because customers don’t look beyond the first page or two of the  search results and if you are’t first, you may as well not exist. Invest in SEO if you want your hotel to stand out from the crowd.

Big State With Plenty to Do: Go Large on Fun in Texas

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In Texas, everything is bigger. Second in size only to Alaska, the Lone Star State welcomes visitors with big landscapes, big attractions, and some of the most stunning scenery in the nation. If you’re planning to visit anytime soon, you’ll be glad to know about the following things to do and see in the great state of Texas.

Delightful Dallas

Few places rival Dallas for historical mystery and intrigue. The total truth may never be told, but there’s plenty to explore at the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. Here you can see the high rise window through which Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly fired the bullet that killed President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. The museum chronicles what is known about the assassination and provides an inside look at the 35th President of the United States and is well worth adding to your Texas travel itinerary, notes USA Today.

Be a space cadet in Houston

NASA Space Center Houston is a must-see for anyone interested in astronautics and space exploration. Affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, the Space Center hosts nine research facilities, an extensive education complex, and an out-of-this-world museum to thrill and inspire visitors of all ages. Be sure to reserve your spot for a behind the scenes tour of the Johnson Space Center and Mission Control.

Situated on the eastern edge of San Antonio, the Alamo is one of Texas’ most visited historical attractions. The Alamo was originally constructed in 1744 by Franciscans to serve as a mission but was converted into a military fort around 1836. Famed for its part in the Texas War of Independence, the Alamo was also the last place frontier explorer Davy Crockett drew his last breath. More than two million people visit the famed old fort annually. Be one of them, and you’ll remember the Alamo long after you return home from your stay at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort, advises PlanetWare magazine.

For an outdoor adventure filled with wonderful wildlife, spend a day discovering Padre Island. Located a short drive from Corpus Christi, Padre Island offers more than 70 miles of serene grassland, sandy beaches, billowing dunes, and more migratory birds than you’re likely to see in any other single place. Begin your tour at the Malaquite Visitor Center where you may rent a beach wheelchair if you so desire.

All this and art, too

In Dallas, drop by the Dallas Museum of Art where you can wander among tens of thousands of artistic artifacts from ancient Greece, Egypt, and Rome as well as modern work by artists such as Jackson Pollock.

Whooping it up in Texas is easy. Plan to visit as many places as you can, but don’t expect to see all of the Lone Star State in one visit.

Take to the open road on one of these iconic routes from around the world

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Have you ever wanted to go on a road trip and see new and exciting countries in a way that most people don’t? Of course, you have, who hasn’t. Road trips are one of the most exciting and unique ways to see a country. You get away from the resorts and the typical tourist hotspots and you can see the countries you drive through in a completely different light. This is especially true for your home country if you have never done a road trip there. Songs, movies and books have featured some of the most famous routes in the world such as route 66. They detail the adventures, sights and experiences, that you could also have. Here we have chosen a selection of some of the most famous routes in the world and we will describe them to you in some minor detail to get those inspirational ideas flowing. Hopefully they will inspire you to use Purple parking a handy little service and go on your own adventure, maybe your native country is mentioned, and you can stay closer to home.

The wild Atlantic way, Ireland:

The wild Atlantic way takes you on a journey of over 2,000kms on the west coast of Ireland, bringing you along some of the most rustic and weather-beaten coastline you will witness. Ares of interest are the world-famous cliffs of Moher and Skellig Michael, recently used in the Star Wars franchise.  The journey can be completed in your own pace and is easily marked along may routes and maps. Otherwise you can simply ask a local, Irish style.

Route 66, USA:

What list would be complete without a mention of the incredible route 66, one of the most famous road trips in the USA. This 3,800 km journey will take you through small town America from California to Chicago and show you some of the old style and grace which inspired many musicians and travellers alike. You will have truly used one of the #wheelsoftheworld if you use an old Ford or Mustang for this trip.

Great Ocean Road. Australia

Would you like to see the twelve apostles in real life? Well then this is your chance as it is one of the many sights which can be found on the Great ocean road. Driving west out of Melbourne you will discover rain forests, ocean hugging cliffs and beaches and seascapes which make Australia one of the most picturesque countries in the world. Continue along to you next destination, or simply camp wherever you find a beautiful national park which allows it.

These routes are just some of many of the endless routes which can be taken around the world. Going on holidays and relaxing by the pool is a nice holiday. But to really see a country you must get out on the road, see the locals and drive the routes that are famous for a reason. They only cost you the price of a rental or even your own car. Road trips are something you will simply not forget.

A Guide To The Most Famous Filming Locations In Hawaii

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Finding movie locations while you are on holidays is quite a fun way to spend your holidays, especially if you are a movie buff/nerd. It’s quite fun to imagine the film process and why certain locations were chosen for movies. Places such as New York and Vegas are obvious choices for movie locations, but it is those of the beaten track ones which are much more fun to find. They can be natural landscapes, disused buildings or entire islands. On of the most famous filming locations for natural and rugged movie sets are the islands of Hawaii. Countless movies and tv shows have been set here, due to its natural beauty, the uniqueness of its landscape and its exotic and other worldly feel. Finding the exact locations can be a task though and this can be an adventure. Sites such as Addressy and land based tours can be helpful if you have an idea where famous scenes have been filmed, otherwise you will have to do some research and find the locations yourself. Here we’ve looked at some of the more popular islands and some of the movies filmed here.

OAHU:

Amongst the movies filmed here are 50 first dates, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Pearl harbour and many more. These movies deal with love, comedy and war. Each show the island in a unique light from sandy beaches and palm tress, the incredible Arial shots and amazing landscapes. Finding particular areas of each movie will take some research but there are definitely many locals# who will know some of the more famous areas used.

KAUAI:

This island seems to be more popular with the adventure genre of movies. As some of its credits include Jurassic park, Indiana jones and seven days six nights. All of them being adventurous with some mixing in romance and intrigue to their stories. Kauais Manawaiopuna falls are now affectionately called the Jurassic park falls such is their popularity on the island and of course due to the iconic stance of the movie. Six days seven nights really brings the island to life throughout the film as it is supposed to be a desert island, it therefore is an incredible backdrop and shows the beauty that Hawaii is famous for. The next Harrison ford movie and the second from Spielberg also Indiana jones shows the love movie makers have of the islands. Showing another iconic scene and basing it on the amazon jungle shows the beauty from Kauai.

Tv shows:

Amongst the many tv shows based here or which used it as a location are Baywatch, Charlies angles, lilo and stich and many, many more.

As you can see from the short list we have drawn up Hawaii is a movie set paradise. Come and enjoy the movies and hunt the sets if you like. Don’t forget though, not everyone likes #MyTownInMovies and it is always nice to be respectful to people’s property and their right to privacy if certain locations happen to be on private land.

Each country and area has many movie locations but not the same extent that you will find in Hawaii so enjoy the experience and maybe you can be cast as an extra.

How to Keep Your Love of Italy Alive Once You’re Back Home

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If you’ve just gotten back from a dream trip to Italy, then there’s a good chance you instantly fell in love with its beauty, charm, and romance. Coming home can be somewhat jarring as you get back to your everyday life and commitments. Now that you’ve discovered a new favorite destination, why not work it into your life. You can include pieces of Italy in all kinds of ways, as we will examine.

Collect Classic Italian Jewelry

It’s always nice to pick up a souvenir or two while on vacation, but if you didn’t manage to get around to it, there’s no reason you can grab an authentic piece of Italian jewelry once you get home. When it comes to a piece that really showcases Italy’s incredible craftsmanship, nothing beats Jovon Antique Cameos.

These are an Eredi Jovon Venice specialty. The Italian shop has been around for more than 80 years, spanning across three generations. Back in 1934, Eredi Jovon used to sell pieces right on the famous Rialto Bridge in Venice. It’s here that you can still meet the owner as well as her sons as you take a look at their authentic Venetian pieces.

Learn to Cook Like an Italian

Here’s another authentic way that you can keep your love of Italy alive even once you’re back home and back to the grind. Why not learn how to cook like an Italian and continue your exploration of Italian cuisine?

You can do a little research about what your town offers, perhaps there may be some local Italian cooking classes. If not, you can take the initiative and pick up some books, watch some videos online, and tune in to cooking shows on the TV. Before you know it, you’ll be well on your way to cooking like an Italian.

Keep in mind that simplicity is key in Italian cooking.  You don’t need a lot of ingredients, or need to pull off fancy menus. However, the ingredients you do use should be high quality.

Include Italian Décor in Your Home

If you were struck by the beauty of Italian decor, furnishings, and architecture on your trip, then there is no reason you can incorporate a little of this flair into your own home. There are a number of different styles that are all considered authentic Italian. These styles include classic, renaissance, modern contemporary, and Tuscan. It’s really a matter of what fits your own tastes.

Keep in mind there is no reason to completely re-do the rooms in your house and make it entirely Italian. Instead, you can shop for key pieces that act as focal points in the room.

Keep the Spirit Alive

It’s always exciting to visit beautiful new destinations while on vacation, and Italy is definitely one of those destinations that will end up sticking with you. These are just a few ways you can keep that love of Italy alive even once you’re back home.