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Trip to France: Essentials

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When traveling to France, in order to get the most out of your trip, you need to come prepared. Making a list of destinations to visit can take a lot of time and research, so we have laid out some of the must-visit places for a true taste of the French spirit.

Marseille

Not only is Marseille the second largest city in France, but it’s also one of the major seaports located on the western Mediterranean coast. Marseille is known for its beautiful climate, monuments of the Roman Empire, medieval ruins and a variety of cultural venues. One of the must-see places in Marseille is Calanques, a series of astonishing islands with immensely blue waters. Rock climbing in Calanques is a promising experience for all of you adventurers out there.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is not to be missed by wine lovers. Known as the French capital of wine, in Bordeaux, you can encounter a variety of bars à vin and many other national beverages. While you are here, don’t forget to visit the magnificent Garonne river where you can dip your feet and enjoy your wine in the most relaxing and dreamy atmosphere. As for the more active part of this trip, you can take a walk up to the Pey-Berland Tower that has an amazing overlook of the city houses, which are fairly interesting and picturesque due to their Lego-like structure.

Champagne

It would be a waste to visit France without a cruise through the river Marne and the Canal Lateral a la Marne. Although the Champagne region is most famous for its bubbly, white wine, there is also a ton of historical reasons to visit this region. As Champagne is one of the most prominent French provinces, you can learn a lot about the history of France by booking a luxurious barge holiday in France and visiting the town of Château-Thierry or touring through the Reims and Hautvillers. Don’t forget to visit the very popular Champagne houses to find out what authentic, homemade bubbly wine tastes like.

Paris

There is no excuse to go to France and not visit the city of love. Paris is especially dreamy during warm, summer nights, when you can see it guarding its reputation of the “city of lights” in all of its shine. It’s no wonder that the French have an expression il n’y a qu’un Paris, meaning “there is only one Paris”. There is far too much to see in Paris, all the way from the Notre-Dame Cathedral and the famous Eiffel Tower, through the Latin Quarter and artistic Montmartre, down to the treasures of the Louvre museum. To make visiting all of these monuments possible, it will take you at least a couple of days, so get your comfy shoes on and prepare yourself for a true cultural expedition.

The French Riviera

The famous French Riviera is one of the most visited coastlines in France due to its stunning blue waters in Côte d’Azur. This coast is also known to be the sunniest part of France, which is why the blue skies give this area an even more beautiful appearance. Côte d’Azur begins with the luxurious Saint-Tropez, known for its glitz and glam, nightlife and beautiful beaches, and ends with Menton, close to the border of Italy. Even though this area is mostly crowded in the summer, a good idea would be to visit during the spring period because you can enjoy a more quiet and relaxing atmosphere, with the weather still mostly on the sunny side.

These five destinations are our choice of France essentials, but there are so many other places to visit in France that will surely leave you breathless, like Normandy, The Châteaux of the Loire Valley, or the Alsace region. Wherever you choose to go, one thing is certain – you are ought to come back again.

How to Choose Travel Insurance

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Planning your trip can be a lot of fun – deciding what places you’re going to visit, what foods you’re eager to try out, and what festivals are worth visiting. Among all the excitement, many travelers forget about one thing that is crucial for traveling safely – travel insurance. Although not the most exciting part of planning your trip, traveling insurance is still a crucial component of every safe trip, and your safety is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly. In order to choose the right travel insurance for yourself, you’ll need to consider several factors. Read on to learn what those factors are.

Understand why you need travel insurance

There are many things that can go wrong that are out of your control. The worst possible scenario for everyone who’s traveling is not getting to go on your trip because something bad has happened. Imagine saving all year, spending your hard-earned money on tickets, accommodation and tours, and all of a sudden, you need to either cancel the trip, you lose your passport or luggage, or even worse – there’s a terrorist attack and you can’t go. That’s when people need travel insurance – it is there to cover your expenses if something unexpected happens, and traveling is definitely not the time to be cheap. In essence, travel insurance is all about how it’s better to be safe than sorry. You never know when you might need it!

Know who and what you are insuring

Whom you’re traveling with plays an important role in deciding on your travel insurance policy. There are policies that are created for specific categories, such as couple travel insurance, family holiday insurance and single parent family cover, so you can choose the option that fits you best. If you’re thinking about embarking on a sea voyage with your loved ones, it means you’ll need a cruise travel insurance policy that will cover your expenses if something unexpected happens during your holiday cruise. Once you get that policy, you can rest assured knowing that you, your family and your hard-earned money are all protected if anything bad happens. Some travel insurances offer to cover other expenses too, such as emergency medical expenses and covering your luggage and personal belongings. All in all, pay attention to what expenses are included in different policies so you can find the one that best suits your needs.

 

Knowing what makes a good travel insurance plan

The number of choices that are being offered to you might seem overwhelming. Therefore, knowing what to look for in a travel insurance plan will make the process of elimination go a lot more smoothly, leaving you with just a couple of choices which you can narrow down, so they are in accordance with your needs. The first thing you want to consider is the coverage limit on medical expenses – look for companies that will provide you with high coverage limits. This means, if you were to get sick or injured during your travel and are in need of professional help, all costly hospital bills will be covered. Another thing that should be used as criteria for choosing a travel insurance plan is their coverage in case of emergency and stolen possessions, and make sure they guarantee 24-hour emergency assistance in case something bad happens.

Knowing what is not covered by travel insurance

There are certain things travel insurance policies usually don’t cover, so it’s also imperative to know what your travel insurance plan doesn’t include. Most policies don’t offer coverage in case of accidents that happen during extreme sports activities, such as bungee jumping. But, if you’re an adrenaline junkie that’s not willing to take that risk, you can pay extra and make sure you’re covered, just in case you need medical help. And be sure to watch your luggage and belongings – many companies refuse to provide theft coverage if the clients were reckless and left their possessions unattended.

Travel insurance is definitely something that is worth spending your money on in order to travel safely. By purchasing a travel insurance policy, you’re getting peace of mind – and you just can’t put a price on that!

How to Experience Sydney In Style

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Visiting one of Australia’s top metropolises doesn’t happen every day, so you might as well make the most of it. The gorgeous sunsets, mesmerizing rooftop viewpoints, fine cuisine and exceptional sights are just some of the reasons you absolutely need to come to Sydney the first chance you have. If you’ve already booked your ticket and you’re planning to experience Sydney in style, this is how you should make it happen.

Look for deluxe accommodation

If you’re going to treat yourself to a luxurious daytime in Sydney, you might as well offer yourself the utmost comfort during the night as well. Look for some of the best hotels in Sydney and get a room with a view over the Sydney Harbour for amazing mornings and even more memorable nights under the starry skies. A luxurious resort with a swimming pool, sauna, gym, and a spa available for you to recharge after a long day of soaking in all of the Sydney vibes is all you’ll need.

Take a luxury cruise

Cruising the Sydney Harbour should definitely be on top of your to-do list. Luxury-focused boat trips will offer you the best experience and you’ll get a much fancier ride around the Emerald City. Treat yourself to a superb cruising experience in a spectacular yacht, and if you choose to be a part of a small group, the entire cruise will be much more intimate. Use the opportunity to enjoy the city’s sights from a completely new perspective. If you have a bit more pocket money to spend, consider chartering your own private yacht.

Book a private car

Comfort comes first, so you should start your Sydney vacation in style. If you want to have the ultimate privacy from the airport to your hotel, look up private airport transfers in Sydney and book the transfer, so you’ll arrive safely and undetected to your accommodation. You can also rent a private chauffeur if you want to visit the city sights faster, and without walking too much. Your vacation should be all about comfort and indulging, so you should go ahead and book a private chauffeur to drive you around in an air-conditioned vehicle and allow you to enjoy your vacation to the max.

Go fine dining

Sydney doesn’t lack fine-dining restaurants, so if you’re all about the food tasting when on vacation, don’t miss an opportunity to have dinner at some of the exquisite Sydney restaurants. Exceptional cuisine, impeccable service and elegant surroundings, followed by an air of refinement are just a glimpse of what you can expect from deluxe Sydney restaurants. Whether you’re in the mood for Australian, Chinese, Japanese, or maybe vegetarian meals, Sydney has it all.

Hop on the hot air balloon

How does a spectacular view at the Sydney sunrise sound from up above sound? If it’s all that you’ve ever dreamed about, then a flight over the city in a hot air balloon that will allow you to see Sydney skyline on the horizon as if it was at the palm of your hand is all you need for a perfect Sydney vacation. A three-hour experience will start at the crack of dawn, as early as 4 am, so better go early to bed the night before if you want to truly enjoy the flight and be mesmerized by the morning sky.

Final thoughts

Visiting Sydney will definitely be a one-of-a-kind experience. This is especially true if you decide to experience Sidney in style and opt to pamper and indulge yourself to the fullest. So, if you’ve decided to make the most of your vacation, be sure to book a luxurious accommodation, have a private chauffeur drive you around the city, go on a classy cruise, go fine dining and fly in a hot air balloon for the most spectacular holiday in your life.

30 Reasons to Holiday in Croatia

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Are you looking for a getaway break with a difference? Are you tired of the same old beach resort holidays but don’t want to travel to the other side of the world? Croatia is a perfect solution. The food is fabulous, there’s plenty to explore and you still have the option of spending time at the beach.

Stunning scenery and mountains to climb, as well as national parks and trails to explore means you can indulge your adventurous side. If history is more your thing, then Croatia won’t disappoint.

Discover unusual traditions, quirky places, islands and so much more with a holiday in Croatia. Game of Thrones fans will be delighted by the tours on offer, giving you the chance to visit some famous sites from the hit show.

The beaches might be rocky, but you can still enjoy an ocean retreat or book into one of the hotels with salt water pools. Whatever you’re looking for, Croatia makes an ideal break from the stress of daily life. The infographic below reveals some interesting facts about Croatia that can make your holiday even more special.

From Atlanta to Catalonia: Exploring Barcelona’s Hidden Gems this Xmas

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When you think of Barcelona, what images does it conjure up?

The fairytale wonders of Park Güell? Gaudi’s stunning architecture at Sagrada Família? The funfair at Tibidabo? Picking up a bargain at Las Ramblas? Lionel Messi?

Admittedly, Spain’s second largest city is as famous for its architectural triumphs and sporting heroes as it is for its position as one of the major cultural and economic centers in Europe.

It’s a wonderful city jam-packed with things to see and do, which is why we recommend swapping Atlanta for Catalonia this Christmas and jetting off to Barca for a holiday with a twist.

But first …

Flying from the world’s busiest passenger airport can throw up its own challenges, so to make sure your journey from Hartsfield-Jackson gets off to the best possible start, we recommend pre-booking a parking spot using the Atlanta airport parking comparison service Looking4.com.

Not only will this save your blood pressure, it’ll save you time circling the airport trying to find a parking spot—and you can even opt for a meet and greet service, which means you can drop your car off at the terminal. Magnífico! (as they say in España).

Now … on to the other important stuff …

Poblenou Cemetery

Fair enough, it’s not the cheeriest start to your trip, but the stunning architecture of Poblenou Cemetery is enough to raise your spirits (no pun intended). Located in calle de Taulat, the first cemetery here was opened in 1775.

Check out the two sections of the cemetery, with egalitarian burial niches at the front and monuments and mausolea at the rear, reserved for Barcelona’s wealthier residents to erect expensive reminders of where they lie.

Dine in the Dark

Unless you’ve been kidnapped, held hostage and blindfolded, it’s doubtful you’ve spent much time eating your meals in darkness.  However, at Barcelona’s Dans le Noir, you can break with tradition and engage your other senses as you sit down to some expertly prepared food.

Embark on a sensory journey as your perception of taste and smell are flipped on their head, with a unique atmosphere radiating through the restaurant. If it sounds odd, that’s because it is, but it’s an intriguing way to dine out for the evening.

Enjoy a Sub Zero Drink

Ever dreamed of sipping tasty cocktails while temperatures dip between -2°C and -10°C? When you get to Barcelona, you can make that dream a reality thanks to Icebarcelona. Located in the Condal City, it offers the world’s first ice bar situated on a beach.

Designed by internationally renowned artists, this extremely cool hangout is frequented by locals and tourists alike. The experience lasts for around 45 minutes, which is plenty of time to take a few snaps before checking out the shores of the Mediterranean.

Now it’s over to you …

Do you have any unusual attractions you’d like to visit when you head to Barcelona? Please let us know by leaving a comment below.