Waegook Tom

A Blog About A Globetrotting English Teacher

destinations

Taking a Vacation in the Fall: A Guide

by

The most popular time for people to take a vacation is during the summer. The kids have an extended time off school, the weather is much better, and there are activities to keep everyone happy the entire time. However, there is a lot to be said for taking a vacation during the Fall that many people underestimate. Not only will you save money by not traveling during peak time, but you will also get the chance to expand your travel experiences. Given the effect that the coronavirus has caused on the travel industry, travel during the summer might still be difficult, so there has never been a better time to give a Fall vacation a chance. However, a getaway in the Fall (while still being just as good) won’t be exactly the same. There is a lot more to consider before booking those plane tickets, so to ensure you get the best experience, read on.

Consider the weather

During the summer, you are almost guaranteed good weather no matter where you book, but in the Fall, you might not be greeted with blazing hot sunshine or clear blue skies in every destination. Instead, you may experience cooler temperatures, rain, or even storms, but don’t let that put you off. It just requires a bit of research if you want to enjoy the sunshine. Look for year-round destinations, such as Brazil, India, and Jordan, for example.

However, taking a vacation in the Fall gives you the chance to experience something new, and you might find that you enjoy it more. The cooler weather means that you can be more active, see more of the country you are visiting, and benefit your health (as you don’t risk burning yourself in the hot sun). These better climate conditions make it the ideal way to explore, so if you are interested in doing this, then seek our places such as the UK, Croatia, and Switzerland.

Don’t just opt for a resort package

By all means, if you find a destination with year-round sunshine, you can enjoy the resort to the fullest. If you are considering opting for somewhere with a much cooler climate, however, then don’t just opt for the resort package as it will not provide quite the same experience. Instead, choose adventure, natural wonders of the world, vibrant streets and culture, as well as sacred history. The exotic vacations Exoticca has to offer can ensure all of this and so much more. With their expert help, the cooler weather, and lack of tourists, you can be certain that a vacation in the Fall is perfect.

Pack differently

It is important to remember that the two vacation experiences are going to be very different. In the summer, you are likely to live in swimsuits and bikinis the entire time. In the Fall, unless you go to Brazil or South Africa, you need to dress appropriately for the colder climate. This means packing plenty of layers and bringing along a sturdy pair of shoes if you choose to experience more adventure. Check the weather for your chosen destination and pack what is needed. Lightweight layers are ideal as they aren’t too heavy but will do the job of keeping you warm.

Travel Tips for Visiting the USA

by

When flying to a country which speaks a different language, it’s part of the routine to check the customs and the way which that particular country does things. However, when flying to a country which speaks English, such as America, Australia or New Zealand, it can be easy to think that the customs will be pretty much the same as the UK. In regards to America, there are a few things you should be aware in terms of rules and customs, as well as some essential planning to make your trip a lot smoother.

  • Be Prepared to Tip

Tipping is expected in America, from everyone, whether it be your taxi driver, restaurant server or hotel attendant. Whereas tipping is more a habit of choice in the UK based on good service, it’s customary in the United States, and can be viewed as particularly rude if you leave a restaurant without tipping. The majority of a restaurant server’s salary can be made up from tips in America, so it’s a good idea to set aside extra money in your budget for tipping.

  • Check Your Flight Times

The United States spans the length of the entire continent and has multiple time zones within it. This can make planning your travel experience somewhat complicated, especially if your flight route has multiple layovers along the way. What’s more, American airports have the tendency to be very strict. If you are flying to San Diego, for example, and you don’t want to deal with the stress of both customs and the long flight time, then Stratos Jets Charters is the best way to go. Private jets go through their own custom checks, and are far more luxurious to fly in. San Diego is an incredible city to visit and arriving on your own private jet is the best way to experience all this wonderful place has to offer.

  • Obey the Traffic Laws

American authorities are very strict when it comes to the rules of the road. No parking means no parking, and traffic must remain stopped at a red light until it changes fully to green (there’s no drifting through when the light is amber like you might do in the UK). You should also pay close attention to STOP signs and learn which way you need to look at a junction.

It’s also important to note that traffic laws and speed limits change from state to state, so you will need to check the specific rules for the state you intend to visit. Either invest in a GPS that informs you of changing speed limit signs or keep an eye out for sign changes – back grounds tend to drop suddenly in speed and have a tendency to not be very visible. Locals would calls this a “speed trap”.

  • Don’t Overwhelm Your Trip

There’s more than enough to do in one state, let alone 50 of them. Though it’s tempting for most people to want to nip over to a neighbouring state in order to tick another point of interest off their bucket list, a lot of people underestimate the travel distance between states (or even across one state) and don’t realise the toll travel can take on the body. Stick to what you can comfortably do in the state (or states) you want to visit and don’t try and do too much in one trip. You can always go back!

Reasons to Buy Your Universal Studios Tickets Online Before You Leave Home

by

If you are heading to Orlando in 2020 then you are no doubt already looking to see which theme parks you will hit, where you will stay and how you will map out your vacation in this amazing location. A family trip to Orlando takes a lot of planning and you need to maximize each day in order to get the best out of this trip on the whole. When it comes to buying tickets for somewhere like Universal Studios it really makes a lot of sense to get those tickets online before you go. There are many websites which offer ticket buying options and there are so man benefits in doing this.

Cheaper Prices

For the best prices on Universal Orlando tickets you have to go online and visit a third party seller who is offering big discounts on entry passes. If you compare the prices of these tickets to what you may pay on the door when you arrive at Universal Orlando, you will see that the difference is pretty sizable, sometimes up to 20% cheaper. This is of course a big saving but when you consider that you are going to be taking the whole family, that saving becomes even bigger. Check that you are buying from a reputable reseller before you part with any of your money.

Guarantees

It doesn’t happen often but there are times when you may find that the park has sold out for the day, which can completely ruin your itinerary. Guarantee yourself tickets before you go to give you the peace of mind which you need. Buying online before you go will ensure that you have secured your tickets and that you are going to be able to get in on the days which you have selected.

Planning

As we mentioned in the intro, a holiday to Orlando is a hectic one and because there is so much to do, and so much which you’ll want to do, you need to plan your itinerary to the letter. knowing that you have secured your tickets for theme park access helps you to better plan your time in Orlando, rather than leaving anything up to chance.

Less Stressful

As someone who has taken the kids on 2 separate occasions to Orlando I can tell you that this is a vacation which is very stressful, and that starts before you leave home. If you compare a vacation like this to a two week trip to Spain, the amount of planning, luggage and work that you have to put in to a trip like this is huge. It is for this reason that you need to be an expert with your plans, because the more that you have prepared before leaving, the less stressed you are going to be when you get there.

Universal Orlando is a great place to spend a couple of days, get your tickets before you leave, and tick another item off your to-do list.

Planning a getaway to Hampshire? What to see

by

Source: Unsplash | Annie Spratt

Hampshire is perhaps synonymous now with comfortable country living and iconic English towns. This slice of idyllic England is home to the seaside, acres of towering forest and homes of some of Englands most famous authors. Hampshire’s reputation for being the home of refined taste makes it the perfect place to plan your getaway to. Whether you’re after a town or city break, or you’d prefer to spend your days outdoors, there’s plenty to do in this beautiful corner of the country.

Jane Austen’s House

If you’ve watched Pride and Prejudice and ever wanted to see where it all began, then this is the place to visit. Not only is this the home that Jane Austen wrote her most famous novels, but it’s also a beautifully preserved cottage with stunning gardens that surround it. This capsule of Jane’s life is a treasured place for many literary enthusiasts and is also a monument to celebrate one of Britain’s most influential female authors.

Endless Gardens

While you’re in one of the most quintessentially English parts of the United Kingdom, you may as well visit some truly iconic gardens while you’re there. In Hampshire, you’ll find beautifully-presented gardens that are bursting with the best wildlife that Britain has to offer. For example, Exbury gardens come to full vibrancy during the summertime, and while you’re there it’s a good idea to make the most of their quaint nearby attractions – an adorable miniature steam railway being one of them. You’ll also find forests, as well as riverside walks, to enjoy. Nearby gardens also include the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, where you’ll be able to smell some of Britain’s most beautiful native flowers, such as hydrangeas.

Mid-Hants Railway

If you want to enjoy the English countryside at full speed, then taking one of their picturesque railway routes is the way to do it. The ‘Watercress Line’ takes you to some of the most quaint English towns known to man, including Alresford. If you want the chocolate box experience, then be sure to take the train to this adorable little town. You’ll find multi-coloured houses, tiny boutiques and plenty of places to eat and drink. This town is renowned for its place on the train line, and so it’s not completely removed of tourist attractions.

You’ll also find plenty of riverside walks to go exploring down and views of the sprawling green countryside. Depending on which end of the Mid-Hants Railway you’d prefer to base yourself at, you’ll also find plenty of places to stay in the surrounding area. By simply searching ‘Holiday Cottages Hampshire’ you’ll find plenty of luxurious cottages to base yourself, in the Hampshire area.

Hampshire enjoys some of the UK’s most beautiful views, as well as some of its most vibrant wildlife. By taking the steam train, you will discover hidden towns that look as if they belong in a film set. You will also discover the writers of films that would be created centuries later, as well as beautiful gardens to lose yourself in – it is truly a county that’s worth visiting.

Exploring Africa: The Best Things to See and Do

by

Source: Unsplash

Africa is a terrain of incredible experience, memories, and adventures to be had, not to mention a beating heart of amazing wildlife, scenery, and mountains (or beaches, if that’s your preference) just waiting to be walked on, photographed and embedded in your memory forever.

It’s a place that’s sure to be on everybody’s bucket list, and if it’s on the top of yours, you’re number one go-to is to find out the best activities available to you in Africa, and this guide can help to point you in the right direction.

Head Out On Safari In Tanzania

The first thing which comes to mind when planning a trip to Africa is, of course, the safari.

Certainly most places in the continent will offer an incredible safari experience, but one of the best places to try it out is Tanzania: this region houses some of the best parks, lodges, and wildlife, and companies such as Tanzania Odyssey are on hand to create an authentic, captivating and unbelievable safari experience for you. Get up close and personal with the breath-taking scenery and wildlife, the likes of which you’ll never forget.

Try the Beaches in South Africa

When you think of Africa, you might think only of rugged terrain rather than sandy white beaches, but the continent has some beautiful shorelines to tempt you with. Better still, if you head for the beaches towards the South, they are usually less crowded than the North area (so less of a risk of being photobombed).

You can do anything from grabbing a beach hut in idyllic Zanzibar to surfing on the awesome waves, and there’s even a chance you might bump into a penguin or two the further South you go.

If that isn’t enough for you adrenaline junkies, why not try diving with great white sharks?

Spend a Day Bike Riding in Cape Town

A lot of people forget the simple mode of transport that is the bicycle – and although it sounds a peaceful and easy way to get around, it can actually be challenging when you’re riding on tough African terrain – but that’s what makes it all the more exciting.

Without the confines of public transport or a hire car, you can feel the full effect of he fresh African air and the wonders around you when traveling by bike – and you can stop and take it all in whenever you feel like it.

Take a Hike Up Mount Kilimanjaro

There are many, many hiking opportunities in this glorious continent, but one obvious choice for mountain and walking enthusiasts is Mount Kilimanjaro. It’s the highest mountain in Africa, which means you can brag to all your friends when you get home that you’ve hiked up it. Some things to remember if you’re considering it:

  • A good time to climb is during a dry month, mainly January/February or August/September.
  • Decide on a date.
  • Decide on your chosen route.

But don’t worry – nobody will judge you if you choose an easier option.

Happy trekking!