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What to do in Sicily?

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An island you can’t forget and so easy to fall in love with. Here is a top 9 things to see in Sicily in our Sicily travel guide. Places not to be missed to visit at least once in your life. Are you ready to plan your trip to Sicily?

1. Visit Sicily’s capital: Palermo

Today’s Sicilian capital, it was once the pride of the Norman Empire. Among the thousands of attractions that the city offers, the most important are the Palatine Chapel from the12th century, located inside the Norman Palace, and the legendary market of Ballarò, a place where you can breathe the Sicilian essence and that closely resembles the atmosphere of the Arab souks.

4. Visit Agrigento

Although its seaside and its historic center are fabulous, in Agrigento the most breathtaking place to see is definitely the Valley of the Temples. The evidence of the ancient Greeks’ presence in Sicily can be admired in this famous archaeological site which importance is widely recognised throughout the world. The Doric site shines at sunset: the temple of Concord, that of Juno, that of Hercules, that of the Dioscuri and the temple of Zeus Olympius are the five giants that dominate the valley, not by chance proclaimed a world heritage site by UNESCO.

3. Gastronomic Tour of Catania Street Food

Enjoy this walking tour with a local guide through the historic markets and town squares in the centre of Catania (East side of the island), known as the best street food in the city. Among the countless excellences of Sicilian gastronomy, three are those not to be missed: Arancino, Brioche with ice cream and Nero d’Avola.

4. Rafting in the Alcantara River

Among the things to do in Sicily, you can try Rafting in the Alcantara River, near Taormina (East side of the island). It is for all the lovers of adventurous experiences, by discovering the unspoilt natural canyon where the river flows. Once you reach the Alcantara Gorges, you will wear the necessary equipment ( underwater equipment, helmet and jacket) and you will start to descend along the route that winds for about 2.5 km and you will even see walls of volcanic origin. Between passages in both water and land you can also swim in some stretches of the river to let yourself be carried away by the flow of the river.

5. See Etna Volcano

They say this active volcano is visible from the Moon! Since, for obvious reasons, not everyone will ever be able to see if this is true, the easiest solution is to look at the crater from the spectacular funicular.  Close to Catania, in the East side of he island.

6. SAILING ALONG THE CYCLOPS RIVIERA

Delight yourself in a mini cruise along the Riviera dei Ciclopi, Catania. Starting from the port of Catania you will see volcanic rocks, Arabic lookouts and the cliff of Aci Trezza together with the castle of Aci Castello.  Along the way you can program a stop at the Cave of Ulysses, for a swim and maybe a bit of snorkeling. All of this with the volcano Etna always in the background.

7. Taormina

When you arrive for the first time in Taormina, it seems to be living a dream. Perched on the Ionian Sea, it offers an incredible view of the coast, high and rocky. The historic center of this medieval city is full of surprises: the Cathedral, the church of St. Catherine, the Odeon and especially a Greek Theater overlooking Mount Etna, which from June to August hosts the Taormina Arts Festival.

8. Visit Noto, the “Capital of baroque”

With Ragusa, Scicli and Modica, Noto is one of the most beautiful Baroque cities in Sicily, with over twenty churches and ten palaces. The city was in fact declared the “Capital of Baroque” and its historic center was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2002. Most of these buildings are in Corso Vittorio Emanuele III. Among the most impressive is the Palazzo Villadorata.

9. Sicilian wineries

Discover Sicilian wineries and taste the tasty local red, white and rosé wines passing through colourful villages, orchards and lava stone churches in the charming region of Etna. Taste the volcanic wines in the family-run cellars and taste the local gastronomic delicacies, from cheeses to salami.

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 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.

Investing in Dubai? Here are the top 3 offplan projects to invest in

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The off plan market has taken Dubai’s real estate industry by storm. A lot of investors are showing interest in the market, making it grow at a rapid speed. At the same time, developers have been constantly launching new projects in Dubai in different parts of the city. One of the biggest reason people are attracted to the off plan market is flexible payment terms. If you are looking forward to investing in the off-plan market, here are the top three projects you should consider.

1. Damac Towers by Paramount Hotels and Resorts

Damac Towers by Paramount Hotels and Resorts is one of the biggest projects under construction in Dubai. This development is 270-meter-tall (886ft) with 68 storeys and consists of residential and hotel tower.

The complex is developed by Paramount Hotels & Resorts in partnership with Damac Properties. There are 1200 luxury serviced suites that will offer luxury living with a twist of Hollywood lifestyle. These suites are housed in three towers. The fourth tower comprises of Paramount Hotel and a collection of Residences.

There will be a multi-level plaza that connects the towers and is themed with restaurants and bars, events facilities, a screening room, fitness centers, swimming pool and more.

2. Emaar Beachfront

Emaar Beachfront apartments are an exclusive residential development in the new maritime epicenter of Dubai Harbor. This development will provide a unique blend of cosmopolitan living in one of the most sought after locations.

This development is developed by Emaar Properties which is one of the biggest developers in the UAE. Some of the most prominent projects include Beach Vista, Sunrise Bay, Marina Vista, and Emaar Beachfront Apartments. The whole development will comprise of 27 towers which will have an exclusive view of the beach.

3. Dubai Creek Towers

 

The Dubai Creek Tower at Dubai Creek Harbour is one of the biggest mix development projects in the Middle East region. It is dubbed as ‘The Future of Living’ and is where the city meets the beach. The development is a pioneer of integrated living that features a combination of dynamic experiences, innovation, and unique design.

One of the most prominent features of the development is the Dubai Creek Tower. This will be the tallest structure in the world at 928 meters upstaging the Burj Khalifa by 100 meters. Some of the residential projects in the development include the Creek Gate, Harbor Gate, The Cove, Emaar Beachfront apartments.

Residences and visitors are promised a peaceful life close to the sea and remarkable surroundings. It will feature world-class residences, spectacular cultural offerings, shopping and a wide range of essential amenities.

5 things you can’t stop raving about in Dubai

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It is no secret that Dubai has become the most preferred destination in the last few years. For instance, between 2017 and 2018, the city received over fifteen million visitors from all over the world. There are lot of reasons why a lot of people visit and fall in love with the city.

Here are some reasons why the city is gaining popularity

1. Rapid development

Dubai has changed so much over the last few decades. If you get a chance to talk to a person who visited Dubai in the eighties, they will be describing a completely different city from what it is today. It is one of the most rapidly growing cities in the world.

Due to the rapid development, it is estimated that 24 percent of all cranes in the world are located in Dubai. At any moment, there is a skyscraper under construction to enhance the skyline. Apart from buildings, there is a wide range of man-made marvels that give visitors a great first impression. Creek Beach at Dubai Creek Harbour, Port de la mer and Bluewaters Residences are some of the prominent residential projects in Dubai.

2. Great shopping experience

Budget is one of the biggest factors to consider when traveling. There is a common misconception that Dubai can only accommodate rich shoppers. On the contrary, shoppers of any income level can find something in the city. Due to low taxes, commodities are cheaper compared to other cities like New York or London.

3. Sandy desert and the beach

In most cases, the fun offered by the beach and the sandy desert is often underestimated. There is a wide range of activities that visitors can enjoy in the desert such as riding camels and ATVs. On the other hand, Dubai has some of the best beaches in the world. The city gets around 300 days of sun in a year, meaning that you can spend almost the whole year on the beach.

4. Diversity

One of the greatest things about the city is its diversity. It is estimated that over eighty percent of the city’s population is foreign. This makes the city become a melting pot of cultures and traditions from all over the world.

5. Low crime rate

Dubai is one of the safest cities in the world with a crime rate at almost zero percent. There are very strict laws and regulations in the city. Also, the police force is highly equipped with top of the range technology.

Emaar Beachfront apartments are an ambitious project developed by Emaar Properties. The project is sold off plan and is expected to be completed by 2021. Take up this chance and become part of the fastest growing city in the world.