Waegook Tom

A Blog About A Globetrotting English Teacher

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10 Prime Places to Visit in London

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Your planned visit to London is a noble idea. You can easily get there by choosing a reliable airline like Cathay Pacific. There are numerous interesting spots to visit during your free time. It can get confusing if you are unsure of where to start from. This outline will help you identify what appeals to you best.

1. London Eye

This is a mesmerizing and scary observation wheel. It is a famous landmark also known as the Coca Cola London Eye. It is located over the southern bank of the Thames River. The London Eye was constructed in the year 2000 as part of the millennial celebrations.

It has glass capsules that allow you to watch the city views as it rotates. At the height of 443 feet, you get to see these views clearly. Each orbit takes 30 minutes which is a shorter time compared to the queuing time you have to undergo before accessing the Ferris wheel.

2. Tower Bridge

Your visit to London will be incomplete if you do not visit this enthralling bridge that is between two towers. It is suspended over the Thames River and has a glass floor for you to clearly see the vessels moving below. What’s interesting is the lifting up of this bridge to make way for tall ships to pass through. Note that the Tower Bridge is different from the London Bridge.

3. Tower of London

The Tower of London is another marvel to be visited. It is actually a massive castle with a White Tower beside it. Its name comes from this White Tower. It is a royal fortress that has been used for different things at different points in its 900 years of existence. It was once a palace, a castle, an execution site, a storehouse, and a prison.

The revered action in this castle is a traditional routine where people gather to watch it daily. It is known as the Ceremony of the Keys and is performed every night. It is the securing of the tower each night. You need to book in advance to be able to participate in this ceremony because of the many people wanting to watch.

4. Big Ben

Big Ben is a world renowned landmark. Its original name is the Great Bell of Westminster. It weighs 13 tons and has a four-faced clock. It has stood the test of time and its clocks have never stopped. Big Ben is housed in a 96 feet tower that is known as Queen Elizabeth II Tower.

5. Parliament

The Houses of Parliament are located next to Big Ben where political debates are carried out. The tower and the Parliament face the Thames River. The Parliament is formally called the Palace of Westminster. It has attractive architecture and is open for all to watch the debates. It seats on expansive land and if you require a guided tour, you can get it on Saturdays or when Parliament is out of session.

6. St Paul’s Cathedral

Make an effort to visit the second largest church in London. It is a common landmark with its two towers and unique dome. The fabled dome stands at 365 feet and its interior can be closely viewed as you walk up the stairs. The Whispering Gallery within this magnificent structure is a sight to behold that you must tour once you are inside the premises.

The gallery gets its name from the fact that any sound, however low, that is made near its walls is magnified and transported across the hall. This Anglican Church has a rich history as it was constructed on top of a former Roman temple. The temple was destroyed in 1666. Sir Christopher Wren rebuilt the church with unique architecture in 1710.

There is a sepulcher that is open to the public to catch a glimpse of the tombs and graves of eminent personalities. Prayers are held hourly every day. The cathedral is open to the public daily from Monday to Saturday and can only be accessed at a fee.

7. Chelsea Physic Garden

For nature lovers, this garden is breathtaking. It occupies four acres of land along the Thames River. It has a large variety of plants, some of which are medicinal. Every plant is labeled and you can also get flower seeds. There is an entrance fee that is charged. The visiting period is in the months of April to October.

8. Stonehenge

This is a manmade prehistoric monument that took a lot of man hours to complete. It is shrouded in mystery as no one really knows its true purpose. Some people think it has healing powers while others think it is a burial ground. The best time to see it is in the early morning when the sun is rising or in the evening when the sun is setting. There is an entrance fee charged for both adults and children.

9. Thames River

The Thames River is a charming and clean river in London that is 326 km long. It is a popular site for hanging out as it forms the background for watching other attractions in the city. It has a wide choice of sporting and leisure activities.

You can go on a cruise in the river to get engrossed in the many alluring sights along its path. It spans across 7 countries and 80 islands and has 200 bridges. A Thames cruise will expose you to a lot of exceptional sights as you meet and connect with new people.

10. The Shard

The Shard is so-named because of its shape that resembles a piece of broken glass. This is the tallest building in London standing at 1016 feet. It comprises 95 stories with the three topmost floors used as viewing platforms that are both indoor and outdoor. You get to clearly view the entire city on a radius of 40 miles. All those attractions across the city can be spotted plainly from the Shard.

With such a robust life and plenty of attractions, London promises to offer you an experience of a lifetime. The solid memories of this city will linger long enough to be shared for years to come. These prime places will forever hold a special place in your heart after you savor them.

Best Things to Do in Randwick

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Whenever there’s Australia mentioned, most people envision Sydney, Melbourne or Perth. Even though these big cities are beautiful and worth seeing, there’s also something unique about visiting smaller Australian cities. One of them is Randwick in New South Wales. It was founded in the 19th century and today, it boasts the population of almost 30,000. In case you’re toying with the idea of visiting less prominent Australian places, then Randwick is a great choice. Here are the best things that you can do there.

1. Hit the beaches

Australia’s known for its gorgeous beaches, so why would Randwick be any different? Wylie’s Bath, Mahoon Pool and Maroubra Beach are all beautiful beaches with so many things to do. For example, Wylie’s Bath has hot showers, restaurants with snacks, wellness activities, seating places under the shade and swimming clubs. Even though the place is huge, it’s important to mention that the beach is open from 7 AM till 5 PM. On the other hand, there’s also the Congwong beach, which is more relaxing and calm. If you prefer to just spend time in peace and quiet, then this beach is the right choice for you.

2. Visit the La Perouse museum

Even if you’re not a fan of visiting museums, there’s still something great about visiting them and learning something new. If you happen to be in Randwick, then visiting the La Perouse Museum is a must. This museum hosts valuable records of the French explorer Comte de Lapérouse. It was built in 1881 as a cable station, and it was also used as a Salvation Army refuge in the World War II. In 1988, it was turned into a museum. This place also exhibits the Aboriginal history and culture. Another museum worth visiting is the Museum of Human Disease. It contains over 2,500 human disease tissues, including diseases that are now considered very rare, such as diphtheria or typhoid.

3. Go to the restaurants and bars

There are restaurants that offer many delicious foods and cakes. Thanks to a lot of international students, you can find different tasty cuisines. One of them is Kurtosh House One, that has Hungarian funnel cakes. The best place to look for restaurants is at the junction of St Paul Street and Peruse Road. This place is locally known as The Spot. When it comes to bars, you should definitely check out The Spanish Fly and Randi Wixs. Hotels also offer a great choice of food and drinks, so that’s something you should consider when looking for accommodation in Randwick. There are too many things to try, so be sure to get organized so you’ll be able to taste everything this charming place has to offer.

4. Visit the racecourse

The Randwick racecourse opened in 1933. In 1992, Queen Elizabeth II visited the racecourse and gave permission for the venue to be called The Royal Racecourse. There are many races throughout the year, and for those who don’t like to watch races, there are restaurants and tea houses with a lovely view of the racecourse. In case you get hungry, there are deluxe picnic hampers with cold selections such as king prawns, Sicilian chicken and a rich selection of mini desserts. Also, there are bar platters with cheese, mini beef pies and finger sandwiches. If you plan on going back to the Royal Racecourse, then maybe you should consider becoming a member, since the membership offers a lot of benefits.

These are some of the best things to do in Randwick. This place has its unique charm, so next time you’re in the area, make sure to visit this lovely place and enjoy every great thing it has to offer.

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!

Top Reasons A Rental Cottage is Better Than A Hotel

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Whenever you plan a vacation, you get options for accommodation. The first one is a hotel and the second one is cottage rentals. These days, people mostly prefer rental cottages because of cost-effectiveness and privacy factor. Not just this, there are many other reasons owing to which luxury cottage rentals are considered better than a hotel.

Do a rental cottage is really better than a hotel? If you are still confused let’s have a look at the reasons that’ll make you plan your next stay in one of the beautiful cottage rentals.

In Terms Of Privacy

This is one of the greatest factors that’ll make you choose cottage rentals over a hotel. In cottage rentals, you’ll get complete privacy with your family. You can also spend quality time with your family near the poolside area or in the hot tubs. No other stranger will interfere in your private moments. Sometimes, in hotels, it is a bit difficult to enjoy with your family in the pools with other people also.

More Space Than Hotel Premises

If we’ll talk about space then rental cottage is a better option. With a hotel, you’ll get only one room and bathroom facility. With rental cottage, you get extra space for children playing and roaming. Along with this, there’s a facility of car parking, dining area and kitchen area.

Offers All The Comforts of Home

Here comes the other reason for choosing a rental cottage. These rental cottages give all comforts of home to the people be it dining or cosy bed. Along with this, rental cottages give open plan living for comfort and enjoying your vacation to a great extent. Right from enjoying the flat screen TV & comfortable sofa set to underfloor heating, everything is available in the cottage rental to make your stay comfortable as you’re in your own home.

Gives You Opportunity To Explore The Views And Nature

Luxury cottage rentals also offer the perfect view of the incredible countryside that you’ll never get to see with a hotel. You can enjoy the entire view with your morning cup of steaming coffee.

Excellent Amenities

If we’ll talk about amenities then without a doubt you’ll get a long list of facilities and amenities in the rental cottage than a hotel. Amenities & facilities provided by these rental cottages include a kitchen area, microwave, dining area, furniture, underfloor heating, hot tubs, Wi-Fi, telephone, flat screen TV, comfortable beds, cosy armchair and many more.

Perfect For Kids

Rental cottage is perfect for kids as they get enough space for their enjoyment. They’ll get extra space for their mobility and games. Along with this, no will complaint about baby cries and their shouting. Isn’t it great!!

Rentals cottage is perfect for making your vacation luxurious, peaceful and full of comforts. Right from offering excellent amenities to more space, there’s a long list of reasons that can make you choose these rental cottages over a hotel. Not just this, these rental cottages are specially designed keeping the kid’s mobility & comfort in mind.