Waegook Tom

A Blog About A Globetrotting English Teacher

travel advice

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!

3 Travel Tips That’ll Help You to Relax on Vacation

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After a year spent on the grind at work making money for yourself and your family, all you want to do is relax on your vacation. This, however, is easier said than done. Chilling out and enjoying your time away from home is not as simple as it may seem — if you’ve been on vacation before, you can probably attest to that fact. Something just always seems to get in the way of you and a truly relaxing break.

You should stand for this no more, however, as the three travel tips found below can and will help you to really enjoy your next vacation.

Get the important stuff sorted in advance

It’s quite simple; if you get the important stuff regarding your travels sorted before you set off on your adventure, you won’t have to worry about organizing anything while you are vacationing.

In this instance, you should seek to get your transportation, your restaurant options, and your money estimates sorted well in advance of your departure date. As soon as you know where you will be heading on your holiday, you have to check out cheap car rentals near me to ensure that you know where the nearest place to pick up your rented vehicle is going to be situated; you have to make sure that you know where the most suitable restaurants can be found; and you have to bring out the exact amount of money you think you’re going to need to cover your expenses for the duration of your stay.

Don’t pressure yourself to enjoy your vacation

When you build an event up so much, chances are, you’re going to ruin it. This happens when you put pressure on a Friday night to try and make it as fun as it can be, and this happens when you put pressure on yourself to enjoy your vacation. Simply, lay off the pressure and allow yourself to go with the flow instead.

Instead of looking for everything to be perfect, allow things to go wrong on your vacation from time to time. Instead of only finding enjoyment in the big activities and excursions that you take part in, try to find pleasure in the smaller things, such as a nice meal or a good conversation. When you take the pressure off yourself in these kinds of ways, you will be far more likely to have a relaxing vacation.

Take a ‘decompression’ day

In the essence of truly taking the pressure off, you should ensure to take a ‘decompression’ day at some point on your vacation. Rushing around and trying to pack everything into every single day will just wear you out, and that’ll only ever lead to more stress and more fatigue on your part. Taking time to decompress, be it a whole day or just an afternoon, will see you unwind and give you the chance to reorganize yourself.

By putting the three travel tips above into practice, your next vacation will surely be the most relaxing of your life.

Are You Travelling Abroad – Things To Keep in Mind

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Going abroad is not a problem these days anymore. Be it for your job, business or leisure, travelling abroad is of fun and excitement. It is only a matter of few essential tips to follow while you go out of your country.

Here are some of the important things to keep in mind before you travel abroad.

Local Language

No one asks you to be a pro of the local language of the place you are visiting. But it is only logical to learn a few necessary things. Go beyond the usual ‘sorry’ and ‘thank you’ and learn some useful things that may help you if you face any troubles in a foreign land. Also if you learn wrong things it could get you in trouble too. So make sure you learn the right words. One cannot master the language overnight. So get yourself accustomed with the common local phrases and words before you reach your destination.

Document Safety

This probably, is the most important part to remember. You cannot lose your documents as while you are abroad, they are your life. Make sure you have more than one copy of your passport and other necessary documents. You must keep one set with yourself always and leave another set where you will stay. Along with these, you need to keep a small notepad with you where you should keep all the emergency numbers. You must not rely on your phone’s notepad, as the battery may run out.

Culture Factor

Many countries follow certain strict cultures and dos and don’ts. So if you are to stay in a country where local cultures and traditions matter, you must research on it beforehand. Take time to read the official tourism page of the country you are visiting and read necessary articles to avoid unwanted problems..

Pack Light

Just thinking about abroad makes many of us do overpacking. It is because of the fear of running out of essential things. But a small step can help you out. After finalising your plan of travelling abroad, you need to make a list of items that are very important to take. Then list the items that are required for daily use. Always do separate list for clothing, toiletries and other things. Pack casual and formal clothes as well as inner wears in different sections. But the most important thing you must take into account is your cabin bag. You need to learn about the appropriate weight you can carry in-flight.

Gadgets And Accessories

No matter where you go, you need to take a travel power adapter with you always. Be it your tablet or smartphone, you must charge them to let them function properly. Apart from a charger, an MP3 player, noise reduction headphones or a camera (if you need to do photography) need to find place in your luggage. But make sure that your cabin bag is light and your gadgets must not make it overweight.

So if you are planning to travel abroad, follow these tips to enjoy an easy travelling experience. Be a smart traveller!

How to Decide Where to Travel Next

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The world isn’t short of beautiful, exciting and fun destinations, which can make choosing your next destination all the more difficult. How can you possibly select one place to visit when the world is your oyster? Of course, you could pack up your life and travel the entire world, for those of us who have jobs and a family, selecting your summer vacation can be the only holiday you have that year.

If you need to decide where to head to next, here are some tips to help you come to a decision.

Decide on the Length of Your Vacation

If you plan to head off on a short vacation, you will not want to spend most of your time traveling to and from your destination. Identifying how long you are willing to travel for could help you to narrow down your next vacation spot. For example, if you’re based in England, a trip to Scotland or Wales might be more feasible than a New York City break.

Determine Your Travel Budget

Another factor that will determine your next trip will be your travel budget. If you’re on a shoestring budget, you’ll want to pick a famously cheap city to visit, such as Poland’s Krakow or Budapest in Hungary. This will ensure your money goes further on your travels, so you won’t need to watch your bank balance too hard to stay within your budget.

Choose Your Preferred Travel Experience

Of course, you must also choose an experience that complements your wants and needs, such as a city adventure or a relaxing vacation. For example, if you want a cultural yet tropical trip, you should visit South America Odyssey to book a bespoke tour. By doing so, you can explore the very best of South America, such as spectacular scenery, stunning weather, intriguing ancient ruins, and local hospitality.

Talk to Your Travel Buddy

Unless you’re traveling solo, you must talk to your travel buddy to find out where he or she would like to go on vacation. While you might want to head off on a sunny holiday, they might want more of a city break. If you want to travel together, then the both of you will need to compromise. However, if your ideas are too different, finding another travel partner may be best for the both of you.

Select Your Preferred Climate

It is, however, important to think carefully about your preferred climate before you book your next trip abroad. For example, while you might dream of visiting Mexico, you would be wise to avoid visiting the country during hurricane season, which ranges from June 1st to November 30th. Instead, you should book a trip to the likes of Cancun during the optimum time to visit, which is usually between December to April, as there is next to no rain. Learn more about your desired destination before you book a trip to avoid making a big mistake.

Think About Your Travel Bucket List

Do you want to make 2018 the year you tackle your bucket list? If so, now might be the perfect time to book a sought-after holiday. If you have money in the bank and don’t know where to spend it, write a list of all the destinations you’ve always wanted to experience and aim to visit at least one this year. For example, you could finally walk in Rome’s Colosseum, stand in front of Berlin’s Brandenberg Gate, or view the breath-taking glaciers in Alaska. Doing so will ensure you will look back on your 2018 travel experiences with no regrets and many fantastic memories.