Category Archives: Travel

Planning To Get Married? Here Are the Top Honeymoon Destinations to Consider

A glorious honeymoon is essential in starting your marriage on a sound footing. Planning a wedding is never a walk in the park, and once the day comes to an end, exhaustion usually takes a toll on the couple. A honeymoon thus presents an excellent opportunity for the couple to rest, relax and start the long journey they have ahead in the right manner. But with a plethora of honeymoon destinations to choose from, most couples find it very challenging to settle on any one destination. Of course, there are lots of factors to be considered, but still, it is essential to find a decent location that will treat you to the romantic experience you so desire. Below is a look at some of what we think are the hottest honeymoon destinations in the world, and for which if you visit, you will be guaranteed of an excellent experience.

Camino Real Acapulco Diamante

This is the same destination that John and Jackie Kennedy went to for their honeymoon. Though that was decades ago, it is still one of the most popular places on earth where newlyweds love to head to for their honeymoon. The temperatures in Acapulco are pleasant throughout the year, and the presence of the beaches also makes it an excellent place to create and share romantic memories. If that is not enough for you, then you will be pleased to know that it is an affordable destination and you can make it there even if you were on a tight budget. Therefore, before you get married, get your fast passport and plan for a memorable honeymoon in Acapulco.

The Bellagio Hotel

In as much as Las Vegas is ideal for eloping, it is also a hot honeymoon destination, especially when you think about The Bellagio Hotel. This is the best place for newlyweds who want action-packed honeymoons, not just in the bedroom, but also in every other daily activity. The Bellagio Hotel has wonderful accommodation options, wonderful gardens and magnificent pools for relaxing during the honeymoon. Also included in the honeymoon package is a first-class spa where couples can get good pampering as they plan on starting their lives together. If you are in the United States, you may not need a fast passport service to get to Las Vegas, and indeed, it is one place where you will get an unforgettable honeymoon experience.

Amankila

If you need a fresh and enchanting destination to celebrate your love and start your lives together, then you will never go wrong with Bali, Indonesia. Such a destination worth giving serious thought is Amankila. Amankila means peaceful hill in the local language, and in this hidden gem, you will find more than peace during your honeymoon. The facility is situated on a hill overlooking east of Bali, and it has some of the most incredible sea views in the world. You will also find a lovely 3-tiered pool for those evening romantic dips and relaxation. Additionally, if you book the deluxe pool suite, you will have your private pool where you can have all the fun in the world as you start your new lives together.

The St. Regis Florence

If it is romance you are after for your honeymoon, then a honeymoon in any place in Italy will never disappoint. But for now, we would like to bring your attention to St. Regis, in Florence. This is one of the few honeymoon destinations in the world where you will be treated to incredible views of pure natural beauty, hearty meals and eye-catching arts amongst others. St. Regis is housed in an 18th-century palace, and its construction is such that it overlooks the Arno River. The rooms you find in this place are still fit for kings, well decorated with beautiful marbles and guaranteed to give you all the opulence and splendor you need to spend your honeymoons like a king and a queen. The hotel is also located close to the Duomo Cathedral, and this implies that a honeymoon here will offer you more than just the normal honeymoon experience. If it has been your desire to visit Florence and enjoy its amazing culture, art, and sceneries, then maybe all you need is fast passport after getting married and head down to the St. Regis for an experience you will never forget.

Caneel Bay Resort

Caneel Bay Resort is located on a 5000-acre piece of land in Virgin Islands National Park. The resort is surrounded by seven beaches, with a wide range of pampering activities ideal for every newlywed. A honeymoon here is a must for lovers who desire a unique tropical experience to start their lives together. The rooms have ocean views and patios that gives direct access to the beach. There are also lodgings and private cottages for those who need extra privacy during their first days as a husband and wife. The resort also has a wide variety of day entertainment options such as kayaking, beach relaxation, scuba diving, and yoga classes for relaxing your muscles after an intense day of activities. The food here is also great, and this will ensure that you indulge in yourself in the best meals during your honeymoon.

Bora Bora Resort and Spa

Bora Bora is not just a top honeymoon destination, but also one of the highly mentioned travel destinations in the world. The area is nestled in powder white beaches with clear lagoons. It is an inviting place for every newlywed, especially those that desire post-wedding privacy. The bungalows are perched above the water so that at all times, you will be living above the crystal-blue waters. There are lots of things newlyweds can engage in, including scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming and beach relaxation. One of the most amazing things about Bora Bora are the views, especially the sunset and sunrises over the lagoons. The experience of living on top of the water is another reason why Bora Bora is such an attractive destination for millions of people.

As you continue to plan your wedding, keep these destinations in mind for your honeymoon. Don’t forget to have your travel documents in good time, and feel free to use fast passport services if you think your passport may delay and derail your plans.

Travel, travel ideas, travel tips

Top 10 Places to Visit in Santiago

Anne Younger Leave a comment

A trip to Santiago is bound to be unforgettable because this city is fantastic. But to make the most out of your experience, you need to take in all the best sights. So, plan your itinerary to include visits to the most amazing places this magnificent city has to offer.

10 Best Places to Visit in Santiago

1. Cerro San Cristobal

Any journey of discovery through Santiago should start with Cerro San Cristobal. This is the number one of all tourist sights in the city, and it definitely deserves its title. The panoramic view of the city that opens from this hill is spectacular. Like there are many ways to see the San Fran skyline, there are many places in Santiago that offer a great view. However, none of them compare to this iconic hill.

When you’re done being amazed by the view, be sure to take a walk through city’s biggest and one of the most beautiful parks, the Santiago Metropolitan Park. It’s located on the hill and offers many attractions, including two public pools. At the foot of the hill, you’ll find the Chilean National Zoo. It’s a part of the park complex and houses 158 species of animals from all over the world.

2. Plaza de Armas

Plaza de Armas is another of the top tourist attractions. Free walking tours in Santiago will usually take you there as it’s the historical center of the city. The square houses the Metropolitan Cathedral, one of the most magnificent architectural monuments in the city. The Royal Court Palace and Central Post Office aren’t far behind in terms of beauty and are located there as well.

Plaza de Armas is also the place you should go to if you want to buy the works of talented Chilean artists. They sell their paintings right there and you can enjoy looking at the fruits of local talents while nursing a cup of delightful Chilean coffee.

3. Los Dominicos Village

Shop for souvenirs at the Los Dominicos Village, the biggest Santiago crafts and artisans market. Here you can find a variety of beautiful handmade pieces that will make perfect mementos of the trip. You can also use this opportunity to learn more about the native Chilean crafts and traditions.

The ‘village’ is located at the end of a beautiful park and houses over 200 stores. Some of those are cafes where you can taste local delicacies.

4. La Chascona

Any list of places to visit in Santiago must include La Chascona, the home of one of the most prominent figures in the history of modern Chile. The house currently serves as a museum of its owner, Pablo Neruda. He was a diplomat, a poet, and the Nobel Prize for Literature winner in 1971.

La Chascona is the home made by Neruda for his secret lover Matilde Urrita. It’s one of the most original and romantic buildings in all of Santiago.

5. Museo de la Memoria

One of the most original of Santiago’s museums, the Museum of Memory and Human Rights is dedicated to the memories of Pinochet’s dictatorship victims. The entry is free, and you definitely should visit this place as it shows the tremendous spirit of the Chilean people, who managed to overcome this horrible period in their history and come out stronger for it.

6. Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino

This is one of the most interesting places to visit in Santiago as this museum provides insight into the people, who inhabited this land centuries ago. The Chilean Museum of Pre-Colombian Art houses 10,000 years of history in the artifacts collected all over the South and Central America.

7. Museo de Arte Contemporaneo

The number one among the places to visit in Santiago if you are an art-lover. The Museum of Contemporary Art has the permanent collection of 3,000 magnificent pieces, and it often houses exhibits from a variety of artists. Be sure to check its website when planning your trip as the museum often organizes interesting events.

8. Palacio de la Moneda

The Presidential Palace is a vision of luxury and architectural beauty. When visiting it, pay attention to the amazing sculptures in the garden, which are made by Chilean artists. You can also enjoy the Changing of the Guards ceremony, much like you would in London.

9. Parque Quinta Normal

Despite its unassuming name, the Quinta Normal Park is one of the main reasons why you should use every trick to find more opportunities to travel and visit Santiago. It’s an urban park that houses numerous museums and offers you a chance to enjoy a barbecue and traversing a lake on paddleboats.

10. Cementerio General de Santiago

The cemetery is one of the stranger places to visit in Santiago, but this adventure will make your trip more memorable. This cemetery is the final resting place of almost all Chilean presidents. Each of their tombs is 2-3 stories high and is a unique monument to the person buried there and the mark they left on the country.

Travel

The Best Websites to Find Discounted Airfare

Anne Younger Leave a comment

Flying can be so expensive! When you need to get from “Point A” to “Point B” without worrying about maxing out your credit card, it helps to know where to look for discounted airfare.

You probably already know how to get deals on other types of transportation, like automotive with title loans Miami and discounted rental rates, but airfare is a whole different animal. You’re bound to pay over 100 dollars per flight, right? Not necessarily. There are few corners of the internet where you can find discounted airfare that will fit every budget.

Skyscanner

Skyscanner is a great place to find discounted airfare. You can search for destinations all over the globe and search in several different currencies if you need to. Whether you’re looking for round-trip or one-way travel, Skyscanner allows you to sort your list by rates to find the lowest priced options. You can even look for hotels and rental cars while you’re at it.

Skyscanner also allows you to explore their world map, so you can find neighboring cities that might be less expensive than your original destination.

Google Flights

Google Flights is a lot like Skyscanner in that it scours the airlines for deals that pertain to your needs, but it also has a little something extra. Google Flights allows you to access a map and shows you color-coded dates that correspond to cheap and expensive flights. This way, you can determine which time is best for you and your budget! Get a one-way or round-trip flight and even choose multiple cities to travel to.

Google Flights is popular amongst travelers as the preferred search engine for cheap trips. You can also visit their list of popular trips, or suggested weekend get-aways. It’s a good choice for people who are spontaneous or flexible with their dates.

Fly

Fly has an easy to use interface that allows you to search for flights anywhere in the world, plus a designated “Deals” tab where you can see what kind of offers are currently going on. This section is full of dirt-cheap flights that you won’t find anywhere else, so it’s perfect for people who travel on a whim or who are very flexible with their destinations. You can find some breathtaking deals on this site if you’re able to be spontaneous! “Today’s Best Fares” looks at the most cost-effective deals that are going on in the next few days, so if you’re able to drop everything and travel at the drop of a dime, you’ll want to check the part out also!

On Fly, you can create a fare calendar that shows you the cheapest times to fly for your dream trip and make sure you bookmark it for future reference. It’s a good website for people who like to plan ahead.

Fly has options for hotels and car rentals so you can book your whole package through this website.

Flying doesn’t have to break the bank. There are plenty of websites out there where you can find flights but Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Fly are the three best options for getting what you need quickly and at a great price. So next time you’re flying, don’t stress, just log on to one of the sites to find a great deal!

Food, Health, Travel

Eating Hacks for Family Vacations

Anne Younger Leave a comment

Vacation is a time to kick back, let your hair down, and not worry about cooking a whole lot while away from home. You want to spend your precious time exploring the destination instead of making food. It’s understandable that you’d want to not put effort into thinking about food. However, if you don’t want to gain weight, you have to get proactive with your eating habits. You don’t have to put a halt to enjoying dining out as much as possible — just be more careful and don’t overdo everything.

One of the most common mistakes people on vacation make is underestimating calories. Restaurants are under no obligation to print out the caloric weight of their food, which leaves it up to the diner to figure it out. You’re far more likely to underestimate calories than overestimate. You wind up taking in more calories than you think. If you find yourself in a situation where you want to enjoy your food but not gain weight, use a calorie counting app on your smartphone by entering in the ingredients. It gives you a better idea of how much you’re taking in and lets you enjoy your food without the guilt. You want to return from your vacation the same weight you left, not more.

Take the quiz below from health IQ to learn more about how taking a vacation has the potential to help you gain weight. You might be surprised at how the change of pace and consumption of food and drink adds to your caloric intake.

About Health IQ

HealthIQ’s mission is to improve the health of the world. In pursuit of this mission, they’ve created over 2,000 quizzes and worked with innovative insurance companies to create financial rewards for health conscious people. To date, Health IQ has helped thousand triathletes, vegans, runners, and other health conscious people get an accurate life insurance quote that takes into account their level of health consciousness. They hope to expand to other financial rewards in the near future.

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New York, Travel

Kid-Friendly NYC: Five Boroughs of Fun

Anne Younger Leave a comment

If you think that New York City doesn’t offer a lot of things for visiting kids to do, please think again. There is more to New York than the borough of Manhattan. Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Staten Island each offer a wealth of things to do and see.

Quirky kiddie fun

Tell your kids you’re taking them to the New York Transit Museum, and you’re likely to be greeted with blank stares. Tell them that’s where you’ll board a big yellow school bus for a half-day pizza tasting adventure through all five boroughs, and their reaction will be quite different.

Older kids can take selfies with their favorite pop stars at Madame Tussaud Wax Museum. Located near Times Square on 42nd Street, the wax museum provides hours of family fun with more than 200 wax effigies of celebrities past and present. The Travel Channel reminds readers that wax characters might be frightening to younger kids, so be sure to exercise parental caution.

Playgrounds, playgrounds everywhere

You can spend a bundle on a day’s dining in New York City, but you don’t have to. Each of the five boroughs offers plenty of public parks where you can have a picnic and enjoy a great day without shelling out a lot of cash. Each borough boasts dozens of delis where you can load up a basket with DIY sandwich makings for an al fresco dining experience that everyone’s sure to remember.

If you’re staying at the Marriott New York in Manhattan, let the kids burn off some energy at the Park For All Children on Corona Ave at 111th Street. The park offers playground gear for kids of all abilities. Here you find a 12-foot-long suspension bridge, a baseball diamond, plaques written in both braille and English, and a water wheel zone where kids and their parents cool off on hot summer days.

Big Apple on the cheap and not-so-cheap

Snag a New York Pass for each member of your family, and you can save a ton of money on typical city attractions, says Get Your Guide magazine. Pay once for the card, and enjoy front-of-the-line ticketless access to dozens of fabulous Big Apple attractions. The card doesn’t provide transportation or food, but you can afford more of that with the money you’ll save with this remarkable travel pass.

If you’ve got the wherewithal to treat the entire family to one or more Broadway shows, by all means, do so. There are a number of entertaining plays that keep a kid’s rapt attention throughout. The Lion King, Aladdin, The Book of Mormon, and Sponge Bob Square Pants wow audiences of all ages. Your concierge can tell you how to obtain tickets for shows that suit your travel itinerary.

The Big Apple is chock full of thrills and delight for children of all ages. In fact, once you explore the five boroughs of fun, you may wonder why you did not opt for New York as a travel destination sooner.