Home Articles Posted by Izy Berry (Page 60)
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Good Food, Fun Activities and a Lot of Relaxations – The Recipe for a Perfect Getaway
When you’re planning your perfect summertime getaway, what comes to mind? If you’re like me, even the suggestion of a holiday raises a myriad of good feelings and excitement. You’re probably already daydreaming about the great food you’re going to try, the sights you’re going to see, and getting away from all that stressful, boring stuff. Maybe you’ll even luck out and get a little bit of British sunshine.
But what goes into the perfect holiday? What do you need to make sure you’ve got down, to guarantee a great time? It might seem obvious, but if you arrive late wherever, and have no real plan for food, starting your holiday with pub crisps and nuts for dinner might put something of a dampener on the whole thing. We’re not saying you should over-plan, but you do need to plan a little. Here the key things to consider.
Go Someplace New
It’s true, we do all have our favourite holiday locations. Mine was always camping in Wales as a kid. But, while going somewhere new feels like something of a gamble, you’re at risk of boredom going somewhere you’ve been a million times. You can always be bored at home. Go somewhere exciting and new, and discover new things, areas and hobbies. Get out of your comfort zone, you’ll feel better for it!
The UK is absolutely full of spectacular and vibrant cities, and positively biblical countryside scenery. Whether you’re after a weekend of nature and hiking, or shopping and cocktails, you’re sure to find a great local hotel that’ll suit you and your needs to the ground. A lot of the hotel resorts in the UK offer things like luxury spas and even full golf courses! Keep an eye out and you’ll find your perfect accommodation.
Check Out Local Food Places
First of all, if you’ve got any dietary requirements, it’s worth looking ahead here. If you’re going to check out somewhere beautiful, desolate and rural, you might not find too much in the way of vegan or gluten-free cuisine in the local pubs. If yours is a special diet, then you need to take that into account.
Beyond that, make sure you try new things! Go online, see which local restaurants and cafes are true hidden gems, and take advantage of all the unbiased online reviews. Conversely, if you’re going somewhere a little more expensive than you’re accustomed to, and the budget is already tight, then make sure you’re not stuck somewhere surrounded by super expensive restaurants and few cheaper options (looking at you London!). Having to keep an eye on the budget all the time is no fun at all.
Always Do What You Enjoy
This might seem more than a little obvious, but make sure you incorporate your hobbies and pleasures into your holiday plans. It’s all well and good trying and doing new things, and expanding your horizons, but if all you want to do is fish, or play golf, or relax in a spa, set a day aside for that. Going on holiday should be all about you, and doing fun, new things, as well as old, chilled-out and relaxing ones.
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3 Reasons Los Angeles Rocks
I’ve travelled throughout a lot of the United States, but there’s a few reasons I keep coming back to Los Angeles. I often wonder if California has the best climate in all of the world and the truth is I haven’t found anywhere better. Couple that with the gorgeous beaches, the incredible range of healthy food options and the friendliness makes Los Angeles an incredible place to live and somewhere worthy of some #ZipcodePride.
If you’re a business, you may struggle with getting things properly delivered to your Los Angeles clients and your clients further afield. If someone inputs their address details wrong, it can result in undelivered packages, considerable delays and unhappy customers. To avoid dealing with these issues, check out an address verification service to ensure your package gets exactly where it is supposed to.
So what makes Los Angeles so great? Here are my three reasons Los Angeles rocks:
1. The Weather
Almost every day you’ll find yourself with beautiful sunshine. While locals may say they experience a winter, if you visit during their “winters” you may find them more to be like spring or summer. The great weather in Los Angeles means you can spend your weekends enjoying the beautiful beaches lining the city. Because of the great climate, you’ll find that people living in Los Angeles are active and love being outside, which is something most of us could use more of in our lives.
2. Healthy Food
Most people on Los Angeles are very health focused and this extends to their food choices. Los Angeles is a mecca for health foods such as acai bowls, smoothies and salads that actually feel like meals. The fact that there’s so much sunshine means a lot of delicious fruits grow here and in my experience the quality of food is just so much better than other cities across the United States. While In and Out burger isn’t considered a health food, it definitely tastes well healthier – and more delicious – than comparable fast food options in the states.
3. The Lifestyle
There’s so much to do in Los Angeles, whether you want to go on a hike, to the beach, shopping, to a film or a premier, an escape room, whatever you want you can find in Los Angeles. There’s a great food and night scene ensuring you’ll never have a dull day in this bustling city. It’s also an international flight hub, meaning you can often find outrageously cheap flight deals to Asia, Europe and South America.
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Best Trails in Miami to See Nature
Known as one of the top tourist destinations in the world, Miami is home to dozens of beautiful beaches and a thriving nightlife. Miami’s year-round sunshine makes the city the perfect vacation spot for anyone looking to soak up some sun. But while the city is obviously known for its world-class beaches, if you’re looking for something a bit more adventurous than sunbathing and enjoying a piña colada, then you’ve come to the right place.
Make the most of your next trip to Miami by setting out on one of these trails to enjoy the area’s unique habitats. You won’t be disappointed.
Matheson Hammock Trail
[Image: Jimmy Baikovicius/Flickr]
A lesser-known trail in Miami, the Matheson Hammock Trail is a hidden gem that offers visitors a glimpse into the area’s natural history. The rugged hike, which is reminiscent of the what the Miami suburb Coral Gables once looked like, is overgrown with tropical trees and crawling with wildlife. This trail showcases one of the remaining pieces of Miami’s grand hammock — a rare habitat that any outdoor enthusiast should witness. Keep in mind that this hike does contain rough terrain, so you’ll want to use your best judgment while exploring.
Bear Cut Preserve
Are you in the mood for something a little less strenuous? Located on the shores of Biscanye Bay, the Bear Cut Preserve provides visitors with several trails that intertwine throughout the park. Behind the nature center is the 1.3-mile Osprey Beach Trail that takes you on a leisurely walk along the dunes. At the end of the trail, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking scenic view of Key Biscanye. Also worth noting is the tropical hardwood hammock or the 6,000-year-old mangrove forest reef, both of which are well worth the visit.
Simpson Park
[Image: Phillip Pessar/Flickr]
Find solitude in the heart of downtown Miami at Simpson Park. Just a few blocks away from towering skyscrapers, Simpson Park was created purely to preserve part of the native hammock. While in the park, you’ll find wildly growing trees overtaking the walking paths — making you feel as if you’re in the jungle. And for those feeling extra daring, you can stray away from the designated path (which is allowed) to more thoroughly discover the park.
Bayshore Loop Trail
Autosave-File vom d-lab2/3 der AgfaPhoto GmbH
[Image: floridahikes.com]
Take a walk through the mangrove-lined edge of Florida Bay and explore the coastal prairie habitat on the Bayshore Loop Trail. Although the trail is no longer currently maintained, visitors are still welcome to make their way along the Bayshore Loop. Along the trail, be sure to keep an eye out for remnants of buttonwoods from the last storm, as well as native birds that might be wading around. Further down the trail you’ll witness what is left of Flamingo’s original fishing village, a small cistern that reflects the area’s history. The 1.3-mile hike is a nice taste of what the area’s longer trails have to offer.
Whether you prefer a quiet stroll on the overgrown paths of Simpson Beach or you’d rather try something a bit more rugged, these Miami trails are sure to satisfy your desire to get out and enjoy the outdoors.
After an exciting day of exploring Miami’s trails, you want a comfortable place to sleep. Holiday Inn is both comfortable and conveniently located downtown, keeping you in close proximity to some of Miami’s trails and other fun attractions.
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What to Wear When in the Great Outdoors
With summer in full swing, it’s the best time of year to get outside and enjoy all that nature around you. We know that the summer months in the UK are often not exactly what we’re dreaming of, but with the right gear you can enjoy the weather no matter what the weather is up to outside. I recently read some facts gathered by Chums that suggest 92% of people spend time outdoors to relax and rejuvenate themselves. Wanna learn more about what gear to include so that you can get out in nature, relax and get fit? Well, let’s get #DressedToGo!
- Cut Out the Plastic
We know that there’s too much plastic in the environment and many of us recycle in the home, but do you find yourself buying plastic bottle after plastic bottle? Not only is plastic not healthy to drink out of, the actual bottles are no good for the environment. Invest in a high quality, reusable drink bottle perhaps made from Aluminium or at least a plastic that’s free from BPA and other harmful chemicals. This will be good for your health as well as the environment! - Choose Breathable Fabrics
No matter whether you are talking a nice walk through nature, or whether you’re powering up a hill on your bicycle, there’s a good chance you’re going to sweat at least a little. Choosing high quality breathable fabrics will help you cool down, sweat (and smell) less, as well as feel more comfortable overall. - Think About Your Feet
Having sturdy, comfortable footwear will do more than just feel good. It can help prevent you from injury. If your shoes have good enough support for your ankles, they will prevent your ankle rolling if you lose your footing – which happens to me all the time when I’m out in nature, especially when going down hill. You want a shoe that is comfortable to wear for a long period of time, too, so that you don’t get achey feet when you’re outside for a good length of time. As a general rule I like to replace my sports shoes once they start showing signs of wear and tear. Invest in a good pair of shoes because this is what supports your entire body! www.chums.co.uk/menswear offers a great range of shoes, including a line of Cushion Walk Shoes ensuring you’re comfortable no matter how long you’re on your feet.The greatest thing about the outdoors is that they’re free to enjoy. There’s nothing better than a walk around a gorgeous park or nature reserve with friends or family members. Or if you’re a little more adventurous, perhaps a hard core cycle downhill! Whatever your vice, make sure you invest in good gear so you can be happy, healthy and comfortable on your next outdoor adventure!
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4 Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying a New Car
We may not want to admit it, but for most of us there’s a time when we stop traveling. Maybe you have run out of money, maybe you’re tired of living out of a backpack, or maybe you just miss routine and being close to family. Whatever it is, it usually happens to us all at some point. For me personally I found a home base as I found it too challenging to work on my business while changing location every few days. The first step when I set up base somewhere was to find an apartment to share, the second step was buying a new car.
I looked at both brand new and second hand cars and learned a lot in the process. Here are 4 things to keep in mind before buying a car:
1) A New Car Only Looks New For a Few Weeks or Months
In the end, I bought a new car. A lot of the cars down in Guatemala are previously crashed cars from the states, so not that safe. So I ended up buying a new car for mostly safety reasons as opposed to because it was shiny and new, which was good, because after a few weeks when I had put a few scratches on it, the car suddenly didn’t seem so new. I was surprised by how fast it felt like an older car, when it was still a current model. So don’t buy a car because it’s a new and shiny, because looks fade, fast!
2) Mileage Matters
Both in terms of how many miles on the car, and as well as how many miles per gallon. The truth is how far the car has gone will affect the resale value if you ever want to sell it once you’re done with it. Likewise, how far you can get per gallon will affect your pocket every single week, so make sure you make smart decisions.
3) Shop Around
It’s unlikely the first car you will see will be the best car for you. It’s also very important to go into the car buying process as informed as possible. So my suggestion is before you ever step foot in a car showroom or start viewing cars, check out Cars.com to see the prices of cars similar to what you are looking for. That way you can gauge the prices for certain cars, years, miles and features and go into the entire process smarter and more informed.
4) Get a Second Opinion
If you’re single take a valued friend or family member to look at your options. If you’re in a relationship, take your partner. Having someone else to keep you in check is really important because often buying a new car can be an emotional process and it’s easy to get wound up. When I was buying my car, I found myself adding on extra features and upping the price, and eventually I needed the support of my partner to say, “really? do you need that?” in order to stop upgrading my car. Who doesn’t want LED lights that automatically adjust to the conditions? It’s so easy to just go crazy, so definitely take that second opinion with you before you sign anything.
Buying a new car is a lot of fun, but make sure you slow down and make logical decisions so you end up with a car you will love for years to come!
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Perks of Renting A House Instead of A Hotel In The Philippines
The Philippines is one of the most picturesque destinations across the globe, and one can visit it anytime of the year. The tropical climate, amazing food, affordable prices and several beautiful places in the Philippines make it very popular among tourists from across the globe.
While visiting any destination, one of the obvious things that we do is book a hotel for our stay. But, these days, booking a hotel is not the only option that we have. Today, you can rent a house or look for a vacation home while visiting the Philippines.
These rented and vacation houses offer many benefits over a hotel, and that that’s why, it is wise to rent full houses in the Philippines.
Some of the benefits and perks of renting a house instead of a hotel in the Philippines include:
Privacy
When you rent a private property in the Philippines, you get higher privacy and more peace. Moreover, many of these houses have swimming pools, decks and beautiful gardens which you don’t have to share with anyone like you have to in a hotel.
Plenty of Space
When you book a hotel room, you don’t have much space to enjoy with your family. Most of the time, you are restricted to just your hotel room. But, when you rent a house, you have plenty of space which you can call your own. You can spend time in the dining place, on the poolside, in the living room or anywhere else in your rented apartment.
The Cost Factor
The private rented apartments are far more economical than hotels. At hotels, you have to pay the rent on the per night basis. Apart from this, you have to pay for every single amenity that you use, whether that’s laundry, or meals etc.
On the flip side, the rented apartments offer an array of amenities along with a fully equipped kitchen where you can easily cook your favourite meals. You also have the laundry room, which can be used anytime.
Better Amenities
Large flat screen TVs, hot tubs, private washing and drying services, billiards room, privte table tennis room, fully equipped kitchen, etc. These are the amenities which you may not necessarily find at a hotel.
Furthermore, with the rented apartments, you get backyard patio or front porch which can be a refreshing change from the four walls of a hotel room. Most of the hotel rooms only have a small balcony where you can relax, but, in a rented apartment you have a plenty of open space.
Nicer Location
Hotels generally occupy a lot of space, and thus, are built either in highly commercial regions or out of the city where they can get a colossal piece of land. But, the rented apartments can be found in the heart of the city or at any other location where you want to stay. There are numerous options in the rented houses like near the beach, in the posh colonies, in the city centre from where freeways or fast food restaurants are at a walking distance, and thus, you can choose a location that suits you the best.
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Want a different vacation experience? Take a cruise this year
So many of us are stressed out. We’re overworked, underpaid, and haven’t had a vacation in years. For some people, this is because it’s almost frowned upon to take vacation time. For others, it’s because while the idea of taking a break sounds great, actually doing the planning, getting from the house to the airport, going through airport security, getting to your hotel on the other side, unpacking, and then doing it all in reverse sounds more exhausting than simply skipping the vacation.
I get it. The older I get, the less likely I am to book a vacation, simply because I get so annoyed spending a whole day in an airport, and I often end up returning home more tired than I left.
The answer? Go on a mini cruise. If you haven’t cruised before, taking a short mini cruise can be a great way to see if you like cruising. And for most people, this taste will be all they need before they immediately book a longer trip.
When you take a mini cruise, you’ll only need to unpack once. And you won’t even need to deal with your own luggage- it will be taken to and from your cabin. You’ll be meeting plenty of people from all over the place, and will be able to see some of the most popular destinations- without needing to worry about how you’ll actually get from point A to point B.
One of the biggest reasons why cruising continues to be so popular, is because so many people are sick and tired of flying. No one wants to spend hours checking in, going through security, and jammed into a tiny seat, before getting a cab to their hotel. That’s a whole day of travel lost, and another day lost on the way back. Not to mention all the stress and frustration.
Cruising continues to grow in popularity, and the amenities on cruise ships these days continues to impress. On a mini cruise, you’ll be paying for most of the costs upfront, and it’s all-inclusive so you can budget appropriately for your holiday and have time to save. You’ll have delicious food, snacks, tea & coffee, entertainment, leisure facilities, daytime activities, guest speakers, arts and crafts, all included in your fare.
Mini cruises depart from eleven different ports throughout the UK, and there are many different destinations to choose from. Because these cruises are short, you can fit them in whenever you have a few days off or just need a quick break, and you’ll also get to see plenty in a short time. This gives you great bang for your travel buck.
Have you cruised before? Are you thinking about taking a mini cruise? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
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Three Reasons You Must Visit The Bahamas
Visiting the Bahamas is the dream of many vacationers. The island destination often makes it to the top of many travel lists over and over again, and for all the right reasons too! Apart from the beautiful beaches and the sunsets, this place has many other things to offer visitors. Here are the three reasons for you to plan your next trip here:
1. The Bond movies: The Bahamas has been a shooting location for many movies of the James Bond franchise, including Thunderball, Casino Royale, and The Spy Who Loved Me. Fans would have a great time visiting the locations the movies were shot in as they will be able to see some parts of the set still present. It is a great experience to see your favorite fictional settings come alive, and the Bahamas will provide you just that.
2. The casinos: The Bahamas is famous for its huge sparkling casinos. The casinos gleam of luxury and grandeur in world class resorts on the island. And if you ever feel like staying in the hotel room after a long day of fun, you can gamble on bingo sites with no deposit bonus!
3. Shopping extravaganza: The Straw Market in the Bahamas is one of the most popular in the Caribbean. Here you can buy almost everything from the street vendors and even try your bargaining skills as much as you like.
There is just so much you can see and do in this island paradise that you will remember your vacation here for a long time to come. So why not pay a visit as soon as you can and enjoy the place to the fullest?
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From the Casino to the Beach: Finding Treasures in Macau
Macau, like Hong Kong, is a part of China that works differently to the country proper. Once a station for Portuguese traders, Macau is now one of Asia’s largest tourist hubs, a place of bright lights and tall buildings, ancient architecture and historic villages, and, of course, miles of clean beaches befitting its sub-tropical climate. As the most densely populated place on earth though, it’s not a place anyone wants to visit without a guide.
A Modern Centre
Macau, as the “Vegas of China”, is a paradise for casino gamers. Since 2007, the peninsula has generated more money from games like roulette and baccarat than Las Vegas, and its vast fortune has increased month-on-month since late 2016. Revenues climbed 18% in March alone. What makes Macau’s casinos so interesting is just how different they are to American ones, favouring skill-based games like baccarat and poker over slots.
The latter game, poker, is growing rapidly in Macau and tables can have lengthy waiting times if not pre-booked. Tables exist at the Wynn (almost exclusively high-roller), Starworld, a casino that once had a buy-in of a million dollars, and the Venetian hotel, one of the largest buildings in the world. Given the steep price of entry for some games, joining a table in Macau can be daunting so it’s always a good idea to get some practise in at the hotel beforehand.
The availability of mobile poker apps provides both a space to learn about the game and an alternative for when the casinos are full. For example, 888poker’s Android and iOS gaming apps have much the same functionality as the company’s website, giving players the opportunity to play sit and go and multi-table tournaments. With options for money play and practise play, the experience is scalable to players’ tastes and budget.
Historic Macau
On a map, Macau stands out as a bit of an oddity; with street names like Rua de Francisco Xavier Pereira and Avenue Xian Xing Hai, it’s an amalgam of two cultures, Chinese and Portuguese. Much of Macau’s manmade beauty comes from the latter though, with the Ruins of St. Paul’s arguably the face of local tourism. It’s one of several historic churches in the city, along with St. Anthony’s, St. Josephs’, and St. Lazarus, all highly distinctive places of worship.
Taipa Village is a reason to visit Macau all on its own. An old neighbourhood far from the peninsula’s bustling centres, though just a short distance from the airport and the Venetian, Taipa is famed for its restaurants and eateries, roadside almond cookies, and the quiet tranquillity of esplanades like Avenida da Praia. It’s perhaps too quiet for fans of Macau’s nightlife (the more central Lou Lim Ieoc Garden might be a better option in that case) but Taipa is one of the more charming tourist magnets nonetheless.
Given its complex heritage, it’s perhaps no surprise Macau has a number of renowned museums, art galleries, and historic buildings, including the Macau Museum of Art, the Sir Robert Ho Tung Library, and Mandarin’s House, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the former home of reformist Zheng Guanying. For the ultimate antithesis to Macau’s casino culture though, visit the black sands of Hac Sa Beach.
A tiny place of wild contrasts, there’s nowhere quite like Macau elsewhere in the world.
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4 things about hunting knives that you need to know
A good survival knife is always needed in your pocket while traveling, every survival kit or everyday carrier should have more than one hunting knives.
I generally don’t plan for sudden or emergency situations. In fact, a lot of people don’t. But that is the whole problem, no one does. We don’t plan or prepare for emergency situations which, of course, is a wrong perception. You feel safe and secure while traveling alone at night. Most importantly, you don’t need the training to learn the technique of using hunting knives – it is quite easy and natural.
While hunting knife is in your hand, you take it as your own body part. You don’t need to learn the skill of using your own body part, it comes naturally.
Now when we have discussed so much about hunting knives, let’s also explore few others points.
There are few things which should be kept in mind before buying a knife. Buying any knife won’t help you out. Always look for a knife that fits in your palm and is easy to use in emergency situations. Also, never put your hunting knife for sale, it’s good to keep your knife with you for lifetime. Now, let’s walk through some important points:
1. Fixed Blade
Never try and put pressure on the tip of a folding hunting knife or there are chances of getting a cut on your trigger finger. There are many types of hunting knives, the two most common are folding knives and lock knives.
So generally, when you choose a knife for your protection, you should remember that folding or lock knives are the most dangerous knives for novices. It goes without saying that a fixed knife is the one that does not fold or get locked.
2. Thick and thin blades
You might have noticed blades varying from 0. 1 inch to ¼ inch. Both the knives have their perks so this one is hard to decide. The thinner will be definitely better for whittling jobs such as making trap triggers and thicker blades for chopping and prying. This one depends on your own convenience level.
3. Full tang
You can only see the upper part of the knife that is the blade, you really don’t know if the blade is extending down to the handle. It is essential to question the seller regarding the full tang – if a part of the blade which is extending downwards to the handle.
A blade halfway to the handle can be a bit harmful, it can be removed easily and is not as strong as a full tang hunting knife.
4. Handle with hilt and pommel
Handles are mostly made from a variety of natural and man-made products including molded plastic, ivory (nylon polymer), hytrel, (thermoplastic polyester elastomer), leather (stacked leather washers), Krayton (synthetic rubber), or Zytel (nylon resin). Some knives only have the skeleton as the handle. What is more important is that the handle gives you nice grip in emergency or hunting situation. It should not slip from your hand due to sweat or if the knife is wet.
Another important part is the hilt and pommel. The handle should definitely have a wider hilt and pommel to improve its gripping quality. The pommel should be flat so you can use it as a hammer.
