Posts by : Izy Berry

While the holidays are a fun time, they can also often be a boring experience, as we try to stay busy while we’re not at work. Boredom is nothing to be ashamed of, and even though we may wish to be doing something else while we’re at work, often once we’re at home with nothing else to do, it can be difficult to figure out exactly how we should fill our time.

Here are some ways to fight boredom these holidays:

Play online

There are many different online gambling sites, and one of the best is Betway. This online casino offers up to 250 Euros of free gambling, and has almost 2 million people registered and playing on its site. Licensed in Germany, Belgium, UK, Spain, and Malta, Betway has an attractive website and high-quality games, saving you from boredom and allowing you to win money online, even while you’re at home and out of the cold.

Get active

It can be hard to convince yourself to be active when it’s cold outside, but this is just when you need to be working hard to make sure those holiday pounds don’t stick. With Christmas and New Years involving lots of food and alcohol, if you’re not the type to workout, now is the time to start.

If you haven’t worked out for a while, even a daily walk can help get you started, and you’ll find that you’ll feel better, be less inclined to overeat, and begin considering other ways that you could stay fit. For those who are more used to exercise, consider doing some HIT if you really want to burn off those Christmas calories, go for a run, or do some strength training so you can get lean and toned over the holidays.

Often while we’re working it can be easy to let our diet and exercise slide since we don’t have much time, but if you’re the type to blame work for your lack of willpower, you’ve got no excuse over the holiday season, and you’ll set up great habits for when you’re back at work.

Get social

Sure, you’re likely to see friends and family over Christmas and New Years, but when the weather is terrible it can be easy to stay inside out of the cold and avoid social situations. If you’re someone who would rather watch Netflix then go out on the town, you’re not alone, and staying in has become the new going out. Consider inviting some friends around so you can all watch the latest episode of your favourite show together, order some food, and have a few drinks- that way you can be social without even needing to leave the house.

Another good option is to convince a friend to workout with you. That way you’ll be more likely to go to the gym since someone else is waiting, and you’ll also find it way more fun to workout with a buddy.

When people think of South Africa, they usually picture safaris, or maybe a trip to Cape Town, Durban, the third largest city in South Africa, is often overlooked in favour of Cape Town, however there is still plenty to see and do here, especially after the major makeover the city had leading up to the World Cup in 2010.

The waterfront area has undergone a renewal, and this waterfront promenade will eventually be extended down the south coast, while the downtown area of the city is bursting with interesting art deco architecture and grand colonial buildings.

For those who love the beach you can’t do much better, and this city is also home to the largest concentration of those of Indian descent outside of India. This gives the city an Asian feel, and you’ll find the streets and marketplaces here are replete with the scents, sounds, and sights of India.

Here are some reasons why you should travel to Durban:

The Warmth

The city has a subtropical climate, giving Durban pleasant weather year-round. Even during the winter months, when many parts of South Africa see low temperatures, Durban enjoys warmth, and visitors can get a tan on the beach and swim in the ocean. You’ll also find that there’s not much rain here, even during the winter from May to September.

The Beach

The Golden Mile is a 6km stretch of golden sand, which also has a paved promenade running from the Suncoast casino, all the way to Ushaka. The revamping has made it a great place to enjoy the beachfront, and many people will stroll, roller skate, jog, and cycle along the promenade every day.  For those with kids, the Golden Mile features plenty of public pools and playgrounds, and for adults, you’ll find many different bars and restaurants to enjoy.

The Diversity

South African has been called the Rainbow Nation, due to the diversity of the people. And Durban is the country’s most multicultural city, with a mix of African, post colonial, Indian and Zulu influences. You’ll also find excellent food here from all over the world (particularly excellent Indian food), and many different expats and tourists as well.

The Entertainment

There’s plenty to do in Durban, and whether you’re visiting with kids, friends, or your significant other you’ll find that you certainly won’t be bored. Check out the Hare Krishna Temple of Understanding, which is a spiritual, calm temple with a food court, and you can even visit on Sundays to enjoy a feast with the Monks.

The Botanical Garden was started back in 1849, and you’ll find trees and plants that are more than 250 years old. For those who like soccer, check out Moses Mabhida Stadium, where you can find tickets to a soccer match if you’re lucky, and head up in the Sky Car for excellent views.

The Accommodation

Durban offers a wealth of different options for those needing a place to stay, and accommodation in Durban also won’t break the bank. Whether you’re looking for a five-star hotel, an apartment, or a hostel, you’ll find it all in this interesting city.

So, this is it and you’re finally on your way – your long-awaited holiday has arrived. You and your family are bursting at the seams to get on with your trip and start making memories. Standing in your way between here and there, though, is the beast otherwise known as the car ride. We’ve probably all heard the old saying, “Getting there is half the battle”, but for those traveling with young children, it may feel more accurate to ponder “getting there” as the whole battle. Everyone is excited, emotions are soaring –  the kids, probably restless in expectation, seem to tire of the trip faster than you can get out of your own neighborhood.

So, what’s a family to do when facing hours in the car? How do you get to where you’re going without ‘losing it’ along the way?

Here are a few parent-tested and approved tips to get you going in the right direction:

Get started early

If you can get a few hours of your trip under your belt before the kids are up and moving, it will be better for all involved. If your child is not the kind to fall back asleep, this might not be the best method for you. Otherwise, this is a worthwhile consideration. Who knows, by the time the kids are awake and asking for breakfast, you could be halfway there.

Make things comfortable

If you are planning a getaway in the middle of the night, make sure to take pillows and blankets along for the ride. If you are not planning to leave until later in the day, having these on standby can still help to keep the peace – after all, who doesn’t like to create a makeshift fort during their travels?

Pack for success

If it’s packed well, your travel bag could become your new best friend. A beloved doll, coloring books and crayons, a favorite book, or anything else you see your little one reaching for on a daily basis should go in this bag.

Food

This is a big one for most families. Food can pass the time and even bring a moment of peace among siblings, so make sure that their favorite treats are on board before you head out of the door. You might want to be frugal with the beverages, though, as this could add quite a few unexpected stops to your already long journey.

Electronics

These get a category of their own. While you might not want to ease your child’s boredom with screen time, it can be a helpful way to divert their attention for a while. If you’re looking to keep screen time under control but are met with tantrums when their time is up, try granting your child access to their electronics for a set time before planned stops on your journey. Taking a break from both the car and electronics can make the transition to self-entertainment easier.

Bouncer

While it’s wonderful to have a bouncer with you once you’ve arrived at your destination, it can also be helpful at rest stops. The adjustable baby bouncer is particularly valuable because it folds easily for storage when not in use and also enables your baby to come to table-level when you all stop for a quick bite to eat. This allows your little one to rest comfortably in their own chair. And you won’t have to worry about what germs may or may not be on that high chair standing next to the garbage can in the corner.

Car games

Car games really can be the masters of distraction. There’s the radio game, where you hit scan and guess the name of the song and the musical artist – one point for each – before the radio changes channels. There’s also the alphabet game, where, starting with the letter ‘A’, you each race to find a sign with your corresponding letter. The first one to reach and complete the letter ‘Z’ wins the game. Another favorite is the story game, where one person starts to tell a story and then passes it along for the next person to continue, and so on. This one is usually good for a few laughs.

Car holidays with young children can be quite challenging, but they don’t have to stress you out. With some planning, patience and flexibility, you might find that these car journeys can make the best memories, too.

There are lots of interesting, beautiful places to visit. Places where you can see rolling landscapes and towering mountains, but sometimes you want something simpler. These 5 holiday destinations are bound to entertain.

Disneyland

It doesn’t matter whether you visit Disneyland Paris or Florida since either is chock full of the cartoons and films from your childhood. If you have children with you as well then they are bound to enjoy seeing their favourite characters come to life at Disneyland. Depending on what time of year you visit there are plenty of special events and attractions to visit.

Las Vegas

Las Vegas is the perfect holiday destination for anybody looking to test their luck in the casino. Vegas has enough casinos that you will literally have too much choice. If you choose to visit Las Vegas then why not brush up on your gambling skills from this online casino at Lucky Nugget Casino. However, Las Vegas doesn’t just have gambling attractions there are also plenty of music, sports and other events to enjoy during your stay, too.

Hollywood

If you’re a film fanatic, then Hollywood is an excellent destination. You will get to visit iconic venues of movie legends. Visitors will see the heart of the film industry and gain a whole new understanding for the art. Hollywood is home to plenty of film, TV and music stars so there is a high likelihood of seeing them in person during your holiday. Hollywood is also full of excellent restaurants, comedy and musical events to enjoy along side its rich movie background.

Universal Studios

Universal Studios is home to some of the most popular and beloved films like Harry Potter, Transformers and Despicable Me. Whether you are a fan of these movies or have children with you that love them; you will be sure to find lots of fun at Universal Studios. There are plenty of themed rollercoasters and plenty of other events held year round.

Legoland

Lego is one of the most popular toys in the world. People love building all kinds of things with these little plastic blocks. If you or your kids are some of these people then you will love Legoland. It has everything you’d expect from a theme park, but with the additional injection of Lego. If you like Lego, then you’ll love Legoland.

With December almost upon us, the weather continues to get colder and more miserable, and a new study has revealed that more than half of the Brits surveyed would like to leave the UK and the cold behind and spend Christmas somewhere nice and hot this year.

My Voucher Codes is a website that focuses on voucher codes and money savings, and the team has been researching whether Brits would prefer to spend Christmas at home or away.

2,158 adults from the UK were surveyed, and all were over the age of 18. The first question was whether they would prefer to spend their Christmas at home, or to celebrate it away while on holiday. 70% were traditionalists and said they wanted to spend it at home, while 30% said they would rather have a Christmas on holiday.

The next question, was where these 30% of respondents would like to go for Christmas. A massive 58% said they wanted to go somewhere hot overseas, while 23% said they also want to go overseas but would like to go somewhere cold. 12% said they imagined a nice Christmas in a cottage within the UK, while 5% said they liked the idea of spending the holiday in the UK but in a hotel. 2% said they would like to go abroad to see family for Christmas.

The next question revolved around why these people wanted to go away for Christmas. Those who responded to the survey had a list of options to choose from, and these results were also interesting.

53% of people said they just wanted a change, 23% said it was because they don’t like the cold weather in the UK, 19% said they wanted to go somewhere more Christmassy such as Lapland, a few (3%) of people said they don’t celebrate Christmas, while 1% said they want to get away from their families, and another 1% said they want to go spend Christmas with their family who live abroad.

Chris Reilly, Managing Director of My Voucher Codes, said that Christmas is often a stressful time for some people, as they feel pressure to give their friends and family a perfect Christmas. When you combine this with the fact that the weather is often cold and miserable around this tie of the year in the UK, it’s no wonder why many people are feeling a little down. This also means it’s not surprising that a lot of Brits would like to escape the whole holiday and go lie on a beach somewhere hot.

Another reason why many people may want to go on holiday for Christmas is because it can sometimes feel like they’re doing the same thing every single year. Sometimes, a different Christmas experience can make you appreciate the more traditional Christmas that you would usually have in the UK, and you’ll be sure to relax if you spend the holiday drinking cocktails on a beach.

If you’re based in Dubai and planning a holiday, but not quite sure where to go, we can help you out. Dubai is a remarkably central location, and it just a few hours from some of the most incredible destinations in the world- meaning you’ll be spoiled for choice.

Wherever you travel, make sure you’re taking your travel insurance with you, so you can be sure that if you lose your passport, miss your flight, or get sick of injured, you’ll be covered and can quickly get back on track.

Here are some of the best trips close to Dubai:

Al Ain

This is one of the most laid-back Emirates, and boasts incredible views without needing to go up a skyscraper. If you’re hoping to escape the hustle and bustle of Dubai, you’ll be going to the right place, and you’ll also be able to get out of the humidity that makes Dubai so miserable when you’re outside during some of the summer months.

For those who love history, be sure to spend some time checking out some of the region’s many historical sites.

Cyprus

Think of Cyprus and you picture clear blue water, secluded bays, beaches, and relaxation. This is popular amongst families living in Dubai, and you’ll find that there are so many beaches and bays waiting to be explored that you may want to stay longer than you think. This is just four hours and fifteen minutes away (not counting travel to and from the airports), meaning you can leave Dubai in the morning and be lying on a beach with a cocktail in your hand in the afternoon.

Dubai

We can’t miss Dubai out when we’re talking about excellent things to do, and if you’re staying in Dubai for a while, there are a number of great options for staycations, and of course numerous activities for the whole family.

Why not spend some time riding a camel, go to a water park, or take a river tour in our free time? There are many secluded desert paradises waiting for you, so be sure to spend some time enjoying all that Dubai has to offer.

Abu Dhabi

It’s just a simple road trip to get to Abu Dhabi, and you’ll find Dubai’s sister city is jam packed with fun things to see and do. Head to Ferrari World, which is a great day for visitors both young and old, or take a safari on Sir Bani Yas Island.

India

You may be surprised to learn that India is just three hours from Dubai. That’s nothing! If you’ve always wanted to visit this incredible country, take the opportunity this year and be sure to visit Darjeeling and Goa, visit the markets, and try traditional Indian food.

Oman

Get off the beaten track, and instead head to Oman. Just an hour from Dubai, you’ll be able to enjoy your own secret beaches, and some of the best scuba diving in the world.

Australia boasts incredible beauty, offering a plethora of experiences waiting to be explored. Amidst its wonders, Aussies excel in luxury. Discover the pinnacle of opulence with our guide to the best luxury resorts in Australia. Plus, does it snow in Australia? Find out where to indulge in lavish comfort amidst diverse landscapes.:

Pinetrees Lodge

If you haven’t yet heard, Pinetrees Lodge is the place to stay on Lord howe Island. The island itself is stunning, and visitors can enjoy world-class snorkelling, diving, surfing, fishing, walking, golf, and kayaking, or simply relax and soak up the scenery.

Along with the spectacular forests, pristine beaches, incredible marine life and rare flora and fauna, you’ll find Pinetrees, which is a perfect place to stay for single travellers, couples, or families. For those who like wine and food, you’ll be spoiled for choice with the amazing breakfasts, lunches, afternoon teas and even four-course dinners.

Bamurru Plains

When you visit the Northern Territory, you simply must check out Bamurru Plains, which is located on the Mary River floodplains. Bring your camera, as you’ll find plenty of wildlife and birds here, along with crocodiles, water buffalo, wild pigs, dingos and wallabies. The resort itself has comfortable beds with deluxe linens, high-pressure showers and a lovely, cool infinity pool.

Qualia

Located on Hamilton Island in the Great Barrier Reef, Qualia is famous throughout Australia. You can choose from 60 individual and private pavilions, and many of them have private plunge pools and outdoor showers. You’ll also find a fitness centre, two pools, a library, two bars and plenty of restaurants offering exceptional food for guests. Be sure to check out the spa or spend some time on the golf course which has 360º views of the Whitsunday Islands.

Longitude 131º

This lodge faces the incredible Uluru, and has amazing views of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National park (a World Heritage listed site). This is one of the best places in the world to enjoy the night sky, and you can even eat out under the stars before being told stories about the area by the locals.

Silky Oaks Lodge and Healing Waters Spa

Located in Queensland, you’ll find this resort next to one of the world’s oldest living rainforests. Enjoy the elegant interiors, bar, spacious open lounge areas, reading rooms, and, of course, the wall-to-ceiling windows, lush gardens and spacious balconies.

For those who like to get outside, the resort is in an ideal location, so you can enjoy rainforest walks, mountain biking, canoeing, sunbathing and swimming.

Park Hyatt Sydney

In New South Wales, be sure to stay in Sydney to enjoy city life. You’ll find Park Hyatt between the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House, and you’ll find the design, art, and architecture reflect the landscape of Australia.

The spacious suites and guestrooms have floor-to-ceiling glass doors so you can enjoy your own private balconies (be sure to get a view of the Opera House) and the rooftop swimming pool is heated and also features a spa, cabanas, and private sun deck.