Posts by : Izy Berry

Driving around a country is a great way to explore it at your own pace without worrying about having to stick to the set schedule that goes with taking public transport like a bus or a train.  You can stop at any points of interest that you happen upon and stay as long as you want if you like a certain area more than you had anticipated.  You can rent a camper van and sleep in it wherever you can park it legally or you can rent a car and just stay in accommodation that you find along the way.  Your options are endless when you take the perfect self-drive holiday!  With GPS so easily accessible now you can find things to explore along the way.

Canada

Canada is the second largest country in the world and there are so many different things to see and do.  Renting a campervan is a great way to explore this beautiful country.  You can sleep up to 8 people comfortably and you will be free to explore the beautiful coast of BC, the Rockies and foothills of Alberta, the beautiful fields of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, the wine country of Ontario, or the glory of Quebec.  The east coast is stunning as well and be sure you try the lobster that this coast is famous for.

Australia

Australia is a great country to hit the open road.  There are plenty of beautiful sights along the south east coast and you can drive the 244 km of the Great Open Road.  It travels from Victoria along the coast and offers breathtaking scenery like rainforest, and beautiful beaches.  Keep your eyes peeled for exciting animal sightings like kangaroos, koalas, or maybe even a pod of whales.  Or for something completely different head off into the Great Outback and drive through the desert with small towns, various wild animal sightings, and be sure to visit Ayers Rock.

USA

The Continental US has 48 states and each one offers its own exciting things for travellers to experience.   If you rent a car you can take it to different states but be sure you know what states your insurance is valid in before heading out.  The whole country is connected by a fabulous network of highways and you can cover vast distances by hopping on super highways or meander along classic routes like route 66 or the coastal highways.  There are natural wonders like The Grand Canyon in Arizona, California offers the excitement of Hollywood and Disneyland, and Washington DC hosts the White House.

Spain

Spain is a fascinating country to explore by car.  Tour through the major cities of Barcelona, and Madrid, and check out the cultural wonders and art that these areas are famous for.  Be sure to check out the Monastery of Montserrat about 45 minutes outside of Barcelona.  Try the tapas (appetizers) that this country is known for and be sure to sample the local wine as well. If you want to include some beaches in your itinerary, here are the top four.

The UK

Travelling through The UK in a rented car is a fabulous experience and there are so many exciting things to do and see.  If you are interested in exploring Roman ruins, visiting villages that have preserved their heritage, and exploring the beautiful countryside than the Cotswolds is a great place to start.  You can stay in a 300 year old house, live on a working farm for a few days, or relax in a bed and breakfast.

If you’re like most people, you’ll often take a moment to breathe after a few months (or years) and realise you haven’t had a break for a long time. However, it’s crucial to regularly relax and refresh in order to remain productive at work, especially if you rely on your creativity.

Blue Chip Holidays has recently completed a survey so they could understand what it is that most people want when they plan a luxury holiday. The results are interesting and many people will be surprised by which luxury items ranked in which spot.

More than 1000 adults from the United Kingdom were surveyed. First, they were asked about the must-have item that they would choose if they were going to chill out and relax in a luxurious holiday home. Those who took the survey could choose from a list of potential options or choose their own, and most people (34%) said that a hot tub or private pool would be most likely to make them happy.

The hot tub was followed by a private garden or balcony (31% of respondents said this was important), and dog friendliness was most important for 14% of people who don’t like to leave Fido at home. This option was tied for a private chef, which 14% of people said would make them feel the most spoiled, and a log burner or open fire came in at last place with just 9% of people saying it was the most important

The results are more interesting when you look at the age and location of the respondents. The people who lived in the UK said that the private pool or hot tub was the most important to them, while older people in Northern Ireland (65 and older) were more concerned with a log burner or open fire. Respondents between the ages of 25 and 34 were split between a private chef, hot tub and private garden or balcony.

 The Scottish who were over 65 were split between three different options: a private chef, dog-friendly or an open fire. Those who were a little younger (between 54 and 64) were more interested in a private chef and a holiday home that was also dog-friendly.

Tori Kirway-Taylor is the Brand & Communications Manager at Blue Chip. He analysed the study and had some comments about what the choices revealed. She said that Blue Chip was most interested in the must-have item depending on the holiday maker’s age and location.

 “The results show that when it comes to luxury, we all have different ideas about what we would like to see and how we want to be treated.” Tori said that this is why Blue Chip ensure that their holiday cottages appeal to many different people.

 She also said that Blue Chip was happy to see that many of the survey’s respondents considered a private chef to be a great addition for their holiday home as this is something that Blue Chip offer.

Imagine lazing and bumming around on a gorgeous, white-sand beach in Bali. Imagine sitting in cafe while taking a sip of strong coffee in Paris, with the iconic Eiffel Tower as your backdrop. Imagine gazing at the millennia-old pyramids in Egypt atop a friendly camel’s back.

These are all great scenes, that’s for sure, but you know that extended travel is an impossibility for you, especially when you’re tethered to your 9-to-5 office job. And even when you do manage to save up a sizable nest for your travelling expenses and leave your job, you know that the money will eventually run out and you’d have to go find another office gig somewhere.

But imagine a scenario wherein you can travel AND earn money at the same time. It might sound impossible, but it is doable. Just ask the all of the travelers who managed to make a living even while they’re on the road 24/7.

Make your dream of travel a reality. Check out some of the ways with which you can earn money whilst travelling:

Go Freelance

If you have some marketable skills (writing, graphic design, web development, accounting, etc.) as well as a Paypal account and a laptop computer, there’s basically no stopping you from being able to work online. There are literally thousands of websites out there wherein you can apply to online jobs and sell your services. Working hours are usually flexible, and pay is dependent on your niche, quality of work, and negotiation skills.

Sites like Upwork and Freelancer are some of the most popular ones- on these sites you can find ads for just about any kind of job available. You can work as a social media manager, content writer, accounting staff, virtual assistant, web developer- just about any role that you want to be. Though competition can be stiff, there’s a good chance that you’ll be able to make good money off these sites, especially if you’re exceptional at what you do.

Alternatively, you can look into Fiverr or Amazon Mechanical Turk if you’re into small bite-sized gigs. There are also sites that specifically focuses on one field alone. For example sites like RentACoder are for programmers, HackerOne for information security professional, and content mills like iWriter, Constant Content, and Textbroker are for writers.

Teach English

Teaching English is a popular work option for travelers who are visiting East Asian countries like China, Japan, and South Korea. The best thing of all, there’s no need to have a teaching license or be certified in any sort. All you need to do is be a native English speaker and you’re all set.

Be an Au Pair

Like kids? Want to fully immerse yourself in the language and culture of the country you’re visiting? Don’t mind simple housework? Then becoming an au-pair might just be a viable option for you.

Au pairing involves living and working for a local host family. This program, which is especially popular in European countries, usually involves a bit of childcare and light housework, and the working hours are limited to about 25 to 30 hours per week. As such, the pay is quite low, but the au pair is free to take on other part-time jobs, get an education, learn the language, and visit various sights in the country in his or her free time.

Take on Day Trading

There used to be a time when trading was limited to the chaotic world of trading room floors. But since we’re living in the digital age, most of today’s trading are done over the Internet; online dealers like CMC Markets even make the whole process go easier and faster. While not a get-rich-quick-scheme (seeing that you need a whole lot of know-how and a little bit of luck and some financial investment to kickstart a trading career), day trading can provide big returns in the long run if you keep at it.

Affiliate Marketing

Do you have a blog? If you think you’re good enough of a seller just by using words alone, then why not try affiliate marketing? A great thing about being an affiliate is that you don’t need to have the products on hand to sell them. What you need to do is just promote products on your blog or social media page- you take a cut from every click or purchase that results from your affiliate links.

Picking up and taking off to places unknown is an enticing proposition, and one that we are seeing become more popular over the year. The millennial generation is often seen as one without financial security, but truth be told, they are far more adventurous than the generations before them. We are seeing a slew of travel bloggers live off the proceeds of their websites with goals of visiting all of the wonders of the world, or perhaps every country in the world. In our 20’s this can all be very appealing, but as we get older we often crave companionship. Finding someone that supports your travel goals can be difficult as they must share the exact same vision as you. If you are prone to hitting the road, pay attention to these tips for finding companionship where and when necessary.

Connect with like-minded bloggers and travel enthusiasts. You might be surprised by just how many are out there. There are several online communities that you can join, and even local hangout groups of similar minded people. Perhaps you will even find a traveling companion that will join you on your new adventures.

There are plenty of local dating boards in all different countries. What better way to find someone to share time with then to find local people that are convenient and easy to connect with. This is good idea for those of you who plan on setting up semi-permanent roots in locales that you have traveled to.

Perhaps you don’t stay in any one place too long, but still seek a casual relationship of sorts. Sites like Badults are effective for finding companionship without the expectation of long-term relationships. Just create an account and plug in your information and you can match up with someone who has similar interests and expectations as you.

The bar scene is still a good place to meet people! In fact, whenever I travel I like to make my way to the local pub. This doesn’t necessarily need to a tactic for finding a date, it can be a great way to make new friends in a new city or country. Imbibed people can often be more relaxed and prone to opening up to strangers.

Lastly, there are plenty of social connection groups on various social media outlets. Consider Facebook for example. They have plenty of groups that are location and activity specific. For instance, we have one in my town for single people that like to attend sporting events and other fun activities, but they don’t know anyone locally yet.

Stratford upon Avon is a fantastic base for your Warwickshire self-catering experience with loads to see and do. This vibrant town – widely regarded as Warwickshire’s main tourist magnet over its nearby neighbour and county town Warwick – has lots to attract and entertain the discerning holiday maker.

One of the town’s main draws is of course its Shakespeare Houses; with the wonderfully restored Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Halls Croft; home of Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna and the recently renovated and reopened New Place; Shakespeare’s final home for 19 years and the place of his death in 1616. In the nearby villages of Shottery and Wilmcote lie the much visited former home of Shakespeare’s wife, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Mary Arden’s Farm, the former home of Shakespeare’s mother.

Stratford upon Avon boasts a fine selection of self-catering holiday accommodation; from quaint timbered cottages with low beams, to open plan contemporary houses that sit side by side with the town’s many historic buildings. If town centre accommodation isn’t your style, then why not book a break in one of the charming villages flanking the town including Binton, Tiddington and Clifford Chambers?

The streets of Stratford offer a captivating mix of independent shops, bars, cafés and restaurants, interspersed by a handful of busy souvenir shops. Popular visitor attractions include the Falstaff Experience, The MAD (mechanically aided design) Museum, Tudor World and Stratford Butterfly Farm, whilst there is a great selection of boats trips available on the River Avon that runs adjacent to the town centre.

Making the most of your time in Stratford upon Avon need not involve spending lots of money as the town offers relaxing riverside walks, with free walking tours around the town’s historic quarter, and many of the town’s major attractions including Holy Trinity Church (where Shakespeare is buried), the lobby of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and the town’s scenic Jubilee Gardens can be accessed without charge, offering wonderful photo opportunities at every turn.

Thank you to Exclusively Warwickshire for this insight. For all your Stratford Upon Avon holiday cottages needs please visit: http://exclusivelyuk.co.uk/self-catering-holiday-cottages-stratford-upon-avon/

Often overlooked in favour of the long stretches of palm fringed beaches on the east coast, Nungwi village at the very north of the island provides visitors with a feel of the “real Zanzibar”.

It is not an either/or situation. A stay on the east coast can be combined with a stay in Nungwi.

Some of the things which makes a stay at Nungwi well worth while include:

* Witness and interact with local people going about their daily activities.

* See dhows and fishing boats being built and repaired in the same way they have for hundreds of years.

* The spectacle of the fishing fleet heading out, or returning , with the white sails framed by the deep blue ocean is something to behold.

* Take a cultural tour with a local guide to learn what life is like for people of the village.

* Visit the turtle sanctuary. The small entry fee will help preserve the good work being done by this local charity.

* A wide range of marine activities are available.

* Hire bicycles to explore other areas at the north of the island.

* Take an evening cruise as the sun sets like a huge red ball over the mainland of Tanzania. It is a very special sight.

* Have the opportunity to eat at a wide range of restaurants, unlike the east coast where there are

few alternatives but to eat at your hotel. We tend to gravitate back to the Langi Langi Beach Bungalows Restaurant. Good food, great views.

* Well priced accommodation. We favour Flame Tree Cottages with spacious rooms set in lovely gardens on the ocean front. Close enough to walk to the restaurants and bars, but sufficient distance to provide peace and quiet.

Top Tip. Do not arrange any excursions with the “beach boys” touting for business. Always arrange excursions direct with providers, for example, dive centres, boat owners, or through your hotel.

We would like to thank Zanzibar Travel for this insight.

Las Vegas is often compared to Disneyland…for adults, and there’s so much to do that you may find yourself feeling a little overwhelmed by all of the options. Whether you like to gamble, go clubbing, enjoy opulence and luxury, spend time visiting the attractions, or spend your days at the buffet, there’s truly something for everyone here.

Here are some of the best things to do in Las Vegas:

Catch a show

Most people who visit Las Vegas will take the time to see some kind of show. From some of the most well-known singers and comedians to flying acrobatics, you’re sure to find something that catches your attention. Check out concerts, peep shows, Cirque du Soleil, Britney Spears, or one of the many shows that somehow manages to mix all of these things together (apart from Britney Spears).

Go Shopping

Vegas is full of hotels and resorts, along with plenty of outlet malls. That means you can enjoy both budget and high-end shopping, and you’ll be sure to find that perfect outfit for your night of drinking and dancing. Las Vegas is a place where you can shop up a storm, so it might be a good idea to think about limits before you head out to the shops.

Enjoy the Buffets

Vegas is known for its buffets, and you’ll see why once you arrive. Depending on where you stay you’ll often get a discount if you’re actually staying at the hotel (and you’ll get to skip the line when it gets busy), although it’s well worth trying a new restaurant every day.

Spend some time online to check where the best buffets are, as different buffets open and older ones improve every year. Caesar’s Palace and the Bellagio are both excellent options, although be sure to wear your stretchy pants as the amazing food on offer is hard to resist!

Get Winning

Most people who visit Las Vegas plan to do at least a little bit of gambling, so set a limit and leave your most important credit cards in the safe in your hotel room. Whether you love the slot machines or consider yourself to be a shark at poker, gambling is a good workout for your brain, a nice way to meet new people, and a chance to win big.

If you are going to be gambling, consider doing it earlier on in the night before you begin drinking, so your decision skills are sharp and you have more of a chance of leaving Vegas a wealthier person than when you arrived.

See the Sights

While the strip is undoubtedly a fun place to stay, if you have a little time you may want to get out of town and check out the Grand Canyon. You can take a bus, but if you’re truly wanting to experience the best Vegas has to offer, consider splurging on a helicopter tour, which will take you to the bottom of the canyon where you’ll have a champagne breakfast.

It is essential to treat yourself on something rewarding from time to time. When you work very hard and barely have no chance to unwind, you sometimes forget about yourself. Thus, you have to make time for yourself and have the time to relax even just for a while. Life should not be all about work, you also need to loosen up at times.

One great way to spend your time off is to travel. You can travel anywhere you want alone or with your loved ones. Going to places is said to be a perfect way to recharge yourself and explore some things for the first time. Definitely, you deserve a fun and memorable trip somewhere.

In fact, one of the best travel destinations to date is Melbourne. This diverse coastal capital of Victoria is home to numerous awe-inspiring galleries and museums, world-class restaurants, stunning landscapes, as well as vast shopping centers.

The entire state of Victoria (VIC) is believed to be one of the most livable places in the world. In case you are planning to migrate to someplace, there are available McGrath houses for sale in VIC, which you can choose from that meet your needs and desires. This place is loved by foreigners that is why most of them stay here for good.

If you are visiting Melbourne, here are some of the remarkable tourist spots you must visit when in this striking city:

National Gallery of Victoria

Known as NGV, the National Gallery of Victoria is the biggest and oldest public art museum in Australia, which was founded in 1861. It is home to world-renowned finest art collections, events, exhibitions, and programs, from both local and international artists. The collection consists of around 70,000 impressive art works that you will surely appreciate even if you are not an art lover.

Eureka Skydeck

To have an idea about the layout of Melbourne, you can visit its interesting Eureka Skydeck. It is the highest vantage point that offers majestic views of the entire city. This is a great start to your trip because you will be able to see the potential places you might want to visit. More so, it is highly recommended to go here at sunset to witness the beautiful transition of day to night. The experience will surely amaze you and make you realize that Melbourne is a wonderful place to travel to.

Queen Victoria Market

Your Melbourne trip won’t be complete without visiting Queen Victoria Market. It is an outdoor hub with pretty much everything you need, from delectable meals to wide range of souvenir items. This is the perfect place to purchase souvenirs, which you can give to your family or friends when you get back home. Since it is a popular destination, be prepared to see a huge crowd here as you shop or dine.

Overall, Melbourne is an ideal destination for you to have the best time of your life. Add these places mentioned above in your itinerary when planning your trip. Certainly, this city won’t disappoint anyone and you can create happy and thrilling memories here with your loved ones.

Whether you consider yourself to be a great communicator, or you realise you probably need some work, one of the best ways to let that special someone know you care is with a beautiful bunch of flowers.

Flowers can say the things you can’t. Maybe you want to let someone know you miss them, you love them, or you just plain can’t live without them. Maybe someone you know is going through a tough time and you’re not good at having the right words, so instead of freezing up you send them a nice bunch of blooms. And maybe you simply want to say “Happy Birthday”, or put a smile on someone’s face.

 Flowers are now being bred for longevity, and the person you’re buying flowers for will be able to get days of enjoyment out of them, provided that they feed them the food that the florist gives them, keep them out of direct sunlight, change the water daily, and cut the stems at an angle.

If you’re not sure what type of arrangement you should get for your flower recipient, see if you can find out their favourite flower, or even their favourite colour. Paying attention to the colours that someone regularly wears is a good way to get an idea for their taste, and they’ll be even happier to see that you’ve noticed their preferences.

Still not sure? Figuring out the best arrangement depending on your relationship with the person, the occasion, and their preferences can be tough. Luckily, florists are experts at this type of thing, and can quickly point you in the right direction so you don’t feel like you’re floundering amongst a sea of daffodils and peonies.

 One of the best things about buying flowers for someone, is you can cover up the fact that you may have been too busy (or just forgot) to buy them a gift. Check out delivery Perth, and you’ll find that even last-minute deliveries can be accommodated, which means if you wake up on the day of your mum’s birthday, you can ensure that she has a lovely bunch of flowers in her arms by the end of the day.

Since I’m always traveling, flowers are a great way to let my family members know that I’m thinking of them, and I can quickly organise them online from anywhere in the world, or ring a florist for advice, meaning I never miss special occasions- even when I’m in a completely different time zone.

You can also ask for a message to be written along with your flowers, which is another great way to communicate with your loved one.

If you’ve been wondering how you’ll tell that special person that you’re thinking of them, consider saying it with flowers, and you’ll make the day of your friend, family member, colleague or loved one, and bring back happy memories ever time their eyes catch the beautiful bouquet in their kitchen, bedroom, living room, or office.