Home Articles Posted by Izy Berry (Page 89)
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Top 5 World Road trips
When the sun’s out and the days lengthen, there is nothing like filling the tank in your car and hitting the open road.While a road trip is a classic American endeavour (think diners, motels, and Route 66), we say don’t limit your horizons: in this article, we explore ideas for some of the best road trips around the world.
European Roadtrips
If you are based in the UK, don’t overlook a road trip in Europe. A popular way to travel is in a revamped VW Campervan – imagine driving to the south of France in your van, stopping only to marvel at chateaux and sleeping on the Cote d’Azur– watching the sun set each day with a glass of Merlot in your hand. Or how about a Grand Tour through Switzerland, France, and Italy? Starting in Geneva, twist your way through the mountains, visiting Chamonix and Turin before reaching Florence.
The Big Easy
For an all-American trip, you could do worse than drive from Mobile, Alabama, (the setting of Harper Lee’s famous novel, To Kill A Mockingbird) to New Orleans, Louisiana. Marvel at the vast southern mansions, and immerse yourself in jazz in New Orleans’ French Quarter. Time it right for Mardi Gras and you’ll have an unforgettable experience- the carnival and parades have an electric atmosphere and they’re totally free.
The Silk Road
For something a little less gentle, try the Karakoram Highway through Pakistan and China: start in Abbottabad (of Osama Bin Laden hideout fame) and end in Kashgar. It’s the highest altitude paved road in the world- a part of the famed Silk Road, it’s said that over 1000 lives were lost in its construction, but if you’re prepared for more extreme conditions, you’ll be richly rewarded with amazing views and stories to take home. Blasted through the mountains, it’s a genuine feat of engineering. Avoid during winter due to snowfall closures- and don’t forget your car hire insurance.
Australia’s Great Ocean Road
This is the classic Aussie road trip. Drive between Melbourne and Adelaide and admire the amazing free sights provided by nature. Check out the Twelve Apostles (rock stacks millions of years old pointing out of the ocean), and mind you don’t hit a koala or kangaroo.
Out of Africa
If you have heard about the Limpopo River in stories and rhymes, see it for yourself on a South African road trip. Along the borders with Botswana and Zimbabwe, get a feel for this land of contrasts with lush vegetation and sparse, dusty landscape with the African bush.
What are you waiting for? Pick a continent, dust off that licence and get your driving gloves on!
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Making the most of it
City breaks are great, and whilst in essence they may be short breaks, often it’s the whistle-stop tours which turn out to be the most enjoyable; you don’t have time to be stressed, bored, or have the time to think too much, other than focusing on what you’re seeing. A city break is the perfect break from the norm.
Despite that, the fact that your break is a short one means you can’t afford any hiccups in your travel plans, and this is where using this flight tracker on holidayextras.co.uk can keep you one step ahead of the game and will help you out. Anticipating any potential problems, which obviously we hope there won’t be, means you will be in a better position to move your plans around a little, if need be.
The good thing about city breaks is that you can usually grab a cheap flight, and more often than not, flights aren’t that long either, which means more time in your destination. If you can, try and grab yourself an early flight, which leaves you with the rest of the day to enjoy. Doing some research pre-departure will also mean you have more time, because you’re not going to be running around like a headless chicken, trying to figure out where the best sights are and how to get to them. Don’t waste time trying to find things when you can do all the leg work before you leave!
If you want to go to a particular restaurant, why not call ahead and reserve a table? Most large restaurants will allow you to do this, and again, this saves you time, so you’re not queuing in vain for anything up to an hour or so!
Being organised in such a way isn’t a bad thing, and whilst it might take up a bit of time in the weeks leading up to your departure, it will mean you see more whilst you’re away.
So, where will you go?
There are countless cities right on our doorstep, meaning you can experience culture, history, architecture, cuisine, night-life, relaxation, shopping, theatre, almost anything in just a few short hours.
We’re lucky like that!
Another plus to the city break is that if you wake up one morning, maybe you find yourself with a weekend off, you can easily grab a last minute flight, and cheap accommodation, quicker than the time it can take to drive to London for the weekend!
Put simply, city breaks are the epitome of a break from reality, all within the space of a few hours.
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Is Paris still the most romantic city in the world?
Oui, it sure is. I would have thought by now another city would have taken the title of most romantic city in the world but after a recent trip to Paris, I definitely discovered why this city is still the city of love. So if you are planning a romantic escape to Paris, here some top things to do there.
Enjoy a river cruise
There is nothing like romance, than taking one of the romantic European river cruises along the River Seine in Paris. Sip on Champagne as you watch the beautiful sights and sounds roll past your eyes. You can do a daytime cruise or a nighttime cruise but either or offer great romantic views of this beautiful city.
Symbolize your love
If you are in Paris for romance then you can’t go without visiting the Pont des Arts Bridge, where couples write there names on padlocks and attach them to the fencing on the bridge to symbolize their love. There is so much love there, in fact that the bridge had it’s railing break earlier this year from too much weight.
Wine and dine your way around the city
Paris has absolutely no shortage of fine wine and dining. You can have a beautiful candlelit romantic dinner just about anywhere you go in the city, with some of the best French dishes you have ever tasted. For golden age Parisian dining then visit Benoit, Le Train Bleu or Piroette. Some of the best restaurants though are discovered in the small back alleys, so go on foot and ask the locals as to where their personal favourites are.
Listen to live jazz
On a Sunday head to Le Caveau des Oubliettes, where you will be seduced by some of the best live jazz in Paris. It’s also the oldest live jazz bar in the city and offers a beautiful underground wine cellar.
Pack a picnic and take in the views
Find a picnic basket and fill it with your favourite French wine and cheese then pick a spot with a good view. There are no shortage of stunning views in Paris, you could pick from staring up at the Eifel Tower or even have a picnic whilst up there. Pick a spot along the river and gaze at one of the many beautiful bridges or back at the cities stunning architecture. My personal favourite though is a little treasure trove, located just near the gates of Parc des Buttes Chaumont, where you will discover a quiet little hill top village with your own private view of Montematre.
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Great weekend escapes in Britain
Whilst Britain has some fantastic cosmopolitan cities, once in a while it’s nice to get out of the concrete jungle and enjoy a lovely weekend away. You get to breath in that fresh clean air as you relax spending time with loved ones. So if you are looking at a quick escape from the city, use this handy guide for planning your weekend getaway.
Head to Cornwall
You don’t often think of beach holidays when you think of the UK but Cornwall is a great place for a beach weekend escape. You can also hire some great rural holiday homes in Cornwall for the weekend, which can be anything from your basic bungalow to luxury cabins. Cornwall is great for families with an array of fun-filled family activities but is great for couples too. Eat fish n chips along the waters edge or have a go at paddle boarding during the day. It also offers some great surfing spots at one of Newquay’s beaches.
Snuggle up in a country cottage
It doesn’t need to be summer to enjoy a weekend away, think country cottage, rolling hill landscape, wood fire, bottle of red wine and some good food. There is no shortage of quaint country towns in Britain however Chulmleigh is a great spot to visit in the winter time, that offers everything you could ask for in a country weekend escape.
Get active in the Lake District
If you feel like being a little more active on your weekend away, then why not go rowing in the Northern Lake District. If rowing isn’t your thing then there is plenty of hikes you can do that offer spectacular views. The Lake District is also great for a romantic getaway with its stunning landscape and fourteen different lakes to visit.
Experience history in York
Whilst York is a city itself, it’s definitely a lot different to the busier cities of Britain like London and Manchester. The whole town just oozes history, with its ancient cobbled streets, medieval castle, and it’s ancient city walls. Take a nightly ghost tour around the city if you want to hear some good old scary tales.
Check out the heights in Dover
This gorgeous port town offers stunning cliff top views out into the English Channel. Stroll along the famous White Chalk Cliffs and visit Dover Castle, famous for it’s shear beauty. Being a port town it’s also filled with great military history.
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Hack China in 1 Week: Make the Most of Your 1 Week Visit to China
Not everyone has the luxury of travelling to places on a long-term basis. Many people work normal 9-5 jobs, which often come with a paltry 1-2 weeks’ vacation allowance.
As a result, many people think they cannot go on a long haul holiday, and therefore stick to countries closer to home.
However, below we will show you how you can make the most of a 1-week visit to China, and enjoy a few of the cultural and historical sites the country has to offer.
The Far East will no longer be just a pipe dream.
Day 1- Arrival- Beijing
This day will mostly consist of travel, from home to Beijing and then rest after the long flight. One of the best hotels in Beijing is the Park Hyatt which has an in-house spa for a well-deserved jetlag massage. Beijing is the major entry point for foreign travellers in China. However, you can also arrive at Shanghai and Guangzhou Airports.
Beijing is the capital of China and situated in the northern edge of the country. The city is home to a rich heritage and is a tourist hotspot.
Day 2- Beijing- Forbidden City
Start your journey with a visit to the Forbidden City, this is located in the centre of Beijing and consists of 980 buildings that make up the Imperial Palace of the Ming and Qing dynasty.
This city is a UNESCO world heritage site and is well worth a visit. Make sure to spare enough time to explore the numerous antechambers and rooms of the city.
Day 3- Beijing- Temples
The following morning head out to the Temple of Heaven, leaving the evening to relax at the Lama Temple.
If you are after astonishing carpentry and decorative curved roofs then these temples will definitely cater to your needs.
Be sure to explore the streets outside the temples. Here you will come across an array of Buddha statues, talismans and incense available for purchase.
Spend the afternoon exploring various other sites in Beijing such as gardens temples and historic tombs.
Day 4- Beijing- The Great Wall of China
Spend the fourth day exploring The Great Wall of China. Head out early so you can spend the whole day hiking and marvelling at this beautiful wonder of the world.
Enjoy the scenic beauty of the surrounding rugged mountains at Jinshanling or Simatai.
Indulge in some local cuisine and take some rest before catching the night train from Beijing to Xi’an.
Days 5- Xi’an- Terracotta Warriors
Xian is an amazing city located in the central north west of China; this place is home to the famous terracotta warriors and horses. There are over 7000 pottery soldiers here guarding the temple of Qin Shi Huang.
Head out early to the terracotta warriors, so you have time to visit the Great Mosque in the afternoon.
End the day off with a delicious meal from the nearby Muslim markets.
Day 6- Xi’an- Other Attractions
Xi’an has many attractions other than the Terracotta Warriors these include the Great Wall, Shaanxi History Museum and the Green Dragon temple. All of which can be visited on day 6.
Day 7- Head Home
Take the morning flight to Beijing Airport to catch your connecting international flight back home.
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Top ways to give back
With the busy stressful lives we lead, it’s very easy to get stuck in our own little world with our own problems, not paying attention to the bigger picture. One of the best ways to get you out of a self-pity rut is to learn and appreciate what you have, compared to others in this world who are suffering and start giving back. The easiest way to do this is by donating money to charities like Unicef, where every donation makes a difference, big or small. Here are some other top ways to give back.
1. Start with giving back at home
Sometimes it’s good to look in your own backyard if you want to start giving back. Go and volunteer at your local homeless shelter or even buy the next homeless person you see some lunch. Your local animal shelter will always be in need of volunteers, or simple donations like old towels and sheets.
2. Run your own charity event
If you have a particular charity in mind, or cause then it’s very easy to raise funds by running your own charity event. This can be as simple as running a bake sale at work, or doing a charity funded sports event. Get creative with ways to raise money. I’ve seen everything from music gigs, cocktail parties, clothes swaps, art shows, yoga classes, dinner parties as ways to raise funds.
3. Volunteer overseas
When heading overseas it can be about something more then just having a nice holiday. There are so many great organisations and charities out there that you can go and volunteer through. I was lucky enough to spend some time in Cambodia volunteering for a local organization called NFO. I taught English to young school children that wouldn’t have had the opportunity to get an education had it not been for this organisation. Teaching isn’t the only thing you can do overseas, so look into the different organisations and find a cause dear to your heart. Perhaps it’s with the animals in Africa or working with refugees.
4. Do something nice for your neighbours
Sometimes giving back is just about doing something nice for someone just because, and expecting nothing in return. When was the last time you spoke to your neighbours, let alone made them a cake or took their rubbish out. We are so disconnected and disengaged from our community these days where no one even looks at each other in the eyes, let alone says hello. So maybe next time you are doing some baking, take some over to your neighbours and say hello. You’ll be surprised at the warm fuzzies you get from giving back, just because.
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Why I’m Quitting Social Media for 12 Days + I’m in Burma
After 2.5 months on the road, things feel different to how they first did when I started traveling some four years ago. That’s to be expected, of course, but it’s not necessarily a good different. I can’t really remember the last day I went out, without my iPhone, and just got lost. Taking photos was my biggest passion and it’s pretty hard to do if you’re too busy scrolling Facebook to notice what’s going on around you.
While I love being so easily connected to friends and family, I think our ultra-connected lifestyle isn’t that healthy. We’re so busy catching up on things elsewhere, that we’re not present.
So when my friend Stacey, another travel blogger at OneTravelsFar, and I decided to go to Burma we decided we’d give up social media. The thought of 12 days without Facebook made me anxious; what would I do in those boring lulls of travel if I could not pointlessly scroll through my Facebook feed?
I’d be present. Looking around, noticing the small details that make the world beautiful, instead of starring at pixels on a screen.
So, it has been decided. 12 days without Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. If you see anything on my Facebook or Twitter, it will be posted by my lovely assistant, Kristia!
I’m gifting myself 12 days of letting myself really fall in love with Burma.
While I appreciate that Facebook is an amazing tool for keeping in touch, especially as someone who has no fixed address, I do find aspects of it sad. It is changing our culture and how we interact with people. It’s a synthetic representation of our lives.
When was the last time you went a restaurant and didn’t see half of the customers glued to their phone? I can’t remember a time in the past few years that this hasn’t been true, except in some of the third world countries I’ve visited.
I want to fill the time I’d otherwise fritter away on social media soaking up as much as possible. Being present. Breathing it all in.
One of my goals of this trip was to be able to answer the question to “Where’s your favourite place?” with wherever I currently was. That’s all you have. The places in your memories are moments long gone. All you have is now.
Well after two days in Burma, I can honestly answer that question with: right here, right now.
There’s a special charm to Yangon that has me hypnotised. A curiosity about the outside world that is delicately balanced with a strong sense of preservation.
ALL of my interactions with each and every single person I’ve met in Burma, thus far, have been extremely pleasent. From a waiter in a restaurant who handed me back 20 cents because I’d overpaid due to my failing math skills, to the guy in the telephone shop that gave my blue eyes the “thumbs up” because he couldn’t express in words how much he liked them.
There are really few places in the world where I can honestly say that I have been so warmly embraced by a culture while being given enough privacy and space to soak it in all my own pace. The people are warm, kind, and there’s no hustling, no haggling and no being blatantly ripped off.
The drive from the airport to Yangon city center was interesting, you could see that buildings were popping up in every direction. There are lots of signs in English. Things are changing, and perhaps faster and more dramatically than anywhere else in this region.
If you can visit Burma, based on my two days here so far, go as soon as possible. There’s something special about this place…
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What Makes an Airline Special?
As someone who flies extensively, choosing the right airline for my next adventure is really important. Although originally price was my main deciding factor in what I would choose, now I look for a balance between price and comfort. After sampling many different airlines, I’ve noticed a few things that make an airline special: from the
little comforts during the flight, to the overall tone of the staff. The most important thing, though, is that the staff appreciate that the passengers are the driving force behind everything; without the passengers there would be no flights!
KLM are just celebrating their 95th year of serving their passengers. From their first flight in 1919, things have evolved dramatically in terms of technology, comfort and reach. In more recent years KLM has dabbled with trans-atmospheric flight which is something I am personally excited about seeing becoming more available to the masses in the coming years. To celebrate the role passengers have had in this exciting milestone, KLM have created a short video containing many of their company’s personal highlights over their 95 years of service. It’s a short video that’s definitely worth a watch, check it out below:
What do you look for in an airline? Do you have a particular favourite?
Disclaimer: This post was brought to you by KLM!
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Rama Candidasa Resort and Spa Review
I had visited Bali a few times before this trip and had barely ventured past Kuta & Ubud. On this trip to Bali I was determined to see more of the island and noticed many people talking about Candidasa, as if it was the way Bali used to be. So we decided that a trip to Candidasa was a must and I was NOT disappointed.
Rama Candidasa Resort and Spa Review
The Location:
You are right on the edge of the beach! Although, I am a little cautious to say beach as the actual part of the beach lining the property is not your traditional beach. However, there is a wonderful man-made beach area with sun loungers and beautiful pagoda style day beds, which I spent a little too long on. You are some walk from the main town centre, but to be honest in the few days we were here we didn’t leave the resort except to go to the Minimart across the road for ice cream – I’m not kidding! Candidasa town center is actually quite nice, small but there’s a few great restaurants, shops and massage places. Candidasa itself is like Ubud meets Seminyak – you have the beach nearby and then you have the rice paddies and mountains only moments away. It is a truly stunning location and easily one of my favourite in all of Bali.
The Facilities:
The pool – oh my god. This is officially the cleanest, clearest pool I have seen in my entire life. It is stunning. Absolutely stunning. I really have no idea how the pool could be so clean, but it is. It’s beautiful. Onsite there is a large restaurant that serves a variety of international options, so you never really have to leave – if you don’t want to. During our stay we had the pleasure of experiencing the spa, which is easily one of the most luxurious spas that I’ve visited in ALL of Asia. I could have spent days inside the spa. We opted for a full body Balinese style massage and were not disappointed. While the massage technique itself was wonderful, the beautiful spa made all the difference.
There’s also a beautiful Zen Garden where we did a private yoga session. It was very refreshing to take a Balinese approach to yoga, as it’s very different to how we practice in New Zealand. No matter your fitness level, I think you would really benefit from this practice and I thoroughly enjoyed our teacher.
Unfortunately I was unable to dive during my stay, but Ben did his first dive here and considered it one of the most incredible experiences of his life. He had a private, one-on-one experience with the teacher who spent a lot of time ensuring he was comfortable and confident before going into the water. Afterwards he was extremely euphoric and has since been inspired to do his Divemaster. The diving in Candidasa is WORLD CLASS and it’s very easy to book everything through Rama Candidasa.
The Room:
We stayed in a Junior Suite which we really enjoyed as there was a smile kitchenette style area, giant bed, a TV, desk, and a stunning bathroom and shower. The room was very luxurious and we both felt extremely relaxed during our stay, with Ben commenting that this was his property of our trip so far. There was also a cute, small porch area out front with a day bed that was perfect for laying on while reading my Kindle and hearing the waves crashed. Just talking about it makes me miss it!
Book this hotel if.. you want a HOLIDAY. You want to feel relaxed and refreshed without feeling bored. The pool is gorgeous. There’s ample activities onsite so that you’re never bored, from Scuba Diving through to bike tours, and of course the fabulous spa. I had a wonderful visit and look forward to my next time at Rama Candidasa Resort and Spa Review
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Foods I Miss When Travelling
Traveling is one of the best experiences you can give yourself and while you know you’ll miss and friends and family on the road, you might be surprised by how much you miss different foods from home. It can be really hard to find certain products around the world and after eating fried rice for a few weeks, you’ll definitely start to have cravings. Because New Zealand foods are not very famous, it can be very challenging to find a pavlova or pineapple lumps when I’m off exploring.
There are some women foods and recipe you can use to recreate some of your favourite meals when you’re traveling. For the things I miss most on the road, please read on:
New Zealand Fish and Chips
Being surrounded by ocean it’s no surprise New Zealand does a pretty good (well darn excellent) meal of Fish and Chips. I know you can get these in other countries like Australia and the United Kingdom but in my humble opinion New Zealand does it best. The fish is fresh caught and the chips are super chunky. Plus nothing beats getting to sit down and enjoy them on a stunning New Zealand beach.
Tip Top Scoop Ice Cream Cones
This is my pure childhood summer summed up in one yummy treat. Every New Zealand beach town has a little local store that sells these amazing ice cream cones, which generally come the size of your head. Nothing quite beats the New Zealand famous hokey pokey ice cream flavour too.
Pineapple Lumps
These would have to be some of the most shipped lollies from New Zealand to all the expat kiwis living overseas. You can’t receive a care package from home without having a couple of bags of Pineapple Lumps in there.
Squiggle Top Chocolate Biscuits
These are only the best chocolate biscuits around. They have a vanilla biscuit base, with a hokey pokey crunchy middle, coated in chocolate. Yes these were definitely a child hood favourite of mine.
Burger Rings
These bright orange delights definitely aren’t good for you but man are they tasty. These are a New Zealand famous crispy snack that will be on every BBQ table in the summer.
Marmite
The British have their own version and the Aussie’s have vegemite, but NZ marmite is the best. You can’t have a New Zealand breakfast without a bit of marmite on toast, plus it’s the best thing to eat after a bout of travel sickness.
