Travel |

August 11, 2017

Plan a Day in Taipei

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Although there is no way in which you can really explore all that Taipei has to offer in just one day, if you plan your time carefully, you will still be able to soak up some of the city’s essence. From Taipei 101 to the Longshan Temple, this one day itinerary for Taipei encompasses a number of the city’s must-see highlights.

Morning
Begin your day in Taipei at the National Palace Museum, as this museum is a fantastic introduction to the city, as well as the country as a whole. After learning about Taiwan’s history, head on over to the Longshan Temple, which is just a short taxi ride away. This is located in Taipei’s oldest neighbourhood, and was originally build in 1738, in a traditional Fujianese style. The atmosphere is always buzzing with life, and it is worth spending thirty minutes here just soaking up the ambience. Once you are done, make your way to Xinyi Road, where you will find the original branch of famous restaurant chain Din Tai Fung. Try to allow some time for the long queues that form at the door, and, although you may not have much spare time in the city, this restaurant is worth the wait.

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Afternoon
After lunch, take a little stroll around Ximending to work off your meal. Xinmending is the main shopping district of Taipei, and is filled with everything from international luxury stores to small, local designer boutiques. Then, head on over to the Taipei Zoo, not for the zoo itself but for the Maokong Gondola, which begins just nearby. This gondola ride will take you high up over the city, giving you an incredible view of Taiwan from above. Once you disembark, you will see several tea shops in front of you, so do stop off for a few samples of local tea.

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Evening
As evening falls, pay a visit to Taipei 101. While this was, at one point in time, the tallest building in the world, it is now the eighth tallest skyscraper, but is still one of the best spots to go to to enjoy a view of the city. While many may disagree, the view is even more memorable as the sun sets, as you will then be able to see the city turn into a twinkling network of lights. Once you have finished admiring the view, it is time to visit the Shilin Night Market. Taipei is home to a number of different night markets, and, depending on how tired you are, you could check out a few different ones. However, if you only have the time and energy for one, make it the Shilin Night Market, as this is also where you will be able to find some delicious local food for dinner. Whether you opt for dumplings, the oyster omelette, or the local favorite, beef noodle soup, this is a great spot to enjoy a casual bite to eat. Once you have eaten, take some time to explore the rest of the market, perhaps picking up a few souvenirs that you can take back home with you.

Taipei is packed with so much to see and do, and spending a day here is a great introduction to the city’s general vibe and ambience. From the history at the Longshan Temple to the street food at the Shilin Night Market, these are some of the best spots in the city to spend your day exploring.

Travel |

July 28, 2017

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Can’t-Miss Dusseldorf Highlights in a Day

Street scene in Dusseldorf, Germany

Düsseldorf is packed with so many different things to see and do, but, if you only have a day to spend in the city, there are certain highlights that you definitely will not want to miss. From the city’s Old Town to the River Rhine, make sure that each of these spots are included in your itinerary.

Königsallee
Königsallee is the most famous shopping spot in the city, especially if you are seeking out exclusive stores and high end goods. Take a stroll down the gorgeous boulevard, doing some window shopping along the way, and, if you have not eaten your breakfast yet, stop off at one of the many restaurants for a bite to eat.

Altstadt
Altstadt is Dusseldorf’s Old Town, and is just a short walk away from Königsallee. This is an incredibly charming part of the city, and although it measures just one square kilometre, there is more to see here than in any other district in Düsseldorf. To top it all off, Altstadt is home to the longest bar in the world, which is actually around 300 different bars that all have interconnecting bar counters. Many of them serve up the city’s local brew, so do stop off at a couple for a bit of beer tasting.

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Burgplatz
Burgplatz is the spot at which the small Dussel River merges with the Rhine, and has always been an important part of the city. There is over 700 years of history to explore here, with a number of museums that will help you to do so. Just upriver from here is the MedienHafen, which is a harbour that is surrounded by spectacular architecture, with many of the buildings having been designed by world-famous architects. The Rhine embankment promenade is the best place to walk to see all of this, with its wave-like pavement having been specifically designed for this area. As you continue walking, you will soon come up to Carlstadt, which is another area that is well worth exploring.

Carlstadt
Carlstadt is another part of the city that is filled with history and art, and you will find several galleries, museums and antique stores here. While you will not have time to visit many museums, the Filmmuseum and the German Museum of Ceramics are both fascinating if you would like a quick browse. The stately homes in Carlstadt date back to the 18th and 19th centuries, and just strolling the streets here gives you the opportunity to soak up such a historic vibe, which the area has managed to successfully retain. If you are visiting the area on any day other than Sunday, it will not be long before you stumble across Carlsplatz, which is the local food market that is held here. This is a great opportunity to sample some local cuisine, and taste the city’s seasonal ingredients.

Düsseldorf is quite a compact city, meaning that it is easily walkable. While a day may not seem like that much time, this is enough to see the city’s main highlights, so long as you plan your route wisely.

Travel |

February 8, 2017

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Planning a Texas-Sized Family Vacation

There is no denying the struggles that come with planning a Texas-sized family vacation, as there are so many different personalities to cater to. From picking a destination to planning an itinerary, these tips will help to ensure that your trip is nothing but a success.

Father hugging daughter

Designate a Leader
When it comes to issues such as coordinating flights or making a final call on a particular activity choice, it always comes in handy to have a leader of the group. If you feel as though you are a natural for this role, then put yourself forward and have your family vote on who the leader should be, so that if any arguments should arise, everyone will have already agreed on who has the final say.

Choosing a Destination
When it comes to choosing a destination, you need to pick a place that has activities for all ages, as you are likely catering to a multi-generational family. Keep in mind that not every single activity has to be done as a group, meaning that while it is a good idea to schedule in a few Texas-sized activities, people will also enjoy going in different directions at times. With a destination that offers everything from shopping to kayaking to craft making, you will have enough diversity to appeal to everyone. However, you do also need to keep the distance of your location in mind, as it is much easier to coordinate arrival and departure times if you do not have to worry about several different segments to the journey.

Planning the Itinerary
As mentioned above, it is important not to plan every single activity as a group, as not only does this make it impossible to find enough activities to appeal to everyone, but it will also likely be too much family time for the majority of the group. Instead, pick one or two group activities a day, such as an adventure activity in the morning and then dinner in the evening, leaving the rest of the day for people to enjoy at their will.

San Antonio, Texas

Finding Accommodation
When planning a Texas-sized family vacation, home rentals are usually a much better option than a hotel room. Whether it be a designated holiday home or an Air BnB, these accommodation options will have a wider range of amenities that your family can make use of, including full kitchens, private pools, and, most importantly, separate bedrooms for all who want one.

Consider All-Inclusive Getaways and Cruises
All-inclusive getaways are great for large groups, and often come at quite attractive prices. Cruises are another convenient option, as your schedule will be taken care of for you, and there will be plenty of activities, aimed at all ages, already arranged for your family to enjoy. Plus, depending on the cruise that you pick, you will be able to stop off and explore multiple destinations during your vacation.

Planning a Texas-sized family vacation is never going to be easy, but, with the right amount of foresight, you will be creating memories that last a lifetime. Whether you end up on an all-inclusive cruise, or a private cabin in the wilderness, be sure to include the family in each aspect of the planning, so that everybody can feel involved, and excited, together.

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July 6, 2016

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The Many Perks of Luxury Ocean Liner Travel

While there may be many different forms of transport out there, nothing quite matches up with taking a cruise on a luxury ocean liner. From being able to see multiple destinations on one vacation to taking part in a number of fun onboard activities, these are some of the many perks when it comes to luxury ocean liner travel.

A Moving Hotel
Essentially, a cruise ship is just like a moving hotel, giving you the opportunity to visit multiple locations, but without having to worry about transport and accommodation. On a luxury ocean liner, you will be able to enjoy just as many facilities as you would at a five-star hotel, perhaps more.

Easy to Plan
Planning a cruise trip is much easier than planning other vacations, as you will have pre-planned itineraries to choose from. You are also able to research these online yourself, so that you know exactly what it is that you are signing up for, and read reviews to learn about the experiences that other passengers have had on that ship.

Onboard Activities
Luxury ocean liners offer a number of different onboard activities, designed to keep guests entertained throughout the day. Modern cruise ships offer a huge range of activities, from cooking classes to wine tastings to dance workshops to educational lectures, meaning that you are bound to find a few that appeal to you. There are also specialist cruises available, that focus on certain topics, such as art and culture or food, which are fantastic for those who want to focus on and develop a particular passion of theirs.

A Mini City
Modern ocean liners are designed to act almost like a mini city, with everything that you could possibly need on board. A range of onboard shops will ensure that you can purchase anything that you may have forgotten at home, while a medical center will ensure that any health concerns can be immediately addressed. Laundry facilities will be available to help you to pack light, while just about the entire ship will have WiFi connection, meaning that you can easily stay in touch with everyone back home. Of course, there will also be swimming pools, movie theaters, spas, gyms, restaurants and nightclubs, amongst many other recreational offerings.

A Social Experience
While you may have brief chats with others that you meet while on vacation, traveling on an ocean liner will give you the chance to really get to know others, as it offers a much more social experience. Ocean liner passengers usually come from all over the world, giving you the opportunity to bond with people that you would otherwise not have had the chance to meet. From making new friends at the dinner table to your children finding some playmates by the pool, a cruise is a great way to meet new people.

In addition to all of these perks, there is no denying the romance that comes about from cruising out on the open seas. With the wind in your hair, the stars twinkling above, and a glass of fine wine in your hand, a luxury ocean liner can truly provide a one-of-a-kind vacation.

Travel |

June 20, 2016

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Planning Your Winecation

For an avid wine enthusiast, taking a winecation will be a truly unforgettable experience. With plenty of wine tasting opportunities, Michelin-quality cuisine, and the chance to explore incredibly beautiful areas of the world, here are some tips when it comes to planning a winecation.

Red and white wine glasses in a vineyard

Choosing a Destination
There are fabulous wine-producing regions all over the world, providing you with many winecation destinations to choose from. Two of California’s most popular wine regions are Sonoma and Napa, although the region of Paso Robles is just as beautiful, and has the added advantage of being less crowded. For those that are fans of Malbec, Central Argentina’s Mendoza Province is where to go, while the Languedoc-Roussillon region in the south of France is the largest wine-producing area in the world. Another great destination to consider is the Piedmont region of Italy, with the most prolific grapes here being the barbera and nebbiolo. For those who want to travel further afield, Cloudy Bay, in the Marlborough wine region of New Zealand, produces some of the finest sauvignon blanc in the world and is surrounded by several other world-renowned wineries.

Create an Itinerary
Once you have chosen the destination for your winecation, it is time to begin putting together a list of all of the different wineries that you want to visit. Many wine regions have websites that are filled with useful information, from detailed descriptions of each winery to maps and planning guides, so be sure to make the most of these. There are also usually wine associations in each region that you can contact for extra advice and information on planning your winecation.

Woman eating in a restaurant

Eat Locally
When taking a winecation, you will notice that many of the wineries you visit boast their own local restaurants, making use of all of the fresh produce that is grown in their fertile land. Many of these restaurants focus on the finest gastronomy, pairing together elegant dishes with their extraordinary wines. Rather than visiting chain restaurants or establishments that target tourists, try to dine at as many local eateries as you can, as this will add an exciting element to your trip.

When to Travel
Although it slightly varies for different regions around the world, grape harvesting season usually falls somewhere between September and October, making these months the best time of the year to head off for your winecation. Not only will you be able to take part in the usual winery tours and tastings, but you will also be able to experience the different methods of harvesting grapes, and may even be able to help out.

No matter how well you may have planned your winecation, it is also important to be flexible at times, as you are likely to see many unexpected wine-related points of interest that are worth stopping off at. Do not forget to also leave yourself with some time to explore everything else that your destination has to offer, from its history to its culture, so that you leave your winecation with a rounded understanding of the many unique features that your destination likely has.