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Showing posts from March, 2013

Top hotels and restaurants for a romantic break in Newcastle

There's nothing quite like being whisked away for a romantic city break by your partner. If you're planning to do just that for your other half, consider making a beeline for Newcastle. This vibrant destination is the ideal setting for some quality time together - read on to find out more. Newcastle's most romantic hotels You'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing the perfect hotel for a romantic break in Newcastle . If you want to stay conveniently close to the shops, restaurants and bars of the city centre, consider booking a room at one of the following: • Hotel du Vin (City Road) - This tastefully decorated boutique hotel is located in what used to be the home of the Tyne Tees Steam Shipping Company. Whether you opt for a generously-sized double room or splash out on a stay in a large open plan suite, your break is definitely sure to be both romantic and luxurious. • Jesmond Dene House (Jesmond Dene Road) - Surprisingly, Newcastle's bustling...

Top 5 International Car Rental Tips

Are you in the midst of planning a trip overseas? If so, that can be a really exciting time as you gear up to embrace the art, food and culture of another country. As you're making plans to prepare for going abroad, one thing that you might want to consider is renting a car. That way, you have the freedom of moving around on your own schedule. Plus, if you're not very fluent in the language of the city that you're going to, you can use a GPS system that speaks your own language so that it can help to "translate" the directions to each destination. If you do decide to go with this option, you may be wondering if there are any special things that you need to know about renting an international car . While many instructions are similar to the ones here in the States, we did want to recommend a few things just to make the rental process easier for you. Make your reservation way ahead of time. If you've ever rented a car in the United States, you may have exp...

5 Hotel Safety and Security Tips for the Avid Traveler

Traveling can be great fun, but it can be risky as well. When you leave home, whether for business or vacation, your hotel becomes a temporary home and should be treated as such. Just as you take measures to keep yourself safe and secure at home, you must do so at your hotels when you travel. Keep these safety and security tips in mind next time you check in, and make sure that your trip is a pleasant one. 1. Mind Your Car Whether you're driving your own car or a rented vehicle, make sure to mind your vehicle if you drive to your hotel. Most hotels take their guests' security very seriously, but they often fail to keep parking areas completely safe and secure. To avoid making your vehicle into a possible target, always keep your car locked and avoid leaving any valuable items inside. Nothing ruins a trip quicker than a burglarized vehicle. 2. Keep Your Valuables On Hand When you travel, it's usually easy enough to keep all of your luggage in plain view all the time....

5 Must-See Destinations in India

There is no shortage of enticing destinations for today's world traveler. Modern air travel now offers the opportunity to land in almost any region, no matter how remote. There are different reasons to travel depending on the continent and your particular tastes, so you'll have to make the call based on your own needs. Some people pick a location based on the culture, the art and the nightlife. Others look for natural beauty, and the extreme sports these off the beaten path spots offer. For some folks it's the people, and the opportunity to experience a language and culture you've never seen before. Yet others use travel as a time to expand their artistic endeavors, painting, sculpting and writing with a unique set of inspirations. Regardless of the reason that drives you, India is one country that absolutely must be included on your bucket list. Here are five of the must-see destinations in this gorgeous, ancient land. The first stop for most people in India is th...

5 Tips for Chartering a Private Jet

If you're someone who always thought that riding in a private jet was reserved for the rich and famous only, think again. Now, we'll be honest with you: Even if you do decide to charter a flight, you're going to need between $2,500-5,000 (per hour) in order to fly in one. However, we're sharing that rate with you to let you know that while you may not be able to afford what it costs to own one, riding in one is still a great possibility. So, once you have the money together, what are some things that you need to know about chartering a private jet? We're so glad that you asked: Stick to one-day trips. When you're chartering a flight, it's a lot like renting a limousine. Due to the fact that you're paying by the hour, you definitely want to make sure that you try and avoid planning trips that take longer than a day because even when you're not flying, you'll still have to pay for renting the plane along with the pilot's accommodations. G...

5 Tips for Keeping Kids Entertained at the Airport

Airports are a necessary part of travel from time to time. Many think of them as a sort of purgatory that comes before the heaven of a vacation. Of course, this analogy is particularly apt because sometimes we get stuck in the airport for unfair periods of time. Sometimes, this even happens when our kids are with us. There are few things worse than a restless child at the airport, and knowing how to keep your little ones entertained can be a seriously useful thing. Thankfully enough, it's not as hard as you might have thought. We'll talk about five surprisingly easy strategies that will help you make sure you don't have to deal with any cranky kids while you're waiting for your flight. 1. Don't Forget the Snacks. Bring food, no matter what. If you let the kids' tummies get empty, their blood sugar will start to drop and things will get irritating quickly. Not only will eating give them something to do (and make it so they can't talk for a little bit), bu...

Top dishes to try along Route 66

Most of us are familiar with Route 66 at least in name, it being one of the US's most famous historic highways. Personally, I think it is the ultimate road trip destination - after all, is there any road that's more iconic? As well as simply being an amazing slice of US history, Route 66 is peppered with fantastic places to eat, with the food they serve being almost as famous as the road itself. So, this post aims to show you some of the best things to eat while driving Route 66 - enjoy! 1) A 72 oz steak Let's start with one of the most famous things, shall we? The 72 oz steak that's served at the Big Texan Steak Ranch is an eating challenge known across the country and even beyond, thanks to appearances on TV programmes like Man vs Food. Provided you can eat this absolute whopper of a meal, your steak will be served to you absolutely free of charge! Regardless of whether you actually believe you can eat the steak or not, I think this challenge is one that's ...

A gastronome's guide to eating out in Dorset

I don't know about you, but one of my absolute favourite things about going on any holiday, whether it's a quick weekend break or a long, luxurious getaway, is sampling the local food. You might think that this is only exciting if you're heading abroad, but actually, trying local dishes is a real highlight of traveling around the UK. If you're planning a trip to Dorset any time soon, you're in for a particular treat! A quick introduction to Dorset classics Dorset is a county famous for its gorgeous scenery - but it's also got a fantastic reputation for its food. Its position on the coast means it's a brilliant place to sample the freshest local fish, while its acre upon acre of pastureland means it is also known for its dairy products. Personally, I particularly love the luxury ice cream, but you might be more enticed by the prospect of Dorset Blue (also known as Blue Vinny) cheese. I also recommend the local cider and ales, while indulging in some Dor...

A Tasty Holiday in Tunisia

When you’re busy with work and life, it’s really easy to fall back on the same boring recipes you always throw together for dinner.  That’s why one of the best, most anticipated things about traveling is being able to get out of your normal routine and sample different types of food. If you’re planning a holiday to Tunisia, your taste buds are in for a treat. Tunisia, the smallest country on the North African coast , draws culinary influences from many sources. Because Tunisia has suffered under many different colonial rulers over the past centuries, the food mixes elements of French, Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine with native North African flavours. Tunisian cooking tends to be spicy, but not all dishes tend this way – one of the most famous dishes to come from Tunisia is couscous. Mixed with peppers, chickpeas, potatoes and meat, couscous is a hearty dinner that can be mild enough for even the faintest of heart. Lamb is a common meat found in many Tunisian dishes, but ...

5 Tips for Sticking to Your Diet on Vacation

Summer is almost here and that means many of us will be going out of town for a little rest and recuperation. However, vacations usually consist of breaking your regular habits and routines, and going with the flow. Unfortunately, your New Year's resolution was to take off a few pounds, but during your vacation there will be a lot of delicious food and drinks to temp you. So how do you keep your New Year's resolution, but still leave all your cares behind, and enjoy your holiday at the same time? Here are 5 tips for sticking to your diet on vacation. 1.    One of the best ways to stick to your diet while on vacation is to bring snacks with you everywhere you go. Whether you fit them in your fanny-pack, backpack, pocket or your purse - snacks will be your savior when you and your family are out on those daylong sightseeing tours. Keeping snacks with you, consisting of fruits and nuts, will keep you from stopping at various places to pick up bites to eat to hold you over...