Buzzing Travel

Twitter Gplus

A traveller’s guide to Paris

Published on April 7, 2013, by + in Europe, General.

Photo credit

Famous For

Paris can be many different things to different people; the city of love to some, a culture capital of Europe to others or fashion fiend’s dream. In any case we’ve rounded up just some of the reasons that Paris is ‘famous’ and things a traveller may want to try out while there. This list is by no means exhaustive as there is way too much we could include but is meant as a taster for what’s in store for travellers in Paris.

Eiffel Tower

Of course we could never write a guide about Paris without mentioning the Eiffel Tower. Once the tallest building in the world at over 300 metres high it is still visible from most of Paris. Known for its breath-taking views of the city of love it is often used as the perfect spot for a proposal.

Disneyland Paris

Although probably more interesting for those travelling with young children, Disneyland is also a great place to visit for the big kids among us to enjoy some time with Mickey and the gang! Daily shuttles are available on the Disneyland Paris Express that pick up from four city centre locations and take you straight to the park for around £75 for adults. The Eurostar will also take you direct to the gates if arriving straight to Disneyland.

Moulin Rouge

Although Moulin Rouge has been around since 1899 its popularity was drastically boosted with the release of its namesake film starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor in 2001. This is a show like no other and one definitely not to be missed; Moulin Rouge is open every night from 7pm to 1am with two shows per night and dinner available.

Art Galleries inc The Louvre

Arguably one of the most famous art galleries in the world, Paris is home to The Louvre and Leonardo Da Vinci’s world famous Mona Lisa. Another must-see for any traveller visiting Paris whether art and culture is usually your thing or not you will be sure to enjoy a visit here. Other notable art galleries include National Museum of Modern Art at the Centre Pompidou, Musée d’Orsay and Petit Palais.

Arc de Triomphe Paris

One of Paris’ other most famous landmarks perhaps second only to The Eiffel Tower is the Arc de Triomphe ordered by French Emperor Napoleon. Taking over 30 years to build this monument was finally finished in 1836 and is still standing at around 50 metres high.

Champs-Élysées

One of the most expensive avenues in the world, the Avenue des Champs-Élysées was commissioned by King Louis XIV in 1667 as a home for the most fashionable and luxurious restaurants, hotels and stores. At over one and a quarter miles long it is still home to some of the biggest fashion houses in the world along with high-end restaurants and hotels. It has also been the finish line for the Tour De France since 1975.

Currency

The currency in Paris, as in most of Europe, is the Euro, which is readily available from all good currency exchanges. If you want to check out the current exchange rate before you travel XE is a great website for doing so.

Standard costs

In terms of the costs you can expect to pay for basics in Paris you can expect:

A beer – €2 to €4

Three course typical meal – €15 – €20 depending on location

Coffee – €1 – €2

Museum admission- €7 – €9

A sandwich – €5

Pizza – €8 – €10

Weather

Average temperatures you can expect in Paris month by month would be:

January: 8°C

February: 9°C

March: 13°C

April: 15°C

May: 20°C

June: 23°C

July: 25°C

August: 25°C

September: 21°C

October: 17°C

November: 11°C

December: 8°C

Emergency Numbers

The European mobile phone emergency number is in place in Paris which is 112 from a mobile phone. Other emergency numbers are:

Medical Help (Ambulance): 15

Police: 17

Fire: 18

Transport

The most common mode of transport is the Paris Metro, a map of which can be found on the Paris Metro website here. You can buy a day metro pass for around €16 per adult to get around the centre of Paris; these are also available in 2, 3 and 5 day passes.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
 

Holidaying in the UK

Published on March 30, 2013, by + in Europe, Guest Post.

Photo source

Whether you want to explore London; the cultural hub of the world or want to go away for a relaxing holiday in the Lake District, holidaying in UK and staying in the luxury hotels is not as expensive as the general perception might be. A holiday in UK doesn’t translate into the fact that you have to spend all of your savings just to have a good time; you can have a great time, all the while staying in a tight budget.

So, if you have a limited budget and want to savor art, culture, heritage and natural beauty all in one trip then UK is the place for you, and don’t think for a moment that limited budget means that you have to stay in cheap hotels and eat at low-end restaurants. This is one of the good things about holidaying in UK; you can stay at the one of the luxury hotels even with a constrained pocket. United Kingdom has an ever growing array of boutique hotels, romantic retreats and luxury hideaway hotels. And the best part is you can find all the details about these 5-star or 7-star hotels online. This way you don’t have to go in blindly or trust your travel agent, you can surf the web yourself and choose the hotel that not only suits your pocket but also your mood.

United Kingdom, in all essence, is a place of varying tastes and flavors. From fine eateries, fascinating heritage and the picturesque country side of Berkshire to Birmingham; the metropolis of the midlands with its buzz of art and music lovers, United Kingdom has it all. The spellbinding natural beauty of Brecon Beacons with all its calm and untouched uplands provide a perfect opportunity to all those who want to step away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. These and many other attractive locations all over the United Kingdom make it an ideal location for a holiday.

The best part is that all these locations have some of the best luxury hotels not only in UK but world over. These luxury resorts add an entirely different dimension to the experience of holidaying in UK as almost all of them have their own distinct touch that indulges you in the overall soul of the location. Just imagine yourself lying on the balcony of a five star hotel by the sun kissing beaches of Devon; enjoying tropical drinks and basking in the serenity of the moment. What else can you want from a holiday? Some of these luxury hotels preserve the very culture and heritage of not only United Kingdom but give you a taste of the past centuries in Europe. Staying in these hotels takes you back in time and gives you a glimpse of history. So you see, these hotels not only provide a place to stay but give you a taste of the art, culture and heritage of United Kingdom. And to have all that at an affordable price is like icing in the cake.

So, what are you waiting for! Go online, look for the hotel of your choice, book a room, pack your bags and have a memorable holiday in UK.

Tags: ,
 

A romantic trip to Switzerland in spring time

Published on March 19, 2013, by + in Europe, Guest Post.

 

Switzerland

 

Photo source

Winter is often cited as the season for couples; it doesn’t get much more romantic than walking hand in hand through fresh snow, wrapped up in your matching knitwear. With this in mind, if you feel like extending the romance into spring time it makes sense that you’d seek out a destination that boasts the perfect conditions for recreating this scenario.

The main ski season in Switzerland runs up until around April. So, if you head over to the snow-topped Alps in the next few months you’ll be greeted by the opportunity to hide away together or play out and party. Earlier this month Prince Harry, Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge headed over to a friend’s wedding at the Arosa ski resort, which places Switzerland firmly in the quality category for those considering a romantic break.

So, what type of activities might you schedule as part of a romantic Swiss break? This of course largely depends on how long you plan to visit for and your budget. You can find up-to-date exchange rates on the Travelex site here to give up an idea of the amount of spending money you need to take. Switzerland is an expensive place to eat out, so you may prefer the idea of hauling up in a self-catering log cabin made for two and taking some supermarket supplies with you. Of course, you may still like to head out to enjoy the odd meal and if you do a traditional fondue should be on your food hit list. Other cheesy – and romantic – things to do during a Swiss chalet break include drinking hot chocolate on the mountain tops or cosying up in an outdoor heated spa.

If skiing isn’t for you then you shouldn’t rule Switzerland out as there is a wealth of romantic activities to partake in off piste. The Swiss Riviera is home to some breath taking scenery and a great place for long romantic strolls. If you prefer to keep exercise to the absolute minimum then you could try taking a train ride. A trip through the Lavaux vineyards will give you a feast for the eyes and also for the palette should you choose to stop off and join in one of the many organised wine tours.  This site has a good selection of wine tours to choose from. Switzerland may be known for its cheese and chocolate but it also produces a wide variety of red, white and sparkling wines.  Enjoy them during your trip and pick up a bottle or two for romantic toasts when you get home.

Tags: , ,
 

How To Cut The Cost Of An Australian Adventure

Published on February 23, 2013, by + in Australia, Guest Post.

Valley of the Winds trail, Kata Tjuta

Photo source

While Australia is a globally popular destination, it does not enjoy the same ‘budget holiday’ reputation that nearby countries in South East Asia do.

That said, the country is generally affordable in terms of ‘Western’ travellers, from the United States and Europe, who tend to be the biggest demographic taking holidays to Australia. However, there are still many opportunities for people to reduce their costs when holidaying in Australia, especially when it comes to spending on transport and where to stay.

We looked at a number of ideas you could employ during a trip to Australia that will save you money and allow you to turn your trip into a ‘budget’ adventure, without missing any of the country’s best and most exciting places.

Buddy Up

Although there is something exciting and unique about taking a holiday by yourself, sometimes it just is not practical to do so, especially if you are looking to save some money. If you are planning your trip now to take later in the year or even farther into the future, try and get together a group of friends so that you can take the trip together, and share the costs of certain things that will hit you hard in the pocket.

Stay Modest

Potentially the biggest saving you can make is in terms of places to stay. The rule of thumb here is a simple one: the more modest your accommodation, the less it will cost. While that rings true across Australia, the hostel network across the country is one of the best in the world, and cosy, welcoming places to stay are available at a fraction of what you would pay to stay in a hotel in the city.

Do your homework in this regard before heading to Australia, know where the best places are that you need to seek out, but it might be best not to actually book them, just turn up so that you can enjoy the most competitive rate. If you uncover anywhere that says ‘booking recommended’ then you may wish to consider doing so, especially if you are dead set on staying there.

Look at Car Hire

Typically, the cheapest and quickest way to get around Australia is to use the domestic air travel network, which runs hundreds of internal flights on a daily basis. There is a problem with flying, however, as you miss a lot of the charm that exists on the ground between the main locations.

Car hire is the natural solution to this, whether you and your friends pay to hire a vehicle or you are able to make use of relocation vehicles to travel cheaper. Of course, if you can hire a campervan, you have the added bonus of making a saving against your accommodation costs, too.

Try to Make Money

Even with the best budgetary planning, finances can sometimes dwindle. If you are planning to stay in a certain area for a few days, look for short-term work on a farm or in a bar, there are many places that take on people on this basis, especially in locations with a small resident population.

Your Australian adventure does not have to be an expensive one. Save money and have an amazing experience at the same time.

About the author

Rob is an online content writer with a specific interest in the tourism industry. Rob studies modern tourism trends, such as the availability and use of relocation campervans, and how they impact on the way we travel.

Tags: ,
 

Cut The Cost Of Your First Skiing Holiday

Published on February 22, 2013, by + in Guest Post, Winter.

ski image

 

Image source

As we head into ski season, you may be tempted to book your first skiing holiday – after all, friends and family have raved about such adventures for years and you’ve always fancied having a go, so why not this year?

Skiing is a wonderful pastime but can be expensive, especially if you’re a novice. However, everyone has to start sometime and with a few simple measures you can keep the costs down to a minimum.

Budget

With your first skiing holiday, it’s likely you’ll need to invest in all the equipment. It’s easy for the budget to get out of hand if you’re not careful so make sure you’re in charge of it from as early a date as possible – the sooner you start to plan for your trip the easier it will be to manage the costs.

Start by writing a list of everything you need including clothing and ski boots, as well as everything you need to book such as accommodation and car hire. Set a maximum limit against each item and be strict about sticking to this – plus, if the estimated total sends a chill through your bank account, ask yourself if you can manage without any items.

For example, do you actually need to buy all the skiing basics like hats and gloves or can you borrow these? And do you need to hire a car or will there be sufficient buses available to get you to and from the resort?

In fact, when it comes to the equipment, you may find you can borrow a great deal of it. Ask friends and work colleagues who you know ski, whether you could borrow any items. Jackets, skis, hats and gloves may be possible, and borrowing these will save you lots of money.

Whatever items you decide to buy, make sure you shop around. Visit the likes of TK Maxx which often has discounted specialist clothing, eBay and even supermarkets for the basic items. It’s best to go with quality and keep in mind whether you can wear any of the items in the UK – for example, if you buy a good ski jacket you’ll probably be able to wear this at home in the winter too.

When it comes to boots, skis and poles, consider hiring these instead of buying them. If you hire from the resort, you’ll save money and hassle as you won’t need to transport them with you – plus you tend to only know if boots are comfortable once you’ve worn them for a morning’s skiing session. And until you’ve been skiing for the first time, you don’t know how often you’ll want to return.

Avoid

There are certain items you simply don’t need to buy, at least not until you decide skiing is to become an annual hobby for you.

Stick to your trimmed down list and avoid the likes of:

  • One piece ski suit – yes, this may make you look like a pro but you’re hardly going to be able to wear this back at home. Instead, buy separate trousers and jacket as at least you’ll get future use from the jacket, whether you venture skiing again or not.
  • Moonboots – these are too warm really to wear comfortably in the UK and are tricky to pack, so don’t bother with these boots – and it’s unlikely you’ll need them at the resort anyway as often trainers will do the job just as well.

Organise

Depending on who you intend to go skiing with, bear in mind that some tour operators and resorts offer discounts for group bookings. So it may be worth bulking up your numbers to ensure you can all save on the skiing holiday.

About the Author

Guest article written by blogger Caroline D.  Caroline is a keen traveller who loves to go on a sporting or activity holiday from time to time.  Caroline was inspired to write this piece after browsing Charlotte Reid London’s website looking at the Troop handbags available, perfect accessories for trips home and away.

Tags: ,