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Photo by Moyan_Brenn

Edinburgh is high on my list of cities to visit. This ancient and atmospheric city offers so much to do for visitors over a weekend or an even longer visit. In my planning of a future visit I've put together a list of great things to do in this wonderful city.

Edinburgh is well known internationally for a number of festivals and any visit is not really complete without being able to take in one of these. Hogmanay kicks off the Scottish New Year.  This is surely one of the finest New Year Eves you will experience. The International and Fringe festivals are a must for anyone who enjoys comedy or theatre. And in summer the Tattoo is the festival to visit. 

Photo by timo_w2s

Things to do in Edinburgh 

• Edinburgh Castle - This magnificent castle located on one of the highest points of the city is the home to the Edinburgh Tattoo. In excellent condition this castle has been in continuous use for over 1000 years and should definitely be on your list of places to visit.
• Palace of Holyrood House - This palace of royal residence in the old town of Edinburgh contains the Queen's Gallery and a fantastic collection of art from the Royal collection.
• Camera Obscura - This 150 year old camera obscura at Castle Hill in the old town focuses light from the top of the tower onto a large disk in a dark room below. This gives a 360° view of Edinburgh.
• Royal Yacht Britannia - At the Ocean terminal in Leith, this decommissioned yacht is one of Edinburgh's best new attractions. Visitors are offered the chance to walk around the royal apartments and see the selection of the many guests offered by dignitaries from around the world.
• Royal Botanical Garden -  In Stockbridge, this beautiful gardens with a fantastic collection of interesting plants is definitely a great place to visit in summer.
• Edinburgh Zoo - In the west of the city. This fantastic museum is home to the world famous Penguin Parade, as well as many other great animals.
• The Museum of Scotland and Royal Museum - In the old town, this museum houses some of the finest architecture and finds in Scotland's heritage. It is home to the millennium clock which is a must to visit when it's chiming.
• The Fruitmarket Gallery - In the old town, this gallery brings together great artists and audiences. It's a non-profit organisation and a registered charity.
• Take a walk along the water of Leith - The small river that meanders through Edinburgh provides a peaceful haven from the busy city.
• Folk music - Be sure to checkout some of the fantastic folk music that plays in the pubs in the old town.
• Arthur's Seat - An extinct volcano in the east of the city which offers fantastic views from its summit. Although only 251 m high views are amazing, offering a fantastic panorama over the city.

Photo by Nigel's Europe 2

Where to stay in Edinburgh

There is a huge choice of accommodation for travellers in Edinburgh. Be sure to plan well ahead if you're visiting a festival time in August, and  anytime around Christmas and New Year.

There are hotels of all budgets, from backpackers to the finest hotels.  One of the best value places to stay in Edinburgh is the Holiday Inn in Edinburgh. It's just a short walk to the Haymarket railway station, and within easy access to the city.

Edinburgh is a great place to visit, which lots to do for everyone.  I can't wait to get there myself.

Think Las Vegas has had it as a holiday destination, or is off the radar as a traveler?  Think again.  Vegas has lots to do, lots of fun, and it can all be done on a simple budget.  Miss Las Vegas as your peril!

The Las Vegas Lowdown

To the traveler or casual holidaymaker Vegas might seem like an odd choice.  Cliched, overdone and to be avoided?  Ask almost any season traveler and they tell you that they did visit Vegas, and they had a ball.  That's because Las Vegas is one of the special places with a unique culture and a list of must dos.  They're the places we visit when we travel right?

Here are the Las Vegas essentials you need to know:

• Things to do - Vegas has so much to do, you'll struggle to fit it all in on a single visit.  
• Weather - fantastic weather all year around.
• Free - lots of stuff in Vegas is free!  Not only things to see, but even food and drink can be free or nearly free when you visit casinos.
• Accommodation - with so many hotels jostling for your business hotels prices are low, and the hotel standards are great.
• Transport - You rarely need transport once you're in Vegas.  If you're traveling you can easily get in and out of Vegas with cheap buses and flights.  If your driving you can easily park up at your hotel.  There are even a choice of campsites.

Must dos in Las Vegas

Image by Nadavspi

• Gamble - the obvious thing to do in Vegas.  You don't need to be a seasoned pro to join in, and you don't need to gamble your kids college fun.  It's a lot of fun just to play the fruit machines.  Find a game you like, set a limit and join in.  It's great just mingling with those who are gambling.
• Hover Dam - not actually in Vegas, but so close you've got to see it whilst you're there.
• Bellagio Fountain Show - the incredible fountain show at the famous Bellagio hotel.
• Southern Nevada Zoological Botanical Park - Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park has over 150 species of animals and plants.
• Flamingo Garden - A 15-acre garden with Flamingos and other exotic birds, as well as koi and turtles.
• Ride a Gondola at The Venetian Hotel - As close as you'll get to Venice without being in Venice!
• Kayak Trips from Kayak Las Vegas -  Paddle the Colorado River from the base of Hoover Dam to Willow Beach Arizona, hike to hot springs from the river. Paddle to island beaches for a swim at Lake Mead.
• Helicopter Tours - Helicopter tours that will take you deep into the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon or soaring above the neon lights and mega resorts of the Las Vegas Strip, as well as helicopter tours that include rafting down the Colorado River.
• World-Class Circus Acts at Circus Circus - From 11am, every half-hour. Aerialists, jugglers, acrobats and trapeze artists take the stage at the world's largest permanent circus daily. 
• Cirque du Soleil shows - Las Vegas hosts 7 very popular Cirque du Soleil shows. 
• David Copperfield at the MGM Grand - One of the world’s most famous magicians. Some of his best known illusions are making the Statue of Liberty disappear, walking through the Great Wall of China and flying over the audience.
• Get Married - Las Vegas is the wedding capital of the world!  This is surely one of the cheapest ways of getting married.  Might upset your parents if they're not their though!

Holidays in Las Vegas

If your appetite is wetted and you are considering a visit then look around for Las Vegas Holidays.  There are lots of great packages that give you great flights with a fantastic hotel that will make your visit to Vegas even more memorable.  A holiday package is by far the easiest way to visit and enjoy Las Vegas.

Barcelona typically has great weather in June, but beach goers where caught out when an unusual sandstorm hit the beach on 12th June 2012.  

The storm lasted 5 minutes and brought 35mph (55kmph) winds.

It might seem that nowadays the travel industry has covered virtually every area and theme. A tourist can visit the ruins of Pompeii or go sightseeing in New York, lie under the sun on the beaches of the Maldives or cruise around the fjords of Scandinavia, ski in the Alps or scuba dive in the Mediterranean. Some lucky seasoned travellers may be able to say they have done all of them. Still, the variety of now-average choices makes the clients crave for something more, which, in turn, makes travel agencies consider new options. Three possible examples of unusual once-in-a-life-time adventures are listed below.

Trekking the Himalayas

Situated in mountainous valleys surrounded by the Himalayans, the Kingdom of Bhutan is our first feature. Though the country is rather self-isolationist, it, nevertheless, is not unreachable. An escorted trip to Bhutan would be the ultimate cultural tour. The country might give the visitor an impression of being a time paradox. Cars are rare even on the streets of the capital and the locals follow the traditional dress code, clothed in colourful robes, resembling those of Buddhist monks.

Bhutan offers numerous wonders, architectural and natural. There are a number of conservation areas where it is possible to observe indigenous Himalayan fauna and flora. Daunting monasteries and dzong (Tibetan-Bhutanese palace-temples) stand across the country, including Taktsang, situated on an edge of a cliff near the city of Paro, and Trongsa Dzong found in the rural area. In Bhutan, past is inseparable from the present. A visitor can witness a religious festival, accompanied by masked dance performances, or purchase an example of hand-made craft as a souvenir.

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

For the next feature, the tourist would have to travel to the Western Hemisphere. Machu Picchu is different from other tourist-attracting archaeological sites, its secluded location one of the reasons. A way to make the experience truly unforgettable is by arranging a camping trip towards it; the Incans did not use the wheel, so it is a way of getting the feel of the ancient Andes. The walls of the city’s buildings, a marvel of masonry, are almost intact, and the might of the surrounding peaks make the location even more striking that one could become mesmerized by the lost civilization.

The Lost Island of Komodo

The tiny island of Komodo too has much to offer, so it is worth inclusion in an Indonesia-related itinerary. Travellers interested in wildlife would love it for several reasons. Guided walks can be arranged, granting them a closer look at its famous native species, Komodo dragons spending their day in their own little world. The island is not just about dragons; there are tall tropical forests populated by other species, as well as clear shores and waters, all pleasing to the eye. Kayaking is also an option.

The world is diverse and there is a holiday that will suit everyone. The Ultimate Travel Company specialise in creating luxury holidays that are tailor made for the individual.  

This British spring/summer is currently wet and cold, exactly what I hate.  Grrr...

But I am here to get things done.  To grow my business.  So I just focus on that.  The sunshine of southern Europe, Asia and South America will be there in the future.

Not travelling is an important part of travelling.  

• I have rediscovered old hobbies, not possible when travelling.
• I have got good at cooking again
• I have streamlined my lifestyle
• I am building my business, which will allow better travelling in the future.

I do have a few trips planned

• A quick trip to Bradford - not very exciting, but it is to see the UK premiere of the amazing Samsara
• A long weekend in Cornwall for a wedding
• The Belgian F1 GP
• And hopefully a few campervan tips this summer too

Kadinchey is a lovely short film made with sights and sounds from Bhutan.

Definitely worth spending a few minutes to watch.

I still long for a campervan road trip in America.

I love camper vans, I load road trips, I've loved my short time in America (2 weeks in NYC and Niagara) and I love exploring the wilderness. The problem with touring and spending a long time in a campervan is that you are in a small space, and one can tire of that small space quickly.

You can help avoid the 'camper fever' in a number of ways.

• Always stay in warm weather, and get outside as much as possible
• Cook outside
• Walk or cycle everyday
• Visit nearby towns, parks and features as much as possible

Unless you have a truly massive RV or motorhome, chances are your bathroom and/or bedroom space is a bit of a compromise. You probably don't have all of the space you want. This can also cause a bit of 'camper fever'. I've found one of the best remedies for this is to, every so often, stay at a motel or hotel.

Some people think it's crazy spending money on a motel when you have your own camper. I think it's a great treat that helps continued travelling inside the camper.

When touring I like to stay in a motel once every 4 weeks. It allows one to sleep somewhere different for a change, pack and unpack a bag, spread out a bit, and just enjoy being somewhere else.

Now, it's not that I don't love the vehicle I travel in, I always do, but I also love change. I love the change that living in the motel room brings. I love the different bed, the different shower, the fact that I might have a TV for a while, and just about everything else that is different.

And then, I also love packing my bag again and returning to the camper which has been parked outside the whole time. I then love starting the engine, choosing where to go, driving off and spending the next few weeks in the camper, experiencing the freedom and flexibility only that vehicle can bring.

When choosing a motel, I tend to do a bit of research. I love the sort of feedback sites like TripAdvisor give. You can establish pretty much where to stay from the reviews other travellers have left.

If you run a motel or hotel it's fairly easy to get yourself a good name by offering great service and getting good reviews on TripAdvisor. Credit card services for motels are really important today, and all good motels need to be taking payments via credit cards. I book everything online and with a credit card, whenever possible these days. It's convent, quick and you can do lots of research.

So right now the plan is to work a bit more, enjoy living in Brighton a bit more, and save and plan for the USA road trip. 

Image by Nomadic Lass

Berlin is fast becoming one of Europe's favourite cities to visit. It's a big place, and there's a lot if interesting things to do. He is my essential guide to Berlin.

Things to Do

Berlin Wall

Photo by carolynconner

The truly iconic relic of the modern times. Perhaps one of the best places to see the wall is at the East Side Gallery. It is the longest remaining piece of the wall. It consists of 106 paintings all painted on the east side of the wall.

Brandenburg Gate

Photo by jdn

The last remaining gate that in medieval times, would have been used to enter the city. It is one of Berlin's most important landmarks, and a symbol of the city. The gate was used by the Nazi's as a symbol of their power. The gate was not damaged during the bombing of Berlin.

Pergamon Museum

Photo by dydcheung

A vast complex of classic sculpture and artefacts from Rome, Middle East, Greece and Babylon. Exhibits include the Altar of Zeus, a panel from the Palace Throne Room from Babylon and more.

Checkpoint Charlie

Photo by http2007

The famous border crossing between East and West Berlin. American and Russian forces stood against each other after the creation of the Berlin wall on August 13th 1961.

After this event, Checkpoint Charlie became the only point at which tourists, western military and foreign diplomats could cross into the communist state.

The name "Checkpoint Charlie" came from the phonetic alphabet. There were two other American checkpoints - Helmstadt (Checkpoint Alpha) and Dreilinden (Checkpoint Bravo). Following this scheme, the third checkpoint on Friedrichstrasse was named "Checkpoint Charlie".

Nightlife

Photo by topgold

Berlin has a fantastic thriving nightlight. A long established home of dance music, especially techno. If this is your thing you'll be in heaven.

There are also a lot of great friendly bars and restaurants to visit.

People

German people are friendly and helpful. In my experience they are some of the friendliest people in Europe. Many speak English very well, which helps a lot when you visit.

Where to stay

Berlin is big, and can be expensive. If you're staying for more than a few days, or are travelling with more than a few people, then consider renting an apartment rather than staying at a hotel. For apartments in Berlin try Oh-Berlin.com

Berlin is an old city with lots of churches, parks and interesting streets to explore.

The best time to visit is spring and Autumn.  Summer in Berlin is not as busy as cities such as Paris or Barcelona.  But winter time in Berlin is COLD!  So think twice before visiting in Winter.

Paris - one of the finest cities in the world, and certainly one of my favourite to visit. Problem is, there is a lot to do, and it’s hard to work out what to do given the limited time we normally have when we visit.

So here is my essential guide to visiting Paris.

Things to do

Eiffel Tower

Photo by Larry Johnson

One of the most visited tourist attractions in the world, and for good reason. It's great. A massive smile came over my face the first time I saw the tower, and even now I love seeing it when it comes into view when walking around the city.
It has a unusual past, was nearly pulled down, and can be a pain to visit. But the secret is to go late in the day, and walk up. The queues are normally massive for the lifts, but frankly the lifts aren't great. Take the stairs. It's cheaper, the queues are much shorter, you get better views, and you get a work out. You don' need to be super fit to climb the stairs.

The Louvre

Photo by zoetnet

If you have even the smallest interest in art, you have to visit the Louvre. The building itself is amazing, let alone it's priceless contents. The essential three to see are the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and Nike of Samothrace (winged Victory). These pieces along are breathtaking, and anything else you get to see is a bonus. The place is massive, and you need a good few hours at the least. The queues are also massive. Big tip though, don't use the main entrance. Simple solution: ask the security where another entrance is, I used the entrance by the miniature Arc de Triomphe near the road.

Eat and Drink

Photo by Brenda Blue

France is the home of fine food and drink. To get some great food head to the side street cafes. Find those that are reasonably busy and full of Parisians. Go for the recommendations or specials. The wine and beer in Paris is fantastic, so try a few.

Explore Montmartre

Photo by zoetnet

Montmartre is home to Moulin Rouge, but also the arty set of Paris. There are loads of great cafes, street performances and interesting parks to explore. Visit at the weekend and you'll see many Parisians doing their thing.

The Trocadero

Photo by Alexandre Van de Sande

The meeting place in the evening. This is the best place to watch the famous Eiffel Tower light show. Great a drink and a snack whilst you're there.

Notre-Dame

Photo by Moyan_Brenn

Visit this beautiful church to get a real feel of medieval Paris. It's free to visit. Try the rooftop terrace for impressive gargoyles.

More Museums

Need more of a museum fix? Musée d'Orsay houses some fantastic pieces, in an amazing old railway station. Musée Rodin is a beautiful house and park, where Rodin lived. His Thinker sculpture is in the garden. Like Picasso? Then check the Musée national Picasso Paris - an amazing collection of Picasso's work.

Where to stay

Paris is big, and you need to find somewhere that meets you budget, as it's an expensive city. One of the best ways of staying in Paris is to rent an apartment. It's typically cheaper than hotels for longer stays, or with more than a few people. Click here to see available apartments in Paris.

Paris is a great place to visit and explore. I would suggest visiting in late March to mid June, and September to late October. Winter is fine for beating the crowds, but you won't have the great summer weather.

Travel insurance is the most important thing you need before setting out on your travels. Even if you are the most careful person on earth you can’t escape from a bit of bad luck now and then. You would be surprised at the amount of people that risk it and don’t buy travel insurance, hopefully i’m about to change those peoples minds.

I’m a careful person and guard my processions, especially when traveling, with my life! My camera is my most important thing i carry when traveling so i really do guard it with my life. In 2007 whilst traveling in Malaysia i had it stolen, literally from right under my nose. We had taken the overnight train from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur, I had a terrible night sleep and so when we got off the train we decided to grab a quick coffee. As I was sat in the cafe with my camera bag on the seat next to me someone came a took it. I literally looked away for a second and when I turned back, it was gone. I was pretty hysterical but still managed to file for a police report. My camera was gone.

I, like almost 100% of other travelers, didn’t have a spare £600 to replace my camera. I had three months left of my trip and really couldn’t afford not to have a camera. All it took was a phone call to my insurance company and they could ensure my on the phone that with a police report I would be able to claim back the money for my camera. I begged and borrow the money for a new camera and as soon as I returned back my claim went though and I could repay the money. I am so grateful that I decided to take out travel insurance, the fact I may have lost out on three months worth of photos doesn’t bare thinking about.

Here are 5 reasons you should never over look the most important travel purchase, travel insurance, 

1. The number one reason for travel insurance should of course be for medical emergencies. Medical treatments can be very expensive especially when traveling in the US and Canada. Medical repatriation on average costs about £25,000. If you have a medical emergency whist traveling in a foreign country it can be quite scary to try and find a suitable and safe hospital. Travel insurance companies have the knowledge and resources to help you find treatment.
2. Your passport cash or valuables get lost and you need to replace immediately. Sometimes if your traveling to a few different countries to loose your passport will mean you loose your trip. A travel insurance company may help you get a new passport quickly so you can carry on with your trip.
3. Protect your investment if you can’t go. If for some reason you have to cancle you trip you may be able to recover some or all of your cash. Travel insurance can cover you for inclement weather, natural disaster, terrorist accident and even jury duty.
4. Peace of mind. You can fully relax on your holiday in the knowledge that if anything where to go wrong your not alone.
5. Lost baggage. Costs can be as much as £1000 if your were to have to replace your whole bag. insurance may cover for lost and delayed baggage.  

Finding the right travel insurance can take quite a bit of time.  However Money Supermarket makes it really easy to find the right travel insurance.  Their comparison service compares loads of insurers and find the right policy for you.

Image by Shayne Kaye