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3 + 3 essential tips before traveling

Julius Perry almost 4 years ago

Quarantine days are ending soon and a few questions remain answered to me. I will share them here. One thing's for sure. This year's traveling accommodation preferences will be similar to last year's. People will prefer staying at friend's houses instead of hotels or Airbnb rooms. Safety has a high priority these days.

So, BlahFace community! Have you decided to go on a trip? Have you found the destination of your choice? Did you find cheap tickets and accommodation through offers online?

I will share some tips to follow if you want to avoid "the unexpected". My motto before any travel is: Prepare, Search, Read, Inform!

1.Travel documents

Make sure you have the necessary travel documents and that they are valid and in good condition. Find out where you can travel with your ID, which requires a passport and Visa.

2.Luggage preparation

Look for information on the size of luggage allowed according to the ticket you have purchased. Depending on the airline, different baggage policies are followed. After checking the website of the company you travel with, take a look at what you need to put in your suitcase.

3. Travel guides

Find information about the place you will visit. See the map of the area and try to locate various key points of the city e.g. your hotel. Go to the page of the local tourism organization. Seek information on areas of increased crime and other risks. Many times things in the photos look more impressive. Do not be disappointed, visit sites like Tripadvisor and read guest reviews. Do not hesitate to write your opinion, it is important.

4. It takes a little audacity

Find the courage and become communicative. After arriving at the hotel you have booked, politely ask the staff for information about the city. They may suggest something that is not listed in the tourist guides. Many times, especially during periods of low tourist traffic, hotels have empty rooms. You can only win if you claim the opportunity to move to a larger room or someone with a better view.

5. Become a traveler, not a tourist

A traveler sees what he wants to see, the tourist what they want. Open your horizons and customize your travel experience. Look for authenticity in the place you will visit. Avoid eating in shops close to tourist attractions and attractions. Get out of the city limits, go for a walk in a local village, and experience the culture of the place in areas that have not been altered by mass tourism. That's my favorite tip.

6. Spend a day with locals

Make friends, learn some phrases in the local dialect, and talk to the locals. In some places people may not be very friendly, may not like to be photographed, or they may be ashamed to speak English. Do not lose your courage, you will find people willing to show you the authentic side of the city. Caution! Do not trust anyone.

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Vienna: Smart tips to live it low budget!

Albert Dillon almost 3 years ago

Vienna is one of the top destinations to live your fairy tale and we travel with the smartest tips to live it without setting fire to your budget!
Walking around the city you will "breathe" the parasitic atmosphere… Start the tour from the legendary Ringstrasse, where you will meet some of the most famous buildings, such as the State Opera, the Hofburg Palace, the Parliament and the Parliament.

Every Monday, Wednesday and Fri at 13:00 (except holidays) there are free guided tours around the City Hall. Do not miss the sidewalk of Kartner Strasse where your eye will be "full" of the beautiful shop windows, while your ears will be "sweetened" by the melodies of the street musicians.

Cyclists

Vienna is considered the "city of bicycles". The Citybike service has been operating since 2003, providing the possibility for residents and visitors to use its bicycles for their transportation.

After registering for the service via your mobile phone and your credit card, choose a bike from the 120 starting stations and combine fun, exercise and economy to get to know the city as you prefer and in fact low budget! www.citybikewien.at)

Walk in the parks
The Austrian composer Johann Strauss µ µnio..
You can also visit the city's beautiful parks for free, such as the Burggarten and the Stadtpark, where you will admire the impressive studio of the beloved Austrian composer Johann Strauss. Admission to the Schοnbrunn Palace Gardens is also free, although you have to pay a few Euros to get to the maze.

Rathausplatz
The Rathausplatz at Christmas
The visit to Vienna at Christmas is unique as the city from mid-November puts on its "festive" and transforms into one of the top Christmas destinations. To soak up all this festive pottery, all you have to do is visit its trademark, the Rathausplatz market. The imposing City Hall, the ice rink set up especially for the occasion and the beautiful benches that are there, along with the thousands of lanterns and lights, will make you believe that you are in the village of Santa Claus ότι and that your wish for the best Christmas has just taken place!

Vienna City Hall
Built between 1872 and 1883, it is an excellent example of neo-Gothic aesthetics. Located in the city center on the famous Rathausplatz square. It has seven courtyards with impressive arcades, while inside it has more than 1,500 rooms! At night, its impressive lighting will definitely sell your eyes δωρεάν Free admission.

Vienna Card
If you're looking for a budget holiday but can not resist the many attractions and museums in Vienna, then it is best to get the Vienna Card either from the Tourist Information Center at Albertinaplatz, at the airport or online. With this special card you can use as many means of public transport as you want, but also get a discount at museums, attractions, shops and restaurants. It costs € 17 for 24 hours, € 25 for 48 hours and € 29 for 72 hours.

Museums & Galleries
The Vienna State Opera
In addition to the discount provided by the Vienna Card for Museums, which ranges from 5% to 50%, you can benefit from combination tickets. For example a ticket to the House of Music and the Mozarthaus costs € 18, it saves you € 5, or a ticket to the Leopold Museum and the Kunsthistorisches Museum costs € 19, it saves you € 4. Also, many museums have a reduced entrance for some days and hours. The Museum of Vienna has free admission for people under 19, but also for everyone on the first Sunday of every month.

There is also the "Art in the Evening" program, where many museums are open late some nights, free of charge or free admission: the Museum of Applied Arts has an entrance fee of 5 € on Tuesday 18: 00-22: 00, the MUMOK, the Museum of modernist art, has a reduced entrance of € 8 on Thursday 18: 00-21: 00 and the House of Music has a double price of € 6.50 20: 00-21: 30 every day.

Danube Tower
A little further from the center on the north banks of the Danube you will find the Donauturm (Danube Tower), the tallest structure in Austria, 252 µ high. At the top there is an expensive revolving restaurant, but for € 14.50 you can go up to the inside and outside observatory at a height of µ 150. and have access to the café and restaurant.

St. Stephen's Cathedral

It is the main attraction of the city and is built on the ruins of two older temples. Here you do not need to worry about a ticket as admission is free. If of course you want to climb the 2 towers to admire the stunning view, keep in mind that you have to pay € 4.5 for the north and € 3.5 for the south. (Daily 06: 00-22: 00)

Travel therapy: Do vacations really promote mental health?

Margo Heard almost 3 years ago

Who does not look forward to the holidays, the relaxation, the rest and the absolute feeling of renewal that they give us? In fact, their contribution to our overall well-being seems to be so great that researchers talk about "travel therapy", similar to the well-known music therapy or art therapy.

New interdisciplinary research from Edith Cowan University (ECU) proposes to change the way we view tourism, considering it not only as a recreational experience but as an area that can offer real health benefits.
See also: Best summer hits: The top beauty tips

The collaboration between the ECU Center for Precision Health and the School of Business and Law found that many aspects of going on holiday could have a positive impact on people with mental health issues or illnesses.

The researchers studied the effects of tourism on a group of people living with dementia. "Doctors can recommend treatments for dementia such as music therapy, exercise, cognitive stimulation, reminiscence therapy, sensory stimulation and adjustments to meal times and the patient's environment," he said.

"We often find all this on vacation," he added.
Holidays for fun or for treatment?

The researchers pointed out that the diverse nature of tourism means that there are many opportunities to integrate treatments for conditions such as dementia. For example, being in new environments and having new experiences could provide cognitive and sensory stimulation.

"Exercise has been linked to mental well-being and travel often involves enhanced physical activity, such as more walking," they say.

"Meal times are often different on holidays, usually involving more social relationships with many people, and family meals have been found to positively affect the eating behavior of dementia patients.

And then there are the basics like fresh air and sunshine that increase vitamin D and serotonin levels.

"Everything that combines to represent a holistic tourism experience makes it easy to see how dementia patients can benefit from tourism as an intervention."
Change in the way we see things

"Tourism is not just about travel and entertainment. "We need to rethink the role that tourism plays in modern society."

"Tourism has been found to enhance physical and psychological well-being. "So after the coronavirus it is a good time to identify the place of tourism in public health - and not just for healthy tourists, but for vulnerable groups."

5 train journeys you must do at least once in your life

Annot Devoe over 2 years ago

Traveling is probably the best gift you can give yourself. Yes, I know it's a luxury, but whenever you get a chance, grab it and don't miss it. And if you don't have company? What does it matter; You can travel alone and get to know the world while getting to know… yourself. Spending time with ourselves is very important and if it scares some people, normally it shouldn't be, since ourselves can often become the best company.

Today, however, we will travel together by train. It's summer, you need rest and holidays, and if you're thinking of organizing something special this year, that you'll want to remember for the rest of your life, I have the perfect idea for you.

How about getting on a train and going around the world? Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit, you might not see the whole world on your first train ride, but you'll discover new, dreamy places you never thought existed.

That is why, I have to recommend you 5 trains that you should enter at least once in your life and "give" yourself a magical adventure!

Northern Rail

A journey from the stunning Great Plains of the US Midwest, the calm waters of the Pacific Coast, and the scenic rail journey from Chicago to San Francisco, with a stop in Seattle. Take in the scenery as you travel along long stretches of the Lewis and Clark Trail on Amtrak's Empire Builder train.

Explore Seattle! Discover the attractions of San Francisco. He spent some quality time in two magical places in Northern California: Muir Woods and Sausalito. And then you'll return to the "Windy City" on one of the most scenic train journeys in all of North America.

Grand Rail

Starting in Chicago, the Grand Rail Experience is tailored for anyone who wants to enjoy the full Amtrak cross-country experience! Connecting Amtrak's premier rail routes down the Pacific Coast, Amtrak's Southern Route and over the nation's capital.

Washington, New York and Niagara Falls

Journey from America's capital to the stunning majesty of Niagara Falls. In Washington, it is worth visiting the Smithsonian Museum, taking a photo in front of the White House and seeing the city's monuments.

You'll then head to New York, where you'll be sure to look for the Empire State Building, Times Square and Central Park, and from there you'll head over and over the border to the majestic Niagara Falls. It is truly an unforgettable sight.

Grand National Parks with Grand Canyon, Yosemite and Glacier National Park

Ready to take in all the dreamy, natural beauty of three of America's most beloved national parks, including the Grand Canyon, Yosemite and Glacier National Park? Explore all these amazing landscapes, as well as the beautiful, scenic train journey along the way.

Travel to USA and Canada

11 day train vacation and your journey starts like this: You start on Amtrak's Empire Builder where you will travel from Chicago to the Pacific Northwest after passing through Glacier National Park. You'll then board VIA Rail to begin your Canada Rail journey to Toronto as it passes through the Canadian Rockies and countryside.

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Nijmegen, a model city of sustainability in the Netherlands - The green practices it follows

Jenny Zach about 2 years ago

On the eastern side of the city, about 10 kilometers from the German border, progressive Nijmegen manages to lead the way in environmental protection without "making noise".

It is the oldest city in the Netherlands, which with a series of green initiatives, directly competes with Amsterdam. City dwellers prioritize quality of life and sustainability. Its historic center is car-free, has 60 kilometers of "superhighway" bike lanes, its buses run on "green" fuel, and there are a number of plans to encourage car sharing.

While no city can be 100% sustainable, Nijmegen has taken some of the most courageous and decisive steps in this area. Perhaps the most iconic step is the move to shut down the coal-fired power plant in 2106. In its place is now a solar farm with about 9,000 solar panels and two wind turbines that power about 400 homes in the city.

Nijmegen was awarded European Green Capital in 2018 but its progressive roots go way back. The city has a long tradition of student activism. It was the center of Dutch subculture and protest movements from the 60s to the mid-80s. In 1963, the Dutch National Student Union Exhibition was founded there by a student of the city's university, Ton Regtien.

In the 1970s, Nijmegen became the site of other cinematic gatherings and activities, women's organizations and communes. Today the values of sustainability continue to flourish there thanks to the large student population.

The $500 billion city of the future

John Social about 2 years ago

The first hotels to operate in the futuristic Neom destination are being built by Marriott International. Specifically, one Autograph Collection hotel and two Luxury Collection hotels will open their doors in a new luxury island destination called Sindalah, as part of Saudi Arabia's massive Neom project in the Red Sea.

Sindalah, the first destination on Neom to welcome visitors, is expected to begin operations in early 2024. Spanning approximately 840,000 m2, Sindalah is a new destination for unique nautical and sailing experiences, located 17 hours by boat from the Mediterranean. The destination has an impressive 86-berth marina for yachts up to 75 meters and service for superyachts up to 180 meters.

In addition, the island will include over 400 ultra-premium rooms and 300 top suites, a beach club, a yacht club and 38 restaurants and bars.

What is Neom?

Neom is powered by a wide range of integrated sectors and industries funded by the $500 billion Saudi Public Investment Fund. The new location is expected to become a community characterized by talent and diversity in 14 sectors spanning the knowledge economy industries and including: Design and Construction, Education, Energy, Entertainment and Culture, Financial Services, Food, Health and Wellness , Manufacturing, Media, Mobility, Sports, Technology and Digital Technology, Tourism and Water. The project is already under construction, with its first operations starting gradually from 2024.

First, Oxagon, an industrial hub with an integrated port and logistics facilities, and its first residents will enter the new site, while in 2026 Trojena will be inaugurated, as a place to live, work and vacation.

Furthermore, the first units of The Line which is the focus of all activities, from residences, operas and libraries to stadiums and universities, will also be activated in 2026. By 2030, Neom will be home to approximately 1 million people, coming from up to currently from 80 different nationalities, while by 2045 it is estimated that the inhabitants will amount to 9 million, essentially the population of a small country.

Neom CEO Nadhmi Al-Nasr said, among other things, that if the world wants to solve the challenges of tomorrow, it must face them today, no matter how difficult they may seem. At Neom, some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity are being tackled, bringing together a community of the brightest minds committed to reinventing a sustainable future that will be built today, perfected in 20 to 30 years.

2 Greek islands ideal for holidays with friends

Megan Fletcher almost 2 years ago

Ios

It is considered the mecca of good times for young travelers, both from Greece and from all over Europe. You can reach the island from the port of Piraeus and the boat trip lasts from 3-4 hours to 11-12 depending on the type of boat you choose.

The Town of Ios is, as in every Cycladic island, the point of reference: picturesque alleys, the characteristic white of the houses dominates, while if you follow the route through the Town you will reach Panagia Gremiotissa.

Depending on your preferences for swimming, you can either go to the Magganari area, with its spotless sandy beach, or to the settlement of Mylopota, which has one of the best beaches in the Aegean, or to the area of Agia Theodotis. If you are looking for something quieter you will head towards the crystal clear waters and pebbles of Psathi. Undoubtedly, the hot topic of the island is the night entertainment, which starts from the beach bars on the organized beaches and is transferred to the bars and clubs in the alleys of Chora.

Anafi

If you visit Anafi once, you will definitely return. The island that has thousands of devotees who want bohemian holidays with calm and character. It is located at the edge of the Cyclades and is "hidden" behind the cosmopolitan Santorini. Its shine, however, is so intense that it has nothing to envy from the popular islands of the Aegean. You can reach Anafi from the port of Piraeus and the routes run 2-3 times a week. The trip takes about 10 hours. Its strong point is the beautiful beaches and Chora, which is considered one of the most beautiful of the Cyclades. Built amphitheatrically at an altitude of 260 meters with a panoramic view, vaulted houses and narrow picturesque alleys.

The beaches of the island, sandy and windless in the southern part, such as Kleisidi, Roukounas, Megas Potamos and Monastiri, rocky and less crowded in the north. Anafi is considered a must destination for lovers of free camping, a practice that seems to have been banned in recent years. One of the most unforgettable experiences on the island is the climb to the white church of Panagia Kalamiotissa, which is located at the highest point of the island. Take a sleeping bag and supplies and start the trail in the afternoon. It will take you about 1 hour and 15 minutes walking. The amazing view of the Aegean and the surrounding islands as well as the overnight stay in the monastery's surroundings will compensate you.

Experiences are travelers' top priority in 2023

Ian Stensen almost 2 years ago

New insights from the Mastercard Economics Institute reveal that consumers are shifting towards a more traditional travel ecosystem in 2023, prioritizing leisure travel and discovering new destinations around the world.

In particular, the Institute's latest Travel Industry Trends 2023 provides key insights into the latest trends in the global travel community influenced by the changing economic landscape, persistent consumer demands and China's opening up.

Factors shaping the outlook for 2023, in the face of a changing economic climate, are post-pandemic preferences for experiences over material goods and steady demand for leisure travel. Although slow to recover compared to leisure travel, business travel found its pace in the second half of 2022. However, according to Mastercard Economics Institute estimates, amid an uncertain economy causing turbulence across markets, the opening of Mainland China is expected to boost global growth. In detail, the main findings of the Institute are, among others, the following:
Leisure travel and business travel are growing at the same rate

Global leisure travel remains strong, with flight bookings up around 31% in March 2023 compared to the same month in 2019. In the second half of 2022 to early 2023, corporate bookings caught up with leisure bookings , especially in areas where the back-to-office culture is strong. The most significant growth in business travel and leisure travel spending is in Asia Pacific and Europe at 64% and 42%, respectively, between January and March 2023.

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