Luxury Travel Archives - Top Spot Travel

January 17, 2017 by Jeremy

What to Do when you’re Locked Out of the Car while Travelling

Being Locked Out of the Car while Travelling is just the worst...

Photo by CC user Unsplash on Pixabay

It is one of those things that no one wishes to happen, yet it usually does at some time or another, and when you end up locked out of your vehicle, it always happens when you are in a hurry. The first thing to remember is to stay calm and avoid the temptation to try and break into the car, as this is likely to result in damage. The fact that there are mobile locksmiths that specialise in retrieving keys from inside vehicles is a testament to how often it happens, and if you are unfortunate enough to lock yourself out of your car, here are some tips.

Contact a Locksmith

This is one number you should keep in your phone memory, and if you happen to be in Western Australia, and are looking for a Perth Locksmith, visit www.silverfernlocksmithsperth.com.au/ for more information on the range of services they provide. Some locksmiths have round the clock emergency service, so whether you have lost your keys or they are locked in the vehicle, they can gain access to any vehicle and create a new key if need be.

Transponder Keys

This is the latest anti-theft system and it involves inserting a microchip into the key, without which, the car will not start. If, for example, someone copied your car key with the intention of stealing the vehicle, the car would not start as the key does not contain the vital chip that is necessary to activate the ignition. Most modern vehicles use transponder keys, but this isn’t a problem as a qualified locksmith can cut a new key and program the chip via a port on the vehicle’s dashboard, and you will be up and running within an hour of the locksmith arriving on the scene.

Spare Keys

One could always have a spare key which is kept at home, and in the event you lose your master set, simply call your partner and have them bring the key to you on the road. Of course, this is only practical if you are within a reasonable distance from your home, and failing that, you can call out a mobile locksmith service.

Relax and Take a Break

Once you have called out the mobile locksmith, they will be with you very shortly, and you can find a nearby café and have a coffee while the technician gains access to the vehicle, and you will be on your way within a short time. It is a good idea to anticipate such an event and already have the contact details of a mobile emergency locksmith, as they can also help if you ever get locked out of your home. Should the worst ever happen and you do not have a contact number, you might be in for a long wait, so be prepared and keep the number in your smartphone memory.

Losing your keys is not something you can effectively prevent, so the best solution is to have the contact details of an emergency locksmith service, just in case the worst happens. This way, your travels can go back to running smoothly in no time flat.

December 3, 2016 by Jeremy

5 Breath-Taking Beaches to Go to in Vanuatu

Nothing can ever beat the best place to relax and chill with friends and family – definitely, the beach. Think about it: it is mostly free, if it is not a beach resort. You can have a simple picnic and a quick afternoon dip or bring in the grill and treat yourself to the beach the whole day. You can be as lazy as you want or as hyper as you can be. There are simply endless ways to enjoy it.

However, one place provides some of the best the most picturesque beach spots in the world, and that is Vanuatu. It is a South Pacific nation that offers travelers warm waters and near perfect vistas that will make your beach trip simply amazing. If you are still hesitant to look up flights to Vanuatu, here is a list of beaches that will definitely convince you to book that trip now.

Champagne Beach

This beach got its awesome name from the volcanic activity that happens just offshore. Gas bubbles would form and bubble up through the rocks during low tide, and then it pops like a newly opened bottle of champagne. It is a palm-fringed, white-sand beach located 30 minutes away from Port Olry at Espiritu Santo. If you want an intimate location where you and your family or friends can enjoy the beach and its natural setting together, Champagne Beach is the place to be.

Erakor Beach

Located only a little further off Port Vila, Erakor Beach sits on its own island. You can dip your toes in its white, velvety sand and the calm, clear waters of Erakor while enjoying the solitude and the peaceful vibe that seems to surround the island. If you want, you can pamper and treat yourself at the Erakor Island Resort.

Bokissa Beach

We all want to go to a postcard-perfect beach, a place we thought only exists in a graphic designer’s mind. But Bokissa Beach is the very epitome of picturesque beach, beautiful enough to don the cover of a magazine. A white sand beach with an extraordinarily clear blue waters, and palm trees fringing the shoreline. This is a good place to dive and snorkel with friends.

Breakas Beach

A 10-minute drive from Port Vila, just at the Pango peninsula sits Breakas Beach. It is a little crescent bay that has an adults-only area. It has all the works: white and soft sand, film-like palm trees, and a gorgeous beach. This could be the perfect time for parents to take a break, relax, and unwind.

Paradise Cove Beach

The name of Paradise Cove Beach is so appropriate, because it definitely is a paradise on Earth. Take a dive into clear blue lagoons a few meters away from a beach side boutique resort. Surrounding the beach is a tropical garden that creates a very intimate and serene atmosphere on the beach.

The best part about going to the beach is you can do it anytime, at any day of the year. Whether it is in the heat of summer or the breezy winds of winter, there is something totally unique and enchanting about going to a beautiful beach. And Vanuatu is definitely the place where that kind of magic happens.

November 28, 2016 by Jeremy

Tips for Stress Free International Travel

Are you stressed about an upcoming vacation? While sometimes it sounds silly to be stressed about vacation, it is more common than you think. Traveling overseas can be stressful, especially for first time travelers. Here are some tips for stress free international travel.

Stay Healthy
Before, during, and after your trip pay more attention to your health than usual. Keep an active exercise routine so you will have plenty of energy on your trip, be sure you are eating right and getting plenty of vitamins as you may be facing new bacteria and viruses, you want your immune system working its best. Also, make sure you have the recommended pre-travel vaccines by visiting one of the best travel clinics. While on your trip be sure and try new foods and activities but make sure you are being safe about it. Remember a good rule of them is look at what the locals do, if the locals are swimming at a beach or eating a particular restaurant, chances are it is a safe bet.

Do Your Paperwork Early
One of the most stressful parts of international travel is going through customs and visas. A good way to ensure stress free international travel is to look up all visa rules and regulations before you board your plane. Also, print off visa forms and include any necessary fees and photos. If you have all this paperwork in order you can walk straight off the plane into the front of the customs lines, no need to fumble looking for a pencil or trying to find a pencil. Getting your visa paperwork done early can make international travel a breeze.

Don’t Over Plan
This may seem counter-intuitive but over planning can be the cause of massive stress. When traveling internationally especially to developing nations, things don’t always go as planned and that is fine. If you plan every minute of your vacation you may be miserable and biting your nails each delayed bus or oversold train. Allow for flexibility in your travel planes so you can make the most out of unexpected delays. Remember you are on vacation, so savor each moment! If you are stuck at a train station use it as opportunity to try a nearby restaurant or explore the neighborhood. If your tour is sold old, don’t stress instead rent a motorbike and give yourself a personal tour! Remember, it is your vacation and you can make the best out of any situation.

So we hope you are breathing easier already after reading our tips for stress free international travel. Remember you can prepare for the flight and customs early and once you get passed that part it should be easy sailing, just go with the flow and don’t over plan. So we hope your next trip is a relaxing and rewarding experience. Have fun, safe travels and don’t forget to send postcards!

February 23, 2016 by Jeremy

4 Decisions to Make When Choosing a Vacation Rental in Costa Rica

It’s no secret that Costa Rica is one of Central America’s most exotic and scenic countries, with an unforgettable combination of thriving tropical forests and white sand coastlines. It’s also no secret that there’s no shortage of vacation rentals in the region, many of which are considered among the best tropical getaway destinations in the world. However, that doesn’t mean that all vacation rentals in Costa Rica would be perfect for every visitor, as each tourist has their own personal preferences regarding location and activities. If you’ve been having trouble deciding on a Costa Rican rental for your upcoming vacation, try starting the brainstorming process with the following questions:

1. What Part of Costa Rica are you Looking to Visit?

First, you’ll need to become familiar with the country’s many features and landscapes to decide on an area that would best suit your liking. The Pacific Coast contains many of the nation’s top tourist beaches, where mountains covered in tropical forests converge with the sea. The main regions to look into along the Pacific side include the Nicoya Peninsula, Guanacaste, and the Central and Southern Coasts. The Caribbean coastline is a bit more secluded and on the north side is only accessible via boat or plane in most places. The southeast coast is home to the less crowded beaches and a number of coral reefs.

2. What Kind of Accommodations Do You Require?

Vacations rentals in Costa Rica are known for including a wide range of amenities. If you demand the best of the best, here are some of the features you might look for when choosing a rental:

Pre-arrival concierge
Beach and buggy access
Full-service staff
Swimming pool
Culinary services
Beach butlers
Wi-Fi
Complimentary breakfast
Access to tours and guides

Also, be sure to compare the advantages of renting a private home vs. renting a villa like Punto De Vista. In my personal experience, I’ve found that well-reviewed villas will reliably provide a wider range of amenities than private homes and hotels.

3. What Time of the Year Will You Visit?

Chances are you’ll want to visit Costa Rica during the dry season, which extends from mid-December into April. However, while this is the sunniest time of the year, it is also the busiest, so the crowds will be bigger and the hospitality venues will be more expensive. Thus, many people who don’t mind the rain enjoy visiting during the wet season, which runs between the months of May and November and is the best time to find the lowest vacation rental prices. A sweet spot comes during the months of June and July, when the showers simmer down a bit and the forests start to bloom with dense foliage.

4. How Important is Road Access and Terrain?

Finally, a huge issue that many tourists overlook is the terrain and road access leading up to vacation rental. Unfortunately, many venues fail to adequately advertise just how difficult it is to access their property, with winding unpaved roads that have steep inclines causing difficulty for ill-prepared motorists. Therefore, before committing to a particular spot, be sure to research and ask about the road access and terrain features in the area.

Book Your Stay Far in Advance

As a bonus tip – a great way to save money on your vacation is to schedule all flights, tours, and hospitality stays several months in advance. If you don’t mind an occasional shower, yet don’t want to be subjected to torrential downpours and still want the offseason prices, try booking your vacation for June or July several months in advance.

March 6, 2015 by Jeremy

Opting for a tailor-made holiday

Have you ever gotten back from a holiday feeling more exhausted than recharged? If so, it’s likely that the way your flights, hotels and/or activities were planned sabotaged the main aim of your time off. By opting for a tailor-made holiday, you can take the elements of your last trip that robbed you of the relaxation that you were supposed to enjoy, and plan them out so that your next one will be the rejuvenating experience that it should always be.

A holiday built around your interests

Have you ever went sightseeing to museums or other points of interest because you felt like you would be letting other people down by missing them? There’s no worse way to burn up your precious holiday time then by spending it by living out somebody else’s high-minded vision of what a travel experience should be like.

In order to build a journey that will appeal to you, a professional travel agent can come up with a customized itinerary that will avoid all of the sights that will bore you to death, while including all of the attractions that will have you engaged and excited from start to finish.

Hotels that meet your expectations

Whether you view a hotel as an integral cornerstone of one’s travel experience, or merely as a place to lay your head at night in between adventures during the day, a travel agent can select accommodation options that will meet your needs.

Want to make sure that your hotel has a hot tub waiting to assuage your aching body after a day of intense activity? They can track one down. Do you consider a hotel as a secondary part of your travels, but still wish to avoid a place that has uncomfortable mattresses or unpleasant surprises lurking within? They will do the in-depth research to ensure that your basic pad is clean and comfortable.

Staying for a month? Only have time for a weekend getaway?

Most pre-planned itineraries are built around the standard one to two week holidays that most people these days feel fortunate to be still receiving. However, you might have structured your life in such a way where you can get away for a whole month … or you might be so unbelievably busy that you can only escape for a weekend under the Caribbean sun.

In these instances, your travel agent can keep things simple and limited to the absolute essentials for the time-starved among us, or they can space out activities and include things like multi-day diving expeditions for those that have a wealth of holiday time.