Destination

October 5, 2017 by Jeremy

Birmingham’s Popularity is On the Rise: Check Out the 5 Reasons Why

Nothing seems to be able to stop Birmingham on its journey to world domination. The landscape of the city is changing and it is set to be one of the most amazing cities, if not the most amazing in less than a decade. Here’s why we say so:

    One Festival Square to rule them all

Back in 1935, the area around Bullring markets was called Smithfield market and now, there is a huge regeneration project happening in Birmingham Smithfield to give the place an entirely new vibe.

Festival and concert goers will be excited about the designated Festival Square, which is intended to rival the best in Europe. Festival Square is going to be the focal point of the project as Smithfield regains its position in the heart of Birmingham. The Square will look out to a hotel, markets, culture centres, a museum, and leisure opportunities for the family, including an ice rink.

Expected to draw millions of new visitors to the city, the project was launched in March 2017 and is slated to be finished by 2020.

  1. Bye Hollywood, hello Brummiewood!

While there is no beating Hollywood, Birmingham is going to be home to an amazing new film studio complex. Peaky Blinders creator, Steven Knight, is behind it all and he is working with the City Council and developers to build six film studios at the National Exhibition Centre.

We are optimistic that the studios will be finished over the next two years as hoped. Birmingham already serves as a hot location for films, with four blockbusters shot in the city in 2016 alone, including The Long Walk, Ready Player One, The Girl with The Gifts, and Kingsman: The Golden Circle.

  1. The city will have a Grand Hotel again

If you are looking for a replica of London’s Marylebone in Birmingham, you are sure to find it in Colmore Row. With the restoration of the Grand Hotel, the 19th century historic hotel will be given a more modern look. Birmingham is home to some of the classiest boutique hotels you’ll find anywhere, so you can ensure that your stay will definitely be a comfortable one.

  1. Brum will be ready for the Commonwealth Games in 2022

After beating Liverpool as Britain’s candidate city, Birmingham was the only city to submit a bid. While the city had planned to bid for the 2026 games instead, there is no doubt Birmingham will be ready by 2022 as it has experience hosting major sporting events such as the IAAF Diamond League. Plus, the IAAF World Indoor Championships will be hosted in 2018.

  1. The city will have a proper international airport

And to truly take Birmingham to the rest of the world, Birmingham airport would have exponentially expanded the number of cities travellers can fly direct to, including Los Angeles.

Over the next few years, Birmingham can easily compete with London in nearly every facet, so watch out world!

March 22, 2017 by Jeremy

Leave the Office Behind When You Vacation

Equador 2Are you one of those individuals who can never quite seem to leave the workload behind when you go on vacation?

If that sounds like you, you are unfortunately one of many millions of people who can’t separate work and taking some time to relax.

Along with the mental wear and tear that such actions can have on your body, there is of course the physical punishment you can take as a result.

With that being the case, what should you be doing in order to get away from it all for a period of time, allowing you to truly get some deserved R&R?

Preparation and Using the Right Resources

Like many other things in life, getting your work done before you hit the beaches, golf courses, mountains, or wherever your vacation takes you is key.

For instance, unless you are just going to throw a few things in your vehicle and get out of town for the weekend, you will need to prepare for where you are going.

Among the things to look at:

  • Where are you going?
  • What mode of transportation will you use to get there?
  • How long will you be gone?
  • Approximately what will the trip cost you?

Those (and other things) are all important in terms of leaving you with less stress and more enjoyment when all is said and done.

Whether you are thinking about hitting multiple states across the U.S., jetting off to the Far East, touring South America, or taking in as much of Europe as possible, take your preparation planning time seriously.

For starters, use the Internet to look for savings on adventures in Europe, Ecuador travel packages, group tours of Australia and much more. In doing so, you can get your trip planning done faster, leaving you enough time to get your real work out of the way.

Secondly, doing your trip planning (at least a sizable portion of it) on the Internet during work breaks gives you that vacation to look forward to, making you even more motivated to finish your work before you pack your bags and head out.

Bags Packed and Time to Relax

Once your trip is planned and everything is in place, the time has come to put thoughts of work behind you for however long you will be away.

As an example, are you someone who always has that laptop and/or mobile device by your side when you are supposed to be enjoying time away from the office? If so, there are both mental and physical effects that can become troubling.

On the mental side, the possibilities of burnout become very real, especially if you are either running your own business or are responsible for more than your fair share of work in the office.

As for the physical impact, thinking about work too much while vacationing can lead to fatigue, bad eating habits, lack of exercise and more.

Use these tips before you head out on vacation:

  • Work done in advance – Get as much of your necessary work done in advance, thereby leaving you with little or nothing to worry about while away.
  • Seek help from others – If you run your own business with employees, ask them to pick up some of the slack for you while you are gone. One of the great things in working with others is pitching in and helping each other when one is out for a period of time.
  • Alert others of your plans – In the event you are a one-person show, alert clients far enough in advance that you will be away for vacation. This allows them to reschedule and/or plan out in advance if they need you.

By making sure your deserved vacation runs as smoothly as possible, leave the office behind when you go on a personal trip.

Not only will you have memories of a lifetime, but you will come back to work more relaxed and recharged.

As an employee (for someone else or yourself), how do you leave work behind when you go on a vacation?

January 17, 2017 by Jeremy

Plan Your 2017 Getaway Now and Get 50% Off On Accommodation

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If you are one to indulge in travel and are always on the lookout for the next awesome deal, then have a read.

For those seeking an energizing and comfortable yet affordable travel experience in Europe, the prized luxury hotel chain Corinthia Hotels has just announced yet another annual sale and it’s better than ever. If you book your stay online through corinthia.com you will get an amazing 50% off on all best room rates in Malta, Prague, Lisbon, Budapest and St Petersburg, and 30% off of your stay in Corinthia Hotel Malta. This is a limited-time offer that runs until 28th February but can be used for stays until the very end of the year, 31st December 2017.

Whether travelling for business or pleasure, Corinthia go above and beyond to ensure your stay is a successful one. From starting your day with dining in one of their top rated restaurants to breaking a sweat at the fully equipped fitness centre or meeting room to ending your evening in an oh-so-comfortable king-size bed, Corinthia has the amenities for a comfortable five-star that won’t break your bank.

As a matter of fact, you can now score your luxury getaway for prices you won’t believe:

• Corinthia Budapest: Rates start from €145 per room per night
• Corinthia St George’s Bay (Malta): Rates start from €100 per room per night
• Corinthia Lisbon: Rates start from €80 per room per night
• Corinthia London: Rates starting from £495 per room per night
• Corinthia Palace Hotel and Spa (Malta): Rates start from €90 per room per night
• Corinthia Prague: Rates start from €85 per room per night
• Corinthia St Petersburg: Rates start from 4975 RUB per room per night

In addition to these great rates, if you head over to Corinthia Hotel website now, you will also enjoy a few extra perks such as complimentary room upgrades, extended check-outs, and discounts in its world-class restaurants and bars.

As much as we love spontaneous trips and last-minute deals, planning ahead will save you big bucks and enable you to spend your money where it matters. So don’t put your travel plans off any longer – book your stay with Corinthia Hotels and make 2017 a year to remember!

For Terms and Conditions as well as other important information regarding the offer, visit corinthia.com/annual-sale/.

December 16, 2016 by Jeremy

The Pros and Cons of Traveling with a Camper Trailer in Australia

One of the classic ways of traveling around Australia is with a camper trailer.

Towed behind your vehicle of choice, the camper trailer is the quintessential make-shift home for your time in the great Australian outback, or along Australia’s pristine coastlines.

There are definitely many things to keep in mind when deciding whether or not to use a camper trailer for your road trip. We look at some of the pros and cons to make the decision a little bit easier for you.

The Pros

The first big pro of choosing a camper trailer for your Aussie road trip is the price point. Camper trailers are generally more affordable to buy, transport or rent than their counterparts – a caravan or campervan.

If you’re going on a road trip with a budget, this will be a big selling point for you. Be sure to shop around for the best price point before you make your final decision.

Camper trailers are much lighter to tow behind a car than other options. This means that you won’t have to drive a larger or heavier type of vehicle to tow it.

This helps increase the fuel efficiency of your car and your budget!

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Compact camper with storage. Image: Gumtree Camper Trailers

Safety is another pro when it comes to camper trailers. With caravans or camper vans, you have a less visibility on the road and in your rearview mirror.

This can get pretty annoying and even dangerous if you’re not used to driving with larger vehicles towed behind you. Camper trailers take this out of the equation because of their smaller size and ability to be compacted.

One of the biggest pros of a camper trailer is that it gives you more access to off-road areas that you wouldn’t normally be able to access with a caravan or campervan.

Again the smaller size of the camper trailer comes into play here. Because of its smaller size, you can easily maneuver to those tight and tricky spots (maybe a classic Australian Gumtree!) that other vehicles can’t get to.

The Cons

One of the cons you have to consider with a camper trailer is that it takes much more time and effort to set up and take down than other options. If you’re crunched for time, then this could really put a dent into your planned agenda.

Camper trailers are also slightly less convenient than larger living spaces, like you get with a caravan.

They are smaller, which means there is less storage space and less options for amenities, that you get in larger options.

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Sportliner ‘Avan’ Australian made camper trailer. Image: Gumtree

Because of the canvas sidings and roof, there’s a big lack of privacy with camper trailers. If you’re someone who likes your peace and quiet at night, a camper trailer will provide less of that to you.

Camper trailers are one of the most popular ways to get around during an Aussie road trip.

Many people love them because of the many pros. However, there are also some cons that you should consider before hopping onboard and buying or renting one.

December 3, 2016 by Jeremy

5 Breath-Taking Beaches to Go to in Vanuatu

perfect-white-beachNothing 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.

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