Destination Archives - Page 14 of 44

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.

February 2, 2016 by Jeremy

Top Luxury Experiences in Budapest

Hungary’s capital Budapest is enjoying a resurgence in tourism as of late, and there’s plenty of reasons why the ‘Paris of middle Europe’ is fast becoming a hot holiday destination. From a dazzling array of historic museums, art and architecture, wonderfully decadent thermal spas, to sophisticated cafes and boutiques, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this picturesque and fascinating city. Let’s take a look at some of the many must-see locations and experiences in Budapest.

Boscolo Budapest Hotel, Erzsebet krt. 9 – 11, Budapest 1073

Everything about this hotel is spectacular – from the moment you step into the breath-taking lobby area of this Italian Renaissance style building to discovering your perfectly appointed guest suite, you are ensconced in luxury. The 180+ rooms of the former New York Palace are decorated in modern elegance, and boast marble bathrooms and private balconies. The fully restored New York café captures all of the former glory of the 19^th century original designed by architect Alajos Hauszmann, and features stunning murals, stuccoed ceilings and gilded columns, and is a great place to enjoy a cup of freshly roasted coffee.

Corinthia Hotel Budapest, ERZSÉBET KÖRÚT 43-49, Budapest H-1073

Housed in the historical building of the Hotel Royal, opened originally in 1896 this hotel oozes class and luxury at it’s best. This hotel has hosted film screenings by the Lumière brothers and classical concerts by famous composers such as the world-famous Hungarian Béla Bartók. The historic Art Deco Royal spa and the hotel’s signature gluten-free classic chocolate and raspberry dessert, inspired by the 1920’s erotic artiste Josephine Baker alone warrant a stay at this hotel.

Buddha Bar Hotel Budapest, Váci utca 34, district V

If you prefer your hotel to be a little trendier, try the uber-hip Buddha Bar on Budapest city centre’s chic Vaci Street. The interiors are absolutely stunning – it’s easy to see why it was voted ‘the most beautiful hotel in the world’ at the international hotel awards. A Chinese-style red and gold colour scheme is softly illuminated by strategic lighting and furnished with sumptuously tactile fabrics, making this a great choice for a honeymoon or romantic holiday. After a long day exploring the city right on your doorstep, you can have a relaxing treatment at the Buddhatitude spa. All your dining desires are catered for by the delectable Asian fusion cuisine at the Buddha Bar restaurant, and you can also try Lebanese food at the recently opened Baalbek. The Buddha Bar lounge has a fantastically ethnic vibe, and the DJ plays a fitting mix of tribal/electro/fusion world music.

Budapest Opera House, Andrássy út 22, district VI

This stunning neo-Renaissance building designed by 19^th century architect Miklós Ybl was formerly known as the Hungarian Royal Opera House and is now the largest opera house in all of Hungary. The auditorium holds more than 1200 people and plays host to some of the most famous performances in operatic history, such as La Bohemé and Die Fledermaus. If you aren’t much of an opera fan, you can also take a guided tour of this amazing building during the day.

Gellért Bath Spa, Kelenhegyi út 4, District XI

The thermal springs underneath the city of Budapest are thought to have therapeutic powers, and people have come to bathe in these healing waters for centuries to enjoy their apparent health benefits. Whether there is any truth in these claims is unproven, but it certainly makes for a relaxing experience. The Art Nouveau style Gellért bath is surely the grandest and most luxurious of all the thermal spas in Budapest, accented with with Roman-style columns and colourful mosaics. At the Gellért you can take a dip in the thermally heated indoor or outdoor pools, enjoy invigorating spa treatments like Swedish massage, or treat your loved one to their sensual and romantic couple’s package.

January 29, 2016 by Jeremy

Indulge Your Sporting Side with a Sports-themed Break

There are many people who are huge fans of sport with people having an interest in all sorts of sporting activities. Some enjoy actually taking part in various sports while others prefer to sit on the sidelines and enjoy the action as a spectator. Either way, the world of sports can be hugely entertaining and has a huge following including men, women and children.

As a fan of playing or watching sporting activities, one thing you can do to indulge this interest is to consider a sports-themed mini-break. No matter what sort of sport you are into – football, golf, horseracing, or any other type of sport – you will find the perfect destination to enjoy the thrills and excitement of being able to enjoy it up close and personal.

Some great sports-based holidays to enjoy

If you are looking to enjoy a sports based holiday in 2016, there are certainly plenty of options you can choose from. There are some fabulous sports events taking place this year and there are even holidays where you can enjoy some sporting activity yourself if you are keen to participate. Some great options include:

Euro 2016: Football fans will be very excited this year, as Euro 2016 is set to kick off in June and will be held in France. If you are a big fan of this sport, what better way to get up close and personal than winging your way over and enjoying it first hand from one of the various stadiums and areas where matches are being held? Depending on which teams and matches you want to see, you can head to cities and areas such as Paris, Lille, Marseille, and Lyon amongst others. Not only will you be able to look forward to the thrill of the game but you can also enjoy the electric atmosphere that you will find at this major football event. You can also soak up the culture, history and attractions in the area you decide to stay in as well as the sumptuous cuisine that the French are known for.

Grand National: If you are a fan of horse racing you will find plenty of major events going on this year, such as the wide range of UK events that are scheduled. The Grand National is 2016’s major horse racing meeting and is certain to attract people from far and wide. Many people will be heading to a Grand National betting site such as Coral to have a flutter on their favourite and can then enjoy the excitement of the event at the famous Aintree course. Taking place in April 2016, this is an event where you can enjoy getting dressed up and taking in the thrill of the racing. The event takes place from April 7th to April 9th, with the Grand Opening on 7th, Ladies’ Day on 8th, and Grand National Day on 9th.

Golf break: Those that want to combine sports and relaxation will find that a golf break is the perfect option. You will find golf resorts in destinations worldwide. This includes various parts of Spain, which means that you can enjoy playing golf, take in some sea air, and enjoy lapping up the beautiful sunshine. One of the places that you can head to is the Santa Barbara Golf and Ocean Club, which offers sun, sea, spa facilities, and a range of amenities in a stunning setting. Located in Tenerife, this is a resort that is suitable for breaks all year round.

Breaks such as these provide you with the perfect way of combining your love of sports with the chance to relax and explore new places.

November 20, 2015 by Jeremy

What to do in 24 hours in Valencia, Spain

So you’ve put together a flight itinerary lately, and you’ve found yourself having a long layover in the Spanish city of Valencia? Or perhaps you heading there on business, and you have 24 hours to kill before heading back home?

Whatever the reason, here’s what you can do with only one day to spare in Valencia…

1) Explore the City of Arts and Sciences

If you only have time to do one thing while in Valencia, make seeing the super futuristic City of Arts and Science your top priority.

Finished in 2005 at the mouth of the old course of the River Turia (diverted after a tragic flood in 1957), this brilliant steel, concrete and glass structure is home to a number of attractions that celebrate the contributions of the arts and sciences to our modern world.

From L’Hemisfèric, which contains an IMAX cinema and a planetarium, to L’Oceanogràfic, a series of aquariums containing marine species from around the world, there is much to see here and as such, it should be the anchor attraction of your brief 24 hours in Valencia.

2) Poke around Valencia Cathedral

If you are interested in history or culture, then be sure to find the time to take a look around Valencia Cathedral. Built in the 13^th century by the local bishop, this church is noteworthy for being one of a handful in the world that claim to possess the Holy Grail.

However, Valencia Cathedral has the backing of many Christian historians that have concluded from avaialble evidence that the chalice here is indeed the one that Jesus Christ drank out of on the night of the Last Supper.

Apart from that, the design of its interior dome and its collection of 15^th century paintings are additional reasons to include this sight on your tight 24 hour itinerary in Valencia.

3) Dine and drink in Barri del Carme

No matter what you do in Valencia, you will have to get something to eat at some point. When the sun sets and dinner time rolls around, indulge in some Spanish food and drink in Barri del Carme.

This lively neighborhood is home to a number of amazing restaurants, tapas bars, and Valencia’s alternative scene. This will make for a great night out; just be sure to set your alarm before leaving your accommodation … you don’t want to miss your flight in the morning!

Intrigued about what Valencia and the rest of Spain has to offer you and your family? Check out this site for the information you’ll need to plan your Iberian vacation today!

November 16, 2015 by Jeremy

The Top Rated Tourist Attractions in Istanbul

Founded in Neolithic times, today Istanbul is a modern and vibrant city that still remains true to its historic heritage through its many iconic mosques, cathedrals, basilicas, and ancient bazaars. It is a city which wears it history and cultures well, blending them into a lively and exhilarating city which attracts travellers from all over the globe. Situated between the East and the West, the largest city in Turkey appeals to all visitors with its aura of charm and intrigue. If you are planning a holiday to Istanbul, we’ve put together a list of the top-rated and best tourist attractions in the city which you won’t want to miss.

Galata Tower

Ruling over the Istanbul skyline at 67 metres high, the Galata Tower offers exquisite views of the old city and the surrounding areas. Known as the Tower of Christ, the medieval stone tower was the tallest building in the city at the time of its building in 1348, and still stands tall over Istanbul today. Over the centuries the tower has undergone a number of modifications, and was once used as an observation tower in order to spot fires. Today, the upper level of the tower includes a restaurant, café, and nightclub which can be reached by elevator.

Istanbul Archaeological Museum

Combined of three different museums, the Istanbul Archaeological Museum is one of the most important museums in Turkey. Together, the Ancient Orient Museum, The Archaeological Museum and the Tiled Kiosk Museum contain more than a million objects from civilisations all over the world. These includes thousands of precious artefacts including Alexander the Great’s sarcophagus.

Chora Church

Although off the beaten tourist path, visitors to the Chora Church agree that the journey is one well worth taking. Known as the Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora, it hosts magnificent mosaics and frescoes which depict the life of Jesus and his mother Mary. The church is one of the most stunning surviving works of Byzantine architecture and dates back to the days of Constantine.

Grand Bazaar

If you love to shop, you won’t want to miss out on a visit to the Grand Bazaar. With 5,000 shops, the Grand Bazaar is one of the largest indoor marketplaces in the world, and receives over a quarter of a million visitors per day. You will be spoilt for choice when browsing the many items featured, such as jewellery, carpets, antiques, hand painted ceramics and spices. Here is where you will find souvenirs such as old coins, inlaid weapons, antique furniture and precious gems.

Hagia Sophia

Once a place of worship that has served a number of different religions over the centuries, the Hagia Sophia was once the largest cathedral in the world, and has served as inspiration for a number of famous mosques, including the Blue Mosque. It is most famous for its range of mosaics depicting religious scenes, and was opened to the public as a museum in 1935.

If you can’t wait to go to Istanbul and check out the amazing attractions, click here for some great hotel deals.