Entries Tagged 'Travel' ↓

Paris

This festival is a celebration of France’s young and emerging talent. Young musicians, authors and directors work their socks of for months ahead in hope of getting recognized as France’s next big thing. Taking place on the 15th to the 21st of September, in 8 different locations, the best emerging talent will play, sing, dance and perform to their heart’s content.

The set locations are ; La Boule Noire, La Reine Blanche, Le Divan du Monde, Le Centre Musical Fleury-Goutte d’Or, Le Lavoir Moderne Parisien, La Teinturerie de Plumes, Le Grand Parquet and l’Espace Canopy. There’s a different event planned for each night, showcasing acts from every possible genre. Although music will always be the main focus of the event, for the first time in history, this year the festival is branching towards new media, such as cinema and literature.

With a total of 34 concerts, you’d be crazy to miss this event if you’re in the area. Check out their website for some more information http://www.attitudesinde.fr/

For more information on Paris and Paris events, visit our Travel blog. Make sure to book your apartments in paris and hotel Paris well in advance.

Rome

In Rome each year, Gay Pride Festival takes place. Gay Village 2008 26 June – 20 September, is an open-air gay summer event with movies, shops, music, performances, parties and more. Entrance free 20:00 – 21:30, after: on Thursdays 7 € (incl. 1 drink), on Fridays and Saturdays 13 € (incl. 1 drink). At Parco del Ninfeo, Via delle 3 Fontane all’Eur (Metro B: Magliana)

In past years the Pope has publicized his displeasure of the event, which has in turn sparked a lot of controversy, with the Vatican trying to get the festival banned. Thus, the festival has converted into what some describe; “the maintaining of democracy”, and a “festival of human rights”…

This year, Gay Village will see performances from the likes of; Giusy Ferreri and La Sorelle Marinetti. Regardless of what you think about the current climate in Rome, this festival is sure to be a blast regardless of your sexuality.

The well-designed area of Monte Testaccio where much of the festival takes place has been created with wooden cabins, bars, restaurants, dance areas and stages to re-create a small village where tolerance is the keyword. On the weekends, there is normally a very long queue, so get there early.

In the 1970′s Federico Fellini, Giulietta Masina and Marcello Mastroianni all had their summer breaks in Fregene- or the Saint-Tropez of Latium. Originally a simple fishing village, it has now become, thanks to them, THE resort for Italian intellectuals and the ‘people’ of the age. Nowadays, Fellini and Mastroianni are no longer present, the glamour of La Dolce Vita has also left, but Fregene hasn’t stopped being a greatly prized destination for celebrities and the ‘golden youth’ of Rome who have adopted it for the very same reasons as 40 years ago: it’s just an hour from Rome and is far from the crowded beaches of Ostia.

The best way to explore Fregene is to hire a bike for around 10€ from Motociclo Batella (Number 171 Viale Nettuno). From here, dozens of beaches stretch out before your eyes, it’s just up to you to choose which one…The majority of the beaches belong to private clubs, the so-called ‘Stablimenti Balneari’ which often also include restaurants, swimming-pools, bars with terraces, as well as cabins and deckchairs for hire. All of them will assure you that Fellini was a frequent visitor!! The Capri Club, with its touches of Mediterranean luxury (Lungomare di Levante, 288) is one of the places to be seen in Fregene, you are bound to come across more than a few footballers here. For a more West-Coast USA vibe, check out Sogno del Mare (Lungomare di Ponente, 25), with its volleyball courts and surf-boards for rent.

As for restaurants, the Saint Tropez (Via Cesenatico and Lungomare di Levante) where the specialities include Liguine with prawns, tomatoes and courgettes is great. The ‘padrona’, Silvia Sari, a veritable mainstay of Fregene, will tell you all the anecdotes about the old stars. For two people including wine, you’re looking at about 80€ for the meal.

The start of the afternoon is the perfect time for pedalling through the near-empty streets of Fregene, since everybody is having a break for lunch, and reaching the pine-wood to the north of the village.
To the northern extremity of Via Silvi Marina, you will find Ondanomala, one of those types of shacks playing the latest music and serving pricey but extremely chic cocktails…Also, the wonderful view over the mountains to the north really takes the biscuit. When it’s time for a snack, take the pleasure of trying a delicious ‘gelato’ (ice-cream) on Viale Castellammare. And to finish off the day in style, the GIlda On the Beach club (Lungomare di Ponente, 11) is one of the most well-known discos in the area.

The best way of getting to Fregene are the blue regional buses, there are departures nearly every hour and the journey lasts 35 minutes. The terminal in Rome is just next to Cornelia metro stop, to the west of the Vatican City. Be advised to purchase your ticket beforehand, which costs about 2€ from tobacconists. Trains depart from Termini station, in the direction of Maccarese, and then a bus can carry you onwards to Fregene. One last word of advice: check the return times upon your arrival in Fregene to avoid bad surprises!

And if you wish to chill out in the capital, book a alloggio Roma, it’s the best way to benefit from your trip to the Italian capital.
For more information on appartamenti Roma and hotel Roma, check out some of the online options.

La Soufriere Volcano

An important landmark of Guadeloupe’s landscape as it is the highest mountain situated in the middle of Basse-Terre and is a spectacular day trip! It can be done in half a day, however you need to be fit and we recommend wearing shoes and taking sufficient amount of water! If you ant a tour group, contact HazEco.

The volcano hike is a breathtaking experience, one of the great things to do in Guadeloupe – however it isn’t for the faint hearted. In 2004 the main parking lot was destroyed by a landslide so you are now obliged to park further down which means an extra 30 minute hike through the forest, which is somewhat longer and rockier. The sulphar smell is not very intoxicating at all. A bit of trivia: originally the steam was condensed and used as a medicinal drink.

Capesterre-Belle-Eau

Situated in the south east of Basse-Terre, Chutes du Carbet is the most popular destination in the region and also of Guadeloupe, comprising of three huge cascades, which is a must see! The first one is difficult to acces and reserved to specialists, the third one needs 2 hours of hiking and has an incredible 20 meter high water-fall. The second one is easier to access taking approximately 1 hour to get there and back, however it’s still a great walk with only the sounds of falling water in the mangroves. The view is simply breathtaking and was noted in Christopher Columbus’ log when he named Guadeloupe ‘Karukera’, which translates to “the island of beautiful waters. We recommend you take a raincoat and approximate wet weather gear as it rains a lot!

Kassavery of Capesterre-Belle-Eau is potentially one of the last places in the Lesser Antilles where you can taste the famous cake of Manioc made of coconut and banana.

Visit a Rhumerie – Rum distillery

Severin distillery in Sainte Rose is a little more industrial and cleaner than others. They’re very friendly and you’re able to freely taste rum, punch and anything else they’re brewing. They have a garden in the back and a guide to explain the numerous plants etc.

Isle de Pigeon

One of the best places for snorkeling and scuba diving, Isle de Pigeon is a small island just off the West Coast of Basse Terre above Bouillante. The sea is not very deep and is perfect for snorkeling as you will see similar views as those who dive!

Reserve Cousteau situated at Isle de Pigeon is simply incredible and is one of the best places on Isle de Pigeon. There are boat trips here with glass bottoms so you can admire the coral reef and vast array of sea life. Some boats will stop after about an hour and you can borrow a mask, tuba and palms and jump in the sea to see up close what’s out there. The captain will then attract fish with bread, so they can swim right next to you. You may need to inquire about this before. You you can scuba dive nearly everyday at la reserve cousteau regardless of your level. Make sure to think about villas to rent for holidays in advance.

Iles des Saints – Islands of the Saints

Iles des Saints is a group of picturesque islands south of Basse-Terre. There are very few cars and the best way to visit is to rent a scooter or walk. There are a number of historical sites to visit. There is a number of beautiful beaches, in particular ‘Pain de sucre’, along with various shops, galleries, restaurants and the like. Try climbing the “Chameau” (309m), the magnificent circular view is well worth the effort!

Terre-de-Haut is the largest and most populated islands of Les Saintes. It is an incredible place with fabulous walking, snorkeling, and places to stay and eat. Many people take only day trips to this island, but its worth a few nights in its own right. If you’re looking for empty beaches, a quaint village, and the feeling of having an island all to yourself, this is the place for you.

To get there you can take a boat from either Trois rivieres, Pointe a pitre or St francois and potentially some other places.

P.S. Looking for the packing tips? Read more about the packing checklist for vacation.

Montego Bay Hotels

With the 5-star resorts and world class hotels scattered all over the island, it comes as no surprise that Montego Bay is one of the best places to stay in the Caribbean. No problems with finding good places to eat or fun things to do and paying for so many different things because they usually have it all planned out for you.

There are lots of resorts that will fit your vacationing needs – some world hotel franchises, and others native. Either way, you’ll find the best vacation spot for yourself, your significant other or your family. There’s the Alamanda Inn or the Wyndham Rose Hall resort which are lodgings that are quite popular on the shores of Montego Bay. Need a trusted world class resort, then there’s the White Sands and the Ritz Carlton.

Other resorts in the area are the Half Moon resort and Pebbles resort. For some peace and solitude, you can visit resorts on Runaway Bay which is also part of Montego Bay. There you’ll find the Gran Bahia Principe and the Villa Sunflower Beach Resort.

These are only a few of the most popular places to stay in Montego Bay. You will never have a problem finding a good resort as there are just so many to choose from, each offering what every tourist needs – a little mix of fun, rest and relaxation.

Why should you travel to Jamaica?

It is a large expanse of beaches, home of the Rastafarian lifestyle, has cool blue rivers reaching up to more than 100 in number, filled with thick history, home to the Blue Mountain Range, and it’s in the Caribbean. How can you go wrong with a place that already mirrors paradise? Going for holidays to Jamaica is a great idea.

If the greens, reds and golds of the Rasta men don’t capture your heart, then maybe the music will. Jamaica is the home of reggae. With a few days of absorbing the carefree lifestyle, you’ll never want to leave. There’s a kind of magic that thrives only in Jamaica, in the quaint historical towns and in the one-with-nature attitude of the people.

Music is part of the Jamaican lifestyle. To them, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a native or a tourist. Once you’re in Jamaica, you need to breathe the Jamaican way of life. Should you be in the mood for pampering, there are lots of 5-star resorts scattered along Jamaica, the 3rd largest island in the Caribbean.

One trip will make you want to come back for more. That’s how they do it in Jamaica. It’s a place to unwind, be carefree and forget the problems of the real world. After a few days or weeks on the island, you’ll be refreshed and ready to head back to conquer another year of work.

Compare this with Hawaii luxury rentals and make your own choice.

If you want to visit a city where the past is a constant reminder then look no further than the city of Rome. Regarded as the ¨Eternal City¨, Rome definitely lives up to this name as the city has seamlessly blended its past with its present.

Regardless of the type of traveler you are or the amount of time you have to experience Rome, this guide will ensure that you make the most out of your experience. The first thing that you will need to do is to limit your agenda. This is meant so that you can have a realistic view and outlook on the amount of attractions that you can visit. After all, you are supposed to enjoy your vacation and not stress yourself out.

So do not make the mistake in trying to see everything that the city of Rome has to offer. It is better for you to make your own wish list and locations that you would like to see and visit. In this way you will be experiencing Rome at your own pace instead of racing through the city. In order to pace yourself, you will need to decide which locations you would like to visit as your interests need to take priority here.

It is also essential to know that regardless of where you decide to stay within the city, Rome appartement has the suitable accommodation for you. To enjoy the most out of your stay, you will need to focus on the areas that you would want to cover upon your visit, the same holds true with the type of guides that you will carrying. You don’t really want to be carrying unnecessary information with you if you’re not going to do anything with it. Rome appartement also gives you this choice as they provide accommodation throughout the city, allowing you to freely choose your area of interest.

Another suggestion and tip would be to consider an Audio Guide that you can carry with you either on a CD or MP3 format. You will be surprised as to how useful these guides can be and they will also prevent you from looking at the distracting and disorienting information boards and maps that usually surround tourist locations.

Last but not least, it is actually possible to have a bad meal in Rome. You would also like to arm yourself with a Rome food guide as you don’t want your memories of Rome to be ruined with lousy food! Don’t hesitate any further, book your accommodation at one of the many Rome appartement and start planning your experience today!

Nowadays, Rome, in addition to containing the Vatican, seat of the Catholic Church, is the largest of the European capitals. This modern metropolis wasn’t built in a single day, and equally neither should it be visited for a single day. Take the time to explore and reserve an appartamenti Roma.

Roman cuisine is simple but has strong flavours. Perhaps it is not particularly refined, nonetheless this quality adds to its real and authentic style. Traditional Roman cuisine is made up of simple, non-fatty ingredients, which change with the seasons.

A typical Roman menu would commence with Bruschetta ‘ammazzavampiri’ (Vampire killer bruschetta-it contains lots of garlic!) and perhaps some wonderful Mozzarella in Carroza. After this, without a doubt there will be a nice plate of pasta: Spaghetti alla carbonara, bucatini all’amatriciana, bucatini cacio e pepe or gnocchi alla romana. If you would like to try some rigatoni with the famous pajata sauce, it is strongly advisable first of all to taste it before asking which ingredients go into its making….

For the main dish, you can choose between coda alla vaccinara, saltimbocca alla romana or costolette d’abbacchio.
To accompany this, don’t miss artichokes “alla giudia”, a typical Jewish-Roman way of preparing the vegetable.
If you still have any space left in your stomach, you could finish off by trying two or three maritozzi, or wash down with a “grattachecca”, a typical Roman iced drink. This meal can be accompanied with white wines such as Frascati or Cerveteri.

However, if you would like to make your own purchases, you will find numerous markets here.

One of the most well-known is the Campo de’ Fiori, which is open every morning and offers seasonal fruit and vegetables. Just their colours and odours will be enough to make you salivate…You will also find a boulangerie next-door to the market.

For unmissable wines, there are several cellars offering tastings and explanations on their cultivation. Amongst the most famous are La Tradizione and Franchi.

Equally, if you wish to witness typically Roman spots and get involved in the cultural, historical and traditional aspect of the town, stop off in one of the many cafes. These are meeting places for artists and writers alike, examples being Babington’s Tearooms, Caffè Greco, Caffè Rosati and Caffè Canova.

On the other hand, if you fancy an espresso in the typically Roman style (coffee cooked by hand over a wood fire), make your way to Caffè Sant’Eustachio, which is located on the square of the same name.
If you are planning a trip to the eternal city, the centre is best place for finding a alloggio a Roma and hotel Roma, from which you will then have access to nearly all of the hot-spots in the town.

If you would like to experience something very different, you should come to Rome very soon. Just rent your apartment (Hotels in Rom) and go discover the city.

Rome is famous for its sights such as the Coliseum, however this is not the only reason to visit the ‘Eternal city’. During the next few months there are a lot of events that you really shouldn’t miss.

From September until October 31st, the biggest hot-air balloon in the world will be stopping over in Rome and you’ll have the opportunity to travel up to 150 metres high for 15 minutes. Go along to the Galoppatoio di Villa Borghese to experience a trip you won’t forget.

If you can’t imagine your holiday without a swimming pool, you’ll be completely fine in Rome. From mid June until mid September you can enjoy a sunbath at the shore of the Tiber. From here you can see the great view of the Petersdom. There are many different choices of swimming pools and of course you have the chance to rent parasols and sun loungers. Furthermore, there’s a gym, a pool table and much more available for you to use.

During Estate Romana, which takes place from June until September, there are a lot of events in various parks and galleries where you can see concerts for example. It doesn’t matter if you prefer jazz or rock concerts, open-air cinemas or exhibitions…Here you will find something that you will like.

Notte Biance (White night) takes place on the 8th to the 9th of September. This night offers entrance to most of the city’s museums, theatres, cinemas, shops etc free of charge. This night is organized in order to bring the city together and have a good time. There are more than 100 events which will be raising money for worthwhile causes; disadvantaged people like orphans, the blind or the homeless get the chance to participate in events, exactly how anyone else would.

If you would like to receive the famous blessing “Urbi et Orbi” by the Pope, you should spend Easter or Christmas in Rome. The Pope gives his blessing to these both events. Both times, the Petersplatz is crowded with people from all over the world.

On 6th January Rome celebrated Befana. This event is held in honour of a good witch. The good kids get sweets while the bad kids receive coal.

If you would like to be there for one of these events, you should book your accommodation (Unterkunft in Rom), your apartment (Ferienwohnung Rom), or your Hotel Rom in

Heading into the winter months, the chances of grabbing cheap cruise holiday deal increases significantly and the trend in recent years seems to be strengthening in favor of many holiday seekers looking at this time of the year to head out into the open oceans for their vacation fun.

We are not going to spend time telling you where you can go to get a cheap cruise deal because the chances are that they will find you. This article is more about alerting you to the fact that much of the promotion is centered around making it attractive enough to take the plunge in the first place. However, it’s the on board costs that many may not be aware of and unless you take into account that there will be expenses to take care of during a cruise then your cheap cruise deal may not be so attractive after all.

6 Cruise Expenses You Need To Be Aware Of

Just be aware, while you may pay under $500 for that super Caribbean cruise experience, the cost may not be all inclusive which many believe could be the case.

In other words, while your initial cost will include some onboard privileges, the cost of staying on a ship for any length of time can be expensive. That’s not detracting at all from the experience because there is little to compare with a cruise but many holidaymakers will have suffered temporary high blood pressure levels when it comes time to squaring up at the end of the trip.

Let’s take a look at some of the expenses you could be faced with which can blow your cheap cruise holiday experience into an expensive one:

1. Drinking is one of the biggest expenses on a cruise ship. Just be aware, if you like a drink then be prepared to pay for it. Souvenir drinks are attractive; that is, drinks which come in specially designed glasses which you get to keep afterwards but how many souvenir glasses do you want to end up with?

2. Photos can be a brutal expense. Photographs are a great way to savor wonderful memories and there will be on board photographic services which will be happy to snap your picture everyday. But be warned they are not cheap. If you have your own camera then make sure you pack it.

3. Many inexperienced travelers will often think on shore excursions which are organized are part of the cruise experience but this is not usually the case. This is something you need to check with your travel professional before making your booking.

4. Entertainment is great on board a ship and most of it is free however, if you like to indulge in a little gambling and have a “soft spot” for slot machines be prepared to play the larger denomination machines because the smaller 1 and 2 cent machines can be hard to find.

5. On board staff and generally fantastic and it’s hard to beat the service you get on a ship. Again, it can come at a cost via gratuities and this is fair enough however, if you are from a place where tipping is foreign, just be prepared.

6. Some on board services are not included as part of the initial cheap cruise holiday price. These include grooming and beauty services. Meanwhile, medical services will cost you extra should you need attention on your trip.

Open to the public for a couple of months a year, the Roseto Rose Garden is truly magnificent. For centuries the Roseto has been used as Rome’s Jewish cemetery. With its prime spot occupation, the garden layout pays tribute to the site’s history with paths forming special symbols. The Roseto Rose Garden is not only a magnificent area and location for admiring the true beauty of roses, it also has an extensive permanent collection of roses occupying the higher slopes which even climb up the walkways. The garden also displays competition entries and new breeds of roses which are completely unique in the world.

Due to the Roseto´s Garden huge range, you can literally spend hours wandering and photographing around the garden. One might ask what the hook or the uniqueness of the Roseto Rose Garden is, as many cities in the world also have gardens which are both celebrated for their design and display of various types of roses. But the Roseto Rose Garden enjoys from a truly terrific and wonderful location which has to be seen to be believed. Upon witnessing the Roseto Rose Garden location, one will truly admire and discover the magic which clearly inhabits this garden.

You can find suitable Rome appartementen all around the city in order for you to maximize the most out of your experience. appartement Rome provide you with the ability to plan and schedule your trip to Rome exactly to your liking. The design of the Rose Garden dates back to the 1930´s and is split into two distinct sections. The upper section shows the permanent collection of varieties of roses grouped on a chronological basis and the lower part of the garden hosts the varieties taking part in the annual Premio Roma (a competition among international floriculturists).

There’s even a small section of the garden that is reserved for roses of the ancient world. It is clearly evident that if you are either curious or a complete sucker for roses, you must visit the Roseto Rose Garden found in Rome.

Here are two great ideas to keep you busy during your stay in Rome. Enjoy.

Wine Fest

Get your suitcase, your sun hat and your bottle opener. Yes, that’s right your bottle opener. This February, Rome’s annual wine festival is returning. All those wines you’ve tried and loved, and all those you’ve wanted to try are going to be there, all waiting to be smelt, admired and of course, drank.

At the Spazio Etoile, the biggest exhibition venue in Italy’s capital, wine producers from all over the country will be gathering with their wines. The event is promised to bring a collection of Italy’s finest in vineyards, owners and wines due to the fact that exhibitors showcase their produce by invitation only. Therefore ensuring exclusivity and quality.

During the event there will be demonstrations, historical explanations and of course, plenty of tasting sessions. This is a great opportunity to learn about winemaking and to learn about the different winemaking regions of Italy. Who knows, it might even entice you to visit a new region for your next holiday. So, whether you’re a Pinot lover, or a Brunello drinker, there’s sure to be something for everyone. So, if you’re a true wine lover, be sure not to miss this great event. Chin Chin!

Hip Hope Parade

As true as it may be that Rome is an ancient city, filled with ancient architecture and an oldy worldy feel, the city is far from prehistoric. Although the city is more related to a sight seeing holiday; a place ‘to be’ rather than a place ‘to do’, there is plenty of things to get your heartbeat going.

Soon, the city will be competing with the likes of Brooklyn, Manhattan, London and Paris in the World of Hip Hop; September in Rome sees the arrival of the National Hip Hop parade. This festival will be showcasing in various parts of the city and will be demonstrating the best in Italian hip hop and street culture. The three main artists of the event are Funk Attack, Hip-Hop International and Eu-Rap, providing everything from breakdancing to rap wars.

Rome is far from being a dead city and this event provides an array of parties, seminars and workshops to prove it! Make sure to pop by on a regular basis as we promise to bring you the latest news and gossip straight from Rome. If you want to know the exact line up of this event, visit the Rome Hip-Hop parade website.

Make sure to book your Rome accommodation well in advance as hotel Rome and apartments Rome get booked up quite fast.