Travel Archives - Page 5 of 6

December 3, 2017 by Greg Underwood

Milan – A Million Things To See

Italy is awash with numerous metropolitan cities that are must sees but which ones are on the top of your list? Of course with so many world famous sites it’s easy to pick cities like Rome or Naples, but what about fashion capital Milan? Milan is known for being the main site of some of the world’s most prestigious fashion houses such as Armani, Bottega, Miu Miu, Versace and Dolce & Gabbana and plays host twice yearly to spring and autumn fashion shows during which time the city explodes into life with celebrities, models and paparazzi all descending on the city to lay their eyes on the next hottest thing from each of the fashion houses at their various shows. Do yourself a favour – add Milan to your must see list. You won’t regret it.

Getting In And Around

Milan is serviced by two international airports – Linate and Malpensa. Both are serviced by buses and taxis to get into the centre but you’re in Milan! Treat yourself and book a private car to pick you up and take you to your hotel and even around to the most popular sites to see around the city. Not only is it a hassle free, surprisingly affordable treat for yourself, but you will be wondering why you didn’t do this sooner! Live life like one of the major fashion models and get treated like royalty from the moment you step out of the plane. You never know – you might end up rubbing elbows with some of your favourite fashion houses along the way!

Milan – A City

Admittedly when it comes to things to see and do in Milan it may seem like it pales in comparison to other Italian cities such as Rome, Verona or Venice. Milan stands separate from these other cities due to a number of reasons: much of it was destroyed in the second world war, and it does have a more ‘rush rush’ work feel to it. It is after all, a working city with many of its inhabitants rushing off to and fro, drinking their coffees quickly at the bar of the cafe before rushing off again. The tourists in Milan are far more laid back than the residents, but don’t let that put you off. With the huge number of impressive museums, monuments, piazzas, theatres, opera houses, ristorantes and more there is more than enough to attract a visitor to this impressive cosmopolitan city.

Get Your Fashion On

If you’re remotely a fan of fashion or even just like to keep abreast of goings on in the fashion scene, be sure to hit up Milan around fashion seasons of spring and autumn when the major houses showcase their upcoming lines in a number of spectacular shows. Be sure to get tickets in advance if you’re hoping to attend, and even then sometimes it’s by special invite only. In truth, Milan is the perfect place for students of fashion to be in fashion season regardless of whether you can get a seat at a show or not.

So there you have a couple of great reasons Milan should be on your “to visit” list. With so much happening in this cosmopolitan city, it’s easy to see why it remains a favourite amongst travellers to come and check out the hustle and bustle of more corporate Italian life alongside centuries old traditions and shopping opportunities.

December 2, 2017 by Greg Underwood

Accessible hotels in London, What to Look Out For

One of the biggest challenges that I have had since the injury which left me in a wheelchair, is finding great hotels, and making traveling as easy as possible. I love to travel and I always have but since the accident it has become far more complicated to get around and see all of the things that I wanted to see. I recently went on a trip to London and for the first time in a long time, I had an amazing experience and wasn’t limited at all because of my chair. If you are interested in getting around and finding accessible hotels in London, here is what to look out for.

Hotel Specs

As one would expect with a city like London, there are a huge amount of accessible hotels available to you depending on your specifications. My experience in other parts of the world with accessible hotels has been pretty poor and it seems that many think just because their rooms have large bathrooms that it somehow makes it disability friendly. In London however, things are how they should be with large doorways, plenty of large bathrooms, stair lifts and chair lifts as well as ground floor rooms for those in chairs.

Locations

Whilst I did say that getting around was pretty easy, I must stress that the reasons behind this were because of the smart decisions that I made. To begin with I decided to stay in Central London, close to all of the landmarks and places that I wanted to visit, this meant minimal traveling on public transport. I also decided that I would avoid the tube and the bus, and spend a little extra on black cabs to get me to the places that I wanted to go to. I must add that even pushing myself around the streets was pretty easy as the paved streets are well maintained and there are no holes or broken footpaths on the main streets. Work out what it is that you want to see and then select a hotel which is close to them all.

Shuttle

I learned after my trip to London that there are many hotels which specialise in hosting guests with limited mobility, and these hotels very often have shuttles which can take their guest to certain points around the city. I would definitely recommend that you look out for these hotels as my bill for the black cabs did end up running quite high. The idea of having a shuttle on hand which you can use as and when you like is a massive bonus, especially if you use a wheelchair and want to see as much as London as possible.

The underground and the buses are wheelchair friendly but the sheer volume of people who use them can often cause problems so I would avoid them. London does have some excellent hotels for wheelchair users but still make sure that you check all of the details about the hotel to ensure that it is the right fit for you.

December 1, 2017 by Greg Underwood

How to maintain a healthy lifestyle while living in Mexico

If you’re used to regular gym visits and enjoy a gluten-free or vegan way of life, this may prove a little harder when you move to Mexico. Although the country has a wealth of varied delicious food, exercise and healthy eating are not priorities for many Mexicans. That said, there are plenty of ways to ensure you stay healthy while in your new home.

From activities and events to simple changes in lifestyle, these tips and advice will help expats to balance a busy working life with a healthy lifestyle.

Free facilities are your friend

You may be offered a gym membership through work, but if not, paying for a private membership can be costly. However, free open-air gyms are everywhere, so venture to your local park and use the metal gym equipment.

Many of the parks also have running tracks around the edge, such as Bosque de Tlalpan near Mexico City. Use these for keeping fit as well as taking in the plentiful sunshine you’ll be fortunate to enjoy while living there – unless it’s the rainy season between May to November!

Make sure you’re covered

Healthcare is provided by the Federal State of Mexico for Mexicans who do not have formal employment. The system, called ‘Seguro Popular’, was brought in in 2012. Seguro Popular means Popular Health Insurance, so covers those who cannot afford private healthcare. It also has helped reduce the cost of some treatments. However, Mexican healthcare is still a mixed system, with employers covering some employees and others having individual private insurance plans. So, rather than take the risk and leave yourself vulnerable, you may want to discuss health insurance with your employer. Alternatively, it can be wise have some kind of international health insurance plan in place to ensure you’re fully covered and to give you peace of mind.

Use your ‘comida’ wisely

A leisurely two-hour lunch – called comida – is a daily event. What’s not to love about drinking beer and dining on the amazing delicacies the country has to offer? However, if this is your only time to squeeze in some exercise, cut down your lunch break and hire a bicycle. Bike riding is a growing trend in Mexico City, especially on Sundays when the streets are closed to allow safer cycling or skating for everyone. There are plenty of bike hire companies, but the government scheme ECOBICI has stations across the city (444 in fact) where you can take a bike for 45 minutes and drop it back to one of the stations as many times as you like. You must be a member, which is a small annual cost, but then the first use per day is free, with subsequent trips costing only a few pesos.

Drink bottled water – and lots of it

Staying hydrated is key to staying healthy and there’s no place where this is more of a rule than Mexico. No one wants ‘Montezuma’s Revenge’ so drink the cheap and readily available bottled water, unless you work or live in an environment with a filtrated system you know to be safe.

As well as water it’s probably best to avoid the ice too – so even the ‘gringo’ margarita is made with crushed ice that could leave you feeling rather poorly. Stick to bottled beers like the natives or try the traditional ‘Pulque’, an alcoholic drink made from the fermented sap of agave plants! If you’d prefer a non-alcoholic drink, try:

a frozen horchata made with rice milk and rice-based ice-cream (vegan friendly)
hibiscus tea
tomato juice
atole, a warm drink made from a type of corn flour with vanilla and cinnamon – perfect for chillier winter nights

Learn a new skill

Many Mexicans enjoy learning new skills through classes. Although you may view them as exercise, the emphasis is on the skill of self-protection, as many are concerned about crime and safety.

Often classes are held outside in parks, such as Mexico City’s Viveros de Coyoacán. Here you’ll see ‘El parque Papagayo’ groups of people taking part in a martial arts class or fitness class during the day.

Pilates is also popular, as is Zumba. Martial arts like Taekwondo, and boxing are also keen pursuits. You may even find pole-dancing classes in some areas.

The mouth-watering Mexican cuisine

Who wouldn’t want to enjoy the amazing, colourful food there is on offer in Mexico. Remove the thoughts of TexMex and embrace an array of dishes offering taste explosions such as tostados, pambazos and quesadillas.

You’ll have to work a bit harder at finding vegan or vegetarian cafes and restaurants. It’s not such a common lifestyle choice in Mexico as it is in other countries, and Mexicans tend to stick to traditional dishes like chilaquiles (fried corn tortillas), frijoles (beans) or pozole (a stew). But they do exist and it’s a growing trend, so ask around and discover the dishes that locals are enjoying.

Look for ceviche, which means ingredients, often fish, marinated in lime juice, and try to avoid refried options, tortillas or creamy choices (like many of the pork dishes.) If you’re looking for healthy eateries outside of the Mexican variety, go for Japanese.

Make full use of the variety of cheap, locally sourced produce from the markets. If you buy from the stalls outside the main market it can be even cheaper still. Check out the Xochimilco market if you’re in Mexico City or Mercado de Benito Juarez in Oaxaca. Look for nopales or Flor de calabaza (courgette flowers), chayotes or chiles poblanos (squashes) and try new herbs like epazote, mejorana or pipiza.

Mole – meaning chocolate – is popular and you may be served desserts laden with it. We all need a little treat now and then, and you couldn’t call yourself an honorary Mexican without the odd churro!

Working in Mexico and staying healthy is not only possible, but if you take on board these tips, it will become second nature.

November 30, 2017 by Greg Underwood

Travel in style: Luxury car tours Europe

Here’s an idea for your next trip to Europe: Combine a fast and stylish supercar, mind-blowing tours through the most beautiful countries Europe hast to offer, the best 5* hotels, fine dining along the way and the company of a stunningly beautiful lady. If that sounds like a master plan, you should read on …

Road trip deluxe: the most luxurious car tours through Europe

You love fast cars, enjoy driving across amazing landscapes and/or putting the pedal to the metal on German Autobahns or even Formula 1 race tracks. You also enjoy a good tasting menu, best served in a highly acclaimed restaurant. And how about spending the nights in glamorous luxury hotels and – should you be a single super car lover – experience all of this together with a gorgeous top model by your side? All the above-mentioned points except for the smoking hot lady as your travel companion (we’ll come to that in a little while) can be arranged by specialized travel agencies like “Ultimate Driving Tours”. These guys will not only put you in the driver seat of cars like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, McLaren & Co., but also arrange entire luxury car trips throughout the world. Take their “European Supercar Tour and Monaco Grand Prix“ as an example. You’ll spend four days touring along the most spectacular roads of Switzerland, Italy, France in the coolest European supercars. In Monaco you’ll stay on a luxurious super yacht from where you’ll have a top spot to witness one of the most spectacular Formula 1 races ever: The Grand Prix of Monaco! Needless to say that you’ll be pampered throughout this tours with exquisite culinary delights and many more VIP treatments. The price per person for this tour is around 4,200 USD.

Switzerland deluxe – explore the Alps in a supercar!

The cool thing about this tour from “Colcorsa” is that you can choose the supercar of your liking. Their fleet holds beauties from Ferrari, Jaguar, Mercedes-AMG, BMW and so on. They also have a nice fleet of classic cars if you’re into a more laid-back style of driving. One tour of choice could be the “Swiss Alps & Stelvio”, which starts in Zurich and will lead you along curvy alpine roads – the highlight is the tour along the legendary hairpins of the Stelvio Pass. If you’re a fan of the TV show Top Gear, you’ll know what to expect! But first things first. Once you arrived in the famous luxury hotel “Baur au Lac” in Zurich, you could call one of the most renowned escort agencies in Switzerland. They will discreetly arrange a date with your beautiful travel companion for the following five days. Once you’ve got that covered, it’s time to hit the road! You’ll drive along the amazing Furka Pass, which is known from the James Bond movie “Gold Finger” and arrive in the luxury ski town of St. Moritz. The next stop is Davos, which you’ll reach by tackling the serpentines of the Flueela Pass. Next day it’s time to head back to Zurich. The prices for this tour start at around 6,000 USD – depending on the car you’ll wish to rent.

13 days, 4 countries, and your Porsche 911

The legendary “4 Country Tour” by the experts from “Autobahn Adventures.com” will be one holiday you’ll never forget! You’ll land in Frankfurt / Germany where you’ll be transferred to one of the most exclusive hotels this country has to offer: The “Nassauer Hof”. It is here, where you will be introduced to your sweet ride: a brand-new Porsche 911! The Porsche Museum in Stuttgart is the second stop of the tour and on the following day you’ll speed over the German Autobahn to Switzerland. Three days of fine dining, luxury shopping and, of course, a lot of driving along scenic alpine roads await. Lake Garda in Italy is your next destination. Besides burning some rubber along the beautiful winding roads of the Italian Alps, you’ll enjoy a boat ride over the picturesque lake. Day 9, 10 and 11 will be spend in Tyrol, Austria. The famous Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria is just a short drive away, you can enjoy a mountain bike tour through the mountains and relax in the biggest sauna village in the Alps (which is a part of the 5* luxury hotel you’ll be staying in). The last leg of this amazing tour brings you back to Wiesbaden where you’ll have to say „Goodbye!” to your Porsche 911 and celebrate this unique experience with your fellow travellers during a sumptuous banquette in the evening. The price for the “4 Country Tour” is around 12,000 Euro per person.

November 29, 2017 by Greg Underwood

First Time in a Casino? Here’s How to Go About It

As part of my job I need to spend a great deal of time traveling to California and I always make sure that I grab myself a room in the outstanding Bicycle Hotel and Casino. I like this hotel not only because it is a great hotel, but also because of its huge casino, the biggest on the West Coast so I am told. When I am in the casino, I always spot newbies coming in for their first time and I actively try to give them a bit of a hand if they are looking lost. I wanted then, to offer some tips for anyone who is going into a casino for the first time.

Money First

The first thing that you need to think about before even entering the casino is how much money you are prepared to spend. If you are going into the casino for a good time, like the majority of the people who go into a casino do, then you don’t want to end up losing everything that you have, something which is more common than you may think. Instead, you should be looking to go in, play a little and be prepared to lose some cash along the way. You basically need to think of how much money you are prepared to lose, think like this and then win or lose, you will have a good time.

Research

If you don’t understand many of the casino games then the best thing that you can do is to do a spot of research online before you even go to the casino. If you have a quick check on YouTube then you will find a huge amount of tutorials for beginners for all of the popular casino games. If you are really keen, then you can invest your time in learning more than the basics and even study some strategies which you can employ to boost your chances of winning. The more that you know before you go into the casino, the more confident that you will feel inside.

Quiet Tables

If you aren’t feeling very confident then the best thing that you can do is to find a table which is quiet so that you feel less pressure. In doing this, you can also get some help from the croupier who will be more than happy to help you out. If however, you sit at a busy table, the croupier will not have time to help you and there will be many pairs of eyes looking at you which will really add to the pressure. If there are no quiet tables around, look for one with people who look like they are not taking it too seriously, sitting at a fun table can be much more relaxing for you rather than staying at a table with high rollers.

The key to gambling in a casino is having fun and being confident, do your research, be smart with your money and take your time.

November 27, 2017 by Greg Underwood

Senior Travelers! Here’s Everything You Need to Know Before Your Trip

The popular adage, “Age is just a number” applies to a lot of things: doing art, publishing a book, taking up a new hobby, and most especially in traveling. Often times, a lot of people worry about seniors traveling the world, and the intentions behind are understandable. Getting old might mean they will get tired easily, might need to follow a strict medication schedule, and so on.

However, it is in our old age that traveling becomes more than just a need to experience the world; it becomes a force that makes us understand it. So there really is not better time to pick up the love for traveling than in our golden age. Before we get on with our travels, though, we need to be fully prepared for lots of unforeseen occurrences. For this reason, we have prepared a small guide for seniors who are planning to travel the world.

Pick shoulder or off-peak seasons

The worst enemy of every traveler is a crowd, more so if you are of a certain age already. To avoid long lines and big groups people, make sure to schedule your travels during shoulder or off-peak seasons. A shoulder seasons is a travel period between peak and off-peak seasons — this is perfect so that your destinations are not totally rid of other travelers.

Learn about what is included in the insurance

The first thing you need to know is seniors need to get a travel insurance. Pay particular attention to medical coverage and how it works abroad. For instance, if there are accidents or if you need to be given treatment, how will your insurance cover the expenses?

You also need to look at evacuation insurance, or the coverage for when you need to be transferred to another medical facility for better treatment. You should know now that if you have pre-existing conditions, you might experience difficulties securing an insurance plan, but there are plans available that will readily waive those exclusions.

Pack light

You should not be lugging around heavy and bulky bags during your trip. So consider taking fewer clothes and just have them laundered if you have run out of items to wear. Important things to have are a jacket that can protect you from the cold or the rain, a hat that can shield you from the heat of the sun, rubber shoes so that your feet will not hurt as much when walking, and comfortable clothes so that you will not have problems moving around. Traveling is a strenuous activity, make it less tedious by packing only what you need.

Important reminders when flying

As much as possible, a direct flight is better to have than a connecting flight. This helps you avoid walking from one terminal to another, which is incredibly difficult if the airport is huge and always busy. However, if it cannot be helped, always ask to ride on the airport’s electric cart so you will not have problems getting to your terminal on time.

Here are a couple of other reminders for your flight:

Book early so you can choose aisle seats. If you can splurge a bit, upgrade your seats to either an economy plus or first class.
Take a short walk every hour to help your blood circulation
Stay hydrated
Bring a travel pillow with you or ask the flight attendant if they have one so you can be comfortable during a long flight

Traveling is truly a rewarding experience, and your age should not hinder you from it. Keep these tips in mind when you plan for your travel abroad, and it will certainly go off without a hitch.

November 21, 2017 by Greg Underwood

Top 5 Tips To Find Your French Soul Mate

French men have always been captivated by women around the world. They might not be the most handsome around in Europe, but there is a certain aura of “je na sais quoi” about their personae which radiates a sense of being more to their charm than just being eye candies. Whether it is their Parisian fashion sense combined with native etiquettes or their eloquent French accent, we cannot know. What we do know, however, is that this makes them extremely irresistible for women. So, the question arises, how should women actually go about finding their French date? While a French dating app or a website may be of great help, it can only aide you in spotting your desired French man. An insight into what can make him desire you is more important. Roses Only has devised some tips that will help you in finding your soul mate in this modern dating age. These tips would also be helpful if you are already dating a lucky French man and want to exchange vows with him.

Dress Appropriately

The first thing that differentiates a French man from others is his outfit. A Parisian is known for having no competitor worldwide for fashion sense. To match his sense of distinction and elegance you need to dress as per his expectations. This will assure him the striking mutuality between you two. Add a foreign tint to your dressing while maintaining their traditional fashion sense, and you are sure to turn some French heads around!

Be Confident

The undefined aura of French men that differentiates them from others is hard to interpret. But its perception comes from the fact that they love to look directly in your eyes. In fact, it is considered bad manners if you do not make an eye contact. Also, looking into the eyes manifests your confidence. This confidence conveys your sincerity towards continuing the relationship. Never invest in a relationship unless you are confident about it.

Converse With A Sense Of Humor

Generally, we want to spend life with the person who can converse well since it’s only via talking and sharing that we understand the other person and his needs. Similarly, you can never hate the one, with whom you laugh. Therefore, a French man will always prefer someone with whom he can talk about everything be it food, fashion trends, sex, wine or anything else in the world. Also, it always feels great to be with someone who make your tummy tremble with laughter, so it would be prudent to develop good a sense of humor

Smile More

Smiling develops a positive vibe which, in turn, makes you more sociable. As you smile, your eyes look radiant and its spark shows how good you are feeling. Be it French or any other man, he will always want to be with someone who feels good about herself. To have a smiling face of a soul mate is the dream of all, so practice this as it will bear good results not only for your relationship but also for your personality. Of course, you do not have to be unnatural about it.

Be Strong

French women are known to be strong and energetic. If you aren’t French, your dream of having a French soul mate will only materialize, in most of the cases, if you are emotionally strong and physically active. The more spirited your French man perceives of you, the more are your chances to develop a strong and everlasting relationship with him. You must make your man know that how comfortable you are in his company and how you two can be good fit for each other.

Do Not Rely On Make Up/Foundation

French men, like most other men, prefer their women to have smooth and unblemished skins naturally. If you do not have a flawless skin, use a good skincare product and reconsider eating habits. While a little make-up here and there is recommended, do not use unnatural amounts of foundation to hide your actual skin tone and texture.

Be Fit

Be it French or any other, men prefer physically fit women as much as women would prefer fit and strong men. Although you do not need a super model figure to attract a French man, a consistent workout routine is good enough to not let him feel unattracted toward you just because of your physique. You do not have to worry about the hassle of going to the gym daily, there are plenty of workout routines that you can follow and carry out in the comfort of your home.

Do Not Rush

Try not to take a shortcut into bed with him. Keep your integrity and develop a chemistry first to make sure he wants you too. Men love courtship as much as women do. It helps both of you to know each other better to make a more informed decision about continuation of the relationship.

Learn French

It might not be necessary to be able to talk to your French man in his language but it is definitely a plus when you can flirt in one of the sexiest languages with some of the finest men. Romance in French only adds to the intensity of the moment. This will also exude a feeling of devotion and willingness to continue with the relationship from your side.

Keep Your Identity

While being able to communicate in their native language and living up to their standards of fashion and style are recommended, keep in mind that most French men, just like all other normal humans, love to explore and know about other cultures and traditions. So, if you are a foreign woman looking for a French date, make sure that he gets to learn from you about the society you represent and the traditions and values it is known for. In fact, to make him truly fall for you, you should make certain you are not just another French woman for him.

Whether you are looking for a French man, or just any other guy, these tips are sure to help you get your soul mate.

November 20, 2017 by Greg Underwood

Experiencing Ireland’s Musical Splendour In Style

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Are you planning an adventurous, fun-filled, culturally intensive trip to the Emerald Isle? You’ve come to the right place then, especially if you really want to soak up the musical culture of the country of Ireland. Dotted with so many quaint and welcoming pubs all throughout the country, there’s no better way to truly take in the culture of Ireland than by stopping off in its friendly pubs to take in some of the local tunes. So grab yourself a rental car and some insurance by leading Irish insurance provider, Chill Insurance and hit the road to discover all the musical fare Ireland has on offer.

Dublin

With districts like the Temple Bar just teeming with pubs that offer up a whole host of traditional music including live bands who come in most evenings in the week to play their favourite traditional tunes, you can’t go wrong with a stop off in Dublin. While the Temple Bar district has the biggest selection of pubs with live traditional music, heading a bit off the well worn path can find you some real gems of the city. Head over to Fishamble Street to Darkey Kelly’s pub, which not only has a space for live music nightly but it also is home to a whole host of Irish craft beers and ales as well as delicious, hearty food. If you like the Dubliner’s though, be sure to check out O’Donohughe’s bar on Merrion Row where the band met and played their first gig!

Cork

Out in the countryside you’ll be sure to find small villages to stop off at for a Guinness and a snack. While not all of them may play live music, rest assured there will be all manner of traditional Irish music playing on their music system. If you’re a fan of Hozier and their song ‘Take Me To Church’, you can visit one of the filming locations for the video – the Inniscarra Dam, as well s other various locations around the city including the wasteland near the inner city. Cork isn’t just about music videos though, if you’re in the area be sure to get yourself the gift of the gab by kissing the Blarney Stone up at Blarney Castle, just outside of town.

Galway

Ed Sheeran filmed the music video for his hit song ‘Galway Girl’ at various locations throughout the gorgeous coastal city of Galway. You can follow in his footsteps and visit the very same locations in this colourful and welcoming city, such as O’Connell’s bar on Eyre Square. Don’t stop there though – Galway is the gateway to some of the gorgeous mountainous regions of Connemara with its wild, rocky coastline and spooky but strangely gorgeous marshlands.

So on your next trip to Ireland be sure to take in some of the great musical offerings the country has on offer. With this fantastic ebook put together by Chill Insurance as well, you can be sure to visit all the hottest spots where musicians lived, were born or where they played their first gigs. You never know – you might even run into one of Ireland’s best loved musicians having a pint in their local before putting on a show! So load up your playlist with all your favourite Irish tunes and hit the road – guaranteed you will enjoy every moment of exploring the Emerald Isle.

November 20, 2017 by Greg Underwood

The Best Things to Do in Portland, Maine

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Any road trip through New England isn’t complete without a visit to Portland, Maine. This beautiful bayside town, known for its views of the water, lighthouses, and picturesque Victorian era homes, is a stop for any tourist who loves to combine long walks by the beach with a classy lunch on the main street. So whether you’re visiting on your own, with friends, or family, there’s something for everyone.

Looking to fill your itinerary? We’ve got a list here of the 12 best things to do in Portland, Maine, covering all our bases so that you’ll find the perfect activity for you.

Get out on the water

It’s no surprise that one of Portland’s greatest attractions is anything water-related. Locals love to go out on their boats and enjoy the bay. But just because you’re a tourist, this doesn’t mean you won’t have to miss out—there are plenty of options. These include: renting kayaks and paddleboards from Portland Paddle, ferries to Peaks Island, sailing for two hours on an old-schooner with Maine Sailing Adventures. And you can always watch the water from a bar in South Portland, too, if you prefer to be a fish out of water.

Go for a bike ride

If you’re a bike lover, you’re in luck. Portland is the perfect city for biking around, because it’s situation on the Portland peninsula, and in addition to beautiful views of both the streets and the shore, it’s got a huge number of trails you can bike on. Just a few to check out: The Cape Elizabeth Loop, The East Coast Greenway, and, for anyone who loves mountain biking, there’s The Evergreen and The Fore River Sanctuary. And just outside the city there are options, too!

Check out a local brewery

When it comes to beer, Portlanders are experts and craftsmen. Despite being a smaller-sized city, Portland’s got a total of 17 breweries—which equates to the ratio of 1 brewery per every 3,900 residents. Now that’s something to cheer to! Of course, if you’re just visiting, you won’t have time to visit each and every single brewery (and every single pub pouring local pints, either). This is probably a good thing, if you don’t want to end up spending your life credit repairing. So to decide which one to visit, check out this list.

See some art

Portland is the kind of place, with all its natural beauty and indie-feel, that attracts artists. So it’s no surprise that, as a tourist, you’ll have plenty of art galleries and museums to check out. If you’re not sure where to start, Creative Portland offers a guided art walk, which you can read about here. Otherwise, consider asking at your hotel—and make sure you don’t miss out on the Portland Museum of Art.

Dine out

And of course, what kind of vacation is a vacation without checking out the local restaurants? Especially in Portland, a foodie’s dream where there’s plenty of traditional New England seafood in addition to exotic restaurants and pizza joints. Whatever your preference or craving, there’s plenty to choose from: so get started by checking out this list from Bon Appétit for eating and drinking your way through this mouth-watering city. And if you’re more into the rustic style of eating, read these articles about Maine’s best food trucks and lobster shacks.

Go vintage shopping

You can go shopping in any city—but in a New England gem like Portland, you can go vintage shopping, find that perfect piece of Victorian era furniture that you’ve been dreaming about since spotting one in a cool coffee shop back home. So instead of scouring the Internet for the perfect one, risking your cyber security, why not check out the many vintage store in Portland. Check out this guide to get started.

Go on a tour

Because Portland’s so rich with activities and sights, there are plenty of tours to choose from. Going on a tour will simplify your itinerary the same way that hiring a professional employer organization (PEO) helps any business leader sort out salaries and benefits. For fun, there are wine cruises, beer buses, bike tours to numerous lighthouses, brewery runs, foodie tours, duckboats, and horse rides. And if you’re a history buff, you’ll also want to check out the endless historical tours.

Go on a day trip

If you’re lucky enough to spend a long time in Portland, then another exciting thing to do is taking a day trip out of the city. Maine’s a beautiful state—and there are plenty of places to explore, whether you’re a nature lover, foodie, or want to get to know other charming towns in the area. For a list of options, take a look at this article from The Culture Trip.

Portland, Maine is one of the best destinations out there, with plenty to do for any visitor. Whether you love beer, the outdoors, or local culture, you’ll have a great time in this great city.

November 16, 2017 by Greg Underwood

5 Awesome Travel Hacks for Your Next Vacation

There’s no question that travelling is an enjoyable, rewarding experience that millions of people worldwide love to do, but it’s difficult to deny that it can quite stressful too. Whether it’s dealing with flights, paperwork, visas, lost luggage or holiday illnesses, there any many potential stressors than can take the shine of your trip.

To make life a little easier, however, we’ve put together our 5 favourite holiday hacks to make sure your trip is as stress-free as possible:

Roll your clothes

Nobody particularly enjoys packing, and trying to fit everything into one suitcase can be an extremely frustrating experience. Did you know, however, that by rolling your clothes instead of folding them, you can fit far more into a single suitcase? It also takes the hassle out of making sure everything is neatly folded, and speeds up the entire packing process.

Scan your documents

There are numerous important documents you might need when travelling, from passports to insurance papers. Scan each one before you go and save them to your phone (and/or email them to yourself), so you have a digital copy of each one on-hand. Then, if you lose a document you need, you’ll know you have a backup. This recently came in particularly handy for me when I lost my Ray-Ban glasses during a trip – I had my prescription scanned into my phone, and was able to get them replaced quickly and easily.

Mark your luggage as fragile

Sure, this isn’t strictly true, but putting a fragile sticker on your luggage comes with a couple of handy benefits. Firstly, you know it will be handled with a little more care than others, but it also means your luggage will be kept on top of the other bags in the hold, meaning it’s one of the first bags to be released when you land!

Use ATMs for local currency

This is a much cheaper way to get local currency, as money converters (particularly those at the airport) will offer poor exchange rates and will charge a fee for the service. You’ll get much better value using your debit or credit card at an ATM, which will always dispense the local currency (just make sure you’ve told your card provider you’re travelling, otherwise they may see the withdrawal and put a block on your card).

Take a ‘fanny pack’

Yes, they’re embarrassing and hideously out-of-date, but they make life so much easier at airports. Not only are your important documents close to hand, but you’re far less likely to be pickpocketed and they expedite your trip through security and check-in. In my eyes, worth the fashion faux pas!