travel Archives - Page 2 of 14

4 Tips for Stress-Free Travel With Kids

June 24, 2020 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Every parent knows that traveling as a family can be difficult, particularly when you have young children. However, you shouldn’t let potential challenges discourage you from going on a family vacation and enjoying trips abroad. Fortunately, there are dozens of ways to ensure that your family getaway is relaxing and enjoyable for everyone. With this in mind, here are four tips for stress-free travel with kids:

1. Get kids involved

Getting your kids involved in the planning process is a great way to get them excited about an upcoming vacation and give them a sense of ownership over the trip. It will also help to prepare your kids for what to expect when you go away, meaning they’ll be more likely to be on their best behavior. Sit down as a family and discuss travel plans, such as what destination to visit, where to stay, and what activities to do while you’re on vacation. Try to be flexible and take your kids’ thoughts and opinions into account when making your travel plans.

2. Organize your travel plans

Booking early and being organized with your travel plans is particularly important when you are traveling with kids. Making plans last minute and being spontaneous may work for solo travelers or couples, but this style of travel is not well-suited to families or those traveling with young children. Instead, make your travel arrangements in advance and book your accommodation and transport as a minimum. You should also consider booking things like tours, activities, and even restaurants before you arrive at your destination, as many of these get fully booked in popular tourist areas. If you are traveling by plane, then you can book parking and transfers online. For instance, LaGuardia airport parking offers a secure online booking form where you can reserve your parking spot of choice before traveling. Having travel plans confirmed in advance will avoid any unnecessary stress and hassle during your vacation.

3. Avoid planning too much

Vacations allow you to spend quality time with your family and plan lots of fun activities and experiences. However, you should avoid planning too much when you go away, or you risk your kids becoming tired and frustrated. For that reason, you should try to limit your itinerary to one or two activities a day. Make sure you factor in plenty of leisure time where your kids can relax and take naps. You should also remember to pack a good selection of kid-friendly activities to keep your kids entertained when you’re not doing activities. According to advice on pretravels.com, you can keep kids occupied on their own by packing electronic games, coloring books, and healthy snacks.

4. Practice travel safety

Many parents worry about their kids wandering off or going missing on vacation. You can help to alleviate feelings of anxiety by practicing family travel safety. This should involve providing your kids with your contact information including details of the place where you are staying and choosing a family meeting point in case you get split up. You could also consider giving your kids a GPS tracking device to improve their safety and security while traveling.

The Best National Parks To Visit On a Road Trip

February 10, 2020 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

The US has some of the best natural spaces in the world. These beautiful spots are designated National Parks, and there’s a total of 62 official locations to choose from. It’s no surprise that people flock to these spots time and time again, and there is no shortage of opportunities for exploring the best that nature has to offer. The diverse ecosystems in play also open up a new world of experiences and sights to uncover, including some of the country’s most famous landmarks and vast untouched landscapes.

If you’re thinking of visiting a National Park this year, renting an RV is a great option. Road trips make for the perfect getaway, and you can pack everything up and just hit the open road.

However, there are a few things to consider before you travel, including:

What time of year you will be visiting – some parks are more suitable to visit during the spring/summer months due to extreme weather conditions. However, being prepared for anything is also advisable.

Don’t forget the essentials – If you’re traveling in an RV on your road trip, you’ll have plenty of space for the essentials. If your journey takes you off camping in remote spots, just be sure to have everything you need in case of emergencies.

Get insured – Don’t forget vacation insurance while you’re away, including health cover, as accidents can happen.

So once that’s all covered, you can start planning your adventure. So where is best to go? Take a look below:

Great Smoky Mountains

As one of the country’s most popular National Parks, it’s not hard to see why people come to this fantastic location. It’s one of the most biodiverse spots in the world and has a variety of flora, fauna, and wildlife just waiting to be explored. If you want to take the kids on a history lesson, this park is ideal for learning more. It’s packed with history and was home to some of the earliest human settlements. One of the most spectacular sights is admiring the leaves as they turn during the fall season, as the colors blanket the landscape.

Zion National Park

In the west, you’ll find the beauty of Zion National Park. This scenery is ever-reaching and has a distinctive desert-like appearance, which gives us the illusion of how Mars might look. Scattered throughout this landscape, you’ll also see sparkling waters and riverways that break up the striking rock formations. It’s quite hot here in the summer, so spring and fall is an excellent time to visit. There are many campsites inside and outside of the park, so it’s an excellent opportunity to admire the beauty of the area on your road trip adventure.

Denali National Park

If you’re visiting Alaska this year, then a road trip to Denali National Park is a must-visit. This spot is said to be one of the best landscapes for admiring the state’s raw and untamed scenery. Plus, the vastness of the terrain makes it a perfect spot to enjoy total peace and tranquillity. If your family loves winter sports, this is an ideal place to take them. In the winter, the pretty snow-capped landscape is a sight to behold, and there are plenty of activities to enjoy including skiing and snowboarding.

Grand Canyon National Park

As one of the country’s most famous locations, Grand Canyon National certainly upholds its title. It is the largest canyon in existence and covers an expanse of 1.2 million acres in northern Arizona. The vastness of this landscape is breathtaking and is undoubtedly one of those bucket-list moments. You can take a trip to this spot from Las Vegas in a few hours, and there’s also the opportunity to see everything from the air on a helicopter tour if your budget allows.

Olympic National Park

Located in the northwestern states of the country, you’ll find the beauty of Olympic National Park. This park covers a diverse range of landscapes; in fact, four in total, and it has everything you need for a fantastic road trip. Traveling through it, you will see the Pacific coastline, emerald rainforest, and alpine landscapes. Plus, there are miles of trails to hike that take you straight to the heart of the park.

These are just a few of the top National Parks to visit on a road trip. Each has a unique and enchanting atmosphere that makes it a truly memorable experience for everyone. Why not start planning your vacation now, and see how many of these fantastic parks you can visit.

Dad Tips: Take Some Me-Time and Study for a Master’s to Boost Your Career

November 11, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Photo by Christian Wiediger on Unsplash

When you’re feeling like burning the candle at both ends hasn’t been working and it’s time to take the foot off the gas, then deciding on some me-time is very healthy. Make sure that you’re doing it for the right reasons though.

During your sabbatical, your time is your own again. You can decide how you wish to invest it. Certainly, there are some interesting educational possibilities. Also, there are other things that you can do to rejuvenate your body or broaden your outlook to life. Taking time for yourself is meaningful because it affords you the opportunity to recharge before embarking on the next phase or stage of what life has to offer.

So, let’s look at a few ways that you can spend your me-time, productively or not.

Go on Vacation for a Month or Longer

Depending on how much time you expect to take off, the first thing on most people’s list is to go on vacation. With Americans, we’re usually restricted to just two weeks a year compared to four or more weeks of vacation in Europe or the UK. This restricts how far we can usually go and for how long too.

Instead, you’re now able to choose an inspiring destination based on desire and not a restrictive amount of time off. A country-hopping trip through Asia is now a distinct possibility. Also, a visit to South or Central America, rather than just down to Cancun for a rushed, expensive long weekend, would allow you to sample different cuisine along the way and soak up plenty of local culture.

If the kids don’t have to be in school, why not take them with you to make some cool memories?

Photo by Kelly Russo on Unsplash

Combine a Trip with New Experiences Too

Going away is your chance to unwind and then broaden your mind by trying new experiences you wouldn’t normally do in your everyday life.

Learning a few words and phrases of a new language to make your travel more enjoyable and easier is certainly a possibility. It doesn’t even need to be done in a constructive manner – picking it up intentionally from local people is effective too.

There’s the chance to volunteer in third-world countries if you feel up to it. However, don’t do it because you feel obligated; the point of the trip is to unwind in new surroundings, not to give yourself another job!

Make a List of Things to Do When Back Home

While away, when your mind returns to thoughts of home, use To-Do list app like Any.DO or another one to note ideas down before you forget them.

You might find yourself interested in local history and want to visit a museum. Alternatively, there are plenty of activities just a drive or train ride away that will make life interesting on the home front.

The list shouldn’t be just chores or the equivalent of tasks you never seem to get to that still must be done someday.

Photo by Muhammad Rizwan on Unsplash

Advancing Your Career

When you feel ready for it, studying for an online lean manufacturing degree can really boost your career potential in the manufacturing field.

Not only will you learn about just-in-time production and learn manufacturing to bring new efficiencies to a role but using Six Sigma in manufacturing with defined problem-solving methodologies will improve your ability to plan and troubleshoot too.

The course is also strong on using analytics and critical thinking to develop greater reliability and maintain quality standards within manufacturing. Having an analytical mind doesn’t hurt at all with this kind of study and subsequent work.

This type of degree course will be of particular interest to employers with differing manufacturing plants that keep having quality control issues that threaten long-term supplier contracts.

Addressing Major Projects at Home

Projects at home that will take longer than a weekend to pursue and complete typically get shoved to one-side or semi-permanently put on the back burner due to having a full-time job. When taking time away from work for an extended period and once reenergized, it’s the perfect time to reconsider some of these deferred home projects:

Kitchen Remodeling

A kitchen remodeling project usually puts most of the kitchen out of action for at least a week or more. Whether you choose to have the experts come in to strip out the old kitchen and install a completely new one or you prefer to do the work yourself, it’s certainly going to be highly disruptive.

Backyard Reimagining

The backyard area may be one that you’ve never liked since moving in. However, limited available time has stymied your ability to do anything about it (or even to consider what you wish to change).

A reimagining can include putting in a patio, a deck or landscaping the garden to break it into manageable spaces with some detailed work gone into the garden to bring it back to life. It’s really up to you to decide what you feel can be done with the space. If you’re unsure, see if you can get the interest of a landscape gardener to create some interesting plans. You can pay them for the planning even if you don’t end up going forward with their team.

Installing Hardwood Flooring Throughout the Home

Taking up the existing carpets and other floors to completely replace it is difficult to do when you’re holding down a full-time job. It’s much easier when you have time on your hands either to do the work yourself or let people in and out of the property who are completing the project on your behalf.

Not having to rush out to work means you can supervise from a distance to make sure everything is up to your expected standards too.

Other Projects

It’s important to not mix a complex or time-consuming project with a series of minor ones that can be completed on a weekend in between two workweeks. Focus your energies on what is really going to move the needle, so when you get back to work, they’re not still waiting to be completed.

By taking a balanced approach to time off work, it’s possible to pace yourself. Spreading out what you wish to change and making new advancements based on career goals is all possible when giving yourself time to recover from possible burnout first.

What to Book Before You Go on Vacation

November 9, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

You are going on an exciting trip – it could be your first one as a family, or the latest in a long line of adventures together. You’ve got everything sorted, and you’re ready to go and discover somewhere new.

Hang on, though, because you might not have arranged everything that you need to. Of course, you’ve booked the hotel and flights, but is that all you have to deal with? These might be small things that may have slipped your mind, or others you think you’ll be able to get once you arrive, but you may get a nasty surprise when the items you need aren’t available, or the service you’ve been counting on is fully booked. Here’s what you should look into before you depart.

Renting a Car

Think you can turn up at the airport and rent a car when you get there? You might be able to, but if you’re going during peak vacation time, then you could be disappointed and get a car that’s not suitable for you and your family needs – or none at all!

So your best bet is to reserve your rental car as early as you can before your getaway, so you can get a vehicle that will meet your expectations. Expert companies, such as Advantage Car Rental, will let you do so ahead of time, and give you a choice of vehicle groups to choose from. You can also pick up your rental car from the airport or, in some locations, popular city hotspots.

Pet sitter

Have you got a cat, dog, or other pet at home? If you do, you should book for your furry or feathered friends to be looked after by someone you trust. Many people arrange for pet sitters who can visit your home during your vacation to feed and care for them.

The earlier you do this, the better; this means you can have a meet-and-greet with your sitter, who can then meet your pet(s) before you leave and learn about their routines. Booking early is recommended if your pet will need to be visited at least twice a day, require an overnight stay or boarding in kennels.

Excursions

So you’ve arrived at your destination, you’ve picked up your rental car, and the cat is being cared for at home. You can now relax and enjoy your time together. Or can you?

If you’ve got certain sights you want to see and trips to go on during your time away, then you should look into whether you need to book any tickets for these events in advance. You should be okay with most places, but there’s a chance that others have restrictions on the number of people they let in at any one time if your particular attraction is popular. You can also have special arrangements made ahead of time.

For visits to Walt Disney World in Florida, for instance, you need to plan in advance. It’s recommended that items such as FastPasses, dining reservations and other unmissable experiences are booked well before travel. Some are bookable up to 180 days ahead, so make sure you look into these before you go.

How to Make the Most of a Short Vacation

October 1, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

When you really need a break from work to go on a vacation, but you just can’t fit one in, it can certainly feel like the universe is against you. There’s no need to feel down, however. Two or three days is enough to fit in exactly the break you need. You can have a fun-filled, relaxing or activity-based weekend vacation and make it feel like a two-week stay with these simple tips.

1. Plan Your Itinerary
When you have two whole weeks to plan what you’re going to do, you can easily leave it until when you get there and see what you feel like doing, but when you’ve only got two or three days, you need to be prepared from the get-go so that you don’t waste a second of your time.

If you want to visit attractions, check their opening times beforehand and plan to get there as soon as they open so that you can spend as much time there as you want to. Even more vital: choose the attractions that you want to visit ahead of time! You don’t want to be still discussing where you want to go when you’re having breakfast and need to leave soon.

2. Rent a Car
It can be a pain to rely on public transport when you have limited time. Buses often don’t turn up when they say they will, and this can put a strain on your vacation when you’ve only got so much time.

To avoid this altogether, contact E-Z Rent a Car; they will be able to provide you with a vehicle wherever you are taking a vacation, so you can do it your own way and save time on the highway.

You can also go off the beaten track when you’re driving your own car, so you can fully experience the destination of your vacation without limits.

3. Don’t Overbook It
In most destinations, there are probably many places and attractions that you want to visit and experience, but there simply won’t be enough time to see them all, even on a longer vacation. You don’t want to overbook your vacation and make it a stressful experience for you. After all, it is supposed to be about relaxing and having fun.

Instead, plan to visit a few tourist attractions and be realistic about how much time you can or will spend there. There is no fun in having a fully packed itinerary if you miss half of it and spend the visits you did make feeling tired or run down.

Short vacations make for a great burst of fun and activity and are a nice little break from the routine stress of everyday life. It’s good to keep in mind that if you do approach a weekend vacation like a two-week vacation, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. They can be just the break you need if you plan them well and treat them as what they are: short.

Enjoying a family vacation to the United Kingdom: top tips

August 30, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

If you consider your family to be the adventurous-type or those who love soaking up the history of an old town, then the United Kingdom is the ideal vacation destination for you. With a temperate climate, countless historical sites and endless hiking and walking trails, you won’t be stuck for activities. So, if you’re not keen on spending your summer vacation lazing on the beach in Ibiza, but would prefer to spend some time in historical Europe, here are some top tips.

Find a balance between history and activities

Kids will love finding out about medieval villains and ancient kings and queens, but they only have a finite attention span. After all, kids need to be entertained as well as distracted. While adults could spend all day walking through the Natural History Museum, children might get a little bored after the dinosaurs. Be sure to find a theme park or adventure playground nearby to break up your educational endeavors.

In Sussex, for example, you will find a happy balance between both history and activity. You can visit Battle for walks around the sites of the Battle of Hastings, as well as views of the English countryside. Not too far from that, you will also find Blue Reef Aquarium Hastings – complete with lizard and underwater tunnel exhibits.

Bring the wetsuits

Just because the United Kingdom doesn’t enjoy a Mediterranean climate doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the outdoors. In fact, if you find yourself based along the coast, you should absolutely make the most of potential activities such as swimming, surfing, and paddle-boarding. Truth be told, however, the British sea isn’t exactly balmy in temperature. If you have little ones who are more acclimatized to warmer temperatures, then ensure you either bring or rent wetsuits.

Rent when possible

Family schedules never run according to the time they were originally destined. Children refusing to go to bed, too much time in the bathroom and hectic breakfast times mean that we often find ourselves rushing out of the door at the last minute. It’s for this reason that renting a cottage to stay in will make your trip to the UK much easier. After all, Britain is renowned for its quirky and quaint cottages, which are ideal for basing yourself when you have small children. If you were planning a trip to Sussex and the South Downs, for example, Amberley House Cottage Holidays would be able to find you a place to stay. You can hunt through tons of images and features until you find the place that is right for you and your family.

Don’t be afraid to be spontaneous

Thanks to its dramatic scenery, but mostly tame wildlife, the UK is a cozy country to go exploring in. For example, if you were driving through Scotland’s glens, you would find plenty of brown road markers detailing nearby hikes and monuments. While your children might not be down for climbing a cliff face, you will still find plenty of easy-to-moderate walks to explore – and you might find these by pure accident.

Family vacations are all about balance. It’s about getting up when you want to, exploring, discovering, but providing plenty of downtime to enjoy your well-earned time off. When visiting the United Kingdom, you will quickly learn that you can happily strike a balance between fun and education, as well as adventure and relaxation.

4 Smart Ways to Finance Your Travel Plans

August 25, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Is your wallet restricting your wanderlust? You certainly aren’t alone. Most of us end up setting travel plans aside because we haven’t saved enough. And while saving for travel should definitely be your priority, there are times when sudden or unexpected trips are simply unavoidable.

So what can you do when you have to travel, but don’t have the money for it? Should you take a travel loan or personal line of credit for travel? Are there any other options available, and which is the best one? We’ll answer all these questions for you!

Here are four instant funding options you should explore:

Personal Loan for Travel – Smart travelers often choose this option when they have to travel unexpectedly. Rather than taking money out of your emergency savings or high-yield investment portfolio, using a holiday loan, personal loan or personal line of credit to fund travel expenses helps you keep your finances on track. Of course, you need to make sure you can repay the loan on time, so make room for the EMIs in your monthly budget!
Travel Credit Cards – You could opt for a travel credit card, or use a credit card with an option for converting expenses into EMIs for travel funding. Credit cards allow you anywhere from 20 days to almost two months for repayments, interest-free. If you can convert spends to EMIs, you get even more time for repayment. Travel credit cards, on the other hand, are set up specifically for travel-related expenses, so they may be more competitive than regular credit cards.
Payday Loans – A payday loan is very similar to a personal loan, except that the interest rate is higher, with a shorter repayment period. Payday loans may be approved faster than travel loans and personal loans, so these can be a good option when you need funds urgently. However, you need to make sure you can repay the loan amount quickly, since the tenure for these short-term loans is generally between 3 months to a year.
Travel Operator Financing – Many travel operators partner with banks and NBFCs to offer financing schemes, where you can pay for tickets, stay, meals, sightseeing and other planned or unplanned travel expenses after your trip. Interest rates for these schemes are comparable to rates for personal loans, and repayment may be spread out over 1-5 years. There is typically an upper limit for how much these schemes will cover, though, so keep that in mind.

Remember, dipping into your savings or investments should be your last resort, unless you have set aside a separate fund just for travel. Even if you have saved enough, learn how to travel on a budget. And when you need to make last-minute plans, such as attending a wedding in the family or traveling for medical treatment, take some time to compare prices and select a loan option that really works for you!

Packing For A Vacation

August 20, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

When it comes to your packing for your vacation, a bit of pre-planning can be an incredibly wise move. Leaving your suitcase planning to the last minute can result in over-packing, and filling your suitcase with too many unused items. Anyone who has had to wear half of their suitcase on the plane to meet the baggage limit will understand this common mishap. If you’re stuck for ideas on what to pack, or what you should keep your suitcase limited to, here are a few tips.

Make-up

If you are going to spend your days in and out of the ocean or pool, you don’t want to carry around an extensive make-up kit. Using makeup products that come with a wand attached to the lid, or simply roll-up like a lipstick will save increase the bag space you have. Not only do you need to consider this, but finding a lipstick that is suitable for the beach is also vital. Mented lip gloss for dark skin is brilliant for wearing on the beach and re-applying throughout the day. The wide range of colors available will ensure you have a product you can actually work with through day and night. Remember to keep any liquids you pack close to the top – you may need to put them in a separate bag when you reach security.

Swimsuits

One of the best things about swimsuits is they take up relatively little suitcase space. If you’re going to over-pack anything – opt for swimsuits. You can switch up your look on a daily basis without having to find your hotel’s laundry facilities.

Daywear vs. Nightwear

Shoes are perhaps the worst offenders for taking up room in your suitcase. As annoying as it may be, you might have to find a way to limit how many shoes or large items you will need to take. Finding one pair of daytime shoes that will take you on any walking expeditions and will tolerate a number of terrains will save you from over-packing.

A handy tip for a day or nightwear that’s light in color is to pack it inside out. This means that any substances that could rub or transfer onto your pale clothing and create a stain are less likely to show on the outside – genius.

Light cotton garments

Cotton garments are ideal for traveling. Why? They save so much space. Not only are they far more breathable in hotter countries, but they can be tucked and rolled into your luggage. You could make use of packing cubes to help you stay organized but if you don’t have any packing cubes to hand, rolling your clothes could save you loads of space.

One hat

By packing a simple hat into your luggage, you can instantly transform an outfit with just a single item. By just packing one, singular hat, you will save plenty of space, and also give yourself vital UVA and UVB protection.

Packing for a summer vacation requires a bit of clever strategy. Anything small and light can be packed in abundance, but larger, bulkier objects will require some frugal thinking. By prioritizing your lightest and best garments, you will keep a stylish suitcase that doesn’t compromise on wardrobe options.

Sunglasses

You cannot forget to make sure that your eyes are protected in the bright sun during your vacation. At SmartBuyGlasses you can find a wide variety of eyewear, from trendy sunglasses to prescription eyewear at good prices.

Adventuring In Food While Traveling

July 30, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Traveling is all about experiencing new cultures, learning about parts of the world far removed from your own and connecting with people of different nationalities and religions. If you happen to love eating, then it’s also about the food.

Food has long been a great way for a traveler to integrate with locals, whether it be fish and chips in the United Kingdom or something a little more exotic from a Vietnamese street market. Nobody, after all, wants to be the other side of the world and eating in a fast food chain that exists in their hometown.

Here are four ways in which you can experience the best local cuisine while you are traveling.

Connect to the local restaurant scene

The best way to experience local cuisine is obviously to go where locals go – and that can often mean heading off the beaten track. Take New York, for example. How many locals ever eat in and around Times Square unless they are going to a show on Broadway? Not many is your answer.

To experience a real taste of New York (or anywhere else for that matter), you need to look to the suburbs of a city or town, to where the real people live. In a world where TripAdvisor exists, that is now a lot easier. Find the number one rated pizza joint away from the hustle and bustle of downtown New York, and you’ll be enjoying a far more authentic taste of the city with authentic New Yorkers.

Don’t be afraid of going down the cliché route

Having said that, you shouldn’t be afraid of going down the cliche route when it comes to eating out. If you’re in Paris, it might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sample genuine French snails, frog’s legs, or any of those other weird things that the French eat.

This is true of anywhere in the world. Don’t be afraid to gulp down a huge steak or burger in between sticking it all on red in casino restaurants. Why not go for a barbecue in Australia or have a burrito in Mexico – sometimes, cliche food can give us experiences we can’t get anywhere else.

Visit a local food market

Over the last decade, food markets have become popular tourist destinations for travelers. Food market bucket lists are now a thing, and National Geographic has even produced the Best Food Market in the World list – with Toronto’s St Lawrence Market coming top if you’re looking for destination inspiration.

It isn’t hard to see why, as these markets are a great way to understand and experience local cuisine. It’s quite easy to lose yourself for hours at a time in a food market, wandering around and taking in the sights and smells. You can sample and purchase authentic local ingredients in a way that really takes you to the heart of the city or country you are visiting.

Eat with a local in their home

Airbnb brought travelers into people’s homes as an alternative to hotels, and now that is extending into locals inviting strangers in for a dinner party. Websites such as EatWith allow travelers to seek out locals who are looking to throw a dinner party for guests they don’t know. This can provide the unique opportunity of actually being able to go and eat a local meal with a local family in their home. You won’t find many experiences more authentic than that.

Summer Getaways

June 20, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

The summer getaway, the time of the year when you can pursue leisure without guilt. It’s your opportunity to go to new places, experience new things, and escape the stresses and strains of the everyday.

Have you booked your summer getaway yet? Or are you more organized and looking for next year’s summer vacation? Here is a selection of fabulous summer getaways that may not have caught your attention before.

San Diego – USA

San Diego is a city in California, south of Los Angeles and just north of the Mexican border. It manages to combine relaxed beach surfer vibes with its Mexican influences to create a welcoming and diverse city. With year-round sunshine and stunning mountain, beach, lake and desert landscapes, San Diego has it all.

San Diego takes its food and wine very seriously. There are over 80 breweries and several vineyards. It’s best to go on an organized San Diego winery tour to sample the local delights and get the most from the experience.

Porto – Portugal

Porto is often overlooked by holiday goers who head to the Algarve or Lisbon for their Portugal retreats; however, Porto is usually a more wallet-friendly option. The historic architecture of Porto is evident at every corner, and you will be blown away by post-card quality scenes that greet you.

Be warned though that Porto is hilly, and while you may enjoy a ramble down to the Cais da Ribeira to catch a view of the iconic Luís I Bridge, you will have to walk back up to your accommodation. Porto is the gateway to the Doura Valley, and it is well worth a boat trip to it – if you can drag yourself away from the beach.

Tallinn – Estonia

Be honest, do you even know where Estonia is? Estonia is a country that is on the coast of the Baltic Sea, nestled between Latvia and Russia – over the sea from Finland. It has more than 1,500 islands and is home to many beaches, forests, and lakes. Tallinn is the capital city of Estonia and has the most stunning preserved Old Town that showcases its rich history – think castles, churches and fortresses, and the remnants of its Soviet Union past.

Not only is Tallinn a stunning historic city to visit, but it also has several beaches that you can visit, although the best beaches will require a car for you to access them. There is currently a foodie revolution taking place in Estonia, with local chefs combining the Nordic influences with the traditional Estonian flavors. Estonia may not be your first idea for a holiday, but it is one place where your budget will not be tested.

Your summer getaway does not have to be with the bucket and spade brigade. It can be your time to explore new places and experiences beyond the average destinations. From the summer vibes of San Diego, the eclectic energy and architecture of Porto and the preserved Old Town of Tallinn, you have plenty to choose from.

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