Tuesday 5 August 2014

Slovakia

How Slovakia has remained off the Mass Tourism radar for so long I don't know. This country is possibly one of the most strikingly beautiful in Europe. This central European country would not look out of place in a Tolkien story. The vast majority of visitors arrive into the capital and go no further, but the capital is only part of the charm. Getting outside of Bratislava, take a train across the country to see the low, rolling fields leading onto spectacular views of the imposing Tatras mountains. Type "Tatras" into Google and you will see for yourself.

Photo: tatraphotographyworkshop.com
In summer the landscape is a sea of green and yellow with a mix of lush meadows and acres of corn and sunflowers. You could spend an entire day laying out watching the scenery and soaking up rays of warm sunshine while sipping on local beer or wine. The many lakes of Slovakia provide a perfect way to cool off as the temperatures rise above Mediterranean levels. 

The lakes are like mirrors reflecting the beautiful surrounding countryside perfectly. The pure, clean water is ideal for you to take a dip. In winter time they freeze over in a thick layer of ice and snow. The fields turn into a postcard picture of white and blue and the mountainside turns into a hive of activity. The ski resorts of Slovakia are truly some of the most under rated in Europe. Travel to the east, to Kosice and Strbske Pleso where you can rent skis and snowboards at ridiculously low prices compared to their French and Italian counterparts. 
Photo: Lightharmony.com
Photo: niemanlab.org

Aside from the spectacular landscape, there is much to keep you entertained and educated should you wish. Slovakia has more than its fair share of medieval castles. The most beautiful of which is found in the town of Trencin. Sitting atop a rocky outcrop, Trencin castle is one of the most unique castles in Europe. It sits high above the bustling town below and plays host to various shows and demonstrations throughout the year. The walk up to the gates will sap your energy in the summer heat, but the tour is well worth the effort. Inside are some of the best maintained weapons, armor and furniture you will find in the world. The views from the castle tower are nothing short of breathtaking. 



Going back to the capital, Bratislava has some of the most amazing architecture you will find. The old buildings in the Old Town are perfectly maintained. Walk around the many winding streets and you will find many boutique clothes shops selling top quality products at excellent prices. The cafes serve some of the best tasting coffee I have ever tried. In terms of nightlife, Bratislava is a titan of niche nightclubs and bars, the beer is cheap and of terrific quality. If you can, go to the Sky Bar, their rooftop bar makes some of the best rum and vodka cocktails I have ever tried. 




Getting There: Ryanair fly to Bratislava from many European airports including Dublin and London Stansted.
Price: Book early and flights can be as cheap as €140 return.
Stay: Park Inn Bratislava
Do: Take a train across the country

Monday 4 August 2014

18 unique travel destinations that will make you want to book a holiday immediately

from The Daily Edge
SUFFERING FROM POST-holiday blues? Eagerly counting down the days until you’re off work and embarking on a week of sunbathing? Whatever your story, here are some unique, otherworldly travel destinations to daydream about.

1. Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park, China

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Source: Shutterstock
Stunning multi-coloured rock formations that were 24 million years in the making? We’re there.

2. Fingal’s Cave, Staffa, Scotland

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Source: dun_deagh/Flickr
Situated on this uninhabited island of Staffa, the entrance to Fingal’s Cave features numerous hexagonal columns that are the result of being beat up by waves over thousands of years.

3. Dallol, Ethiopia

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Source: Shutterstock
An ancient volcanic crater, Dallol is home to spectacular landscapes that look like they’re CGI and also several acid lakes.

4. Tunnel of Love, Ukraine

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Source: Shutterstock
The tree-lined Tunnel of Love looks like it’s from a fairytale, but it’s actually located in Kleven, Ukraine. Primarily used as a route by trains to deliver wood to a local factory, it has also become a popular spot with tourists and couples.

5. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Iceland

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Source: Glacier Lagoon
A large glacial lake, you may have seen the breathtaking Jökulsárlón featured in the likes of Die Another Day, Batman Begins, Tomb Raider and more. (If you look really hard, you can see “Bjork woz ere” scrawled on one of the icebergs.)

6.Crazy House, Vietnam

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Source: RStacker/Flickr
It has been described as one of the world’s most bizarre buildings and it’s easy see why. Inspired by Walt Disney and Salvador Dali, this Vietnamese guesthouse looks like it’s taken straight from a trippy fairytale and has to be seen to be believed.

7. Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

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Source: Clark & Kim Kays/Flickr
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Croatia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site owing to its gorgeous lakes and pretty vistas.

8. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

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Source: Leonora Enking/Flickr
The world’s largest salt flat, Salar de Uyuni also doubles up as the world’s largest mirror – when water covers the salty surface, it becomes entirely reflective. Gasp.

9. Laguna Salada de Torrevieja, Spain

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Source: Shutterstock
It’s a pink lake! Need we say more?

10. Fly Geyser, Nevada

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Source: Shutterstock
The accidental result of some drilling in the 1960s, this geyser may not be an entirely natural phenomenon, but it is still a sight to behold. Located on a private ranch in Nevada, visitors are advised to go to a restaurant named Bruno’s to organise day tours of the spring. Doesn’t sound dodgy at all.

11. Takinoue Park, Japan

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Every May and June, people flock to Takinoue Park to see the carpet of pink moss (shibazakura) that covers the park.

12. Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, New Zealand

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Source: Donnie Ray Jones/Flickr
A cave that includes a grotto filled with baby glowworms who emit light, you say? Amazing.

13. Antelope Canyon, Arizona

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Source: Alessandro Giannini/Flickr
There are no words. Just look at that.

14. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

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Source: James Gordon/Flickr
The National Park Service describes it as a “forest of stone” and a “cave without a roof,” but those descriptions barely do Bryce Canyon justice. Just incredible.

15. Magic Forest, Shanghai

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Source: 2il org/Flickr
What was once a traffic lane has since been transformed into this magical little park. Beautiful.

16. Chefchaouen, Morocco

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Source: Shutterstock
In the Moroccan city of Chefchaouen, everything is blue. Like, everything. And it’s incredible.

17. Cappadocia, Turkey

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Source: Shutterstock
The best way to experience the surreal scenery and ancient rock formations of Cappadocia? HOT AIR BALLOONS.

18. Longyearbyen, Norway

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Source: svalbard.net
Longyearbyen, the world’s northernmost city, is the most populous area of Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean that boasts more polar bears than humans. During the summer, the sun never sets. PARTY.

Thursday 17 July 2014

Malaysian Airlines flight reportedly shot down over Ukraine-Russian border

The passenger plane is reported to have been en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. Various reports say that the flight was shot down over disputed airspace. Amateur footage shows thick smoke trailing to the crash site.


Malaysia Airlines confirms 'incident' on board one of its flights amid reports of plane crash in Ukraine near Russian border
Ukrainian Interior Ministry: "295 dead in Malaysian airlines crash"
Interfax agency reports that the plane was brought down by a ground-to-air missile. Ukrainian news reports that the missile was fired by separatists.

Pro-Russian separatists claim to have found the planes black box voice recorder and intend to send it to Moscow for investigation.


The flight was a codeshare flight between Malaysian and KLM.
Reports of many Dutch, American and Malaysian citizens on board. France claims 4 french citizens were on the flight.
Unverified reports that ant-government forces near Donetsk claimed to have shot down a "Ukranian" Jet in the area around the same time MH17 was brought down. The Ukranian government claims that no Ukranian aircraft were in the area at the time. BUK missiles were being transported by the rebels in the area in the past few days.

IATA states that MH17 was not flying in restricted airspace.

Rebels are willing to grant a 3 day ceasefire to allow for recovery.

Airbus patents new “moped-style” aeroplane seats

From Thejournal.ie
Airbus-files-airplane-patent_dezeen_ss
FRENCH AVIATION GIANT Airbus has filed a patent that would see no-frills become even more uncomfortable.
Not content with non-reclining chairs and limited leg-room, the French manufacturer has proposed a new system that would see short-haul planes fitted with more seats. The extra seats would be added by adding a seating system that has “reduced bulk”, appearing to look something like a moped seat.
That means taking the cushions out and mounting the seats on a pole. The patent filing says that the plan would allow Airbus increase the number of people on short-haul flights. Thankfully, they say that it can only last a couple of hours.
“In effect, to increase the number of cabin seats, the space allotted to each passenger must be reduced.
“However, this reduced comfort remains tolerable for the passengers in as much as the flight lasts only one or a few hours.”
However, a spokesperson for the company told The Telegraph that it is “unlikely” that you’ll ever have to sit on one.
“We file hundreds of patents each year and it’s all about protecting ideas,” he said. “We are actually pushing airlines for an 18-inch seat width to come as standard on long haul flights – some aircraft have only 16.7 inches.”

Thursday 3 July 2014

Hotel Review: Hyde Park Executive Apartments.

Top Tip: Stay anywhere else!

I'm not normally one to complain about poor quality service, often put it down to the staff just having a bad day. But I have never in my life witnessed the likes of this. I booked this accommodation through a booking site online, but for personal reasons had to cancel it. So I rang the accommodation directly to do so. I was told by the lady on the phone that she would cancel it for me and that there would be no charge. I rang the next day to confirm this and was told again that there would be no charge. The hotel have since charged my card for a no show fee. I rang them to query this, and they said I should have cancelled through the booking agent, when I told them that I cancelled with themselves, they denied this and said any one of their staff would have told me to cancel with the agent.

In the two times I spoke to them prior to this nobody mentioned this to me. They said they would investigate this and if they could find out who said they would cancel it then they would refund me. Having heard nothing back from them, I rang and neither of them would speak to me, they told me to email their manager. His response was this ;

"Dear Mr Griffin,

Thank you for contacting Hyde Park Executive Apartments regarding your recent reservation with us.

I have spoken with the two front office agents that were working here on Tuesday 1st July , and I am afraid none of them recalls speaking with you on that date. Do you recall by any chance who did you speak with?

Your booking was made through the online agent, so as my colleague correctly mentioned to you, all modifications or cancellations can only be done directly through them, and we would have been unable to cancel that booking for you in any case.

I completely understand that you might have been unaware of that fact, but let me be very clear regarding this matter Mr Griffin. It is your sole responsibility to be aware of the relevant cancellation policy and procedure when making a reservation, and not my receptionist's one. These terms and conditions are clearly visible in the booking agent, both on their website, and in the confirmation letter that you received from them when you made the reservation, so saying that you were charged because nobody informed you about the fact that the booking needed to be cancelled through them is simply not accurate at all.

Furthermore, if as you mentioned, someone at our property would have told you that they were able to cancel the reservation free of charge for you at that time, the booking would be cancelled on our system, but after I checked the booking history, I could not find such cancellation, and you were in fact charged as for not showing up to the property, as the booking remained active the whole time.

Based on all the above, I am afraid we are unable to refund that amount to you as requested.

If you have more specific information about the person that you spoke with, or if they gave you any sort of cancellation number please let me know and I will of course be happy to investigate this matter further."

The staff here are the most unprofessional I have ever dealt with (and I deal with a lot working in the tourism industry). They have no integrity and are obviously lying to weasel their way out of taking responsibility for their mistake.

Wednesday 25 June 2014

Man sues British Airways after booking for Granada, but flying to Grenada

From The Daily Edge

An American man is suing British Airways after he got on a plane he thought was heading for the Spanish city of Granada, but ended up in the Caribbean island of Grenada.

The Independent reports that Edward Gamson only realised his mistake once the flight was in the air and he and his partner glanced at the map they have at the front of the plane which shows you which way you’re headed.
And they were not headed in the right direction.
here
“How did this happen?” we hear you exclaim.
Well, Mr Gamson allegedly booked his flight tickets through a BA agent in Florida, and the electronic confirmation they received stated the destination as ‘Grenada’, but didn’t show the country or flight time.
The couple showed up at the airport, got on the plane looking forward to their Moorish getaway, dreaming of the Alhambra, but they never got there.
Despite an apology from British Airways and despite being told that they would be put on a plane to Granada (that’s GRANada), they never got there.
They’re now suing BA for damages, as the airline is refusing to reimburse him.
Incredibly, the same mistake had been made the week before too. The Daily Mail reportsthat a 62-year-old woman found herself on a flight from Gatwick to Grenada, when she really wanted to go to Granada.

Tuesday 24 June 2014

Rixos Premium Göcek Suites &Villas opens to rave reviews

from the World Travel Network
The new Rixos property in Göcek - known for its world-famous bays - serves the premium market with 206 suites and villas in a fabulous location near the sea and pine trees in peace with magnificent nature.

Rixos Premium Göcek Suites &Villas opens to rave reviewsThe property offers peaceful holidays with great sea and mountain views, in the middle of pine trees.
Rixos Premium Göcek Suites & Villas, situated on an area of 76500 square meters, provides guests with everything they would expect form a perfect holiday.
There is a chance to enjoy food and beverages in Rixos Premium Göcek Suites & Villas – both of which will provide great pleasure.
Great examples of Turkish, Italian and world cuisines are on offer, alongside sea food prepared by senior chefs and served in open buffets.
The Turquoise, Daidala and People’s restaurants are also open on an à la carte basis.

Industry leaders from across Europe were in town for the opening
In Rixos Premium Göcek Suites & Villas, the tranquility with sea, garden and forest views are combined with entertainment: bars and clubs named Nox, Rixos Exclusive Club, Rixos Lounge, High Light will color your night life.
Also, guests will be able to participate in food-workshops led by the Michelin-starred chefs in Rixos Premium Göcek Suites & Villas, as part of the new Rixos premium concept.
Rixy Club, which offers a great holiday opportunity for kids with various fun activities and Anjana SPA, which will make you feel a part of the nature and will allow you to relax; will enrich your holiday.

World Travel Awards president Graham Cooke called in for the opening
In Anjana SPA - located on an area of 730 square meters – holidaymakers will invigorate themselves and will have an inner peace with the help of the Far East massages and therapies practiced by experts using special materials and traditional methods.
Moreover, in Rixos Premium Göcek Suites & Villas which keeps the tradition of the Turkish bath alive, meaning guests will get rid of their fatigue through the special “kese” massages with soaps with vitamins.
Rixos Premium Göcek Suites & Villas is ready during the season to color the entertainment life in Göcek with its services of yoga, pilates, trekking, tennis, bicycle tours, dance courses, Zumba Blues and jazz concerts and also great party concepts.
More Information
Rixos is previously been recognized as Europe’s Leading Hotel Brand by the World Travel Awards.
There is more information on the new property on the official website.

Monday 23 June 2014

Stevns Klint in Denmark has been added to the UNESCO world heritage list


At its annual meeting in Qatar, UNESCO’s world heritage committee has added the coastal cliff Stevns Klint in Denmark to its list of
outstanding world heritage sites.
The Danish Minister for Culture, Marianne Jelved, says:
”I am proud that the UNESCO world heritage committee have recognized the unique value of Stevns Klint. And particularly proud that Denmark has once
again made a contribution to our common world heritage and, in that way, helped forge bonds across national boundaries.”
The mayor of Stevns Municipality, Mogens Haugaard Nielsen, says:
”We are extremely happy. Our success is a result of the indefatigable work of many people and institutions for a common cause. In particular, the
commitment of local citizenry along the cliff has been crucial. Now we are looking forward to showing off our newly-crowned world heritage site to lots of
people.”



The mass extinction
Stevns Klint is a world-class geological site. In the centre of the white cliff is a thin, dark layer of clay. The clay contains the story of the asteroid that hit the
earth 66 million years ago and destroyed half the world’s animal and plant species – including the dinosaurs.
An application to become a world heritage site is no walk in the park. Behind the application is a year-long effort from experts from the Museum of East
Zealand and the University of Copenhagen, who have described Stevns Klint and demonstrated through comparisons with other places in the world the
special characteristics of the cliff. UNESCO’s experts and the committee have ascertained from Stevns Municipality, which has participated in the work
both economically and with a description of the administration and protection of the cliff, and especially from the residents of Stevns, who have committed
themselves, that there is local backing for the application.



Facts
Stevns Klint is the fourth Danish site to be added to UNESCO’s world heritage list. Jelling was the first site in Denmark to be placed on the list 20 years
ago and, later, Roskilde Cathedral and Elsinore Castle were added. In addition, the Ilulissat Icefjord in Greenland also belongs on the list as a part of the
Danish Commonwealth. UNESCO’s prestigious list is closing in on 1,000 sites.

Also Read : Irelands Top 20 Tourism Attractions
And: The Wild Atlantic Way

Tuesday 3 June 2014

Heathrow 'confident' over third runway

From the Travel Trade Gazette
Heathrow has won the argument that it should have a third runway, a spokesman for the airport has claimed.
Heathrow aeroplanes
Speaking as Heathrow gears up to open the new Terminal 2 on Wednesday, Nigel Milton, Heathrow’s director of policy and political relations, told the GTMC conference in Marrakech: “At the moment, we are confident we will get permission for it.”
The Davies Commission will decide whether to back expansion at Gatwick, Heathrow or a Thames Estuary airport next summer, after the general election. Milton said “very few people” saw the latter option as viable but admitted that a third runway would be effective only until 2040-2050.
“After that it is difficult to predict what aviation will be like.”
This year was a landmark, he said, because London had lost its crown as the home of the world’s biggest port or airport after 350 years. “This year, Dubai has overtaken it. We can either accept that or say that does matter, we need to be adding new markets, new areas of the globe.”
Milton said lessons had been learned from the disastrous opening of Heathrow’s Terminal 5 and that Wednesday’s event would see just 17 flights dealt with at Terminal 2, but admitted: “We have got to remember that it could go wrong.”
Terminal 2 will be fully operational by November, meaning that 60% of the airport’s passengers would use either it or Terminal 5.
“The aspiration is for T2 to be as good or better,” he said.

Tuesday 6 May 2014

Etihad revelas 3-room suite on A380

from The Travel Trade Gazette
Etihad has chosen Heathrow as the debut route for the Airbus A380 superjumbo, which will also include a suite costing $20,000 per flight.
Etihad's A380 will feature a three-room suite called The Residence
The Abu Dhabi-based airline will launch its first superjumbos and Boeing 787 Dreamliners in December with both aircraft seeing the introduction of new seats across all three cabin classes.
While economy and business class seats will be the same on both aircraft, Etihad is aiming for a “private jet” experience with its first class service on the A380.
This upper-deck cabin will feature nine “apartments”, six of which will have connecting doors,  plus The Residence – a three-room 125 square foot cabin with lounge, bedroom and shower-room, as well as exclusive service from a butler trained at London’s Savoy hotel.
The new cabins will feature on the first A380 service from Abu Dhabi to Heathrow on December 27. Fares for The Residence will cost $20,000 one-way for single or double occupancy on these flights.
Etihad chief executive James Hogan said: “With The Residence, we are taking the concept of the private jet or super yacht to create a private three-room suite. It will be exclusive and we want people to aspire to it – there will be no upgrades and that includes staff.
“We are confident that there’s a strong market for The Residence and our apartments onboard the A380. We have been working on this for five years and believe it’s a step change for the industry.”
The Residence - Etihad Airways
Etihad’s second A380 will also fly on the Abu Dhabi-Heathrow route from early 2015, while further deliveries will see the aircraft begin flying to Sydney and New York later next year.
The carrier’s first Dreamliners, which will also include new first-class suites, will initially be used on routes from Abu Dhabi to Washington DC, Dusseldorf and Mumbai, before being extended to other destinations.
Hogan confirmed that Etihad would not be using an A380 on its route to Manchester although the city could eventually be served by a Dreamliner although plans were “not set in stone”.

Friday 2 May 2014

New Ryanair check-in rules

from the Travel Trade Gazette 

Changes to Ryanair’s online check-in rules are forcing agents to make customers buy allocated seats for packages of more than seven days.
Ryanair last week told passengers that online check-in was only available between seven days and two hours before departure for those not taking its regular or premium seat reservation option, costing €5 or €10. Those opting to pay extra can check in from 30 days before.
Previously, Ryanair allowed non-reserved seat boarding passes to be printed 15 days before departure, which catches a normal fortnight family holiday.
However, the change means agents packaging a week’s holiday with Ryanair flights cannot now issue the return boarding card before clients leave the UK.
One agency, Thorne Travel, which is close to Prestwick airport, has told clients: “To ensure you get the best customer service for all flights booked with a six day or longer duration, we will require you to
pre-book your seats.”
Agency owner Shona Thorne said hotels had been happy to print boarding cards for existing bookings, but that this would create problems in the future.
“Hotels are not going to be happy,” she said. “We’ve done this before for customers going for three weeks and most hotels have been quite comfortable doing that, but we have a group of 30 going soon - do they want to do that? No.”
Thorne said the agency would be greatly affected, being 10 minutes from Prestwick. “To change the rules on existing bookings is wrong,” she said.
Ryanair charges £40 to print boarding cards at the airport, meaning a family of four caught unawares faces a £160 bill at the end of their holiday.
The airline’s changes come only weeks after it launched a charm offensive, promising to be less obstructive. A Ryanair spokeswoman said check-in times had been extended for those who purchased allocated seats.
“Customers who don’t wish to pay for a premium or regular allocated seat can check-in online between seven days to two hours prior to each flight, and will be allocated a seat free of charge,” she added.
Helder Lemos, who runs Gallivant Travel Agency near Stansted, said Ryanair had “reverted back to type”, adding: “What comes to mind immediately is the saying ‘the leopard never changes its spots’.
It found a subterfuge to force ancillary revenues and annoy the customers.”

Also Read : 8 Stages Everyone Goes Through Booking a Holiday

And : Amazing Amsterdam

Thursday 24 April 2014

Travelling Alone, want to make new friends? There's an app for that!

Thousands of singles have benefitted from the resources found on the TripTogether.com website and will attest to the fact that some things are just better when experienced together.
Sharing a trip is one of the best ways to truly experience a new location. Finding the perfect travel partner and planning your dream vacation on the TripTogether.com social travel network, makes the experience so much brighter.
Go Exploring
Enjoying new and exciting experiences is the best part of sharing a trip. Take some time to see the sights that you may not find in a travel brochure. TripTogether.com has a team of experts and avid travelers at hand who are more than happy to share great tips about the real places of interest. Experience the unique culture of your vacation destination firsthand, visiting the best unknown eateries and taking part in local festivals.
Educate Yourselves
Learning about new cultures and customs together is a great way to get to know more about your traveling partners. Take the time to go sightseeing or join a guided tour, learn together about the history of this amazing location that drew you both to it. Vacations don’t have to be all about thrills and excitement, many members of TripTogether.com have discovered that sharing a learning experience with a friend not only enhances the experience, but also the relationship.
Treat Yourselves to a Little Downtime
With all the excitement of new adventures, don’t forget that you and your travel partner still deserve the rest and relaxation that make travel so worthwhile. Travelers have noted that one of the most rewarding parts of traveling together is enjoying some downtime; take a nap, read a good book poolside, or simply take a stroll on the beach. Pamper yourselves together with a soothing massage to help you ease any tension you may have accumulated throughout your journey. Finish off the day with your travel partner by finding a nice scenic spot to watch the sunset on another perfect day of vacation.
TripTogether.com is a social travel website and iPhone app designed to boost the vacation plans of members by connecting over 300,000 single travelers worldwide. Using the Live Chat feature, members can discuss planned trips, hook-up with new friends overseas, show visitors their favorite spots, and share hot tips about real places of interest. TripTogether.com uses the combined knowledge of a team of Internet experts (all avid travelers) with over 15 years of experience to give their members the most valuable vacation planning advice. All profiles are verified by TripTogether.com staff, ensuring authentic interaction between members looking for the perfect travel companion.

Tuesday 22 April 2014

O'Neills Irish Bar, Madrid

Fantastically friendly staff, a lovely, welcoming atmosphere and a feeling of being home. These are just a few of the many positive things that can be said about one of my regular haunts from my time studying in Madrid. Myself and Andrew were lucky enough to stumble upon the bar, located not far from the Sol metro station, in the first couple of weeks in Madrid. We had the pleasure of befriending one of the barmen, Mark, who convinced us to come to one of the "intercambio" nights that he organises. Thanks to him, we made a number of firm friends from attending these nights, as well as improving our level of Spanish immensely.

Aside from the fantastic atmosphere and great location, O'Neills has a delicious food menu. I could not praise it highly enough. If I had not been living on a tight budget I probably would have eaten there every night! They show a variety of sports and have most Soccer games, including Champions League, live on TV. If you're lucky enough to be in Madrid in the future, make sure to visit O'Neills and tell them I sent you.


Data Roaming Charges

So I'm just back from another trip to Slovakia (I will never get sick of the place) where I spent the long weekend. I have a pay as you go plan for my mobile phone and it struck me at how quickly I ran out of credit without realising it. Small things like a status update on Facebook, reading news articles or a few retweets on Twitter and my €20 credit had all but disappeared.

Now that's not too bad for me, when my credit is gone I just can't use the phone any more. But what about the poor souls on bill-pay plans? Imagine the shock you could get after a 2 week holiday if you're not extremely careful, you could get a very nasty surprise with your next phone bill.

Picture : The Guardian
Thankfully, the EU is introducing laws, taking effect from later this year, which will essentially eliminate data roaming charges within the EU. But for people travelling to and from the United States, Canada, Asia etc, it can get very expensive to use your phone. Still, there is hope, some companies such as TravelCell have seen a chance to offer cheaper international connectivity when abroad, and it is well worth your time to have a look at them.

TravelCell has been providing global wireless and data communications for well over 15 years. We have hundreds of thousands of satisfied clients throughout the USA and Canada. We offer free incoming calls, low outgoing calling plans, reliable & proven worldwide networks and offices in NY, NJ and abroad. We also offer corporate and group discounts and work closely to ensure everything runs smoothly. TravelCell is an easy choice for anyone traveling overseas. In today’s troubled times, the importance of global communications is on everyone’s mind. Therefore, TravelCell offers you safety, security and peace of mind.  

Many travelers return to the USA and get sticker shock from bills over $1000 for international roaming and data fees. Smartphones automatically update and use tremendous amounts of usage at high cost per megabyte. Instead of using your own phone while traveling abroad, which could incur extremely high bills, use a TravelCell! Travel worry-free, knowing that you got the best deal on your international cell phone. To get a list of all products and plans please visit www.travelcell.com