Posts Tagged ‘UK’

Taking A Visit To Croatia

March 18th, 2010

The capital city of Croatia is Zagreb. Croatian is the main language spoken here and Kuna is the currency. Croatian climate is characteristic of the Mediterranean Sea. The inland has hot summers and very cold winters, at the coastal areas the summers are dry and the winters are mild.

There are four major airports running in Croatia situated in four important cities of it. Zagreb, Dubrovnik, Split, Pula and Rijeka are four above mentioned destinations for international tourists who travel by air. All major airports are not too far away from the city centers at an average of 20 minutes of journey.

Zagreb has remained Croatia's capital since 1557 and is located on the northern side of the country. The capital is quite populated and has a metro feel about it. The city is home to National Museum, Lotrscak Tower and the Cathedral of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Traveling in the country you also find the spectacular Strossmayer Gallery and the Archaeological Museum in the lower town.

There are many beaches and your kids can run around and spend lots of time over there. In the towns you can come across some organized travel tours that cater to the children's needs.Ã

Tips For First-Time Visitors To Bulgaria

March 18th, 2010

Welcome to the beautiful country of Bulgaria!  Located on the southeastern part of Europe, Bulgaria is now becoming a premiere travel destination in the continent.  Bulgaria is situated along the Balkan Peninsula.  It is bordered by Romania to the north, the Black Sea to the east, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, and Greece and Turkey on the south.  Travelers visiting this beautiful country are captivated with its picturesque landscapes, pristine beaches, historical buildings and a rich cultural heritage that is uniquely their own.

Bulgaria is a land known for its rich cultural and historical heritage, pristine beaches, and captivating landscapes.  To get the most out of your travel here in Bulgaria, especially if this is your first time to visit the country, here are just some tips that would be useful for you.

As with any country in Europe, all travelers are required to have a valid passport before taking a trip to Bulgaria.  Make sure that the validity of your passport extends six months after your arrival to the country of Bulgaria.  It would be a good idea to have your passport first renewed before you travel to Bulgaria if your passport is to expire within the same year.  If you are visiting the country as a tourist, immigration in Bulgaria would allow tourists from some countries to visit the country without having to acquire a visa for as long as the stay is no longer than 30 days.  To make sure if you are eligible for this, you can contact the embassy or consulate of Bulgaria in your country for more details.

While Bulgaria is still making its name known as a prime tourist destination in Europe, tourists would find a number of different accommodations that are sure to meet their budget and what they are looking for.  You can choose from a wide variety of hotels, hostels, bed and breakfasts, and even private lodgings all over the country.  Regardless on where you are staying, it is important to remember to make sure to submit your itinerary including the places where you are staying to the local authorities.  This is because in the country of Bulgaria, tourists are required to submit all travel itineraries to the local police whether or not you are here for business or pleasure.

Bulgaria takes pride in its rich cultural and historical heritage.  In fact, Bulgaria is home to nine different UNESCO World Heritage Sites, all of which are top tourist destinations in the country.  Each of these heritage sites offers travelers a unique glimpse of a particular aspect of the rich culture of the country.  One of the most visited UNESCO World Heritage Sites visited in Bulgaria is the Madara Rider located on the Madara Plateau. 

Tourists are also required to bring along a copy of their complete itinerary which they would need to surrender to the local police upon their arrival.  Although immigration officers do not require some tourists to obtain a visa to visit the country or have a return ticket for the flight home, they do require a copy of your complete itinerary, including the places where you will be staying in order to prevent the possibility of you overstaying in Bulgaria.

Another top tourist destination is the ancient city of Nesebar.  This beautiful seaside port is not just home to buildings and infrastructures dating back to the Middle Ages.  It is also a favorite by tourists and locals for its pristine beaches which open up to the Black Sea.

You can use your ATM or debit card in the ATM machines in the major cities of the country which would dispense the amount you need in the local currency.  It is important to remember, though, that international ATM cards used are subject to additional fees and a limit in the number of transactions that could be done in a day.

Visiting Belgium

March 18th, 2010

Today, the country of Belgium is slowly becoming one of the prime travel destinations in Europe.  Located in the western part of the continent, the country of Belgium had long been shadowed by its neighbor countries of France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands in terms of tourism.  But that is all changing.  In fact, more and more travelers are veering away from the typical tourist destinations in Europe and are now visiting some of its lesser known countries.

Like all travelers heading out to Belgium for the very first time, you would want to make the most out of your trip.  Here are just some tips to help you do just that.

When to Go

Belgium, like most countries in Europe, is visited by travelers from all parts of the world throughout the year.  This is partly due to its climate.  Because Belgium shares its borders with the North Sea, the country experiences a maritime climate.  This means that locals and tourists experience warm winters and even warmer summers in Belgium as compared to its neighboring countries.  In fact, the coldest temperature recorded in this country, which is during the month of January, does not go below 3 degrees Celsius.

The best time to travel the country is during the months of July and August.  During this time, the temperatures are just ideal for you to explore the outdoors which can be quite a problem before these months since the climate of the country is known for frequent rainfalls.  On top of that, the months of July and August are when the rates in hotels and other accommodations are at its lowest, which is perfect especially if you are traveling on a budget.

Places to Visit

The best place to start to learn about any country is starting at its capital.  In the case of Belgium, it is the city of Brussels.  Here, travelers would be able to experience something old and something new.  Modern-day shopping malls and the headquarters of NATO can be found right next to beautiful buildings dating back to the 13th century.  This is also where the trendiest pubs and restaurants are also found.  While you are in Brussels, make sure to take some time to sample their beers.  This is where most of the breweries of the country can be found, thus giving the city of Brussels the nickname The City of a Thousand Beers.

From here, head out to the famous town of Waterloo which is situated just 10 miles from the capital city of Belgium.  Known in his history as the place where Napoleon fell in battle, the town has become one of the most visited tourist destinations in the country. For a dose of culture, head out to the town of Bruges.  Here, travelers can visit a number of different museums that feature some of the finest artworks by both contemporary local artists as well as some of the famous artists in all of Europe.  Food to Taste – No trip to Belgium is complete without sampling some of the finest chocolates in the world.  While you are at it, sample some of the unique blends of beer that is brewed in the country, particularly in the city of Brussels which is known locally as the city of a thousand beers.  Make sure that you leave room to try mitraillete, a favorite local snack in the country which is made out of fried potatoes, quality cut meat and loads of garlic.