Barcelona for groups

Barcelona for groups – as well as being a great location for couples and individuals, the city of Barcelona is also a perfect place if you are a group, whether it be a:

• Stag or hens group
• Work team building group
• Family meet up

Whatever reason for travelling or meeting as a large group, Barcelona works well because of the diversity of accommodation in Barcelona, the large range of group events, variety of food and attractions.

Barcelona groups

If you are a group for team building, stag or hen trip then events such as the the city treaure hunt, paintballing, go-karting, ladies spa day, are just a few samples of the events you can book.

For accommodation: Holiday-Velvet.com
For the events: BarcelonaAadventure.com

Is it safe to travel? Swine flu,cocktails and white Russians

A common question a lot of people have started asking if whether or not it is really any more dangerous now to travel than it has been before? Flu kills thousands each and every year and so far the fatalities have been relatively few for a flu epidemic. Should we be worried? Should we travel?

The truth is that the recommendations by the authorities and from each country are changing each day and you can go crazy trying to decide. What I can tell you is that I WILL BE travelling for sure. Is global warming going to get me

Is it safe to travel?

first? Swine flu? I am inclined to think that if anything, when I go on holiday or vacation, that the thing I need to be most concerned about in reality is drinking too much and ruining my liver over time.

A lot of us love a few drinks whilst we are on holiday. So my advice is if you are worried about travelling these days, have one or two less beers or cocktails whilst laying by the pool!!! (By the way – if you do like cocktails then make sure to try a White Russian).

10 Ideas for Extreme Sports Holidays

If you are a true thrill seeker looking for an extreme holiday, I have made a list with 10 ideas for a extreme holiday to make your holiday just a little bit different than the average holiday. These activities require preparation and responsibility.

1. Surfing – Ireland is a good place to surf because of the mild, moist and changeable weather conditions. Even though, you always have to be prepared and take booties and a hood with you, especially when the weather gets colder.

2. Wild Life Safari – Kenya is well known for its wildlife. That is why many people are going on a holiday to Kenya, to see the ‘big five’ and feeling the thrill when you are facing a cheetah. Without any doubt you can see the lion, rhino,

Exreme holdays

buffalo, leopard and elephant during a wild life safari.

3. Paintball - Yes, it can hurt a little ones you have been shot but you do not feel it because the adrenaline is pumping through your body. It is a really fun game to do with friends and family. Most of the time the paintball area has different barriers and different types of paintball.

4. Skydiving – Skydiving makes you feel free and it is a very special experience. The opportunity to fly gives you an adrenaline boost. You can do skydiving indoor and outdoor.

5. Ice diving – If you are a certified Ice Diver, you are able to ice dive. Ice dive can be a lot of fun, but of course you have to make the right preparations before doing it. During an ice dive course you learn diving planning, organization, site selection, preparation, special equipment you need for this dive and safety procedures. It may sound a little scary but you will have your thrill for certain and the first time feels strange being under de ice instead of on the ice.

6. Snowboarding – Switzerland is one of the most beautiful places to go on winter holiday. It has many areas for snowboarding and for beginners as well as experienced snowboarders, this is the place to be. Everybody is having fun, the slopes are incredibly long and the ambiance is amazing!

7. Bungy jumping – gee jumping is a nice way to give your extreme holiday an extreme boost.
The experience and the speed of the fall gives you an adrenaline shot you will not and cannot forget. There are many bungy jump locations, so you can do it where and whenever you like.  

8. B.A.S.E Jumping – .S.E Jumping (what stands for Building, Antenna, Span and Earth) can be an extreme dangerous sport. It simply is jumping of everything that is around you, whether it’s stuck or loose, you just jump of something and hope that your parachute will opens on time, and that’s what makes it an exciting sport.

9. Mountain biking -  best place for a mountain biking tour is in the mountains of course. In my opinion Switzerland is a very good location because there are many slopes and hills. Even for beginners is this a good place. There are schools where you can learn mountain biking.

10. Kitesurfing – esurfing is a variation of windsurfing. But the feeling of jumping so high makes you feel like you can fly. With good weather conditions and good equipment it is an experience you cannot forget.

International Event Earth Hour

Earth Hour is a worldwide event that is organized by WWF (World Wide Fund). The World Wide Fund for Nature/Word Wildlife Fund is a non-profit organisation that stands for conservation, research and restoration of the environment. With this action Earth Hour wants to raise awareness and to take action on the climate change. They want to achieve this goal by asking households worldwide to turn off all the lights and electrical devices for one hour in more than 1000 cities. Because they believe that we can make a different.

WWF

In 2008, 377 cities participated and this year they expect hundreds of cities are participating and signing up for turning their lights off and make this event even more special than the previous year. In Belgium, where it all started, will turn off their light in the Atomium and other big cities like Gent and Antwerpen are also participating. As a citizen you can help to achieve this goal by turning off your lights between 20h30 and 21h30 and encourage your friends, family and neighbours to participate.

As a company, town or government you can also turn off all the lights in the building, encourage the employees, clients, residents to participate and make a donation. Earth Hour has been planned to switch off the globe for one hour.

Getting to Cyprus

To view property and real estate in Cyprus, you will have to travel there first. The best way to get there (only ways in fact) are by ferry and by airplane.

Ferry travel: The main links are between Cyprus and Greece, although the ferries run infrequently. You are btter off flying onto the island of Cyprus, unless you are travelling perhaps from Greece.

Flights to Cyprus: The main airports are in Phafos and in Larnaca and youhave a choice of airlines including Cyprus Airways, British Airways, Olympic Airlines and Austraian Airlines. Your best bet is to look on http://www.expedia.com/ or http://www.expedia.co.uk/ and comparing prices. from the UK, flights take approx four and a half hours.

What’s Hot in Europe. City Winter Breaks.

Once Xmas is over with and the winter blues start to kick in, many of us start thinking about getting away for a few days or a week in March or April. So where is hot for March and April in 2009? Where is worth going. My 3 choices below.

1. Venice – is I know a common choice BUT many people head to Venice in the peak of summer and the cafes are full and city more crowded. A trip to Venice in March or April means you avoid the crowds and it can be a great time to

Taormina

visit Venice. Venice accommodation is also more readily available and you have more choose in March or April. 

2. Paris in March and April also attracts me because it is much easier and less crowded in the museums and galleries including the Louvre. Paris accommodation also offers more options and air fares can sometimes be much more affordable in the winter months. Ryanair are one airline worth checking.

3. Sicily is my other choice. Sicily is quite far South being near to the coast of Africa and the weather if you are lucky can already be very nice in March and April. Sicily has a lot to offer with the Etna volcano and the stunning town of Taormina.

Paris for the family (Part 2)

The Vedettes de Paris is also another boat trip that offers an hour’s ride along the Seine, past Notre Dame, the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay and the Eiffel Tower. There are cruises especially for young children, with an on-board pirate, Barthelemy. You can find the boat at Port de Suffren, at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.

Disneyland Paris

Climbing up the Eiffel Tower is always a must; tickets start at €3.80 for over-25s and €3 for under-25s.

If you want something a little slower, the American Library in the 7th arrondissement takes children storytelling for children aged three and under on the first and last Thursday of the month at 10.30am.

If this doesn’t impress the kids, there’s Disneyland Paris. To get there, take a train to Marne la Vallée. Admission at €57 per adult and €41.50 per child isn’t cheap but for a slightly cheaper alternative, the Parc Astérix has rides and plenty to offer young children.

Paris for the family (Part 1)

Even though Paris is better known for romance and fashion, it’s still a good city where you can take your children. There are plenty of things to do to keep them occupied and you happy.

Firstly renting an apartment would be a good option. Costs for apartments do vary but they certainly offer better value than a hotel and enble the whole family to stay together in comfort. For outdoor entertainment, try the Parc de la Villette with it’s 10 individual gardens. There’s the Dragon Garden with its 80m dragon whose tongue doubles as a slide. This is also where you’ll

Family travel in paris

find the Cité des Sciences, Cité de la Musique, an equestrian centre, concert hall and theatre. If you also go right into the center you’ll find the Jardin des Tuileries (www.parisinfo.com) which has a summer funfair from mid-June to August. Outside of the summer, you’ll also find a playground and pony rides that take place during the weekends from 11am-6pm and cost €2.50.

A boat ride is always a dead cert to impress the kids. Not far from the Cité des Science is the St-Martin Canal. Here you can take a picturesque ride through the districts of Paris. The boat’s times are from the Bassin de Villette at 9.45am and 2.45pm and the cost is €14 one way. The jouney ends at Port de l’Arsenal near the Bastilleand the trip lasts 2 hours.

Romance in Barcelona

Barcelona is a romantic city known for culture and wonderful architecture. With mild, comfortable winters and dry, hot summers the best time to go is Spring and in the Autumn.

Barcelona offers a wonderful romantic vacation and you could begin by taking a stroll in the beautiful Gothic Quarter with it’s cobbled stoned narrow streets, Gothic architecture, beautful placas and remants of Roman walls that used to surround the city. Visit the cathedral with it’s gothic architecture or the medieval palaces

Sitges

like La Pia Almoina and Casa dels Canonges, or the nearby Palau Reial Mayor and Chapel of Santa Agata. The Barri Gotico is also known for it’s cafes and outdoor restaurants where you can gaze into the eyes of your lover whilst tasting delicious tapas with local grown wine. Paris may be the city of love but Barcelona doesn’t do badly with the beaches, the balconies overlooking the streets below, good food and great wine!  

Located next to the Gothic Quarter is Port Vell with the converted former dockyards. Here you can enjoy the sunset before you settle in for a late dinner and cocktail. Barceloneta is the city’s fishermen’s quarter adjacent to the beach.

IF you’re looking to buy that perfect gift, Barcelona’s best shopping is in Eixample’s Passeig de Gracia and the Rambla de Catalunya. Here you’ll find the finest jewelers, specialised book stores and boutique shops.

Head further north to Gaudi’s romantic and scenic Parc Güell and enjoy fabulous views across the city. You can also always see the sights in style from your very own horse and carriage and they can usually be found at the bottom of Las Ramblas. One of the most romantic squares is the Placa de Sant Felip Neri. In the early evening light of Spring, there is no more beautiful spot in Barcelona.

Finally after a wonderful day, book a table at El Xalet, Avinguda Miramar, 31. The food at El Xalet is inventive and unique but the view over the city is far better. At night, or at sunset for a drink will take your breath away. Also planning to travel to Venice for romance?

Bargaining Tips for Travellers

“11,000 Rupiah” the Indonesian shop owner proudly states. I counter with 5000rph. `5000 Rupiah!?´ the man exclaimed while his eyes widen like saucers. ´ That’s crazy price my friend´ – no way!´ But I really wanted those leather sandals, so I offered 50 more cents – “Ok, ok 5500´´. The old man nods and we have a deal! And so goes the thrilling and sometimes entertaining art form of bargaining.

Bargaining truly can be an adventure, especially in developing countries where it´s not only a way of life but a fantastic way to connect with the locals. From my experiences, it’s important to keep it light and friendly.

Bartering in a market

Often communication is limited so body language and gestures are essential. Remember to smile and a little pat on the shoulder or playful joke can go a long way.

Pricing and countering. The general rule is being a tourist – locals will hike prices up significantly. So be aggressive when you counter their first quote to show them you are seasoned. I offer at least half the price quoted. He offers 100 pesos – you counter with 35.  Of course, the owner will acted surprised even disgusted but stay strong. Wait for their counter – see how far they come down. The more they come down, the less you counter with. Remember keep it playful, don´t take it too serious. The best strategy is to remember you can always walk away and buy somewhere else.

Of course there will be times when both parties are at a deadlock. Neither is willing to go any farther and it appears someone will have to take a big leap or there is no deal. This is when being creative or humorous can go a long way. A few years ago while travelling thru Vietnam; I passed through a lovely art gallery. The artist had some incredible pieces done on rice-paper. I spent at least an hour deciding on 4 pieces that I wanted as gifts. We got to bargaining – back and forth for ages. We finally came to a point where neither wanted to budge. The price difference was no more than 5 euros but no one wanted to lose face. I was ready to walk out when I noticed the artist´s puppy playing at our feet. Impulsively, I kneeled down, placed my ear next to the dog´s mouth and as if the pup was speaking – I responded ´What? – you say 50k Dong? – great!´. The artist and his wife found this hilarious and rolled over laughing. He instantly smiled and agreed on the price I offered – sold! Read more travel tips or great offers on accommodation rentals in Vietnam or Bali.