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Showing posts from February, 2019

Where to stay near Vienna's Museumsquartier

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The MuseumsQuartier is  Vienna ’s urban living room, a space where hundreds of artists live and work in studios set among museums and galleries. As well as being home to the Natural History Museum, MUMOK Modern Art Museum, the Zoom Children’s Museum and many more, MuseumsQuartier hosts a year-round array of cultural events and festivals. To give you easy access to this creative quarter, we’ve picked out four of the best apartments within a 5-minute walk.* City Stay Vienna – Spittelberg Modern art and city photos decorate the walls These one- and two-bedroom apartments combine colour and neutrals to great effect – think biscuit and blush in one flat, and charcoal and plum in another. High ceilings and tall windows mean there’s plenty of natural light, complemented by jewelled lamp shades that cast dancing shadows all around. Clean-lined design furniture and black-and-white prints complete the look.  City Stay Vienna – Spittelberg  is a 3-minute stroll from th...

Book a Flight Online and Save Money

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Whether you need to travel to another city or another country, it's never been easier to book a flight . There are many options for travelers. The airline companies themselves offer booking services via the internet, phone, and in person. There are also budget travel sites that simplify the whole process by allowing you to compare all of the rates from every airline at once and choose which one would most suit your preferences . There are many things to consider when booking a flight : departure city, departure date, arrival city, arrival date, whether or not you want a round trip, number of nights you'll be at your destination, whether or not you want to book a car rental and/or hotel along with the flight , and so forth. Luckily, all of this is made easy with the use of online search and comparison tools. You can experiment with the dates and times as well as the destinations to get an idea of the price range. The more flexible you are, the easier it will be to ge...

5 luxury lodges in the Amazon

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The best way to see the Amazon is to immerse yourself in it, basing yourself deep within the dense  rainforest . But a remote location doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort; there are ample luxury lodges where you can explore the jungle by day and retreat to a jacuzzi just beneath the canopy by night. And what’s more, many of these properties work hard to play a role in preserving endangered Amazonian ecosystems. Read on to  find  five of the best in the region. La Selva Ecolodge, Ecuador Enjoy a soundtrack of macaws, parakeets and toucans at La Selva Ecolodge Mooring the boat and stepping onto the rickety wooden pontoon of  La Selva Ecolodge , it’s hard to imagine that an extensive,  luxurious lodge  awaits you hidden within the jungle. The lodge is built right on the edge of Lake Garzacocha, with 19 cabanas constructed from straw and bamboo and furnished with four-poster beds. Each suite has a verandah that hangs amid the rainforest canopy, wh...

5 luxury lodges in the Amazon

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The best way to see the Amazon is to immerse yourself in it, basing yourself deep within the dense  rainforest . But a remote location doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort; there are ample luxury lodges where you can explore the jungle by day and retreat to a jacuzzi just beneath the canopy by night. And what’s more, many of these properties work hard to play a role in preserving endangered Amazonian ecosystems. Read on to find five of the best in the region. La Selva Ecolodge, Ecuador Enjoy a soundtrack of macaws, parakeets and toucans at La Selva Ecolodge Mooring the boat and stepping onto the rickety wooden pontoon of  La Selva Ecolodge , it’s hard to imagine that an extensive, luxurious lodge awaits you hidden within the jungle. The lodge is built right on the edge of Lake Garzacocha, with 19 cabanas constructed from straw and bamboo and furnished with four-poster beds. Each suite has a verandah that hangs amid the rainforest canopy, where sunken jacuzz...

The best city trips for solo travellers

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From meeting new people to having the freedom to set your own schedule, there are plenty of reasons why  travelling solo  can be one of the most rewarding experiences out there. But when it comes to globe trotting on your own, not all destinations are created equal. According to global traveller data, these are the world’s most solo traveller-friendly cities, being simultaneously safe, friendly, accessible and exhilarating.* Cusco, Peru Stay close to Cusco's Plaza de Armas in the centre of the old town The high-altitude city of  Cusco  (located at 11,152 feet above sea level) is the gateway to Incan citadel, Machu Picchu. You’re guaranteed to meet lots of like-minded solo travellers if you’re visiting on your own, since most accommodation caters for backpackers with social spaces and events. Stay in the heart of the action around the Plaza de Armas (a highly rated option is the  Kokopelli Hostel Cusco ) in the centre of the old town and right next...

Where to stay near Dohány Street Synagogue

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Seating 3,000 people, Dohány Street Synagogue stands as the second largest synagogue in the world. Damaged during World War II, it was fully renovated in 1998 and is now one of  Budapest ’s most famous sights. To help you stay within walking distance of this spectacular landmark, we’ve found the best home away from homes in the area. Hana's Apartment at Astoria Relax in a quiet and comfortable room after a long day exploring With its comfy beds and decoratively tiled kitchen, it won’t take long to settle in at  Hana’s Apartment at Astoria . You’ll have your very own coffee machine, a blackboard to scribble notes on and an oven to make your favourite meals. If you're looking to go out, head down the road to Doboz – a lively bar converted from the ruins of an old building. Hana’s Apartment at Astoria is only a minute walk away and about as close to Dohány Street Synagogue as you can get. Synagogue Apartment Dohány The space grey-and-teal colour scheme gives ...

Australia’s 9 most captivating islands

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With over 8,000 to choose from, Australia’s islands are both bountiful in number and in  natural beauty . And you don’t necessarily have to venture far from the mainland to chance upon them. From the tropical Whitsunday Islands in the north, to a cloud forest-covered, volcanic wilderness just off the coast of Tasmania, here are nine of the nation’s most captivating island escapes. Fraser Island Eucalyptus trees stand in gleaming white sand in Fraser Island's Lake Mackenzie Fraser Island  is an astonishing place. The world’s largest sand island, it covers nearly 2,000 square kilometres, so you can spend days exploring its subtropical interior, including hiring a 4x4 to drive the length of its east coast along 75 Mile Beach. It’s the only place in the world where rainforest grows on sand, with monumental trees shading crystal-clear creeks, and ancient giant ferns sprouting out of the dunes. Inland, you’ll find over 100 freshwater lakes, the most astounding being La...

Discover the world's oddest animal adventures

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Intrepid explorers and animals lovers alike know that spotting wildlife or stumbling upon a magnificent creature in its natural habitat is a big proponent of travel. And while all sights are spectacular in their own right, in the animal kingdom, some are more unusual than others. These trips prove just that. Play with puppies at the Golden Retriever Festival in Alva, Scotland There's no shortage of cuddle time at this event Arguably a contender for the world’s most adorable festival, the Golden Retriever Festival in Scotland is a must for anyone who loves dogs. Every summer, owners and their happy pups congregate in the small town of Alva to participate in all manner of dog show events, including for the titles of best puppy and best in show. Mainly though, it’s a time for owners, canines and dog lovers to celebrate the gorgeous breed that is the golden retriever. Have a race around the fields with the puppies or watch them bound around happily while tucking into a slice ...

Germany's tranquil farm stays

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A land of mountains, meadows and natural wonders, rural Germany is worth exploring. Farm stay s are a wonderful option for travellers in search of that back-to-nature feel or a rustic retreat – and according to global travellers, these are the most restful of them all.* Thölkes Hus, Botersen Retreat to this beautiful Grade-II listed building Although one of  Germany ’s quietest retreats,  Thölkes Hus  has a noisier history. It once housed a number of Napoleon Bonaparte’s troops and later a group of Russian officers and their soldiers. These days, however, it’s a peaceful farm stay with both historic and scenic appeal. A Grade-II listed building, its tiled slanting thatched roof and half-timbered facade provides a dose of classic German architecture. Inside, dark wood furnishings, exposed beams and low-lit lighting combine for a cosy atmosphere, while the terrace and barbecue outside are a lovely summertime option. You’ll want to spend most of your time canvass...