Don't Fly Go! | Category Archives: Travel Tips

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June 16, 2016 by Chase Vandros

Don’t Just Travel Wide – Travel Smart!

A great holiday should be free from stress. But let’s face it: even the best holidays cause a fair amount of anxiety and worry.

Here are some travel smart tricks that should alleviate holiday stress!

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Be wary of the ever-changing prices

The pricing of travel tickets is extremely fluid. A lot of people don’t realize quite how fluid it is. In our Internet era, it has always seemed that we can get the best prices by going online. But the data we share online – consciously or not – can actually see us paying more than we should be.

You might be no stranger to the fact that prices for tickets for a given plane or train are always changing. You may even be aware of the fact that two people can check prices online and see completely different offers. But you might not know how it works, or how to deal with it. Essentially, travel sites use the data from your history of using their site to gauge how much you want to go to a particular place. If they think you’re likely to buy tickets, then they’ll ramp up the prices.

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Clear your cache before checking out a travel website. You’ll see the fairest and most accurate prices that way!

Book your activities beforehand

Of course, a lot of people know that they should do this already. But you should try looking for a platform that allows you to book several activities at once. Usually, people have to visit several websites in order to get everything planned properly. But there are websites like Travezl Australia that allow you to book things in bulk.

Whichever way you do it, taking time before you leave to plan out the things you’re going to do is smart. It will save you a lot of stress!

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Explore other travel methods

This wouldn’t be Don’tFlyGo without a quick reminder that you don’t have to take a plane! In case you’re new to this concept, it may be because you don’t know how damaging planes are to the environment. They’re incredible pieces of tech, but we should only really use them if we absolutely have to!

Getting around in a country or even a continent can be done via amazing train rides. If you do have to fly, see if you can fly to a closer location and take another mode of transport the rest of the way.

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Consider your financial options

One of the worrying things about booking a holiday is how much money you have to spend in one go. Emphasis on “in one go”! It’s not so much that people think it’s too expensive or not worth the money. It’s that dropping hundreds from your bank account can suddenly leave you short. What if an emergency occurs?

You can look into going down the finance route if you want to fund a holiday. This is an option to consider even if you do have the money to hand. But the smartest thing to do might simply be to wait. Here’s an idea: save up 200% of the money you need to find the holiday. (Or maybe 150% if you’re impatient.) Then, once you purchase the holiday, you’ll have an equivalent amount (or half of it!) remaining.

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May 24, 2016 by Chase Vandros

How to Get Around Los Angeles

Planning a trip to Los Angeles? L.A. is one of the most desirable vacation destinations in the world. A city well known for its massive traffic jams and expansive freeways, getting around Los Angeles can be a headache. Whether you are going to enjoy the sunshine, the surf, Hollywood, or Disneyland; here are some tips on how to get around Los Angeles.

Private Car
If you want the convenience of your own car but don’t want the stress and headache of driving in Los Angeles’ notorious traffic try a private car. Blacklane’s LA car service will allow you to relax in the cushy seat of a luxury sedan while navigating the streets and freeways of this expansive mega city. The freedom of a car but without the headaches of driving allows you to go where you please and Blacklane’s sleek Mercedes cars make sure you get there in style (a must when in L.A.) and even if you are stuck in traffic, wouldn’t you rather be sitting in the back seat of a car reviewing your Instagram or taking a nap?

Bicycle
Want to feel the beach breeze and stay in shape while traveling? Why not get around Los Angeles on a bicycle. Biking Los Angeles is a fun way to explore this city on your own terms. Los Angeles has many bike lanes and is adding more, these include downtown commuter routes and beach-side park routes. You can rent bicycle from a private shop, or if you just need for a single trip you can check out Los Angeles’ newest bike-share program. Don’t forget to bring your helmet and have fun enjoying the streets, beaches, and alleys of Los Angeles.

Public Transport
Los Angeles is not known for its public transit but the locals know all about it. Los Angeles’ public transport network includes light rail, subway, and buses. This allows the commuter to get to pretty much any corner of this vast city at a bargain rate via public transport. With seven different lines the metro rail system is your best bet. You can take all the way from downtown to Culver City, Pasadena, Koreatown, North Hollywood, or East L.A. If you want to get to the airport there are frequent buses from Union Station to LAX. Next time you are in Los Angeles maybe give public transport a try.

So are you eager to check out Hollywood’s hottest nightclubs with the style and convenience of a private luxury car, or maybe you want to impress the hipsters with your bicycle skills? Whether you are taking the bus to Chinatown or Hollywood Hills, there are plenty different way to get around the City of Los Angeles making it one of the easiest and most exciting cities to travel to. I hope our tips will help you in finding your way around this major city. Enjoy your next trip no matter how you get around Los Angeles.

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April 19, 2016 by Chase Vandros

Need To Fly? Offset Your Carbon Footprint With These Easy Steps

Most of us want to see more of the world. But if you’re determined to do it the green way, you may be restricted to only a few of the marvellous places this planet has to offer. However, there are ways you could offset your carbon footprint if you find it’s necessary to fly. And there are also a few things you could do to reduce the impact on the environment of your flight.

When we think about environmentally friendly travel, walking and cycling spring to mind first of all. Public transport may come next. Perhaps a green car that runs on electric is your preferred mode of transport? If you can get to the airport by one of these modes of transport, you are already doing your bit to reduce the impact of your travel plans. Choose online or mobile check-in and you could be saving your travel documents from being printed too.

It’s not just the fuel from the plane that can harm the environment. Trash is also a problem on a plane. As you know, it is all collected in a single bag and disposed of at the terminal. It is rarely recycled. Much of the waste comes from the way the food is prepared. Plastic cups and plates are all harmful to the environment. However, many first class travel options include real cutlery, freshly cooked meals, and proper glassware. All this is reused on each flight, so you’re less likely to generate excess trash.

Flickr is the source of the image

When you arrive at your destination, there are still plenty of ways you can offset that carbon footprint of the plane. Hire a bicycle or use public transport to reach your hotel. Don’t forget there are many green hotels around the world too. Some of the best ones can be found in Mexico. Look for places that recycle their trash, and provide environmentally friendly laundry services. Germany is very hot for recycling. It is up to you to separate your own waste in the hotel room you stay at.

While you are on vacation, why not choose some excursions and activities that actively help the environment? You can choose wildlife preservation, or even a beach clean up. There are plenty of ways you can impact the environment in a positive way. It’s a great way to make up for having to take a flight. It’s not as hard as you may think to find these eco-projects. Have a look online to see what’s happening near to your favorite resort.

If you are concerned about the impact of flying on the environment, it is worth speaking to the airline you fly with. They are required to provide a statement about their efforts to reduce the damage to the environment. The figures for the amount of emissions can only ever be estimated each year.

Many people who love travel find they are taking several flights each year. That’s why it’s so important to find ways to offset the environmental impact. You can make some smart choices in flights. And there are always some clever ways of maximizing your time while you are away from home. You can do some good for the environment. Enjoy your next flight.

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April 13, 2016 by Chase Vandros

Top 4 Ways to Spend a Romantic Night in the UAE

Vacations should be the time when you relax, discover and make time for things that your daily life does not permit such as romance. Romantic nights are perfect when you vacation with a partner as you have no stress, a beautiful location and more importantly, time. The UAE is the perfect place to spend some quality romantic time with your loved one as it offers beautiful locations, luxurious surroundings and impeccable service to give you and your partner the night of your life. Here are the top 4 ways for you to spend a perfect romantic evening in the UAE.

La Serre, Dubai

La Serre is a bistro and boulangerie and one of the best romantic restaurants in Dubai, the restaurant combines a traditional Parisienne boulangerie on the lower floor that bakes fresh bread and makes incredible pastries, with a bistro on the upper floor that features a cocktail bar and a mediterranean menu that doffs it’s hat to the finest food that France has to offer. From the elegant staircase to the intricate balconies, the quality of service, food and drink and the wonderful smell that emanates from the bakery below, La Serre truly is the perfect place to spend the night with your partner.

Dinner at the Safran Tower, Ras al Khaimah

The hotel Banyan Tree al Wadl in the emirate of Ras al Khaimah offers guests an incredibly romantic treat. The hotel has a tower within it’s grounds styled on an Arabic water tower, guest climb the stairs to the top before being served by a butler with some outstanding Thai cuisine. The hotel’s location is right on the beach and you can take your loved one for a walk along the shoreline before indulging in this beautiful feast. The rooms at the hotel are designed with nothing but luxury in mind and provide the perfect setting for a night of romance.

Sunset in Jebel Hafeet, Abu Dhabi

It’s hard to argue against the fact that sunsets are one of the most romantic things to watch with your partner. The argument is harder still when you consider that the sunset that can be seen from on top of the Jebel Hafeet mountain in Abu Dhabi. At it’s peak the mountain sits at a lofty 1,259 metres and looks out onto the untouched plains of Al Ain, the perfect, unrestricted views of the glorious UAE sunset. The peak is reachable by a very well constructed road that leads you through over 60 bends on the way to the top. At the peak of the mountain there is a solitary hotel where you can enjoy the spectacle in comfort with your loved one, a most romantic treat.

Villa Beach Restaurant, Dubai

The Villa Beach restaurant is situated in the Jumeirah Hotel which sits directly opposite the incredible and iconic Burj al Arab. The draw of this restaurant, aside from it’s fantastic views of the Burj al Arab and stunning Mediterranean food, is it’s proximity to the beach. The restaurant has tables set outside which gives diners the opportunity to set underneath the starry sky, listening to the waves as they lap in and out whilst enjoying fine food and a wide range of wines, the perfect place for a romantic evening. The restaurant can be incredibly busy so it is recommended that you book ahead of time to avoid disappointment.

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March 8, 2016 by Chase Vandros

Top 5 Things to do in Barcelona

The Catalan capital of Barcelona is one of Europe’s most visited cities. The city’s perfect northern location by the coast attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists each year to experience the artistic design and laid back approach to life that they have in Barcelona. The city is packed with attractions for tourists and plenty of things to see and do and here we are going to run down the top 5 things to do in Barcelona.

Visit the Picasso Museum

The Picasso museum in Barcelona houses the largest collection anywhere in the World of the famous Spanish artist Pablo Picasso. Picasso had a real affinity for Barcelona throughout his life and this love was reflected in many of his works, the museum was actually opened whilst the artist was still alive and he personally dedicated many pieces to the museum. The museum has famous works, sculptures and even practice pieces on display and it really is a fascinating place to visit.

La Rambla

La Rambla is the main street in the centre of Barcelona that leads from the beautiful harbour up to the Gothic Quarter. La Rambla is action packed with markets, public displays, street performers and seasonal events taking place there. The street has several open-air bars and cafes and this is one of the best places in the city to enjoy a drink and watch the world go by. On an evening La Rambla takes on a different look as food stalls and trendy bars and nightclubs open up their doors. Day or night, head to LA Rambla.

Nou Camp

The Nou Camp is the home of Barcelona football club one of the biggest football teams in Europe, their stadium houses over 100,000 people on match day and if you can get tickets then you should go. Even non-football lovers will enjoy the experience as the atmosphere inside the stadium is electric. If you don’t manage to catch a game at the stadium then they also offer tours where you will have behind the scenes and see the changing rooms, the dug-outs and set foot on the hallowed turf. At the end of the tour is a wonderful museum dedicated to World football. Definitely worth a visit.

Visit the Gothic Quarter

The Gothic Quarter is Barcelona’s old town and it’s charm and buildings are regularly maintained to give you a glimpse into it’s Catalonian past. The Quarter is filled with a mazy labyrinth of street with small squares that open form nowhere. Here you will find local cuisine on the street, quaint craft shops selling antiques, ornaments, clothes and accessories and don’t be surprised to run into 10-20 dancing in the street, a beautiful part of the city.

Sagrada Familia

La Sagrada Familia is a cathedral in the centre of Barcelona that was designed by Antoni Gaudi in the late 18th Century. Such is the intricacy of the design the cathedral has so far taken 144 years to build and it is expected to be completed in 2026. The cathedral is still worth a visit as you can see just how stunning the design is. Bear in mind that there will be scaffolding around certain areas but don’t let that put you off visiting this masterpiece in design.