Don't Fly Go! |

Standard

January 21, 2017 by Chase Vandros

Vacation rentals: The lowdown on the hottest new thing in travel

To say that the vacation rentals industry has exploded over recent years would be an understatement. At one point it looked like it would be hotels and only hotels that would form the basis of travel, yet from nowhere vacation rentals have made a return and taken back some of the market share.

The reasons for this are aplenty; there are now platforms to quickly filter through these properties, while in some ways they have caught up and started to match the benefits that hotels have always been able to offer.

For a lot of people, they are still something of an unknown quantity though. While brands like Elan Vacations might be gaining sterling reputations in the market, for the Average Joe who hasn’t yet tried a vacation rental it’s still an area which poses questions. Bearing this in mind, let’s look at the industry in full and highlight what you can expect if you opt for this method of accommodation.

What sort of accommodation can you get?

There’s a lot of misconceptions around regarding the types of information available. Previously, it was just large houses suited to large groups, but now the market has expanded immensely. It means that pretty much anything goes and whether it’s a small apartment, a beach house or even a tree house in some cases, almost anything you can think of is available.

What are the benefits?

There’s a reason why vacation rentals have experienced such a surge in growth over the last few years; they offer a lot of benefits in comparison to the other options.

As we’ve just said, there’s lots of types of accommodation available, but whatever you get your hands on is likely to be more spacious than the hotel alternative. Most of the time, you’ll be gifted a whole host of extras as well, with the likes of a kitchen and washing machine just two to think of.

We should also erase another myth here; you don’t have to be out in the middle of nowhere. In other words, you might still be placed in a resort, in the middle of golf, spas and all of the other facilities that you might enjoy if you were part of a hotel. On the subject of the ‘hotel factor’ again, most properties will provide all the standard items like towels and soap, meaning that the service has become very similar.

How long can you stay for?

Once upon a time this may have been something of a grey area, or something that some guests considered a downside with the vacation rentals market. Now, things are changing.

While some resorts might have minimum stay requirements, on the whole there’s a great degree of flexibility (notice how we’ve used that word before?). Ultimately, you’ll be able to pick dates subject to availability and you aren’t restricted to say a 7-night or 4-night stay, which may have once been the norm with the initial vacation rental properties.

Standard

January 21, 2017 by Chase Vandros

What, when, where, how: How apps have shaken up the travel industry for good

In truth, ‘apps‘ have been around for decades. Once upon a time they were launched as programs through our trusty desktop system, while now they tend to be booted up via our phone in a flash.

Pick any industry, and there’s every chance that apps have had a sterling impact. When it comes to the travel industry, it could be argued that they have well and truly shaken it up.

We first started taking an interest in this topic following a Tweet by Brian Ferdinand. Following some of our own research, let’s now take a look at just how the travel industry has effectively been reformed thanks to the power of the mobile app.

We’re not indebted to the travel agents

Turn back the clock a decade or two and there was one option and one option only to book a vacation; you had to take a trip to the travel agents. Sure, some people may have had a timeshare, while others may have rented from a friend. However, on the whole, the vast majority of the general public used a travel company to put together their entire vacation and there was little room for customization.

Suffice to say, this has changed enormously. Sure, the high streets are still dotted with plenty of travel companies, but the DIY-approach has become more popular than ever before. The likes of Airbnb mean that browsing an array of properties is easier than ever, while all of the “standard” catalogue booking apps also add to this simplicity.

In simple terms, rather than heading out to the high-street or picking up the phone, comparison apps and Airbnb mean that you can book accommodation in a matter of clicks.

There’s more trust in the taxi system

For tourist hotspots, this has never really been an issue. For those areas which might carry something of a reputation, this issue is huge for travelers though.

Previously, flagging a taxi may have been regarded as almost dangerous in some countries – you really had to choose carefully and seemingly vet all of the drivers.

Thanks to apps like Uber and Lyft, this is no longer an issue. As well as adding a degree of safety to the whole taxi practice, it also means that you can know for sure that you are not paying over the odds.

Self-guided tours are in-fashion

In a similar vein to the last topic we looked at, self-navigating is now completely possible thanks to the abundance of apps. For the purposes of this example we’ll just refer to Google Maps, but there are others available and it means that wandering the streets aimlessly is now no longer an option.

It also means that tourists tend to see more during their stay. As well as Google Maps, something like Google Trips can even organize an itinerary and route so that people get the most out of their day. It means that you don’t necessarily have to rely on organized tours anymore and again, the do-it-yourself concept is in.

Standard

January 20, 2017 by Chase Vandros

Europe Beyond The Usual: Three Destinations You Don’t Hear Enough About

It’s not hard to list the cities in Europe you know you’re supposed to go to. Leaving aside London for a moment – because everyone knows that – there are plenty that are pre-loaded onto most bucket lists. We know Paris is a classic, and that Barcelona is always in the conversation. Amsterdam is hard to beat for an easy-going weekend break whether it’s your mind or your fun-loving side that prevails.

The truth is, on a continent as vast and diverse as Europe, there are going to be countries and cities that don’t make the colour supplements as often. That’s a shame, in one way. They deserve all the same hype as their more vaunted counterparts. In another, it’s no bad thing – because if they ever do get that hype, they won’t be the “get away from it all” breaks they are now.

Aware as I am that by mentioning them now I’m perhaps playing a part in hyping them up, here are some of Europe’s jewels that deserve a bit more love. If you travel smart, you can see them while they’re still – relatively – undiscovered.

Belgrade

The 1990s were a decade filled with tension in what used to be known as Yugoslavia. Wars between Serbia and its near neighbours in Croatia, Bosnia, and Kosovo raged, and led to NATO intervention. It is impressive today to see how each has bounced back, and moved on. Since the leader responsible for much of this strife, Slobodan Milosevic, was deposed, Serbia has changed.

One thing that has remained though is the austere beauty of its capital, Belgrade. As Serbia turns towards a new future, tourists are beginning to return. It’s to a city where they can see sights as diverse as the Nikola Tesla Museum and the Church of Saint Sava. Religion and science may make for odd bedfellows, but they provide wonderful day trips for Belgrade tourists.

Antalya

It’s not exactly true to say that Turkey has gone unnoticed by tourists. There are plenty who pour into Istanbul every year and see the imposing architecture to be found there. Antalya, however, flies under the radar and for the moment maybe that’s a good thing. It means that when you step off Antalya airport transfers, you can enjoy the sights in relative peace.

Those sights include the magnificent Duden waterfalls and Hadrian’s Gate. The latter, three imposing triumphal arches, was built to mark the visit of Roman emperor Hadrian. Meanwhile, if you just want to kick back on the beach, there’s a great one at Konyaalti.

Oslo

Scandinavia is getting hipper and hipper, and at the moment the attention is focused mostly on Stockholm and Copenhagen. Popular, dark TV dramas have a lot to do with that. As yet, we haven’t been introduced to one set in Oslo.

This means, on the positive side, that you can explore and experience sights like the Oslo Opera House without too much jostling. If you like your art in the open air, then two local parks – Frogner and Vigeland – will be to your taste. Speaking of taste, try the Kafe Asylet for a sit-down meal. A mix of traditional Norwegian food and European ambience, it’s well worth the stop.

Standard

January 20, 2017 by Chase Vandros

Get European In 2017! Four Beautiful Places You Must Visit

At the beginning of a new year, we’re all determined to change our lives and to become someone completely new – and probably a whole lot more interesting! As the year drags on, it’s hard to force yourself to do that and to pull yourself out of your new routines. What you can do is take yourself off to see the world. This will give you more opportunities than you’ve ever had before and it’ll also turn you into a better and more cultured person. And what better place to do that than in Europe? Here are four holiday destinations in that part of the world that are a little different from the norm…

Edinburgh

The capital of Scotland is where the Scottish parliament is in session for part of the year. It’s also arguably the cultural centre of Scotland and one of the most beautiful cities in the UK. With double layered streets, Edinburgh is full of surprising secrets and nooks and crannies that you’ll love exploring. During August it’s home to the biggest arts festival in the world and full of actors, artists, musicians and comedians, but arguably you’ll only find the ‘real’ Edinburgh if you visit at other times of the year. Whether you want to visit the Fringe or tour the castle or walk up to Arthur’s Seat, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for in Edinburgh.

Helsinki

Unless you absolutely love winter weather, you might not want to take a trip to Helsinki just yet, but never fear – it warms up in spring time to become a fantastic destination. There are very few places in Europe that are cooler than Helsinki, and it retains the friendly and warm yet chilled out vibe of other Scandinavian cities while combining it with its very own edge and style alongside the gorgeous art nouveau buildings. The galleries and boutiques in the Design District are definitely worth a visit, while the gastronomy throughout the city is an absolute treat for any foodie.

Tuscany

If you want the perfect cultural expedition then there’s nowhere better to go than Tuscany in central Italy. It’s known for its beautiful landscapes with its vineyards, olive groves, rolling hills and patchwork fields. It’s the home of Florence, known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, and da Vinci and Michelangelo are both closely associated with the region. If you want to see art, there’s nowhere better than Tuscany, with countless churches and cathedrals filled with glorious frescoes, and a number of world class galleries and museums. Combining that sort of rich culture with traditionally gorgeous Italian food, Tuscany is a treat for everyone.

Iceland

If you want a real winter wonderland then Iceland is the place to visit. You’ll have to wrap up warm but you’ll find that the temperatures are more bearable than you might imagine. Reykjavik is a youthful city full of great food, clubs and galleries, and if you want some nature then there’s nowhere better than the Icelandic glaciers, where you can see natural ice caves and the famous geothermal spa the Blue Lagoon, where you can bathe outdoors in winter. To top it all off, you might just catch the famous Aurora at night.

Standard

January 17, 2017 by Chase Vandros

Everything You Need To Know About Volunteering Abroad

Volunteering abroad is kind of a big deal. You’re going to be getting up close and personal with a tight knit community somewhere else in the world. Chances are, you’re going to get to know that community very well, and even become a big part of it. You can get a huge amount of satisfaction and experience many benefits from volunteering abroad. If this is something that interests you, this post has everything you need to know:

You Must Read Your Online Briefing Over and Over

Read the briefing of the place you are considering over and over before you actually make up your mind. Think of the things you will not be able to survive without. Some places will mean you have little luxuries to keep you going, but you might not be so lucky in other places. For example, don’t always assume that hot showers are the norm. You won’t always get TV access either. In fact, it’s quite rare. That’s one of the great things about volunteering, though. You get to live like the people of the community, experience another world, and when you get home you’ll value your life so much more.

Pack A Phrase Book

It’s only polite to learn a few key phrases for the place you plan on going. Try to learn as much as you can in advance, but take a phrasebook with you in case you need it too. Not knowing how to speak the language can be a real handicap.

Pack As Lightly As You Can

Packing a huge suitcase isn’t going to help anybody. Try to pack as light as you can. Make sure you pack your essentials, like socks, shoes, and pants. However, consider buying much of what you need over there, if possible. You were probably going to do some tourist shopping anyway, and this way, you can fit right in with the locals.

What do you Need To Know About Volunteering Abroad?

credit

Learn About The Medical System

You want to stay safe as you volunteer, so make sure you learn about the medical system before you go. Where do you go for medication and prescriptions? What do you do if you are feeling unwell? It’s crucial you learn these things, and ensure you visit the doctors before you leave too, as you may need jabs and things to protect you.

Choose The Right Location For You

There are a lot of different volunteering locations you can choose from depending on what is important to you. Make sure you consider things like culture shock, as it can have a huge impact on your experience. Consider your place from an ethical standpoint too, as some things can hurt a community more than help it. You can volunteer in Costa Rica, Thailand, Ghana, and a number of other places.

Have More Money Than You Think You’ll Use

Although you’re helping out, it’s still a good idea to have more money than you think you’ll use. Save, save, save in case of emergencies!

You Must Be Passionate, Friendly, And Hardworking

Although you’re volunteering, being hardworking is a must. Being both passionate and friendly is a good idea too. You’ll have a much better time!