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Seven Incredibly Cool Places to Spend New Year’s Eve

Travel Tips - Shelia - April 29, 2014

When the calendar rolls ‘round to December 31, party-loving travelers the world over head to their favorite cities for the most amazing New Year’s Eve events. Here, we list a few global spots that seem to be designed for this glitter-studded holiday. Grab your passport, put on your party hat, and get ready for the midnight countdowns.

Key West, Florida

Cruise down the Seven Mile Bridge to reach the site of some of Florida’s most captivating celebrations or party at a theme park in Orlando.

Inside Tip: You’ll have a choice of several locally inspired ball drops — we’re talking conch shells, red stilettos and canons — so plan your evening around where you want to be when the clock strikes midnight.

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Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

If city-wide parties aren’t your thing, ring in the new year at Nova Scotia’s forested wonderland.

Inside Tip: The tourist season is long gone by December 31, so you’ll have much of the area to yourself. Bring the family for a cool retreat, or invite friends out for your own sparkling party.

Madrid, Spain

Spain’s capital city tends to treat every night like it’s New Year’s Eve, so the actual event is an all-night showstopper.

Inside Tip: Though you’ll find a Times Square vibe in the Puerta del Sol, we like the neighborhood celebrations near Chueca and Malsana. Head to Plaza del Dos de Mayo for its bustling atmosphere, and then hit up the clubs near Sol after midnight. Trust us: The parties will be pumping well into the wee hours.

Atlanta, Georgia

This year, ditch the Big Apple; Atlanta’s famed peach drop is a regional take on the New York icon.

Inside Tip: After you book your hotels and American Express travelers insurance, check the local papers for up-to-date gala listings. The festivities are slightly different every year, and you won’t want to miss the latest events.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

The Caribbean city that loves to party knows how to spice things up on New Year’s Eve.

Inside Tip: Spend your cash on a VIP-worthy event in the Condado district. This glittering spot is the single best place to be at midnight.

Beirut, Lebanon

Beirut adores its mega-chic lounges and rooftop parties, and New Year’s Eve is the perfect chance to show off its sleekest style.

Inside Tip: Start the evening at a chilled-out cocktail bar, but head to the clubs for the true after-hours treats. Like Madrid, this city celebrates into the wee hours, so you may want to grab a nap before the night begins.

Big Sur, California

Skip the huge celebrations, and pop a bottle of bubbly on California’s most achingly beautiful stretch of coast.

Inside Tip: Venture out to Monterey if you want a little more action at midnight, or book a room at one of the Gorda cabins for a truly remote retreat.

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Best Ways To Enjoy a Seville Vacation

Travel Tips - Shelia - April 28, 2014

Have you ever been to Seville? If you haven’t quite made it there yet, trust me – you’ll want to spend some time in this Spanish city. It is the largest city and the capital of Andalusia. With tons of Spanish flair on offer, along with cathedrals, gardens, and delicious food, there are plenty of ways for you to spend your days. Whether you want to enjoy the warm weather or take in some of the city’s unique history… you’ll never be bored.

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With so much to see and do (and eat! You’ve got to try some tapas before you leave) it is important to spend your time wisely. Here are some of the best ways to enjoy a Seville vacation:

 

Visit The Plaza de España

 

There are so many beautiful places to see during a stay in Seville. One of the most notable has to be the Plaza de España. This is one of the biggest tourist spots in all of Seville. What makes it so special? It is a massive semi-circle building with a tower at both ends. Both the north and south towers can be seen throughout the city thanks to their grand scale. The Plaza itself is the size of five football fields and offers incredible views from the balconies. It is the shape and size of the building – along with the striking views – that brings visitors to this spot. During your visit, you can take a rowboat through the 500-meter canal or even take a horse-drawn carriage ride.

 

Stay In Your Favourite District

 

The best way to enjoy your Seville vacation is to enjoy the local culture. That’s right – you don’t have to stick to tourist spots and only tourist spots! You can leave it all behind by pretending you’re a sevillano for a while. How? Pick accommodations in your favourite part of town. Do you want to be a close walk to the city centre? Or would you rather stay somewhere off the beaten path? Can you picture yourself grocery shopping at local markets and stalls? There are options galore. Simply choose apartments in Seville that let you stay exactly where you want.

 

Grab a Bite To Eat

 

You can’t go to Seville without enjoying some of the local cuisine. Believe it or not, this city is actually credited with inventing tapas. Bonus! There are hundreds and hundreds or restaurants and bars to choose from. Each one offers local tapas specialties, like fried seafood, grilled and stewed hams and sausages, vegetables, cheeses and more. For dessert, you can enjoy yummy items like deep-fried sugar donuts or tortas de aceite. If you’re a total foodie, Seville is the ultimate place for you. Locals often go from bar to bar trying out one dish at each place. It’s bar hopping for your stomach!
It’s time to see the world. A trip to Seville is the perfect way to enjoy some Spanish culture, take in a few of those jaw-dropping sights, and give yourself the vacation you deserve. Now, get packing!

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Casinos to visit when holidaying in Macau

Travel Tips - Shelia - April 25, 2014

If you’re looking for the hottest spot on the globe to gamble, then look to the east to Macau. This special administrative region of China generates more revenue than any other location, even Las Vegas. There are many casinos within Macau that provide excellent gambling. However, most tourists don’t have a lot of time and want to know up front which casinos are the best.

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The most attractive and recognizable casino is the Casino Lisboa. Built to resemble a lotus flower, this casino is easily found within the Macau skyline. Of all the games played here, the Casino Lisboa is best known for its poker. The casino’s poker room is the largest anywhere in Asia. To further accommodate their guests, the casino does offer a bus service which helps guests get around the city without the need to rent a car or hire a taxi.

Another casino not to miss when visiting Macau is the Venetian. This casino was built to be similar to the Venetian in Las Vegas but much grander which made it the largest casino found in Macau as well as the world. Also designed using the city of Venice as inspiration, this casino has manmade canals and even has gondolas. These are operated by gondoliers and can provide rides to guests. The casino is quite immense which translates to a lot of casino game options. Table games number around 800 with around 3500 slot machines, such an impressive amount is important nowadays given the sheer choice online casinos can offer, such as Avalon II. While the tables are the most popular game offering here, many enjoy the diverse range of slot machine types which also include progressive machines.

While the Venetian may be the largest, the Sands has a distinction of its own. This particular casino is the oldest casino still in operation in Macau. The casino offers guests many casino games include three different variations of baccarat.

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Planning Your Trip to Barcelona, Spain

Travel Tips - Shelia - March 19, 2014

Ah, Spain. What could be better? There is the rich history to enjoy, a bustling city life, amazing weather, beaches, attractions, and even fun sporting events to fill your days with. If you’re thinking about taking a trip to Spain, then Barcelona is the place to be. It is one of the most visited cities in the Mediterranean! Plus, while it is now the capital of Catalonia, it was once under Roman rule. With so much to culture to experience, it is more important than ever to plan your vacation properly. Here is how you can do it…

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Research The Best Flights and Hotels

Ready to plan your best trip yet? Then you’ll need to think about a few of the essentials, like your airfare and accommodations. Worrying about the cost? You don’t have to. There are plenty of flights available for any and all budgets. The key is to shop around online for great deals or try to snag a last-minute flight. Your planning should also include research into the best available accommodations. A little digging can help you find discount codes, cheaper options, the most centrally located hotels, and so on. The city offers plenty of incredible places to stay, including HCC Hotels in Barcelona. So, it won’t be too hard to find a hotel to relax and unwind in after a long day of sightseeing.

Choose The Best Time Of Year To Visit

Whether you’re looking to make the most of the warm weather or just save a couple of dollars, it is important to think about when to plan your visit. For instance, the summer months are always a good idea! August is the most popular, thanks to the incredible beach weather. To save some cash, though, you may want to consider the off-peak season instead. During the winter months, it doesn’t get too cold and the sun is still shining! The most ideal time to travel to Barcelona is in the fall, between September and November. The weather isn’t too humid and stays comfortable all day long. Plus, the amount of tourists in the city tends to drop off around this time.

Decide How You’re Going To Get Around

Anytime you travel, you will need to spend a little time thinking about transportation. Will you drive? Take a bus? Cab? It is always a good idea to plan ahead. That way you can budget your time and money accordingly. During your stay in Barcelona, you can make the most of their metro system, the buses, trams, bikes, scooters, and even the railway. There are many different ways to get from place to place. Before you go, be sure to make some decisions and stock up on any information you’ll need.

Create Your Vacation Itinerary

Chances are, your time in Barcelona won’t be nearly long enough for you to see everything you want to. That is why it is so important to plan out your itinerary! Have you been dreaming about The Temple of Augustus or La Sagrada Familia? Then add them to your must-see list. Whether you want to hang out on a secluded beach or fill up at the most notable restaurants, you’ll need to do some planning. By creating your vacation itinerary, you can experience as much as possible.

Every great vacation requires a little bit of planning. Make sure that your trip to Barcelona, Spain is everything you hope it will be…and more! With these travel tips to get you started, it won’t be hard to do.

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Things to do in Geneva

Lazy Destinations - Shelia - March 16, 2014

geneva-switzerland-cost-of-living-relocation-companyIf your travels bring you to the mountainous nation of Switzerland and to one of its central hubs Geneva, you would certainly want to know how to spend your time right? The international reputation of the Swiss is as shrewd bankers and cities like Geneva display this in terms of the clean, pristine streets and beautiful monuments. Geneva also provides easy proximity to fantastic skiing in the French Alps and wonderful beach side culture at nearby Lake Geneva. For those that love shopping and people watching a trip to Place du Bourg-de-Four will fill your need. Things to do in Geneva include:

Lake Geneva

Right at the French/ Swiss border and just to the North of Geneva is Lake Geneva. Long a popular vacation spot, the lake has drawn celebrities – Charlie Chaplin, Sophie Loren, and Audrey Hepburn – and the wealthy for years. In recent times the elitist edge has faded somewhat and it is now a spot enjoyed by all. Near to the lakes balmy shores are several hotels, restaurants, shops, and bars. There are also nearby vineyards and wineries in nearby Lausanne on the lake’s northern shore. Also nearby, and perhaps more relaxing are the beaches and thermal baths of Yverdon-les-Bains. History lovers enjoy heading to Montreux which has Château de Chillon a fairy tale like castle.  There are frequent bus and train transport from Geneva to Lake Geneva.

Reformation Wall

Parc des Bastions | Geneva

A major historical and religious site is Reformation wall which commemorates the Reformation of the Christianity in the 17th century. A 300 foot wall that is decorated in various carvings and with statues of Reformation leaders in Geneva such as Guillaume Farel, Jean Calvin, Théodore de Bèze and John Knox it is impressive and imposing. Other Reformation leaders such as Roger Williams and Martin Luther also have statues located nearby. Scrawled across the wall as well is the Reformation and Geneva’s motto: Post Tenebras Lux (“After Darkness, Light”). Being near the wall highlights Geneva’s religious past and shows people why it was once called the “Protestant Rome” for its efforts to expand concepts of what Christianity is.

English Garden

A welcome escape from the cosmopolitan trappings of Geneva is to spend some time in the English Gardens. Just a few blocks from the old town the English Gardens offer a fantastic view over Lake Geneva. The main attraction of the Garden however is the Flower Clock, an actual functioning clock, made from 6,000 different types of flowers. Each year the design is changed. A crowded spot, travelers recommend coming to the English Garden earlier in the morning or in the evening.

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