Travelogy

There is often more than one way to enjoy the unique beauty of a place. But there is something to be said about enjoying nature – the mountains, waterfalls, rivers, foliage – from an aerial point-of-view.

Helicopter tours offer travelers a unique opportunity to experience a place, unlike any other way. For instance, helicopter tours Seattle offer visitors a chance to explore the natural scenery of the city from a vantage point where you simply can’t miss the scenic allure of the place.

A Distinct Experience – in Limited Time

Helicopter tours help visitors see a place they won’t otherwise be able to witness or appreciate in limited time. How do you get up close and personal with the mountain peaks, the wilderness, and the waterfalls in a natural landscape? Yes, you can scale peaks, and hike to the highest waterfall. But you can’t do either in limited time.

What if you don’t have hours or the strength for these efforts? Do you miss visiting and experiencing a place then? No, you can simply hop on a helicopter tour and witness the gloriousness of nature or the distinct appeal of urban landscapes in an easy, fun, and unique manner.

Plenty of Options

When it comes to helicopter tours, you do have several options for sightseeing. Companies offering helicopter tours plan different types of excursions depending on the terrain and weather. For instance, helicopter tours in Seattle can be about short excursions to see Mt. Rainier along with a hike to see the wilderness up close as well. Similarly, excursions can be for mornings or afternoons. Some tours may also include an option to see the city skyline along with nature excursions.

You can easily choose a tour according to your convenience. Most tour companies also offer to pick up from the hotel before the start of the helicopter ride. With convenience factor topped with a number of options, you won’t have to compromise on selecting a helicopter tour with your family or friends. Your tour company may even offer to personalize the excursions in case you need to accommodate the tour in less time or wish to enjoy the ride for longer.

Incredible Memories

With a helicopter tour, you can create memories of a lifetime without too much effort. The ride itself can be magical enough depending on the tour operator and the guide. To top it all, watching a city skyline or natural vistas in a place from inside a helicopter is enough to fill anyone with a sense of wonder and awe.

Imagine – you are swooshing by in a helicopter with your family or friends over hills and cascades. The wilderness taking your breath away and you are filled with a sense of admiration and fascination. You see the city skyline from your ride and experience it with a new angle. When you see a place like this, you can gain a new perspective on it.

Quite Economical

Yes, you can’t put a price on enriching experiences such as delightful helicopter rides. But of course, you will have to pay the tour company for arranging the rides. It may seem so that helicopter rides would be very expensive; that not everyone can afford it enjoy them. But it isn’t so. You can book your ride at economical rates rather than exorbitant ones.

The actual rates will vary from one operator to another. The rates will also depend on the terrain covered and the facilities provided for the rides. But you can inquire about it prior to booking your ride and work out the economy of the rates beforehand.

Accessible

When something is as good as a helicopter ride with your loved ones (or even by yourself and the tour guide); there is no reason to not indulge in it more often. With economical helicopter rides now available via many tour companies, there is no point in not utilizing them for more than once. Whether you plan to do it once or more than once – it is now possible to enjoy helicopter rides easily. Many helicopter tour companies have made it easier for people to avail of these rides in a convenient manner.

Half-day tours can be the right way to spend exploring a place in limited time. If you are just passing through a city or visiting it for a day (with some time to spare), you can take advantage of half-day tours to see a new place or experience a familiar city in a new way.

Half-Day Tours – the Cost Factor

Needless to say, you won’t find every half-day tour to your satisfaction. But there are tour operators who take special care to create packages to help visitors utilize their time sightseeing in the best possible way – within a really limited time.

For instance, you can find incredible Seattle half day tour that can be covered within three to four hours. If the tour covers every major attraction in the city with ample time to enjoy every stop then it can be really worth the money you spend on it. If the tour is hurried simply to wind it up within a specific time then it cannot be worth your while. Even if the cost of the tour is affordable than others available for the same place; it can turn out to be a waste of your money without the opportunity to see any of the attractions properly.

For half-day tours to make sense for the visitors, the excursions still need to be well-planned. The objective needs to be the satisfaction of the visitors in experiencing a place within a limited time frame but properly and in a cost-effective manner. Merely rushing from one place to another doesn’t really make any sense if you can’t spend any time exploring an attraction even for a bit.

The cost of such tours must be set on the basis of tiered pricing to really work in your favor. If you are just two people wanting to explore a city via a half-day tour, you should be able to pay for it accordingly. If the price is set, it doesn’t really work out economical for smaller groups. So, it is important to find tour operators who offer tiered pricing for such excursions. 

Other Factors

A half-day tour is worth its cost only if it also stands out in other ways.

Does your tour operator offer the option to customize the tour for your convenience?

If you are on a private tour then you should be able to tweak the planned excursion to suit your needs. If a company offers you this option then it can be worth your while to check them out for booking your half-day tour. For instance, a Seattle half day tour can be customized so that visitors can spend more time at a specific spot such as the Pike Place Market instead of the Space Needle. After all, time is limited when you are on a half-day tour. You should be able to spend it in a way that favors your tour aspirations and your operator should be able to accommodate your request.

Does your tour operator offer transfer facilities?

Most people on half-day tours are either in a hurry to catch their next flight or to go elsewhere. Ideally, your tour operator needs to consider this important aspect and offer easy pick-up and drop-off points so that visitors can enjoy every free hour enjoying the tour rather than worrying about making it to the airport or the cruise terminals for their next trip.

Choose an operator who arranges the tour from any of the transit places without charging you anything extra for the service.

Does your tour operator arrange for proper transport?

The visitors on half-day tours often need to travel with their luggage with them. They either need to catch their next flight or are just coming into the city from elsewhere. The vehicle for the excursion needs to be roomy enough to accommodate a large group. Their luggage needs to be stowed away safely and comfortable at the back of the vehicle or in an attached trailer.

Check if the tour operator is able to make arrangements for child-booster seats with prior notice. Also, inquire if the transport vehicle is spacious enough to accommodate collapsible wheelchairs. Carefully consider these factors to see if a half-day tour is worth your money.

As the capital of Catalonia in Spain, Barcelona has no shortage of imaginative buildings, stirring culture and culinary delights to awaken the senses. Pick and choose from these suggestions of things to do in Barcelona on your first day there.

Immerse yourself in its modernist architecture

Turn up early to avoid the crowds as you enjoy some of these things to do in Barcelona on your first day there. Barcelona is the place to go for modernist architecture, and everyone knows it. Seven properties built by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí are listed as World Heritage Sites for their contribution to modern architecture.

Many of Gaudí’s works are in the Eixample district, including the famous Basílica de la Sagrada Família and popular Casa Batlló.

On just about everyone’s list of things to do in Barcelona on your first day there is the Sagrada Família. This Roman Catholic church was Gaudí’s life’s work and includes an impressive mix of Gothic and Art Nouveau styles.

Also, see the radical design of Casa Batlló (1904): it broke all the city bylaws of the time. Using ceramics, stone and forged iron, Gaudí reinvented a conventional old house into this residential example of Catalan Art Nouveau or Modernism.

Further out in the Horta-Guinardo district is another of Gaudí’s works: Park Güell. Time Out Barcelona describes this park as “a space that’s out of a fairy tale and emulates an English garden city.” Book in advance to save money and gain entrance to the monuments’ area. This is another of the great things to do in Barcelona on your first day there.

Get some perspective on the city on top of Montjuïc hill

You might choose to save the Gaudí experiences for your next day. As an alternative highlight on the list of great things to do in Barcelona on your first day there, explore the Montjuïc hill in the Sants-Montjuïc district. You’ll find art museums (National Museum of Art, the Joan Miró Foundation), some Olympic landmarks, and even a castle. Enjoy great views of the city while you picnic in Montjuïc’s gardens or as you dine out at the Xalet de Montjuic restaurant.

For something different, sample the tapas and Galician cuisine at Escairón restaurant, known for its and fresh, quality market fare at reasonable prices (Time Out Barcelona). If you stick around the area in the evening, you might even catch the Magic Fountain for a beautiful display of waterfalls and music (check the timetable).

Awaken your inner inventor (and your taste buds) in the Old City

Among the things to do in Barcelona on your first day there, it’s worth mentioning some of the great sights of the Ciutat Vella (Old City) district. Why not explore your inner inventor at the Museum of Ideas and Inventions ? See inventions dreamed up by 5-12 year-olds in the monthly ‘little inventors’ contest and indulge your inner child by taking the slide to the lower floor.

Sample the tastes of the city by visiting Europe’s biggest food market as part of the things to do in Barcelona on your first day there.

Mercat de La Boqueria is interesting for its size, array of food stalls and architecture (open Mon-Sat 8am to 8.30pm). Go in the morning, if you can.

You can also see some impressive examples of modern and medieval architecture in this district. For another popular art nouveau building, visit the Palau de la Música Catalana (1908) designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, with its ornate façade and the colorful stained glass dome of its concert hall.

Also, check out one of the most beautiful Gothic churches in the world: Santa Maria del Mar (completed in 1383). These architectural delights should definitely be on your list of things to do in Barcelona on your first day there.

If you are hungry for something more substantial, visit the Placa Reial just off the Ramblas boulevard for traditional Spanish and Catalan restaurants in Barcelona. Stick around or come back in the evening: this beautiful palm-treed square is also home to some of Barcelona’s best nightclubs. End the night with a boogie to finish your list of things to do in Barcelona on your first day there.

Camping is a great way to get back in touch with nature. Camping holidays are favoured for their simple appeal and rustic charm of a little rough living close to Mother Earth. Every year, well over 1.2 million Britons load up their backpacks and head out to campsites spread across unspoiled countryside in the UK and the Continent. Campsites in Kent offer a spot at a nominal fee for you to park your car, pitch your tent and wind down after a hectic day touring local places of interest. While campsites do offer welcome conveniences like electricity, running water and waste disposal, campers are expected to have a fair bit of knowledge about camp etiquette and carry out some basic preparation before arriving. Let’s see what you should know before you arrive at a campsite:

1. Find out about the campsite’s rules and facilities

Campsites in Kent operate under a variety of regulations such as environmental norms, local body laws and operator guidelines which may differ from location to location. So get on the internet to read up about the campsite you wish to select. Ideally, you need to know the site operating hours, whether the site will be open on the day you plan to visit, fees and rates for the conveniences offered by the sites and so on.

2. Remember to call ahead and book your spot

The campsites will be full during the peak season, so it’s a no brainer for you to reserve your spot well in advance. All the research you do might come to naught if you don’t get to use the campsite on the day you arrive. At popular sites, you can try booking between six months to a year in advance.

3. Get a Weather forecast

The weather can be unpredictable during camping season, with quick spells of rain and unexpected chilly weather, especially during the first months of summer. With advances in prediction models, weather sites usually predict a month’s weather with reasonable accuracy, so you can be prepared with appropriate supplies and clothing for your trip.

4. Plan your trip in advance

Being at the right place at the wrong time of year can be a damper. So you need to schedule your trip to know the best season for camping at your chosen vacation spot. Get your car or van’s maintenance done before you set out. While it’s not possible to plan every step, at the very least planning makes sure you stay on course during your trip.  Good guidebooks and enthusiast websites are great resources for planning a camping in Kent Coast

.

5. Have a list of supplies ready

When planning a camping trip (http://camping.about.com/od/findacampground/u/plan-a-camping-trip.htm), you need to prepare a comprehensive checklist of the clothes, food supplies, fuel, luggage, vehicle spares and other accessories at least two months before the trip itself. Before you set out on the trip, make sure you have got all the items on the checklist. Be sure to carry first aid.

6. Know the rules of Campground Etiquette

The basics of campsite etiquette are to respect your neighbour and to leave your spot clean for the next occupant. Respect the quiet time of your fellow campers. Keep outside lights on your van switched off after dinner to prevent disturbing sleepers. If you see another resident struggling to set up his tent or get a fire going, do offer your help.

7. Read up on Local Culture

Often tourists just enjoy the natural beauty of the places they visit, however, it helps to know that the local residents often add to the attractiveness. You could read up about their culture, traditions and cuisine to get a deeper understanding about the places you visit.

8. Fires and Barbeques to be lit only at Approved locations

Campsites offer fire pits and grill areas for lighting fires. Wood is often available for free or at a fee. Do not light fires in other areas as they could spread and cause harm.

9. Do not leave food unattended

After you have had your meal, be sure to dispose of your food waste into closed bins. Wild animals often break into the campsites to eat the food left behind by campers.

10. Be Ready to Clean Up

Finally, help out the site managers by cleaning up your litter diligently. Consider carrying litter bags for the purpose and dispose of trash in designated areas only.

Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain, and is one of the biggest travel destinations in Europe. People who think they need to spend a lot of money to visit Barcelona may be pleasantly surprised to find out there are a variety of affordable ways to enjoy the city. Here is a budget traveler’s guide to Barcelona.

Transportation

Barcelona is served by Barcelona International Airport located about 10 kilometers outside of the city. From the airport, budget travelers can opt to take the Renfe train from terminal 2, or the daytime or nighttime buses. Within Barcelona travelers might opt to take a tourist bus. This is a hop-on hop-off tour bus that is perfect for first time visitors to Barcelona, or for those with limited time in the city. There is also public transportation via bus and metro. Travelers can travel for free within zone 1, and save on a variety of other attractions by getting a Barcelona card.

Accommodation

While there are a lot of luxury and high-end hotel options, there are also a variety of more affordable accommodation options for the budget traveler. There are several affordable hotel options including 1 to 3 star rated hotels, hostels, and bed and breakfasts (also known as a guest house). Camping, like in nearby El Masnou, can be a great option for budget travelers to spend time around Barcelona, and gives people the option to see the nearby natural wildlife as well. For those looking to stay for a longer period of time in Barcelona, or for those traveling with a group of people (like families), renting an apartment offers travelers some of the comforts of home while traveling.

Arts and Culture

Barcelona is the home of some of famed architect Antoni Gaudi’s most famous works including La Sagrada Familia , Park Guell, and Casa Calvet. Spanish painter Pablo Picasso is known for being the father of the cubist movement in art, and over 4000 pieces of his work can be found in the Museu Picasso. The city of Barcelona has a unique mix of Spanish and Catalan culture and history. Those who want to learn more about this city’s history, dating back to ancient Roman times, can do so at Museu d’Història de la Ciutat de Barcelona. The Spanish Guitar Concert in Barcelona is the perfect place for those who love Spanish guitar music.

Dining

One of the most well-known aspect of Spanish food and dining culture is tapas, which is a meal comprised of appetizers. Tapas is a great way to be able to try a variety of Spanish foods in a single meal. Spanish cuisine, and particularly Barcelona’s location along the Mediterranean, means that the cuisine includes a variety of seafood and fresh vegetables. Barcelona is a big cosmopolitan, and travelers will be able to find a variety of international cuisine options, like Italian, Japanese and more. It’s perfect for any budget or pallet.

Nightlife

Travelers who want to go out and enjoy the nightlife will be able to find a variety of great nightlife options in Barcelona. There are nightclubs in a variety of locations across the city, including along the beach. Barcelona’s warm and temperate climate means that visiting a nightclub late in the evening (until early in the morning) is a great experience. For those who want to get out in the evening and see some unique culture in Barcelona, a visit to a Flamenco show is a unique experience that every budget traveler in Barcelona should do.

Beaches

Barcelona is located along the Mediterranean coast and has over 4 kilometers of sandy beaches to enjoy. The beaches in Barcelona offer travelers the opportunity for swimming, of course, but many of the beaches here include a variety of attractions and activities like public showers, volleyball pitches, windsurfing, sailing, Wi-Fi access, and more. Another great fact about Barcelona is that many of its public beaches can easily be accessed by public transportation, making spending time at the beach a great thing for budget travelers to do.

If you going to be traveling to Barcelona, Spain learn about the variety of ways you can have a great trip without spending a fortune on accommodations or tourist activities.