Lilac City Momma

Lynn

5 Reasons Why Africa Should Be Your Next Holiday Destination

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Africa has for long been a favoured hotspot for tourists from all over the world owing to its rich wildlife, picture-perfect landscapes and diversity. The continent is much more than just a desert with an unbearably hot climate, and in fact, houses a multitude of tourist attractions ranging from Uganda safaris to beach-side fun in Seychelles.

Here are 5 reasons why Africa should top your list for your next vacation:

  1. South Africa’s tourist attractions

South Africa is one of the few remaining places on Earth which has retained its culture after being touched by different people and remains a wholesome experience for all who visit this continent. It is a perfect balance of a modern destination with luxury resorts and facilities on one hand and a true wilderness experiences on the other. Africa’s outback is as pure and pristine as ever and one must visit Kruger, Sabi Sand, Madikwe and more while in the continent. South Africa is home to varying landscapes which is a photographer’s paradise and some of the main attractions include Cape Town, Johannesburg, Sodwana, Camp Bay and many more.

  1. Botswana’s Untouched Treasures

Africa is storehouse of some of the most beautiful ecological gems in the country and Botswana leads in this segment. Also referred to as the Jewel of the Kalahari, the Okavango Delta is an idyllic oasis which is full of varieties of flora and fauna. Botswana gives you the freedom to travel on foot, by boat or in a mokoro amongst the winding paths of wild date palms, mangroves, acacias and other flora. Some of the most widely spotted creatures here include buffalos, elephants, reedbucks, impalas, zebras, warthogs, hippos and others.

  1. Kenya’s Contrasting Wilderness

You cannot end your holiday in Africa without paying a visit to Kenya, which is a land where all your traveling dreams come true. Whether it is the sound of millions of wildebeest and zebra hooves or the swaying palm trees in a backdrop of clear blue skies, Kenya has everything that makes a vacation successful! The Great Migration is an amazing safari experience which makes even the most disinterested guest in wildlife fall in love with the country!

  1. Namibia’s Striking Ecology

Namibia showcases the stunning beauty of its desert landscape which one can experience in the Kalahari desert and Namib desert. It dates back to approximately 80,000,000 years, and hence is one of the oldest deserts on Earth. It offers truly a great insight into various animal species at the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Namibia is a place of interesting landscapes, where vast expanses of sand dunes shine in the backdrop of magnificent mountains.

  1. Seychelles’ 115 Island Hideaways

Seychelles has gained popularity in the last few years, especially as a glorious honeymoon destination. This archipelago of 115 islands boasts of sparkling water and fine sand beaches supplemented by awesome rock formations which creates an exceptional seaside destination.

Now that you have reasons enough to head to this beautiful continent, why not get down to planning your itinerary and making your bookings!

Your Go-To Guide For Affordable Dream Cars

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If you’re waiting or dreaming of hitting it big one day so you can finally have the car of your dreams, wait no longer. Thanks to technological advancements and the Internet, it’s possible to own a dream car that can satisfy your need for speed and luxury without emptying your bank account. As you’re driving around in your new luxury car, though, remember to keep your need for speed to a minimum. If you happen to get a speeding ticket, it’s pertinent not to forget to take advantage of a traffic school online where you can possibly have the ticket dismissed. And if you’re new to driving, make sure to check out the legal driving ages for each state.

Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Porshe, and Ashton Martin have traditionally been the cars we have lusted after. Many of the dream cars of today still include these same brand names, but they are also a few newer models from Chevy, Ford, and Honda that fall within people’s idea of a dream car. These new models come with a much more reasonable price tag, making it feasible to turn your dream into a reality. With hard work and good financial decisions, here are three dream cars that prove you don’t have to be super rich to own one.

Cadillac Escalade

The Escalade is a luxury sports utility vehicle that screams accomplishment loud and clear. For under $25,000, used models are well within the limit of attainability. Even better, there are literally an endless number of ways to customize the Escalade, meaning you can truly make it your own and have it look like a $100,000 vehicle for well under $25,000.

Honda S2000

One of the first available vehicles with push-button start, the Honda S2000 was an engineering phenomenon when introduced. The vehicle comes standard with the recognized Honda reliability. The smooth gearbox, high output engine, and superb handling are what makes this a dream car. With the right connections and patience, you can own a Honda S2000 for under $25,000.

BMW

BMW is a luxury brand vehicle that is available in many models. The higher you go in the series, the higher the price tag is going to get. But you can rest easy knowing you can score a BMW 7 series for well under $20,000 if you look in the right spot. And when we talk about luxury, that’s exactly what we mean. BMW vehicles come standard with leather heated seats, and many of them also offer cooled seats. In addition, you can also get them with navigation, rearview backup cameras, parking assist, and much more.

Corvette

The Corvette is well-known to be one of America’s all-time favorite supercars. The C6 generation is affordable and offers modern thrills. This generation offers interior sophistication and an LSI/LS6 engine. If you want a flashy car and high speed, consider a Corvette as a dream car within reach. Finding a Corvette within your budget may require patience, but enthusiasts consider it worth the wait.

Noble M400

Featuring a twin-turbocharged Duratec V6 engine and an optional electronic boost control, the M400 is available used for around $60,000. The car has a power-to-weight ratio that will get you from zero to 62 in a mind-boggling 3.2 seconds.

Conclusion

There’s no need to think of owning your dream car as the impossible anymore. With the vast new models hitting the market and the ability to research and locate used automobiles on the Internet, it is now easier than ever to make your dreams come true.

Where To Take Your Kids This Summer

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If you want to provide your kids with an unforgettable childhood, a vacation will definitely stand out in their minds once they reach adulthood. After all, it is a time of year when you will all come together as a family to have fun and enjoy each other’s company, which will strengthen your bond even further.

Whether you are looking for a relaxing break or an active adventure, find out where to take your kids this summer.

Florida, USA

Top of every child’s travel bucket list will be Florida, as it’s home to unforgettable theme parks, incredible characters, and jaw-dropping parades. For instance, they’ll scream with delight on the movie-themed rides at Universal Orlando, or can meet Mickey and Minnie at the Magic Kingdom. If you’re thinking of booking a vacation to the Sunshine State, visit VacationRenter.com.

Toronto, Canada

There are plenty of family-friendly activities to choose from in Toronto. For example, you can criss-cross your way across the city aboard a streetcar, which is an affordable way to enjoy the skyline. Your kids will also love ascending the CN Tower, and they could view genuine dinosaur bones at ROM. The whole family can even take a ferry ride to Toronto Islands, which will help you escape the hustle and bustle of the vibrant city. Not to mention you can venture south to view Niagara Falls for yourselves.

Tokyo, Japan

Don’t underestimate Tokyo when looking for kid-friendly destinations. Your children will have plenty of fun in the Japanese capital, especially if you book tickets to Tokyo Disneyland, which offers theme park rides and shows for all ages. They can also ride a Ferris wheel at Odaiba, or can absorb an unparalleled view of the city from Tokyo Skytree. There are also many huge parks and interactive museums for the family to explore, such as Hamarikyu Gardens and Ghibli Museum.

Barcelona, Spain

Your kids will love a trip to Barcelona, which offers weird yet wonderful buildings designed by architect Antonio Gaudi, such as the colorful Parc Guell that overlooks the city. In addition to imaginative architecture, you can also enjoy a family picnic at Parc de la Ciutadella before visiting its zoo. Children will also love to gaze at the seahorses and sharks inside the aquarium at Port Vell, which offers 50 child-friendly activities.

Marrakech, Morocco

For a truly fun and cultural experience, book a vacation to Marrakech for all the family. Your children will feel as if they have stepped inside another world, as they can enjoy a camel ride, watch snake charmers, or explore the bustling bazaars. It’s a unique experience that will trigger their imagination, and will ensure they have plenty of stories to share with their friends once they arrive back home.

Leipzig, Germany

One family-friendly destination you might easily overlook is Leipzig. In addition to offering an extensive classical music history, it also provides a 360 degree cinematic panorama called the Panometer, which shows current and popular movies. Active families will also jump at a chance to take a canoe trip along the city’s waterways. Don’t forget to book a trip to Dresden, which offers Elbe sandstone mountains that were used in Cloud Atlas, Chronicles of Narnia, and Grand Budapest Hotel.

How To Recover After A Busy Weekend As A Parent

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Weekends are a time to relax and let your hair down, but if you have kids, this can be challenging especially if you’re planning an evening out or inviting friends round for drinks. One of the worst aspects of this scenario is that if you have one too many, it could result in a hangover and family life doesn’t stop just because you feel unwell. Children, especially younger kids, don’t understand the concept of hangovers so won’t be sensitive to the situation, which could make you feel ten times worse. Not only that, the lack of sleep after a fun night out with friends can lead to a bad start to the week, as you’ll feel groggy and demotivated from the outset.

So if you’re feeling a little frazzled, check out these ways to recover after a hectic weekend to start your week the right way.

Have a chill out day

It’s not often you get a chance to chill out especially when you have a busy schedule and commitments every day so taking a day to rest and rejuvenate is the best option. If the kids find this boring, make it fun by suggesting board games or a film and duvet day to get everyone in the mood for staying in. This way you can enjoy some peace and quiet, plus get that much-needed rest after a heavy night.

Eat a nutritious meal

It can be easy to be tempted to head for the chocolate and sweet treats to help stave off the effects of a busy weekend, but trying to stick to healthy and nutritious meals for the whole family will give you some energy and make you feel good for the week ahead. Perhaps opt for a fake-away and whip up everyone’s favorite takeout inspired meal to enjoy a tasty treat.

Cure a hangover

If you have the ill effects of a hangover and can’t seem to shift that heavy head and sick feeling, opting for a hangover cure is a great option. There is a range of treatments available at resetiv.com to tackle even the worst hangovers, and each helps to restore balance to get you back on track.

Drink plenty of water

Most people are dehydrated and don’t get enough fluids into their system each day. At the weekend this can be more prevalent plus mixing this with alcohol also dehydrates you more. Keeping a bottle topped up with water around you at all times will help to keep your water intake at the recommended level to help you feel refreshed and alert.

Get an early night

Sleep is one of the most important aspects of your day to help you replenish for the week ahead, so getting to bed at a sensible hour will give you some extra rest after a busy weekend. It can be hard to switch off, so make sure you wind down about half an hour before getting into bed, as this will help you drift off for those much-needed sweet dreams.

Essential Ways To Keep Costs Down At Home

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When you have built a great life for you and your family, it can be one of the best feelings in the world to live every day with them. However, one issue that crops up in most family households is keeping costs low, so that you can save for trips away together, or so that you can save for your children’s futures. Knowing where to start with cutting some costs can be tricky, especially when they are beginning to cause extra stress. Luckily, there are a number of solutions that mothers all around the world have put together, which have been proven to help you keep costs low and give your family the best life you can.

Set a budget each month

Every month, after payday, you will be able to create a rough figure of how much you can afford to spend once the essential bills have gone out of your account. Sitting down with your partner and making a list of what you need to buy that month and how much you can afford to spend on luxuries is a great way of helping you save money when you need to. Even if you don’t struggle for money, it’s always good to think about how your money can be put to better use in relation to food and education.

Lower your energy bill

The biggest kick in the teeth for many households is the dreaded energy bill. In winter months especially, this can go through the roof. Getting around this is much easier than it first seems. By making simple changes, such as switching from normal radiators to aluminium radiators, and investing in more blankets and throws, you can see a marked reduction in how much your energy bill comes to each month. Even better is the positive impact you will be having on the planet.

Buy food in bulk

Weekly food shops are the stuff of dreams to children, but the stuff of nightmares to most adults, even more so if you have a large family! Often, buying food every few days is less cost effective than buying in bulk, even though it may not seem that way at the time. This theory also applies to general household items like toilet roll and toothpaste. In the short term, it may feel as though you are spending more, but as the days go by, you will find that you have more loose change in your pocket. Ideally, you should keep a small amount spare from bulk buying to spend on fresh meat and dairy produce.

Start your own allotment

When it comes to buying your own fresh fruit and vegetables, you can minimize this cost even further. Having your own allotment in your backyard or in a specialized space means you cut out transportation costs of buying food. After awhile, the costs of your produce becomes so low that it may as well be free. You can grow anything from tomatoes to carrots, but if you want to get the kids involved, you could create a small indoor herb allotment for your kitchen windowsill.