Travel

Taking small kids to London can be an expensive day out. Taking them to the biggest attractions, shows, and entertainment venues can really take a hit on your wallet. However, equally, you don’t want them to miss out on everything that this ancient city has to offer. So, if you want to give your kids a vacation to remember, here are some ways to ensure they see the city at the best without breaking your bank.

Make your money count

If you want to maximize your budget while in London, the easiest way to do this is save some money for the biggest and best sites. Asking your kids what they want to see in London will also help you gain a sense of what you should be prioritizing in terms of paid exhibitions. Obviously, places such as the Tower of London will be ticketed, as will some parts of the Natural History Museum. However, even some of the biggest attractions have free exhibits – the Natural History Museum is largely free. They may also want to stand on London Bridge – also an entirely free attraction.

Enjoy interactive exhibits

While some kids are inquisitive and patient enough to go to museums where you are required to stop and read, some children benefit from interactive or immersive experiences. London’s Planetarium is just one example of this; it’s not only educational but perfect for kids who want to expand their imagination. Museums such as the National Maritime Museum specialize in entertaining children and have plenty of hands-on exhibits.

Picnic or get it to go

Picnics are one of the most cost-effective ways of enjoying a meal in London. Packing sandwiches and a drink before you head out could save you plenty of money on restaurant meals. Alternatively, ordering a noodle box from nedsnoodlebar.com will give you the special feeling of a meal you didn’t have to make, without having to pay the cost of a sit-down meal.

Just in case

Walking around with children all day can be incredibly tiring – both for you and them. Packing useful items in advance will not only prevent you from having to buy them while you’re hitting the pavements, but it will also make your day much easier. Here are a few items to pack to save you time and money:

• Reusable water bottles: staying hydrated all day is important. Packing water bottles that you can re-fill at venues at the hotel will cut the cost of constantly buying plastic equivalents.
• Raincoats and umbrellas: while Britain does enjoy warm summers, let’s face it, it could still rain. Umbrellas are incredibly expensive to purchase new, so packing them will save plenty.
• First-Aid kit: plasters, painkillers and antiseptic wipes are all safe and useful to keep on the go.

Maximizing your budget with kids isn’t always easy. You will need to stay fed, hydrated and entertained for the whole day, which will always come at a price in a major city. Finding smart alternatives and packing a bag before you go will help you to make the most of what’s in your wallet while keeping everyone happy.

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Going on vacation should be something to look forward to, rather than dread. Whether you’re going alone, with friends, or as a family, getting away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, and swapping it for a fun-filled getaway can provide you with the relaxation you need. To ensure you’re well prepared for your trip away, here are five factors to consider before going on vacation.

Choosing Your Destination

If you’re heading on a solo vacation, the possibilities are endless when it comes to picking a destination, however, if there are other members of the party to consider, you may need to compromise in order to keep everyone happy. Your destination can really be the deal breaker when it comes to how much you enjoy your vacation, so doing your research and having an idea of what’s on offer is essential.

What to Pack

There are various factors that you need to consider before you pack your suitcase and head out the door. These include the time of year you go, how long you’re going away for, as well as how many people are coming with you. If you’re heading to a hot destination, you should pack light and airy clothes that you will feel comfortable in throughout your trip.

As you will be on your feet and exploring, you may want to think about investing in seamless socks. You may not have heard of them before, but a seamless sock can be great for those who are diabetic or have sensitive feet. What’s more, there will be no irritation, meaning you can explore without having to adjust them. With socks, seamless is an unexpected luxury, so make sure to pack enough to last you throughout your vacation.

Flights and Accommodation

To get the best deals possible, it’s always best to book your flights and accommodation in advance. The sooner you book, the more chance you have of securing exclusive offers and promotional deals, which could save you a ton of money. Websites like Expedia can be good for comparing flights and accommodation, helping you get more for your money.

Picking Activities

There are tons of activities that you can enjoy when on vacation. If you’re heading to a popular hotspot, it’s always best to avoid the tourist traps. You may want to consider purchasing a travel guide that can give you more of an insight into your destination, and the types of attractions that you can check out during your stay.

Keeping Everyone Entertained

It can be hard to keep everyone entertained. If you have young kids in tow and you’re flying to your destination, keeping them occupied throughout the flight can be tricky, however, there are a few things that you can do such as providing games and toys that they can play with, allowing you to get some much-needed rest!

Whether you’re going on a short trip, or a long vacation, having some time away can do you the world of good. Before you head out on your travels, make sure you have an idea of the types of activities and excursions that are available at your destination, as well as packing the essentials. Being well prepared can make all the difference and help ensure your vacation is one you’ll never forget.

 

If you’re planning a trip to London in the coming months, then you’ve likely got a long and expansive list of all the landmarks you want to see, as well as large city parks, markets, and galleries. If it’s your first time in London then, of course, you need to gaze up at The Shard, peruse the national galleries, and walk along the South Bank, but there are loads to see just outside of central London too.

The benefit of traveling just outside of the capital is that you avoid some of the hustle and bustle for some of the duration of your trip. You can enjoy a more relaxed pace and take things a little easier than you can amid the crowds. If you’re not overly keen on spending your vacation being jostled about on the tube every day, then consider escaping to a greener area that can promise cleaner air, some respite, and relaxation.

Windsor

Widely recognized for its royal heritage, Windsor is a must see if you enjoy visiting places brimming with history and steeped in heritage. The most obvious reason to visit this place is to see Windsor Castle itself; however, there’s plenty more to do while you’re here.

Consider spending two or three days in Windsor, so that you have ample time to see inside of the castle, explore in search of the deer in Great Windsor Park, and walk from one end of The Long Walk to the other.

When it comes to food, there’s no shortage of great eateries to dine in Windsor – you need only take a stroll alongside the river. When you come to plan your visit in more depth, look at eating at thecornerhousepub.co.uk and decide what you’re going to choose from a delicious menu in advance.

Epping Forest

If it’s green space you’re after, then you can’t go wrong with a visit to Epping Forest just a short journey away from Walthamstow, East London. Impressively, there are some oak trees that are over 1,000 years old there, and there’s also some diverse wildlife as well. You can find voles, weasels, hedgehogs, and birds of prey such as kestrels, buzzards, and sparrow hawks.

Egham and Surrey

Although there isn’t a whole lot to do in Egham high street itself, you just need to take a short walk up the hill towards the university campus, and you’ll be astounded by areas of natural beauty and fascinating structures. The university itself boasts of The Founders Building – an enormous chateau-style red brick building that will, quite simply, take your breath away.

A further walk or short taxi ride away is Virginia Water – a large Royal park that has deer and a large picturesque lake in the center. Consider grabbing a bite to eat in the pub that rests beside the entrance to the park or take a picnic to enjoy at the lakeside.

Less than a mile away from the campus is Englefield Green, where you can find the Air Forces Memorial. The memorial is dedicated to some 20,000+ men and women lost in air operations over World War II.

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There is a place in China called Macao where fado is heard and wine Port is drunk while incense flies over Taoist temples on the mountain. The fog scored a sister on more Portuguese land in the Far East. For more than four centuries and until 1999 Macau belonged to Portugal as a Portuguese colony abroad. This important port on the spice track and in the expansion of Christianity in China now lives in its own presence, preserving its historical footprint on the one hand, while on the other hand it does not stop growing to see tomorrow. The Special Administrative Region also has something from Las Vegas with a clear commitment to casinos, five-star hotels, entertainment, and luxury Asian offers.

Rúa da Felicidade in Macao

The most populous city on the planet, winking at its neighbor Hong Kong, has become one of the strongest destinations in Asia. But without forgetting that one day it was part of Portugal and that there would always be more from the country navigator than the colonial helmet of a historic World Heritage Site. Tourists have many things to see and do in Macau and from here we will give you instructions to maximize Portuguese-speaking Chinese.

Where is Macao? How to get there?

Macau is on the south coast, or more precisely southeast, China. Strategically it is always considered a key point on the south side of the Pearl River Delta, where the Portuguese settled in the mid sixteenth century to maintain a very important port in China. The Macao-Malacca-Goa axis is very important for Lusitanian interests in the spice route. It was a colony until 1999 when Portugal was completely cut off into the Chinese Special Administrative Region. A capitalist bubble in a supposedly communist country where, among other things, it is permitted to be played. Therefore, this is an authentic casino in China and its annual turnover in this concept far exceeds Las Vegas. But of course the global gambling industry is still dominated by online gambling platforms like onlinecasinodeutschland.com.de and other famous ones.

Casa del Mandarín in Macau

In front of Macau is Hong Kong, which usually functions as a gateway to the area (and from there guided tours to Macau for 1 day). Constantly, ferries from various companies depart from the Hong Kong – Macau terminal at the central port. There are also ships to Macau which are brought at the Hong Kong International Airport itself. If you reserve a place first, they will even pick up baggage from the airport ribbon and return it to you at the Macau ferry terminal. The approximate price of one-way travel is around 20 euros and the duration of the trip is a maximum of one hour. Turbojet and Cotai Water Jet are some companies that offer more frequency.

Macau situation map

While it’s true that it can be flown directly to a small international airport in Macau, this is only done by companies based in Asia. There are connections mostly from cities of China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Malaysia (there are Air Asia flights from Kuala Lumpur). But for Europeans, the main entry point is still Hong Kong, with whom they formed a binomial that fully justifies travel on both sides of the Pearl River Delta.

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Buying a boat for the family is a major expense and one you’ll have to deal with for years to come. For many people, this might be a lifelong dream, and they might overlook some details just so they can realize it. However, if you go in uninformed or ignore a few important things and rush your decision, it could rapidly turn into a nightmare. Smart buyers are informed and have a clear checklist of things they should be looking for before making any purchase. Here are some of the most important points to consider when buying a boat.

Pre-Owned or New?

When buying a boat, you have the choice between a brand-new boat and a pre-owned one. Just like a car, both have their set of pros and cons.

If you have the money for it, and it’s really not an issue, then it’s always better to go with a new one. The main reason why going for a new one is usually a better decision is because of the warranty. Repairs on a boat can get pretty expensive and knowing that you’ll be covered will give you some extra peace of mind.

However, note that new boats lose a lot of their value after their first year and many people prefer buying a pre-owned boat for this reason. Pre-owned boats are considerably cheaper, and they don’t always have a lot of wear and tear on them, so some used boats are just as good as new.

What Size would be the Best?

When choosing a size for the boat, there are a lot of things you’ll have to take into consideration. First thing you should think about is where you’ll be using it and how. If you’re going to be using it on lakes or rivers, anything between 18ft and 40ft should have everything you need for a day on the water. However, if you were thinking of using the boat as a sort of second summer home where you can spend the night, you might need something a bit bigger with more amenities, like a cabin and a galley among other things.

You also have to consider how many people will be on the boat at any given time. Do you expect to have friends over in addition to your family? Do you want an extra room if you plan to entertain? Or do you simply need something simple where you’ll be able to get some quiet time?

Your budget will also dictate how big a boat you can actually afford. And we’re not only talking about the price of the boat. There are tons of other things you’ll have to consider like moorage, cleaning, drydocking, maintenance, gasoline, boat insurance, cleaning and winter storage, all things that will be affected by the boat’s size.

Sail or Motor?

The choice here usually boils down to preference. However, sailboats will have more of a learning curve and are dependent on the wind. But a sailboat might be perfect if all you need is a boat for gentle cruising or quiet fishing. But if you want to do some water-skiing with the kids, then you’ll have to go with a boat with either an outboard or inboard engine.

What will the Boat be Used for?

If you still can’t figure out which type of boat would be the best for you, there are a few questions you can ask to make the choice easier. Do you want to put it on a trailer? How much experience do you have? Do you want to impress people coming over or business contacts? Is it going to have multiple purposes? How much money can you actually afford? This should give you a clearer view of what boat you should go for.

Financing

There are tons of different options available if you’re looking for financing for a boat. Loans on boats will usually have longer terms, and you’ll be able to repay within 10 to 20 years in most cases. Some lenders will only work on bigger, more expensive boats, and others with boats costing $30,000 or less.

However, if you have poor or no credit, your options might be a bit more limited. In these cases, you’ll often have to offer the boat as collateral for the loan. So, if you can’t repay on time, the lender will be able to seize the boat. You could also use your home equity to get a loan. Or you could look for a personal bad credit boat loan.

Services like Bonsai Finance can connect you to hundreds of different bad credit boat loan providers, so you can pick the right one for you. These people will be less concerned with your credit score, but more with your ability to actually repay the loan. However, if you’re concerned about getting rejected, you could ask a friend or relative to endorse you. However, know that they’ll bear some of the responsibility as well.

Insurance

Insurance is also very important when buying a boat, and it will need to be insured first if you intend to finance it or buy it with cash. While most people will start looking around, it’s always better to work with a reputable agent who works with underwriters who are familiar with boats. Agents will usually have access to much better deals than the average buyer since they already have long-standing relationships with many insurance companies.

The size, value, and age of the boat will all have an influence on how much you can expect to pay. In the case of a used boat, a survey will have to be performed first to assess its condition.

Conclusion

Buying a boat can be a dream come true, but make sure that you take the steps necessary to make sure that you buy the right one. Also, make sure that you’re aware of the responsibilities of owning a boat before you make your decision.

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