America is a fascinating country for outsiders. Given just how vast it is, every state is almost like an individual country in itself. There’s so much diversity in terms of the cultures and landscapes throughout the U.S. Where do you even begin on a trip to the States? Well, you need a thorough plan of action if you want to properly enjoy your traveling experience. You should check out http://estaevisa.com/ before you book your journey just to make sure that you qualify for your trip to the States. Border control is always strict, so you need to make your preparations beforehand. As for the fun part of your preparations, let’s talk about the actual destinations you need to include in your travel plan. This guide should help you to see the best cities on your visit to the U.S.

New York City.

It’s one of the most famous cities in the world, and there’s a good reason for that. Whilst many cities put hard work into cultivating some sort of skyline, NYC is made up of an endless sea of skyscrapers; its looming skyline spans the entire city. There’s so much to explore and uncover in the heart of this manmade jungle that it’s both exciting and overwhelming in equal parts. The iconic landmarks are a must-see, of course. You could take a boat tour to see the Statue of Liberty in close proximity. The Empire State Building is also a wonderful building to experience in the flesh, even if its size is now tame in comparison many other skyscrapers. Central Park needs to be visited too; there’s something surreal about that small slice of nature in the heart of a concrete city.

Whilst it may be cheating to say this, given that we’re talking about the best cities to visit in the U.S., there’s also a lot to see in the areas surrounding New York City. You could take a trip out from the heart of the city once you’ve had your fill of iconic landmarks and culture in order to explore some of the natural wonders in the nearby area. If you’re into skiing then the Catskill Mountains are well worth the visit, as we’ve discussed before. The adventurer could sure have their fill of fun on those majestic slopes. There are also fantastic dining spots on those mountains if you start to miss the fine cuisine and the civilized nature of New York City before too long.

Philadelphia.

Now, this is a fun city to visit. If you’re a fan of It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia then you really need to experience all of its wonderful sights for yourself (minus the nonsensical adventures, of course). Philadelphia is a city of great historic significance, first of all. It’s home to the famous Liberty Bell, which marked the first reading of the Declaration of Independence back in 1776, as mentioned over at https://travel.usnews.com/. It’s also home to heaps of modern culture. The Philadelphia Museum of Art contains many fascinating impressionist pieces. There’s a lot to unpack in this city.

Los Angeles.

Let’s end with a city on the west side of the country if you’re tired of talking about the east. California is a beautiful state to visit, but you probably don’t have time to see it all in one visit (that would take quite a few visits). If there’s one city that you’re going to see then it should be Los Angeles. There are so many different experiences to be had here. Seeing Universal Studios could be a fun day out, or you could take a relaxing stroll along Venice Beach if you’d rather stay away from roller coasters and adventures. When it comes to dining, you should head to the Grand Central Market. Not only is there fantastic food in the many small dining establishments but there’s often live music too.

There’s nothing better than sending off for an adventure, with only your love one for company! Exploring new sights, soaking up the atmosphere of distant, enchanting cities and places: it’s enough for anyone to feel loved up. Of all the places suitable for a loved-up couple, none as magical as Australia. There you can do anything and everything, from sipping wine at the vineyard to strolling through the country’s famously cool and laid-back cities. Below, we take a look at a few romantic activities that await couples travelling to the Land Down Under.

Hit the Wineries

Australia’s wineries have two main things going for them: they’re always set in beautiful places, and the wine is delicious! There are more than sixty different wine regions scattered across the country, so wherever you’re travelling to, you’ll have somewhere nearby. Rent a car, and take a drive into the country. You can hit up all the best wines the country has to offer, all the while exploring Australia’s extensive natural beauty. A romantic way to spend a day by anyone’s standards!

Romantic City Adventures

It’s not hard to find romance when you’re visiting Melbourne or Sydney. The cities have love running through their veins! You can make your trip extra special by upping the romance level. If you’re in Melbourne, take a look at https://www.sailfree.com.au/Australia/Melbourne/ and explore the city from the comfort of your chartered yacht. If you’re in Sydney, then take a trip to one of the city’s famously picturesque beaches and watch the sunset arm in arm with your loved one. Being a couple will never have felt so good!

A View from Above

Does your love take you to a higher plane? Then don’t just lie in metaphor land: make it a reality. By taking a hot air balloon ride, you’ll be able to enjoy the true majesty of the Australian landscape, all the while clinking a toast to love and life with a glass of champagne. We can’t say for sure what makes being suspended in a wicker basket high above the ground so romantic, but it somehow speaks to love - and that’s just the way we like it.

Go off the Beaten Path

Love doesn’t always have to be intimate dinners in cosy restaurants. Some of the best adventures we have with our loved ones are when we’re out in the wild somewhere, enjoying each other’s company, in a state that can only be described as “back to basics.” There’s nothing wrong with getting primal every now and again! If you don’t like the idea of tent camping, then take a look at glamping. It’s a luxury way to spend a night under a billion stars, and boy is it fun!

Take a Drive

Finally, take a look at renting a car and driving along the Great Ocean Road. You’ll just have you, your music, and beautiful landscape after beautiful landscape; Oh, and your love, too! A magical way to spend a day.

London is a great city with so much to see and do but it’s pretty big so getting around can be a bit of a pain. Most people tend to use the tube because it’s quick and easy, and it doesn’t cost that much. The only problem is if you spend all of your time getting around the city on the tube, you’re going to be underground for half of your trip. You’ll miss out on all the great stuff along the way and you won’t have the opportunity to discover a lot of the hidden gems that the city has to offer. Next time you visit London, why not try some of these alternative ways to get around.

Walking

London is a big place so if you’re heading for somewhere across the city, walking is out of the question unless you want to waste half a day. But so many people end up getting the tube for just one or two stops which just isn’t necessary. You should use public transport for some of the longer trips but if you’re only going a short distance, there’s no reason why you can’t just walk it.

Boris Bikes

The best known legacy of the ex mayor of London is surely the Boris Bikes. While walking is a good way to see more of the city, sometimes it isn’t viable. If you still want to see the sights while you’re getting around but it’s too far to walk, why not try cycling? The Boris Bikes are popular with tourists and locals alike, many of whom use them to get to work. It’s a really easy system to use, just grab a bike from one of the many stations and ride where you need to go, then drop the bike off and the money will be taken off your card.

Rickshaws

If you want the sightseeing benefits of cycling but you don’t fancy doing all of that legwork while you’re on your holidays, get a rickshaw instead. See v london city for more information on where to find them. They’ll usually cost you a bit more than a cab but if the weather is nice, it’s a pleasant way to get around. They’re also a great option for people that are concerned about the environment because you’re not contributing to carbon emissions whatsoever.

Thames Boats

The tube and bus systems are a good way of getting around but they get pretty busy, especially during rush hour. If you’re after a more relaxing way of getting from A to B that’s still efficient, the Thames Boat services are perfect. They run regularly and they’re a lot quicker than you’d think. There’s a restaurant on board where you can get a quick bite to eat while you travel and there’s even Wifi if you’re visiting the city for work. Seeing the city from the river while you travel is a whole new way to experience London.

Windham is situated in the Catskill mountains and its history extends back to 1798. It is the perfect place to visit for rest and relaxation, as it is so beautiful and peaceful. There is an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants serving fine food. If you are looking for true relaxation the Windham spa is worth a visit, it is popular with both locals and tourists.

It’s incredible how only two hours takes you from the hustle and bustle of New York City to lush green mountains in the summer, which become a ski destination in the winter.

Windham Mountain as a ski resort

Windham Mountain resort offers the best skiing facilities within a 200 radius of NYC. The premier resort has its own team of snowmakers, which makes the most of what mother nature has to offer. This means that optimum conditions can be created and maintained.

Skiing isn’t the only winter sport offered you can also experience snow tubing and snowshoe hikes make the mountains accessible to everyone.

Whilst Windham is only a two hour journey from NYC it is worth staying to really have the time to appreciate everything there is to offer. Consider a Ski House Rental so that you can enjoy the many apres ski parties.

Windham mountain is suitable for both families and first time skiers as there are many tuition packages available to choose from.

Catskill mountains

The Catskill Mountains have so much more to offer than winter sports. If one thing is for sure it certainly draws out the adventurer in its visitors. There is the opportunity to experience the Catskill Mountains whilst traveling at 50 mph on the fastest, longest and highest zipline in North America!

If more sedentary pastimes are more your “thing” you may prefer fishing, camping and hiking in the stunning scenery the Catskills have to offer.  

Dining

The Catskills region offers culinary delights to suit all tastes. There are heritage influences to the cuisine available from its Italian, Irish and Polish settlers. The area boasts its own winery and fresh produce is in abundance from the many farms in the area.

So, if time allows, extend your trip to New York by exploring the many attractions the Catskill mountains and Windham has to offer. You will be sure to return to the daily grind of life, fully rested if a little exhilarated! There are many ways to book your flights and accommodation, a search on the internet holds the key to a plethora of information. Another good source of contact would be tourist boards, which will give details on the area.

You can’t get much more quintessentially English than the Cotswolds. Rolling hills, picturesque villages, cosy tearooms and village pubs make up this spectacular area of the country. If you are planning a visit out here yourself, this guide is for you. Here are just a few of the must-see sights and must-do experiences that you can enjoy during your travels here.

Explore Blenheim Palace

One of the grandest and most famous country houses in the whole of the country, Blenheim Palace is a magnificent structure that also has more than 2000 acres of gardens to stroll around. As the birthplace of Winston Churchill, it is also one of the most important historical sites in Britain.

Picnic by the River at Bourton-on-the-Water

With its tiny river running through the centre and small bridges criss-crossing over the top, Bourton-on-the-Water is without a doubt one of the Cotswolds’ most famous and pretty villages. One of the best ways to enjoy it on a sunny day is to pack a picnic and watch the villagers and visitors enjoying the relaxed pace of life. One of the top attractions is a model village which perfectly replicates the life-sized one.  

Get Up to the Highest Point

The highest town in the Cotswolds is Stow-on-the-Wold, and it is a pleasant place to enjoy the views of the surrounding area. There are plenty of cafes and pubs where you can relax and soak up the atmosphere. It is another place where history happened as right here is where the final skirmish of the English Civil War took place.

See the Slaughters

Lower and Upper Slaughter bear two of the most unusual place names in the whole of the country, and they are both within easy walking distance of each other. Make sure you are wearing your wellies if the weather is a little wet as you will need to walk across a ford to get between the two.

Walk Along the Cotswold Way

The Cotswold Way runs 102 miles from the northern town of Chipping Campden down to the city of Bath. You could start at a hotel in hotel in Evesham before heading over to the trail. Along the way, you will take in some of the most beautiful countryside the area has to offer. On at least one morning, you should make sure that you get up early enough to see the sun rise over the Cotswold Way.

Though it is a little bit outside of the Cotswolds, it is worth taking the trip over to Stratford-upon-Avon to see Shakespeare’s birthplace. Inside, you can take a guided tour and find out everything currently known about the world’s most famous playwright. While you are here, make sure to visit Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, the house of Shakespeare’s wife, and also have a drink in The Dirty Duck nearby to the Swan Theatre which is where many of the Bard’s plays were performed.

If you are getting ready to tick Australia off your bucket list, you will no doubt be incredibly excited about the whole experience. Australia is a place that has so much to offer, from the wildlife to the shopping and the stunning beaches. There is something for everyone, and Perth optimises this. To make sure you experience the best of what Perth has to offer, here are some must-read tips:

So there you have it: some tips to ensure you make the most of your trip to Perth. There is so much to see and do in the area, so it is always a good idea to have a plan prior to travelling so that you do not miss out on anything important. But, most importantly, enjoy yourself! This is a holiday you will never forget for all of the right reasons.

It's been more than a year since I live in London and I haven't been in these super popular touristic places like Westminster etc. How crazy is that? I quite enjoyed this day which was fun, even if it was very cold. We had a nice cruise on the Thames river, followed by a walk on the Westminster bridge, Trafalgar Square and ended with a lovely afternoon tea at the Caffe Concerto. Very crowdy places, that's why I try to avoid them as much as I can, even a picture you can't take, but that's it...one of the busiest city, so I have to get used with this. Back home, I wanted to visit so many places here but now the enthusiast is zero, why? I don't know the answer yet. But it would be definetely a shame to not see them while I'm still here, right?


Now it's not the best time to visit London. I mean its main iconic thing will look terrible in pictures, speaking about Big Ben of course. And I'd rather a scandinavian country, where actually it's snowing, because winter wihout snow is like the summer without sun. This week I'm heading home and can not wait to spend the holidays with my family and if "lucky enough" to catch some snow.

My outfit was simply, the bargain mustard coat perfectly matched the cream jumper, together with the super cosy checked trousers. Love wearing bright colours in the wintertime, an instaant eyecather when everyone wears black and navy blue.

I'M WEARING:

Coat - Primark
Trousers - Primark
Jumper - Vintage

Sooner or later you’re going to be at the age where you don’t have the luxury of travelling wherever you want. Whether it be because you’re settling down and starting a family, or because you’re getting a bit too old and your body just isn’t cut out for proper holidays anymore. So whilst you still can, get out there and explore the world! Do all of the things you’ve never been able to do before, and probably won’t be able to do again. If you’re looking for some inspiration then check out the following destinations.

Thailand (Backpacking)

A huge craze at the minute with people of all ages in backpacking around Thailand, and for good reason. The opportunities you get will be like no other, and the islands are absolutely beautiful. Take Phuket for example. The beautiful white sand beaches are enough to draw anyone in. You can have the chance to go trekking through rainforests, and even making some friends with some rescued elephants. There’s tubing down a river which will make you feel as if you’re on a lazy river at a theme park, but 10 times better. If you’re going to Thailand you definitely need to go when a full moon party is in swing. They’re a party like no other, and memories will be made for life (if you don’t drink too much!).

Andorra

This is a firm favourite for people looking for a bit of adventure. If you’re heading the Andorra, you’re definitely heading there to hit the slopes. Andorra holidays are the perfect combination of adrenaline rushes and relaxed drinking and eating on the slopes. If you’re not going snowboarding or skiing, you’re missing out big time. As well as being an adrenaline packed holiday, Andorra is such a beautiful place to be in. There’s plenty to do in terms of history as well as hitting the slopes. Andorra is also a tax free area, so if you’re looking to do some big time shopping in a duty free area, this is your place. You’ll be shocked at what you can buy for so cheap.

Philippines

The Philippines isn’t that much of a popular destination, but there’s no reason at all why it shouldn’t be. It is full of beautiful beaches and rich culture. Again, if people head there they’re usually going for a backpacking experience. But some of the islands do make perfect couple or family destinations. It isn’t too far away from Thailand, so if you’re backpacking you should definitely hop on a short plane journey and visit, Cebu is a great part to visit. It is well established enough to have some great hotels, and the beaches are absolutely incredible. If you do go, you should definitely try out the scuba diving experience they have in the crystal blue waters. Manila is the capital and is rather popular with tourists. It is a really built up area and offers plenty of things to do in terms of tourism. There’s a marine wildlife park and a Philippines national history museum if you’re interested in the tourism side of things. No matter which part you’re heading to, you’re going to be having a great time.

London

Bath

Bath is easily one of the most prettiest cities in the UK and has so much history to explore. Famous for being home to the Roman Baths, the attracts attention from all over the world. There’s also the famous Bath Abbey if you’re into historic cathedrals. The architecture of Bath is truly incredible. The quaint little streets with their unique coffee shops and restaurants really do pull you into a relaxed vibe. The only down side to Bath is the prices of the hotels, you’re best of booking in advance to try and save a little money. There are some really lovely spas and resorts that feature Roman themed facilities if you fancy a little relaxation.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is home to good food, drink, and culture. Everyone associates the Scottish with being big drinkers, and they are! Some of the establishments you walk into will be so full of life and laughter, it’ll be hard to hear what the barman is saying over all the talk. The drinking aside, Edinburgh is also great for history and culture. Edinburgh castle is a firm favourite among tourists, it offers great history knowledge as well as a great view of the whole of the city. If you head slightly out of the main city, there are some great nature walks with some truly stunning scenery. Be sure to pack your hats and gloves though, Scotland is renowned for its bitter winds and cold temperatures.

My adventures in London continue.Some weeks ago I went to the Alexandra Palace,the highest place where you can see the whole city.There was a festival and lots of people.I liked the area and the building itself.Stay tuned for more of the series: When in London.

Kisses, V x