Planning a Family Trip to Rome

Rome is one of the most visited cities in the world. Every year more than 9 million people flock here to experience the unique vibe the sacred city brings.

It is no surprise that Rome is jam-packed with tourists even during off-season. But don’t let this stop you. Rome is a great place to visit with your family. Here are some important tips you can follow when planning a trip to Rome with your family.

Tips for a Wonderful Family Trip in Rome

Going with kids for a holiday? No problem.  We have compiled some useful tips that you can follow to make your Rome tour fun.

Pre-book everything you can.  Rome is quite a busy city with lots of tourists every year. The hotels can be filled without any notice. If you want to have a comfortable stay in Rome, it is important that you make an advance booking.

Pack light. Don’t overpack. Only bring the things that you will need when in Rome such as basic tees, trousers, cameras, and extra batteries.  Make sure to secure your passport and bring medicines for the kids in case of emergencies.

Explain the trip. Introducing kids to the trip and telling them what to expect will help them have a better understanding about the tour.  Take this opportunity to educate them about Rome so when you get there, they can appreciate the things they’ll see.

Ask for child discounts. Most of Rome’s tourist spots offer free pass for kids. That means you can really save money when you travel.Bring snacks. Hungry kids can take the fun out of your entire city tour. Make sure that you bring their favorite snacks so they have something to eat when hunger strikes while riding the bus.

Kid-Friendly Destination in Rome

Rome is fairly blessed with kid-friendly zones. So before you go to Rome, make sure you know where to bring your kids so they will enjoy the tour. Here are some kid-friendly destinations that you can visit in Rome.

·         Explore the Colosseum

·         Climb St. Peter’s Dome

·         Make a wish on the Trevi Fountain

·         Enjoy sightseeing at Vittoriano in Piazza Venezia

·         Let kids run in the park

·         Show your kids the popular Pompeii

Rome is a great place for families looking to have a great vacation. In fact, children under 10 years old can travel free on Rome’s public transport network. Enjoy your travel in Rome!


7 Beautiful Places to Visit in Switzerland

Switzerland is a mountainous Central European country. The cities of Switzerland contain old quarters, with features like capital Bern’s Zytglogge clock tower and Lucerne’s wooden chapel bridge. The country is known for its ski resorts and hiking trails. The key industries of Switzerland are banking and finance, and Swiss watches and chocolate are world famous.

Chateau de Chillon

A lovely scenic castle located on Lake Geneva, Chateau de Chillon looks stunning on its own (especially with the beautiful backdrop of the mountains, lakes, and forest) however in the sunset – sheer perfection!

There’s a good reason why this is consistently regarded as one of the most beautiful places in Switzerland – something which will be very clear to you as soon as you arrive!It’s just so wonderful and exactly unlike anywhere else in Switzerland.

Lake Geneva

While still on Lake Geneva, this gorgeous of Switzerland is easily one of the most, and it is one of the most beautiful places in Switzerland that you have to visit and especially so in the summertime. Lake Geneva is one of the largest lakes in Europe, with those stunning mountains, beautiful Swiss towns villages it is one of the most beautiful lakes in the country.

The Matterhorn

This mountain lies on the border between Switzerland and Italy and at a summit of 14,692 ft, it is one of the tallest points in the Alps. If you visit in summer, you get a stunning alpine view which makes even the train journey up here experience in an of itself. In winter, covered in snow, you get to ski in one beautiful places in Switzerland  – the magnificent Matterhorn.

St Moritz

Playground of the rich and famous (with prices almost as high as the mountains), St Moritz is one of the most beautiful places in Switzerland that should not be overlooked by any traveler to the country – even if just for a brief visit! This Alpine resort is another one of those places that is worth checking out as much in the depths of summer and winter as its gorgeous whatever time you decide to Rhine Falls

Stunning and compelling, The Rhine Falls is a rather impressive sight to behold. The sheer force is bound to leave you gaping at it for hours and whipping out your camera regularly. It is also explicitly the greatest plain waterfall in Europe!

Abbey of Saint Gall

A UNESCO world heritage site located in St. Gallen, this is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful places in Switzerland and one that travelers from all over the world (rightly) flock to see. 

Kapellbrücke

 The aged wooden covered footbridge in Europe, Kapellbrücke is also a rather superb and engaging sight in the city of Lucerne making it one of the country’s most explored sights.

It is just gorgeous.

Look beyond the chocolate, cuckoo clocks and yodeling – coeval Switzerland, it’s the land of four languages, is all about once-in-a-lifetime journeys, heart-racing Alpine pursuits, and townish culture.


Best Things to See and Do in Hawaii

Hawaii is a state of the U.S. This is a separated volcanic archipelago in the Central Pacific. Its islands are renowned for their tough landscapes of cliffs, falls, tropical foliage, and also beaches with gold, red, black and also environment-friendly sands. Of the six primary islands, Oahu has Hawaii’s biggest city as well as funding, Honolulu, house to crescent Waikiki Coastline and also Pearl Harbor’s WWII memorials.

Hit the Road to Hana on Maui

Amazing views of waterfalls, lush forests, and the sparkling ocean are part of the pleasure of the twisting drive along the North Shore to tiny, timeless Hana in East Maui. The journey is the attraction, but once you take place, kick back and enjoy. Wave to pedestrians, “talk story” with locals in line at the Hasegawa store, and explore the multicolor beaches. We went with business partners to celebrate our 12th years in business together (ChandlerTowingServices.com), and we made lots of ‘friends’ with the locals who were so friendly and kind and welcoming. We highly recommend you spend some time smelling the local flowers and enjoying the local culture.

Visit Oahu’s Pearl Harbor

This top Honolulu site is not to be missed. Spend the better part of a day touring Missouri, the Arizona Memorial, and if you have time, the Bowfin.

Explore Kauai’s Napali Coast

Experiencing Kauai’s emerald green Napali Coast is a must-do. You can see these impressive cliffs on the northwest side of the island by boat, helicopter, or by hiking the Kalalau Trail. Whichever you pick, you won’t be disappointed.

Hike Maui’s Haleakala

Take time to trek down one of the trails into Haleakala National Park’s large bowl and see proof, at this dormant volcano, of how forceful the earth’s exhalations can be. The cinder cones have excellent swirls of subtle colors.

Surf at Waikiki Beach on Oahu

Waikiki, with its well-shaped but small waves, remains the perfect spot for grommets (surfing newbies), though surf schools operate at beaches (and many hotels) around the island.

Discover the Joy of Snorkeling on Maui

Either on your own with a buddy or on a snorkel cruise, snorkeling in Maui is a must. Maui has snorkel boats of all sizes to take you to spots. Wherever you duck under, you’ll be inducted into a mesmerizing world underwater.

Green Sands Beach

It’s a bit off the beaten track, but Green Sands Beach is one of the few places in the world to see green sand, which gets its unique color from the mineral olivine. And it happens to be surrounded by turquoise waters and dramatic cliffs.

Exploring Waipio Valley

Whichever way you choose to get there— on horseback, in a four-wheel drive, or on foot—you’ll discover that the Valley of the Kings, on the Hamakua Coast, is full of sky-high waterfalls, lush green cliffs, and mystical quality that can’t quite be described or rivaled.

Kailua Beach

Kailua is the beach you came to Hawaii for—and the reason why many have never left. This famous stretch of white sandy beaches on Oahu’s windward side is full and inviting, with several small offshore islands perfect for exploring on kayaks.

Explore Chinatown

Over the past few years, Chinatown has been transformed into the center of Oahu’s arts scene. This vibrant neighborhood, which pours into downtown Honolulu, boasts art galleries, eclectic restaurants, hip bars, trendy boutiques, and the historic Hawaii Theatre. There are a few guided tours of the cultural attractions, but you can easily wander the area on your own.

Hawaiian Music at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center

Before his untimely death in 1997, Israel Kamakawiwoole, or “IZ,” woke the world to the sound of modern Hawaiian music. Don’t leave without hearing it live. The Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului has top Hawaiian entertainers regularly, and so do many island bars and restaurants.

Go Mountain Tubing with Kauai Backcountry Adventures

Garden Island is known for its natural beauty and adventurous activities, and Kauai Backcountry Adventures offers one of the most memorable days of fun that visitors can find. It all starts with a four-wheel-drive through Kauai’s interior with a bit of education about the island from guides.



Five Places You Must Visit in St. Petersburg

On the Baltic Sea, St. Petersburg is a Russian port city. The city remains Russia’s cultural center, with venues such as the Mariinsky Theatre hosting opera and ballet, and the State Russian Museum displaying Russian art, from Orthodox shape paintings to Kandinsky works.

The Winter Palace

Everyone knows the State Hermitage Museum, Russia’s most significant art collection. It housed in the most appropriate place – the Winter Palace, built for the Imperial Family over 250 years ago. There can be no excuse not to visit if you happen to be in St. Petersburg. 

Make sure you go inside and try to see as much as possible because you won’t be able to view everything: It is a city within a city containing over three million exhibits in 300 rooms. Incidentally, not all of the collection is in the Hermitage.

Nevsky Prospect

Nevsky is the city’s main thoroughfare, planned in the early 18th century, which now has one listed building after another. The best time to go for a stroll on Nevsky Prospect between 7-9 o’clock in the morning when the great panorama of the “real” St. Petersburg is not obscured by crowds of visitors.

From here you also can observe the city’s majestic cathedrals: Don’t miss the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, the best view of which opens up from Nevsky Prospect.

Peterhof

Peterhof is the former summer residence of the Russian tsars, 29 miles from St. Petersburg. It is the Russian Versailles with its golden fountains, palaces, pavilions, and extensive gardens. In front of the castle, you will see the spectacular view of the Grand Cascade and the Golden Statue of Samson spurting silvery jets of water 213 ft high. A real challenge will be to go to Peter the Great’s excellent place, the Monplaisir Palace, with its open-air stair on the shores of the Gulf of Finland.

Plan to devote most of the day to this marvel, and it is fine to avoid weekends.

Saint Isaac’s Cathedral

The cathedral offers the most irresistible panoramic view of the city. It is of colossal proportions, and from its arcade, you can see how canals dissect the town into small islands. But brace yourself for a climb. You’ll have to climb all 262 steps to get to the top.

To enter the arcade, you will need a separate ticket (the entrance ticket to the cathedral doesn’t count), which you can buy at museum ticket offices, vending machines at the entrance or online. 

The Mariinsky Theatre

A cultural icon and showcase for St. Petersburg’s opera and ballet, the Mariinsky Theatre (informally known as the Mariinka) are on the must-see list, along with borsch and matryoshkas. In tsarist times it was the premier venue for the country’s ruling class and high society – members of the Imperial Family, wealthy heiresses and famous authors like Alexander Pushkin used to come here.

Traditional Dishes You Should Try in St Petersburg:

  • Pyshki
  • Koryushka
  • Beef stroganoff
  • Leningradsky rassolnik
  • Skobelevskie bitki
  • Pancakes with caviar
  • Sterlet in champagne

One of the world’s most beautiful cities, St. Petersburg has all the ingredients for a memorable tour experience: high art, lavish architecture, wild nightlife, an outstanding history and rich cultural traditions that have inspired and nurtured. From the mysterious twilight of the White Nights to world-beating opera and ballet productions on magical winter evenings, St. Petersburg beauty and entices in every season.

A Trip to Rainforest -Things You Should Know

Only people that love adventure will consider a trip to any rain forest. However, this isn’t just making a booking at an expensive hotel in the rain forest and having the best experience of your life. There are a couple of things that you need to know first. This is the best way to decide if a rain forest trip is something for you or not. 

This isn’t going to be a luxurious holiday

If you are looking for a luxurious holiday, then you should make a booking at Mauritius or Hawaii, not plan a trip to the rain forest.

This isn’t going to be a luxurious holiday, and you aren’t going to have a relaxed holiday either. It can be daunting to visit the rain forest. There are really hot and humid days, and then you can find yourself in rain as well. And, you are going to carry your backpack all the time. Except if you have the money to hire a local that will carry your bag for you. 

You will need to hire a guide that knows the area

You can’t just go and explore the rain forest yourself. It doesn’t matter what rain forest you are going to. You will need to hire a guide that knows the area, and that knows the danger as well. 

The best guide to hire is normally to go with a tour group or to hire a local that knows the area and that is known as a tour guide with experience and qualifications. You need to know that getting lost in the rain forest isn’t going to be a good idea.

Make sure that you are doing enough research to know what to take with you

As we said before, you are going to carry everything to take with you. And, you need to make sure that you only take the essentials. This is why you should make sure that you are doing enough research, to know what you should take with you on your trip to the rain forest.

Each rain forest has its own list of essentials that you need to take with you. So, it is advisable to do research and to make a list of all the things that you need to pack first. 

A trip to the rainforest can really be an experience that you will never forget. However, then you should know that this isn’t a trip for anyone. This is for those people that love adventure and that aren’t afraid of insects and for getting warm at times.