Travel Veda

When you visit a new city it can be hard to know where to stay and where to visit while you are there. There are so many districts to each city it is useful to have a quick guide covering some areas. Here’s a guide to Berlin.

Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf is in the west of Berlin and has something for everyone. It contains the sandy banks of the Havel, the Olympic stadium and Charlottenburg Palace. This district also boasts the German Opera house as well as numerous shopping streets and tranquil squares with everything from boutiques to discount designer stores.

Another popular of Berlin is Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg placed in the heart of Berlin alongside the River Spree. This is considered to be one of the most interesting and diverse districts containing the listed Oberbaumbrucke Bridge and the longest remaining section of the Berlin Wall. The state museum of modern art, photography and architecture as well as the German Museum of Technology is also situated in the district. This vibrant district is a must for any visitor.

Marzahn-Hellersdorf is a district defined by its contrasting architecture; modern multi-faceted buildings sit alongside listed historical buildings from the 19^th century. This surprising district also has the longest green corridor in Berlin containing the Wuhletal valley. With its gardens and manor houses this is a relaxing district containing a number of cafes, restaurants and bars as well as golfing ranges.

Neukolln is seen by any visitors to Berlin as a bohemian village. This was once home to bohemian refugees and to this day is a melting pot of cultures containing the opera house, Britz garden and castle as well as the amazing Turkish market at Maybachufer which is a must see for any visitor. These differing cultures mean that you can find almost any cuisine in the Neukolln district and in addition to the cafes, restaurant and bars there is a vibrant creative scene which keeps on growing meaning each visit you’ll find something different.

Using your mobile phone abroad can be expensive, but it is something we seem to do on a regular basis even if it is just to check in with people at home to let them know you arrived safely. This christmas many are planning to go away so that quick ‘merry christmas’ text to friends and family could end up costing you a fortune. Luckily there are a few ways to help save when you use your mobile.

The first important thing to note is that it is free to receive texts, so if people want to chat they can contact you and you can find a cheap way to call them. If you do need to contact someone it is around 50p to reply outside of the EU so make sure you keep your texts short and sweet. Inside the EU it is around 10p/min to receive calls as costs are capped, outside the cost is much higher.

If you are a frequent traveler it can be worth asking your mobile service provider if they offer special packages that lower the cost of using your phone. Even if you only travel abroad once a year it is worth asking your provider what they offer. Many offer free ‘add ons’ for packages abroad where others charge monthly, if your provider is one of the latter always remember to cancel the package when you are home. If you are on a contract don’t assume your free minutes are included in use abroad, usually texts will cot up to 3 SMS worth per text, but it is worth checking.

It is often worth buying a pay as you go SIM and popping it in your phone once you arrive at your destination. This will allow you to make calls at the local call rates of the country you are in.

It is also important to turn off ‘data roaming’ when abroad, if you need to access the internet use the free wi-fi hotspots which tend to be dotted around but avoid downloading anything as this can cost a lot. If you are in a country with free wi-fi hotspots and to be honest there aren’t many out there that don’t have them you can use these to make free phone calls. Systems like Skype allow you to make free calls over the internet as long as the other person has Skype as well.

It can be difficult to find good sun protection for your face, there are some moisturisers out there which contain SPF but there is some reluctance amongst women to use them. This is not because they want to tan their faces but because they don’t feel they are good under their skin, the feel that when they smooth foundation over the moisturiser it sits well, rather it disintegrates in to a ‘bobbling’ feel. They also often find that chemical sunscreens make their eyes water and the more natural physical versions which are best for sensitive skin types by the way, can leave a chalky and sticky look. These can also both be greasy which can cause their make up to migrate in any heat.

Having said that there are some really good moisturisers out there with suntan lotions in them, it is important when choosing one that you make sure it not only protects against both skin ageing UVA rays as well as cancer causing UVB rays. Many of the cheaper types of suntan lotion and moisturisers containing it do not protect against the latter. Here are a few of my favourite protecting fluids.

Ultrasun containing SPF30 is recommended by dermatologists, this is great for dry skin and is a no-nonsense sun block. Crème de la Mer SPF30 UV Protecting fluid is a bit of a mouthful and one of those most expensive at £52 for 40ml, but it has a great texture and make up applies over it wonderfully. This is great to apply over serum before applying moisturiser

Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream with SPF50 is a slightly cheaper cream at £30.50 for 50ml. This is a perfect base for make up. If you are one of those people who hates the feel of sunscreen on their faces the perfect answer comes from Shu Uemura Under Base Mousse with SPF30 is the perfect answer for you. This moouse is feather light on your face and is the perfect primer for your make up.

Holidays are one of the most stressful events in a person’s year, if you are flying, taking a boat or driving there are so many bits of paper and items to remember loose just one of them and it could make the difference between a fantastic holiday and staying at home. So it is important to be organised in the lead up to your holiday in order for you to have a fantastic time.

The first thing you need to do is make sure you have all the details of your bookings, your travel details – flights, boat or your map if you are driving, print everything off that you might need and make sure you have it in your hand luggage. It might also be worthwhile to have a spare copy in your luggage just in case.

The second most important item to make sure you have before you leave on holiday is your passport. It may be the most obvious item to have this on you but we’ve all seen the countless TV programmes where people forget them or haven’t checked the expiry date on the passport only to find it ran out the day before they arrive at the airport. Travel insurance documents are up there with passports, forget these and you could be spending a fortune if anything were to go wrong.

It’s also important to leave copies of your itinerary and important documents with friends and family, this will allow them to contact you if anything happens to go wrong at home or if you were to lose any of them and need copies while you are travelling.

Most importantly of all you have to make sure you check you have all your documents before you leave the house so you aren’t stranded on the brink of your holiday and having to head home.

Christmas can be quite a stressful time of year not only do you have to think up ideas for immediate family and friends but those you aren’t that close to. Then you have the yearly debate about whose family to spend the Christmas holidays with, decorating your home and battling with a thousand other shoppers to get those must have items.

There is one way to take away part of the stress this Christmas season, why not get away from the home and pick a Christmas holiday destination in the UK. Not only do you get the relaxation of the holiday aspect but you can invite as many or as few of the family that you wish. This helps to rule out the arguments over where you are spending the Christmas period and that one set of parents are not offended you aren’t with them.

There are many places in our fair Isles that are perfect for Christmas holiday destinations, there are the wild Yorkshire dales where you can act out a Wuthering Heights theme or feel like you are in Rebecca along the Cornish coast. When picking a Christmas holiday destination in the UK people mainly go to one of two extremes, they head for a bustling city or to a cottage in the middle of nowhere.

If you like the thought of being isolated and away from it all it could be that Scotland is just the place for you, with its many glens there are many cottages hidden away allowing you to be completely at peace with nature and at one with yourself and your guests, though if you pick this type of Christmas holiday destination make sure you get on well with all your guests!

If the hermit lifestyle isn’t quite your style why not head to a city where there are many places to go and things to see, Bath is the perfect example of this. This bustling city looks picturesque in the winter season and with the bustle of the city there is something for everyone.

For those who wish to spend Christmas somewhere a bit different, there is an abundance of exotic locations to choose from. These are the top five.

Paris

Again a very popular place to visit all year round, but the festive season in the French capital is something truly spectacular. At this time of year Paris really does live up to its nickname of the City of Lights – however, being Paris, the city is decorated with a sense of style that cannot be matched anywhere else.

Vienna

One place that perhaps can compete with Paris for Christmas magic is the city of Vienna. During the festive season this Austrian city is home to Christkindlmarkt, which is the oldest Christmas market anywhere in Europe. You can wander through the park where the market is held, to the smell of chestnuts roasting and the sounds of carol singing.

New York

For those looking for a nostalgic Christmas, New York cannot be beaten. The city offers a winter wonderland, from the famed festive window displays in shops such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Macy’s, together with the lighting of the huge central Christmas Tree and the giant ice rink at the Rockefeller Centre –all traditions dating back to the 1930s.

Rio de Janeiro

This offers something totally different – a wild and fun packed festive holiday in a warm climate. In addition the city is home to a host of fascinating Christmas traditions, including the largest Christmas tree in the world, which is floated down the Rio Iagoa River and Festival of the Goddess of the Sea.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt offers a great cultural experience for Christmas, with the abundance of museums and the 600-year old Christmas market, which offers gingerbread and mulled wine, as well as ceramic and wooden toy gifts.

Wherever you choose to travel, it is advisable to secure travel insurance, to make sure you are protected. Endsleigh annual travel insurance means you are fully covered for trips made at any time of the year, under a single policy.

It may seem straight forward and we all know deep down what we can and can’t take on a plane so why is it there are always massive queues at airport security with people rummaging around in their bags to find those forbidden items?

It can be hard to remember exactly what it is you are allowed to take on and which you are definitely not allowed, but put simply you cannot take anything on that could cause injury to you or other passengers. With the amount women carry around in their handbags on a daily basis it is important to have a good clear out before you leave the house.

So here is a quick guide. We all know liquids are one of the big no-no’s on flights, but the confusing thing is that certain amounts are allowed. Firstly it is important to know liquids include gels, creams and pastes. These liquids can be carried in containers of less that 100ml, think of the small body sprays you can get and you are in the right size range.

There are other restricted items that might cause some surprise, these include knitting needles, slingshots (a travel must have for most!) and toy or replica guns – though you can get the security guards to prise it from your screaming son’s grasp. Some items you would expect to be forbidden that seem to cause some confusion, especially amongst passengers I’m standing behind are darts, scissors and razor blades.

If you are ever unsure about an item it is best to check on the airlines website or on the government’s website, http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Publictransport/AirtravelintheUK/DG_078179.

It is also important to note many airlines are tightening their restrictions on the size and weight of hand luggage and are clamping down on the one bag per passenger rule so check you are within the guidelines before you leave the house or you could be facing extra costs.

Children is always fun to travel with, but they do need extra care. Traveling with children by air can be a problem on its own if you don’t take proper preparations before you leave. There are actually several simple tips you can use to make traveling with children by air a lot more fun and enjoyable for both you and your children.

If it is possible, make sure you choose flights at non-peak times. Flights scheduled at non-peak times will most likely have empty seats; you can utilize the extra spaces to allow your children to stretch or sleep in a more comfortable position. This can be very useful if your are flying long flights; children have the tendency of acting up when they are not comfortable and giving them enough space to get comfortable in will make a huge difference.

Make sure you leave early for the airport. Sprinting down the terminal may not be a problem at all when you are alone, but having children with you while your are running for your flight can be disastrous. Use the extra time at the airport to make sure your children have everything they need for the flight. You can also give explanations about the flight, make sure they understands it, and ask if they would like to have anything with them for the flight. Pay close attention to your children’s needs and wants, and make sure they are fully comfortable during the flight. Some in-flight entertainment, including comic books or portable gaming device, will ensure you a pleasant flight.

With so much happening in our capital city it can be difficult to decide what to do with your limited time; be it one night, a weekend or a whole week. But the one thing that will guarantee you a great time is a trip to the theatre and with so many fantastic plays and musicals on offer at the moment, you’re in for a treat.

The legendary London Palladium Theatre has just seen the UK debut of Sister Act: The Musical and will soon be opening the curtain on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s latest offering, an adaptation of the classic The Wizard of Oz.

Now in its second record breaking year Oliver! is currently showing the at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Theatre Royal is considered to be London’s most stately theatre, having been home to My Fair Lady and the premier of The Producers.

The Palace Theatre is a popular choice for musicals and revivals and currently it is playing host to the heart warming and uplifting Priscilla Queen of the Desert. The New London Theatre is a modern building with historic roots in entertainment and its current production is War Horse; a thrilling and impressive adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s celebrated novel.

The much loved, art-deco inspired Adelphi Theatre is a must see for all architecture lovers, having housed many famous productions including the awesome Love Never Dies, which is the latest offering from this renowned theatre. Home to the long running Phantom of the Opera is Her Majesty’s Theatre which can trace its origins back to 1705.

While considering all this options do not forget about the Cambridge Theatre, which is one of London’s youngest and most attractive theatres in the West End, its doors opening in 1930. Comfortably hosting both plays and musicals, the Cambridge has played host to such productions as Jerry Springer – The Musical and Man and Superman. At this time it is showing the revival of Kander and Ebb’s Chicago.

Whichever you decide to see out of this amazing selection of offerings, remember to suit-up or get that sparkling dress on and make it an evening to remember.

To find more information about the latest shows on in London’s West End, visit The Really Useful Group’s website online today and take a look around.

I wrote this article also as a reminder to myself. I love going away on long trips, yet I always forgot to take care of businesses before I leave for holidays. Leaving on holidays means you are going away temporary, even when the trip you are taking is long. Taking care of businesses before you leave will also help you enjoy undisturbed vacation. So what businesses need to be taken care of before leaving for long trips?

First of all, pay your bills. I find it irritating to come back from a long trip only to find most of my bills are overdue. Sort monthly bills out and pay them before you leave. If it is possible, budget a certain amount of money and ask a friend or family to help you pay bills as they are due.

Pets is another thing you need to take care before leaving on long trips. Make sure someone is taking good care of your pets while your gone. If needed, hire professionals to help you take good care of your pets.

Mails can sometimes be an issue, but this is not a major one. You can opt to stop your mails or reroute them to post office box so that they are well-organized until you get back.

If it is possible, empty your fridge. At least, sort things according to their expire date and leave items that may go bad while you are away.

With all of these things properly taken care of, you will be able to enjoy your long trips without worries.