GeoGuessr – Let’s explore the world!

GeoGuessr is a geography game which takes you on a journey around the world and challenges your ability to recognize your surroundings… and I’m addicted! Your challenge is to beat my record of 2.7 km from the destination. And this destination was Vancouver. Be warned you can be landed in the middle of the Australian Outback to some unknown city in Russia, with very few recognisable features to go on.

Let me know how you go playing GeoGuessr by leaving a comment below!

Package holidays are the family sunshine break godsend. Quick, easy and usually cheap, there are many destinations that embody everything a package sunshine break should, and one of those is summer favourite, Lloret De Mar. When combined with a night at one of the great selection of airport hotels, your package break becomes something even more special.

I put this idea to the test last year, and booked a night pre-flight at one of the Gatwick hotels. I combined this with airport parking and saved money, whilst adding convenience and comfort to my travel plans. As a result, my two weeks in the sun not only started earlier, but began with me calm and rested, not tired and grumpy. This is also a fantastic idea when travelling with young children.

Flights head regularly over to the Costa Brava, and a great idea is to combine your Lloret De Mar holiday with a few days in bustling and dramatic Barcelona. Flights head either into Barcelona, or Girona, which is the nearer airport, with buses from either plentiful. Once you’re based in resort, getting around is easier, and most things are within walking distance.

Of course, family sunshine breaks generally centre around the beach, and Lloret de Mar is the main beach in resort, with a range of water-sports. There are smaller beaches dotted around, but for the best in the way of facilities, this is where you need to be. For splashing away from the beach, the kids will love WaterWorld, and a day here is fun for all the family.

When splashing, be it on the beach or at the water-park, gets a little tiresome, get out and explore. Sant Joan Castle is a good one for history and architecture fans, with great views too, so remember that camera! Fancy a bit of retail therapy? The Tuesday market at Carrer dels Mestres is a good choice.

Bright, varied and plentiful – that sums up Lloret De Mar’s nightlife, and with something for every taste, nobody will be bored. Food-wise, similarly there’s something for everyone too, with many international dishes on most menus, and most restaurants catering for British guests.

When your dinner has digested, you can choose to chat and have a few drinks, sing a spot of karaoke, watch the football, or party on down. If you choose the latter, head to the Avinguda Just Marles, and take your pick of bars and clubs for your evening’s entertainment.

As far as package holidays go, Lloret De Mar sums it up perfectly, with the sun shining down in the background. Take my advice and pre-book an airport hotel prior to travelling, especially useful if you have an early flight, and your holiday will be that little bit extra special. Combine your hotel with airport parking and you save even more – what could be better?! Check out the large range of hotels Manchester Airport, if you’re flying from the north, and look forward to your holiday starting even sooner than planned!

I’ve had a week of maps!

I’ve always loved maps. As a child, a favourite pastime was to devour the MelWays (the Melbourne road map book). Of course as I grew a little older, I moved to studying my Atlas where I would dream and plot my later travels across the globe. I’ve always wanted a map mural in my office, like those you see in Travel Agents but I would pin all the places I’ve been and all the places I’m still longing to get too! There wouldn’t be a corner left bare I’m sure.

Anyway, last week I went off to a nearby home-wares store to spend a gift voucher I had. I had no idea what I was after, not really needing anything, when I happened across this lovely antique style framed map. It was instant love. My 18 year old was with me at the time and she too fell in love with it. She declared “You must get this and when you die I shall have it!”. No beating around the bush for her. It has now been mounted on the wall and looks fantastic. More global travel dreaming!

Only a matter of days after my prized purchase, a delivery in the mail arrived. It was like Christmas time! Linda from Journey Jottings had very kindly sent me a sample of her newest range including the Journey Jottings Jotter. She knows I’m a BIG fan!  The photo below is of the inclusions which I mulled over during lunch in the garden on that hot, Autumn day.

Do you share my passion for maps? Do you have a favourite map somewhere in your home to remind you of the dream, travel destinations yet travelled?

The world is full of fantastic holiday destinations, but some destinations are an absolute must for the Christmas period. Luckily there are a lot of places where English is the dominant language, which means you will have a lot less trouble communicating with the locals. There are also many places in Europe where English is the nationals’ second language, which is similar to Hong Kong in many ways.

New England in America is the perfect place to spend Christmas. It is in Vermont, USA, and is the setting that inspired the song “White Christmas.” They have horse drawn carriages that take you through snow-covered forests, and most types of credit card are accepted in the USA.

Credit and charge cards are the best way to pay for goods and services when you are abroad. Converting a little bit of your money into foreign currency is good for things such as vending machines and parking meters, but most other goods and services can be bought with a credit card. Many credit cards offer a good exchange rate that will enable you to save money.

You must also remember that a credit card offers protection against theft, whereas carrying cash or a debit card will not. If someone steals your credit card, you will be able to cancel it before damage is done, and you may be able to claim back most of the stolen sum. Your credit card company may also send out a new credit card to your hotel room if you ask them to. The rewards are many, look for a credit card that allows you to earn Asia Miles when you travel abroad.

Disney land in Paris, and Disney world in America, celebrate Christmas with parades and parties all the way through the Christmas period. They may not get very much Christmas snow but the traditional seasons celebrations are very festive and run throughout most of December.

If you prefer a holiday with a few extra Christmas trimmings, why not try an Austrian Ski trip? Try a trip to Hopfgarten. Their SkiWelt region that surrounds Hopfgarten has previously been named as the best international ski region. It has perfect little ski villages that look just like the ones on Christmas cards, and has over one hundred and fifty five miles of inter-connected ski runs. They offer very large ski chalets and most bars are open late, even over the Christmas period.

In Switzerland,a lovely white Christmas is all but guaranteed. You should try the Wilderswil alpine village. You should also take a trip on the Voralpen Express and see the perfect Christmas scenes as you make your way to Rapperswil on Lake Zurich. If you are lucky you may also be able to book a daytrip to St Moritz where you can enjoy the glamour and the culture whilst celebrating the Christmas period.

If white snow and bracing cold air is not your ideal Christmas setting then Kasbah is a must go for Christmas. You can enjoy a safe and fun Christmas within the walls of Marrakech. Over Christmas you will find food stalls, jugglers and fire-eaters in Djemaa El Fna square. You will also find various celebrations in Kasbah, such as a Moroccan feast that has folk music on Christmas Eve.