Globetrotting Tips for Savvy Traveler

Costa Rica might be one of the most beautiful places in the world. I don't think I've ever met anyone who's gone to Costa Rica and didn't have an amazing time.

Check out this great video by Cole Graham. Here's the description:

"My family spent two weeks in Costa Rica this Winter break. Being blown away by the beauty and scenery, I decided to make a video instead of focusing pictures when travelling. 

I ended up with this short film."

When you're ready to escape to the sun, contact us at Upper Oakville Travel!

Located on the River Thames, London has a diverse range of peoples, cultures and religions. It is one of the tourist capitals of the world owing to its many attractions, like the museums which are FREE to the public (Tate Modern & Natural History Museum). The food is incredible, the entertainment is unbeatable, and you're going to have a heck of a good time.

Image: Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the British Monarch

1. The London Eye

The Eye is a giant Ferris wheel situated on the banks of the River Thames. Enjoy 360 degree panoramic views of the city from one of the 32 capsules.

2. Buckingham Palace.

If visiting the Queen's official residence in August or September you can explore the state rooms on a guided tour. If you are visiting in other months be sure to witness the changing of the guard.

3. Museum of London.

With 7 permanent galleries you will discover a ton about English art and culture.

4. Houses of Parliament.

Tours are available during August and September so plan accordingly however, the building it stunning and worth a visit for a few photos.

5. British Museum.

The Museum is dedicated to the many English soldiers who fought abroad over hundreds of years. Some of the most famous treasures brought back to England by the soldiers are housed in the museum including the Rosetta stone, Easter Island and one of the earliest statues of Christ.

6. Trafalgar Square.

This is one of London’s most oconic areas, and holds various permanent displays and special exhibitions year round. 

7. St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Don’t forget a visit to the second biggest Cathedral in the world.

8. Tower of London.

A staple when visiting London. The Tower comes complete with historical drama, beefeaters and the famous crown jewels.

9. Tower Bridge Exhibition.

Learn about one of the most iconic bridges in the world, and enjoy breathtaking views of the city.

10. Explore convent garden.

This is the place to shop dine and unwind. There is something to do for everyone at the market - don’t miss it.

Book today with Upper Oakville Travel! 

Check out this neat little video and get inspired! By travelpluswine.com - highlghts of what to do when visiting this beautiful city in Tuscany. 

Now get in touch with us to see it yourself!

Anyone who's been to South Africa will tell you, there's just something special about the region. The combination of a modern society with a rich and complex history, and breathtaking landscapes and ocean bays, will have you wondering why you didn't visit sooner. 

Keith Jenkins of VelvetEscape.com, a popular Travel website and blog, posted Ten Things to Do in Cape Town. It goes without saying that there are far more than 10 things to do in this amazing city, but these are some great ideas and must-sees. Check it out!

For more info on Cape Town, and to start planning your trip, contact us at Upper Oakville Travel. We know how to plan the perfect trip. 

One of the best parts about visiting Paris is the shopping.

More and more we hear stories of families forced to split up and sit scattered across a plane on a trip. If you're flying with your teenage son, this might be a relief, but if your 3-year old is seated five rows back the entire plane is affected.

So why does this keep happening? The logical thing to do would be to seat families together to prevent renegade toddlers from disturbing other passengers and to give their moms peace of mind. 

However airlines nowadays are much more focused on creating profit than providing you with a comfortable trip. On many airlines, to be seated together can cost an additional $30 each on top of the ticket.

So what are families to do?

ConsumerTraveler.com has some ideas. Their latest article, by Christopher Elliott, US Airways charges family extra to sit together, not only discusses this phenomena but has some tips on how to fight back.

Here's the first step:

• "Get at the airport early. The sooner you’re at the gate, the sooner you can ask an airline agent to address your seating problem. At this stage of your trip, the employees are not as concerned with generating revenues as ensuring everyone has a good flight. If they see you pulling up to the counter with young children, they will do their darnedest to help."

If you're a traveling family, another way to save yourself some hassle is to book with Upper Oakville Travel. Not only can we take care of all of the arrangements of your trip, but we can work a little magic too when it comes to complicated flights or group travel. Contact us for more information.

Happy New Years from all of us at Upper Oakville Travel!

When looking for information about the entertainment capital of the world Las Vegas look no further than Mrs. Las Vegas Sharron at Upper Oakville Travel Centre. She will tell you where to stay, where to eat and what to do while your living it up on the strip. Contact her today and she will set you up.

This post might appeal more to the ladies but healthy skin is good for everyone, and can be tricky to manage when you’re traveling.

Luckily, Dr. Leslie Baumann from Fodor's posted 10 Tips for Traveling with Sensitive Skin. 

Dr. Baumann warns against trying new products for the first time and recommends instead sticking to tried-and-true lotions and washes while you travel. Stay away from fragrances in hot environments, and know the right and wrong way to use shampoo and conditioner.

One tip not mentioned is to stay hydrated by drinking tons of water, especially during flights. It’ll help rejuvenate your skin and keep it from drying out.

Andy Jarosz, writer and owner of 501 Places, recently posted this question and I wanted to see what you think. 

I agree that part of the appeal of visiting somewhere like Latin America is the favorable exchange rate to the CAD, which allows my money and thus the length of my trip to stretch further.

No doubt a trip to Mexico would be less expensive than one to France, but at the same time there’s certainly a way to do France on the cheap (and to live it up in Mexico).

When people ask, "How much should I budget for this trip?” I respond that it depends entirely on the standard of living you want. Some people don’t mind roughing it and traveling on a strict budget, while other people enjoy eating out, shopping and other extras that cost more money."

So it's all relative. I know I might need to save longer for that trip to France, but if it's my travel priority the exchange rate won't make that much of a difference.

What do you think?

P.S.

Another way to save money on your next trip is to book through Upper Oakville Travel. We have the experience and know-how to plan and book your perfect vacation, according to your budget and interests. Just contact us for more information. 

Initially built in 1897, the full-scale Parthenon stands proudly in the heart of Centennial Park, Nashville’s top city park just west of downtown. The parthenon boasts a re-creation of the 42ft statue of Athena, and an underground gallery that serves as National's premier art museum.

Athena is the centerpiece of the Parthenon and is the highest indoor sculpture in the Western world. These full-scale replicas of the Athenian originals are a monument to what is considered the pinnacle of classical architecture.

The underground room galleries form a top-notch art museum featuring 63 paintings by 19th and 20th century American artists, donated by James M. Cowan. There is additional gallery space that hosts a variety of temporary shows and exhibits.

Check the events schedule as you plan your trip.

During the summer local theatre productions use the building as a backdrop for classic Greek plays such as Euripides’ Medea and Sophocles' Antigone, performing (usually for free) on the steps of the Parthenon. Other performances, such as Mary Zimmerman's Metamorphoses, have been done inside, at the foot of Athena's statue. 

Admission: Adults $6, Children 4-17 $4, Seniors $4

Hours: Tues - Sat, 9am-4:30pm. In June, July & August, additional Sunday hours 12:30pm-4:30pm 

Address: 250 25th Avenue N #304

Tel: 615/ 862.8631

The Budapest Zoo is a professional conservation workhouse for the survival of endangered creatures that has collaborated with numerous state and non-profit organizations for sustainable zoological, ethological, and physiological researches.

Not to mention it's a super fun and dynamic zoo, with tons of species of animals and a lovely botanical garden. It's a perfect activity for familes! 

Located on Molokai - the "Friend Isle" - the Kalaupapa National Park was established 25 years ago as a way to preserve the memories and experiences of the past. The Damien Kalaupapa Mule Tour will take you through this tucked away community and give you a truly unique Hawaiian experience.

Molokai is the least developed of the Hawaiian Islands, and home to a former leper colony (you can still find a handful of former patients who chose to settle there).

Visits to the former leper colony are only possible as part of a tour to the Kalaupapa National Park. You must take a commercial tour unless you are a guest of a resident.

With the Kalaupapa Mule Tour you begin in the cool Molokai uplands and begin your journey with instruction on mule-riding and an introduction to your mule for the day. Ride down 1,700 of spectacular sea cliffs, the highest in the world. The Park is a rare habitat for several endangered endemic Hawaiian plants and animals.

The park’s foremost mission is to provide a well-maintained community to ensure that current patient residents of the Kalaupapa Settlement can live out their lives comfortably. The Park also supports the education of present and future generations concerning Hansen’s disease or leprosy.

The area is super warm and humid. The landscape is magnificent, three sides of ocean and one of high cliffs. Among the park are cemeteries, buildings, and churches. It is a poignant and meditative place.

Enjoy your included lunch at Judd Park on the scenic Kalawao side, overlooking sea cliffs, waterfalls, dramatic ocean rock formations and crashing surf.

Park tour options, rates and reservations.

Tours run Mon - Sat

Check in at the Stables on Hwy. #470 (Kalae Hwy.) at Milepost #5 on the left side of the road. Look for the large Molokai Guided Mule Tour sign!

Kalaupapa cannot be reached by car as there are no roads that lead to the park. 

The Damien Kalaupapa Mule Tour - 808/ 567.6171

Plus!

You can contact us to help set you your trip to Hawaii. Our expert consultants can take care of all of the arrangements so that the only thing you need to worry about is having a good time. 

Traveling with gadgets is actually a lot easier than you might think. The key is in bringing the essentials, and staying practical about what you’ll really be using. You can easily retain all of the amenities you’re used to at home, and I’ll show you exactly how you’re going to do it.

Cell Phones Without Borders

One of the trickiest parts about traveling internationally is using your cell phone, what with voice and data rates being so expensive (and sometimes not even available). Your best bet in this area is to go with a cheap, prepaid international phone to use on vacation.

Luckily, companies like Cellular Abroad make this really easy. Not only are there a bunch of configuration options (Just want a sim card? You’re covered.), but you can actually choose to rent the phone while you’re away, bringing the overall cost down quite a bit if you’re only leaving for a short time.

Laptop Lock-Up

For you work-a-holics, and those of you who can’t leave home without your laptop, this is an absolute must-have. It doesn’t matter if you’re leaving your computer in your hotel room or if you’re just getting up for a moment to use the bathroom at a café, a laptop lock’s going to put your mind at ease.

Kensington's actually got a really nice lock at a very affordable $30, so if you fall into the above categories, this is a no-brainer. 

A Full Battery is a Happy Battery

Keeping your tech charged while you’re abroad can be a big issue, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re bringing along an iPod, smart phone, tablet, etc., you’ll probably wipe out a single charge by the end of your flight, so do yourself a favor and pick up a portable battery charger.

The IMP500 in particular carries 5000 mAh (to put that in perspective, that’s three full charges for your iPhone 4), and it’s compatible with all of your handheld devices.

Keep Full Access

Before I flew to New York last year, I typed up a list of restaurants to check out, but I stupidly forgot to print it or email it to myself. I ended up having to do all of that legwork again, but it could’ve been a whole lot easier. GoToMyPC lets you access your computer from anywhere in the world, so even if you don’t bring your laptop with you, or if you leave something on another computer, it’s always within reach.