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Europe’s famed Old Towns are beautiful destinations for a short getaway, and the continent is bursting with options.

Prague’s Old Town proudly boasts the oldest working astronomical clock in the world, a 9th Century Castle overlooking the Vltava River, and a notable Jewish Quarter with the oldest Synagogue in Europe that still functions as a Synagogue.

Perhaps they don’t come older than Rome – the heart of the former Roman Empire. There’s still plenty of incredible Roman architecture and ruins to be explored in Italy’s capital city. Rome has a very different feel from the more romantic old towns of Eastern Europe.

Less explored are the Baltic capital cities – Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius – all three have gorgeous old towns, muddled in with the soviet brutalist architecture. It makes for quite the contrast and a memorable city break. Tallinn’s old town is particularly hilly, so have a hearty breakfast before heading out for the day!

Without a doubt, people go cruising to enjoy the food. They say that the average cruiser puts on a stone over the course of the voyage… and it’s easy to see why with so many incredible options.

Disney Cruise Line puts as much care and attention into its food offering as it does into the magical character moments that are sprinkled generously around the ship. A focus on fresh food with a nautical theme works well.

P&O Cruises cruise from Southampton and offer a wide selection of dining options, much of which is included in the price of the cruise. The Poolside Grill is a nice touch – who doesn’t fancy a sail away barbeque?

Celebrity Chefs have been lured to sea too. Marco Pierre White has a restaurant with P&O Cruises, whilst Guy Fieri (known for his Food Network shows in America) has opened a Barbeque Smokehouse with Carnival Cruise Line. 

The old towns of Europe always look resplendent in the run up to Christmas with their Christmas Markets and magnificently decorated trees.

The tradition of a Christmas Market is deeply connected with Germany, so it feels right to start there. If I had to pick one, it would have to be Frankfurt’s Christmas Market, which is one of the oldest and largest. The market dates back to the 14th Century and it’s like walking into a real-life fairy tale.

You don’t need to travel far for an excellent Christmas Market though – away from the very commercial Christmas Markets in London, perhaps take a trip to the beautiful Georgian city of Bath. Most of the stallholders are local to the area and there are so many handmade crafts to peruse, whilst being serenaded by a local choir.

Prague is also well-known for its Christmas market, but if you want to try somewhere a little quieter and off-the-beaten-track, perhaps consider Vilnius. Lithuania’s capital has a lovely Christmas Market in the main town square, with (quite possibly) the most creative Christmas tree in Europe…

Generally, Christmas Markets open in mid to late November and close in the first week of January.

Cruising is such an amazing holiday for kids. With a different destination every day, loads of activities onboard and hundreds of other children to make friends with around the ship, it’s a real winner!

Some cruise lines are especially good at catering for children. Disney, of course, is a natural contender for best cruise line for kids. Their themed entertainment spaces and frequent character appearances make for a particularly special holiday.

Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean is an award-winning kids’ club and has dedicated activity leaders for different age groups, from toddlers to teens. If you cruise to Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Caribbean, they even take the kids out to the island for a day of adventure on the beach.

Other brilliant cruise lines for kids are Carnival, known for being “Fun” cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and MSC. All of these offer kids’ clubs and exciting family entertainment that you can enjoy all together.

Despite their close proximity, Singapore and Malaysia are separate countries and there are several ways to get to either of them from driving to public transportation. To get to Malaysia from Singapore may require long hours on a bus depending on where you’re heading to in Malaysia.

Since Malaysia isn’t a small country, the options are a bit more complex than most might think. Let’s guide you through what you need to know and if you can drive from Singapore to Malaysia.

 

How to Travel from Singapore to Malaysia?

There are several ways to travel from Singapore to Malaysia, depending on where you’re going. If you plan to cross the border to the neighbouring city Johor Bahru, renting and driving a car is your best bet. For the rest of Malaysia, there are other options available that might suit your needs better.

Let’s see the most convenient options here below.

 

Drive to Malaysia from Singapore – Most Convenient Option

First and foremost, as mentioned previously, driving from Singapore to Malaysia is practical if the distance is not too far.

Renting a car in Singapore isn’t cheap and will set you back anything from £70 to £90 for a normal vehicle. For luxury ones, you’re looking at £120 up.

Take a Bus to Malaysia from Singapore – Cheapest Option

We recommend using public transportation only when travelling to further parts of Malaysia such as Penang or Kuala Lumpur, or if you’re on a budget.

There are many bus companies that operate buses from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur. Some well-known ones include KKKL Express, Transtar, and Konsortium. Ticket prices range between SGD15/£8 and SGD40/£21 with a duration of 5 to 7 hours depending on traffic.

Fly to Malaysia from Singapore – Best Option Overall

There are flights available from Singapore to all parts of Malaysia for a reasonable rate and flying at all times throughout the day.

For instance, a flight from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur costs an average of £80 with Singapore Airlines and £40 with AirAsia.

 

Can you Drive from Singapore to Malaysia?

A quick and easy way to make the journey from Singapore to Malaysia is by car. Driving from Singapore downtown to Malaysia’s border city Johor Bahru will only take over 30 minutes (excluding the potential immigration stop).

On the other hand, for the rest of Malaysia, driving from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur is a breeze, but it will take you 4 or more hours depending on the road conditions. For Penang, the journey will take over 7 hours or more.

Lastly, you should expect tolls on the way as well as border stops on the way. 

You are spoiled for choice when it comes to entertainment on cruise ships! Alongside amazing food, incredible entertainment is what cruise ships are known for.

All the major cruise lines have a theatre onboard. Norwegian Cruise Line has massive Broadway shows, such as Kinky Boots on Norwegian Encore. Royal Caribbean boasts West Ends hits such as Cats, Grease, and Hairspray on multiple ships, in addition to ice dancing shows on the only ice rinks at sea.

Daytime activities are equally impressive on the major lines. MSC Virtuosa features the first-ever roller coaster at sea. Carnival ships have obstacle courses and waterslides.

A cruise with Royal Caribbean gives you the opportunity to skydive, surf, go trampolining and play laser tag, without even leaving the ship!

If you want more tranquil daytimes, playing sports out of the deck, and having a swim, before enjoying a variety of cabaret shows and visiting headliner acts in the evening, then Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises offer something for the whole family too.

There are often fantastic deals to be had in the autumn because it’s a traditional down time between the summer and winter peak seasons. The weather is also a little less reliable, so sun worshippers can do with a little extra tempting.

There is a chance that the sea days will be slightly windier during the autumn than is typical in the summer, but this tends to mainly affect the sea days in the open oceans, such as the Atlantic.

Three ways to minimize seasickness in autumn

Seasickness pills are very effective – even some crew members use them on rockier days. They can make you feel a bit drowsy, so take them in the evening before a sea day and enjoy the benefits when you wake up.

Check the itinerary and avoid cruises that have long stretched in open water, such as a transatlantic crossing, or a long journey along the Atlantic coast from Southampton to the Canary Islands. Instead, look for cruises that sail in sheltered waters, such as a 7-night Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona or Rome.

Book a cabin in the middle of the ship on a lower deck. Choosing a stateroom near to the ship’s center of mass will minimize the motion you feel when at sea. Deck 3 or 4 are often good options, though if you want a balcony, you’ll be looking at around Deck 6 and higher – still try for the middle of the ship to minimize pitching and yawing.

Disney Parks are full of entertainment for adults, from thrilling rides to themed dining experiences and shopping zones.

Disney World in Orlando certainly has the most to choose from for adults, including Disney Springs – a waterside destination brimming with food, drinks and entertainment.

Epcot is probably the best individual park for a group of adults to enjoy without kids. There are rides, for sure, and there are also really interesting experiences that have been designed to appeal to an adult audience, such as SPACE and Test Track.

You can easily spend a whole day exploring the World Showcase at EPCOT, and there’ll be plenty of characters to meet on your way around the world… and adults definitely love to take photos with the characters!

Disneyland Paris is a great alternative for adults, especially if you get tickets for the Walt Disney Studios Park. Make sure you get yourself a good seat in the stunt shows, and prepare to be blown away. Literally.

Breakfast in Barcelona used to be just a cup of coffee and croissant, and maybe a brioche or two, but recently, this city has started attracting tourists coming from different parts of the world to have their taste buds indulge in many Mediterranean breakfast options. To have you decide, we have rounded them up here. 

This is your list of the best spots to start your day off right and enjoy breakfast in Barcelona that combine classic treats with some unique Spanish twists.

 

GRANJA VIADER:

Address: Ramblas | Carrer d’en Xuclá 4-6  

No.1 on our list is Granja Viader. This place will make you feel like a child again, while you enjoy the local classic chocolate con churros, traditional sweet breakfast of crema catalana (a type of creme brule), mel i mató (a type of ricotta with nuts and honey), or ensaimadas (a spiral sweet bread). 

This spot is cozy, sweet, and has that old-school charm we all miss so much. It’s been there since 1870. The emphasis here is on fresh local ingredients. Their yogurts are to die for!

 

FIREBUG:

Address: Passeig de Sant Joan, 23

Next is Firebug, it’s a darling to the Spanish breakfast scene. Healthy options fill out the menu, like eggs, pancakes, and bagels, as well as crisp salads and hearty sandwiches. In just a span of years, it has established itself as a top breakfast option in Barcelona. 

Everything is made in-house and sourced with quality and freshness. When you have breakfast here, you’re in for a real treat! Why? Their staff will make you feel like royalty.

 

BRUNCH AND CAKE

Address:  Eixample | Carrer Enric Granados 19 

If you are in search of some American breakfast in Barcelona, then you have hit the right spot. Pancakes are their specialty but this modern breakfast space also delves out breakfast classics like fresh-squeezed orange juice, eggs Benedict, and smoked salmon bagels. Their menu is endless, with all items so delectable. While you are dining out there, it feels a lot like California because of the colorful, modern food presentations.

 

AVENIDA PALACE HOTEL

Address: Eixample| Gran Via 605 

To fuel up for a big day and experience the breakfast buffet in Barcelona- head to Avenida Palace hotel. Plus, if you are a Beatles fan, it’s a must dine-in spot for you. This place has hosted the Beatles back in the ’60s for their only ever Spanish tour.

The mound of jamon iberico was impressive. What attracts most tourists to this luxury hotel is their all-you-can-drink sparkling white and fresh-squeezed orange juice- all just for €15.00

All in all, it’s a great spoil yourself option in the city.

 

EL FLAKO

Address: Born | Carrer del General Alvarez de Castro 5 

Go there in your morning pajamas. Just grab your fully customizable acai bowls and porridge ladled with caramelized nuts and apples, maybe tip in some regular or flavored milks and enjoy the homie vibe. It’s a great choice for a family breakfast in Barcelona. This place is cute and comfortable and will give you a sunny start to the day.

The wedding ceremony and marriage registration serve separate functions in Thailand. The wedding ceremony is held to celebrate with the family as well as for religious and traditional beliefs. Yet, having the ceremony does not automatically make your marriage legally legitimate and binding. This is where marriage registration comes into play. Marriage registration is the act of formally documenting a couple’s union in the country’s registry. Aside from your passport, another important document required for foreigners marrying in Thailand is the Affidavit of Freedom to Marry. You must acquire this affidavit from your embassy after arriving in Thailand. 

You will be required to get this affidavit translated into Thai and verified at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before traveling to the local district office for the marriage registration. Each party will receive a Certificate of Marriage after the marriage is officially registered at the district office. The certificate will then need to be translated from Thai to English. After being translated, the document must be certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Some foreign nationals may be required to declare their marriage to their country’s embassy in Thailand. When applying for the Affidavit of Freedom to Marry, it may be a good idea to ask your embassy about this, so you know whether you will need to return for the reporting. If you are required to record your marriage to your embassy, all that is required is the certified translation of your marriage certificate.

One of the advantages of using a travel agent that specializes in arranging destination weddings is that they will work with local agents in the destination to facilitate all the logistics for you including any paperwork or other procedural formalities.