Archives: Answers

Soar gracefully like the birds over Europe in a hot air balloon. This form of flying is perhaps the most romantic and beautiful way to take to the skies, and Europe is spoilt with options.

In the UK, Bristol hosts an annual International Balloon Fiesta each August. The benefit of joining a fiesta like this is the incredible photos you’ll be able to snap, from the ground as well as from the sky, of hundreds of beautifully colored balloons rising gracefully together.

The largest hot air balloon festival in Europe is held during the first fortnight of July in Igualada, Catalonia – not far from Barcelona.

For incredible views of mother nature, consider a trip to Cappadocia in Turkey, where you’ll feel like you’re flying over a film set it’s that stunning.

Slightly off the beaten track, Lithuania’s capital city, Vilnius, is known for hot air balloon rides over the city and surrounding countryside. Whilst you’re there, experience the country’s stirring history of occupations and freedom, and visit the geographical center of Europe.

If you like to go away with your pet, then cruising isn’t an obvious option as most cruise lines only accept service dogs, such as Guide Dogs.

The only cruise ship that currently allows pets is Cunard’s Queen Mary 2.

Onboard the Queen Mary 2 – which completes transatlantic cruises, between Southampton and New York – you can sail with your pet dog (or cat). Your pet will cruise in their own kennel on Deck 12, so won’t be able to share your stateroom cabin.

Specially trained crew members look after the cruising canines – feeding, cleaning, and walking them. Pets also enjoy playtime onboard, so it’s definitely a holiday for them too. Visiting hours are set for certain times each day, so you can pop along and say hi to your fluffy friend.

The ship has a capacity for about a dozen pets, so the cruise line recommends booking pretty far in advance to reserve one. Prices are around £1000 for a dog and slightly more for a cat, as cats require two kennels (the second one is for a litter box).

If you require a service animal, all cruises accommodate this and each has its own accessibility support team to help make these arrangements with you in advance of the cruise.

If you’re planning a trip to Hawaii, one of the important factors to take into consideration is the hotel’s resort fee. Resort fees are daily charges that give access to the property’s facilities and amenities like the gym, the pools, the sauna, and so on. These are mandatory and will be automatically added to your invoice. The resort fee is not payable in advance and as a result, many holidays advertised online will not include the resort fee in the price. This will be communicated in small print, but many travelers miss this key piece of information and end up with a shock on arrival. 

North America specialist travel agents will always tell clients about the resort fee payable at the resort they are staying at and will always include the cost of the resort fee in the total holiday cost. Specialist North America travel agents will always ensure your resort fee is paid in advance so that you do not end up with a surprise addition to your bill on check out. 

 

How Much Does it Cost to Stay at a Resort in Hawaii?

Staying at a resort in Hawaii isn’t cheap, and we know that. The average price per night of resorts in Hawaii is £130 with properties ranging from £69 to well over £1,000 for the best rooms in the most exclusive hotels. 

 

Are Resort Fees Optional?

As mentioned previously, resort fees cover the accommodation’s amenities such as gym and pool, but they are not optional. This applies even if you do not use any of the resort facilities. If your resort fee has not been paid in advance by the company you have booked with, you will be required pay when you check out. 

 

How Much is the Average Resort Fee in Hawaii?

Resort fees are decided by the owner of each property and vary in price depending on location, stars, and amenities, and facilities. Generally, resort fees in Hawaii range from $12/£8.70 per night to $46/£33.40 per night. According to an analysis by Travel Hawaii, the average resort fee in Hawaii is $25/£18 per night. Some of the more luxury hotels will charge more than the typical range but generally will offer additional benefits for the extra cost. 

 

Can you Refuse to Pay the Resort Fees in Hawaii?

I have heard of hotel managers using their discretion to waive resort fees or give guests a credit to use for dining or other services in the hotel if they genuinely do not intend to use any of the resort facilities. This is something you would need to discuss with the guest services department prior to your arrival or the front office manager when you check-in. 

 

Congratulations on getting engaged! Disney offers so many exciting options for couples and Disneyland is a really popular honeymoon destination. It’s a lesser-known fact that you can also get hitched in the happiest place on Earth… with Mickey Mouse at your wedding.

Disney offers four stunning locations for a beautiful Disney wedding, including two of their most famous parks – the original Disneyland, in California, and the largest Disneyworld, in Florida. Other Disney wedding options are in Hawaii, where Disney owns a gorgeous resort and spa, or onboard a Disney Cruise Line ship.

 

Can Mickey Mouse officiate my wedding?

Mickey Mouse can make an appearance at your wedding, however (as a mouse) he isn’t able to officiate over proceedings. If you chose to get married in a Disney Park, or onboard a Disney Cruise, you can choose two of your favorite Disney characters to join your reception for photos and celebrations.

The characters even get dressed up in their best wedding outfits too, so it’s well worth inviting them to join you.

 

More ways to make a Disney wedding special

Disney knows how to put on a show, so if you want to invite Mickey Mouse to your wedding, you’re sure to want to indulge yourself in some of Disney’s other wedding day treats.

Fireworks displays over the Disney castles are world-famous and if you choose a Disney wedding, you can add some magical sparkle with a private fireworks display as part of your celebrations.

Disney’s troop of professional actors can also add further magical moments to your big day, such as Cinderella’s Major Domo acting as your ring bearer – presenting your rings in a glass slipper… how else?!

Other ways to add Disney magic to your wedding

Even if you don’t have your wedding ceremony at a Disney resort, you can still invite Mickey and Minnie to share in your big day.

Send an invitation to Mickey and Minnie Mouse, The Magic Kingdom, 1675 N Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 and see what comes back. Rumour has it they’ll send you a wedding card, even if they can’t make it to your big day.

If you prefer to invite Cinderella and Prince Charming, their address is PO Box 1000, Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830.

If you are planning a holiday in Orlando, it’s worth noting there are plenty of accommodation options to pick from, which range from apartments and villas to on-site hotels and off-site hotels. This makes it troublesome to know where to start when selecting the one that fits your budget and requirements.

To simplify your searching process, this answer aims at evaluating the pros and cons for both hotels and villas in Orlando.

Orlando Villas

Villas offer exceptional benefits that you cannot find in a hotel. They include:

– Plenty of space with each of your kids being able to have their own room

– Access to your own private pool

– Ability to prepare custom meals

– Affordable, especially when on a budget

– Unmatched privacy

– Option to eat out in local restaurants

The only thing you might not like when staying in a villa is having to drive to and from the premises to access Orlando’s central hub.

 

Orlando Hotels

As much as you might want to stay in a villa during your Orlando holiday, sometimes opting for hotel accommodation might be the best option. Listed below are the benefits of a hotel stay.

– Convenience due to their central location

– All-day entertainment

– Easy access to theme parks

– Ideal if you aren’t into cooking while on a holiday

– Unrivalled luxury in the best hotels

– Services such as cleaning, porters, and concierge

– a range of facilities such as Spa, Gym, and multiple large pool options

The main drawback of staying in an Orlando hotel is that it can be expensive.

 

Which Should One Pick?

In conclusion, the accommodation you choose comes down to your budget, requirements, and taste. However, the rates, privacy, incredible location, and space offered by villas are unbeatable. For a family like yours, I would recommend a villa.

The Garden of Europe, also known as Keukenhof, is one of the world’s largest flower gardens, located in the Dutch municipality of Lisse. This gorgeous park is an easy day trip from Amsterdam, Schiphol Airport, and other places in Holland to see the tulips and other blooms.

Every year, over 7 million flower bulbs are planted in this famed 32-hectare (80-acre) garden, resulting in an astonishing diversity of flowers and colors. The Dutch, of course, are tulip experts; employing a combination of early, regular, and late flowering bulbs, tulips can be seen for the most of the two-month season. Early in the season, when Japanese cherry blossoms are also visible, crocuses, narcissus (daffodils), and hyacinths are more common.

The flowers are certainly the primary attraction at Keukenhof, but the park is truly a destination for people of all ages. Small children will love the numerous playgrounds, while visitors of all ages will be entertained by a full-scale windmill, public art and performances, as well as unique presentations.

Keukenhof will be open daily from 08:00 to 19:30 from 24 March to 15 May 2022 if you wish to see the flowers.

 

The Tour de France is the most renowned and toughest bicycle race in the world. The Tour de France, one of the three major events (the others being the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a Espana), attracts the greatest cyclists from around the world. The Tour de France is held every July over three weeks and consists of 20 professional teams of nine riders. It covers around 3,600 kilometers (2,235 miles) and is primarily held in France, with occasional and brief excursions to Belgium, Italy, Germany, and Spain. The Tour de France is France’s most important yearly sporting event, with significant cultural roots.

Huge people line the roadside to see one of the ultimate tests of athletic endurance, which is televised around the world. Part of the Tour’s challenge for cyclists is that it is separated into time trials and racing stages that include both flat country and long sections of steep terrain.

The Tour is also a popular tourism destination, attracting visitors from all over the world. Because the gendarmes restrict the roads in preparation for the race, it’s vital to get to where you want to see it at least two hours before the race starts.

To aid your planning, I strongly suggest purchasing a copy of the Official Tour de France Race Guide. It compiles all of the stage schedules and maps into one convenient location.

If you plan on sleeping on top of one of the more popular mountains, arrive at least two days before the event to ensure a premium parking and/or camping spot.

Once you’ve determined where you want to view the Tour, check ahead of time – or with the local tourism office as soon as you get there – to discover which roads will be closed (and when). You should also find out when the stage is expected to arrive at the location where you want to observe it. If you’re planning on following a stage by bike, it’s a good idea to ride the route the day before to get a sense of how long it’ll take and make sure you don’t miss the race.

Dubai currency is UAE Dirham, sometimes known as the “DH” or “Dhs,” is the currency of the United Arab Emirates. The dirham is tied to the US dollar at a 3.67 percent exchange rate. However, European tourists account for over 20% of all visitors to the UAE, with the majority of visitors hailing from the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Germany.

The Euro is currently trading at 4.17 AED per euro, while the UK pound is trading at 4.74 AED per pound.

A dirham is made up of 100 fils and one, half, and quarter coins. The denominations of the notes are 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000. You may notice that change is rounded to the nearest coin, so if your total bill is AED4.15, you’ll just have to pay AED4, while if it’s AED40.75, you’ll have to pay AED41. It may appear strange to some, so keep this in mind while getting change at grocery stores and other places.

Most cabs will have change for AED100, however, smaller sums are preferable because taxi drivers rarely have changed. Also, convert as many prices as you can to Dubai currency, as you’ll quickly spend much more money than you expected on food and drinks, which are much more expensive than you’d expect.

The single easiest spot to exchange your money for Dubai currency is at the Dubai International Airport (DXB), where you’ll find exchange firms that don’t charge a commission and many that will purchase back any money you don’t use when you leave Dubai.

ATM machines may be found throughout Dubai, and your home country bank card should function without issue; however, make sure to verify how much your bank charges for foreign fees, as they can quickly pile up without your knowledge.

 

Also, phone your bank before you arrive in the UAE, since many banks will place a temporary block on your card if they see overseas charges, particularly from the Middle East. If it makes you feel better to swap to Dubai currency before coming to the UAE, there are a number of sites where you may do so, including banks and your departure airport.

 

Although the UAE dirham is not widely used, it should be available at any major airport.

 

We hope that this information will assist you in avoiding any confusion when flying to Dubai and that you will be a master of the local money before you reach the airport.

So, you’re trying to find the best option to travel from Colombo to Hikkaduwa. There are multiple options for this journey with varying durations and costs. The distance between Colombo Airport and Hikkaduwa is 142.9km. Still, there’s an expressway that will transport you down to the coast fast.

A pre-arranged taxi is the quickest option, with the average price being around Rs 8500 (£31.10). The taxi will pick you up straight from the airport with a named sign and transport you down to Hikkaduwa. Depending on traffic, this should take you just under two hours. You should also ask your hotel to quote you a transfer. This way, you’ll know you’re in safe hands, and the driver knows where they’re going.

A much cheaper but longer route is to take the train from Colombo to Hikkaduwa. This is also much more scenic and riding a train in Sri Lanka is at the top of the bucket list for many. To catch the train, you’ll have to catch the E-CMB bus to the Colombo bus terminal. Make sure you have some change available as the bus is very cheap. Just over a 10-minute walk away, you’ll find Fort Train Station. The train journey from Colombo to Hikkaduwa is 1 hour, 30 minutes. The coral sands hotel is just 650m from the railway station!

From the Colombo bus terminal, you could catch another bus to Hikkaduwa’s neighboring town – Ambalangoda, which will take around 2 hours, 45 minutes. Prices vary depending on whether you choose the public buses or the air-conditioned minibusses. From Ambalandoda, it’s a short Tuk Tuk ride to Hikkaduwa. The local drivers should know where the Coral Sands Hotel is.

So, you’re all booked on your trip to Marazion, and you’re looking for the best day trips in Cornwall. The Isles of Scilly are located just 12-miles off the coast of mainland Cornwall. There are a few options to consider when planning a day trip from Marazion to the Isles of Scilly. There’s plenty to do on a day trip to the Isles of Scilly, from visiting the Isles of Scilly Museum, exploring the local beaches, or getting back into nature at Tresco Gardens. 

The first thing to think about is how you will get to the Isles of Scilly. The most popular route is to board the Scillonian ferry from Penzance. The journey takes 2 hours, 45 minutes each way, so the trip is doable in a day. You’ll arrive on the island of St Mary’s, the largest of the islands. Make sure you check the website as there are often day trip deals offered.

Another popular way to travel to the Isles of Scilly from Marazion is to fly on the Skybus. This is a more expensive option, but the journey time is just 20 minutes. The flights leave from Lands’ End, which is 28 miles from the Isles of Scilly. There’s also a shuttle bus which will take you from Penzance railway station to Lands’ End Airport.

 I recommend combining your journey for the best of both worlds, flying to the Isles of Scilly in the morning and boarding the Scillonian in the evening. Your trip would be even better if you stayed overnight on the Isles of Scilly to see more of the Islands.