Travels Blog - Page 15 of 18 - MargaritaVille Now

Planning last minute holidays to Sardinia? While holiday planning may be daunting, with a few tips, patience, and an open mind, anyone can plan a successful getaway to this picturesque Mediterranean island. The important thing to remember when preparing is to do your research.

Getting There and Getting Around

Being the second biggest island in the Mediterranean Sea, there is a lot to explore in Sardinia, including the beaches, the ancient churches, the local cafes, and the magnificent ruins. But all of these beautiful sites may be out of reach if you don’t plan properly with regards to getting around. Holidays to Sardinia can take many forms, and how much you see and do will depend on your expectations and ability to be flexible.

Sardinia has three main airports, in Cagliari, Alghero, and Olbia – all have direct flights to major cities all around the world. Moreover, there are many access points to island by ferry from different cities in Italy, including Genoa, Livorno, Naples, and Palermo. From this information alone you could plan an entire itinerary and make adjustments in your budget by saving money – whether travelling by ferry from another Italian city or getting a direct flight. Once you’ve arrived on the island, you should also familiarise yourself with the best ways to get around. Unlike other smaller islands in Italy, which you can easily tour on foot, Sardinia is best explored with a rental car or motorcycle. You can, of course, also travel by bus.

Don’t Skip the Beach

Some people may find it a bit exhausting to plan an itinerary that will take them from one big town to another every day. It might sound good on paper, and you’ll be able to explore plenty of the island’s fascinating history, but it could also sometimes take the fun and relaxation element out of your holidays to Sardinia. The solution is to factor in a few days just lazing on the beach. The island is renowned as having some of the world’s best beaches, and there are so many, you’ll be able to steer clear of the crowds if you’re savvy. Pristine San Giovanni di Sinis is a divine beach near the town of Oristano; it’s only half an hour away from the city, but is considerably less touristy than more popular destinations. La Pelosa Beach, another less crowded spot near a fishing village in Stintino, is breathtakingly beautiful with its fine, white sand, and blue-green waters. There are plenty more and sometimes it’s nice to just drive and stop where somewhere takes your fancy.

Accommodation

Last minute holidays to Sardinia, especially during peak season, typically mean that it’s more challenging to book affordable accommodation. However, there are several other options apart from the higher profile hotels. In Santa Teresa Gallura, for example, not only does the commune offer a superb beachfront and excellent scuba diving spots, but it also has a wide arrange of accommodation options. For families or groups with at least four people, renting villas can be your best bet – and will certainly give you the best value for your money. However, if you’re already having a hard time finding a villa, camping is a wonderful cheaper alternative. The camping area provides easy access to and from the beach and other nearby towns. Ultimately, whether you choose to stay at a luxurious hotel or villa or camp by the beach, this stunning island will not fail to delight in every way.

Carolyn Spinks

5 Travel Journaling Tips

Travel Tipsholiday tips, journal, journal daily, Quick Guide, traveling journal tips, travelling, vacation tipsadmin

Jun 2015

There is no right way to journal. It’s all about personal preference. The important thing is to document those memorable moments and sites.

I find that if you are comfortable with the method, you will be sure to regularly make entries. Here are only five tips for keep a travel diary full of lasting memories.

1) Type it or Write it

Whether you are old school or a modern techie, a small notebook and pen or a laptop or favorite electronic device, will do. I know, for me, I like to use my phone to jot down important and memorable facts or funny anecdotal stories that happen throughout the day. With all the stimulation while traveling, the small details often fade away and can be lost. Remember to think of the key questions – where, what, when, who and how. Your journal will capture many memories for you to enjoy at a later date.

2) Journal Daily

It’s not necessary to document every single detail, but jotting down the highlights of each day as well as the sights you see is key. I always like to mention places I’ve eaten or a great meal I’ve enjoyed. Interesting encounters with locals is worth noting too. Anything that is quintessential of where you are visiting.

3) Keep it Personal

Some of the best memories are those that recount what you were feeling at the time. If you have a funny or emotional moment during your trip, make sure you make mention of it – it will make you laugh or pull at your heartstrings later on.

It’s also a great way to share your adventure with family members and friends who were not traveling with you. People love to hear about your experiences, not necessarily lots of boring narratives of your daily itinerary.

4) Record Important Facts

Long after your trip is over, many of the historic facts, figures and data about that location will fade from memory. Writing these down throughout your account will help you to feel as if you are back on your journey when you reflect back on your journal in months or years to come. From my experience, trip diaries I kept 20 years ago are like little time capsules, especially, when things have changed at that destination over the course of time.

5) Get Others’ Perspectives

In my travel journals, I always like to get the people I’m traveling with to add their two cents here and there to the documentation. It makes it more fun to read later and rounds out the experience.

Whatever your style, make a travel journal memory – you’ll be happy you did!

Elisa Levine

A Keen Shopper’s Quick Guide To Rome

Travel Guidebest travel guide, best travel place, best travel visit, best vacation place, best visit, booking hotel, europe, Fashion, popular visit, Quick Guide, rome, Snacks, vacationadmin

Jun 2015

Next to admiring the art, history and architecture of the Italian capital, there’s one activity people of all ages are usually raring to get stuck in to the minute they get settled in their family hotel in Rome – shop!

Here’s a quick guide to where different kinds of great shopping are to be had in the Eternal City.

Snacks and Other Food

If you have younger children in tow, you’ll probably want to make sure you have snacks stocked in the fridge of your family hotel in Rome – so it helps to get some food shopping done early. Head out to Campo de’ Fiori in the morning to sample some of the great balsamic vinegars and extra virgin olive oil. You’ll also find delicious bread, plus plenty of other street foods that will be a hit with the children. If it’s pizza and beer to go for the older crowd, you’ll find a venue on almost any corner.

If you want a more substantial meal, head to Trionfale Market, just outside the Vatican. Here, you’ll find great deli meats, wonderful fruit and vegetables, cheeses and breads for that midnight snack in your family hotel. In Rome, food markets abound: among the other great places to go are the covered market in Plaza Testaccio, Mercato Piazza Vittorio and, of course, Campo de’ Fiori.

Fashion

If you want to seek out the latest in fashion, make sure to mark Via Condotti on your smartphone’s map apps. Designer giants like Fendi, Valentino, Bulgari Prada, Armani, Versace, Ferragamo, Cavalli, Gucci, and many others, can be found here, although you’ll also want to explore the high-end boutiques along Via Borgognona, Via Frattina, Via Sistina, and Via Bocca de Leone to see what the true fashionistas are wearing.

Also make sure you mark Via del Corso on your map before heading out from your family hotel. In Rome, this is where the locals go for fashion. This mile-long street (and the streets nearby) are where you’ll find the flagship store of Ferrari and brands like Diesel and Benetton, as well as other trendy Italian brands. Teenagers will be in their element.

Flea Markets

If you’re a bargain hunter, make sure you wear your most comfortable shoes and leave your high heels behind when you get out and visit the city’s flea markets. In the lovely Trastevere neighbourhood, there’s a great outdoor flea market at the south end of the area that’s open on Sundays from 7am to 1 pm. Porta Portese is one of the largest flea markets in Europe, and a Roman icon in itself. Here, you’ll find everything, including antique housewares, secondhand clothing, music, original art, jewellery, posters, furniture, and more. Another flea market of note is the one at Via Sannio, near the Basilica of San Giovanni. If you’re specifically looking for antiques, however, you can head out to the antiques district near the Tiber – start from Castel Sant’ Angelo and head south toward the bridge.

Roberta Stuart

Visiting Puglia – The Breadbasket of Italy

Travel Guidebest cities, best place, best travel visit, europe, italy, Lecce, puglia, vacationadmin

Jun 2015

When it comes to Italy, the question isn’t whether you can find enough things to do, but whether you’ll have enough time to see and do everything on your ‘must-do’ list. (Chances are you won’t!) Because of the wealth of choice available, picking a region and itinerary of attractions can be a somewhat overwhelming endeavour, even for those who have been to the country in the past. Even the simple task of choosing your Italian vacation accommodation can be daunting. However, for people visiting Puglia (or Apulia, as it is otherwise known), the choice is much easier.

Puglia, the Breadbasket of Italy

It would be hard to pinpoint a ‘signature’ image for Puglia. The heel of Italy borders both the Adriatic and Ionian seas, with its coastlands, woodlands, farmlands, vineyards, olive groves, and even swamplands, existing alongside medieval hilltop villages and industrialised towns. At its heart, however, Apulia is a breadbasket, specialising in the production of food, whether as growers, ‘catchers’, or manufacturers. Farms and fishing villages still make up the bulk of its communities, and the way of life remains predominantly slow-paced and agricultural.

It is this protectiveness of the land that is so integral to their simple yet authentic way of life that has captivated the rest of Europe and the world, and has given rise to a new and fast-growing type of tourism: agriturismo. Agriturismo not only allows travellers to experience authentic Apulian life, but also offers unique and historical Italian vacation accommodation options that can only be found here: masserie and trulli. In fact, some of these places are attractions in themselves. In addition to the trulli and masserie are both modern and traditional hotels, villas, and apartments.

Where to Stay

The basic concept of agriturismo is simple. As implied by its name, agriturismo is a farm-stay, a working farm that also serves as an Italian vacation accommodation for travellers. However, if you’re imagining run-down stable-like rooms, you couldn’t be more wrong. Typical agriturismo inns are more like apartment, villa, and hotel annexes that offer beautiful and comfortable living spaces and superb services.

Masserie, for example, such as the exceptional Masseria Cupina, are grand structures that were once the main buildings of agricultural estates but that have been converted into boutique hotels (complete with swimming pools). A tour of the farm is generally included, but you won’t be expected to do any chores-although you certainly could if you wanted to! Trulli – traditional Apulian dry stone huts with conical roofs, such as the charming Trullo Pietra, which is converted into a villa – are another unique Italian vacation accommodation option available only in Puglia.

Visit Lecce

You may choose to stay close to the lovely town of Lecce. With its wealth of Baroque architecture, this is a great place to start an exploration of the province. Lecce has been described by many as the most beautiful city in Italy, with its stone buildings acquiring a cream and gold effect in the sun. Among its more than 40 churches is the Basilica di Santa Croce, which is perhaps the most ornate, with a façade featuring cherubs, magical beasts, and even the odd dodo. This can be quite a surreal sight, especially at night, when the outdoor lighting further dramatises the effect. Piazza Sant’Oronzo is another must-see in Lecce, with the massive Roman amphitheatre providing a stark contradiction to the bombastic style of the rest of the city.

Helen Forbes

Points To Remember When Booking a Hotel Or Restaurant

Travel Tipsbooking hotel, holiday, meal, travel tips, vacationadmin

Jun 2015

When you are on holiday, and going to a book a hotel room, what are those things that you should keep a note of? People generally visit places that they are unfamiliar of. Therefore, it is paramount to pick a renowned or reputable hotel, which is safe for stay over, when you are on holiday. There are many factors that you should consider when you are going to book a hotel or restaurant –

Reputation – Most people book hotel rooms, right after their ticket gets confirmed. They generally do it through their travel agent or from internet. Well, if you are also going to book your hotel room from the internet, it is advisable to do a little research to check the reputation of the hotel. You can easily find other customers’ feedback on their social network links. If you are booking a hotel through an agent, then also it would be prudent to ensure the reputation of the hotel where you are going to stay. After all, safety is your foremost concern; and you would never want to stay at a place that other customers are complaining about.

Purpose of visiting the city or place – You should also consider why you want to visit a specific travel destination. For beach? Or for jungle? Whatever your personal reasons are, you should try to find a hotel, which is located in proximity to the key attraction of the city. Staying in a seaside or beach view hotel has a charm of its own. In addition, it would be quite convenient, as well. Similarly, staying in a mid-forest guest house, if you are touring to the city for jungle, would be a great thrill.

Meal – Apart from sites that you visit, food is the element or essence of the city that impresses you the most. There are many foodies/travellers out there, who scan through the globe just in search of quality food. When booking a hotel, it is recommendable to check the menus of their kitchens. Star ranked hotels have the best cuisines and services; you should ensure that the hotel you are going to book serves your desired cuisine.

Hygiene – Who wants to enjoy his/her holiday in an unhygienic environment? Nobody does. There are many hotels and lodges that offer you unhygienic, dirty rooms. The room fare in such hotels is significantly low, in comparison to that of star category hotels. You should never book a hotel room, just because it is cheap. You want to spend a ‘quality’ time on your holiday. And ‘quality’ never comes at cheap rates.

Nahid Ahmad

Vegan Travel: A Simple Trick to Amazing Meals on the Road

Travel Tipsbest travel tips, Travel, travel tips, Veganadmin

Jun 2015

As a vegan, you may have experienced some challenges when you’re dining out in your hometown. This can become more pronounced when you’re traveling away from your home base, with strange new foods and restaurants.

Not to worry.

We have a technique that has proven time and again to really knock our socks off, although it does involve you being willing to take a risk and go on a little culinary adventure.

If you’re open doing things a little differently, here is the three-step method that could result in a very memorable meal:

Review the menu. Find some side dishes that are either vegan or easily vegan-ized. For example, a side dish of vegetables sautéed in butter could easily be sautéed in olive oil.
Talk honestly with the waitstaff… tell them you’d like a vegan plate, and point out the 2 or 3 items you’ve identified as possible candidates that look good to you. At this point you’ve introduced what your dining goal is, and have proactively offered some options that look suitable. Make sure you have the translation for “vegan” in the native language if you’re visiting a foreign country.
Now you’re ready to make the request. This is a good way to phrase it: “I’m happy to pay the full dinner (or lunch) price for any plate the chef would like to assemble for me that is vegan. Tell the chef I trust their judgment and look forward to what they create.”

Now take a deep breath. You have relinquished control. The odds are in your favor, and the result is usually one of three options:

Option One: Sorry, nice try. The chef may be too busy for special requests or limited by pre-made dishes or ingredients. This is unlikely as they will usually try to accommodate all patrons, but in this case what will probably happen is you will be notified that they are either unable or unwilling to make substitutions to veganize your meal.
Option Two: About what you’d expect. They will make the substitutions you suggested to your waitstaff and you will get a combination of veganized side dishes that make a totally passable and often really delicious meal.
Option Three: This last option is the one you’re hoping for: an off-menu meal that completely knocks your socks off. This is what we have consistently discovered: at any decent restaurant – and most especially at nicer restaurants – chefs really do take pride in their work. Cooking is a creative act, and putting something together that is outside their usual selection of dishes could both brighten their workday and delight your senses.

What do you think? While you will have to roll the dice, chances are that the chef will do everything they can to accommodate you and — if you’re lucky — relish the chance to create an inspiring and delicious meal just for you!

Lisa DiAngelis

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