Thursday 24 July 2014

Rock Your Layover: Hong Kong

Hong Kong
Hong Kong's impressive skyline
Have a layover coming up in Hong Kong? Wondering what you could do with your time? Here's a little inspiration.

We've gathered the following resources - tips, stories and layover ideas - to help you get the most out of your time here.

In a nutshell:
Hong Kong 04288
From the water...
Known for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour, Hong Kong is one of the world's most densely populated areas (7 million).

The former British colony is a major tourism destination for China's increasingly affluent mainland population.
Free:Free Things to Do in Hong Kong - National Geographic Travel
Ten Things to Do in Hong Kong for Free - Rough Guides
Asia Society Hong Kong Center (old Victoria Barracks site) - free tour
Unique:Hong Kong: 3.5-Hour Feng Shui Tour
Picks:Private Chinese Tea Tasting with Tea Master
New and Old Hong Kong Walking Tour: Sheung Wan District
Lantau Island Sunset Tour Plus Airport Express and MTR
Shop:Hong Kong Markets Small-Group Walking Tour
See:Hong Kong and Macau Attractions Pass
Hop:Big Bus Hong Kong Hop-On Hop-Off Tour (24 or 48 hours, optional Night Tour)
Do:Hong Kong Layover Ideas & Stuff to Do in Hong Kong
Eat:What to Eat in Hong Kong: 21 Foods That'll Rock Your World
Hong Kong Street Food Tour
Private Tour: Chinese Cooking Class in Hong Kong
Tips:How to Master Hong Kong on One Short Layover - Forbes
Hong Kong Cultural Tips - National Geographic Travel
Top 10 things to do in Hong Kong on a budget - About.com
Anthony Bourdain The Layover: Hong Kong
Taxis in Hong Kong
Watch:YouTube: Flying Above Hong Kong
Look:Pinterest: Hong Kong
Read:Hong Kong on Amazon.com
To/from the airport:

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) transportation guide
Hong Kong Travel Pass: MTR and Airport Express Tickets
Hong Kong Travel Pass Combo: MTR Pass, Ngong Ping Cable Car and Big Buddha Tour (with optional Airport Express)
Private Hong Kong Layover Tour: City Sightseeing with Round-Trip Airport Transport
Good to know:
Flag of Hong Kong
Hong Kong's flag
Homosexuality is legal in Hong Kong
Smoking is generally prohibited
Penalties are steep for breaking the law. A few examples:
• Overstay your Visa - up to $50,000 fine and/or 3 years prison
• Lie to an immigration officer - up to $14,000 fine and/or 14 years prison
• Smoke where prohibited (almost anywhere!) - up to $5,000 fine
• Drop cigarette butts - up to $1,500 fine
Tourist info:Discover Hong Kong - tourist information
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Friday 18 July 2014

9 Ways to Pass Time in an Airport (Stuck at DFW)


If you don't see a video above, visit here instead: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JkVTKsLqKIs

Say hello to Ben Borrello (@borrelloben) and Zach Searcy (@zsearce), the Alabama residents who found themselves stuck at the Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW), decided to shoot a little video. It's pretty good, and definitely fun.

We are liking this new trend... wonder what the next culprits will think up?

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Sunday 13 July 2014

Rock Your Layover: Munich

Stadtbild München

Have a layover coming up in Munich? Wondering what you could do with your time? Here's a little inspiration.

We've gathered the following resources - tips, stories and layover ideas - to help you get the most out of your time here.

In a nutshell:
Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest Girl
Munich has been a centre of arts, culture and science since the early 19th century. With great architecture and sporting venues, Munich attracts numerous conferences, exhibitions, and sporting events. The home of Oktoberfest, Munich is also famous for its annual beer celebration.
Free:Top 10: Best Free Things to Do in Munich
Munich Free Walking Tour
Unique:Munich Oktoberfest Tickets and Tour
Picks:Behind-the-Scenes Paulaner Brewery and Beer Tour in Munich
Munich by Night
Castles Tour: Neuschwanstein and Linderhof or Herrenchiemsee
Shop:Ingolstadt Village Shopping Day Trip from Munich
See:Munich City Tour Card
Hop:Munich Hop On Hop Off Bus - 1 Day Pass, 2 Day Pass
Do:Munich Layover Ideas & Stuff to Do in Munich
Eat:25 Top Cheap Eats in Munich
Eating in Munich - Like a Local restaurant guide
Munich's Best Street Food and Markets
Bavarian Beer and Food Evening Tour in Munich
Airbrau - the beer garden located at Munich Airport
Tips:National Geographic - I Heart My City: Emily's Munich
10 Things to Do in Munich Now (Besides Oktoberfest)
Oktoberfest Tips
Watch:Video: Munich's Best Biergartens
Look:Pinterest: Inside Munich
Read:Munich on Amazon.com
To/from the airport:Munich International Airport (MUC)
Munich West Airport (FMM)
Good to know:Parque Olímpico, Múnich, Alemania 2012-04-28, DD 18 If you are in Munich during Oktoberfest, a few tips:

The closest underground station is "Theresienwiese" (U4 and U5), but is very crowded and sometimes closed. As an alternative, go to "Goetheplatz" (U3 and U6). Just follow the crowd when you get out of the station.

Tents open at 10am usually (9am on weekends).

In most beer tents the bar closes at 10:30pm, while the tent closes at 11:30pm. Drink up, before security ruthlessly clears the area.

Do not steal the 1 litre beer glasses. Bags are checked and everyone trying to steal a beer glass will be handed over to the police. Buy one if you want one.
 
Steer clear of any fights - the police will arrest you and, if you are crazy enough to hit and injure someone with a beer stein, you will get charged with attempted manslaughter!
Tourist info:Munich Tourist Information
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Sunday 6 July 2014

Carpe Diem: Day Trips from Rome

Can't handle another day of Rome's
crowds? (image: wikicommons)
There's plenty you can do in Rome if you have an extra day, but here are day-trips that pack a BIG punch.

These are intense day-trips, most over 10 hours, but that's part of their beauty. You can easily spend a few hours in each direction sleeping, if you wish, and still have a culturally rich layover.

Options below range from private tours, small group tours, standard-type tours, budget tours, independent tours and do-it-yourself tips for the backpacking crowd. Be sure to check the options until you find one for your budget - and go!

Praia de Amalfi - 1 (9704328784)
The Amalfi Coast will take your breath away
Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is a stretch of coastline on the southern coast of the Sorrentine Peninsula in the Province of Salerno. A popular tourist destination, the Amalfi Coast is known for its lemons and limoncello liqueur. Popular destinations include Amalfi, Positano and Sorrento.
Pompeii and Amalfi Coast Small Group Day Trip from Rome (14 hours)
Pompeii and Amalfi Coast Full-Day Tour from Rome (1 day)
Amalfi Coast Full-Day Private Tour from Rome (1 day)
Pompeii & Amalfi Coast Full-Day Private Tour from Rome (10 hours)
Pompeii & Positano Full-Day Private Tour From Rome (12 hours)
Private Day Trip to Pompeii & Sorrento from Rome (12 hours)

Capri harbor
Is it any wonder Capri has been a top resort spot since Roman times?
Capri
Capri, an island located on the south side of the Gulf of Naples, has been a resort since Roman times. The island is famous for the Faraglioni limestone crags that project above the sea, the Blue Grotto and the ruins of the Imperial Roman villas and charming Anacapri town.
Capri Day Trip from Rome (13 hours)
Full-Day Sightseeing Tour to Capri (11 hours)
Naples and Capri Day Trip from Rome (13 hours)
Capri from Rome on your own - Capri Insider Guide

Troonzaal Caserta
Is it the Royal Palace of Caserta or the Palace of Versailles?
Caserta
Of all the royal residences inspired by the Palace of Versailles, the Royal Palace of Caserta is the one that bears the greatest resemblance to the original model. The Reggia of Caserta was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, but is well off the beaten track. The town of Caserta, 20 kilometres from Naples, is unremarkable.
Caserta from Rome on your own - Enjoy Rome
Caserta from Rome on your own - Browsing Rome

Florence skyline
Yes, you can visit David in a day from Rome - but it will be a long day!
Florence
Florence, the capital of Tuscany, is considered a cultural, artistic and architectural gem. The birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, Florence was the most important city in Europe for 250 years, until the early 1500s. Florence deserves more than a day, but if that's all you've got...
Florence Day Trip from Rome (15 hours)
Florence Full-Day Small-Group Tour: From Rome (1 day)
Rome to Florence: Full-Day Private Guided Excursion (12 hours)
Florence & Pisa Full-Day Tour from Rome (1 day)
Independent Florence Day Trip from Rome by High-Speed Train (12 hours)
Florence from Rome on your own - Enjoy Rome


Naples Archaeology Museum (5914777832)
Just one of the priceless artifacts in the Naples National Archaeological Museum
Naples
Italy's 3rd largest city and capital of Campania region, Naples is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The Naples National Archaeological Museum houses one of the most extensive collections of artifacts of the Roman Empire, including antiques unearthed at nearby Pompeii and Herculaneum. Napoli is also the birthplace of pizza.
Naples Day Trip from Rome with Traditional Naples Food Tour (10 hours)
Naples for Food Lovers Full-Day Tour from Rome (1 day)
Naples and Capri Day Trip from Rome (13 hours)
Naples and Pompeii Day Trip from Rome (13 hours)
Pompeii and Naples Private Full-Day Tour from Rome (9-10 hours)
Naples Self-Guided Day Trip from Rome (12 hours)
Naples from Rome on your own - Walks of Italy

Pisa Duomo
The Duomo di Pisa - and its famous leaning bell tower
Pisa
The architecture in Pisa, a city in Tuscany on the Tyrrhenian Sea, comes from its time as an Italian maritime republic. Although known worldwide for its Leaning Tower of Pisa, the city boasts 20+ historic churches, a few palaces and scenic bridges across the River Arno.
Florence & Pisa Full-Day Tour from Rome (1 day)
Pisa from Rome on your own - An American in Rome

Pompeii&Vesuvius
The magically preserved Pompeii - with Mount Vesuvius as a backdrop
Pompeii and Herculaneum
The ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum were destroyed, buried and hidden under ash and pumice following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The largely preserved archaeological sites are located near modern Naples.
Pompeii and Amalfi Coast Small Group Day Trip from Rome (14 hours)
Pompeii and Amalfi Coast Full-Day Tour from Rome (1 day)
Pompeii & Amalfi Coast Full-Day Private Tour from Rome (10 hours)
Pompeii & Positano Full-Day Private Tour From Rome (12 hours)
Private Day Trip to Pompeii & Sorrento from Rome (12 hours)
Pompeii Private Full-Day Tour from Rome (8 hours)
Naples and Pompeii Day Trip from Rome (13 hours)
Pompeii and Naples Private Full-Day Tour from Rome (9-10 hours)
Pompeii Day Trip from Rome (13 hours)
Pompeii and Vesuvius Volcano Full Day Trip from Rome (13 hours)
Rome to Pompeii Shuttle Bus & Independent Day Trip (12 hours)
Pompeii from Rome on your own - Enjoy Rome
Pompeii from Rome on your own - The Rome Toolkit
Pompeii from Rome on your own - Walks of Italy

Siena z12
The stunning Duomo di Siena
Siena
The city of Siena, in Tuscany, is one of the Italy's most visited tourist attractions due to its historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sienna is also famous for its art, museums and cuisine.
Sienna Day Trip from Rome (13-14 hours)
Siena and San Gimignano 1 day from Rome (1 day)
Siena & San Gimignano Day Tour & Wine Tasting from Rome (1 day)
Siena from Rome on your own - An American in Rome

Flickr - lo.tangelini - Desde Pienza
The rolling Tuscan hills near Pienza
Tuscany
While Florence, Pisa and Sienna are popular gems, Tuscany has much more to offer, with numerous smaller towns, including Bagno Vignoni, Montalcino, Montelpulciano, Monticchiello and Pienza.
Tuscany Day Trip from Rome (13 hours)
Etruscan Tuscany & Lazio Full-Day Tour from Rome (1 day)
Best_of_Tuscany_with_Brunello_di_Montalcino_Wine_Tasting (13 hours)
The Wine and Oil of Tuscany: Full-Day Tour from Rome (1 day)
Tuscany: Full-Day Private Excursion from Rome (10 hours)
Private Tuscany Wine Tour from Rome (10 hours)
Tuscany from Rome on your own - Walks of Italy

Vineyards in Umbria
Lush vineyards in the Umbria region of Italy
Umbria
The most popular towns in the Umbria region of Italy are Assisi and Orvieto.
Assisi Day Trip from Rome (12 hours)
Assisi and Orvieto Day Trip from Rome (12-13 hours)
Assisi and Orvieto Full-Day Trip from Rome (10 hours)
Rome to Orvieto by Private Car: Full-Day Guided Tour (7 hours)
St. Francis Basilica and Medieval Umbria from Rome (Assisi + Perugia or Orvieto) (7 hours)
Orvieto & Civita Bagnoregio Private Day Tour From Rome (12 hours)
Gourmet Tour to Chianti & Umbria from Rome (13 hours)
Orvieto from Rome on your own - Walks of Italy

Venice....
Romantic Venice
Venice
The city of Venice, in northeastern Italy, is situated on 118 small islands, separated by canals and linked by bridges. Venice is famous for its beauty, setting, vaparetto, architecture and artworks. The city, including its lagoon, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day Trip to Venice by High Speed Train from Rome (1 day)

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