Archive for February, 2011

Los Adobes de Argomedo

I have come across so many good restaurants in Santiago, Chile, that I just don’t know where to start when someone asks me where to go for a meal….and I have a new place to add to my list: Los Adobes de Argomedo.

This restaurant is located in the very centre of the Chilean capital and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has booked flights and is organising a holiday in the city, and wants to try traditional cuisine.

The lunch menu is served from Monday to Friday between noon and 4.30 p.m. You can enjoy a main course such as Chilean chicken and rice for just CLP$ 3.550. For most locals this is probably quite expensive compared to other restaurants in the city, which charge this or less for a 3 course lunch menu including a drink. However, most Westerners will find this very cheap. If you are going with a number of people, you should try the barbecue menu which includes an aperitif, selection of meats including steak, pork and chorizo sausage, potatoes, salad, dessert and tea or coffee, all for a set price.

I personally prefer to go for an evening meal as there is a Chilean dance performance at 9.15 p.m. from Monday to Saturday. This is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a traditional Chilean meal as well as see how locals dance at national events and on Independence Day (18th September) in Chile and on the Easter Islands. You will pay between CLP$ 13.000-15.000 roughly per head for an evening meal at this restaurant, but that also includes the show. That is not expensive when you consider the size of the dishes, the service and the performance. One thing you ought to remember is that in Chile it is customary to leave a 10% tip. It doesn’t have to be 10% exactly, but a good tip is appreciated. It is rarely added to the bill automatically, but check just in case.

For a sneaky peak of what awaits you at Los Adobes de Argomedo, check out the restaurant’s official website. I would recommend it to anyone, backpackers, couples, young and old. For flights to Chile from other countries in South America or beyond, check cheap airfares with Lan Chile or Sky Airline.

Check out the latest currency exchange rate for your next holiday abroad.

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3 Days to Spend in London

So, you have three days in London. What is the most productive way to see and enjoy what the capital has to offer?

Where to stay
Staying in London accommodation gives you the greatest range of options, with regards to locations. It might be a valid alternative to a hotel outside of the city, although more expensive, if you want to have a sense of ‘living’ in the city and will provide a welcome contrast to the electric pace of life that you will encounter here.

For a short stay, some of the best locations for staying in London are Hyde Park executive apartments, Kensington hotels, Westminster guesthouses or Bloomsbury lodges.

Travel
Get a London travel card for the areas (zones) that you will need to go through. London transport is subsidised and you can use a travel card for both underground trains (the ‘Tube’) and buses. Avoid travelling during rush hours if at all possible.

Day 1
Whichever City Apartments London you stayed at, you could begin your stay in London at the Palace of Westminster, the building that houses ‘Big Ben’ and the Houses of Parliament, where the British government presides over the world’s oldest functioning democracy.
Hop on the tube to Charring Cross and you will emerge to see Lord Nelson’s column at Trafalgar Square. While you are here, visit the National Gallery.

Like all public galleries and museums in London, it has free admission.

Buckingham Palace is only a pleasant walk away. At certain times of day, you will be able to watch the Changing of the Guard, when the soldiers watching over Buckingham Palace are relieved of duty to great pomp and ceremony.
Finish your day unwinding at Covent Garden, where there are plenty of restaurants and bars, along with street entertainers.

Day 2
You may wish to take advantage of some of London’s fine museums. Travel to Museum Row to visit the London Science Museum, which is full of interactive activities for children, as well as adults. There is also the Natural History Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. A tube ride away, the National Museum has a world-class collection of articles from antiquity, much of it ‘borrowed’ from places such as Egypt during the time of the British Empire.
From Museum Row, you can travel to Harrods, the world’s most famous department store. You could end the day by watching a concert at the Royal Albert Hall nearby.

Day 3
Today, you might consider a guided bus tour to the east of Westminster, towards London Bridge and the ‘Square Mile’. You will see a mixture of old and new, in the area where most of the city’s big business is carried out.
‘Blue Badge’ guides are accredited to give tours in the capital and they have a wealth of knowledge. Your guide will tell you the grizzly true stories of Sweeny Todd and Jack the Ripper.

You can end your trip in style with a ride on the London Eye, the tallest Ferris wheel in the western hemisphere. From this grandstand, you can see the vastness of London. See how many places you can recognise from the previous three days.

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Stay off the High Street for the Best Deals

Now that the cost of living has become a little less forgiving on our purse strings, we’re left with many people feeling as though a holiday in one of the many luxury hotels is the last thing they’ll be paying out for.

This really shouldn’t be the case, though. There are ways to take that ideal holiday whether this is as a couple, with friends or as a family, and not break the bank or have to remortgage the house.

Life can be hard with all your day-to-day responsibilities, so going to a high street travel agent can seem much more appealing. If you take the time to browse the deals, you will most certainly find a holiday within your price range. You will surprise yourself when you see that you don’t necessarily have to stay in a cheap backstreet B&B to get out of the country. It might take time, but it’ll definitely be worth it in the end!

What’s even better is that despite flight prices increasing, you won’t have to sacrifice the quality of your accommodation just to be able to get to your destination. To really make a saving, have a go at making some changes to your requirements.

If you normally go all inclusive, look at half board. If you’re going to a foreign country, attempt to learn some of the local language. It will make buying lunch easier and you’ll find yourself having a lot more fun than you would expect. Even getting the kids involved will be entertaining. You’ll find the locals having a lot more time for you and even if you don’t get the lingo right, they’ll appreciate the effort.

We’re not, of course, going to leave you guessing on places to look for your holiday. Below are a few examples of holiday destinations, which you’ll be surprised to see are accessible to those without a disposable income.

New York. Everything about this place screams ‘expensive’. The Big Apple has plenty of luxury hotels to put you up; however, simply walking down the bustling streets in the city and gazing at the electric lights of Time Square is free! You’re open to roam this popular destination as you wish; after all, there is no charge for sightseeing from afar.

Many of the tourist attractions are quite costly. The Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty and boat rides will all dip into your wallet, unforgettable though they are. So, take a look at holiday guides before you leave and plan ahead to get the best deals and avoid disappointment.

Ever considered getting away to Paris? Again there is so much to see from simply walking down the streets of what is arguably the most romantic city in the world. Possibly not the best for a family holiday but many weekend breaks here have been found to be a bargain.

Strolling around the Eiffel Tower, looking at the Notre Dame from afar and peering at the Bastille all cost nothing. It’s up to you to decide whether to pay for the closer experience.

Spain has always been a popular family destination. Torremolinos and Benalmadena in the Costa del Sol are both sun-drenched most of the year, and even when it rains the temperature is still mild. Taking walks along the promenades are free, the buses are cheap and cost the same price regardless of your length of journey.

There are the typical tourist attractions and all the hotels have great sea views, close to everything. Although by taking your time to research the area, you will find bargains if you’re willing to give up the beach on your hotel doorstep. The Spanish are exotic people who always encourage the tourists to try anything. So, why not give it a go?

A common misconception is that Europe is always going to be cheaper for us Brits. But if you set aside some time for yourself to have a good look online at what you can get, you will see that even some places in America are affordable and won’t leave you paying it off for years to come.

Destinations such as Dubai can offer you a holiday of a lifetime that won’t leave you paying for a lifetime. So, even though it seems to be a simpler option to just stroll into your local travel agent and take what they show you, it pays to spend time browsing what other locations can offer.

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Tips for Traveling Around Mallorca

Mallorca (sometimes spelt Majorca) is an idyllic little island that lies just off the east coast of Spain in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea. It enjoys glorious summers and mild winters, which make the Mallorca weather reason enough to visit, but with the added bonus of beautiful beaches, turquoise waters, stunning scenery and a healthy dose of culture, Mallorca has become a world-class getaway.

Unsurprising, then, that the choice of what to do, where to eat and where to stay can be bewildering at the best of times, so here’s a few suggestions from someone who’s been and done it all before!

What to do…

While most gravitate towards the pristine beaches, slap on the sun cream and doze the days away, others seek more active ventures, like trekking. Mallorca boasts some brilliant walking routes, ranging from casual strolls to hard core hikes, and there is no better way to appreciate the incredible scenery this island has to offer than on foot. Cap de Formentor, located on the northern tip of the island, is the best place in Mallorca for views. The headland has a number of lookout points, but the best is Mirador del Mal Pas, which perches at a staggering 300m above the crashing surf below. From here you can see the islands of Menorca, Cala Fiquera and Alcudia.

A welcome alternative to trekking is catching the train to and from Soller and Palma; a route that’s been described as ‘one of the great little railway journeys of the world’. The train is delightfully old-fashioned, with polished wooden coaches and sash windows. Leaving from Palma, the capital, you’ll rumble through the city into mountainous scenery until you reach Soller, a charming little town high up in the mountains, full of tapas bars and pastry shops.

Where to eat…
There are simply too many fabulous Mallorca restaurants to pick just one, but if you head for Palma’s Old Town you can’t really go wrong. You will find an abundance of choice, from Michelin-starred restaurants to authentic tapas joints. Both traditional and international cuisines abound here, and the charming atmosphere of the cobbled streets and limestone buildings will complete the experience. There is also a great selection of drinking venues in this area of town, so wash your food down with an ice cold San Miguel in a rustic tavern or an extravagant cocktail in a funky bar – the choice is yours!

Where to stay…
For a mix of great beaches, choice of cuisine, good bars and culture, Palma, the capital, is the best place to stay on the island. It is also here that you will find the best hotels in Mallorca. For a budget option, the Tryp Bosque, which is located in the west of the city just a short walk from the beach, boasts rooms with private balconies, an air conditioned dining room and an indoor and outdoor swimming pool. Alternatively, if you’re willing to splash out a bit, look no further than Palacio Ca Sa Galesa. Nestled in the heart of the Old Town in a building dating back to 1576, this boutique hotel has deluxe rooms and a sun terrace filled with hammocks and sunbeds.

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