If you are planning to travel solo, there is one continent where one can discover more about themselves and the world around. It is none other than Europe where one can just venture out and embark on a solo vacation. Europe and its cities offer plenty of possibilities for solo travelers. European cities are the most beautiful and safe too. People are friendly, and the cities boast of a great tourist infrastructure.  One can enjoy their solo journey and come back with a great memorable experience.

It is a good idea to look for a cheap car hire that offers not just a variety of pick-up and drop-off options but great rates so as to make your travel easier and cheaper. Go for car hire discounts after comparing car hire rates and depending on your preference. Look for a car that is fully equipped with the latest safety features and amenities so that you can enjoy your solo trip.

Here are the leading European cities that can be easily navigated alone. Pick any of them as they are a great place to start.

1. Amsterdam
   Amsterdam is a great city to experience solo and enjoy a hassle free holiday. You can rent a car or a bicycle to enjoy the local scenery. Netherlands is bike friendly, and everyone speaks English. People are warm and helpful.
2. Copenhagen
   Copenhagen is a famous Danish city that is very bike friendly. One can stay, eat, and drink around the city and explore some of the best cocktail bars.
   
   There are lots of spots to explore in and around the city and plenty of free museums in Copenhagen to visit.
3. Berlin
   Berlin is just perfect for the solo travelers and is incredibly fun. Solo travelers like it as it is one of the cheaper capital cities that also offers a vibrant nightlife scene.

   

   One can enjoy good company and great food all the time!

4. London
   London is one of the easiest cities to explore. This is one city where you can just jump into solo vacations here, even if you are a female.

   

   It is very simple and easy to travel the city. One can get to know other locals and travelers or wander around to see plenty of museums and historical sights.

5. Paris
   Paris has always been a favorite city across the world.

   

   The captivating European city might be a bit of a challenge for solo travelers because of the language barrier. However, it is hard for the solo travelers to resist the captivating allure of the city that can’t be found elsewhere.

6. Stockholm
   The Swedish capital with pedestrian-only roads, countless bridges and numerous islands is found to be dominated by solo travelers. There is a lot to see and do here in the city with most artistic subway stations and so much to see on its pedestrian-only roads.
7. Dublin
   One can feel the jolly Irish spirit the minute they step in Dublin. This is one of the safest cities that make you feel like you are at home. No wonder it is a big hit with the solo travelers.
8. Barcelona
   Barcelona has every element that every holidaymaker is looking for. This is a perfect city for a solo travel, who love exploring its sunny skies, enjoy the vibrant culture, and get to taste the excellent food.
9. Helsinki
   When it comes to Finland, it is hard to find such an incredible country and destination. Helsinki and Lapland are like a winter wonderland for the solo travelers. Look forward to a great solo adventure while in Finland.
10. Vienna
    If you love traveling solo and enjoy the freedom of being alone, then head straight for Vienna, the City of Music.

    

    It is time to get lost on the grounds of Schönbrunn Palace or book a show at an opera house.

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The post Top 10 European cities solo travelers must visit appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.

January February March April May June July August September October November December

January

1 Start a New Year with wonderful fireworks in Sydney Harbour at midnight.

5 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 21:00 (9PM).

5 – 27 Sydney Festival 2013. Check official website for the list of free events.

11 and 13 check free performances at Micro Parks in Sydney.

12 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 21:00 (9PM).

18 – 27 Centennial Park Light Garden. As the sun sets over Sydney in late January, you’ll be able wander through the spectacular illuminated Light Garden in Centennial Park.

19 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 21:00 (9PM).

26 Australia Day. Head to The Rocks this Australia Day for a free celebration of music and song.

February

2 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour.

8-24 Celebrate Year of Snake in China Town in Sydney with Chinese New Year Twilight Parade as the highlight of the New Year festivities on 17th of February and watch dragon boats race on 23-24th.

9 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 21:00 (9PM).

14 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 21:00 (9PM).

16 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 21:00 (9PM).

17 Short film festival’s Tropfest main event will take place at The Domain. Go there early as place fills up very quickly.

23 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 21:00 (9PM).

March

2 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 21:00 (9PM).

3 From 19:45 to 22:00(7.45-10.00pm) at Oxford Street and Flinders Street watch colorful and outrageous Sydney Mardi Gras Parade. About 300000 spectators attend parade so get earlier there to take good spot.

9 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 21:00 (9PM).

9 – 10 check for latest deals at Travel Expo at Fox Studios, Moore Park

17 From 12:00 to 18:30 (6.30pm) annual Sydney St Patrick’s Day Parade commences from the corner of Bathurst and George Street to Hyde Park.

16 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 21:00 (9PM).

21 March – 3 April Easter show at Sydney Showground in Sydney Olympic Park. The Easter Show is Australia’s largest annual event, an iconic showcase of Australian culture, heritage and excellence. It combines innovation, heritage, education and entertainment. It is not free event, but tickets include transport as well as admission to the Show.

22 March – 1 April Sydney family show as always at Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter. Thought it is more kids, but it is free entry event packed with fun activities the whole family can enjoy. Though you need to buy tickets for rides you want.

23 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 21:00 (9PM).

23 from 20:30 to 21:30 (8.30pm-9.30pm) the annual lights-out event Earth Hour will be held. It start couple years ago in Sydney, but now over 5000 cities across 135 countries are involved.

29 March – 1 April visit Hoopla festival at Darling Harbour. Australia’s annual circus, sideshow and street theatre festival.

April

1 Hoopla festival continues at Darling Harbour.

1 Last day of Sydney family show at Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter.

1 – 3 Easter show continues at Sydney Showground in Sydney Olympic Park.

6 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

13 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

20 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

25 ANZAC day – a national day of remembrance. The day starts with dawn service at Martin Place and following parade on George Street.

27 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

May

4 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

11 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

17 May – 23 June If you love photography you must visit Head On Photo Festival. Events this year are spread across Sydney from the CBD extending, north, south, east and west. Aside from traditional venues such as art galleries and museums, exhibitions and events were set in less formal venues such as cafes, pubs and Centennial Park.

18 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

19 Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon is held. It is Australia’s largest and most prestigious half marathon and you still have time to join it. This year introduced one lap course.

24 May – 10 June one of most colorful festivals in Sydney – Vivid Sydney 2013. Two weeks you can enjoy impressive light projections, performances from local and international musicians as part of Vivid LIVE and a free outdoor exhibition of interactive light sculptures.

25 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

June

1 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

1 – 10 Vivid Sydney 2013 continues around the city.

1 – 23 Head On Photo Festival continues.

5 – 16 60th annual Sydney Film festival takes place. It is always full of interesting movies to watch. Check screening schedule on their website.

7 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 19:30 (7.30PM).

8 – 10 Darling Harbour Jazz & Blues Festival. The Darling Harbour Jazz & Blues Festival showcases legendary names in jazz and blues, rubbing shoulders with emerging and young Australian musicians.

8 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

15 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

22 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

29 Harbourside fireworks at Darling Harbour from 20:30 (8.30PM).

July

[TBA] State Library presentes World Press Photo 2013 exhibition.

[TBA] International Food safari at King Street Wharf. Check it to taste various international cuisine.

[TBA] Winter Festival at Bondi beach. Watch ice hokey games or Disney on Ice or try ice skating yourself.

[TBA] Australia’s biggest coffee event Aroma festival takes over the historic laneways of The Rocks.

Full month – July is peak month for whale watching in Sydney.

August

11 city2surf is one of Australia’s favorite event and even you are not runner go to cheer for participants of this 14 kilometers run from city center to Bondi beach.

September

8  11:00 – 16:00 (11am – 4pm) Festival of the Winds most colorful spring festival in Sydney. Head to Bondi beach to see lots of kits in the air.

20 September – 20 October Art & About Sydney with opening party in Martin Place. A lot of different events and exhibitions to explore art around the city, in laneways, parks and galleries. Check it here for full list of venues.

October

1 – 20 October Art & About Sydney continues.

[TBA] Latin American festival Australia’s largest annual festival at Darling Harbour.

November

[TBA] Sydney Travel Expo at Sydney Town Hall. FREE entry.

[TBA] Newtown Festival is one of Sydney’s largest and longest running free community festivals on 11th of November. At festival will be three stages which will feature a diverse range of Sydney’s finest, with live bands, acoustic artists and world music

[TBA] Santa Claus is coming to Sydney. Darling Harbour transforms into a sea of red and white jolly men for the Santa Fest Water Spectacular. There’ll be Santas popping up all over Darling Harbour doing everything from water skiing to stilt walking!

[TBA] fireworks at Darling Harbour every Saturday from 9pm in November.

December

until 25th Christmas projections in the city.

[TBA] the biggest Christmas (Carols in the Domain) concert in Australia will be held in Sydney.

[TBA] Sydney Hobart Yacht Race starts.

31 famous Sydney New Year Eve fireworks.

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The post What’s on in Sydney appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.

In March 2013, the U.N. announced that an estimated 2.5 billion people don’t have access to working toilets, and pledged to halve this number by 2015.

However, for the 4.5 billion people who do have access, it’s a very different story. It’s been estimated that we spend over a year of our lives on the loo. With this in mind, we’ve investigated ten of the best loos with a view.

The London skyline, with its landmark structures and skyscrapers, is one of the most famous in the world. Iconic buildings like the Gherkin and Big Ben rise from the bustling streets, attracting tourists from around the globe. At 306 metres, architect Renzo Piano’s Shard is the tallest building of them all. The 68^th floor of this incredible structure boasts the most exhilarating toilet view in London. Visitors are treated to a breath-taking view of the sprawling metropolis, from a ceiling-to-floor window.

Here’s another loo with an impressive city view. Workers at the Commerzbank tower – the tallest building in Germany – can look out over the rooftops of Frankfurt in this lofty bathroom. The architect of the building clearly had a sense of humour, as the location of the toilet makes it look like users are urinating on the building of Dresdner bank, who were direct competitors when the Commerzbank tower was built. (Commerzbank has since acquired Dresdner, completing the transaction in 2009).

Chinese city Chongquing is home to ‘Foreigner Street’, a theme park devoted to international culture. The park features replica Egyptian pyramids, a smaller copy of Christ the Redeemer, and what is claimed to be the world’s largest public toilet. The sprawling bathroom contains 4 floors, and over 1000 toilets.  If they can take their eyes off the novelty-shaped urinals, the uppermost floor provides guests with a view over the park.

The NamibRand nature reserve is one of the biggest privately-owned nature reserves in Southern Africa. The park is home to a plethora of wildlife, including cheetahs, vultures and jackals. It’s also home to this unusual toilet, which looks out onto a vast, sandy plain.

Kenya’s Meru National Park was made famous by Born Free, the 1960 book and subsequent film about a couple’s efforts to release a lioness into the wild. A luxurious safari lodge, Elsa’s Kopje can be found within the park’s boundaries. Guests are invited to enjoy the facilities, including this incredible bathroom, which comes complete with stunning views over the African plains.

This photo was taken from the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. The first thing you notice is the stunning view. Look closely, and you’ll see the best loo-with-a-view in Africa – a long-drop toilet provided for visitors to Shira Camp. Situated on Kilimanjaro’s Shira Plateau, this toilet sits at a dizzying 3,847m above sea level.

Alcatraz was notoriously difficult to escape – authorities maintain that throughout the facility’s 29-year history, no prisoner ever successfully broke out. Part of the prison’s success was down to constant surveillance – carried out in part from lofty guard towers. One of the towers was equipped with a toilet, providing a 360° view of the surrounding San Francisco bay.

Going to the toilet on the slopes can often be a chilly and unpleasant experience. However, this stunning Alpine view, found in a mountainside bathroom in the Austrian SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser, makes up for the cold. The SkiWelt is Austria’s largest interconnected skiing region, with 279km of runs, 91 cable cars, and a series of breath-taking bathroom views.

Standard aeroplane toilets rarely feature windows. However, they’re slightly more common in business and first-class cabins. This luxurious loo, complete with faux-wood panelling and a porcelain sink, features on some Emirates flights. Not only does this toilet offer far more space than the cramped cubicle most flyers are used to, it also provides flyers with a sensational view of blue skies and drifting clouds.

Hikers are usually reduced to doing their business in the woods. However, park authorities at Montana’s Glacier National Park have thoughtfully provided this toilet for passing ramblers. With over 1,000,000 acres to explore, this loo-with-a-view could be hard to find. Those who are lucky enough to stumble upon it can use the facilities whilst gazing at the vast Agassiz Glacier.

 This article was written  by Ben Wosskow of LoveHomeSwap.com, a leading home swapping site boasting over 48,000 properties across over 150 countries.

The post 10 of the Best Loos with a View appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.

Auckland, New Zealand

Sydney, Australia

Taipei, Taiwan

Hong Kong

Singapoure

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Moscow, Russia

Berlin, Germany

London, UK

Toronto, Canada

Photo credit:  ekv8H, sydneynewyearseve.com, cfnews13.com, militaryphotos.net, channelnewsasia.com, cntraveler.com, emirates247.com, q8allinone.com, abc.net.au, thestar.com

The post Best New Year Eve fireworks around the world appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.

Easier said than done? Not really. With a little advance planning, travelling can be made easy.

Stay in a nearby hotel so you don’t miss your flight! There’s nothing worse than waking up on the morning of your flight, with suitcases not completely packed and your passport somewhere in the kitchen drawers. Trying to rally the troops can be a stressful time so why put yourself through it? Get everything packed up and ready to go the day before; put your important documents safely in your hand luggage and book you and your brood into an airport hotel for the night. If you’re flying from Heathrow, the airport hotel offers good sized family rooms at affordable prices, meaning you can start your holiday on a chilled note.

On the morning of your flight, hop on the shuttle service which will take you directly to Departures. How easy is that? No need for car parking at the airport, no need for rushing furiously to get there on time. Just let the shuttle service do the work for you. With the hotel’s Wi-Fi, why not check in online? Save the hassle of the queues at the check-in desk and do it in advance. On the day, just drop your luggage at the baggage drop and off you go. All you have to do is float through security and kick back in the departure lounge.

Before the day, be sure to check all the important documents. Can you imagine finding that your child has an out of date passport that you have forgotten to renew, the day before your holiday? The sheer thought of venturing to London to get a fast track passport is enough to send anyone into a panic. A little forethought will eliminate the risk – just keep track of the expiry dates. Remember, a child’s passport is only valid for 5 years, so you have to get them renewed more often than your own.

For the onboard journey, be sure you have enough to keep the young ones happy. Everyone who is occupying a paid seat has hand luggage allowance – use it. The fabulous children’s suitcase, the  Trunki, is conveniently sized to count as hand baggage and can be filled with all manner of toys, games and books to make the flight a little easier. Stock up on goodies before you reach the airport to save your cash.

With the seasons changing and winter on our doorsteps, why shouldn’t you escape for a while with the children? From winter sun to an outdoor holiday in the mountains, enjoy a family holiday without any stress.

The post Travelling with the Kids: Keep the Stress at Bay appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.

The light and sky during sunset was fantastic. Unfortunately it doesn’t last too long.

The post Weekly Travel Photo. Tower bridge during London 2012 Olympics appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.

Is it really so busy? I spent a week in London and didn’t see much difference comparing with August, 2010. It was some road closures during cycling events, but it was enough information about it and people could plan their trip in advance. Of course it was very busy at Stratford station in the East London where Olympic park is located, but overall tube journeys were up 5% only and except peak hours I didn’t feel anything unusual. OK, it was something unusual – it was almost no any delays during my visit though I used tube/DLR/buses extensively. I think it was too much of paranoia before even Olympic games started and the center of London was  abandon by locals. Owners of stores/restaurants in the Central London started complaining about lack of costumers – locals are not coming because of fear it will be very busy in the city, tourists who are not interested in sport didn’t come either because of that and are skipping London during games.

There is one more group of people which didn’t come to London. That is group of tourists who would love to see the games but they didn’t come because they couldn’t get tickets to any of events. When I did have difficulties to get tickets I thought it is very anticipated games and I was OK with that, but it made me angry when I read this article in “London evening standard”. It complaints that only 30000 tickets are sold for Britons in the stadium during 100 meters final. But wait.  There are total 80000 seats in the Olympic stadium: 30000 (37.5%) tickets are for Britons, 20000 (25%) seats are reserved for the “Olympic family” (including British officials) and what we have left? 30000 (37.5%) tickets for the rest of the world? Half of tickets available for public are sold to locals and you are complaining about it? Sorry, what is population of the UK? 63 millions? I won’t be looking to the world population, lets just take 750 millions people who lives in Europe. Which means in UK lives less then 8.5% population of Europe, but you are taking 50% of tickets and still complaining about it?

I was lucky to get at least couple tickets, but I was sorry for Australian guy I met in London who wasn’t able to buy any tickets. All tickets available to public are sold online, but you can’t buy it if your credit card’s billing address is outside EU. Organizers are putting more tickets for sale but who can buy it at last minute? Even if you live in UK you can’t make it to the morning session next day except the ones who live in London.

So Londoners don’t even dare complain about the Olympic games as nobody is invading your city. Games are made for you and only(mostly) for you and if there are some traffic jams or crowds in the Tube stations it is probably your neighbors are travelling.

The post Are London Olympic games for Brits only? appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.

As you should expect it was created a lot of scams and unauthorised websites which are “selling” tickets so everybody must be beware of such sites and buy tickets only from official web site www.tickets.london2012.com.

To buy tickets for the London 2012 Olympic Games from this site you must be a resident of the UK or a designated European country.

They are releasing tickets on an almost daily basis. These include tickets for Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Sailing, Volleyball and Wrestling — Freestyle, as well as a number of suite tickets at the North Greenwich Arena, where you can watch Artistic Gymnastics, Trampoline Gymnastics and Basketball.

If you can’t see available tickets now,  check in an hour or two or next day or you can just buy Olympic park entry ticket for £10 if you can’t find ticket to any specific event you want.

But you must act very fast if you see tickets you want as for every step there is only 2 minutes limit so you must have handy all information you’ll need  to buy tickets. I will show most of screen shots of all process and you will know what you should expect to see during ticket purchase process.

Firstly create an account at www.tickets.london2012.com/member/registration

Go to the event search screen after you created account and logged in:

Make sure you selected “Availability” check box before search as otherwise you’ll get all events. Even those are already sold out.

In the next step you’ll be able to select available price and add tickets to your shopping cart:

Important to know: by adding tickets to the shopping list it doesn’t mean you already own these tickets. Final tickets availability will be confirmed only in the next step by requesting tickets.

So though you can add up to 4 session to your shopping list I would do everything 1 by 1 as the tickets for the first even you select can be gonna till you select all other events you want to go.

You must act quick if you are lucky and will see reserved tickets screen as only 2 minutes allowed for making decision

Select delivery method and enter you Visa credit card details. Yes, only Visa credit cards are accepted on official tickets selling web site.

It is last step and you should get ticket purchase confirmation in your email box

Will see you at London 2012 Olympic games

The post How purchase tickets for London Olympics appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.

Any time on travels, there are always options for where to go, what airlines to fly and what cities and airports to fly into. There are many reasons as to why London is one of the best cities to fly into. Before you do, airport hotels are always worth considering when flying in and out of the capital, they can really make your journey less stressful.
Public transportation is another reason to pick London. Between the always there cabbies, the tube, trains, and buses, it is a simple matter to traverse the city without renting a car or partaking in the dangerous sport of hitch hiking. There are also shuttle services from to hotels or even to the public transportation hubs that are located within easy distance from the airport. The city is set up in such a way that between the Tube and walking, one can go just about anywhere.

Are you thinking of travelling over for the Olympics? Do! Don’t miss out on what is going to be an amazing atmosphere in an incredible place. The buzz has already started around London with the torch relay well underway. I for one, cannot wait until the Olympics get here, the infrastructure in place is remarkable and I know London will do the country proud. If your only thinking of coming over for a couple of days the airport hotels are a great choice, don’t have to drag the luggage too far and they have great links into the city, one of my personal favourites is the The Ramada Plaza at Gatwick with great links from the airport and a short train journey to the centre of the London. If you fancy staying a bit closer why not look for a bit of luxury and stay at the Crowne Plaza Heathrow jump on the tube and your in the centre of the action!
If variety is truly the spice of life, then add that to the reasons that you are going to fly into London. It is home to just about every variety of legal entertainment, restaurants and shopping imaginable. There are concerts of every genre from classical to indie to even the occasional folk. It isn’t surprising that it has been called the centre of the modern world by many. The performing arts are also widely represented in the city from Operas, to ballets, to any number of musicals or plays put on in the city. There is truly something for everyone to enjoy, it is simply a matter of finding your particular flavor.
There is also a rich history to the city that has been respectfully preserved and can still be visited. There are museums and galleries filled with artifacts and artistry. There are ancient buildings that have been conserved for future generations, not to mention the many parks and gardens that were designed centuries ago and still draw in quite a crowd.
The people are another reason to visit. Londoners are an interesting mix of urban, friendly, traditional and eclectic. Whether it’s a stranger in the street or your cabbie, they often have great recommendations and funny stories for you. The stereotype for Brits generally involves stiff upper lips and rudeness, but that is just a stereotype. Most travelers will find friendly faces and kind hearts.

The post Flying into London for the Olympics? appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.