Dublin travel guide and tourer attractions guide through IRTouring

Some people hate it, others am passionate about it. For us, as for variant others, Dublin was the start and therefore the finish of our three weeks vacation in Ireland; we arrived here with the ferry from Holyhead. as a result of we have a tendency to needed to examine such a lot of the remainder of Ireland  we have a tendency to complete up with the just about impossible mission to explore this marvelous town in just at some point.

The city is divided in two equal items by the river Liffey. The southern half is that the medieval town. and therefore the northern [*fr1] encompasses a special atmosphere, and plenty of outlets.

There a such a large amount of buildings in national capital with columns, you start to marvel if it's been designed by ancient Romans or Greeks. Of course, this is not true. The Dubliners rather like columns, we think.

This building was once the House of Parliament, however since 1800 it homes the Bank of Ireland.

A lot of buildings in national capital square measure quite nice, however the primary floor is sometimes spoil t with monumental windows and publicity. after you risk a sore neck and appearance on top of perpetually, you will find out there square measure plenty of lovely buildings here.

Just across the road from the Bank of Ireland is Trinity college, the recent university buildings within the town. Here square measure a lot of tourists than students for 2 reasons: 1: you only need to see the book of Kells and therefore the recent Library, and 2: it is the tourer season.

This is a mix that's common in Ireland: associate antique-shop wherever you'll be able to have some food. Or, is it a eating house that wishes to urge obviate the recent furnishings .

Though there don't seem to be several splendid buildings in national capital, there's one issue special: the colorful doors. Most doors square measure painted in bright colors and a few have extra features: pillars, a circular window on top of the door, an enormous knob.

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Tips to booking a low cost flight ticket

Over the last five years Europe has seen an increase in the number of low cost airlines which is great news for the holidaymaker, but many say bad news for the high street travel agent.

I remember a friend looking to take her husband away for the weekend to Dublin, Ireland and went to a high street travel agent. She was given a quote of £300 for a weekend, including flights and accommodation - book the same flight with Ryanair and a hotel in the centre of Dublin direct with the hotel, and the weekend actually cost her only £190 again including flights and accommodation - a saving of £110.

Here are my tips for searching low cost airline tickets;

Book in plenty of time

The later you leave it the more expensive the flight becomes, most airlines charge more if you book the ticket a few days or even a week before you want to departure, so the earlier you book it the cheaper the flight will cost.

Weekend departures

If you book your flight for the weekend then the ticket will cost you more money, as most people travel at the weekend, so try and book the flight departure during the week, and not only will your flight be cheaper but you’ll probably find that they will be more accommodation special offers

Travel agent flight booking

Don’t book your flight through a travel agent, simply because you’ll be charged more than booking direct with the airline - you have to remember that the travel agents in most cases add on commission to the flight, they have to make a living, but why should you pay more.

Travel out of school holidays

Like weekend departures flight prices increase during the school or bank holidays, so where you can try and book your flight during the school term.

Late night / Early morning flights

To save the most money when booking your airline ticket, book a flight either late at night or in the early hours of the morning, this is where the best savings are made, simply because of the unsocial flying times.

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Air Travel Tips For Parents With Small Children

Airline travel today is a lot different than it used to be, with new rules and regulations, as well as security alerts and procedures. For parents who are traveling with small children, air travel can be a nightmare if you are not careful. Not too long ago, Delta asked a mother to leave the plane because she was a mother and she was breast feeding her infant child. That was the woman's only crime but she was forced off the plane by Delta authorities because another passenger thought that a natural beautiful bond between parent and child was obscene. Apparently Delta agreed with the passenger who complained, because the mother was not allowed to take the flight.

In the current world today, parents can no longer depend on airline personnel to use common sense, because apparently some people just do not have any. If you are traveling with small children, there are some tips to follow to try and make your airline travel as hassle free as possible. There are rules and regulations concerning what is allowed in your carry on luggage, and the limit for liquids is two ounces. For formula and expressed breast milk, this limit does not apply and you can carry enough of these in your carry on bag to last for the duration of the flight. The breast milk or formula must be kept separate from the other carry on liquids, and you must declare to security personnel what the liquid is and why it is needed. The exception only applies to the maximum amount that could be needed for your travel, so you could not take four gallons of formula or expressed breast milk for a two hour flight.

For parents who have small children who still use diapers, most airport bathrooms have changing stations, and you may bring diapers as well as wipes, small bottles of lotion and baby oil, and any other necessary supplies. Just make sure that the bottles are two ounces or less, not bigger bottles that are half empty. If your child is a toddler, it is also a good idea to bring books and toys to amuse them. Ever since 9/11, security checkpoints are slow, and passengers must be at the airport hours early, so make sure that you have something to keep your child amused and happy.

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5 Diabetes Travel Tips

Planning ahead when you travel reduces stress.  This is particularly important for a diabetic.  These 5 diabetes travel tips are simple to implement and crucial to your diabetic management.  They are particularly important if you are traveling abroad.

1)  Have a pre-travel check-up.  Make sure your A1C blood sugar levels; your blood pressure and your cholesterol levels are OK.  Get the appropriate shots for any country you plan to visit.

2)  Wear a diabetes medical ID.  Ideally it should be in the language spoken in the country you're visiting.  Not everyone speaks your language and you don't want medical problems through misunderstandings.

3)  Keep your medication and glucose snacks in your hand-luggage.  Check-in baggage does, unfortunately, go astray. Don't risk your diabetes medication by packing it in your main luggage.

4)  Keep your medication in its original box, complete with pharmacy labels.  It will prevent misunderstandings about why you are carrying drugs and, if you are on insulin, syringes.

5)  Be aware of time zone changes, especially when altering your watch.  Remember when you travel east your day becomes shorter; if you travel west your day becomes longer.  You may need to alter the timings of your medication.

Traveling need not be traumatic.  A sensible attitude and a bit of pre-travel planning can make things go far more smoothly.

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7 Tips For Successful Travel

We all travel a lot more now than our ancestors did. We travel all over the world and only think of the jet lag, and not the vast distances we cover. Our world has become smaller and more reachable. And this is a good thing. It helps us to understand different cultures, different people with different ways of living and working. But there are a few essentials you should always check before setting off.

1. It may seem obvious, but many people don’t bother to find out the most basic things about the country they will travel to. You should do this to avoid surprise or disappointment.

2. Check on the kind of weather you will find where you are going. If you live in Florida and travel to northern Greenland, you will be in for a shock unless you know that much colder weather is normal there.

3. Be sure that the medical and general insurance coverage you have (you do have, don’t you?) is adequate for your destination.

4. Do you have all the paperwork and documentation required for your trip? If not, get it!

5. Are there any diseases you will need immunization against where you are going? Check and find out before getting exposed.

6. If you plan on driving in the place you intend to travel to, check that you have an acceptable licence. You may need an international driving licence, for example. And are you familiar with the local driving laws where you are going? If not, become familiar, fast.

7. Finally, the most obvious one of all: is your passport up to date? And if not, do you have enough time to renew it before you set off? You’d be surprised, amazed even, at how many people get this one wrong.

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Travel Savings Tips

Travel, as exciting and interesting as it is, is also one of the most expensive things we choose to do. But if you keep a few things in mind, your holiday can be fun without breaking the budget. A small amount of research and effort can yield significant travel savings, and careful planning can be the best tool for travel savings. There are some tried and true tips for saving money while traveling, and several are presented below.

Car rentals are still a good way to stretch the travel dollar. Even though it seems expensive, remember the airport shuttle often costs around $50 per person, much more than the cost of an economy car rental. This will allow you affordable transportation for sightseeing and trips to the countryside, another money saver. Also, coupons and discounts are often offered by car rental companies and credit cards companies as incentives and promotions. Your airline may offer a great price on a car rental from a partner company. Take advantage of these deals to save or to upgrade to a more comfortable, vehicle.

If you don’t want to rent a car or it will not be useable, try to book a hotel that includes a free airport shuttle service. This can save enough for a good dinner. Many motels at airport locations offer free parking for the length of your travel if you stay one night at either leg of your trip. This can be a travel saver and a super convenience.

If this is a family travel, look for special airline incentives that offer free companion tickets or companion fares at lower rates. Also plan to eat meals where kids eat free and you can split meals. This can result in huge savings for a family of four or larger. Restaurants that are kid friendly usually accommodate requests for extra plates and relaxed places where everyone can feel comfortable after a day of travel and sightseeing.

Don’t eat every meal out. Even if you are not traveling as a family, eating out is often the most expensive part of travel. You'll be surprised what q nice change from restaurant food a peanut butter sandwich, chips, and fresh fruit makes. Book a hotel that has an in room coffee maker and purchase fresh bagels for breakfast. Or get deli takeout or a pizza for one relaxed night in. Take that much needed break from the crowds at tourist destinations.

Find and use coupons for travel savings. These are often offered for lodging, food, or attractions. You can find them everywhere, online, in local newspapers, and they save money. Also, seek out and take advantage of multi-day passes at amusement parks.

Bring your own water and snacks. People spend nearly $10 per day per person on just water and snacks. Sure, indulge yourself when you see really inviting salt-water taffy or fudge store but for the basics, bring your own.

Making your own reservations can result in travel savings. Many hotels and airlines offer additional discounts and specials for booking online. This also holds true for car rentals.

Doing a bit of work and seeking out promotions shall result in significant travel savings.  Remember, the tourist attractions and hotels want you to return as much as you want another vacation.

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Ways to Forever Remember Your St. Thomas Vacation

St. Thomas is known as one of the most popular vacation destinations in the entire world.  If you are planning a St. Thomas vacation, you may be wondering how you can remember and forever cherish the memories that you will make while vacationing in St. Thomas. The answer is pictures, pictures, and more pictures.

Photographs are the best ways to remember and forever cherish your St. Thomas vacation. To take pictures, it is likely that you already have much of the equipment that is needed.  The type of camera that you have can determine the quality of your pictures.  With the amazing scenery in St. Thomas, you may find that a digital camera is the best way to take pictures.

If you plan on taking your digital camera with you to St. Thomas, it is advised that you be careful.  Depending on the make and model of your camera, your digital camera could have been expensive to purchase. St. Thomas is known for its beautiful beaches; however, those beaches could be deadly for your camera.  If you have a warranty or an accidental coverage plan on your camera, you may be at ease. Otherwise, you are encouraged to be careful with your camera, especially when near water.

While digital cameras are slowly beginning to replace traditional cameras, not everyone has one. When in St. Thomas the need to have a digital camera becomes apparent.  If you are interested in purchasing a digital camera while on vacation in St. Thomas, you need to be prepared for the coast. At many popular vacation destinations, including St. Thomas, the cost of merchandise tends to be higher when compared to the prices back home. Aside from specialty shops, there are a number of well-known department stores in the area; you may be able to find a reasonably priced digital camera at one of these locations.  

Even if you are not interested in owning a digital camera, you forgot to pack yours, or you cannot afford to purchase one while on vacation, you can still take pictures of your vacation in St. Thomas.  Many vacationers find disposable cameras useful while on vacationing and you may too.  As previously mentioned, merchandise tends to costs more in popular vacation destinations. If you are interested in purchasing disposable cameras, you are encouraged to purchase them before you leave for St. Thomas.  

Despite the fact the quality of pictures from a disposable camera is often not as good as with digital cameras, you can still end up with amazing pictures.  When having your pictures developed, you may want to purchase a picture CD.  Most photo labs can place all of your pictures on a CD-ROM for a small price.  Once inserted into your computer, you can easily alter your pictures.  Just a few of the alterations that you can make include increasing the pictures size, eliminating red eye, or cutting out unwanted items in the background.  

In addition to taking your own pictures, you will find many opportunities in St. Thomas where you can pay to have a picture taken of your own family.  These pictures are most often taken along the beach or at other popular tourist attractions.  It is important to keep in mind the cost of these pictures.  Many are instant Polaroid pictures and the cost may be expensive.  Despite the cost, the pictures often make a great addition to any many photo album or family scrapbook.  

In addition to taking photographs, there are many vacationers who document their vacation on film.  If you own a video camcorder or have access to one, you may want to consider filming a portion of your St. Thomas vacation. Video footage is a unique, but an effective way to forever cherish the memories you create while vacationing in St. Thomas.  In the St. Thomas area, you may find camcorder rentals.  These rentals often work the same way as in the United States.  Video camcorder rentals are a great way to focus on just a portion of your vacation.

Whether plan on using a video camcorder, a digital camera, or a disposable camera, you are sure to end up with amazing footage or pictures.  To forever remember your St. Thomas vacation you are encouraged to carefully store these pictures.  Whether you create a family vacation scrapbook or place them in a traditional photo album, keeping your picture safe is the best way to be able to recall your vacation anytime you desire.

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Staying Safe While Vacationing in St. Thomas

Each year, millions of people take a vacation.  Many times, that vacation is to a foreign country.  As the popularity of foreign travel increases, does the concern associated with personal safety.  If you are planning on vacationing in St. Thomas, you are in luck. St. Thomas is known as one of the safest places to vacation in all of the Caribbean.  Despite being safe, you are still encouraged to take precautions while vacationing there.  

Whenever you are on vacation, no matter where your vacation destination is, you are encouraged to take safety precautions. These safety precautions may not only help to save your life, but to protect your belongings.  Many of the safety precautions that you are advised to take while vacationing in St. Thomas apply anywhere in the world, even when you are at home.  However, there are also additional precautions that may not be needed with domestic travel.  

The first step in staying safe and protecting your belongings, while vacationing in St. Thomas, is to prepare for your trip well in advance.  If you are traveling to St. Thomas, it is likely that you will need a passport and other proper forms of identification. These forms of identification may include a drivers license or a birth certificate. If you do not already have a passport, you will need to obtain one. When on vacation, you are urged to carry these documents with you.

In addition to carrying the appropriate forms of identification with you, you will also want to carry along copies.  Before leaving home, you are encouraged to make multiple copies of all of your important documents.  Losing your drivers license or passport, while vacationing in St. Thomas, is possible.  In the event that you lose or misplace your items, your copies may come in handy.  

Once you arrive in St. Thomas, the best way to keep yourself safe is to familiarize yourself with your surroundings.  If you are vacationing at a beach resort, you will want to walk around and examine each area of the resort.  In addition to physically viewing the area, you may want to request a map of the facility from a resort representative.  Keeping this map with you at all times may prevent you from getting lost.  

Familiarizing yourself with your surroundings is one of the best ways to protect yourself, but it is not the only way. In addition to familiarizing yourself with your beach resort, you will also want to familiarize yourself with the other tourists.  Keeping an eye out for anyone who seems out of place or a person that makes you feel uncomfortable, is a great way to stay safe while on your vacation.  

When traveling around St. Thomas, whether on your resort or another part of the island, you are encouraged not to travel alone.  Traveling alone, especially at night, may increase your risk of falling victim to a crime. In the event that you must travel alone, you are encouraged to inform multiple individuals of where you will be going and when you intend to return.  In the event that you do not return on time, someone will know where to find you.

When vacationing in St. Thomas your personal safety should be a concern, but so should the safety of your belonging. When traveling to St. Thomas you are encouraged to leave your expensive belongings at home.  If you are unable to afford to replace an item that you bringing with you on vacation, you may not want to bring it at all. For the most part, you will not experience any problems. But, in the event that one or more of your personally belongings get lost, you may be responsible for purchasing yourself a replacement.

In addition to your personal belongings, you are also urged to be cautious when carrying a large amount of money in St. Thomas. In most popular vacation destinations, including St. Thomas, a wide range of payment methods are accepted.  Instead of carrying along large sums of cash, you may want consider carrying travelers checks, cahiers checks, or money orders. Each of these items is easier to replace if stolen.  

As you can see, protecting yourself and your belongings while vacationing in St. Thomas is a fairly easy process. With a few simple steps, you could spend your vacation enjoying yourself instead of worrying about what might or might not happen.

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Sailing in St. Thomas

When selecting a vacation destination, many individuals and families select a destination that offers them excitement and relaxation, all at once.  If this is what you are looking for out of your vacation, then a St. Thomas vacation may be just for you. 

St. Thomas is located in the Caribbean.  As one of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas is known as one of the hottest, vacation destinations in the world.  If you have never had the pleasure of vacationing in St. Thomas before, you may be wondering what awaits you there.  In St. Thomas, there are an unlimited number of services and activities that you may find exciting. One of those activities is sailing. 

The ocean waters surrounding St. Thomas are ideal for sailing.  Beginners and even the most experienced sailors can enjoy sailing in the St. Thomas area. Since most individuals vacationing in St. Thomas fly into the area, you will have to find boat rentals.  When renting a sail boat, it is likely that you will have a number of different options.  Sail boats come in all different shapes, sizes, styles, and designs.  

Before planning an independent sail off the coast of St. Thomas, you may need to take a number of important factors into consideration.  One of these factors is your level of sailing experience. Many of the individuals and companies that provide boat rentals require that you have the appropriate level of sailing experience. You may be required to take sail boat for a test drive or you may need to show documents that show you are licensed to operate a sail boat.  Many individuals and companies do this to protect their investments.    

To make arrangement to rent a sail boat, it is advised that you make your reservations ahead of time. Sailing is a popular vacation pastime in St. Thomas.  To guarantee that you are able to have access to an available boat, you will want to make your boat rental reservations well in advance.  You can easily learn of boat rentals that can be found in or around the St. Thomas area by requesting a St. Thomas vacation packet. Your local travel agent may also be able to offer you assistance.  

While sailing is an activity that is enjoyed by many, most individuals are unable to operate a sail boat.  Just because you do not know how to operate a sail boat, does not mean that you cannot vacation on the waters surrounding St. Thomas.  Throughout the area, you should be able to find multiple companies that offer guided sail boat rentals.  In addition to paying for the boat rental, you will be provided with an experienced sailor who can take you on voyage that you will forever remember. 

Sailing on the water surrounding St. Thomas is an exciting experience all on its own, but that is not the only thing you can do while on the water.  While sailing on the water, you may be surprised with what you will find and see. A sail boat is a great way to vacation on the water, but sightsee as well. Scuba diving and snorkeling are also fun activities that can be combined with sailing.  If you are with an experienced sailor who also is a trained scuba diver, you may be able to enjoy these two amazing activities all at once.

When you are searching for sail boat rentals, you may want to consider what the resort you plan on staying at has to offer.  If you are vacationing at an all-inclusive St. Thomas resort, you may find that you are able to receive free sail boat tours. These free rides are not offered in all vacation packages, but may be able to save a large amount of money if they are.  

Whether you plan on sailing yourself or you are using the services of an experienced sailor, you will be sure to enjoy your time on the water.  Activities found on the St. Thomas Island are not limited. You can easily find an number of activities, many of which will be what your heart desires.

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Guided Tours in St. Thomas

Each year, millions of individuals decide to take a vacation.  If are interested in scheduling a romantic getaway for you and your spouse or a family vacation, there are a number of destinations that you can choose from.  If privacy, fun, excitement, and warm weather is what you would expect to receive from your vacation, you may want to consider vacationing in St. Thomas.

St. Thomas, located in the Caribbean, is in the Virgin Islands.  St. Thomas is often considered one of the most popular vacation destinations in the Caribbean and in the entire world.  If you have never been to St. Thomas before, you may be wondering what type of events and activities are available on the island.  Truth be told, there are an unlimited number of activities.  Vacationers are never bored or leave disappointed when it comes to St. Thomas.

As previously mentioned, St. Thomas has a wide variety of activities that are geared towards individuals of all ages.  One of the most well-known and popular activities includes guided tours. When vacationing in St. Thomas, there are many tourists that sign up to take one of the many guided tours that can be found in the area.  If a guided tour of St. Thomas sounds fun to you, you will have to select a tour.  Popular tours are offered on foot, bike, boat, and underwater.

Each of the above mentioned tour methods are popular, but in St. Thomas many enjoy the underwater tours.  Underwater tours are available for those who are able to scuba dive.  If you are interested in taking a scuba diving tour, but you do not know how to dive, you can easily learn.  Most underwater tour companies offer diving lessons for adults and children.  

One of the reasons why scuba diving tours are popular in St. Thomas is because of the underwater activity.  The sea life that can be found deep in the ocean is beautiful and amazing. In many cases, you will be able to swim right up to underwater creatures that you only dreamed of seeing. Additional guided tours may take you along coral reefs or to underwater wreckage.

Aside from underwater tours, tours that are hosted above the water are just as popular.  These tours are most often given on a boat.  Boat tours regularly travel around the St. Thomas Island.  Boat tours are popular because they allow you to get a good view of the sea and the St. Thomas coast.  If you are looking to relax while enjoying the costal views of St. Thomas, you may enjoy a guided boat tour. 

If you are interested in selecting a guided boat tour, there are a number of different boating options.  Sail boat tours are available, as well as larger boat tours.  Sail boat tours are often limited on the amount of people that can come onboard.  If you are looking for a private and intimate tour, a sail boat tour may be your best bet.  Adventure lovers may enjoy taking a guided tour while kayaking.  Kayaking is a popular, fun, and active way to explore the St. Thomas Island.  

While hiking and biking tours are not as popular in St. Thomas as they are in other areas of the world, they are still popular.  If you are interested in participating in a guided tour that requires you to be active, you may enjoy hiking or biking around St. Thomas.  For the most part, the terrain is smooth, but you may come across areas that may be difficult for inexperienced hikers.

If you decide that you would like to schedule a guided tour, while vacationing in St. Thomas, you are encouraged to determine whether or not reservations are needed.  Scuba diving tours and boat tours are popular among St. Thomas tourists.  To ensure that you are able to participate in the guided tour of your choice, you are encouraged to make the proper arrangements ahead of time.

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Travel tips to European Countries: Sweden

About the county

Beautiful and clean, the peaceful Sweden is a land of cultural diversity with a mix of Danish and Wild Arctic North influences. One can also get the feel of urban living in its beautiful and sophisticated cities and at the same time one can feel the tranquility in the countryside. Sweden is full of charm with scenic medical villages, islands, lakes and forests dotting its landscape. 

Most of Swedens area is covered by forests and not to forget thousands of lakes. One of the beauties of Sweden is its islands and one cannot go without seeing these islands. They offer the most scenic and beautiful experience to any visitors. Stockholm is the capital of Sweden, a city with 14 islands dotted with great restaurants, nightclubs, pubs and artistic grandeur. Wherever you go most people speak English. If visitors want to have a taste of seafood the west coast is the place to be. Also it is popular for ancient city Uppsala. Do no miss a trip to the Ice Hotel which is sculpted from ice each winter in Lapland. Sweden is an exciting country with great roads and state of the art high speed train system.

Population & Languages

Sweden has a population of around 9 million and the official language is Swedish. Lapp is spoken by Sami people in the north. Most people speak English fluently and also many speak German and French.  

Electricity

Voltage - 230 volts, Frequency - 50Hz. Standard European 2-pin plugs are used.

Geographic Location

Sweden is a Nordic country lying in the Scandinavian Peninsula and is the fifth largest country in Europe. Its west neighbor is Norway; Finland in the northeast, the southwest border is surrounded by Skagerrak and Kattegat straits and the west coast is surrounded by Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia. Majority of the area is forest and there are thousands of lakes mostly in the Southern part of Sweden. 

Local Customs

Like any other country Sweden has its own customs too. It is customary not to drink until the host makes a toast. Smoking is prohibited in most public areas. It is also customary to say Tack fr maten to the host after having a meal which means thanks for the food.  Casual dress is acceptable for everyday wear and formal wear for social gatherings. Also tipping up to ten percent is customary for service in restaurants and around same percent for taxis also.

Places to see

Stockholm  The biggest city and capital of Sweden and is one of the most beautiful cities of the world. The old town is a treat for your eyes and a walk around citys waterways and parks is an experience to cherish. Most visitors prefer walking around on foot and visit the medieval part of Gamla Stan. The city is basically constituted by archipelagos which are outstandingly scenic and can be explored by cruises.

Gothenburg  it is the second biggest city of Sweden. Not to be missed attraction in this city is Liseberg, a world class amusement park. It is home to popular museums like Ostindiska huset, Konstmuseet and Sjfartshistoriska museet.

Vadstena - The Renaissance castle Vadstena slot & klosterkyrkan.

Visby  Port of Visby, ruins of Drotten, St Nicolai, St Lars and St Carin, cathedral of St Maria and Gotlands Fornsal historic musem.

Oland  Fort of Graborg, Eketorp museum and ruins of Borgholm Castle.

Travel

By Air  It is well connected to the rest of the world by air. Many international airlines serve Sweden apart from its national airlines SAS. The other airlines are Air Canada, Air France, Aeroflot, British Airways, Finn air, Lufthansa, Ryan air etc. 

By Sea  The ferries connect Sweden with other destinations such as New Castle, Copenhagen, and St. Petersburg etc.

By Rail  Trains connect Ostend, Sweden to London. It is also connected to Denmark by Eurostar train.

By Road  Visitors from UK can drive to Sweden through Demark or Germany 

Duty Free Items

1. Up to 200 cigarettes or 250 gm tobacco

2. 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars

3. 1 liter spirit over 22% or 2 liter wine or 32 liter beer

4. Perfumes

5. Gifts up to SEK 1700.

Prohibited Items

Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, most meat and dairy products, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

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Travel Tips to European Countries: Ireland

About The Country

The summers are warm and the winters are moderate with some snow. May and June are the sunniest months. Weather changes quite frequently from cloudy to sunny and vice versa. If planning the visit during the summer, lightweight woolen or cotton clothes are recommended and jacket for spring and autumn. Always carry raincoat for that untimely showers. Incase of emergency call 999 or 112.

Culture

Most of the locals prefer speaking English here. Handshaking is customary. Irish are social people and are good at having a lively chat even with strangers. People live in great harmony and make great friends. Foreigners are welcomed with warmth and are made to feel at home. Guests are never sent back empty stomach as food is always served at any time of the day, to the guest. Most of the locals come from an agricultural background. Dinner is considered to be a meal of importance as it is the time when the whole family gets together and eat. One can dress casually when out on the streets except women are expected to dress formally at social gatherings and at fine restaurants. Smoking is banned in public places.  

Shopping

Many towns organize flee markets at least once a week, which is worth checking out for cheap goods. Belfast is the shopping capital of Ireland; most of the stores open up early and close early too. On Thursdays, shops remain open till 8 in the night.  Value Added Tax of almost 17% is charged, which can be reclaimed later. So if the visitors buy anything from the stores remember to check if the store operates the Retail Export Scheme, which would require the passport and filling of the Tax Free Shopping Form by the sales person. If the restaurant bill doesnt includes any tax, leave behind a 10% tip to appreciate their service. Giving a tip to the porters and hair dressers is customary here.

Electricity

The voltage in Northern Ireland is 240V, 50AC.

Getting There

The national airline that operates here is Aer Lingus, which provides service from most of the major cities of the world. Airlines like Delta Air Lines and many other have been introduced and to promote them, promotional air fares are being offered. Checking out such offers will prove to be money savers. There are many flights from UK to Ireland. The Dublin airport is located at 10 km away from the city. Services like taxis, air coach, buses transport passengers to their destination. Airport has duty free shops, bank, currency exchange, car hire, tourism information, and restaurants for a comfortable journey. Shannon Airport is situated to the north of Limerick City and is 24 km and 25 minutes away from it. Buses, coaches and taxis are available for transportation. Other services that are provided are duty free shops, currency exchange, bank, tourism information and restaurants. While planning to travel, check out other airports like Cork Airport and Knock Information Airport for more options. A departure tax of 10 is to be paid by people over 12 years of age at the Knock International Airport.

To take ferries check out the Baltimore, Galway, Dublin, Wexford and Kinsale ports. Most of the ferries offer high-speed services. Time to time special offers are being announced which can be availed to save money. Check out the websites as some of them offer online booking facility.

Duty Free Items

1. 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco

2. 1l of spirits and distilled beverages (more than 22 per cent) or 2l of other alcoholic beverages with an alcoholic strength not exceeding 22 per cent, including sparkling or fortified wine, plus 2l of table wine

3. 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette

The carrier should be above 17 years of age. Sharp objects, explosives, firearms, food or agricultural items and hay or straw should be brought along as they are strictly prohibited.

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Travel Tips to European Countries: Germany

About the country

The Federal republic of Germany is the most influential country of Europe. It has witnessed the most controversial facts of history like Nazism, Holy Roman Empire and the building and demolition of the Berlin wall. With many magnificent castles it has wealth of art and culture. German is the widely spoken language in German, but outsiders can find many English speaking locals especially in the common tourist destinations. 

Weather

The weather here is very unpredictable as there is a possibility of rain almost all months, so carry clothes accordingly. April and May are the months of spring which brings in full bloom of fruits and flowers. Months from May to September have very fine weather with sunny skies and offers the best time for traveling and site-seeing. People who have a passion for sports like swimming, hiking, and cycling can have the best time here during these months. Winter sports can be enjoyed at the resorts in the months from November to early March. The temperatures are below freezing and the days are too short (comprise of only six to eight months) in winter.

Local Customs

Locals greet each other by handshaking and saying Guten Tag. To say goodbye, people use Auf Wiedersehen. Guests are expected to bring uncovered and odd number of flowers, especially roses, when visiting someones home. The guests are welcomed with either food or refreshments. At the table, hosts say Guten Appetit to which the guests should reply with Ebenfalls. Smoking should be better avoided in public areas. Locals dress informally but certain occasions like opera, theatre, certain restaurants and social functions call for formal wear. 

Electricity

220 V, 50 Hz

Moving Around

The best way to get around is to buy the Welcome cards or the city passes which allows the customer to access unlimited bus facility in many cities of Germany. It also gives special offer on certain tourist attractions. For flexibility one can rent-a-car or go for chauffer driven cars. Along with the rent, VAT of 16% is payable. Car insurance should be available before hand in case of any accident. The speed limit within the cities is mostly 50kph and 100kph on the highways.

Nine stars

The nine stars of Southwest Germany comprise of Baden-Baden, Freiburg, Heidelberg, Karlsruhe, Heilbronn, Mannheim, Pforzheim Stuttgart, and Ulm. They are considered to be some of the beautiful cities of Europe. Each of the cities play a vital role in the culture of Germany. Baden-Baden has few of the finest resorts and also has Europes second largest opera and concert hall. Freiburg is known as the historic city center and is famous for cobblestone mosiacs, open streams and ancient alleys. Heidelberg has world famous castles and Germanys oldest university. Karlsruhe has the famous museum Center for Art and Media. Look out for various amusements along the Nectar river of Heilbronn. Pforzheim is the capital for watches and jewelry. Stuttgart is famous for theatres and opera.  Ulm is the birth place of Albert Einstein and is also house to the worlds tallest hurch spire.

Travel

The national airline that serves Germany is Lufthansa. Bwelin-Tegel airport is situated at 8 km away from the city and it takes about 20 minutes to reach there. There is a provision of duty free shops, banks, post office, eateries, conference hall, and car hire and tourism information for the passengers.

Another busy airport is the Frankfurt airport which is located at 13km away from the city. Buses take about 20 minutes to get there. Taxis are available at any time. The Intercity railway network at the airport also provides international services to Hungary, Switzerland and Austria. The facilities provided here are duty free shops, left luggage, restaurants, banks, conference halls, post office, car hire and tourism information. No departure tax is levied on the passengers.

Those wishing to travel by sea can avail the ferry connections to Finland, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Latvia, and Norway.

Eurostar provides railway service to and from Belgium, France and the UK. Booking can be made by telephone. The Inter-Rail offers unlimited second class train travel within 29 European countries. The Eurailpass offers unlimited first class train travel within 17 European countries. 

EuroCity and InterCity trains have a restaurant on board, providing food and drinks. InterCity Express target the business class and provides services such as fully equipped office, conference compartments, etc. Tourist over 17 years of age can carry alcohol and tobacco with them within permissible limits.

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Travel tips to European Countries: Czech Republic

About the county

Czech Republic is located in Central Europe bordering Poland to the north, Germany to the northwest and west, Austria to the south, and Slovakia to the east. The capital of Czech Republic is Prague which is also the biggest city of Czech Republic and a popular tourist destination. Czech Republic became a member of European Union in May, 2004. Czech Republic was earlier a part of Czechoslovakia which was dissolved in January, 1993 and was split into what is now called Czech and Slovak Republics. Brno, Ostrava, PlzeH, Olomouc, , esk Budjovice, Zln, Hradec Krlov, st nad Labem, Pardubice and Karlovy Vary are the other important cities of Czech Republic. Czech Republic is divided into two parts based on geographical and cultural classification. They are Bohemia and Moravia. Bohemian cities and towns are popular for their spas and wine vineyards. It is also home to many castles which are open for visitors. One of the other tourism attractions is the availability of hundreds of miles of marked trails for hiking, cycling and skiing.

Population & Languages

The population of Czech Republic is roughly 10.2 million and the official language being spoken is Czech. 

Electricity

The voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The type of plug used is Round pin plug and receptacle with male grounding pin

Geographic Location

It is located in Central Europe bordering Poland to the north, Germany to the northwest and west, Austria to the south, and Slovakia to the east. It is basically a landlocked country strategically located on some of the most important land routes in Europe.

Climate

The climate of Czech Republic can be termed as Temperate with hot summers and cold overcast winters. It also gets snow. Most of the rain comes down in summer. Due to different altitudes the variation of temperatures is diverse. The temperatures are relatively low at high altitudes and more precipitation. The temperatures average only -0.4C at high altitude areas whereas the temperatures can average as high as 10C in low altitude areas.

Local Customs

Dressing should be conservative and casual except at formal dinners or good hotels or restaurants. Tipping is usually 5 to 10 percent in restaurant, hotels and taxis.

Attractions

The Castle District (Hradany)   It has some of the best churches and museums. It also has some beautiful gardens, fortifications and state apartments also.

St Vitus Cathedral   It is located in the Castle District, the prominent feature of this cathedral is the spires which soar high in the sky. It is also country s largest church with great architecture.

Charles Bridge (Karluv Most)   This is one of the most popular tourist spots of the city and should not be missed.

Old Town Square (Staromstsk Nmest)   It is the most vibrant square of Prague with many historical structures. It also hosts various markets every year like yearly Christmas market.

The Jewish Museum   It is the largest Jewish Museum in Central Europe with a vast collection of Judaic art works.

Vyaehrad   Is a great hill fort built on a rock above the river.

Travel

By Air   The national airline of Czech Republic is Czech Airlines. There are many other small and popular international airlines operating from Czech Republic. The major airport is Prague Ruzyne International Airport (PRG). The airport is located approximately 10 miles north west of Prague.

By Rail   The country is part of the extensive network of trains connecting the European cities. If you are coming from Western Europe the most convenient connections are via Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, and Zurich to Prague. 

Duty Free Items

1. 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars or 1kg tobacco for EU countries.

2. 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco for Non-EU countries.

3. 10 liter of spirits with alcohol content over 22%, or 20 liter of alcoholic beverages with alcohol volume less than 22%, or 90 liter of wine or 60 liter of sparkling wine, or 110 liter of beer for EU countries.

4. 1 liter spirits or 2 liter wine for Non-EU countries.

5. 50g perfume or 250ml eau de toilette

6. Food, fruits, medications and flowers for personal use

7. Gifts up to  175

Prohibited Items

Un-canned goods, meat or dairy products, Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

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