Tag: party

The Worldwide Guide to Carnivals, Festivals and Cultural Events for Independent Traveller

The Worldwide Guide to Carnivals, Festivals and Cultural Events for Independent Traveller

Many travelers plan their independent itinerary abroad based on time and budget constraints, while aiming at reaching the best and most attractive touristic attractions of the city/country they wish to visit.

Most of the independent travelers abroad, having carefully and accurately planned their itinerary, encounter more than once the frustrating experience of arriving at a planned place and finding out that a three day international festival had ended a day before their arrival. The colorful stage and props in front of the city cathedral and all the decorations are being taken away and the town is in a gloomy after-party atmosphere.

They often say: “Had we known ahead of time of the festival, we would have rescheduled and change plans to make it on time and not miss such an opportunity.”

It is noteworthy that the “surprising” occurrence of such events may contribute enormously to the contents and value of any trip. Obviously, such “surprising and unplanned events may also spoil the fun of any trip.

Some travelers may want to leave town immediately to avoid a distasteful event, especially when an event like this may cause shortage of hotel rooms or unexpected price risings.

There are also cases when travelers are surprised to find out that the festival/national carnival/parade in memory of the city benefactors has paralyzed the city: banks and shops are closed and traffic or parking problems are unbearable. All this can be avoided by having in advance information of the various events on the planned itinerary.

Prior information is essential!

Today, many travelers who plan their own trip abroad choose the site of “CarniFest Online   – What’s on Worldwide” (www.carnifest.com), click the name of the country they wish to visit and their time schedules and they are presented immediately with a variety of events, their updated and relevant schedules which fit the data of their search.

The combination of prior information of the festivals, carnivals and cultural events along with the itinerary and their exact time schedules is undoubtedly an essential component of planning an independent trip abroad. Proper planning assisted by the comprehensive information to be found at “Carnifest Online – What’s on Worldwide ” will guarantee a beautiful, interesting and enjoyable trip.

See London on a River Thames Boat Cruise

See London on a River Thames Boat Cruise

Many people associate the idea of a boat cruise with visions of the Caribbean, or cruising around New York Harbor to get a look at the Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan. Now however, more and more people are becoming aware of the fact that a River Thames boat cruise is a great way to see all of the great sights that there are in the city of London.

If you are planning a trip to London then maybe you should give some consideration to booking a day trip on the River Thames as there are trips of this type of all sizes that are available for the curious traveler. They range in size from a small speed boat trip, to twelve person tour boats, up to larger passenger cruise boats that can accommodate as many as a hundred people.

The larger boats even come equipped with complete dining facilities and can easily host a complete wedding or corporate party. If you have never been on a day cruise on the River Thames then you may be missing out on an experience that will leave you with memories to last a life time.

They are surprisingly affordable and easy to book and the boarding accommodations are fantastic and these are just a few of the reasons that more and more people are choosing to make a day cruise on the River Thames part of their London travel itinerary.

Along with all of the wonderful sights along the river Thames you are treated to a history lesson that covers the hundreds of years of rich history that took place all long the River Thames by the experienced guides and river pilots that will lead your excursion. Because London was built up along the river Thames you will be amazed at all there is to see of the city by boat.

Why Take a New York City Limo

Why Take a New York City Limo?

If you are attending a wedding, going out for a bachelor party, graduation, prom, sports event, or the theatre, or any other occasion then a New York limo will make sure you and your guests will arrive on time and in style for your memorable event. The limo driver will pick you up at your door, make sure you get there the fastest way possible, drop you off at the front door of your event and then pick you up when you are ready; to make sure you get home safely. A limo is a great alternative to driving yourself as you do not have to worry about the traffic or parking your car.

A New York City limo can also be a better way to get around town than a taxi if traveling in a group, because they are built to handle multiple passengers. Traveling together in the same vehicle is definitely better than having to hail two or three taxis. It also means everybody can enjoy themselves without having to worry about who is going to be the designated driver for the day or night. A limo can actually be cheaper than taking taxis all night long too as you pay by the hour, not by each trip you take. And if the group splits the bill up, it can be much less expensive than you think.

If you are going to a once in a lifetime event and want to make sure it is memorable as well as impressive, remember that is what a New York City limo is about. They are designed specifically for several passengers and their comfort. In fact, some of them are just like hotels on wheels as they may offer a mini-bar, thick carpeted floors, and soft luxurious seats. A limo is made to provide you with the best ride that money can buy and is also an ideal way to boost your image with friends, family, and business associates.

While riding in a New York City limo you will never have to stop and ask for directions, worry about ending up in an unsafe neighborhood, figure out where to find a gas station, or a place to eat in the middle of the night, as the limo service will have all of these situations under control. You can just sit back and relax, tend to business affairs or your guests while the driver does the rest.

So if you live in New York City or are just there visiting to see the great sights, be sure to consider taking a New York City limo wherever you have to go, be it the airport, Madison Square Garden, Broadway, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, the 911 Memorial Site, or the Empire State Building. If you do happen to get stuck in city traffic, you will be glad  that you are safe and comfortable while sitting in the back seat of the limousine.

New Years Eve in Barcelona

New Years Eve in Barcelona

After the lights and energy of Christmas, it’s time to see in the new year. This is an exciting and vibrant time of the year in many faiths and countries around the world. It’s a time to forgive and forget and to make those all important resolutions; most importantly, it’s a time to start afresh. Experience New Years Eve in a cosmopolitan city and spend your holiday in Barcelona.  

Keeping with tradition, the new year celebrations begin by eating twelve grapes, one for every time the clock chimes for midnight. In many Spanish places this is performed outside and the streets are covered with people eating grapes. In Barcelona, it is not seen as necessary to eat the grapes outside and many eat their grapes at home before venturing outside for the big party. 

Every club and venue is called into action at this time and usually organizes a special new year party for which tickets are issued in most cases. There are also super-sized parties held in venues across the country and some people choose to hire out their own private venue for a special party of their own. Others may be slightly more intimate and hold a party at their Barcelona accommodation for friends and family only. Although a diminishing tradition, some people wait to see the sun rise over a beach. Traditional food associated with new year is “churros”, a finger or banana shaped pastry and hot chocolate. During the New Years Eve time you can still find a lot of available Barcelona hotels and Barcelona apartments.

The first week of the new year is dedicated to children. On the night before the 5th January, the three kings – Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar, disembark their ship at the harbour and there is a grand parade through the town with the kings and their pages – another opportunity for the children to get involved.  The kings are then left alone in the city to hide presents. It is customary to write a letter to the kings and request specific presents although they may like to throw in a few little surprises. 

Another traditional food is the tortell de Reis which means King’s cake. This is a cake with a difference as it has a figurine hidden inside it. The person who is given the slice containing the figurine is celebrated with a paper crown. The cake itself is a round and simple sponge cake which is made by every bakery in the city. The cake has another trick up its sleeve too as the person who is served the slice containing a “faba”, a type of bean, has to pay for the cake.

These traditions are not all necessarily followed to the letter although the majority will participate, especially in the precession of the kings. In Barcelona Christmas is accepted as a time for having fun with friends and most importantly family.