Author: LetsGet1

Top things to do in London

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Here are 6 reasons why everyone needs to go to London at least once:

1. The famous sights

Big Ben, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, the list goes on and on. There’s nothing quite like the experience of hopping on a red double-decker bus and seeing some of the most recognisable sights in the world from its top deck.

2. The shopping

Whether you’ve got money burning a hole in your pocket or you just want to have a nose past some windows, there is no better place to experience the best shopping in the world than London. Get overwhelmed by the number of people on Oxford Street, stunned by the prices in Knightsbridge and charmed by the boutiques around Carnaby Street.

3. The nightlife

Londoners may work hard, but they also play hard too. There’s everything any night owl could possibly want in the capital, from classic pubs, to chic clubs, quirky dive bars, theatres packed with Hollywood stars taking their turn on the boards. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you book tickets for some kind of show one evening, whether it be a West End musical, a stand up comedy show, or a great live concert. The biggest stars and the best shows always make a stop in our nation’s capital, so you’re sure to find something that will blow you away.

4. The history

The story of London is ever so long and dramatic. So much of our culture as a country developed in this city and you’ll discover more than you can possibly remember if you visit some of its museums and historical attractions. Terrify yourself with the gruesome past of the London Dungeons or bask in the splendour of royalty at Hampton Court Palace.

5. The unexpected bits

The best bits of a trip to London will be the bits you won’t expect. There are some things you’d never know until you experience them in person, like how peaceful the green spaces in such a bustling city can be, or how distinctive different neighbourhoods can feel. The one-of-a-kind memories can only come from travelling to the city, putting on some comfortable walking shoes, and going out to explore.

6. The people

London, and in fact Britain in general, may not have a great reputation for being full of friendly, welcoming people, but actually, the city is the wonder that it is because of the great diversity of fascinating people that live there. Everywhere you look you’ll see people doing incredible things, whether it’s building businesses or performing circus acts in the street. Everyone has a story to tell, and on a visit to London it’s worth talking to as many people as possible to hear some of the amazing stories, as well as creating one of your very own.

Check out the amazing range of tours available here

The coolest hotels in the Canaries

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by Isabella Noble

From Lanzarote’s art vibes to Tenerife’s food scene, the islands are all grown up, with even the most remote offering stylish places to stay

Alava Suites, Lanzarote

When I’m dreaming of a trip to the sunny Canaries it involves swims in glinting Atlantic pools, hikes into silent palm-filled valleys, a healthy dose of the local art scene, perhaps a splash of beach yoga and somewhere irresistibly chic to stay.

In recent years, Spain’s oft-maligned Canary Islands have quietly grown up and morphed into a stylish, creative, upmarket destination. Old mansions and fincas (country estates) are being reborn as seductive boutique hotels, while interesting apartments and villas led by energetic owners with a zest for celebrating the islands’ cultural heritage are popping up. Luxurious beachfront five-star hotels are having design-forward makeovers, and even hidden cave-houses are being transformed into boho-chic holiday homes.

AVANTI Lifestyle Hotel

On the foodie side of things Michelin stars continue to arrive, particularly in Tenerife, which is home to five of the archipelago’s nine Michelin-starred restaurants. You’ll taste this culinary boom in a raft of other wonderfully imaginative kitchens too, while traditional spots continue to highlight the islands’ fabulous fresh produce, just as they have done for years. Until recently Canarian wines were little known beyond their homeland, but they are now truly blossoming.

Ecohotel El Agua


When it comes to choosing which island to visit, it’s worth noting that different islands address different needs, and all have their own charms. Dynamic Tenerife and Gran Canaria are the grand dames, offering a wide range of activities. Fuerteventura pulls in beachy types with its silken sands, surf scene and strong gusts for wind and kitesurfing. Lanzarote is on the map for art and design lovers thanks to its wave of creative boutique hotels, as well as the venues, gardens and homes (open as tourist attractions) created by the 20th-century environmentalist and artist César Manrique. On all four larger islands, the north has a wilder, less touristy feel.

La Colonial Suites Apartamentos de Lujo

Then there are the three smaller and more remote Canaries — El Hierro, La Gomera and La Palma, linked to the bigger islands via ferry or tiny airports. All have their own beauty and make for glorious crowd-free escapes.

Whichever island you pick, rewarding hiking awaits, from misty laurel forests found on several of the islands, to the challenge of the 3,718m summit of Mount Teide on Tenerife. Or perhaps you fancy surfing, paddleboarding, diving, kitesurfing or whale-watching. Maybe pottering around the farmers’ markets is more your thing. Wherever you go there’ll be a plate of queso a la plancha (grilled local cheese) and a glass of volcanic wine waiting.

The main airports serving the Canary Islands from the UK are Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma and Tenerife North and South. Armas, Fred Olsen and Líneas Romero offer ferry routes between all the islands.

Currency in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam

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Thailand’s currency is the baht, and at the time of writing the exchange rate for ease of calculations is approximately 35 baht to the US dollar. I didn’t take any baht with me to Thailand as I had pre-booked and paid for transport from the airport and our hotel, Trang hotel, takes card payment for meals. The local street vendors seem to take dollars for everything and the ubiquitous 7-eleven stores will take dollars and give change in baht. I did take plenty of US dollars in cash and was able to change it at one of the many currency exchange booths and banks in Bangkok, there are also plenty of ATMs there. Bahts are useful when paying for entrance fees to temples and boat trips.

The local currency in Cambodia is the riel, but here dollars are accepted everywhere and there is no need to change currency or get riel from an ATM. Change may be given in dollars with smaller amounts in riel. Most restaurants and shops do not take card payments. At the time of writing the approximate exchange rate was 4000 riel to one dollar.

In Vietnam it is easy to be a millionaire in Vietnamese dong as there are over 24,000 dong to the dollar. Fortunately most notes are in multiples of 1000 and even a 50,000 dong note is only worth just over 2 dollars. Some restaurants and bars leave the zeros off their prices so that 50,000 dong would be 50. Here again the dollar is widely accepted and change may be given in dollars and dong, there are plenty of currency booths and ATMs available. Card payments are more widely accepted here than in Cambodia.

Explore Grand Canyon National Park

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Explore Grand Canyon National Park

About Grand Canyon National Park

Vast and cinematic, this famed national park is an absolute showstopper, with bands of red rocks and carved canyon walls as far as the eye can see. No wonder it draws millions of visitors every year. But if you want solo time in nature, you’re in luck. The window of December to February gets only a sliver of summer’s peak crowds. Yes, it’s cold—highs tend to hover around 45 degrees—but this season has its own attractions, like seeing the Canyon’s walls dusted in snow. South Rim trails also stay open for the most part. One good bet: The Hermit Trail tends to stay relatively snow- and ice-free because of its lower elevation and sunlight exposure. Need another reason to come? January is also when the park’s historic photo studio, Kolb Studio, has its art exhibition and sale.

Places to see, ways to wander, and signature experiences

that define Grand Canyon National Park

Find Out More

Fiji

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If you’ve got to choose just one place, it may as well be paradise, right? But it’s the locals that really make Fiji, excelling themselves at being friendly. Plus, it can be pretty cheap once you get there, and the sun is usually shining. Sounds awful…

From the moment you arrive in Fiji, you’re made to feel at home. The traditional Fijian welcome song, Bula Maleya, is likely to welcome you everywhere you go, and you may find yourself invited to a traditional welcome ceremony. The ceremony centres around sharing the local drink, kava – just take it easy, it’s potent!

Having travelled so far, it might seem a shame not to live like island royalty and splash out on, say… a villa on a private island? There’s no need, though. Poolside studio apartments only 10 minutes’ walk from the beach go for as little as £29 per night on the main island. A bit more seclusion comes even cheaper, with cottages by the ocean on stunning Matacawalevu Island starting at £26 per night.

Hostelling and home stays cost next to nothing, and then you have the added bonus that your hosts might also offer you home-cooked meals. As a general rule, it’s cheapest to eat in larger towns as opposed to resort areas. What you might not have guessed is that the local catch of the day might catch you off guard when you get the bill, while eating at an Indian restaurant can set you back less than £5.

Every little helps when you’ve got to save those pennies for a sunset coconut and local rum…

Pyramids in Brazil

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Pyramid in Brazil

Pre-dating even the pyramids in Egypt, Brazil’s pyramids are considered the oldest in the world, having been built around 3,000 BCE. These ones are a lot more mysterious than their African counterparts, though, with no written records of their construction in existence.

The pyramid near Jaguaruna in Santa Catarina State is one of the last remaining in Brazil. It stands 100 ft tall (though researchers think it may have once been much taller) and has a base covering an impressive 25 acres. However, archaeologists reckon there were once thousands of pyramids built along the Atlantic coast of southern Brazil.

And why along the coast? Well, that’s because these pyramids were made using only seashells. As a result, many have been mistaken for rubbish heaps over the years and destroyed to make way for development.

Brazil’s pyramids were built over the course of decades, or even centuries, and appear to have been used for burials and other religious purposes, just like the ones found in Egypt. However, more like the pyramids found in other parts of the Americas, structures were built on top of them.

Montana

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The town of West Yellowstone just over state lines is a great base for National Park adventures. Plus, it’s the only place you’d actually want to run into a grizzly bear. When it comes to Montana’s big moments in history, The Battle of the Little Bighorn might sound familiar, aka Custer’s Last Stand (not Custard, as some of us may have thought as children). Today you can visit a monument to the battle near Crow Agency, Montana, taking in the beautiful sculptures and gravestones dedicated to the men and women who died there.

The Crow fair is another important stop during August, when the hills surrounding the Little Bighorn River are turned into the “teepee capital of the world.” Members of the public are welcome to witness the parades, rodeos and dance competitions celebrating tribe culture. Ya·qawiswit̓xuki—or Glacier National Park as it’s known in English—is your next stop. It was formerly a homeland of the Kootenai people, but years of development and global warming have changed the landscape greatly. Visiting is allowed, just take time to be respectful of the land and learn about the local history before you go. The glaciers are receding more each year, but a day hike in Many Glacier Valley can still provide you epic views of Grinnell Glacier and Salamander Glacier. If you’re pushed for time, plan ahead for a drive along the infamous Going-To-The-Sun Road and keep your eyes peeled for the Jackson Glacier Overlook sign. Bring binoculars for the big reveal!
The Kootenai and Salish Tribes are also responsible for something wholly unexpected in the area—The Garden of One Thousand Buddhas. You’ll be transported straight to Tibet, surrounded by colourful prayer flags, a shrine to Yum Chenmo, and—as you may have guessed—one thousand statues of Buddha

Islands in Indonesia

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As with most of the smaller islands around Bali and Lombok, Nusa Lembongan is a veritable paradise.  It lies around 15 miles southeast of Denpasar, alongside Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida. But despite the proximity, getting there isn’t straightforward, since the island has neither an airport nor a pier. So, whichever boat transfer you pick from Sanur, just know that you’ll be getting your feet wet before you even reach the hotel (heavy, wheelie suitcases not advisable). Of the three Nusa Islands, Lembongan is the most developed, offering the most accommodation and dining options. Unsurprisingly, that also means it’s the most popular of the three as a base for visitors to the islands. So if it’s a hidden gem you’re looking for, this might not be the one – you should expect more than one or two “Instagram tourists”.

There are good reasons why people want to come here, though. The picturesque beaches exist IRL as well, with never-ending sandy bays ideal for swimming, snorkelling and surfing alike. Lembongan is regarded as having the Nusa Islands’ best surf spots, which also come with names that mean business, like Razors and Lacerations. If you’re brave enough, even beginners can head out on Razors, though we’d probably start with the less aggressive-sounding Playgrounds. You can also lean into Bali’s hippy yoga lifestyle on Nusa Lembongan, with several schools on the island offering multi-day retreats. Aside from coming away feeling more chilled and flexible than if you were just sipping mojitos at a beach club, booking a retreat package tends to mean that your accommodation, breakfast and transfers from Bali are completely sorted. Most generally give you the option to include surf classes and/or snorkelling, too. We found bookyogaretreats.com to be a handy comparison site for seeing what’s available and when.

One of the most authentic Balinese experiences you can have on Lembongan is visiting the seaweed farms. Seaweed farming is the area’s main source of income after tourism, and it made a real comeback during the COVID-19 pandemic. At low tide, you can see hundreds of locals working on their plots in the channel between Jungut Batu Bay and Nusa Ceningan. It’s an impressive sight, especially when low tide happens to fall at sunrise or sunset, but please remember to ask permission from the farmers before taking any pictures! Crossing the channel to Ceningan is easy, too, since it’s connected to Nusa Lembongan by its iconic Yellow Bridge. The island is small and walkable, although you may want to rent a motorbike to avoid spending hours walking in the sun. Natural coastal beauty is on the cards here as well, with the Blue Lagoon topping every list of things to see. Since you can’t actually get in and swim here, you know it must be impressive when the colour of the water alone is enough to draw crowds. Thankfully, you don’t have to go far for a swim, since there’s a really popular cliff diving spot just around the corner. On the road back towards the Yellow Bridge, look out for little signs pointing you down to Secret Beach. It may not really be a secret, but it is secluded and has some of the clearest waters around. There’s a good chance you’ll have all 50 metres of coastline to yourself, as well as the perfect conditions for checking out its reef. While the Nusas definitely aren’t as hopping as Bali proper, this is probably about as much real peace and quiet as you can hope for in an area that’s only growing in popularity.

Here are a couple of other nearby suggestions (relatively speaking) for an even better chance at seaside serenity: Lombok: Just next door, but so much less popular with the Instagram crowd (except maybe Pink Beach!). The landscape is varied, with hikeable volcanoes, a deluge of waterfalls, and a huge choice of quiet beaches, where you can build sand castles without worrying some big brute will come and kick them over. Unless you’re on Selong Belanak beach at sunset when the water buffalo come out.

Flores & Komodo Island: Flores is much less developed for tourism than Bali or Lombok, but as the gateway to world-famous dive sites and real life dragons in Komodo National Park, we can’t imagine that’ll last too long. This trip can involve as much activity as you like, with canyon jumping, cave swimming and treks through the highlands to visit the traditional village of Wae Rebo all on the cards. But don’t miss out on their Pink Beaches, either – they’re arguably much pinker than Lombok’s! Weh Island: Much more off the beaten path, everything moves more slowly on Weh Island. The waters here are warm, clear and full of marine life, making it the ideal place for some leisurely snorkelling or affordable diving. Iboih and Gapang Beaches are best for proximity to the dive centres (and seaside bungalows), but if you just want to float around in peace, head to Sumur Tiga Beach. As a Muslim island under Sharia law, you won’t find much partying going on here – but tourists aren’t held to the same rules as locals, so long as you’re respectful of local tradition and etiquette. In short, you’ll find the odd beer on sale here or there, and bikinis tend to be okay on the beach.

Visit Waikiki and Swim with Turtles

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Visit Waikiki and Swim with Turtles

Located on the south shore of Honolulu, the world-famous neighborhood of Waikīkī was once a playground for Hawaiian royalty. Known in Hawaiian as “spouting waters,” Waikīkī was introduced to the world when its first hotel, the Moana Surfrider, was built on its shores in 1901. Today, Waikīkī is Oʻahu’s main hotel and resort area and a vibrant gathering place for visitors from around the world. Along the main strip of Kalākaua Avenue you’ll find world-class shopping, dining, entertainment, activities and resorts.

Waikīkī is famous for its beaches and every hotel room is just two or three blocks away from the ocean (if it’s not directly on the beach). With Mount Lēʻahi (Lēʻahi Head) as your backdrop, the calm waters of Waikīkī are perfect for a surfing lesson. The Duke Kahanamoku Statue, located on Waikīkī Beach, has become an iconic symbol of Waikīkī and the surf culture of Oʻahu.

But there’s more to Waikīkī than just the beach. Attractions of Waikīkī like the Honolulu Zoo and the Waikīkī Aquarium offer fun for the whole family. You can learn about the history of Waikīkī by reading the surfboard markers along the Waikīkī Historical Trail. Among the various things to do, high-end boutiques, shops, and restaurants can be found all along Kalākaua and Kūhiō Avenues and at gathering places like the Royal Hawaiian Center, the Waikīkī Beach Walk and the newly transformed International Market Place. After the Waikīkī sunset, the fun continues with amazing nightlife and live music.

Best of all, Waikīkī is within a half hour of a variety of Oʻahu attractions, including Pearl Harbor, ʻIolani Palace, the Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout and Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve Nature Preserve, a marine life conservation district. Other notable points of interest nearby include Ala Moana Center (a massive outdoor shopping center), the local neighborhood of Kapahulu and the arts district of Chinatown.

Share the warm Hawaiian waters with green sea turtles, tropical fish, and more on a 2-hour snorkel excursion from Waikiki. No need to wear your flippers and mask on the plane, as all necessary gear is provided. Under the careful guidance of a tour leader, discover the vibrant sea life of Turtle Canyons. Above water wildlife sightings may include spinner dolphins, flying fish, and – in winter months – humpback whales.

Discover sea life in its natural environment

Visit one of Waikiki’s top snorkel sites

Enjoy complimentary refreshments on the boat

Spend time away from the hustle and bustle

There are so many places to stay in Waikiki to fit all budgets so go ahead and plan your trip!

Ultimate Wellness Retreats

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Looking for a spa break that goes beyond your average cleanse and massage? From sweat ceremonies in Costa Rica to sub-zero surfing in Iceland, these boundary-breaking wellness escapes offer a restorative journey into the unique, the unconventional and the irresistible

Grand Resort Bad Ragaz, St Gallen

Just an hour’s drive from Zurich, there’s certainly something in the water at Grand Resort Bad Ragaz – it’s perched on the banks of the Rhine on Switzerland’s eastern border, where the thermal waters from nearby Tamina Gorge have been serving locals since the Middle Ages. Star of the 6,050sqm spa is the hotel’s historic Helena Pool, where the special mineral composition and temperature of the water is said to stimulate metabolism and blood circulation, improve heart function and soothe everything from rheumatism to anxiety. After a stress-relieving soak, head to the bar before dinner, where one of the water sommeliers will help you pick from 30 carefully selected types of the soft stuff – all with different tastes, chemical makeups and benefits.

Kinkara Luxury Retreat, Costa Rica

Nothing is quite as it seems at Kinkara Luxury Retreat, tucked away in the heart of tropical Costa Rica. For a start, you’ll be camping – but at Kinkara, the spacious, white tents surrounded by rainbow eucalyptus trees and a jaw-dropping mandala garden feel more opulent than the swishest hotel room. The treatments are similarly offbeat but brilliant: think calm reflection on the waterfall-facing Meditation Rock and yoga in the garden temple. Try the temazcal-inspired sweat ceremony, led by trained healers around hot volcanic rocks: several hours of restorative song and steam are said to help aid blood flow, clear the skin and give you an emotional reset

Buchinger Wilhelmi, Marbella

Built around tried and tested methods developed by founder Dr Otto Buchinger way back in 1920, it combines top-notch medical care with holistic treatments and dawn hikes through the southern Spanish countryside. If you’re feeling stressed out, the range of therapies on offer is truly astounding. Tibetan sound baths (said to help with conditions such as depression and anxiety) coupled with autogenic training – a desensitisation technique developed by German psychiatrist Johannes Heinrich Shultz – will leave you feeling profoundly relaxed. Best of all, for a fasting experience, you’ll hardly notice the restricted food intake, thanks to the delicately made vegetable soups and freshly pressed juices on offer.

COMO Parrot Cay, Turks and Caicos

Those searching for a wellness retreat that also offers tip-top privacy, a perfect beach and sublime food should look to COMO Parrot Cay. An A-list gem of a wellness retreat hidden on a Caribbean island, COMO Parrot Cay combines glittering, top-tier luxury with a mind-blowing restorative experience. Book one of the celebrity owned, butler-equipped Parrot Cay Estates for ultimate gloss and head straight to the COMO Shambhala Retreat for a list as long as your arm of Asian-inspired treatments and therapies. Be sure to try the Pranayama breathing classes – shown to improve sleep, enhance brain function and even reduce any niggling cravings – and a session with the ‘intuitive counsellor’ for semi-psychic guidance. You’ll leave sun-kissed and fully blissed out