Rome Travel Guide
Rome is a modern city with a huge amount of history. It’s one of Europe’s top city destinations. There are a huge number of attractions across the city and most tourist attractions are within walking distance of one another near the central train station.
Flights to Rome
There are several operators that have flights to Rome. Occasionally some budget operators in the UK will fly for less than a pound plus taxes. Kelkoo searches almost every single airline that flies from London to Rome including the budget operators and gives you the results based on the best price.
Rome Hotels
Rome is one of the major tourist cities of Europe. There are 100s of hotels to choose from. The good thing is that even though Rome is a huge city, most of the tourist attractions are within walking distance of one other near the central train station.
Eating out in Rome
Italian food is enjoyed by so many people around the world. Here in Rome, you can enjoy Italian cuisine in an authentic setting.
Rome Night Clubs
Nightlife in Rome is as happening as it is in Paris and London.
Paris Travel Guide
It won’t take long to appreciate how wonderful Paris is. It’s a gem of Europe. It must be one of the most travels, filmed, painted and dreamt of capital city in Europe. Cafe terraces can be found around every corner and Red Wine flows freely in this bohemian capital. The city center is full of house hold name monuments and many attractions are easily walkable. Unlike many other European capitals, locals prefer to speak in French rather than practice their English. It is also wise to work on perfecting your accent as speaking with an English accent only seems to irritate rather than have them appreciate.
Flights to Paris
Paris has 3 major airports, all of which have quick and easy links to the city center. Almost every major airline in the world flys to Paris as it is a major world hub.
Ferry to France
You can take a ferry from Dover to Calais. The boats are like floating malls and have really nice restaurants. There are also duty free shops on board.
From Calais you can drive to Paris, or catch a cheaper Eurostar train.
Paris Hotels
There are over 430 hotels in Paris. Many of which can be just around the corner from major attractions yet quite affordable and cheap.
Paris Car Hire
It’s possible to hire a car in the uk and drive to Paris via the Eurotunnel or via ferry from dover to calis. There is a €19 fee for driving on French roads.
Travel Insurance
Getting sick abroad is a risk associated with travel. Though you can also go to the hospital here, you might have to pay for treatment in other countries. If you have insurance, they can pay for you if you get sick. Potentially you wouldn’t have to pay out of pocket either.
Shopping in Paris
France is hope to some of the world’s most famous luxury brands. Fashion, chic lifestyles and cat walks all call Paris home. Paris boosts an amazing number of exquisite shops and designers. But there are also several markets as well which host a huge, rich variety of cheap and chic goods.
Eating out in Paris
French cuisine is one of the most famous in the world. Paris is a food capital of europe with just about every kind of restaurant under the sun located in this walkable capital. There are 5 different types of menu you’ll come across in most Paris restaurants: La carte (the normal menu, just more expensive), Menu prix-fixe (fixed-price meal), Menu dégustation (surprise meal), Menu touristique (tourist menu, usually unexceptional food) and Table d’hôte (traditional food, usually inexpensive).
Paris Night Clubs
Paris is packed with Night life venues. Cabarets, Gentlemen’s clubs, Discos, House/Techno and other Trendy clubs are easily found in this vibrant city.
Visas for France
Citizens of the EU and many surrounded and surrounding countries do not need a visa to visit or live in France. Citizens of the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand will be issued a 90-day visa on arrival or prior to departure. Citizens of other countries should consult their local French embassy to see if they require a visa for France.
Venice Travel Guide
Venice is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It is also one of the oldest tourist traps in Europe. It can be quite expensive to travel there but we’ve got some links below that will give you a price comparison on the most expensive aspects of your holiday in Venice.
Flights to Venice
There are several operators that have flights to Venice. Occasionally some budget operators in the UK will fly for less than a pound plus taxes. Kelkoo searches almost every single airline that flies from London to Rome including the budget operators and gives you the results based on the best price.
Venice Hotels
Venice is only about 3KM from one end to the other so it is easily walkable and the location of your hotel in venice doesn’t matter as much as it would in other cities.
Eating out in Venice
Italian food is enjoyed by so many people around the world. Here in Venice, you can enjoy Italian cuisine in an authentic setting. Most restaurants are quite expensive and you’ll really need to walk around to find a restaurant that has good prices.
Budapest Travel Guide
Budapest is known for rich wines, thermal spas, bird life and a difficult to master language. It has all the luxuries of western europe at half the price. There are quite a few airlines that fly here so it’s easy to find a cheap flight to Budapest and there are plenty of cheap and luxurious hotels in Budapest.
Flights to Budapest
Budapest airport is serviced by a wide variety of airlines so it’s easy to find a cheap flight to Budapest. A total of 8.3 million people flew to and from the airport in 2006.
Budapest Hotels
Hotels in Budapest are often of a high standard yet inexpensive when compared with western hotels. The largest cluster of hotels can be found in the city center.
Budapest Car Hire
Roads in Hungary are safe and you can rent a car in Budapest for a very reasonable rate. Prices range from £14 – £30 per day for a typical 4 door car.
Travel Insurance
Getting sick abroad is a risk associated with travel. Though you can also go to the hospital here in the UK, you might have to pay for treatment in other countries. If you have insurance, they can pay for you if you get sick. Potentially you wouldn’t have to pay out of pocket either.
Shopping in Budapest
Those prices of goods are higher in Budapest than in the rest of the country, the prices of shopping are still cheaper than in most western countries. The closer to out of town you get, the cheaper the prices are. Even tourist souvenirs can be bought at factory outlets. Credit cards are widely accepted except in markets. There are even markets in court yards selling toys, cheap fashions and interesting and unique souvenirs.
Eating out in Budapest
Hungarian Cuisine is wonderful, yet hard to come by in the UK. You’ll never go hungry in Budapest, the town center is full of amazing restaurants at a fraction of what you would pay back in the UK.
Budapest Clubs
A lot has changed in Budapest night life in the last 10 years. Sophisticated western style clubs have popped up and salsa bars are plentiful. There is a wide variety of venues to keep you clubbing through the night.
Visas for Hungary
Citizens of the EU can visit, live and work in Hungary without a visa. Citizens of most other countries will be granted a 90-day tourist visa on arrival.
Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide
Rio de Janeiro is so much more than Carnival and hotel-lined tourist beaches. This second largest city in Brazil is still a major cultural capital. Rio de Janeiro has a majestic beauty, with built-up areas nestled between a magnificent bay and dazzling beaches on one side and an abruptly rising mountain range, covered by a luxuriant tropical forest, on the other. This unique landscape makes Rio one of the most beautiful cities in the world, justifying its title of Cidade Maravilhosa (“Marvelous City”).
Flights to Rio
Rio de Janeiro-Galeão (Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport) is located 20km (13 miles) north of Rio de Janeiro. It is connected to Rio de Janeiro by two major roads, Linha Vermelha and Avenida Brasil. The airport is signposted on both roads.
Bus and taxi are the most hassle-free ways to travel into Rio. Taxis are available, although visitors are advised to ignore the RDE taxi desk and go to the Rio de Janeiro State Tourism Authority desk instead and buy prepaid taxi vouchers. Otherwise, passengers should ensure that their taxi’s meter is cleared of the last fare.
There is an airport shuttle bus every hour which stops at major hotels and beaches. Empresa Real have air-conditioned frescao buses that drive into the city as well as along the seafront stopping off at the hotels (journey time approximately 45 minutes). Public buses run to the city centre.
Hotels in Rio
Rio de Janeiro’s hotel scene is very diversified, offering options in all price ranges. Even economy hotels offer ensuite rooms (i.e. private bathroom), with air conditioning, color TV, phone and a small refrigerator. Most hotels offer a complimentary Brazilian breakfast including fresh-squeezed juices, tropical fruit, plus the usual treats.
Booking in advance is the best way to avoid the higher counter rates. Expect higher rates and a number of mandatory nights during the main events of Carnival and New Years Eve.
Travel Insurance
Getting sick abroad is a risk associated with travel. Though you can also go to the hospital here, you might have to pay for treatment in other countries. If you have insurance, they can pay for you if you get sick. Potentially you wouldn’t have to pay out of pocket either.
Rio car hire
Road conditions are poor and lacking in signs. The national speed limit on highways is 110kph (68mph) but drivers seldom adhere to the rule. Accidents and road fatalities are distressingly common. Foreigners should carry an International Driving Permit as well as a driving license from their country of origin and third-party liability insurance is required by law.
The more common option for travelers, however, is the country’s bus service which, with the exception of the Amazon Basin, is generally excellent. Buses are punctual, clean and comfortable and this form of travel is very cheap. All the major towns and cities are served by frequent services and it is unusual to have to change buses when traveling between destinations.
Rio Restaurants
Rio caters to all tastes, and exploring the city’s restaurants is definitely to be included on your list of things to do. Try an açaí or eat feijoada, wash it down with a caipirinha and watch the world go by. Experience a churrascaria, specializing in grilled meats or stop by a Padaria, a bakery serving fresh pastries and finger foods, guaranteed to satisfy every sweet tooth. And best of all? Dining is very inexpensive in Rio de Janeiro!
Rio Clubs and Bars
A typical night out in Rio starts with a drink or two in Rio’s many bars. Bars and lounges often ask for a nominal cover in the form of either a drink minimum or a music charge. Choperias (pubs) and botecos (bars specializing in draft beer and appetizers) are casual places you can go wearing a swimsuit.
Then it is time to hit the danc floor and salsa the night away. Rio’s danceterias (discos) pulse with loud music and flashing lights. At a number of places, including samba clubs, you can dance to live Brazilian music. Gafieiras are old-fashioned ballroom dance halls, usually patronized by an equally old-fashioned clientele. Upon entry to some clubs you’re given a card to carry — each successive drink is marked on it. You pay on departure for what you’ve consumed.
Shopping in Rio
Shops in Rio are sophisticated and full of character! The streets are lined with fashion boutiques and jewelers (Brazil is one of the world’s largest producers of gold and the largest supplier of colored gemstones). Keep you eyes out for a jewelry bargain in Minas Gerais. Also look for coffee, art, and samba and bossa nova CDs – they make for a unique souvenir.
Avoiding the heat? Try one of the air-conditioned malls. You could spend an entire weekend in the Barrashopping mall without ever seeing the same shop twice – there’s over 600 of them!
Visas for Brazil
Most European nationals (including UK nationals) need nothing but a valid passport and a return ticket to enter Brazil. Americans, Canadians and Australians do need a visa. Not sure? Check with the Brazilian Embassy/Consulate.
You can apply for your visa as much as three months ahead of your trip. The regular tourist visa allows you to stay for up to three months (it can be renewed if necessary). There is also a transit visa, good for ten days only. Both are easy to get either in person or by mail.