March 2021 - TravellerAtHeart

Things To Do In Toronto 2023

Leave a Comment / Canada & USA / TravellerAtHeart

Canada is famous for its beautiful landscapes, unique sites and rocky mountains. World’s most famous attraction the Niagara falls has a splendid view from the Canadian side as well. Famous cities include Toronto, Montreal, Quebec, Banff and Vancouver with plenty to explore. An enormous place to enjoy and discover their culture. Highly recommend to visit Canada and tick off your bucket list. Listing the best popular attractions of Toronto below- Casa Loma-Casa Loma, gothic revival Castle with an estate garden which features a famous historic museum. This castle has been divided in 3 floors. It has beautifully decorated suites, roughly 98 rooms, secret passages, stables, towers and 800 feet tunnel. This castle is a popular venue for many private events and numerous films have been filmed like the X-men, Chicago etc. Also, the film posters of the films which were shot at the castle are located on the lower level. Along with the posters are few antique cars located in the stables.Tips- The admission ticket to castle includes a self- guided audio tour available in eight languages There is a Liberty café and a gift shop. Car parking is also availableTickets- 30 $ per Adult, and 20$ for childrenOpening Timings– 9.30 am to 5 pm Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)-An extremely popular and unique museum, this is a good place for the entire family to visit along with kids. A collection of roughly six million artefacts, ranging from natural history, and culture from various periods from around the world. The entry ticket gives access to roughly 30 galleries which include the famous age of dinosaurs and reed age of mammals. The crystal glass shaped building is in itself an architecture marvel.Tips- New exhibitions are showcased and updated regularly, some of which may be free.Do check them out here https://www.rom.on.ca/en/visit-us/tickets-hours Tickets- Adult 23$ and 14 $ ChildOpening Timings- Monday – Friday 10.30 to 5.30, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 7pm CN Tower- Like any other observatory, CN Tower is also a popular place to view the city of Toronto from top. Built in 1973, this 553.3m high concrete building has glass elevators with a main deck and a café. The lookout level at 346m and a Skypod at 447m offer splendid views of the downtown. Also, if you are adventurous enough, you can opt for the Edgewalk (for extra charges), a hands-free walk on a 1.5-meter-wide ledge around the outside edge of the main podTickets- 112.96 $ per personOpening Timings– 9 to 10.30 pm Town City Hall/Nathan Phillips square-A vibrant active space located in the heart of the city built 1960’s. It is a prominent landmark of Toronto, at the intersection of Queen Street West and Bay Street. A variety of community and special events are hosted at this square, such as the New Year’s celebrations, winter ice rink and many concerts. Would advise to visit for nice quick photo stopTips- You can combine your visit to Eaton Shopping centre along with Nathan Phillips SquareTickets- Free Roger Stadium- A multipurpose massive sports dome arena, it is located near the CN tower in the entertainment district of Toronto. It was originally called as Skydome as it has a retractable dome. Also the stadium can change its configurations from football, baseball and concert/event modes. Roger Centre is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). If you don’t have time or are not interested in viewing the game you can opt for a guided tour.Tips- One hour fully guided behind-the-scenes tour. Highlights include a visit to different levels, a press box and a luxury suite among other stops.Before visiting, do check out their month’s schedule if slots and tours are available on that day due to events.Tickets- For Tours – 16 $ per person for Adult, Children 10 $ Enjoy some Shopping – Many tourists love to shop at the Toronto Eaton Centre in Downtown with roughly 200-300 stores like MAC, Aldo, Foot Locker, Zara etc. Yonge street and Dundas Square in downtown have numerous boutiques and chain stores like H&M, Hudson Bay, and Home Sense. Malls like Yorkdale and Yorkville Village are also quite popular with many popular brands. Some other popular places are Bloor YorkVille for Haute Couture, Distillery for some unique shops and Queen West for both high street and designer shopsOpening Timings- Usually Stores open from 10 to 9 pm on Weekdays and 7.30 pm on Sundays Day Tour to Niagara Falls- If you have not seen the Niagara falls yet, you can plan a half day or full day tour. Merely one and half hr drive from Toronto, there is plenty to do around the falls. You can visit the Skylon Observatory to view the falls from the top. Or enjoy the falls by getting up close with the waterfall by taking the Hornblower Boat Ride. You can also shop or hit the casinos, enjoy a helicopter ride or even visit Journey Behind the Falls known as JBF. There is an optional to even dine with a view at “Top of the Falls” or “Fallsview Dining”. Few new attractions like Niagara sky wheel and waves indoor park are also a good option.Tip- Combination tickets are available if you are going to visit many of their attractionsIf you have time visit the town Niagara on the lake Tickets– Journey Behind the Falls $23Niagara Skywheel $12.99Ride-to-the-top and Observatory SKYLON TOWER $1450Waves Indoor Waterpark $29. 95Check out their remaining attraction prices here https://www.niagarafallstourism.com Like this article? Facebook Twitter Email WhatsApp Pinterest

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Top 6 Places To See In Wellington New Zealand

Leave a Comment / Oceania / TravellerAtHeart

Best Things To Do In Wellington NewZealand

New Zealand is one of the most serene, beautiful and adventurous country. This country definitely tops everyone’s bucket list. Maori Culture, breath-taking landscapes, hot bubbling mineral springs and fascinating glowing caves, New Zealand has to offer everything one could imagine. Let’s go through the best attractions of Wellington which you can visit during your trip Ride the Wellington Cable Car– The popular short funicular ride starts off the Lambton Quay. It is situated in Wellington’s central business district and make its way to the hills of Kelburn. This funicular ride in Wellington is among the top attractions to have a great panoramic view of the city and harbour from top. Also, along with great views one can enjoy the botanic garden, cable car museum, space place (at Carter observatory) and Zealandia (via free shuttle).Tips- One can get a 20% discount if you combine ride return tickets with space place (at Carter observatory) Tickets- 18.40 $ (For an Adult) and 10.80$ (For a Child)Every hour there is a show in the digital full dome in the which costs 12 $. Check the timings here https://www.museumswellington.org.nz/space-place/planetarium-shows/Opening Hours for cable car- Monday to Friday-7.30 to 8pm, Friday- 7.30 to 9pm, Saturday-8.30 to 9pmTickets- Adults Return Ticket for the ride 9 $, Child Return 4.5 $ Beehive- The Parliament Buildings-The Parliament buildings of New Zealand are located on the northern side of the Lambton Quay. They are divided into 4 buildings – The parliament house, the parliament library, the executive wing called as Beehive and the Bowen House. I highly recommend a visit to the Beehive, if you want to have a closer look to the parliament. There are daily 2 types of guided tours with1.Introducing Parliament Tour – 60min – Banquet Hall,Parliamentary House,Debating Chamber, Legislative Council Chamber (LCC),Grand Hall,Parliamentary Library,Walk through the Galleria, Select Committee Rooms etc2.Highlights of Parliament Tour – 30 mins – Banquet Hall, Debating Chamber, Select Committee RoomsTip- To book tour kindly visit this website https://www.parliament.nz/en/visit-and-learn/visit/guided-tours/#Daily Arrive at least 15 mins prior to the time slot for which you have booked a tour or you may risk to loose your place.Opening Timings- Daily from 10 to 4 pm, hourlyTickets- Free of charge Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa- The Te Papa museum is located along the Wellington waterfront and wharf area. It features variety of interactive exhibits and many innovative things to see. It is different from the usual exhibitions and narrates rich stories about Maoris (Indigenous Polynesian people of mainland New Zealand). Highly recommend to visit this place even if you are not a museum person.Tip- There are guided tours also available for a charge for many exhibits. Don’t miss the Gallipoli Exhibit, one of its kind depicting story of the Gallipoli campaign in World War I through the eyes and words of eight ordinary New Zealanders with larger-than-life charactersOpening Timings- 10 am to 6 pmTickets- Free of Charge Waterfront –A perfect serene and picturesque trail for jogging, walking, relaxing and cycling. On sunny days locals flock here to enjoy a quick swim from the special designed 8-metre-high diving platform. Also, it’s quite popular for many events and celebrations. There are many cafes, bars and places to dine around wharf. You will even see families enjoying rides on the peculiar crocodile bikes. The waterfront spreads anywhere from Lambton Quay to Oriental Bay and Wellington railway station nearby.Tip- There is a farmer market every Sunday morning selling local produceThe Te Papa Museum is located on Habour Front and can be visited along. Visit Weta Cave and Workshop-Weta Cave is an award-winning workshop with cutting edge technology of special effects and hand-crafted artistry. They have tours ranging from 45 mins to full day. Through their tours you get a chance to see and learn about the costumes, props, creatures and displays created from your favourite movies like The Lord of the Rings, Avatar, The Hobbit etc. There is also a tour on the techniques and effects used during filmmaking. Do explore their mini-museum and documentary of the Workshop’s creativity.Tip- The tours sell out fast in peak season (Oct – April), hence pre-booking is advised.Photography is not allowed whilst in their tours.Tickets- Check their slot timings and prices here https://tours.wetaworkshop.com/?_ga=2.32125752.745723493.1609236854-489884603.1609236854 Opening Hours- 8.30 to 5 pm Pic: Weta Cave Website Cuba Street and Lambton Quay- Cuba Street is among the most colorful street with the famous bucket fountain and is full of vintage clothing and art galleries. This street also features many quirky cafés and restaurants to have a nice brunch.Lambton Quay lies in the heart of business central district from where the cable car ride starts off. It’s a street full of shops from luxury end to high street retailers and a nice place to stroll along. Like this article? Facebook Twitter Email WhatsApp Pinterest

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9 Impressive Things To Do In Krakow Which You Cannot Skip!

Leave a Comment / Europe / TravellerAtHeart

Krakow is like a fairy tale city. Beautiful castles, churches, and pretty souvenir shops. Not just the common tourist spots but Krakow also has many unique places to visit like the Salt Mine, Oscar Schindler’s Museum & Auschwitz Birkenau Concentration Camp of Nazis. It is a place with a very heartbreaking history and an old-town vibe. It has been gaining high popularity among tourists. So let us check out the top things to do visit in Krakow Poland. Table of Contents The Cloth Hall/Market The cloth market ranks among the top things to do in Krakow. The cloth market is located in the main square and center of Krakow. It is among the oldest trading halls. It is lined now with small souvenir shops on both sides which are open from 10 am to 8 pm. This architectural marvel was destroyed in a fire and was again constructed in the 16th century. The most popular among tourists and hence among the top places to visit in Krakow Poland. St Mary’s Basilica- Another place that ranks among the top places to visit in Krakow is St Mary’s Basilica. Built at the beginning of the 14th century, this church has the most stunning Gothic pieces with a blue intricate ceiling. One gets some splendid views of the city from the tower, but you need to book it in advance from the ticket office. Also, you need to climb 239 steps to reach the top and only 10 people are permitted every 30 minutes. Another popular aspect of the church is the trumpet call which is played every hour in memory of the trumpeter who used to sound the alarm for the Mongol attack.Opening Timings- 9:10 – 11:30 am and 1:10 – 5:30 pmTickets- Regular price is 10 PZ and tower + entrance is 15 PZ for adults, extra charge for clicking photographs inside Wawel Royal Castle And Cathedral It is a majestic castle residency on top of the hill. It has many exhibition halls and royal state rooms with valuable exhibits like tapestries, furniture and paintings. It features Wawel Cathedral, crown treasury and armory, castle museum, impressive garden, underground cave – a Wawel dragon den. The prices for each attraction are different and one can choose which ones to visit. Usually, huge lines to get tickets and advice to book online and even opt for audio guide. Opening Timings- The Wawel hill and the courtyard are open to visitors from 6am -5.30 pm, visitrs center is open daily from 9 am to 5.30 pm – Toilets and Cafe onlyTickets- Admission to Wawel hill and courtyard is free of cost.State Rooms – 25 PLN,Crown Treasury and Armoury- 25 PLN,Art of the Orient. Ottoman Turkish Tents- 20 PLNThe Lost Wawel and the Church of St. Gereon – (weekends only)20 PLN Wieliczka Salt Mine- This is the most popular site near Krakow. One can undertake a half or a full day tour from Krakow. A UNESCO world heritage, this mining heritage of 13th Century is one of the oldest salt mines. Its a short ride of 30 minutes from Krakow. there are many things to see like the 20 chambers including lake chambers, corridors, church with decorations made of salt, chandeliers etc. It is located 327 m underground and there are series of steps and walking, hence comfortable shoes are recommended. Also, it is pretty cold in these mines and wearing warm clothes or carrying a jacket is advised. There are special tours for physically challenged people or the ones who have difficulty in walking by a special lift.Tickets- Entrance ticket in English language costs 93 PLN, and for Children and youth 73 PLZ. For taking photographs inside it is 10 PLN extraOpening Timings- 8 to 5 pm, one needs to book a slot from the hourly timings Oscar Schindlers Museum This museum features a permanent exhibition of interesting facts and things of the history of Krakow from World War II. The well-known movie Schindlers list of Steven Spielberg, has aided this museum gain its current popularity. Oskar Schindler a German business person started this enamelware factory and employed Jews through which he saved hundreds of lives from the Nazi labor camps and their atrocities.The museum has many rooms like the labor camp, a hairdresser’s salon etc. Anyone who is not a fan of museums like me, I would still advise to visit this place. Tips- On Mondays, the museum sells free limited tickets, so if you are lucky enough you could grab one by booking it online on their website. If you are keen to know their history in depth you can even choose the guided tours through various agents.Opening timings- Monday 10 to 4 pm,Tue- Sunday 9 to 8 pm (In summers), Free On Mondays (Subject To availability and limited number)Tickets – 25 PLN per person Auschwitz Birkenau Concentration Camp You can do a half-day or full-day tour to this concentration camp. Auschwitz is the main camp and Birkenau the concentration camp. One needs to know this would be an emotional experience of the tragic times and a sobering memorial for the people who died.In Auschwitz you can see areas where victims were tortured by the Nazi Regime during the world war 2. A symbol of inhumanity and torture, this camp has a gas chamber, cells, basements and even exhibits with large collection of personal objects like pieces of clothing, shoes, piles of hair, toothbrush, and suitcases from people who were detained. These people lived in inhuman conditions, with limited food, and were forced to work till they died.Tips- Advise to book tours or guides to visit this place. It takes 1 hr 15 mins drive to reach (There are many tours which provide pick up and drop off service from hotels as well). It gets extremely crowded at the ticket booths and if not taking a tour advise to pre-book. You can choose from a 2.5 hr tour to a 6 hr tourOpening Timings- 8 to 6 pm (In summer)Tickets- Entry to the premises is free

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Things To Do In Dubrovnik Croatia

Leave a Comment / Europe / TravellerAtHeart

~Detailed 3 day Itinerary~ Croatia is a beautiful country which is gaining high popularity in recent years. There are many places to see and visit in this beautiful country of Croatia like Zagreb, Plitivice, Split etc. Among the top ranking cities is the scenic town of Dubrovnik. This is an itinerary for people who want to relax yet visit all the major sights of this town. So, let’s see how to spend 3 days in this town. Day 1- Today’s itinerary requires walking throughout and comfortable shoes are highly recommended. Pile Gate—Ancient City Walls—–Fort Lovrijenac—— Cable Car Ride First let’s start our day by visiting the most popular, stunning and unique sight of the Ancient City Walls. Thanks to the Game of Thrones (a hit TV series), this sight has become popular than ever before. The old city walls are very thick and were built as a defence system against invaders encircling the city in the 13th and 14th Century. It is a 2 km walk in total and there are few exits along the route if you don’t wish to complete the walk. The main entrance of the wall is at the beginning of the Stradun Street, on the left of pile gate where you will need to buy tickets. When you climb the stairs of the wall, you will see an eye-catching view of the inner city. Brown hatched roofs are on the left and Blue Adriatic Sea on the right. Now when you take the west side it will lead to the Minceta tower and there is a small café with splendid views of the Adriatic sea. The Pile Gate has served the main entrance to the old city for centuries. The ticket costs 150Kn/21 Euros and this ticket also includes the adjoining Lovrijenac fort. Comfortable shoes are recommended along with an umbrella and water bottle. There is not shelter on the wall and hence it can get very hot during summers. After completing and enjoying your walk on the ancient walls, take an exit from the Pile gate where there are restaurants and shops located. You will find a narrow alley leading to the Fort Lovrijenac also known as St. Lawrence Fortress. The city wall ticket is valid on the Fort Lovrijenac. This fort also has many stairs to climb as it is on a cliff rising 37 metres above the Adriatic sea. The primary role was defensive one and historic symbol of resistance to Venetian Republic. It gives picturesque views of the old town. The wall facing the sea are 12 m wide while the those facing city are 60 cm thick. Explore the triangular layout from inside with 3 terraces and enjoy the views. Head down and then towards the town through the outer road, of circling the old city walls. For the Cable Car ride, there is a ticket office which is usually packed with huge lines during the peak seasons. A return ticket for an adult costs 150 HRK, 60 HRK for children. One way tickets are 85 and 40 for adults and children respectively. The cable car can take about 25 people at a time. As you take the cable car for a short ride and head on SRD hill, you will experience magnificent views of the old city. There are few other attractions (for an extra cost) at the top of the hill like museum of homeland war, a buggy safari, restaurant and a pearl shop. Day 2- Guided walking tour of Game of Thrones—- Franciscan Monastery—-Stradun + Onofrio’s Fountain—– Banje Beach/ Lapad beach Start your day with exciting walking guided tour of Game of Thrones. There are plenty of private and group tours organised daily, with whom you can enjoy and visit the key locations used in filming of GOT along with Kings Landing with running commentary and behind the tales information. Also, you can choose to visit the Trsteno Arboretum which is featured as royal gardens in the show. After the tour, you could visit the Franciscan Monastery (buildings occupied by a community of monks living under religious vows). A city’s well preserved and old site is the Franciscan Church and monastery. It hosts rare manuscripts in the library, an old medieval pharmacy, a church and small museum with collection of old decorated jars etc. When exploring all these places you will cross the main Street – Stradun multiple times and the large Onofrio’s Fountain. This fountain was completed in 1438, where you can drink natural drinking spring water. This ancient water supply is a master piece supplying fresh water from Rijeka Dubrovačka, 12km away. The Sradun street is filled with many souvenir shops, cafes, restaurants and many small cute alleys. Don’t miss the parallel street to Stradun with many spots for Instagram worthy pictures. You could enjoy ice cream at the 2 famous shops namely “Sladoledarna” or “Dolce Vita”. Few other sites in the Old City itself are the Dubrovnik cathedral and Dominican Monastery. Heading next to the Banje beach, take an exit from Ploce gate, and head straight for a short walk of 5 mins towards the scenic and beautiful beach of Banje. You will enjoy some stunning views of the old town and can relax or go for a swim. There is a luxury hotel nearby, and also water sport activities like sea kayaking and windsurfing. There are few other popular beaches like Lapad Beach, which lies roughly 4 km to the northwest of the old city. This is a sandy beach with blue turquoise waters equipped with showers and sun loungers. There are many restaurants, hotels and children’s playground nearby. Day 3-One Day Tour to Lokrum Island Lokrum Island is pretty near to Dubrovnik by a short ferry ride. The ride lasts 15 mins from old port on half-hourly basis, and costs roughly 40 Kuna. Few people even opt for renting sea kayaks and visit this island. Besides sunbathing and relaxing, the island features ruins of Benedictine Monastery (built in medieval times) with a museum, restaurant

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8 Unique Things To Do In Copenhagen, Denmark for an Unforgettable Trip

Leave a Comment / Europe / TravellerAtHeart

Best Places To Visit In Copenhagen Denmark

The Ultimate Guide Denmark is a beautiful country with rich history and many palaces/castles to visit and is ranked usually among the world’s happiest countries. A peaceful and bike-friendly country, lying in the Nordic Region famous for its high-quality design, architecture, and Danish Culture. This Scandinavian country has a temperate climate and hence cool summers and cold winters with the best times to visit from June to august. If you are planning to visit major sights then you can opt for the Copenhagen card, to avail free entries to almost 87 major attractions and free transport in the city area. The cards are valid from 24 hrs to 120 hrs and range from 56 Euros to 134 Euros. So now lets head and check out the top things to do in Copenhagen Table of Contents Nyhavn Nhyavn definitely ranks among the top things to do in Copenhagen. It is the most popular and Instagram worthy, waterfront sight in Copenhagen. It ranks among the top things to do in Copenhagen. Built in 17th century, it’s an old harbor with many wooden ships docked in an artificial canal. The picture perfect colorful lined townhouses are from 17th– 18th century and have been renovated. The area is lined up with a number of restaurants, cafés and bars. Definitely among the best places to visit in CopenhagenTip- From Nyhavn Amalienborg Palace is walking distance and nice place to visit.Tickets- Free City/Town Hall Square City hall square is a large public square located in front of City Hall as the name suggests. It is popular for a variety of events and activities. It’s a nice square for a quick photo stop. It is surrounded by several notable buildings, including the Copenhagen City Hall, the Palace Hotel, and the National Museum of Denmark. A notable feature of the square is the Dragon Fountain which features four dragons spitting water into a circular basin. Today, it serves as a popular gathering place for numerous festivals, concerts, and other cultural events for locals and tourists alike. Overall, Town Hall Square is a must-visit destination and among the top things to do in CopenhagenTip- Located in central Copenhagen, stroll along this square while visiting the nearby sights Stroget Street This is a popular shopping street in Copenhagen with everything from city malls, flea markets to Danish designs. It is located between Raadhuspladsen and Kongens Nytorv. It starts from City Hall itself and is among the longest pedestrian Streets. It has numerous variety of shops on both sides of the street. Along with famous brands and shops like Zara, H&M, Vero Moda, Magasin Du Nord Mall, Department Store Illums Bolighus, Prada, etc, there are many souvenir shops, cafes, and restaurants. This street is very popular among tourists and hence ranks among the top things to do in CopenhagenOpening Timings- Usually open from 10 to 6 pm on Weekdays, Saturdays from 10 to 5 pm, and Sundays from 10 to 4 pm The Round Tower Another top thing to do in Copenhagen is to visit The Round Tower. It is originally designed as an astronomy observatory, the Round Tower is among the oldest observatory deck. From the top of the round tower, you will have some splendid views of the city of Copenhagen. To get to the top, there is a distinctive spiral walk of 209 meters. Along the way to the top there is also an old library hall which is now used for exhibitions, events, and concerts.Tip- Wearing comfortable shoes is advised.Free entry with Copenhagen cardOpening Timings- 10 to 6 pm (winters), 10 to 8 pm (summers)Ticket – 40 DKK per person Christianborg Palace The palace is not to be missed & among the top things to do in Copenhagen. One of the beautiful palaces this was one of the main residences of the royal family. After several fires, the Royal family moved to Amalienborg Palace. Currently, it is home to the Danish Parliament, the Supreme Court, and the offices of the Prime Minister and is used by the Queen for gala dinners and formal receptions. The Christiansborg Palace has five attractions; The Royal Reception Rooms with The Great Hall and The Tapestries, The Royal Stables, The Royal Kitchen, Christiansborg Palace Chapel, and the ruins under the palace.Tip-There are lockers to keep your large backpacks, strollers, and umbrellas If you hold a ticket to the Royal Reception rooms, you are entitled to a free guided tour of the premisesfree entry with Copenhagen CardBefore vising the palace check this link to see if it is open http://kongeligeslotte.dk/en/palaces-and-gardens/christiansborg-palace/visit-christiansborg-palace/opening-hours-at-christiansborg-palace.html Opening Timings- 10 to 5 pm, Closed on MondaysTickets- Combination Ticket (The Royal Reception Room, The Royal Kitchen,The Royal Stables)- 160 DKK, The Royal Reception Rooms– 95 DKK, The Royal kitchen- 60 DKK, The Royal Stables – 60 DKK, Free Admission To The Palace ChapelChildren under age of 18 have free entrance Amalienborg Palace Another place that ranks among the top things to do in Copenhagen is Amalienborg Palace. This palace is the official residence of the Danish Royal family. It is a beautiful palace with a central square surrounded by a group of 4 palaces/buildings. Visitors can visit 2 buildings, one of which is the Amalienborg Museum, and the second building has rococo rooms from an elegant dining room to the lavish great hall. This place is near the famous waterfront of Copenhagen, Nhyavn.Tips- The change of guards ceremony takes place exactly at 12 and every day and recommend not missing itFree entry with a Copenhagen cardTickets- 95 DKK per person Timings- Open from 10 to 4 pm Rosenborg Castle The Rosenborg castle was built as the summer residence King Christian IV, features Danish Royal collections from jewelry to crowns. As it was a royal residence till 1710, one can find lavish maintained interiors in the castle. This castle is divided into 3 floors along with one basement which is the treasury where the crowns and jewels are located. You can explore various rooms and their intricate decorations on all floorsTips-

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7 Stunning Places for perfect Instagram Photos In Cape Town South Africa

Leave a Comment / Africa / TravellerAtHeart

Best places to photograph in Cape Town South Africa

South Africa is known for beautiful landscapes, beaches, and wildlife safaris. There are plenty of gorgeous places and spots to capture stunning photographs in Cape Town. This blog features the best places to click postcard photographs for your Instagram. So let’s check out the beautiful places to photograph in Cape Town South Africa. Table Mountain Wildlife Safari Muizenberg Beach Boulders Beach Cape Of Good Hope Kirstenbosch Camps Bay Like this article? Facebook Twitter Email WhatsApp Pinterest

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7 Best Things To Do In Mauritius You Cannot Miss To Visit

Leave a Comment / Africa / TravellerAtHeart

Mauritius is among my personal favourites. The island set in Indian ocean and is famous for its beautiful beaches, lagoons and turquoise blue waters. This island also is made of many beautiful sights and activities like Black River Gorges National Park, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden (strictly for plant lovers), swimming with dolphins, waterfalls and hiking trails. Being an island, water activities are the obvious choices. Hence, in this blog I haven’t included the basic ones like snorkelling, scuba diving, beach strolling etc. Mauritius Weather: Mauritius enjoys classic tropical weather. The hottest months are from Dec to Feb and the winter months in June and JulyMauritius Currency: The currency used in Mauritius is Mauritian Rupee, but Hotels/Resorts usually charge in USD or Euros. In this blog I would be listing the best things to do in Mauritius which will help you plan your trip better. Table of Contents FAQs About Maurtius- Is Mauritius a safe country? Mauritius is generally a safe country. Would advise to avoid walking alone on the beaches or poorly lit areas away from your Resort/ Hotel at night. What is Mauritius currency? The currency used in this country is called as Mauritian Rupee What is best time to visit Mauritius? Although Mauritius has warm weather all year round, best time to visit is from May to November. December to March are the hottest months.Tip: To avoid crowds, heat & to grab the best hotel deal July would be the best time to visit Mauritius Is Mauritius Expensive? If you choose to stay in hotels rating 4 stars and above, then yes it is expensive. As the hotels charge the amount per day in Euros making the stay costlier. Casela Nature Park/ Casela World of Adventures- Your trip to Mauritius will be incomplete if you don’t visit Casela World of Adventures. This is an amusement/animal nature park where people from all ages can enjoy feeding and interacting with various animals. Starting from interactions with lions to safari quad, Segway experiences and some thrilling activities like zip line and canyon swings. One can easily spend an entire day to enjoy all activities.Tips- Try to plan and pre-book slot timings and activities to avoid disappointment as the park is pretty huge and can get crowdedThe entrance ticket doesn’t include all activitiesPersonal food is not allowed inside the park unless baby foodOpening Timings- Open from 9 to 5 pm, Fridays and Saturdays 9 to 9 pm (Closed on Monday and Tuesday)Price: 740 Rs (Includes Pangia, birds and rides, Predator Kingdom and African Safari. Rest activities are pay as u go or pre-book and pay in advance)Address- Royal Road, Cascavelle, 90203, Mauritius Visit their Wesbite at https://caselaparks.com/ Vallee Des Couleurs Nature Park (7 coloured Earth) with Chamarel Waterfall- This unique and huge geo-park is famous for its 7-colored earth. It is an area of sand dunes with different colours which can be seen prominently under sunshine and clear skies. This attraction is also popular for its Chamarel Waterfalls, the highest single drop fall above 100m, Giant Tortoises, Quad/ Buggy, Luge Tracks and Waterfall Zip lines. People usually spend here and an hour to 2. Tips- If you have elderly people you can opt for a jeep/vehicle rides instead of quad bikes to visit the WaterfallsPrice- Only entrance ticket is 150 to 350 Rs (Its doesn’t include any form of ride, and they have extra charges)Opening Timings- Open daily from 9 to 5 pmAddress- B102, Mare Anguilles, ChamounyVisit their Website https://lvdc.mu/ Ile aux Cerfs The most beautiful, popular and paradise like island near Mauritius is Ile Aux Cerfs. People usually take 15- 20 min speed boat ride to visit this island from Trou D’eau Douce. White sand beaches, crystal clear blue waters perfect for your Instagram. You can enjoy various water activities like snorkeling, parasailing and even taking a catamaran cruise. Also, you can enjoy a small boat ride to the Grand River south east waterfall.Tips- Highly recommend to visit in morning so you can spend a day or at least half day to enjoy this small island Recommend a speed boat ride to the island than a catamaran to save on time and money Blue Submarine or Sub Scooter Diving by Blue Safari Diving under the sea is a thrilling experience and usually tops everybody’s bucket list. In Mauritius one can have a chance to enjoy this unique experience. You can opt for a sub scooter ride which allows usually single or 2 members to ride together like a 2 wheeler cum submarine. It’s an absolute unique experience to dive as deep as 3m. The best part is you don’t need to know swimming or diving.Also, there is an option of a submarine suitable for most people and even kids which dives deep to sea bed to show the ruins of Star Hope ship. Ride lasts for about 45 mins underwater. If you are not comfortable about driving a sub scooter then you can definitely opt for a 10-seater or 5-seater submarine to enjoy scenic underwater viewsPrice- Subscooter Ride 5100 (Single) to 6700 MUR (2 members), Submarine Ride 5100 MURTips- Pre-booking is advise to avoid disappointment. Visit their Website https://www.blue-safari.com/ Pics: Blue Safari Website Caudan Waterfront Mauritius has 2 famous shopping malls Caudan Waterfront and Bagatelle Mall.Caudan Waterfront is the oldest shopping centre, along the edge of harbor, and is a pleasant place to visit. With plenty options to eat, you can also shop for some souvenirs and visit the famous Umbrella Street. Opening timings- 9.30 to 5.30 pm Tamarind Waterfalls To reach Tamarind Waterfall, visitors must embark on a short hike through the forest, which takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes. The trail is marked well and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape, including the lush greenery and hills.Once at the waterfall, visitors can swim in the cool, crystal-clear waters of the natural pool at the base of the falls The rocks around the waterfall can be slippery, so be sure to observe all safety precautions and avoid diving into the

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21 Unique And Interesting Facts About Seoul South Korea

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South Korea is one such country, which will never fail to surprise you with their new technology, products and things you might have never seen anywhere before. This blog is about the unique and interesting things of South Korea 1.Both men and women are equally obsessed with cosmetics and makeup. South Korea is a paradise for makeup lovers. But here both men and women are equally obsessed. People go gaga over their products and skin regime all over the world. 2. K beauty craze is real- People from South Korea are very particular about their 7-step daily routine and glass skin. And as mentioned earlier, K beauty is a different world of makeup and now people from all over the world are loving this market. People travel from all countries specially to buy their cosmetic and beauty products and Seoul has specially dedicated areas to sell these ones. 3.Free stuff from all shops- Sales staff from shops will provide you free sample products and this is absolutely normal and common. Even if you don’t buy anything, they provide you free products to try and insist just to enter the shop 4.Girly cute quirky things- Korean markets and products are full of cute quirky girly things. South Korean packaging is usually so attractive and all their products have an influence of cute animations and bright colors. Don’t miss some of the unique attractive small things one can find here 5. Interesting showroom interiors- Not only the products but also their store ambience is a class apart. Every store look and feel depicts a story about their range and line, and is very fascinating to visit stores like Etude house, Line and Kakao Stores. 6. Amazing socks variety- Nowhere else except South Korea could you find such cute animated colorful socks. Not just animation, they have all kinds of assortments from laces, animation, printed, simple and anything one could imagine. The most important point is they are not even expensive. So don’t hesitate to stock more socks 7.Animation influence even on makeup packaging-As mentioned earlier their packaging is something which you would rarely find in any other country. Their lip balms and creams are in cute caricatures/cartoons. Even their face sheet masks have attractive catchy packing 8. People carry suitcases for keeping their shopping stuff- Don’t be surprised to see people which huge suitcases and travel bags when you would be shopping. Its normal to keep all your products bought in a bag for ease of moving. 9. Shopping lockers to store your bags and luggage- Major subway stations have a locker system, where you can store your shopping bags or any stuff and be hands free. 10. Robots on airport- As known to all, South Korea is quite advanced in technology and one of the proofs you could find is on the airport. There are robots moving all around to help you navigate and find places on the airport. Ask questions and the Robot will take you around. Isn’t that cool?! 11. Easy Electronic Tax Refunds on airport- Speaking about technology, let’s not forget their tax refunds. Super easy and fast process by just scanning all tax refund receipts in a machine. Get on spot cash refunds through the machine. 12. Super-Fast and blazing internet and advanced technology- South Korea’s internet speed is blazing fast as compared to other countries with a speed of 28.6 Mbit/s four times faster than world average of 7 Mbit/s 13. Pocket wifi is normal and very easily available- Pocket WIFI’s are available abundantly with easy pickups and drop offs at airports and various locations in cities. 14. Electronic toilets of Japan- Be happy and prepared to use famous electronic Japanese TOTO Toilets also in South Korea, not everywhere though. 15. Samsung and Hyundai are everywhere- As to the opposite concept of Samsung only in cell phone industry and Hyundai as a car company, these companies are everywhere in South Korea from elevators, equipment’s to colonies 16. Medical tourism is common in South Korea- People from around the world specifically visit South Korea for cosmetic surgeries and to enhance their looks known popularly as medical tourism 17. Plastic surgery is very much normal- In South Korea having flawless skin and beauty is serious and crucial. For this going under the knife is no big deal to look beautiful and is at times even encouraged 18. K-Pop music and its craze- K pop songs are now a craze around the world since Gangnam Style became the 1st song to hit billion views. Korean Drama, K pop music and their merchandise are very special for the youth among South Korea. They have religious followers and one must not skip visit to their gangnam neighbourhood. 19. Korean snacks and food come in unbelievable flavours- One can find numerous flavours in snacks and food items. Example: Even almonds are flavoured like honey butter almonds, honey butter chips, strawberry almonds and even milk like banana milk 20. Handmade Flower Shaped Ice Creams- One famous form of ice creams in South Korea are the ice creams in the form of flowers. They come usually in 3 flavours and are super delicious. The famous milky bee shop is in shopping district of Myeong-dong 21. Sugar syrup instead of sachets in coffee shops- Don’t be surprised to find sugar syrup dispenser pumps instead of sugar sachets in famous like Hollys Café, Starbucks etc. Some Shops may still have sugar sachets though. Like this article? Facebook Twitter Email WhatsApp Pinterest

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How To Get Vat Refund On Airport?

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Tax refund is fundamentally getting a refund of the Tax/VAT amount charged on your purchased goods, only if you are a non-resident of the country. It is essentially an attempt to encourage tourist expenditures while visiting their country Here are some basics of tax refund one should know – Taxes may vary and range from 10% to 20% depending on the country you visit Tax refund can be provided by only the shops having necessary permissions and usually display a sign or board showing “tax refund” One can claim the amount only if the minimum purchase amount is crossed and it varies for different countriesExample- In Japan you can claim tax refund only if your purchasing of goods exceeds 5000 Japanese Yen. Don’t consume the products during your stay as they must be unused and sealed. Example- If you buy and use a perfume during your stay and it meets rest of the norms of the reimbursement process, you cannot claim a refund for this used product To claim the refund, one should buy goods on the same day, from the same shop and in one bill. You cannot claim and combine bills from different shops and purchased on different days to add up the total amountExemption- In some countries like Singapore, some department stores have a separate “Tax Centre” usually on the top floor or the basement where you can sum up all the bills of shopping done on the same day Typically, tax refund is applicable only for tourists or short-term visitors. Work visitors and long-term visitors don’t fulfill the requirement Carry a copy or your passport and copy of your country’s address proof with you all times You can claim tax refund only at airports and at the borders of exit and entry.Exemption- Some countries like Taiwan, immediately process the refund amount in the shop and refund it to you in cash or on your credit card to encourage more spending. VAT refunds don’t apply for hotel Stays, food expenditures and some products This process may sound tedious and tiring and you might think of giving a skip to collect the refund, but trust me it is worth the efforts Here is a step by step guide to collect your Refund- Step 1- Shop all products in one bill, from same day and same shop Step 2- Provide passport copy and your visa proof and the shopkeeper will create a receipt which will include all your details Step 3 – Check the receipt for the total bill and the refund amount you will get back Step 4- While packing make sure the items are in your cabin bag, and if not possible make sure they are all in one check in bag with ease of finding them Step 5 – At the airport before checking in your luggage visit the tax refund counter/local customs office and present your passport and all receipts Step 6- The customs officer may demand to view all your goods for which you are claiming the tax refund *Usually they check only luxury items, electronics and high price items in countries which are strict * In many countries, this process is electronic if your purchases are clothes, shoes etc where one has to just scan all the receipts and the passport in the machine after which he will get a new receipt mentioning the total refund amount Step 7- A receipt with a stamp will provided after showing respective items Step 8- Now you can check in your luggage. After security check you will find one counter mentioning tax refund where you should head and show the receipt collected in Step no 6 Step 9- The officer which check all details and will ask for your credit card to refund the amount. Some countries also provide cash, and they will ask which currency you need refund in. Step 10- The office will convert the amount in the required currency and hand over to you and ask you to sign a document stating the collection refund AND ITS DONE. I highly recommend tourists and visitors should always take benefit of Tax Refund and save your money. NOTE- No Custom Officer’s Stamp= No Refund Like this article? Facebook Twitter Email WhatsApp Pinterest

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Quick Hacks To Help When Travelling Abroad

Leave a Comment / Travel Tips / TravellerAtHeart

Spend more time in fewer places, don’t rush- People aim at covering all the sights and not spending enough time at each sight, as a result only rushing and running to each site. Would advise to rather enjoy ever place than just running around Don’t forget to get your tax refund/vat refunds –*Click here on Steps to your collect Tax Refund at the Airport * Avoid buying souvenirs at airport- Airports usually are thought of being *Tax Free* and hence cheaper. But this is not the case, and souvenirs are usually expensive on airports. So, buying them in the city is the best choice. Always keep some handy cash in local currency- This is definitely for unforeseen situations and also few local markets in many countries accept only cash and not card Save or have a screenshot of Hotel’s Address or carry a visiting card of hotel (In countries with different language) – In countries like Japan, South Korea it is better to have a screenshot of the hotel’s address just in case you don’t find way back Have more than one way to access money- Don’t be dependent on just one credit/forex Card. Always have multiple ways to access your money Be broad minded and respect cultures Always carry your snacks or some food to munch Store your luggage in cloak rooms of your hotel in case you are checking in early or your flight is late than the check out time Make most of the city and benefit by taking local walking guided tours Use local transport like metros, buses instead of taxis to have a taste of their actual life Research nearest station and some information about local transport to save money- like buying oyster cards for London Metro will be cheaper Remember or take a photo of the exit-no of metro stations Buy weekly pass or 3-day tickets instead of single journey tickets Look for nearby places from city you are visiting so you can visit them in a day tour Shop in the country’s famous local brands for more variety Never reveal all your travel plans to hotel staff/ taxi drivers or your guides If your trip is of long duration, like more than 20 days you can use common launderettes for washing your clothes Many hotels in south east Asia provide unlimited complimentary bottled water in room Many hotels provide free shuttle buses to famous tourist spots or popular malls Booking an hotel with a package which includes breakfast will be more reasonable And lastly, carry a copy or your passport and copy of your country’s address proof with you all times Like this article? Facebook Twitter Email WhatsApp Pinterest

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