When you start to plan a holiday for your family, there is a lot to consider. You need to think about where you’re going, where you’ll stay and what you will do. But you also must weigh in price. It doesn’t matter who you are. The cost of a holiday always comes into a play when planning a vacation. But, there are easy ways to make a holiday fantastic even when you’re sticking to a budget. Here are some ideas to help you out.

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Book Early

It doesn’t matter where you’re going, if you book early, you’re bound to find some great deals on accommodation and travel. That could be true whether you are heading to the south of France of into the heart of Florida. You will commonly find that the tourist seasons are a lot cheaper if you book a year ahead.

Book During Term Time

Another tip, if you want to risk it, is to book during school term time. That means that if you are going to somewhere like Disney, all the other kids will still be in school. Your family can enjoy the parks without facing crowds everywhere you go. The problem is that this will involve your kids missing a little of their school time. But if they’re still young a couple of weeks won’t hurt. You certainly won’t regret it once you discover what Disney is like when you don’t have to queue everywhere.

Avoid Hotels

It’s unfair to say that hotels aren’t worth the money you pay. They certainly can be, particularly if you pick a luxury resort. That said, it is true to say that they are not worth as much as many believe. As well as this a hotel room can be a nightmare if you have a large family. You will all be cramped in one or two rooms. It’s only natural for you to start getting on one another’s nerves. That’s why you might consider looking at a vacation rental by owner. That means that you will be able to rent an apartment or villa in a popular tourist destination. You’ll get plenty of space at a fantastic price. Of course, you will need to cook and buy your own food. But there’s nothing stopping you going out to restaurants as you would have to if you were staying at a hotel.

Buy Tickets Before

If you’re going on holiday with children, there are probably destinations and events that you’ve already decided on. It’s a good idea to book these before you go. That way, you’ll find that companies are offering tickets at the best prices. You’ll even find package deals that are particularly useful for a holiday such as going to Florida or California. You will often find you can buy tickets in bundles anywhere there are multiple attractions.

Start Saving

Finally, if you’re booking your holiday a year before, that’s when you should start saving spending money. That way you’ll have more than enough for anything that you need to pay for or want to buy when you’re over there. It will make the holiday seem a lot cheaper if you start getting the money together now.

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Could a holiday abroad change your life? It might start when you are looking for the perfect vacation spot. It’s been a long year and you’re looking for somewhere to go where you and your family can forget about life for a while. You might already have been to a number of different places in the world but you may never have been to France.

There are two types of holidays that you can take in France. One is to head to the North of the country. There you will find the wonderful romance of Paris, the dazzling city of lights. For the adults, there are plenty of chances to get lost in the swirling streets. For the children, there are a couple of great theme parks, just a train ride away. If you’re looking to spend some time with the kids, the North is great and you should certainly check out Disneyland.

On the other hand, if you want a more relaxing adult trip head to the south of France. This is where people take those pictures of rolling green hills that seem to stretch for miles. Villas from a forgotten era still stand but fit in beautifully with the aesthetic of the landscape. It’s a beautiful dream that you could discover next year. If you start researching online, you could find a wonderful little villa, tucked away in privacy between the slopes. It could be the perfect place for two weeks vacation where you can relax away from the world. You might love it so much you’ll want to stay for a lot longer than one vacation.

Stunning Views In The Country

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Before you even reach your destination, you will be captivated by the sights all around you. If you haven’t been, you will never have seen anything quite like it. It can be described as travelling through an oil painting from decades ago. Or, perhaps travelling through a foreign film. If you’ve ever been to America, you’ll know it’s nothing like how it’s portrayed in the movies. But France is completely like hundreds of directors have captured it. A quiet country with sweeping hills and friendly roads that take you exactly where you want to go.

Luxury Accommodation

When you arrive at a French villa, in the country it will be perfect. It will be just as it had looked in the pictures which isn’t always the way when you go on holiday. Sometimes you book a villa only to find the picture shown was taken a few years ago. While there was once a gorgeous view of the ocean, now there are several houses blocking it. That won’t be the case in France. The villa will be just private and secluded as it had been advertised. The pool will be filled with water like liquid crystal. The whole property will be stunning, and you might discover then that you never want to leave. You might start thinking about retiring here in your twilight years. You may even start to think about how to do it. But first you can enjoy the first two weeks of your vacation.

French Cuisine

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Each morning, you can wake up and cycle down to the butchers and bakers. They will only be a couple of miles down the road in a sleepy little village. The ride will be wonderful in the cool, crisp morning that never ends. When you return to your villa, you can cook breakfast with all the local, freshly made delicious ingredients. At least for a few days, you might find yourself living on bread and cheese. Then, of course, there is the wine. You should take a trip to one of the many wine vineyards and buy several bottles. That way you can keep one as the souvenir of the perfect holiday

In the evening, sit with your feet dangling in the pool as the sun sinks beneath those, lush green hills.

Of course, some days you can spend exploring the region and find wonderful restaurants. After all, you can’t travel to France and not try the food the chefs have cooked. Everything melts in your mouth to the point where you simply can not savour it enough.

Days Out

You might spend a number of days taking the rented car out on adventures. You could stop by one of the many beaches, perhaps going for a swim in the ocean. Allow yourself to gaze up at the sky and wonder, how you can make the holiday last forever.

One of the things that you might notice most about the local setting is the gorgeous architecture. You might be interested enough to have a look at some of the stunning homes around the local area. It’s there that you could discover a gorgeous French chateaux for sale. With sweeping high ceilings and beautiful marble stone floors, it will be a luxury property, that much is guaranteed. You could find yourself dreaming about buying it wondering if it’s possible? Despite the price tag attached there is a way that you can afford a home like this one.

Serendipity

If you find a home that you want to buy, that you love, it could be seen as a moment of serendipity. This beautiful word means a chance encounter of fate that was destined to happen. You were destined to buy a home here. You fell in love with the region, so how could you not want to stay? But the price is still holding you back. It could be far beyond how much you have in the bank. Even if you did sell your house, you might still struggle to buy it. But the answer is simple.

Before you think of the property, as a dream come true you need to first see it as a business investment. Before you move in you can pay for it by using it as a holiday home first. There is the issue of how you buy the place in the first place. But you will discover that it is possible to purchase a holiday home buy looking into portfolio loans. These loans will allow you to borrow a large sum of money that you can then use to buy your home. The best part is that these loans come with low interest attached. That means that you will not have to worry about the amount that you borrowed rising out of control.

The problem is that obtaining a loan like this often takes some time. So, you may not be fast enough to get the house you saw on sale while you were on vacation. Instead, you will need to look at a real estate website when you get home. There you will discover many similar properties on sale, perfect for you.

You will have to understand the responsibilities of becoming a property owner. Essentially, when you rent out a property abroad that you now own, you will be a landlord. But this part of the process shouldn’t stretch on for too long. If you buy in a popular tourist destination like the south of France you can expect to make thousands each week. You will make the amount back that you spent on the home in just a couple of years. In that time, you will still be able to use this property as a place for many luxurious vacations.

Believe it or not, this is how many people begin their journey of moving into their dream home abroad. They fall in love with somewhere like France, find a home, take out a loan and never look back. Could you be the next tourist on vacation to follow this dream?

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Travel can be so freeing. Getting away from the humdrum of life is good for the mind, body and soul. It’s not always easy to get away from everything either for some people. So when you do find a slot in your schedule to take some time out, you want to make the most of it. Everyone needs a little escape once in awhile. Why not try one of these awesome ways to travel to maximize that sense of freedom:

Plane

Flying provides the ultimate sense of freedom. Soaring up into the sky at take-off gives most people a thrill. The adrenaline kicks in whether you love or loathe that moment of acceleration and ascent. The best thing about flying is that it can take you anywhere. You can fly interstate or internationally. When you travel by plane, you can literally be anywhere in the world in just a few hours.

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There is something truly magical about looking out of a plane window and seeing the clouds beneath you. It’s not an everyday event for the vast majority of people so that novelty never wears off. This unique view cannot be captured in a photograph. You have to experience to appreciate its appeal. Flying certainly gives you the freedom to go anywhere quickly and easily.

Cycling

At a much slower pace is cycling. Yet it offers all the freedom you could want. You can feel the wind rushing through your hair as you whizz downhill on your bicycle. Cycling gives you that sense of freedom as you pass by all the cars stuck in a traffic jam. You have the freedom to go at your own pace, and you can find all those little shortcuts that cars just can’t make.

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Cycling is one of the healthiest ways to travel. There are thousands of listed cycle routes all over the road to take you across continents. It’s also the most scenic way to travel thanks to its slower pace. You can cycle along canals, around lakes, and along coastlines. Best of all, you can park your bike anywhere you choose to stop, without paying any fees. For the ultimate freedom, why not pack your essentials in a bicycle bag and camp whenever you’re tired?

Road Trip

The freedom of travelling is certainly felt when you take a road trip. The choice of open top convertible or home-from-home RV is up to you. Many people enjoy using the RV because it removes the limit of time from your journey. You can browse motorhomes for sale here that may suit you for a short or long road trip. Many retirees invest in them so they can tour the country at their leisure. It buys them the freedom to take their time. They will always have accommodation and somewhere to prepare a wholesome home-cooked meal.

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The RV is the vehicle of choice for families wishing to have the freedom to take a vacation together whenever it suits them. It is also ideal if you are visiting distant relatives who don’t have the space in their house for you. It’s very freeing to own a vehicle that can be treated like a second home. It’s especially desirable because you have the freedom to change the view out of your window every single day. To travel the country at your own pace in your own style, you can’t beat an RV.

Train

Public transport can offer you a lot of freedom to get on with other things while you travel. Many commuters are finding an extra couple of hours each day to catch up with emails and reports as they travel. Some use the free wifi to keep in touch with their children. Others use it to get the weekly shopping ordered online. Having someone else do the driving certainly gives people the freedom to get on with their lives. There is no need to pay any attention to the route, or what is going on outside the window. You have the freedom to close your eyes and catch up on some sleep too.

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One of the best things about using the train is the flexibility of the tickets you can buy. This gives you the freedom to travel through lots of different states or countries on a single ticket on a whim. Open travel tickets like this are ideal for touring places in Europe. If you are looking to backpack or travel light, this can be the perfect way to do it. Most tickets last between a month and six months, giving you the freedom to travel through the continent at your own pace. This can be very cheap overall, so you can travel on a small budget.

Boat

For hundreds of years, Man has enjoyed the freedom of the seas. The sense of isolation while at sea can be just what you need to escape from it all. The oceans are big, and we are small. This makes for a true sense of awe when you stand on the deck of a ship or boat to look out. More and more people are enjoying cruises for the sense of freedom it offers. Cruises are often all-inclusive. This means you can eat what you like, when you like without having to pay any more money. Some offer the same freedom for alcoholic drinks.

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While the itinerary of a cruise is set, there is always the freedom to choose where you go in the countries you stop at. Cruises provide a huge range of facilities too. There are swimming pools, cinemas, theaters, skating rinks, spas, salons, and classes you can choose. For the freedom to customize your vacation activities, you can’t beat a cruise.

Travelling can be compelling and addictive because it provides that escape and freedom from our everyday lives. Sometimes it doesn’t matter where the destination is. The journey is the all-important factor. At other times, the sense of freedom comes from being as far away from what you know as possible. For the ultimate getaway, pick your transport of choice. You need only be a few hours from freedom.

Whether you want to to try out backpacking or just want a weekend escape to the coast, it’s good for us to see new places and witness different cultures. Travelling is an uplifting and enriching experience we all should experience throughout our lifetimes. It’s lovely to share with someone but can be even more special when done by yourself. If you’re thinking of being a solo traveler, use this guide to help you avoid making mistakes that could disrupt this life changing trip.

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Don’t be afraid of your own company

It’s likely you’re going to meet plenty of wonderful people during your trip. But don’t let this stop you from doing what you want to do. You may want to try out a Zanzibar safari or a hike up a nearby mountain, which your new friends might not be interested in. You might feel pressured into doing other activities just because everyone else wants to. Being a solo traveller allows you the freedom to please yourself so be firm and do what will make you feel happy and fulfilled. You can catch up with your new friends later and share your experiences from the day.

Don’t run out of money

Money is something you’re going to need regardless of where you choose to visit. Running out of money is never a good idea, but especially when you’re travelling alone. Sleeping on benches and asking strangers for help is something you want to avoid at all costs. Not everyone will be as trustworthy as you think and they may take advantage of you in this vulnerable state. To avoid this always plan how much money you want to spend each day and keep some emergency money in a safe place. Try not to carry too much cash around with you as this may attract thieves. Budgeting is essential so get saving and planning before your trip.

Don’t over-schedule yourself

Yes, you want to enjoy every minute of your adventure, but don’t over do it. Making your travel schedule jam packed can be tempting if you’re going to a new and exciting place. But allow yourself time to relax and rejuvenate. If you pack too much in, you’re going to end up feeling exhausted and may even get ill due to lack of sleep and care. The best trips are often the ones with the least planning. Choose some standout activities and attractions you want to experience and then use the rest of the time to go with the flow. That way you have the freedom to choose how you spend your trip. You don’t know what opportunities may present themselves while you’re there.

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Travelling by yourself is rewarding and exhilarating, but it can also be hard work and tiring. Look after yourself and give yourself time to rest in between all of the excitement. Create a versatile itinerary that can be changed easily depending on how you feel and always make your safety and health a priority.  Be spontaneous and you’ll have the best time possible on your incredible adventure.

France is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It’s a country filled with art, fine cuisine and architecture to name but a few. The Southern regions of France have always been considered a luxurious place to visit. Cannes film festival is held there, and it’s also home to other celebrity hot spots such as St Tropez and Monte Carlo. It’s a wonderful part of the world whether you’re going for a weekend travel break or family holiday. Here are top five things you can do when you visit this breathtaking part of the world.

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1. Visit the Pont Du Gard

The Pont Du Gard is a striking three story Roman bridge and aqueduct. If you are interested in history, this wonderfully well-preserved structure is a great insight into ancient times. Take a picnic and grab a spot along the river. Eat your picnic and soak up the French sunshine underneath this marvellous attraction. Pont Du Gard also has an excellent museum where you can take a walk through history to learn more about the structure and its original uses. There are local buses that run every 2 hours from Avignon, so it’s easy to get there too. This is a definite must see

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2. Explore the Grotte de Clamouse

Grotte de Clamouse is a once in a lifetime experience in the region of Languedoc. Be taken down one hundred metres into this set of beautiful fossilised caves. You will never experience such a unique natural beauty anywhere else. Discover how they were formed and explore the different sized caves and cavities. This is a particularly great activity if the weather isn’t great too. If you’re interested in staying within this area, visit Languedoc holiday homes. Some accommodation will provide discounts and transport to attractions such as this.

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3. Take to the skies

If you’re visiting the Languedoc Roussillon area, you must take a hot air balloon ride. See the rich landscape from the air and take in the sights from a different perspective. There’s nothing more romantic that taking a balloon ride. Why not make it a surprise activity for your other half? With it’s laid back approach to sight seeing, you’ll be able to take in every part of the mountains, rivers and countryside.

The region also has a number of flying tours available. These are wonderful if you want to see sights such as the Cathar castles. Try to learn as much as you can from your tour guide, who will know countless information about the area.

4. Relax on the Canal Du Midi

This canal is one of the most famous in the South of France. Hire a canal boat for the day or for the whole week. The Canal is one of the longest in the region so you’ll have plenty to see and you can stop off at local points of interest. Buy some local delicacies from your lock keepers for a real taste of Southern France.

There are so many wonderful things you can do in the South of France. It was very difficult to pick only four. It’s a beautiful place to visit and even if you only get to do one or two of these things, you’ll still have a fabulous time.

Special post written by a friend just for my readers-

Although I have been to Asia, I have never been to India. I mostly spent my time in Singapore, which was amazing. But, after looking back, I decided that it was time to branch out and see more of Asia, so I booked a flight! I don’t see the point in procrastinating when it comes to travelling because nothing gets done otherwise.

Still, before I set off, I want to make sure that I know pretty much everything there is to know about India. Obviously, I don’t want to miss anything that could potentially blow my mind, but I also don’t want to make any mistakes. After a bit of research, I put together a beginner’s guide to India that I think is helpful.

Here are my tips and tricks to traversing the exotic sub-continent.

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Vaccinations

Before anyone reaches India, there are certain vaccinations that you have to get to minimize the risk. The main ones are the hepatitis shots and the pre-booster rabies injections. From what I can gather, there is a risk of Malaria. However, I know that you can take tablets that are just as effective as the shots, as long as you take them two weeks prior and after travelling. Forget about Yellow Fever and Dengue Fever because the reported cases are incredibly rare.

Where To Start?

I know my biggest problem before booking my flight was where do I start? The country is so big, and there is so much to do, that it is hard to come to an informed decision. My best tip is to start wherever you want! The transport links are good enough to get you around the country without too much hassle, so you don’t have to do a complete circle. I am starting out in the south because I want to experience some of the ‘real’ India like Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Plus, by starting in the south I can work my way to the north where the major attractions and cities are situated.

Getting Around

Because India is so big, it is important to understand the transport links. After checking the India Travel Forum, I realized that the transport links are not brilliant. Of course, you expect that to a degree because India isn’t home. Still, the fact that you have to book train tickets days in advance is a little worrying. Thankfully, they do sell tickets on the morning of the train, so you can always decide to travel without prior notice. The key to getting these tickets is to get there early and to carry photocopies of all your important details like your passport. Buses do go almost everywhere in India, but the roads are poor and they take ages. They are a cheap alternative and a backup plan if all else fails.

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Sights And Attractions

We all have a list of attractions that springs to mind when we think of India. Obviously, the main attraction is the Taj Mahal, but there are others worth seeing. Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur and Goa all have an array of monuments, temples, forts and street life that you should witness. And, Hampi and Varanasi are also two diamonds in the rough that you cannot miss. Personally, I like to look at travel books to make sure I don’t miss anything special, as well as the Internet. With a travel guide to hand, you have little tips and tricks that make seeing these attractions much easier. For example, when you go to the Taj, foreigners have to enter on the south side of the site.

Drinking Water

Not all of India can boost clean drinking water, which is why it is a good idea to stick to bottled water. When you go into a restaurant, make sure you ask for a bottle and ask them to bring the bottle to the table. It is not rude, especially if you don’t want chronic diarrhea or worse! Also, you might want to pour the water into a cup instead of drinking straight out of the bottle. The recycling process is not the cleanest, and even the locals don’t let the plastic touch their lips.

Food

The food, on the other hand, is meant to be delicious. Everyone says that the food is different to Indian food back home, but that the key is to dive in head first. I think you should always try new things when you go to a different country, especially the food. Apparently, the Masala Dosa, the Thali and a boiled egg curry are incredible. Also, the locals like to eat with their hands, so I would give it a try when you get the chance. I know that the thought of eating a curry without a knife and fork is strange, but when in Rome!

Are you travelling for business or pleasure? Why not both? I can’t be the only out there thinking about how to make money while travelling the globe. That way, you get the best of both worlds. You’ll have a stable career while you get to visit a lot of new and wonderful places. I’ve been thinking about this idea a lot lately because I know a lot of people want to see more of the world. If they had the money they needed, they’d be able to. With that in mind here are some of the best careers that allow travelling.

Flight Attendant

I would certainly recommend this career to anyone who loves travelling. But, you should also enjoy the feeling you get as the plane lifts into the air. Don’t expect that thrill and excitement to last forever though. You’ll get over it and be left with the joy of going to different places everyday of your life. The disadvantage of course, is that you might only get one or two days in each location. Sometimes you might get a few hours but the definite advantage is that you won’t be paying for the experience. They’ll be paying you. You do have to be a people person though. You must be willing and able to speak to a large variety of different individuals.

Offshore Worker

If it bothers you that you won’t get much chance to explore the different places, why not work offshore. By working offshore, you’ll be in one place for weeks but, it won’t be close to home. You’ll be somewhere in the ocean, not too far away from a brand new coastal location. Through the week, you’ll stay in living quarters offshore. But, at the weekend you’ll be able to explore the new location and find the different experiences that await you. You’ll also get a couple weeks holiday every two months. You can use that to explore whatever location you want.

Travel Blogger

Well, I have to mention this one. If you can make a successful blog, you can use it to fund your travels. Setting up a blog is easy. But then, you have to get the readers to make it a success. To attract them, you’ll have to think about what you’re writing and whether they’ll enjoy reading it. Remember the rule of quality over quantity. A lot of people make the mistake of filling their blog with rubbish. This won’t get you the readers or advertisers that you need. Of course, the best part of travel writing is that you can go wherever you want as long as it includes excitement and adventure.

Tourist Guide

Finally, you could consider working as a holiday guide. You’ll need skills in language and a good knowledge of where you are working. But, once you have that you can work anywhere in the world. The disadvantage is that you’ll probably be in one place for quite a while. But, once you get bored you can look for a new possibility in a different exotic location.

The world is full of possibilities if you’re looking to work and travel. Why not try one yourself?

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