The GypsyNesters

The UK summer might be coming to a close for another year, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty more holiday opportunities to take before the end of 2019.

Whether you are tied into October half term holiday dates or are more flexible to take time off outside of the usual periods, it’s time to start planning your last few remaining days of annual leave.

But taking annual leave doesn’t mean you have to jet off to somewhere remote and far away — staycations in the UK are becoming increasingly popular.

Here we look at 3 reasons to stay clear of the airport this autumn.

Save on travel costs

According to 2018 stats, the average family vacation costs £2,417 and lasts around nine days. And this figure is only an average, with many people shelling out much more than this for flights, airport transfers or hire cars, accommodation, day trips and eating out.

Although many people feel that their holiday spend is well worth the investment for those life-long memories and precious family time, there are also those who struggle to afford such trips, or who feel that spending time with loved ones shouldn’t cost the earth.

By taking a staycation, you instantly save money that would’ve been spent on flights, transfers and car hire. You may still have to spend on train fares or fuel for your car, but this will be nowhere near as expensive as it would be if you were travelling to a foreign country. Your travel budget will be much easier to manage and stick to than if you were jetting off abroad.

Experience more of the UK

Whether you choose to stay at home for your staycation and just go for days out, or venture further afield in the UK to find a nice cosy country cottage or a slick city hotel, you will have the chance to see your home country in a whole new light.

Even though you may have lived in the UK for many years, or even your whole life, there are bound to be places, museums, parks, stately homes, galleries, restaurants and bars that you have never visited or even heard of before. For example, you can explore Northern Ireland and its famous landmarks or experience England’s food and culture.

By taking a staycation, you are opening yourself up to discover more of your homeland than you might have imagined was even there.

The British coastline is beautiful, whatever the season, and whether it’s fossil hunting, crabbing or rock pooling, you are sure to have as much fun by the sea as you would have on faraway shores.

Lower your carbon footprint

Travelling by plane over a distance of 1.37 miles releases 1KG of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. So, imagine what that equates to on a 3,450-mile flight from London to Florida!

By simply eliminating air travel from your next holiday, you are not only saving time and money, but you are also doing your bit to ensure that your carbon footprint is minimised and that there are less poisonous emissions entering our atmosphere.

With so many benefits of taking a staycation, will you be staying in the UK this autumn/winter?

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Sometimes life unexpectedly puts a dream holiday on our horizon that we absolutely must take. However, these serendipitous adventures usually arise when our finances are a little bit tight. Having to turn down a once in a lifetime travel opportunity can be highly disappointing, especially if your budget is the only thing holding you back.

Fortunately, there are options for financing for travel loans that can allow you to travel when and how you want at any time. While discretionary spending on holidays is not usually the most prudent thing to do, some opportunities are just too good to pass up. For these times, it is worth knowing the options available for travel loans that can give you the freedom to travel right away.

Let’s look at three specific ways that you can finance the holiday you need right now.

Use Your Line Of Credit

If you have an existing line of credit, or if you are in a situation where acquiring one is a realistic prospect, then using it to fund your adventuring is certainly a reasonable option. Your line of credit can be used for virtually any sort of spending that you might need to do, and travel is certainly a possibility.

Before taking out credit, however, try to pay for as much of your holiday as you can with cash on hand. This can help you save money on paying interest back in the long run.

Take Out A Personal Loan

If you take out a personal loan earmarked for your travel plans, this can provide you with a precise amount of funds that will cover all your costs. In many cases, this is preferable to paying for your trip entirely on a credit card which will usually have a much higher interest rate.

This can be a better option for those who have good credit scores as the rates you will be offered will be lower than otherwise.

When choosing this route, make sure to stick to trusted and reputable providers of personal loans. This will give you the most reasonable rates without any danger of extra fees and charges being hidden in the fine print. Always make sure to read over any loan agreement before signing it and make sure to know how much your monthly payments will be over the course of your repayment period.

Use A Credit Card

If the above options are not available to you for one reason or another, then you might consider putting the cost of your holiday onto your credit card. This can add up quickly in terms of interest on your outstanding debt, but if you have a solid income and know that you will be able to pay off the amount quickly then this can be a good option.

Consider looking into a travel credit card that may give you discounts or bonuses if you use the card for holiday purposes.

Use Good Judgement

While holidays are an important way to destress and explore the world for many fortunate people, remember that discretionary spending on luxury goods is not usually the best course of action. If possible, it is wiser to save your money and use these savings as a means of taking a much-needed holiday. In the long run, this will save you money.

However, if you have a stable income and the confidence that you will pay off your credit in a disciplined way, then taking out financing for travel is a realistic option. Make sure to be diligent in repaying your debt as you certainly do not want to be paying off your two-week holiday for several years down the road.

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Deep, in the heart of Africa lies the world’s longest river – the Nile. It flows through a kingdom of breathtaking landscapes, where exotic species of animals live and where colourful cultures depend on its waters to survive. It was once a home to ancient Egyptians, who strongly believed that the river was a god, who could punish or reward them. It attracted explorers, adventurers, and scientists, who flocked here to see this wonder.

Nowadays the river is still a mystery to many, but also a source of entertainment and a symbol of luxury. Nile Cruises are very popular among visitors, who choose to come here to try out this type of holidaying once afforded only to ancient Egyptians.

Memphis Tours Egypt has been organizing this type of excursions for many years and supplying its guests with unforgettable memories, adventure, and luxury. As soon as you step on one of their vessels you will find yourself on an Egyptian-style floating palace. Sailing with Memphis Tours will leave you rested, relaxed and wanting to explore the area even more.

Going on a journey with Memphis Tours doesn’t only mean you will be relaxing and entertaining. It also means seeing exotic sights and visiting amazing, breathtaking places. Here are five must do things while on a Nile Cruise.

See the Nile from above

This is a great start, or end, to your cruise. Witness the sun rising over the Nile and enjoy spectacular views from your own, private hot air balloon. You will be driven to an open field at a crack of dawn and just before the sun rises, you will ascend to greet the day and take some stunning photos. You can arrange this tour through your cruise operator, or you can do it on your own.

Sail a falooka to Aswan

West Bank Aswan is a very beautiful area of the river Nile, full of birds, plant life, and sand mountains. The best way to explore it is renting a falooka – a sailboat, which will take you through the stunning landscapes. Renting a falooka is not very complicated. You can do it in one of the cruise ports. It’s good to remember that you can easily negotiate a price, so try to bargain a little.

In Aswan you will find Nubian villages – relicts of the past times, where people still live modestly and quietly, far away from modern distractions. They are famous for their crocodile keepers and wedding celebrators as well as their hospitality and sunny disposition.

Go off the beaten path

Have you ever wondered how people live outside of the major cities and tourists spots? While Aswan is definitely an area you must see, there are also many other places to visit. Try the towns of Kom Ombo and Edfu. You might have heard about them and their treasures – Horus Temple of Edfu and Haeoris Temple of Kom Ombo, but there is more. Wander around the streets of these towns, visit parks and local restaurants. Take your time and allow Memphis Tours to organise your time and entertain you.

Discover the Abu Simbel Temple

If you have some extra time to spend, visit this remarkable gem. It’s located several hours’ drive from Aswan, in the heart of the lake Naser. The trip to reach it might be quite long and tiring, but the site will leave you amazed. The temple is enormous and makes an incredible impression on visitors.

See the Karnak temple

Karnak is one of the most important Pharaonic sites in Egypt. It used to be the main hub of the ancient Egyptians, a home to the gods and the ruling caste. It took around 1,300 years to build a vast array of temples, courts, and halls. This is probably one of the first sites you will visit while on your Nile cruise. Don’t miss it! It’s a great opportunity to see and witness the ancient engineering.

Take a tour of Luxor temples

Not far from the Karnak temple lays a beautiful city of Luxor. It is one of the most famous places in Egypt as it is full of history. You can arrange a private, half day tour of the city and the temples that surround it. During your trip you will visit the temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Mnemnon and the Temple of Luxur – all breathtaking and stunning sites, which show how genius the ancient Egyptian’s engineering, was.

Visit the Souks

When visiting the area around the Nile, don’t miss the souks! If you love shopping, this is something to explore. Wander the streets and look for some great bargains. Normally, the front stalls offer souvenirs for high, tourist prices, but if you dig deep, you will find vendors whose rates are more local and products are of better quality.

Pay tribute to the ancient kings

Beneath the shifting sands lays a vast underground city of the dead. Kilometers of tunnels, chambers and vaults conceal the tombs of dynasty upon dynasty of ancient Egyptian kings. This complex was built throughout centuries and then laid forgotten for thousands of years. Today, thanks to technology, scientists are revealing the secrets of this ancient engineering.

You can visit this site during your cruise and take a journey back in time to pay respects to the kings of Egypt. Try to come here in the morning as the place gets crowded in no time. One ticket entitles you to visit just 3 tombs, so plan ahead and decide which graves you would like to see before you come.

Try a celebrity lifestyle

The area of the river Nile is great for sightseeing and visiting some historical places, but you can also feel like a celebrity here, too. Pay a visit to one of the famous hotels – Old Cataract Hotel of Aswan and Old Winter Palace of Luxur. These places have been meeting points for Hollywood celebrities and politicians. Come here for lunch and enjoy the luxury and splendor these hotels offer and while it might seem costly, it is sure worth it. It’s one of a kind holiday experience!

Chill out with a cup of tea and a sunset

There’s nothing better than finishing your day with a good cup of tea. After sightseeing and spending your day exploring, you can chill out and relax on the deck of your Memphis Cruise boat. Come out to the deck and sip your beverage while watching a stunning sunset over the river Nile. This view never gets boring!

There is nothing like the river Nile and there is no other holiday like a Nile Cruise. It’s a perfect choice to visit Egypt and see a bunch of sites in just a few days. There is something for everyone and if you don’t feel like doing any sightseeing, you can simply float on the river and watch the world goes by while you relax and unwind.

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When Egypt comes up as a travel destination, many people’s minds get filled up with thoughts of pyramids and the statue of the Sphinx. For them, there is nothing else to Egypt than these and some people would not choose to have a vacation in a place that has little to offer.

However, this is not the truth about Egypt. There is so much more awesomeness to Egypt than pyramids and the Sphinx. This beautiful country will leave you longing for more and contemplating the possibility of relocating there.

Here are some reasons why you definitely need to add Egypt to your bucket list and start looking into Egypt Tours.

1. You Can Take A Dip in the Red Sea and Relax On the Beach

If you visit Egypt in the summer, you might find the weather hot enough for you to desire the soothing effects of water and a beach. Go to the Red Sea area. There are many beach resorts with luxury accommodation offers; water sports offers and opportunities for shopping and other forms of entertainment. You can rest, feel refresh, get a tan or even go scuba diving.

2. Egypt Has Delicious Food

The delicious cuisine in Egypt is enough reason to add Egypt to your bucket list. Egypt draws you into a mouth-watering experience with dishes which you may not be familiar with. In Egypt, you get to have Kofta (which are meatballs), Shawarma (which is shredded meat wrapped in pita) and Mahshi Hamam (which is roasted pigeon stuffed with vegetables and rice). If you have a thing for rice or pasta, you can try out Koshary, a native Egyptian dish prepared with rice, macaroni, vegetables, tomato sauce and fried onions

3. You Can Spend Some Time with the Sphinx

The Sphinx is internationally popular. This sculpture constructed around 2520-2494 BC is considered the world’s oldest monument. It is located in Giza, Egypt. Several celebrities have social media pictures or videos of them play-kissing the Sphinx. If you travel to Egypt, you can get your own kissy face picture too or simply spend time taking in the beauty of the sphinx.

4. You Get To Visit The Pyramids

It goes without question that a trip to Egypt would be very incomplete without paying a visit to the Egyptian pyramids. The pyramids of Egypt are indeed spectacular sights to behold. If you go to Egypt, you would find one Wonder of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramid of Giza which is the oldest and largest pyramid in Egypt.

5. There Are Many Ancient Artifacts to Be Seen In the Egyptian Museum

The Egyptian Museum in Cairo has a spectacular collection of ancient artifacts. In this museum, there are artifacts like the mummies and the golden mask of King Tut. If you have a thing for history, archaeology and architectural excellence, the possibility of visiting the Egyptian Museum should make you add Egypt to your travel bucket list.

6. There Are Numerous Treasures in Khan al-Khalili

Khan al-Khalili is a market in Cairo. This market is one of the biggest bazaars in the Middle East. Many amazing deals on good products like precious metals, spices and perfumes can be found in Khan al-Khalili market. All you will need is an eye for a great bargain and the ability to negotiate properly.

7. You Can Get A Felucca Tour

If you love sailing or adventure in general, this one is for you. You can go on a felucca tour. A felucca tour, which involves embarking on a tour by sailing in the small native Egyptian wooden boat called a felucca, can last several days. The experience is beautiful, especially when you take a sunset cruise in Aswan.

8. A Journey Via the Nile River Cruise Is A Memorable Experience

In Egypt, you can board a ship and take a journey from Aswan to Luxor. The scenery which includes lush foliage, an arid desert and Egyptian citizens using the Nile River for their daily activities is enthralling.

9. You Can Explore the Temple at Luxor

This city in the south of Egypt has been described as the largest open air museum in the world. This is due to the treasures found here. In Luxor, you can get a tour of the Karnak Temple complex which is dedicated to Pharaoh Amun. The Karnak Temple is an impressive edifice which stands apart from other Egyptian temples because of the length of time invested in building it and the number of Pharaohs who contributed to its construction. This place which is almost as grand and as popular as the pyramids is ideal for lovers of ancient history and architecture.

Include Egypt to your travel bucket list and have a life-changing experience!

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If you plan to spend the Christmas holiday in Sri Lanka, you should prepare to be busy as there are many interesting sites that you really shouldn’t miss. And that’s not even counting the fact that the Christmas celebration in Colombo, the largest city on the island is a marvelous event you have to see.

In fact, that’s where you should start your trip as the local Christmas fair will allow you to immerse yourself into the festive spirit with its unique Sri Lankan flavor. So, here’s what you should do when enjoying a real Sri Lankan Christmas:

1.      Try the unique Christmas cake

They don’t make Christmas cakes elsewhere as they make them in Sri Lanka, says Orana, a local hub writer. This particular recipe contains ingredients that can only be bought in the country, so it counts as the local delicacy.

You’ll love this fruit cake if you like spices and experiments. The local recipe contains things like pumpkin, ginger, and chow chow preserves, among a dozen other flavorful ingredients. But if you are a traditionalist, you’ll be able to find a perfect cake as well because every bakery will offer a variety of these during the holidays.

2.      Explore all things tea

You’ll have no trouble finding delicious tea to go with your Christmas cake in Sri Lanka as it\s one of the country’s main exported products. But you should not only drink it but also use the opportunity to learn about how your favorite tea is created. Fathima, from T2 Travels Sri Lanka, recommends starting with exploring tea trails so you can see from where the tea journey starts.

Visiting at least one tea factory is a must and if you can, you should see the Ceylon Tea Museum as well. But most importantly, taste as many different teas as you can while there. A multitude of places offer this drink here and each is special in some way.

3.      Watch the wildlife in Yala National Park

Any trip to Sri Lanka should include as many visits to national parks as you can squeeze in. Take a look at some interesting Sri Lanka tours to get a good idea what’s on offer.

However, the first place to visit must be Yala National Park, and December is the best season for it. According to park employees, this is the time when you can see the most exotic birds.

This park is not only a fantastically beautiful place where you can admire the Sri Lankan wildlife but also a visible proof of Mother Nature’s resilience. It was hit extremely hard by the devastating tsunami of 2004. And yet, you won’t be able to tell unless you know about it beforehand. Tragically, 250 people in the area were taken by the giant wave. But animals were all safe, proving that they are able to sense and hide from the oncoming natural threats much better than us, humans.

4.      Go whale watching

Another experience that will have you awed with the magnificence of nature is whale watching in Sri Lanka. The season for it starts in November, so you are sure to witness some incredible marine scenes during your Christmas trip.

However, you should know that this particular adventure is extremely popular. Therefore, if you take one of the big tourist boats, you are setting yourself up for a stampede. It will be best to enjoy the experience from a smaller vessel not overrun by crowds. You should also look for tours away from the main tourist hotspots like Mirissa.

Sri Lanka is magnificent at all times, and all the more so during the festive Christmas season. This is definitely a good time to arrive as you’ll be able to enjoy yourself even just by walking around and soaking up sites of decorated houses and shops. Don’t forget to enjoy the local delicacies as well.

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It is quite evident that incentive travel is one of the highly effective tools that companies harness to encourage their employees. Additionally, it is also considered an excellent tool to build team spirit. In order to obtain the maximum benefit out of your travel incentive programs, you must be aware of what your employees expect. Furthermore, being aware of the latest trends associated with travel incentives can also help you build an effective scheme that benefits you and your employees.

Below we have highlighted top travel incentive trends in the market:

1. The Growing Popularity of All-Inclusive Trips

Travel incentive programs have witnessed significant popularity in the past year; however, there are certain challenges that limit their growth. Increasing costs one of the main disadvantages that companies are dealing with when it comes to offering travel incentives. Incentive travel is a business cost, and naturally, companies want to keep their costs as low as possible. This is why all-inclusive trips have become a popular trend. Employees are attracted to travel packages that include trips, transportation, accommodation, etc.

2. Team Building Opportunities are Highly Valued

Along with improved sales and profitability, the opportunity to build team spirit is among the top reasons for setting up an incentive travel program. While it is reward offered to the best-performing employees, it is an effective opportunity to enhance employee engagement and allows your workforce to get to know each other better. Healthy and positive relationships are an excellent tool to ensure productivity.

3. Integration of Wellness Programs

Integration of wellness programs into incentive travel is another important trend that every employee should watch out for. Earlier playing golf was the centre of incentive travel programs. However, today, mental and spiritual health is given more prominence. This might be due to the highly stressful and competitive environment modern employees’ work in. Employees appreciate the break to relax, re-energize themselves in order to maintain their productivity.

4. Destination Appeal

The destination you choose for your travel incentive program is an imperative factor that determines its effectiveness. It is natural that employees will be motivated to perform better if the reward is a trip to some exotic or exciting destination. While employees focus on the top destination, the organization focuses on minimizing the cost as well as ensuring safety.

5. The Environmental Factor

Today travelers have become more environmental-conscious. They are concerned about proper waste management, plastic use, etc. This explains the growing popularity of eco-friendly and sustainable tourism across the globe. Moreover, companies across the globe are also focusing on lowering their ecological footprint. They partner with travel providers like Viktor to provide them with travel incentive programs that ensure unique, authentic and sustainable travel experience.

The Bottom Line

Incentive travel program, when formulated with proper research and understanding can allow both employees and companies to enjoy many prolific benefits. When formulating travel program for your employees, it is important to consider the latest trends associated with it in order to ensure you avail optimum return on investments.

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We have all heard about the magnificent natural wonders of the world, such as the Grand Canyon, Victoria Falls, and also the Great Barrier Reef. But little did you know that there are tons more eye-catching, breathtaking, jaw-dropping places that you don’t even know yet.

In the most hidden corners on earth, in the vast magnitude of the forests, in the deepest unexplored places in the ocean, and some areas so remote that they are still unscathed by the catastrophic ways of humans and machines.

Have you ever fantasized about traveling the world one day? If you could go anywhere you desire on earth, where in the world would you wander off to? These places are definitely on any outdoor lover’s bucket lists.

Socotra, Yemen

On the Yemeni island of Socotra, the road to its unique woodlands is a harsh one.  Away from the city, away from massive populations, away from pollution, and away from a place where robots dominate the community. The things you will find in this place, cannot be found somewhere else.

The scientific word for it is “Dracaena Cinnabari”, or the most common name, the Socotra Dragon Tree or Dragon Blood Tree. That is what its called because the sap that the tree is producing is red. With the appearance of an uprightly held umbrella with an upturned, dimly congested crown.

Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park

The Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park is located in the Melaky region, northwest of Madagascar. The park is in the middle of two geological formations called the Great Tsingy and the Little Tsingy. And this national park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The rocks known as the “Tsingy” were formed by a deposit of seashells and fossils below the sea over 200 million years ago when layers of calcite under the lagoon formed a broad limestone.

Now, tourists can access the national park under heavy supervision by the park rangers. With the use of the road from Morondava, a town 150km south of the national park. There’s also limited access from the town of Antsalova which can be reached by plane from Antananarivo.

Rock Islands in Palau

With unique island formations that are scattered across a 32 km area of clear turquoise ocean southwest of Koror. Viewing from any vantage point such as underwater, from the air, or from even just lying on the beach. It is mesmerizing to witness limestone islets surrounded by crystal clear waters.

Gangkhar Puensum, Bhutan

Being the highest mountain in Bhutan, its name means the White Peak of the Three Spiritual Brothers and it lies on the disputed border between Bhutan and China. Bhutan prohibited locals and tourists to climb mountains higher than 19,700(6,000m) feet out of respect for local spiritual beliefs.

Son Doong Cave, Vietnam

The Son Doong Cave is located in the center of the Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park in the Quang Binh province of Central Vietnam. It was only recently explored back in 2009 by the British Cave Research Association.

Hang Son Doong or Mountain River Cave is the world’s largest but only a limited number of people can be able to see this unbelievable attraction in Vietnam each year. Because only one tour operator can bring travelers on the trek into the cave.

Honokohau Falls, Maui

Acknowledged as the tallest waterfall on the island of Maui, Hawaii. Honokohau Falls is a beauty to witness with a height of 341 meters. It’s no doubt why this was featured in the Jurassic Park movie because it took the audience’s breath away with its otherworldly presence.

The Forest Lake, Russia

The precise location of this mysterious forest lake remains unknown. According to some people, it can be found in the Tyumen region. Nobody even knows how the lake lies in the middle of a heavy rainforest, and how it was created. It can only be seen from a helicopter and from there, we can savor the beauty it holds.

Takeaway

The human race has left its mark on almost every surface of the planet and also a considerable portion of the oceans as well. Although some places have remained untouched by us due to it being hostile or isolate, nothing is stopping people from venturing into places that no one has ever been before.

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