The GypsyNesters

Travelling with your dog is a rewarding experience. It gives you a chance to see the fun side of life in the company of your best friend. Even so, it can turn out to be a frustrating experience, if you are unaware of fun activities to do with the pet. This article offers you all the necessary insights.

While travelling with the best guard dogs breeds for families with children or any other type of dog, you may want to try out the following fun activities:

1. Go for Hikes. Most protection dog sales love to hike in the mountains and valley. It is particularly true if you do away with the leash and guide the pet through the rough terrains. Just find hike areas that allow dogs and make the necessary preparations to have fun without end. It is vital to consider the capacity of your pet to go for long hikes. Alternatively, you could limit the amount of time that you spend in hiking.

2. Visit historical sites, national parks, or outdoor museum. There is so much for you and your dog to see in the sites, parks and outdoor museum. Find areas that feature lakes, animals, beautiful gardens, and incredible views to ensure that the dog gets as much fun as possible. Don’t forget to take a few photos to remind of these moments. Note that there are chances that some areas are restricted to people only and therefore, be careful to read the signs while walking around the sites or parks.

3. Visit local markets. You will make memories when you visit local markets to buy art pieces and taste different cuisines. Always put the dog of a leash to avoid losing it in the busy places. If you decide to take a meal or drink in the process, ensure that the pet has its treat. The market place also gives a chance to shop for a new leash, toy, and collars for the pet.

4. Opt to camp with your dog. Finding boarding facilities for you and the pet can be daunting during travel. Most of the facilities do not allow for the pets and may hence direct you to other places. The ideal solution is to camp with your dog and become one with nature. Go to places where the owners light up the fire at night to keep you entertained and warm. You will realize that the pet will be more comfortable and excited throughout the night.

5. Go swimming. Don’t leave your pet at home when going to the beach for an afternoon swim. The pets enjoy being in the water as much as you do. Creativity while in the water will be helpful in keeping the dog engaged. For instance, you can instruct the dog to fetch items in the swimming pool or even compete with it in swimming. Once tired, you may decide to take a boat ride and enjoy the scenery. It also makes sense to watch sunset at the beach while the dog digs in the sand.

6. Jog. Travelling can be a perfect moment to exercise. Find areas with limited human traffic such as the national parks or at the shore for the activity.

All in all, there are many fun activities to do with your dog while travelling. For a better experience, you must be prepared well by carrying enough supplies such as water, food, leash, and medication. You must also ascertain that the dog is healthy enough to travel. Still, always do a thorough research on the ideal areas to visit with a pet.

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Beijing, China’s capital, is one of the top global tourist destinations on the globe, and it’s for a good reason. This city boasts of a rich history going back more than a millennium with landmarks like the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. Apart from the rich history, this Chinese capital is also a model for future cities with hundreds of skyscrapers. Here are the top five fun things to do in Beijing.

1.  Check out the Tiananmen Square

Your first order of business when you visit this Chinese capital should be to check out the Tiananmen Square. This square is regarded as the heart of the People’s Republic of China as its where the nation was founded in 1949 by Mao Zedong. Tiananmen Square has the admiration of both locals and tourists, and at any day, you should expect to find lots of people here.

2.  Walk through the Forbidden City

The history of the Chinese people is in the DNA of Beijing, and one of the best places to experience this is the Forbidden City. This city was home to the Ming and Qing Dynasties’ emperors. It also served as China’s political capital for more than five centuries. Today, the Forbidden City, which covers over 180 acres, has over 15 million visitors annually. Fret not, as you are able to get affordable pricing with flights from Singapore to Beijing.

3.  Cruise around the lakes

This Chinese capital is home to three man-made lakes known as Shichahai. Among the top fun things to do in Beijing is to take a cruise around the lakes. In the past, the three lakes were a royal family playground. The best way to cruise around the lakes is by renting a boat. To get to the lakes, feel free to hire a rickshaw driver and get to enjoy the uniquely Chinese mode of transport.

4.  Climb the Great Wall

As one of the Seven Wonders of the World, climbing the Great Wall is a must do while in Beijing. The Great Wall is the most iconic tourist attraction in China. This wall was built to keep out the Mongolian invaders centuries ago and is still standing to date.

5.  Go shopping in the silk market

Throughout history, the Chinese have been among the world top producers of silk. While in Beijing, make time to go shopping in the silk market here. You can find a wide variety of silk material here ranging from those created through traditional methods to those that are factory-produced.

This city is a fascinating place to be. There are lots of fun thing you can do in Beijing. So, start making plans now.

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Driving in a place you’ve never been to before is always nerve-racking. And that’s not just because you’ll be on an unfamiliar road. Rather, the rules of the road may be different from where you come from.

A road trip to or through California can be an experience of a lifetime. The breathtaking terrain and Luxury Retreats are complemented by the scenic coastal roads, huge freeways, grid city streets, and sun-kissed back roads.

Still, whether you are an American that’s resident in a different state or a foreigner visiting California, you have to familiarize yourself with the written and unwritten rules of California’s roads. We delve into some of these rules below.

1.  Pedestrians Rule!

In almost every jurisdiction of the world, the law deems pedestrians as requiring more protection than cars. The idea isn’t any different in California. But pedestrian priority here is probably at a level you aren’t accustomed to.

While there’ll always be rogue drivers, most will go out of their way to give pedestrians right of way and so should you. Of course, pedestrians should cross the road only at designated crossings. However, if a pedestrian steps onto the road, stop your car and give way irrespective of where they do it.

2.  Wheel Position on Parking

Whenever you park your car on an incline and along a curb, your wheels must face the correct direction. If you are parking uphill, the wheels must face away from the gutter. That way, if the brakes fail, the vehicle will roll into the curb. On the other hand, if you are parking downhill, the wheels should face toward the gutter for the same reason.

The front tire should always touch the curb if you want to avoid getting a parking ticket.

3.  Curb Colors

California has a curb color code that determines who can park where and for how long. White curbs are for passenger boarding or disembarking, and the car can stop there for no more than a few minutes tops. Yellow curbs are for passenger and delivery loading or unloading for a maximum of 5 minutes.

Blue curbs are for persons holding a disabled permit. Red curbs are out of bounds for any form of parking, stopping, or standing. Apart from these colored curbs, you are free to park anywhere else you choose.

4.  Beware the Stop Signs

California has more stop signs than traffic lights. They are virtually everywhere but more so in and around urban areas. When you come across a stop sign, you are required to come to a complete halt. Most local drivers though will just slow down to confirm it’s all clear before they carry on (this isn’t legal though). Pedestrians are allowed to cross the road at a stop sign.

5.  Drive at or near the Speed Limit

Californians are used to fellow drivers cutting ahead of them. None of them, however, would take it kindly to being held up by the car in front of them even though the road ahead is clear of traffic.

At the minimum, you may be subjected to furious honking and a couple of choice swear words. At the worst, you may end up as the unwitting victim of unbridled road rage. To be safe, always drive at or near the road’s speed limit.

6.  Flashers May Not Mean What You Think They Mean

When you are at an intersection, road turn, or another scenario where you or the other car may need to give way, make sure you have the right interpretation of driver flashing. Unlike many other parts of the world, when someone flashes you in California, they mean they aren’t letting you through.

7.  Car Pool (or High-Occupancy Vehicle) Lane

On the freeway, you’ll notice that there’s a diamond-shaped sign painted on the leftmost lane. Any vehicle with at least 2 occupants is allowed to use this lane. It’s often emptier and therefore, faster.

If the car pool lane has broken lines in certain sections, you have to get in and out of the lane. However, if the lane is marked by a solid line, you must stay put throughout.

Driving in California is great fun with plenty to see and do. Despite some sections of road falling into disrepair, the roads are mostly in excellent condition. A California road trip is something you could one day narrate to your grandkids. Just make sure you are well aware of the rules we’ve discussed here, and you’ll be good to go.

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Malaysia is one of the top tourist destinations in S.E Asia. People visit the country to see various historical monuments, wildlife, unique landscape and enjoy a variety of foods. You need to prepare and research everything from where to stay to plumbing services before going to this country. Here are some tips you should know when visiting Malaysia.

1)     Safety and currency

Safety is the first thing you should keep in mind when visiting another country. Malaysia is one of the safest countries to visit in S.E Asia. However, when you are in big cities such as Kuala Lumpur, avoid dark corridors at night since there is no urban center without petty crime. Don’t expose expensive jewelry and other valuable items when walking on busy streets. It is also advisable to keep your camera in the bag instead of hanging it around your neck. These safety tips will prevent you from being targeted by snatchers and pickpockets.

When it comes to money, there is no need to have lots of cash with you since it will be a great loss if someone snatches your wallet, handbag or briefcase and disappears. Plan your trip early and you should consider converting your money into local currency for smooth transactions when paying your bills. You might consider carrying your credit card to avoid frustrations in case you run out of money.

2)     Select your food carefully

Malaysian food is a mixture of Indian and Southeast Asian foods. Some foods tend to be very spicy since they are prepared with a lot of ingredients. Some foreigners find it difficult to eat foods that contain a lot of pepper or other spices. If you have problems with your stomach, select your food carefully to avoid stomach upset or getting ill after eating something that you’re not used to.

There are several world class hotels that offer a wide range of local and foreign foods which you can sample. A hotel like the one available at https://bagasi.my/hotel-di-terengganu/ offers high-quality services and allows you to order food which is available in your country. This allows individuals with stomach problems to select foods which they are used to.

3)     Health and immunizations

Just like most countries, Malaysia requires visitors to have documents that prove that they have been vaccinated against some diseases. It is recommended that you get vaccinated against Hepatitis A, Diphtheria, Typhoid and tetanus. If you intend to stay in Malaysian for several weeks or months, you might consider vaccination against Hepatitis B, rabies and other diseases.

4)     Prepare your travel documents early

Visitors from most countries need a Malaysian visa and other travel documents to be allowed in the country. So once you have decided the best time to Visit Malaysia be sure to take into account that the time taken to process the visa varies from country to country. Therefore it is a good idea to process your visa 2 weeks earlier. This allows you to provide all necessary paperwork and fix any problems that might arise on time.

Just like traveling to Singapore, there is no need to obtain a Malaysian visa if you are from North America, Australia, South Africa, and most European countries. However, your stay is limited to about 90 days, but it varies depending on your nationality.

5)     Customs

You should check the immigration website or make a call to confirm if what you want to carry is allowed in the country. Malaysia doesn’t allow foreigners to carry souvenirs, cosmetics, soaps and perfumes worth more than RM 200. This information is important since you might have to leave your luggage at the checkpoint if you carry unwanted items. Don’t carry simple items that are readily available in Malaysia since you’ll waste time at the checkpoint.

6)     Use GRAB or UBER

Most local drivers refuse using the meter after a short ride and they often overcharge foreigners. This is one of the main problems visitors encounter in big cities such as Kuala Lumpur. For this reason, most foreigners prefer using GRAB and UBER since they are relatively cheaper as compared to local taxi drivers.

Malaysia is a great place to have a vacation or business trip. The country has a diverse culture, amazing landscape, and other things you might want to see. But there are several things you need to know before visiting this country, including safety, choice of food, health issues, customs, taxi prices and the paperwork you require.

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We all come to that point in our lives. When our children have flown the nest, and we’re set to enjoy a well-earned retirement after several years of service at our respective jobs. We spend so many years looking forward to this point, that sometimes we don’t quite know what to do when it comes – but this isn’t the case for everybody. So many people out there, plan to use their retirement to travel, enjoy the world, see new places and revisit old ones. But, how can you get the most out of your long-awaited vacation whilst remaining on a fixed budget? Well, with these top tips you’ll be sure to have the time of your life, without going over your specially designed budget.

Prioritise Your Money

A happy retirement means different things to different people. For some people, it’s the freedom to spend their money on expensive meals and trips out. For others, it may be completely rejuvenating or extending their home. But for some, it’s all about travelling, and going away with a loved one to enjoy new and exciting experiences. If this is you, then remember where to prioritise your money.

If you’re saving for the retirement trip of a lifetime, then there’s not a lot of point in spending money on your house is there? If you’re intending on spending a lot of your retirement at home, then perhaps some renovation and redecoration work could be worth the money, but if you’re wanting to up and off and see the world, then spending money on the house seems rather futile. Some people may even go as far as to sell their home quickly, in order to downsize and raise the cash to make the trip all the more special, and extend the budget. Of course, you’ll also want to make some profit on it in order to put away money to leave some for your children now they’re grown ups too. A great way to make cash quickly off a property is through a quick sale company such as https://www.readysteadysell.co.uk/sell-house-fast/. Not only will they start the valuation process on your current home for free, but they’ll also buy your home for a good price, quickly, for cash. For some people, this could be a perfectly viable option.

Travel in Your Home Country

Another option that a lot of retired travellers opt for, is sticking to travelling in their home country. Of course, as our ages go up, so does the amount we have to pay for the travel insurance we’ll need to take out if we’re planning on travelling abroad. For the vast majority of countries, there are as many beautiful landmarks in their vicinity alone without having to take out the extra expenses of travelling abroad. For example, if you’re a UK citizen, you have access to some of the most beautiful natural countryside and landmarks in the world, and you can get there via car. Whether you fancy going hill climbing in the lake district, or want to view the marvel that is Glencoe in Scotland, there’s something for everyone – and sometimes it’s right on the doorstep.

Invest in an RV

Sleeping in an RV or campervan isn’t to everybody’s taste, but if you have a sense of adventure and like being on the road, this could be the way forward for you. Of course you’ll have to consider fuel costs, the price of purchasing an RV and if there will be costs to park your RV at specific places when you travel, but in the long term this is potentially a far more cost-effective way of travelling because you’ll save money on flights and hotels. There are several companies that transport ferries full of vehicles to countries all over Europe, so you’ve not even confined to staying in your home country either. That’s a win-win!

Start Your Planning in Advance

Like most great things, travelling takes time, effort, and if you’re doing it right, quite a lot of planning. Last but not least, remember to plan your trip in advance in order to get the best value for your money. Likewise, this will also help you to budget your money in order to travel further, and more luxuriously, if this is what you want. Above all, remember to enjoy the time you spend travelling in your retirement. This time is for you, and your partner if you have one, to go out into the world and enjoy everything it has to offer, so make the most of it!

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The Irish capital is full of history, a lovely landscape, Irish charm and, yes, pubs! With great museums (some of which are free!) and a bonafide castle in the town, it’s not difficult to fill up a long weekend in Dublin. In fact, the difficult part might be limiting yourself to only a weekend in the Emerald Isle!

But worry not – we got you!

We’ve strung together a 3 day plan overflowing with culture, beautiful sights and authentic local pubs for a very merry Irish time.

But first…

Getting to Downtown Dublin from the Airport

The Dublin airport is located approximately 10 km of Dublin city center, near a large suburban area called Swords. Since there is no train or subway service into the center, you can either book a taxi, rent a car or use the bus.

Once you are downtown Dublin, you can start checking off all the fun things you’ve planned to do over the weekend.

VISIT DUBLIN CASTLE

Dublin Castle is one of the major landmarks in Dublin. It’s hard to miss that medieval tower jutting up into the sky. Today, Dublin Castle is still a working office of Irish government that attracts visitors from around the world.

And while there’s plenty to see by just walking around the castle and gardens, it’s absolutely worth going inside and buying a ticket for a tour. Visitors can opt for a self-guided tour or a guided tour. Take into consideration the following: the castle’s elaborate staterooms can be explored on a self-guided tour and entry costs 7 EUR. You can also do a guided tour for 10 EUR, which allows you to see the Viking Excavation and the Chapel Royal as well as the staterooms.

WALK THROUGH THE TRINITY COLLEGE LIBRARY

Trinity College Dublin is a historic university located in central Dublin. The campus is picturesque. The college was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I. The list of alumni is lengthy and impressive: Samuel Beckett, Bram Stoker, Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde, as well as current Taoiseach (or Irish Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar.

The buildings on the campus are historic and impressive. At the heart is the Campanile, a bell tower from 1853 designed by Sir Charles Lanyon and sculpted by Thomas Kirk, on Library Square. Also notable is the Museum Building, a Palazzo style building from 1857 that is covered in detailed carvings. Tourists flock to Trinity College, largely, to see the Book of Kells, a highly ornate book from 384 AD containing the four Gospels of the Bible and its legendary library. To get access to the library, you have to purchase a 13 EUR entrance ticket here.

DRINK IN AN IRISH PUB

Dublin literally seems to have an Irish Pub on every corner. Looking for a fun time in Dublin? Look no further than Temple Bar, the oldest bar in the world. You’ll find a lot of pubs in Temple Bar, but the area is extremely touristy so if you prefer a more peaceful atmosphere, head southeast to the area between Temple Bar and St Stephen’s Green. The narrow streets have plenty of historic bars and restaurants that don’t charge a tourist tax.

The Brazen Head dates all the way back to 1198, and it has left a lasting impression on Irish popular culture. James Joyce made reference to it in Ulysses. When you enter this pub you are truly stepping back in time, as you become engulfed in the smells and sounds that have echoed through those imposing walls for over eight centuries, which is an experience unmatched by any other pub in the land.

Another place to check out is the  The Stag’s Head. It is especially notable because of its long association with films and television; with classic movies such as Educating Rita and more modern shows such as Penny Dreadful being filmed there. Additionally, as you might expect, there is a stuffed stag’s head positioned above the bar.

TOUR KILMAINHAM GAOL

This activity is not in the city center, but it’s absolutely worth the short journey out of the city. If you’re interested in learning a little about Ireland’s history from the late 1700s to early 1900s, this is the perfect place to find out about it.

Kilmainham Gaol has housed political prisoners from Ireland’s uprising and civil war, and the guides will happily tell stories of the gaol’s inhabitants. To get inside, you must do a guided tour which you can book online. The tour lasts 1 hour and costs 8.50 EUR.

EAT CARB-HEAVY IRISH FOOD

Clanbrassil House is new on the scene, but is already a strong favourite among Dubliners. Opt for the family style menu and the chef will choose your dinner; A side order of the hash brown chips? Mandatory.

Mr. Fox is serving the finest food in town. The menu is pared back and short, focusing on impeccable ingredients served simply—think seared trout with horseradish yoghurt and cucumber or juicy lamb with wild garlic. Be sure to leave room for dessert, as their adaptations of classic Irish ‘ice pops’ are heavenly.

Dublin Pizza Company is a place where you get the DPC, with mozzarella from Cork, whiskey-cured salami and fresh basil, and make sure you get a pot of the black garlic and truffle aioli—it’s a game changer.

Relax in the Parks

There is no shortage of parks and squares in Dublin. The most prominent parks are St. Stephen’s Green, in the heart of the city, and Phoenix Park, just outside of downtown.

Just across the street from the Grafton Street pedestrian area, St. Stephen’s Green is a Georgian garden square with more than one lake, a bandstand, a fountain, and many monuments and memorials. Among the memorials, is the large Fusiliers’ Arch at the Grafton Street entrance.

Phoenix Park, meanwhile, is a more green park. A herd of deer roam the park, passing sites like the Papal Cross, erected for Pope John Paul II’s 1979 visit. You’ll also find the Dublin Zoo on the grounds as well as Magazine Fort. Phoenix Park is more than 1700 acres so there’s no shortage of spots to explore.

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