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Top 5 Places in Goa to Party Like a Local

Goa is exclusively known as the party capital of India. You might refrain being a part of one when you go there or even from attending one, but somehow you will find yourself grooving at one of the most happening areas of Goa…. CONTINUE READING >> 

Goa is exclusively known as the party capital of India. You might refrain being a part of one when you go there or even from attending one, but somehow you will find yourself grooving at one of the most happening areas of Goa.

Are you a head-banging Rockstar searching for exceptional music craziness or a party animal frequently hanging around with celebrities, Goa is the ideal party destination for you? Yatra knows to exclusively make the planet move around so rather than doing that in a boring place with a mediocre music collection why not move to some of these exceptional party places in Goa for a night you to remember:

Waters Beach Lounge and Grill–Tango like A Blueblood

Want to dance along with the famous and wealthy? Opt for Waters Beach Lounge and Grill which serves the beloved Sunburn music after-parties. There is an exceptional view of the beach as it is on Ozran beach in Vagator. Twist your thumbs from all the photos you will be capturing with amazing music stars, the world-class DJs, and all the celebrity that head down to Goa for the music feast display at Sunburn. You will be treated with famous ‘Wet and Tech’ experience with Goa’s finest techno DJs.

Club Cubana— The Nightclub in the Sky!

Club Cubana is situated near Anjuna’s popular Saturday Night space in Arpora. It entices blazingly with its multi-levelled, neon-lit dance floors. It has an atmosphere that can make one party like a beast. The classical DJs will exclusively have you upbeat to all things from disco techno tunes to beats so make certain you are having your most complacent shoes so that nothing can stop you from grooving.

LPK Waterfront –Go crazy like it never ever happened

LPK Waterfront is a unique party space in Nerul. The initials exclusively stand for LOVE, PASSION, and KARMA. These components are in all things starting from the ancient church in the backdrop to the romantic terracotta sculptures specking the complete arena. Had a scuffle with your girlfriend? Just been suspended?  Ditched by your love? Boo the stress and move to this music and dance utopia. You can groove whole night, and the next day you can dive around on a beach, recovering. That’s just prime way to recharge, regroup, and manage the planet again with a hop in your stride.

SinQ—Bend your back like you are not visible

For an adventurous rage in Candolim, be at SinQ which is the first ultimate party hotel with an indoor nightclub in Goa. You will find DJ music being exclusively live streamed into living rooms. If you be at this absolute, two-in-one, party club and hotel, you will be adept to acknowledge your clans you are having a quiet night inside the territories of the hotel, and then exclusively move down to wear those amazing attire for a whirl on the dance floor.

Marbela Beach Resort– Dance like you don’t like to dance

So, you would rather have been at residence than been eventually dragged out to dance with your buddies. Don’t be afraid! Morjim Beach or Marbela Beach Resort might be the spot for you! You will be thrilled with an exceptional chill-out bar area and a Champagne Terrace, oozing a chilly vibe to draft your texting while your buddies heat up flamboyant indoor dance space with their “go-crazy” moves.

Team up your friends for a cheap flight ticket from Mumbai to Goa using Yatra. Alternatively, outline your fabulous party break by exclusively downloading Yatra’s app and pick up advice for smart travel!

Simon Davis has been a full-time travel writer for the last 4 years and has had the privilege of travelling some of the most beautiful places across the world. When not travelling he loves spending time with his family and a few adventure sports.

3 Very French Accommodation Alternatives

France has a little something for everyone. Whether you want to spend your holiday in Paris or exploring the outdoors, France has exactly what you’re looking for.

Of course, to truly experience French culture you should opt to stay in more traditionally French buildings…. CONTINUE READING >> 

France has been one of most visited countries in Europe for decades now, and rightly so. With its culinary genius, spectacular culture and undeniable romance, France has a little something for everyone. Whether you want to spend your holiday in Paris, immersing yourself in art and coffee, or exploring the outdoors, hiking and biking across the country – either way, France has exactly what you’re looking for.

Of course, to truly experience French culture you should opt to stay in more traditionally French buildings. Here are three of our favourite, and quintessentially French, places of accommodation:

Medieval Castles

It doesn’t matter where you grew up, tales of medieval castles filled with kings and queens protected by gallant knights were some of our favourite bedtime stories. Even today, with books like Harry Potter and TV shows like Game of Thrones, set in their magnificent castles; many of us still dream of living in a castle. Whilst owning one is highly unlikely, unless you win the lottery, your castle dream might not be entirely fruitless as it is possible to rent and stay in your very own French castle.

Renting a spectacular castle is one of the best ways to enjoy French opulence, and regions like Dordogne have an astonishing 1000 castles! True, most of these are for tours and days out, but there are a surprising number of castles to rent in the area. Most of which are far more affordable than you might think. Castles come in a wide range of options, from full castle rentals to apartments within a larger castle, more suitable for couples.  They tend to mix the classic décor of a medieval castle with modern amenities such as swimming pools.

French Chateau

There is nothing more romantic than a luxurious French chateau; indeed, many look like they’ve come straight out of a fairy-tale. Historically, Lords and other wealthy high-ranking people in France owned these opulent homes. Usually designed by the best architects of the time, each with its own unique appeal. Expect high ceilings with ornate cornicing, huge numbers of rooms as well as the old servant bells used to signify that guests were ready for dinner.

These chateaus are surprisingly affordable, with many not costing more than a hotel, particularly if you’re travelling in a large group. Rentals tend to be for the whole chateau unless it has been converted into separate apartments; however, there are also plenty of small chateaus that give the privacy of a full rental, perfect for couples.

Quaint Farmhouse

Of course, all that grand luxury isn’t for everyone. But, France being as versatile as it is, has a gem for everyone and a quaint farmhouse rental can make for the most magical vacation. Speckled across the French countryside, staying in a farmhouse allows you to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, whilst surrounded by gardens filled with wild flowers and herbs. Spend many an afternoons relaxing, reading, and cooking local French produce from the market in a traditional country kitchen.

Like others, farmhouse rentals come in a number of sizes. Most, though, are suitable for a family with two or three bedrooms and some will come with more modern amenities such as pools or hot tubs.

We are happy to feature this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

How to Travel in Retirement Without Breaking the Bank

It’s an amazing fantasy to just quit work and lead a life of travel. If you are a retired baby boomer, can you make that dream a reality? Of course, you can. Keep reading to learn more…. CONTINUE READING >> 

Many of us dream of traveling the world, yet, few of us ever get to fulfill that dream. Sometimes, life gets in the way. Perhaps we lose our jobs, medical emergencies happen, children our born, people need to be cared for, and we just don’t have the funds to travel as much as we would like.

It’s an amazing fantasy to just quit work and lead a life of travel. If you are a retired baby boomer, can you make that dream a reality? Of course, you can. Keep reading to learn more.

You Must Be Ready

There is a lot of planning involved with leading a life of travel. You need to make an honest assessment of whether you are ready. To illustrate, do you like to vacation or would you really like to hop from one place to another.

Remember, there are inconveniences with traveling such as not being familiar with the area, having to find a new place to stay after each trip, and figuring out where the grocery stores and hospitals are.

You will need to buy food, and you have to know where you’ll be taken in the event of an emergency. Can you live this type of lifestyle? Or, would you prefer to vacation here and there?

In addition, do you have any responsibilities keeping you at home? Are you caring for special needs children, or elderly parents? If so, you may find it very difficult to hit the road on a consistent basis. Plus, as a retiree, you must consider your health.

You have to consult with your doctor to see if you are fit enough for life on the road. You don’t want to have an emergency in a place that you’ve visited for the first time. If you have Medicare, expenses are not covered outside the U.S. You will need travel insurance.

Travel Off-Season

If you want to indulge your wanderlust, then you should have a wealth planning blueprint to ensure you protect your assets and cut down on your taxes. This way, you won’t spend all of your travel time worrying about money. Then, you should travel off-season.

Since you are retired, you don’t have a job holding you back. Since your schedule is much more flexible, you should take advantage of it. Now, you can visit your intended destinations on a budget–with fewer crowds.

You’ll find significant savings on hotels and airfare. Plus, you’ll find a lot more coupons for local restaurants trying to bring in more foot traffic. You want to research the destination first to see if there are any issues with inclement weather causing a decrease in tourists. If not, feel free to travel and reduce your travel budget in the process.

Get the Senior Discount

As a baby boomer, who wants to save money, now is the time to reveal your true age. Forget shaving off a few years, because sharing your real age will get you AAA and AARP senior discounts on items such as:

  • Lodging
  • Vacation packages
  • Attractions
  • Cruises
  • Car rentals

In fact, many U.S. airlines offer senior discounts of 10 percent or more. The same is true for many hotel chains including:

  • Sheraton
  • W Hotels
  • Westin Hotels
  • Four Points
  • Hilton

Of course, many restaurants and theaters also offer senior discounts. You must take advantage of all of the senior savings.

Final Thought

A life of travel can be executed with the right planning and wealth management strategy. You don’t have to sit at home watching TV during your retirement. Instead, you can embark on the adventure of your dreams.

We are happy to feature this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

Honing in on Hondarribia

As a home base for a few days, we settled into the normally sleepy town of Hondarribia on the Spanish side of the border with France.

We say normally sleepy because a wakeup call had shaken the city into a flurry of activity… CONTINUE READING >> 

A big thank you to VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations for providing this adventure, as always, all opinions are our own.

As a home base for a few days, we settled into the normally sleepy town of Hondarribia on the Spanish side of the border with France.

We say normally sleepy because a wakeup call had shaken the city into a flurry of activity.

The Alarde, a huge festival commemorating the city’s survival of a siege by the troops of King Louis XIII of France back in 1638, happened to coincide perfectly with our arrival.

Read all about our Alarde adventure here.

Canon fire announced a parade of horses and riders, riflemen, tool toting men in huge sheepskin hats and long black beards known as hatxeroak, numerous fife and drum corps, and throngs of townsfolk sporting red bandanas that seemed to fill the entire city.

This also happened to be our guide Txaro’s (pronounced like Charo of Cuchi-Cuchi  fame ) hometown, so she helped us feel like locals with a couple of insider activities that would elude the usual visitor to this historic Basque community.

She was our exclusive expert guide through the city. We began at our hotel, Obispo, which means bishop. The name is for the square that the hotel shares with the church of Our Lady of the Assumption and the apple tree.

A statue of Don Cristóbal de Rojas y Sandoval, who served as the Archbishop of Seville, and chaplain to King Charles V, stands facing the hotel.

Both the church and hotel date back to the fourteen hundreds, and are contemporary with the defensive city wall. The hotel even incorporates the wall in its construction.

Moving on through the town we made a stop at the city hall, where the ancient walls bear the scars of many cannon balls that have bounced off of the stones over the centuries.

Nearby, we found a sixteenth century home where the wedding between Louis XIV of France and Maria Theresa of Spain was arraigned in 1659.

Although the planning for the royal nuptials took place here, the ceremony was held across the river in France at Saint-Jean-de-Luz in the Church of St. John Baptist.

Later, we found ourselves in the midst of a most wonderfully weird continuation of the Alarde festivities that we had encountered the day before. Suddenly we were engulfed in another parade, this time with giant dolls and creatures with enormous heads, the gigantes y cabezudos.

Taking our cue from the locals, we chased the odd figures into a large square where hordes of children mocked the scary looking cabezudos. In return, the kids were chased around and “beaten” for their mischief. Traditionally the cabezudos carry whips, but here in Hondarribia a netted, nerf-like ball is used.

Our evening was to be a truly unique experience. Txaro took us to a txoko, which is a very common members-only, private gastronomic society type of club that in the past were only open to men.

The idea is get together to cook, and of course eat, while trying out new recipes and ideas along with a healthy dose of socializing.

When Basque culture was suppressed under the reign of Francisco Franco, txokos became safe havens where members could share their language and traditions as well as their love of cooking.

Times have changed, so now many of the clubs welcome women and Txaro is a member of the Sociedad Klink Elkartea, so she could include us as guests. This meant that we got to spend an evening in a most quintessentially Basque fashion.

Believe it or not, too many cooks did NOT spoil the tortilla!

We all pitched in making dinner, sticking to fairly simple dishes, beginning with salad. Then Txaro showed us how to make tortilla de patatas, egg with potatoes, that is much more like an omelet than what we think of as a tortilla.

We finished with two main courses, chicken with carrots, leeks, and garlic, along with salt cod in a cream sauce.

None of this required being a gourmet chef to prepare, but we still had one of the best meals of the trip, and like the old Shake-N-Bake commercials, it was even better because we helped.

By our third day in Hondarribia we were actually starting to know our way around and felt a little like locals. We began with a morning walk to the marina with a history lesson along the way detailing the fishing and whaling traditions of the region.

The practice of heading out to sea in search of fish goes way, way back around here. In fact, there are stories of Basque fishermen sailing as far away as the Grand Banks off the coast of Newfoundland hundreds of years before Columbus ever dreamed of heading west toward the New World.

The afternoon turned out to be perfect for a climb up to the Hiruzta winery. What better excuse for a chilled glass of rosé than a bit of a hike on a hot day?

So we sipped the most common white wine of the region, txakoli, and partook of some pintxos, especially the gilda – peppers, anchovies, and olives on a skewer.

Unlike much of what we had been seeing, Hiruzta is quite new, only being here for about the last ten years.

We whiled away a couple of hours enjoying the perfect spot for gazing out across the vineyards in the valley and reminiscing about our adventures across the Basque Country before heading back down the hill for a farewell dinner.

Bittor Alza, the owner of the Hotel Obispo that has felt like home for these three days, treated us to an amazing meal. Better yet, he not only cooked, but gave us a detailed demonstration in their open kitchen.

We learned to make the classic Basque green sauce for hake, and how to skin and de-bone the fish. He also showed us a trick or two about sautéing onions just right, so that they caramelize evenly without burning. These will go with some duck breasts that turned out good enough to make us all daffy.

And anything but dessssth-picable!

See more of our adventures in the Basque Country here.

Read about all of our travels in Spain.

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

Rocky Mountain High

When John Denver was singing back in the seventies, for me it wasn’t about some mythical and groovy Shangri La, it was about my life.

But that life took its twists and turns that took me away. Now I don’t get back as often as I’d like… CONTINUE READING >> 

Even though I haven’t lived there in nearly forty years, the Rocky Mountains still feel like home. When John Denver was singing back in the seventies, for me it wasn’t about some mythical and groovy Shangri La, it was about my life.

But that life took its twists and turns that took me away. Now I don’t get back as often as I’d like, but when I do get the chance to venture back up in the mountains I don’t want to stay in some sterile hotel room, I want to feel like I’m at home. That’s where tripz.com can come in.

By bridging the gap between travelers and owners of available rental properties Tripz can offer a truly personal experience, as opposed to just another vacation. On top of that, eliminating booking fees to travelers and commissions from owners assures that the price is right.

That way, when I visit Colorado I can stay in a classic Log Cabin tucked away in the mountains of Cripple Creek instead of a motel just off the highway. There’s no better way to enjoy the excitement of the gold rush that lives on in that historic gambling and mining town.

Taking advantage of the comforts of a home allows a level of engagement with the local lifestyle that is simply not possible in a typical room. Whiling away an alpine evening on the deck, or waking up and walking into the midst of a mountain morning are close encounters of the best kind.

The West is packed with these sorts of exhilarating opportunities, and a quick look through Tripz reveals an amazing array of basecamps for some unforgettable Rocky Mountain explorations.

In Wyoming, a mountain retreat near Jackson Hole is perfectly positioned for visiting two of America’s most spectacular National Parks, Grand Teton and Yellowstone. In fact, there is hardly a need to visit Grand Teton since the house already sits in the shadow of the peak.

If somehow that’s not enough scenery to blow our minds America’s first National Park, with its astounding geothermal features and breathtaking waterfalls, is only an hour away and sure to do the job.

Many of the nation’s most incredible destinations are within a stone’s throw of homes we found. In Utah, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park await, and from there it is an easy drive to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Much less crowded than the South Rim, the north side offers sensational views for hundreds of miles beyond the canyon and is the starting point for the mule trains that carry daring sightseers down to the bottom.

Across the gorge, and for a slightly more cosmopolitan adventure, we found a lovely location to spend a few days soaking up Sadona, Arizona.

Nestled in among the vibrant rock formations, Sadona has become one of the country’s premier art communities with dozens of galleries featuring southwestern and native art, along with pottery and turquoise jewelry.

Of course the homes-away-from-home on Tripz are not confined to the wide open spaces of the Rocky Mountain West. There are over 60,000 rental properties to choose from worldwide, always offering the live-like-a-local lifestyle that makes a vacation more of a life experience than just another trip.

We also love the idea of providing direct and open communication between guests and property owners, because no one likes surprises when they travel. The home owners can answer any questions before the booking, and then offer the very best insider tips and suggestions for the stay.

That way we will never miss a great local eatery, out of the way hide away, little known fishing hole, or perfect spot to savor the sunshine on my shoulder.

Now that makes me happy.

David, GypsyNester.com

We are happy to feature this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

Where’s the Real Hollywood?


enlarge video
The GypsyNesters go on a quest to find the Real Hollywood! What they found… CONTINUE READING >>

The GypsyNesters go on a quest to find the Real Hollywood! What they found even surprised them!

For more California antics: https://www.gypsynester.com/?tag=california

Visit our GypsyNester YouTube Channel!

Enjoy Spectacular Summer Travel by Avoiding These Common Travel Mistakes

As we go into the summer travel season, no doubt many of you have a vacation or two written on the calendar, circled 10 times in red ink.

For those of you prepping for a trip abroad, nothing can dampen the excitement like a last-minute snafu, so here is a list of common mistakes to avoid to help get you equipped properly… CONTINUE READING >> 

Presented by Grand European Travel

As we go into the summer travel season, no doubt many of you have a vacation or two written on the calendar, circled 10 times in red ink. Everyone enjoys getting away during the warm months, and it’s the perfect time to travel internationally especially. Just think: Many French abandon their cities for the entire month of August, making it a perfect to explore Paris without crowds. For those of you prepping for a trip abroad, nothing can dampen the excitement like a last-minute snafu, so here is a list of common mistakes to avoid to help get you equipped properly!

Expired Passport

Many problems that arise around international travel can be avoided by planning ahead. In no case is that truer than when it comes to your passport. If you’ve never had a passport before, there is a fairly long process to get one that should be started well in advance of your trip. But if you already have a passport in hand, you’ll want to take a close look at the expiration date. Obviously, you can’t travel with expired documents, but that’s not the only concern. Sometime, if your passport is within six months of its expiration date, you might have trouble entering some countries. The bottom line: Have an updated passport in your possession or use expedited processing to get one.

Missing Insurance

International travel can be a big financial investment. You don’t want to risk losing all that money by failing to buy travel insurance, even though it’s an additional outlay of cash. You never know what could happen before your trip that would force you to reschedule or cancel – health issues, a death in the family or other unexpected occurrences. Plus, you could have issues while traveling, such as lost luggage or another medical mishap. Firm believers in the philosophy “better safe than sorry” make good travelers.

Poor Packing

Just about everyone has a tendency to over pack, but there’s little chance you will need 20 outfits, no longer how long you are staying. Instead, choose a handful of ensembles with a lot of items that layer well. Check the weather trends in the countries you will be visiting before you go. Remember, there will be laundry facilities and grocery stores just about everywhere you go, so you can wash your five outfits whenever you need to.

Being Shy

Yes, it can be intimidating to mix with the locals when you are visiting an international locale. But if you step outside of your comfort zone and make an attempt to connect, chances are you’ll find a positive reception and residents who are happy to share their enthusiasm for their home country. If you’re headed to a single location, try to learn a few words in the local language. Be friendly, and you’ll likely get the same in return, which makes for lasting memories.

Not Notifying Banks

Most banks will lock access to a credit card when they see the owner is in a different place than usual. This attempt to prevent credit fraud can wreak havoc on travelers who didn’t notify their banks ahead of time. Let your lending institutions know your travel plans in advance, and be sure to check out your options for using cash machines without steep fees. The ideal credit card will not charge a fee for international purchases, either.

Failing to Chow Down

One of the best parts about international travel is the ability to try authentic global cuisines. Don’t be afraid to explore the menu at a locally owned restaurant. Here’s a tip: Look for the eatery where the diners are all area residents. Or try a food truck or street vendor, who might be offering something you just couldn’t get anywhere else.

International travel is exciting and memorable no matter what time of year. Make your summer trip all the more meaningful by preparing in advance for these common problems.

We are happy to feature this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.