Travel Tips – Culturista Life

5 Things To Know For Every Trip

10 Apr 20193 Apr 2019Posted in Travel TipsTagged bicycle, currency, tipsLeave a comment

You have decided on your next destination and booked everything. Now you are ready to go. Actually, not yet. You need to take care of a few things before you travel. There are some tips that you need to know beforehand and be fully prepared for your trip.

1. Learn a few local words

Words like entschuldigung (sorry in German), euxaristo (thank you in Greek), Buon Giorno (goodmorning in Italian), or hola (hi in Spanish) will always be most appreciated by the locals. Especially in some German cities in Bavaria, you will not find many people who speak English, so it’s good to know a few basics. If learning foreign words is not your thing, do not fear. Most people know English and even if they don´t, you will still manage to communicate somehow.

2. Currency

Always check the currency before you visit a new country. Find out if you will benefit from exchanging money in your country or in the one you visit. Also, check with your banks (if you have many), to see in which one a transaction like that will be better for you. Remember that currency rates change quite often, so be sure to get the best deal.

No matter what you decide, DO NOT exchange money from the airport of the country you visit. It is always a rip-off and you will lose way too much money for nothing. That happens, because exchange rates in airports are much higher so they can take advantage of someone needing money in order to leave the airport and use transportation.

3. Walk or bike to explore

The best thing you can do is stay close to the city centre of the city you visit. That will minimise your transportation costs and in the process, you will get to see some amazing places, you definitely wouldn’t if you used the metro.

Renting a bike is another popular and great option, which is most than recommended for particular cities, such as Copenhagen and Amsterdam. These cities use bicycles on a daily basis, way more than they use cars and it is a lovely and relaxing way to explore a city.

4. Order local specialities

When visiting a restaurant, try the local food. First, you will try the culture’s food and second you will pay way less money. Besides, if you visit a new country and you keep on only eating from well known fast food chains or you always order chicken, then you miss the point of experiencing in whole a city’s identity.

Fully exploring a city in a new country, includes visiting museums, sights, parks, admiring the architecture, embracing the nightlife and of course tasting all the goodies and things you cannot find back home.

5. Leave the tourist zone

Of course, at first, you will visit all the known sights, because what is the point of travelling if you don´t do that. But when you are done, try to get away from the tourist zone, especially when is time for your lunch or drinks. Going in less touristy areas, it will be less crowded, less expensive and with beautiful cultural sights and buildings as well.

5 Cities to Visit Before They Dissappear

26 Mar 201926 Mar 2019Posted in Travel TipsTagged attractions, maldivesLeave a comment

Earth has some magical and truly unique places that we all have to visit once in our lifetime. Unfortunately, some of these iconic locations are on the edge of disappearing due to peoples´ behavior and climate change.

Of course, they will not disappear overnight but approximately around 50 to 100 years. It would be recommended that you visit them the next 5 to 10 years, while they still remain in a good condition and can be enjoyed.

1. Venice

One of the most romantic and beautiful places you have to visit. However, US scientists report that Venice is sinking five times faster than Italian scientists think. Is no secret that almost every afternoon, the water levels rise and the city fills with water while you see tourists walking around the city barefoot, especially during the warm months of the year.

2. Maldives

An exotic holiday destination, ideal to visit during the summer. But the waters around the island have been constantly getting warmer and rising. It has been predicted by the UN Environmental Program that the Maldives could be the first island to sink. The government wants to invest in making the island carbon neutral by 2020 in an attempt to save the island and its people.

3. Seychelles

No doubt this is an amazing destination for a vacation, even though the water keeps on rising. Locals say there was much more land available for tourists a few years back. Now, with each year passing the water comes closer to the shore, leaving less land free. It is believed that in 50 to 100 years all corals will die and the beaches will vanish.

4. Machu Picchu

A must see destination with millions of tourists visiting each year. And here is where the problem lies. The volume of people visiting is causing damage to the Inca City, with everything being slowly worn down in the site. That is why the Peruvian government and UNESCO only allow 2,500 visitors per day.

5. Great Barrier Reef

One of the most travelled and famous destinations that you have to visit in your lifetime. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is one of the seven wonders of the natural world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sadly all the pollution, cyclones and hot temperatures are threatening its coral life, as 93% of the reef has already been affected by bleaching.

10 Best Greek Islands for your summer vacation

20 Mar 201914 Mar 2019Posted in Travel TipsTagged crete, Greece, greekislands, island, SantoriniLeave a comment

The time has come that everyone starts thinking about their summer vacations and Greece always comes to mind. The best time to visit is between May and September. Even in mid-September, the weather is quite hot and many choose this month for a crowded-free vacation.

Greece is the most popular summer destination in Europe with almost 6000 islands for you to visit. There is a little something for everyone. If you want an intense nightlife you go to Ios, Mykonos or Zakynthos. If you want to go somewhere quiet with your family, you go to Chios or Corfu. Or if luxury is your thing, Santorini and Crete will not disappoint you.

Each island is unique in beauty. The crystal clear blue waters, the sandy beaches, the delicious food and the gorgeous blue and white island houses will take your breath away.

1. Santorini

Location: Cyclades

Famous for: Sunrise, wine, volcano, fava

What to do: Sunset in Oia, Wineries, Red Beach

2. Crete

Location: Crete

Famous for: Traditional dialect, Raki, Mantinades, History

What to do: Elafonissi beach, Balos Beach & Lagoon, Knossos Archaeological Site, Gramvousa Fortress.

3. Zakynthos

Location: Ionian Sea

Famous for: Intense nightlife, raisins, olives, honey, herbs

What to do: Navagio beach, Porto Limnionas beach, Xygia Sulphur Beach

4. Kefalonia

Location: Ionian Sea

Famous for: Wines, Olives, Turtles

What to do: Assos, Myrtos Beach, Venetian Lighthouse of Fiscardo

5. Paros

Location: Cyclades

Famous for: Architecture, Golden sand, exotic beaches

What to do: Parikia Town, Kolymbithres Beach, Lageri beach

6. Chios

Location: Aegean Sea

Famous for: Mastic, Mastello, Architecture

What to do: Pyrgi, Mavra Volia, Vrontados, Daskalopetra

7. Milos

Location: Cyclades

Famous for: Rocks, Volcano origin, Caves

What to do: Sarakiniko Beach, Kleftiko Beach

8. Lefkada

Location: Ionian Sea

Famous for: Crystal clear beaches, Historic sites, Landscape beauty, Savoro

What to do: Egremni Beach, Kathisma Beach, Nydri Waterfalls

9. Folegandros

Location: Cyclades

Famous for: Wine, Matsata, Souroto, Kalassouna, Karpouzenia

What to do: Livadaki Beach, Latinaki Beach, Agios Nikolaos Beach

10. Ios

Location: Cyclades

Famous for: Crazy nightlife, Chora, Traditional Food

What to do: Mylopotas Beach, Manganari Beach, La Tomba di Omero

15 Flight Booking Tips you should always use

7 Mar 20195 Mar 2019Posted in Travel TipsTagged booking, flight, tipsLeave a comment

When travelling to a new destination, you feel relaxed and have the time of your life. But before doing that, you have to deal with a necessary evil; finding the best prices for your accommodation and flights.

If you are not happy with the prices you see, you may spend endless hours finding a solution around it. To save you some time and anxiety, we have gathered the best booking tips so that you always find cheap tickets if you are flexible and know some tips for better offers.

1. Incognito mode

First things first. Always use incognito mode. When not in incognito mode, your browser keeps all your previous searches and preferences. When you keep searching for a specific destination, the prices seem to be increasing. That is the website or airline’s way to scare you into booking right now.

2. Check Everywhere

Let’s say you find a good deal in Skyscanner.com for your flight to Milan with Easyjet. Just to make sure, check the same ticket through the official page of Easyjet. Most of the times, you will get the same price, but sometimes you might find a cheaper one.

3. Flexibility in Dates

It would be great if you could be as flexible as possible with your travel dates. Then you can play with the dates and find the cheapest tickets. However, we understand flexibility is not an option most of the time. In that case, search for tickets before applying for your days off from work.

4. Flexibility in Destinations

This option is great for those who simply want to travel somewhere, without having a specific destination. All you have to do is go on websites, like Ryanair (Plan – Fare Finder). Just type where you are flying from and your budget. You will get all the possible destinations with dates and prices from cheapest to most expensive. Other great websites for that purpose are Skyscanner, Kiwi and Kayak.

5. Last-minute deals

Nope. Do not wait for them. They are not really last-minute. They just want you to think they are. If you know your dates and destination, then book your flight as soon as possible. Usually, last-minute deals are very cheap because they offer flights during an off-season that not many people will visit.

6. Check other currencies or countries

Websites that operate in many countries, will also have different currencies. If you have the time go through as many as possible. It may be more beneficial to book in another currency or through another country. For example, when I wanted to travel to London, I paid through the Greek version of the airtickets website, rather than the German one for a difference of 10 euros.

7. Midweek Searches

The slowest days for booking flights are between Tuesday and Thursday. People usually decide on a trip during the weekend and that is when they look for tickets when the prices are the highest. Airlines have sales or various offers, during these 3 slow booking days. So, take advantage of them. Be careful: Prices are lowest for all flights if you BOOK them during Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. But the cheapest days to travel are Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday.

8. Always Book Return

It is not a secret that booking a go-and-return flight, will save you a lot of money. And I mean a lot.

9. Book a package

Sites like Expedia, offer great deals on travel packages. You book your hotel and flight for 1 or 2/3 of the price you would pay if you booked them separately. For my summer holidays, I made the mistake to book everything separately. As a result, I paid 400 euros more.

10. One at a time

When booking for more than 1 person it is best to look for tickets one at a time. There might be a sale or offer and 1 seat available. So, one person might book the ticket for 50 euros and the next ones for 70 euros.

11. Off-Season

Try to fly off-season for each destination. You will find the cheapest tickets and enjoy the country more since there will not be as many tourists. For example, Greece is best to visit from May-September. Try to visit in April or October. The weather will still be nice and you will get the best out of your trip.

12. First and Last Flight

Almost always, especially when you have to do with low-budget airlines, the first and the last flights of the day are by far the cheapest.

13. Six Weeks Ahead

The ideal period to book your flight is six weeks before. 1,5 month prior to your trip is the perfect combination for finding cheap flights and arranging your dates and destinations if it is not set.

14. Holidays

Do not be afraid to travel on the dates of the actual holidays. For example, If you travel on the 25th or 31st of December, you will most definitely find the most affordable tickets. You may be a bit late for the family gathering, but compared to the days prior or after these days, you will pay close to nothing.

15. Social Media

Most travelling sites along with airlines will post to their social media accounts offers and sales that last for a few hours or are available for the first few customers. So, follow them, turn on the notifications and choose to be alerted by email, because you do not want to miss these deals.

10 Affordable European Destinations

25 Feb 201925 Feb 2019Posted in Travel TipsTagged affordable, cheap, destinations, europe, tipsLeave a comment

Travelling is vital for our inner peace and relaxation. Lately, people have been travelling more, while trying to find affordable but still great locations.

Europe relatively has affordable locations, except a few (London, Paris, Copenhagen etc). Below you can find the cheapest European destinations that are more likely to stay affordable most days of the year.

1. Budapest

This beautiful European city is a must. Even 3 days are enough to explore the whole city and enjoy yourself. On average you can spend 20 euros per day, without being really frugal. Everything is extremely affordable, including transportation and food.

As for the museums and thermal baths, you might spend a bit more, depending on what you want. The museums are not something special, but you have to visit at least one thermal bath & spa when visiting.

2. Riga

Latvia´s capital is best to visit during spring and summer. 2 days are enough for your visit, with average daily cost 15-19 euros. Most restaurants are on the cheap side, while museums are either free or around 1-3 euros.

3. Warsaw

Also one of the cheapest countries in Europe. The city is ideal for visiting for a couple of days. Poland, in general, is great for shopping and trying polish dishes. The prices are very low, making it perfect for a quick and cheap get-away.

4. Prague

Prague is one of the most visited destinations in Europe. The reason why? It is a gorgeous city that you can explore within a day or two and extremely cheap. Most sightseeing, if not all, are within walking distance, so it is a great way to cut on your travel costs and skip the transportation tickets.

On average 20 euros per day are enough, considering that in a day, you will have lunch and dinner, coffee and snacks. Of course, visiting any museums or buying souvenirs, is extra.

5. Berlin

Berlin is best to visit for 3-4 days and you must calculate in your budget approximately 30 euros per day. Berlin is a city with great architecture, incredible nightlife and endless food options. Beer and sausages are very cheap and something you have to try when in Germany.

6. Palma de Mallorca

Mallorca is ideal to visit during the summer months, so you can also go to the beach, relax and have a great time. Of course, during these months the prices might be higher. Nonetheless, 30-40 euros daily is what you should expect to spend.

7. Madrid

Staying in Madrid for 3-4 days, you can combine famous sights with local favourites. The capital of Spain is a true gem that you must visit for sure. The breathtaking architecture and the delicious food, along with the extremely easy and affordable transportation, make it a perfect destination. On average, be prepared to spend 30 euros per day on average.

8. Rome

Rome is ideal to visit all year long. No matter when you decide to do so, be prepared for a lot of tourists anywhere you go. 3 days is perfect for Rome with a budget of 35 euros per day and per person.

9. Vienna

Vienna is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe since it combines perfectly great architecture with high living standards. It is perfect to visit for 3-4 days with a daily budget of approximately 30 euros. What makes the city a great travel choice is the fact that most museums are for free.

10. Porto

For a strong European temperament, head towards Porto. The city wins people over in an instant, with most travellers preferring it instead of Lisbon. Porto has everything to offer. Great food and wine, amazing architecture, great nightlife and beautiful beaches. Of course, it is best to visit during spring, summer and fall. 4 days would be ideal for a budget of 31 euros per day.

10 Best Destinations for your Easter Holidays

13 Feb 201913 Feb 2019Posted in Travel TipsTagged destinations, easter, LondonLeave a comment

The Easter holidays are coming up and with many having days off, they look for the best destinations for a quick trip. Any city you visit in Europe is a good choice, but the following destinations are the best and most popular ones for that time of spring.

1.Budapest, Hungary

If you want to relax during your Easter holidays, then visit Budapest. Besides the beautiful buildings all around the city, you can visit the Széchenyi or Gellért Thermal Baths. The city is known for its thermal baths and during the night you can even party in some of them.

Where to go: Parliament, Széchenyi Baths, Chain Bridge, Danube Cruise

2. Berlin, Germany

The weather is getting warmer in Berlin, and it is ideal for someone to explore this beautiful city on foot without freezing. You can explore the parks, walk around town and of course go shopping. At night, you can visit the local bars or restaurants, as well as the clubs. Berlin is famous for its unique and all-style clubs. But before visiting, check the entry requirements.

Where to go: Reichstag, Museum Island, Berliner Dom, Berlin Wall

3. Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is magical in the summer, but also incredibly hot. It would be much better to visit in spring and fully enjoy what the city has to offer.

Where to go: Torre de Belem, Tram 28, Alfama, Bairro Alto

4. London, United Kingdom

Similar to Berlin, London is such a big city with so many things to see, that is better to visit during warmer months. It is probably the best time to visit since the pound has dropped and everything is a bit more affordable. Prepare your tour plan carefully, so you do not end up going in circles, as I did.

Where to go: Warner Bros Studio Tour, Piccadilly Circus, London Eye, Big Ben, Kensington Gardens

5. Barcelona, Spain

One of the most popular destinations in Europe right now. Barcelona´s visitors keep increasing by the year and in combination with the perfect weather and delicious seafood it is a must city to visit.

Where to go: Güell Park, Gothic Quarter, Church of the Sacred Family

6. Prague, Czech Republic

A gorgeous historical city for a weekend. The incredible architecture, along with the castles and palaces, will give you a fairytale vibe. The Old Town is not particularly big, so in order to fully enjoy it, you should explore it on foot.

Where to go: Charle’s Bridge, Old Town, Astronomical Clock, Kostel Panny Marie Pred Tynem

7. Amsterdam, The Netherlands

I can give you so many reasons to visit Amsterdam, but you are probably already convinced. Besides the great weather all year long, Amsterdam will amaze you with its unique culture and artistic vibe.

Where to go: Red Light District, the Canals, the Van Gogh Museum, the Royal Palace

8. Athens, Greece

The capital of history is ideal to visit in the spring since the weather is at its best. The graphic alleys of Plaka, the country´s deep history, the excellent food and the sights will definitely not disappoint you.

Where to go: Acropolis, Plaka, Monastiraki, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center

9. Rome, Italy

The city that you will go back to. Rome is one of the best destinations for April and May since the weather is great. That will allow you to go around and enjoy all the sights and get some amazing pictures.

Where to go: Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Vatican, Pantheon

10. Vienna, Austria

It is not random that Vienna is one of the best cities in the world to live in. The cutting-edge art scene, the enchanting nature and unique architecture make Vienna an experience you cannot miss.

Where to go: Schonbrunn Palace, Belvedere Museum, MuseumsQuartier, Hofburg – Imperial Palace

15 Must-Have Travel Apps

5 Feb 20195 Feb 2019Posted in Travel TipsTagged free, travelapps, traveltipsLeave a comment

Convenience is everything. With phones being the ´´extension´´ of our hands we are always on the look for new apps that will make our lives much easier. Travelling can also be a pain, as you may have a problem finding the right transportation, ATM or pharmacy or creating the best itinerary. These next free apps will help you get organized for your next trip.

1. Visit A City

The BEST app for creating your own itinerary. You simply choose the city you want to visit, add all the sights you want to see and the app will create a timeline of the best route for you based on your starting point (hotel or airport). The app also has basic information about currency, food, transportation and other tips of each city. What makes it even more convenient is that you can download your completed plan and use it offline or use it from your computer.

2. Uber

The top app for getting a safe ride. You write your current location and desired destination, and then all available uber taxis around you will appear. You choose the one you want, and then you complete your payment.

The app is great to use since it is fast, reliable, cheaper than regular taxis and most of all safe. You just create an account, pay and receive a receipt at the end.

3. World Around Me

Probably one of the best apps you will need during your trip, especially if you visit a new place. First of all, you need to add the city you are in or simply open your GPS.

The app will find your location and then you can check the categories and find what it is you are looking for, such as restaurants, bars, banks, ATMs, parks, museums, art galleries, petrol stations, hotels, all means of transportation, doctors, hospitals as well as churches and shopping malls.

Once you have selected what you want to find, hold your camera at eye level and the choices around you will pop up, showing you the distance of anything you need to find.

4. XE Currency

An app that should always be in your phone, especially if you are a frequent traveler, which provides you with reliable exchange rates. XE Currency is perfect for shopping and other expenses you are in a country that has a different currency.

5. WiFi Map

Free wifi for all. Wherever you travel, you can avoid some extra charges on your roaming. The app offers more than 100.000.000 free wifis in locations in America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Middle East, Russia, and Africa, with their passwords and other comments.

6. SitOrSquat

When you visit a city and go around all day, you may find yourself looking for a public bathroom to use quite often. Everybody would prefer to find a clean bathroom as well. This app locates for you public bathrooms around you. The ones with green are the ´Sit´ ones, that are clean and recommended for you to visit. The less attractive toilettes are the “Squat” ones and colored with red.

7. Volo – Your Travel Journal

If you love organizing your trips and keep your memories in one place, while sharing it with others, then check out this app. While keeping a detailed itinerary of your travels, you can check what other travelers did on the same destination. The app is perfect for those you want to know hidden gems and get inspired by how others experience their travels.

8. Flush

Another bathroom finding app. What differs it from SitOrSquat is the fact that Flush is for people with certain needs or preferences, such as mums that look for changing tables or people that seek a more eco-friendly bathroom.

9. PackPoint travel packing list

For those organization freaks, PackPoint is the app for you. You have everything you will need for your trip in an app, so you never forget a thing. Making a packing list can take the stress of you, save you time and it will be less likely to forget necessities. The app has ready-to-go templates with any weather, occasion, and items.

10. Time Out

The ultimate guide for any city you visit. The Time Out app and website let you know about current events, what to do and where to eat in each city. You can also find out everything you need to know about hotels, sights, and nightlife.

11. Citymapper

The winning-award app for transportation. Accurate and easy to use. It will show you the best route depending on traffic, time and fee. The only negative is that it cannot be used in many cities yet. Among a few more, you can use it when visiting London, Tokyo, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Milan, Barcelona, New York, Los Angeles, and Mexico.

12. GoEuro

A very useful app for those that want to know the cheapest option for the next travel. You simply add your destination and the app will show you the prices and timetables of buses, trains and planes, allowing you to instantly compare prices and hours of travel. You can book your tickets and either print them or download them in your phone.

13. OpenTable

An online restaurant reservation service, that allows you to book tables online in any restaurant you want based on cuisine, price range, date and number of people. By booking a table online, you know you will skip any waiting lines or the impossible task of going around looking for a decent restaurant.

14. Prey Anti-Theft

Secure all your devices (laptop, tablet, phone) and protect your data. In case your phone is stolen, you can easily track it or even delete all your files so no one else has access to it. Most features are not free, but you can find a basic package without any charge.

15.Translate voice

Instant translation of any conversation. The app makes it so easy for you to communicate with locals from different countries.