Walking in DC

Image source Capitol Hill: geetarchurchy

You’ll hear that the District is a walking city. Despite its expansiveness, what you will hear will be true. Washington is by no means cheap to live in, and a lot of young pros are heading into poorer neighborhoods, and the resulting gentrification is at once causing tension between classes and creating some pretty cool areas. Some of these you might want to visit, and some are far, but when you hear that DC is for walking, they talking mostly about the Mall and Capitol Hill, where you will find all the free Smithsonian-run museums and monuments.

The DC Metro

Image source: elisfanclub

If walking is only partly your thing, and if you plan on heading a bit further out, like for example to the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, or if you want to visit the other state, Maryland, the Metro is a great option. It’s clean, efficient, and affordable. Prices change according to the time of day and the distance traveled, but it’s still the best way to get around, and also to get out to Dulles.

5 color-coded lines will take you where you want to go.  It’s always nice to know you’re nearby a metro stop, and you’ll find that DC’s are convenient. So if you’re at Ford Theatre to see where Lincoln was shot, you know you’re just a hop aboard a metro to get to the expensive bistros in Dupont Circle.

DC’s Circular Bus

This is the bus that tourists will love most, because it only costs a buck, it runs between major attractions, and the schedule is fixed and simple to negotiate. Union Station, itself a historical landmark and now where Amtrak is based out of, is connected to the Navy Yard. Georgetown and its attractive campus is connected to Union Station. There’s a line that runs through McPherson Square and connects you with the zoo. And from Capitol Hill you’re taken through Anacostia to the Skyland Shopping Center. Basically, everywhere you want to get to you can get to on the Circular Bus.

Bicycle in DC

Image source: woneffe

For this author, bicycling is hands-down the best way around. Just as many cities are experiencing a surge in bicycle-savvy residents, so is the District. DC in this consideration is far beyond many American cities; here you’ll find dedicated lanes and traffic lights, plenty of bike parking, and there’s even the country’s first bicycle-sharing program. It’ll cost you 7 bucks for the day to rent from a terminal, and with it you can make the city smaller.

There’s the regular bus, there are taxis and you could rent a car, but the above-mentioned methods of transportation in Washington DC are far better options for anyone who wants to make the most of their time. Furthermore, if you have tips on where to drink and eat or if you have any pictures about Chicago you can share them by adding them to the United Sharing Adventure map here. But when you’re booking your DC accommodation be sure the joint is near a Metro station, a bike terminal, a circular bus stop or that it’s in a place apt for walking.

Step 1 – Check out different deals for credit cards
Although time is of great importance when planning a holiday, budget is definitely the deciding factor. Saving for a holiday is a great option, but sometimes is more difficult than we would wish for. This is why the banks today over different deals on credit cards that can help you choose the best credit to fund your travel escapes.The advantage of paying for your holiday with a credit card is that you only pay it off about a month later, and even have the option to hold the balance for a bit longer. Interest fees vary from one credit card to another, therefore it’s important to speak to a bank adviser or do a thorough search on the different credit card deals upfront.

Step 2 – Take Advantage of Holiday Sales and Off-Peak Season
This goes hand in hand with step one as it will ensure your travel budget is spent wisely. January is a well-known period for mega holiday sales. You can plan ahead your holiday for the year, even for peak times, and get great prices. If you are prepared with your annual leave or other arrangements you need to put in place for time-off, this is definitely one of the best times to plan your holiday escapes.
Another great time to travel is during off-peak season, when all companies are desperate to get clients in. The exact timings for the off peak season depends on the location. In general off peak runs from November to March, especially in Europe. Don’t be surprised to find 5* hotels at 3* prices in this season.

Step 3 – Plan Ahead your Bank Holidays
If you haven’t been planning ahead your bank holidays, start now! In the corporate world there is this silent race, where everyone tries to get their days off around the bank holidays. Ensure to have planned out your vacations to take advantage of bank holidays and prolong the duration of your travel.

Step 4 – Enjoy Weekend Breaks
Weekends are just a great time to travel on a short break. Most full-time jobs give the weekends off and students definitely can enjoy this 2 days to themselves. For a weekend holiday there is no need to worry about your children’s exams or taking time off work. The other great thing about weekend breaks is that most companies have put together package deals, with flight and hotels included. Whether it’s a spa break, a city break or some sort of great adventure, you will have unlimited options to choose from.

Step 5 – Enjoy your Holiday Escape
Step 1 to 4 give you the perfect cocktail to get some finance in and plan your holiday. Remember to check out different credit card deals and choose the best one to suit your needs. Once finance is sorted, keep updated with holiday sales and off-peak season prices. Finally, keep an eye out for weekend breaks and enjoy regular escapes from home. Do also look out for different credit card deals that include travel insurance and good currency exchange rates, to help you save your money and have more to spend on your holiday.

Most casinos and their hotels offer a lot of incentives and perks to their customers. Always be on the lookout for these and take advantage of them when you can. This goes beyond getting your drinks for free. They may offer coupon books with special discounts to various amenities within the casino. Some casinos may offer free money to get you started at the tables. Casinos abroad are very catering towards their customers. Make sure you don’t miss out on all they have to offer. Some casinos may offer additional comps based upon your gambling practices. Keep in mind, that if you’re not betting much, you won’t be offered comps by the pit bosses. Be aware of this so you’re not let down.

You can often find what casino games the casino offer. Ensure that you understand the rules before playing. You could possibly practice at an online casino venue such as http://www.luckynuggetcasino.com/au/online-blackjack/ before your trip. Players often wish to do this for casino table games. If you’ve never played before, sitting face to face with more experienced players in a foreign country can be a bit intimidating. Casino games like poker, roulette, blackjack, craps and baccarat are ones that people find they want to play when offered in casinos abroad. Most of these can be found online but keep in mind some areas add their own local twist on the traditional version of the game.

Historical Attractions

The beautifully preserved Gamla Stan, or Old Town, should be your first stop on your trip to Stockholm. There, you’ll find enchanting edifices, some of which date back to the medieval ages, when the very first settlements were established in Stockholm. There, you’ll find religious structures such as the 13^th-century Stockholm Cathedral and the 14^th-century Riddarholmen Church, as well as one of the largest castles in all of Europe, The Royal Palace, which contains over 600 rooms. Other historical attractions worth checking out are The Stadshuset (City Hall) and Skansen, a living-history museum where you can watch traditional bakers, glass blowers, and potters at work.

Natural Beauty

Without question, summer is the best time to visit Stockholm, as you’ll be able to catch a ferry to the Stockholm Archipelago and get lost in the islands’ natural beauty. Kayak the waters of Blidö or cycle around Ålö Island. Visit the national park at Roslagen to spot white-tailed eagles and seals, or head to maritime island of Sandhamn to go windsurfing for the day. The island of Vaxholm houses an enchanting fortress, while the town of Gustavsberg on Värmdö contains some interesting glass exhibits and porcelain factories. Don’t have time to head far from downtown Stockholm? Enjoy the fresh air and the views at Djurgården.

Museums and Galleries

Stockholm is home to scores of interesting museums and galleries that will help you get better acquainted with its history and culture. Sweden’s largest art collection is found at the Nationalmuseet (National Museum), while the Moderna Museet houses an intriguing collection of contemporary art. Learn about Swedish and Scandinavian cultural history at the Nordic Heritage Museum, or visit the world’s only intact 17^th-century ship, the Vasa, to learn more about the history of this sunken warship and the artifacts found inside. The Nobel Museum houses material on the Nobel Prize, including rare videotaped footage of speeches given by the honorees.

Food

Of course, no trip abroad would be complete without sampling the local fare. As a cosmopolitan city, you’ll find plenty of international restaurants, from Turkish and Middle Eastern to Greek and French cuisine. But to get a true taste of the local fare, look for Scandinavian-inspired restaurants and dishes. You’ll see pickled herring and Swedish meatballs on the menu of most traditional restaurants, as well as elk, reindeer, veal, and ox meat. Start your day with some Swedish pancakes, and leave time in your schedule for a fika break to fit in your daily coffee and pastry.

Can’t wait to discover Stockholm’s sights and attractions? Sell your old electronics back to musicMagpie to earn some extra spending cash for your trip.

There’s a lot going on in Vienna during the spring. As you would expect of a city which has such a tremendous musical heritage, fans of new sounds as well as old still flock to Austria each March for the Sound:frame Festival, which features some of Europe’s most exciting and innovative audio-visual performers. If you prefer your entertainment to be a little more traditional in character, there’s the Vienna Spring Festival and the Vienna Fair each May; the Fair is a fantastic place to pick up gifts to take home for family and friends. Sports fans will hope to see the Vienna marathon, which takes place near Easter each year and often attracts some big names.

A fall break in Vienna is also packed with things to do and see, whatever your specific interests. The Viennale Film Festival, which is held in late October, is where to head if you’re a fan of intriguing and thought-provoking cinema. But if your attention is more often caught by what the stars are wearing than the parts they’re playing, maybe you should visit the city in September, when Vienna Fashion Week is in full swing. If ever there was a time when Vienna truly does look at its best, this festival of outrageous designs and fantastic garments must surely be that time!

Wherever you decide to stay in the Austrian capital, and whenever in the year you decide to go, your only regret is likely to be that you didn’t stay longer – there’s simply too much to choose from! Even at these quieter times of the year, it’s a good idea to make your reservations a month or so in advance of your visit – though this is only half the time you’d need in midsummer. The fact that Vienna has retained its aura of romance and class for so many centuries is no accident: this is one of Europe’s great cities, and you will never forget a stay here.