Excursiopedia

England is the go-to-place for many Europeans and Americans alike. For Americans Britain represents the ‘old world’, and many Americans have roots there. It’s also rather familiar through pop culture, so no need for too much of a culture shock + they speak English, albeit with an accent. For Europeans Britain represents something quite different. Americans might think Britain is part of Europe, but for Europeans and English people Britain is an island quite alone to itself, culturally.

But the best thing about England? It’s cozy as hell – Americans and Europeans will surely agree about that.

We have gathered the best cities to visit in England, and have zoomed in on places that are great for everyone, and cozy of course.

Yorkshire

Europeans and Americans can move over, because now also the Asians have discovered Yorkshire. It’s a huge touristic hot spot now (40 Million visitors a year), but the city is still rather authentic. The building and architecture is old and beautiful, and there are dozens of archeological sites. Next to that, Yorkshire has a lot of Michelin-star restaurants.

Cotswolds

It does not get more cuter and cozier than the cities and villages in Cotswolds. It’s almost hobbit like, with beautiful hills & nature. And especially the little villages with cute houses are a treat.

Devon

Devon is something quite special. You get the beautiful British country side, but also something you won’t expect: palm trees, beaches and great surf spots. There is great food there, and most of it you can eat straight on the farms. Some of the beaches are spectacular.

For more great English spots you should check out what the Telegraph has to say about it. With hotel recommendations and all.

When is the best time to visit Nicaragua

Nicaragua is known as the land of lakes and volcanoes. There is no bad time to visit it. It is actually always a good time to visit Nicaragua. But you can time your visit depending on what you want to see in the country.

Nicaragua’s climate

Unlike other countries, Nicaragua only has wet and dry seasons. The temperature does not fluctuate too much. But, depending on where you are in the country, it may be drier (Pacific Coast), wetter (Caribbean Coast), or a mix of both (interior).

You can expect some rain from May to November – Rain Season

As mentioned, if you go to the Pacific Coast during this time, you may experience light and short showers throughout the day. At the Caribbean side, rains may be heavier and last longer. The temperature ranges from 26 degrees Celsius to 32 degrees Celsius during this season. As long as you are fine with the rain, this is a good time to see the lush greenery and enjoy bigger waves for surfing. The rates are also lower and there are fewer tourists around this time.

The dry season is from December to April

This is actually the most popular time to visit the country as the water is clearer, if you want to do water activities like snorkeling or fishing, the weather is great for outdoor activities. Popular activities include animal sightseeing, ziplining, hiking, surfing, kayaking, etc. Any time you want to trade the cold and snow for some warmth and sun, this is the best time to do so.

Holidays and festivals

Majority of Nicaraguans are Roman Catholic and they observe several religious holidays and feast days. They consider these days as bank holidays and public services, like public transportation, may not be available. There is almost a religious holiday every month so it is best to check their exact dates.

Barcelona is home to delicious food and rich culture and heritage so there are obviously lots of things to do and see in Barcelona. But it can set you back a bit as entry fees and food bills accumulate. So here is a list of things to do and see without breaking the bank.

Enjoy the sun at the beach

Speak of Spain and images of stunning beaches are not far behind. Barcelona is no exception. It is home to the Barceloneta, the most popular beach in the city. You can enjoy the smell of the fresh sea air while resting your tired feet or stay at one of the restaurants along the promenade.

The cradle of Independentisme – visit where it started

When in Barcelona, a must-see is the Born Centre Cultural. This former market building has been converted and houses remnants of the fire that razed the city during the reign of Philip V. This sparked the desire for separation in the hearts of the Catalans and this place reminds them of that desire.

Don’t forget to drop by a festival

What’s great about festivals are the free concerts, free street performances, street dancing, and fireworks. There is usually a week-long festival during summer and autumn.

Mercat de la Boqueria is the coolest indoor market

Mercat de la Boqueria is a very popular indoor market hall where you can feast your eyes on color food and beverages on display. You might be lucky and sample some of the products sold there for free. You will see an array for traditional food and snacks in Barcelona.

La Rambla is famous for a reason

La Rambla is a popular tourist place that depicts real Barcelona culture. The 1-kilometer walkway is filled with historical buildings that you can feast your eyes on. And the best time to stroll there? Early morning. Definitely.

Free museums on Sundays

City-run museums offer free entrance on certain days of the week, within a specific time period. All you have to do is check websites to know the schedule.

Joan Miro’s public art is for everyone to see around the city

Joan Miro was a son of Barcelona and a very talented artist. The Fundacio Joan Miro entry fee may be steep but worth it. But Miro’s works are scattered in the city and can be freely viewed by everyone.

Admire Modernisme architecture

Barcelona is a treasure trove of artful buildings and architecture. Arguably, Barcelona is home to some of the best modernisme architecture. Though there usually is a fee to enter and gawk at beautiful building interiors, there are enough samples just by appreciating the exterior or facade of buildings. This is thanks to the works of Antoni Gaudi whose works are scattered all over the city and the country.

If you are a traveler that has been once-bitten by TripAdvisor, no worries for there are others like it. Though none is exactly the same, there are still many sites that offer the same services. Here is a compilation of the best sites like TripAdvisor.

Priceline

Very similar to TripAdvisor, Priceline allows travelers to choose their destination and bid on accommodations. Priceline deals with airlines, hotels, and car rental companies to get you the best price out there. What’s great about Priceline is they offer discounts to subscribers and have a loyalty program that gets you rewards.

Booking.com

If you want to get the very best price for travel deals, Booking.com is the go-to site. Booking.com has established itself as the best travel package giver. And knowing that every person is a traveler, they have properties in over 220 countries, serving 40 different languages. With the feedback given by their 1 million + users, it is easy to find the best deal and provider for you. What’s more, they offer free cancellations on most bookings!

Travelocity

Aside from offering the best possible travel deals ever, they also have a strong customer service culture, being there for customers before, during, and after the trip. This makes sure that you trip is a pleasant one. Register and score an additional 10% off your deal!

Orbitz

Before going on holiday, you have to check out what is on Orbitz. They offer several booking options, from your accommodations, to transport (flights and car rentals), cruises, and activities in the place you want to go. Not to mention the budget-friendly rates they offer and their rewards that you can redeem immediately. Better start earning your Orbucks now!

FlipKey

FlipKey is actually TripAdvisor’s accommodations booking arm. They vet properties before they get listed in their site. With 30,000 properties in 1,000+ locations to choose from, you will never run out of choices. On top of that, they offer daily discount deals up for grabs.

Trivago.com

The best thing about Trivago is that it is like a smorgasbord of hotel offers. You can choose depending on your budget and preferences. They don’t necessarily have to be the cheapest but you can find those on Trivago too. Make use of the filters and different categories to zero in on what you are looking for.

Expedia

After TripAdvisor, Expedia is one of the most popular travel sites there is. To expand their reach, they acquired Travelocity and Homeaway. They also offer the same deals and benefits as other sites but what separates them from the rest is that there are no cancellation fees! Yes, you can cancel your booking even when your travel dates are close just so you can get the sweetest deals.

Hotels.com

An Expedia company, Hotels.com focuses on finding the best hotel deals on the planet. They have a very easy loyalty rewards program. After booking with them 10 nights, you get 1 night free. The more often and more nights you book, the more free nights you get.

Hotwire

Hotwire truly has the heart of every traveler in mind when they started operating. They want travelers to get the best value for their money on everything – accommodations, car rentals, flights, activities, cruises, and more. And by waiting and checking on the provider, you can get as much as 60% in discounts. When you book with Hotwire, you will surely get the best deals available.

Rome is a famous tourist destination and offers a lot of attractions and things to see for tourists and locals alike. But, apart from the usual places, there are also unusual places to visit that will give a glimpse of the heart and culture of Rome.

There is a pyramid that is over 2000 years old – go see it!

Yes, you are still in Rome and there is a pyramid in Rome. Today, it is the final resting place of Gaius Cestius who passed away in 12 BC. This is the result of previous Roman emperors wanting to incorporate Egyptian culture into Roman art and lifestyle. The Pyramid of Cestius is not open every day for public viewing but they do open to the public on certain days each month.

Internationally famous modern art museum

The National Museum of the 21st Century Arts is a must-visit in Rome. It houses artwork of locally and internationally known artists. And it is not just the artwork that will lure you in. It is also the very museum itself.

Eat with a local with BonAppetour

Your visit to Rome will never be complete without sampling the different gastronomic delights the city offers. What brings it to another level is to find out the best-kept food secrets with the help of a local. BonAppetour connects you to a local who can show you hole-in-the-wall restaurants that will serve authentic Roman dishes. Looking for vegan food, there are specialised tours available as well.

Every hip city has got a cat museum – Rome’s is also Vegan

Called the Romeow Cat Cafe, enjoy vegan fare while making friends with the furry felines roaming around the cafe.

Street Art in Ostiense

Rome is truly a city filled with art. The culture supports artists and provides artists different avenues to express their creativity. One such place in Rome is Ostiense. In Ostiense, you will find residential and industrial buildings covered with wall art from top to bottom.

St. Paul’s

One of Rome’s best-kept secrets is the Basilica of St. Paul. Unlike other tourist spots, it is not crowded and is it very quiet inside. It is very easy to disregard as it is situated in a very busy part of town. but , once you enter, you will be able to take in the beauty of its interiors and the solemnity of the place. Entrance is free to this place.

Appian Way for a great walk

The Appian Way or the Via Appia Antica is probably the oldest road in Italy. It was built in 312 BC, during the time of Appius Claudius Caecus. Walking down the white stone slabs will make you feel the history of the place. If you follow the road and go down the path, you might find yourself in Brindisi, one of the largest ports on the Eastern coast.

Coppede District

The buildings in the Coppede District are unlike others in the city. This district celebrates and embraces creativity. Walking around the Coppede District will reveal quirky and unpredictable architecture. Not one structure is alike and they do not follow conventional architectural designs.

House of the Owls is an unique piece of architecture to witness

When traveling to different cities, aside from visiting the usual sites, it is best to check with the locals where they usually go. In Rome, locals troop to the House of the Owls or locally known as Casina delle Civette. What makes it so popular is the uniqueness in its architecture and design. It uses different styles from different periods.

Visit the cats at the scene of Julius Caesar’s murder

The Largo di Torre Argentina is rich in history as this is where Julius Caesar was murdered and the wall remains of Pompey’s Theatre can be seen. What makes this an unusual stop is the number of cats that litter the place. If you are an animal lover, you might also want to visit the Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary which is nearby.

Bonus: Find relaxation at the Parco degli Acquedotti

Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the aqueduct offers some peace and quiet. The best tip: Get a great holiday home & explore the city and get lost, and find some of the hidden gems of Italy’s old capital yourself – be your own Darren Brown.

No matter where you go, most people work hard to secure their future and the future of their family. Some people feel that no matter how hard they work in their homeland, they will never be rich. While it does not necessarily mean that it is impossible to be rich while you live in a developing country or that you will most likely get rich in developed countries, most people seem to believe this is true. And there are those who live in the fast lane and try their luck in casinos or other forms of gambling. But even when you find the best bookies for gamblers  you are probably still better of moving to these countries. 

 

The general perception of people is that it is easy to be rich in the United States. It is true that there are over 40,000 ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) individuals living in the US, however, one-third of the American population live near or below the poverty line. If you compare the number of rich people (i.e. individuals with > USD 30 million net worth) versus the whole population, there are only has 126 rich people in the US per 1 million people. If you look at the following countries, they have several things in common. And these things make it easy for their citizens and immigrants alike to get rich. 

 

Norway 

Voted as the happiest country to live in for 2 consecutive years, Norway has been noted for its generous welfare, healthcare, and social security systems. It has the lowest crime rate in the world and has had the highest Human Development Index (7x) rating in the world. The government is perceived as trustworthy and run with integrity and transparency. Corruption is also very low. The standard of living is quite high in Norway, education is free, and it is considered as the most stable country in the world. There are 484 rich people per 1 million people living in Norway. 

 

Sweden 

Much like its close neighbor Norway, Sweden has generous welfare, healthcare, educational, and social security systems, as well as one of the highest Human Development Indexes. It ranks 11 in the world in terms of high per capita income. Though its crime rate is higher than its Scandinavian neighbors, it closed down 4 of its prisons due to a drop in the number of inmates. Bribery, theft, burglary, and drug problems are low but assault, sexual and hate crimes are more frequent. Though wealth inequality is high, wage inequality is low. There are 329 rich people per 1 million people in Sweden. 

 

New Zealand 

Known for its high quality of life, generous healthcare and educational systems, economic freedom, and protected civil liberties, New Zealand is one of the developed countries in the Pacific. It also ranks high on the Human Development Index. Though it suffered from brain drain in the 70s, it has had brain gain from the immigration of educated professionals in recent years. It has been recognized as one of the world’s most stable and well-governed states. New Zealand has 234 rich people per 1 million people. 

 

No matter how rich or poor the country you live in now is, what makes people get rich easily is finding one’s passion and working hard towards a goal. Combine these with sound financial decisions and you can become rich no matter where you are in the world.