Destinations

Reasons Why You Should Visit Finland At Least Once

Published

9 months ago

September 1, 2022

Learning about Finland’s exciting history can be best accomplished by exploring its cities. Turku, the country’s capital during the early 19th-century Swedish occupation, still has evidence of the period’s relics and architecture. Tourists can visit the Aboa Vetus Museum and the famous Turku Castle in the area.

Helsinki, the country’s current capital, was also the nation’s capital during the Russian rule. To this day, you can visit the historical Suomenlinna Fortress, the Helsinki Cathedral, and the National Museum.

Lakeside Cottages

Finland is famous for its beautiful lakes, all that are scattered all over the country. If you are a fan of fishing and swimming, you can simply rent a rustic cottage near one of its lakes and spend time de-stressing yourself. You can even check out the different ski resorts nearby. The Baltic Sea offers the same relaxing experience.

National Parks

To get even closer to nature, you can opt to visit Finland’s national parks. The country has 39 national parks, which are ideal for hikers, campers, and cyclists. Several holiday packages include access to these destinations.

Outstanding Architecture

Due to the country’s rich history, diverse architectural styles are still evident in the different places in Finland. Art from the various periods pepper the country, including gothic revival, Nordic classicism, and art-nouveau. Helsinki’s Architecture Museum is a must-see.

Local Cuisine

Although Nordic food can be a bit bland for the well-traveled eater, you can still find several reasons to appreciate Finland’s cuisine. Fresh fish, for instance, is a common ingredient. Restaurants offer a wide variety of fish dishes due to the presence of lakes all over the country. Most food hubs also offer international fusions, incorporating locally available ingredients to come up with tasty and delicious selections.

One of the Safest Countries

World Atlas dubs Finland as the 17th safest country in the world. Its capital, Helsinki, is labeled the 2nd safest city, as well. The crime rate is extremely low, and women can safely travel alone. The summer months provide perpetual daylight, and tourists can easily enjoy their stay without worrying about the possibility of violent crime. In fact, the only possible disruption is the slippery ice during the months of winter.

Astounding Landscapes

Indeed, Finland is a go-to place for the outdoorsy type. The country provides astounding landscapes that can be increasingly inspirational for artists and writers. Koli National Park’s mountains, the flat terrain in the south, and Lapland’s snow-covered tundra are merely some of the most beautiful sceneries that you can visit. You can rent a camper van and opt to tour the country on your own to discover more incredible sites.

Inexpensive Gadgets

One of the leaders in the field of electronic devices, visitors can purchase cheap equipment in the country. The infamous mobile game, Angry Birds, was developed in the country. Hence, you can easily find Angry Birds-inspired products throughout Finland. You can also check out the Angry Birds theme park located in Tampere.

Destinations

Beautifully Cheap European Vacations

Published

19 hours ago

May 31, 2023

Owen Gardocki

The European hotspots are consistently busy and typically not very affordable, so let’s skip Barcelona, Marseille and the other trendy destinations. If you want to save big on your summer holiday(s), try visiting one of these cheaper destinations for all the bang with half the buck.

Malta

Sure Malta isn’t as cheap as you may wish, but it’s still much more affordable than hotspots like Lisbon or Sorrento. Head to Sliema for a hip beach town filled with designer shops and trendy cafes that won’t totally break your budget. The nightlife is wild and fun and the beaches are gorgeous.

Portugal

Obviously, major beach cities like Lisbon will break your budget wide open, but Portugal has plenty of affordable alternatives. Try Algarve, just down the road from popular Lisbon but nearly half the cost. Enjoy over 300 sunny days a year, warm waters and some of the best surf on the Atlantic coast. This small beach region is a gem and should be visited even if only for a few days.

Cyprus

The ancient Mediterranean beach city of Paphos in Cyprus is the perfect beach destination. Enjoy ancient ruins of the Greco-Roman empires while basking in the warm sun. The city comes alive in the warm summer months and visitors will enjoy the variety of restaurants, castles, and monasteries the old town region has to offer.

Greece

Greece is the Mecca of Mediterranean beaches and many are extremely expensive, so let’s find an affordable one. Try Cephalonia, a small island that rivals Crete for cheapness. Get the most out of your European beach vacation at this Greek island and have the best trip possible.

Bulgaria

OK, hear me out; maybe try a beach destination that isn’t on the ocean. Head to the resort town of Sunny Beach, Bulgaria and save huge on your summer vacation. The Black Sea isn’t salty and has very mild waves; so expect a lake type of vibe with a party atmosphere. The nightlife here gets rowdy and the bars along the beach stay open late.

Croatia

No longer a well-kept secret, Croatia is now a hotspot for vacationing Europeans. Instead of hitting the hot islands or capital city, try Porec for your budget summer vacation in style. The city is a throwback with rustic architecture and an old town that features cobblestone streets. The water and beaches are great and the weather couldn’t be better.

Italy

Everyone wants to visit the Amalfi Coast in Italy, but few of us can afford such a luxurious trip. Instead try to visit the Puglia region, which is much less crowded and offers some really great deals. Check out the resort town of Otranto, which features huge rock pools and rustic beaches. The stone buildings will bring you back in time and the cheap prices will bring you back.

Destinations

Avoiding Foreign Illness When Traveling

Published

1 day ago

May 31, 2023

Owen Gardocki

Traveling is a pleasure, but getting sick on your trip can be a bummer. You work so hard to take time off from your job and you spent so much money on this life-changing vacation… so the last thing you want is to spend your trip lying in a hotel bed, sleeping in a wastebasket. You want to explore, which means you need to stay healthy and virus-free.

Most people don’t know that there are several things you can do that can cut down on the chances of getting sick when you’re on vacation. Our team of health experts decided to pass along four easy tips that are sure to keep you having fun by not getting sick the next time you travel.

DRINK BOTTLED WATER

Always drinking bottled water will ensure that your water is never full of harmful bacteria and will help you avoid the nasty effects that drinking contaminated water can have on your body. If a bottle of water is opened before you sit down at a restaurant then don’t drink it because there is a good chance that they just filled it up at the tap, kindly ask for a new bottle for your meal even if it costs a little bit more money it is always worth it.

Staying healthy is worth the extra bit of money every time, because if you catch something like Montezuma’s revenge then there is no amount of money you wouldn’t pay to get rid of that awful sickness.

PURIFY YOUR WATER

If you think you might have trouble finding bottled water on your trip then be sure to pack iodine pills beforehand. All you have to do is throw a pill into the water you want to drink and then voila it is good to go. There are also a lot of great options for water purifiers that are great options for on the go.

Check the internet and find a convenient option that works best for you and use it to make sure you are drinking clean water. If you haven’t figured it out by now, clean water is very important to stay healthy.

DON’T EAT SALAD

You don’t win friends with salad when you’re traveling. Raw vegetables are usually washed with tap water which can make you very sick. You can be drinking all the clean water in the world, but once you eat some raw vegetables that have been rinsed in contaminated water then you can kiss all your hard work goodbye. Always eat cooked vegetables to avoid getting that contaminated water in your mouth.

BRING AN ANTIBIOTIC

Your doctor will gladly write you a prescription for an antibiotic for you to use when you get sick. Pick up some prescription antibiotics before you head out on your trip just in case you do get caught with one of these awful illnesses so that you can take the appropriate actions to help recover and get back to enjoying your awesome trip.

Destinations

Don’t Make These Mistakes In Vegas

Published

2 days ago

May 30, 2023

Owen Gardocki

Sin City is consistently in the top five most-visited cities in America every year – 2019 is no different. But, as much as Vegas is all about forgetting the rules and letting loose, don’t be negligent. There are still some basic concepts you should not partake in while enjoying Vegas.

DON’T SKIP SUNSCREEN

A huge aspect of having a great time in Las Vegas is simply hanging out by the pool. Virtually every hotel pool has a swim-up bar these days. But let’s not forget, Las Vegas is literally in the desert. The heat can be straight-up brutal in the summer. So don’t make the mistake of not applying sunscreen! Have the time of your life in Vegas isn’t worth getting skin cancer.

DON’T TRY TO USE A FAKE ID

Vegas may seem like the kind of place where rules go out the window, but one rule that is still very much in effect… Vegas is still very much “21 & older.” Various law enforcement agencies such as the Gaming Commission are looking for any reason to bust a hotel or casino breaking the rules. If you’re under 21, you can still enjoy the city, but don’t bother trying to sneak into clubs with that fake ID your brother crafted.

DON’T FORGET TO TIP

As you can imagine, Vegas is overflowing with working people of the hospitality game. Bartenders, waiters, bellhops, valet drivers… the list goes on and on. These people work very hard to provide a proper Vegas experience, so they’re the last people you want to offend by not giving a good tip. Honestly, we shouldn’t even have to tell you this one. Tip your staff!

DON’T PAY FOR SEX

A lot of people probably assume prostitution is legal in a place like Las Vegas. Well, news flash, it isn’t! Regardless of how much you may get bombarded with escort cards while walking down the strip, prostitution is still very much illegal in Las Vegas. So don’t take the risk just because you’re letting your hair down. If you were to get caught, you could face some serious fines and possibly even jail time. Don’t risk it!

DON’T RELY ON ATMs

While most places will, of course, take credit cards, cash still comes in very hand in Las Vegas. But do your best to bring plenty of cash with you or find your bank’s local branch in the city because the ATM fees are just plain ridiculous. You could pay anywhere for $5 to $10!

DON’T HAIL CABS FROM THE STREET

No matter how much you flail your arms or scream at passing cab drivers, they will not pull over. Probably because it’s actually illegal! There are number pick up and drop off areas all over the city, and taxi cab passengers must be picked up and dropped off at these locations. Similarly, Uber and Lyft will have a drop-off and pick up zone as well. If you’re not sure how it all works, the concierge at your hotel will be more than happy to call one for you.