Travel Tips for Beginners

Vilnius in Lithuania, has continuously been voted a top destination for the young at heart backpacker. I've decided to have a quick look, to understand why this city, in a fairly 'obscure' part of Europe is ranking so high on most respected travel publications and web sites. Big was my surprise when I started my research to find out what a spectacular city, Vilnius is and what it actually offer tourists. So here are my findings: (Please note that I haven't visited Vilnius yet, but it is on my bucket list!) Vilnius Town Hall Vilnius is located in Lithuania on the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe. Lithuania used to be part of the Eastern Block during the Cold War and such it was a no go area for most Westerners. With the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 most Soviet satellite states became independent, including Lithuania. This also opened up the treasure that is Vilnius, to the world. Vilnius is a medieval town with lots architectural masterpieces. The city was develo...

Are you planning an exciting backpacking trip to Europe, but not sure where to start, then the below advice will hopefully help? Critical Items Decide the route that you want to go. Decide your means of travel - Train , Bus etc. Decide if you are going to do a circle route or fly into one city and fly out from your final city. Decide how you want to lodge - Hotels, Hostels, Bed and Breakfast etc. Decide and confirm your budget. Confirm if you require any Visa and also if your passport is still valid. Decide when you want to go - weather can be a crucial factor especially in Europe. The St. Bartholomew's chapel on the Königssee in Bavaria is a popular tourist destination. Copyright: M.tesch at de.wikipedia Important Items Electronic copies of all important travel documents and booking confirmations. Email critical documents to an email account that you can access while you travel. Take a couple of certified photocopies of your passport long as well as pass...

Many tourists that were planning to travel to Greece in the Summer of 2015 is now unsure if they should cancel their plans or still proceed. The answer to this question will be different for different individuals. Greece, public unrest. Photo: AFP So let us review the current situation in Greece. Before I dive into the below items - The most important item to make sure off before you leave home for any overseas trip, is the following  - Ensure you take out Travel Insurance! Money All banks are closed until at least 15 July 2015. Daily ATM withdrawals are capped for all Greek issued cards. The current cap is 60 EUR. This does not apply to foreign cards. Card transactions in store are unrestricted, but not all business accept cards. So firstly, if you are going to travel to Greece, take cash with you. This is the best advice, especially if you are an independent traveller. Package tourists should also take cash, but you will be able to get around with less c...

British Museum One of the best kept secrets of London is the British Museum located in Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG. Every time I visit London, I make a point of it to make a turn at this outstanding museum. I've probably visited this museum more times than many locals. The great thing about it, is that there is no admission fee. You are however asked to leave a donation. This museum has got some of the most historic art treasures in the world. From the Rosetta stone to the Elgin Marbles, it has got it all. The central quad of the museum was covered in time for Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee in 2001/2002, providing an excellent area to take breather from all the fantastic artifacts you are exposed to. The Contentious Elgin Marbles. The museum has got a great Egyptian collection with an especially good collection of huge granite statues. This collection spans from the 1st Dynasty all the way to post the 26th Dynasty, going into the Ptolemaic peri...

 Façade of the Celsus library, in Ephesus, near Selçuk, west Turkey. Benh LIEU SONG  - Wikimedia Commons. I've always wondered if Turkey is a good destination for backpackers. I've never visited the country and would really want to know what other travelers have experienced in the big Turkish cities like Istanbul, Bodrum and Ankara? I've been fascinated by all the historical sites located in Turkey, for example Troy, Ephesus and many other ancient Greek sites. Turkey is also well known for leather goods, Carpets and many other sought after products. Please share your stories in the comments section below. Thanks in advance.

National Gallery of South Africa with statue of Field Marshal Smuts in the forefront. Backpacking through Africa, can be a very exciting experience. One the best organised countries when it comes to backpacking is South Africa. The most popular city for backpackers in South Africa is Cape Town. Cape Town, a treasure trove of natural beauty and diversity. This city has got everything, from first world grandeur to third world poverty. It has got the sophistication of Europe mixed with the vibrancy of Africa. So be prepared for a life changing experience. There are many accommodation options when it comes to visiting Cape Town. There are many hostels (or backpackers as it is called locally) in and around Cape Town and the surrounding towns located in the famed Cape Winelands. There are also many fantastic quality hotels at extremely favourable prices. Cape Town has got many interesting attractions including the Waterfront, the Cape Town Castle and also the gateway to Robben Isl...

Cesky Krumlov, Town View - Wikimedia Commons Cesky Krumlov has been voted as a top back packing destination for many years. I've decided to have a look as to what makes this city such a favorite destination for tourists, young and old. So let us first have a look at the history of this classical Bohemian city. Cesky was founded in the 13th century at a crossing in the Vltava River. This area was important for traders and as such the town started to flourish.  Cesky Krumlov, Castle  - Wikimedia Commons Part of the building of the town also included the building of a huge castle, called the  Český Krumlov Castle . The town and castle have been owned by many many noble families over the centuries including the  House of Rosenberg ,  House of Eggenberg  and the  House of Schwarzenberg . During the Second World War the Nazi's annexed the city, as part of the Sudetenland " Lebensraum " experiment. After 1945 the town fell within the communist rep...