Guess this country!
Where in the world are we heading next week?
Tell us your guesses below and we'll reveal our location on Monday!
Colors of Culture
Can You Name This Country? picoftheweek #7
Tell us your guesses below and we'll reveal our location on Monday!
Treat Yo' Self: London, England!
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| The Dorchester, London |
Dine at the Dorchester's famous restaurant, China Tang, for scrummy Cantonese food. Keep your eyes open, you are most likely to run into a celebrity!
Explore London by your own personal chauffer offered by the Dorchester Hotel. Make sure you see all the beautiful places England has to offer by traveling in style!Book an afternoon Tea Time at the Ritz Hotel for a real British experience. A true glamorous setting for catching up with friends, enjoying delicious treats and fabulous entertainment.
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| Harrods, London |
a gourmet Japanese restaurant with a great atmosphere and attentive wait staff. If you are in the mood for a great steak, Cut provides a delicious savory menu for your cravings. Make sure you check out the amazing wine selection!
Have some money to spend? London is home to great luxurious department stores such as Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, Liberty, Fort Num & Mason and much more!
Where are your favorite places to splurge in London?
The Thrifty Traveler: London Edition
Sandeman's free tour covers over 10 must-see attractions in under 3 hours. So join a guide at 10am, 11am, or 2pm and learn about the Big Ben while you gape at the royal pillars of Buckingham Palace. The tour includes stops at Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, and St. James's Park just to name a few! More info here!
2. British Museum
The British Museum offers free admission to all.
Take a journey through our world's history, spanning across millions of years. From the Rosetta Stone to the Parthenon, you will be fascinated by this first-hand glance into ancient civilizations. Check it out here!
3. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Take a stroll along the peaceful banks of the canal that runs through London's Queen Elizabeth Park. Discover the same grounds that famous olympians competed on during the 2012 Summer Olympics. There are also many sites to see and visit around the park. One that is worth your while is the ArcelorMirral Orbit, where you can experience an incredible view of London atop the tallest sculpture in the country. More here!
4. Stratford
You will not get bored in this cultural hub of London! Home of the world famous Theatre Royal Stratford East, cinemas, museums, and shopping, this happening area will be sure to bring you many hours of entertainment. More here!
4. StratfordYou will not get bored in this cultural hub of London! Home of the world famous Theatre Royal Stratford East, cinemas, museums, and shopping, this happening area will be sure to bring you many hours of entertainment. More here!
10 Things You Must Know: London
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| Photo by Julia McGuirk |
London, England
- Name of city in its Native Language: London
- Official Language: English
- Currency: Pound sterling (£)
- Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
- Closest Airport: London Heathrow Airport
- Getting Around: Underground (Tube), Buses (compulsory and request: compulsory stops are white with a red roundel; request stops are red with a white roundel), Docklands Light Railway (DLR), Tramlink, River Bus, and Overground. London is also pretty walkable.
- Climate: Temperate oceanic climate (more detail)
- Tipping: Service is often included in restaurant bills, but if not add 10-15%; tipping in pubs is not customary; 1-2 pounds for hotel porters, 1-2 pounds for housekeepers; round up for cab drivers.
- Entry Requirements: Valid passport required; Visa not required for stays under 90 days.
- Culture Tip: Cash is not accepted on buses; you must pay by Oyster card (which can be used on the tube and overground) or contactless card. Board buses in the front door and exit via the rear. And don't forget that Londoners drive on the left side of the road!
Pic of the Week #6: Location Revealed!
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| National Gallery | Photo by Julia McGuirk
And the answer is: London, England!
Keep Calm and Carry On - and stay tuned all week for travel and culture tips for planning a trip to "the Square Mile"! |
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The Inside Scoop: South Africa
Find out the Inside Scoop, South Africa!
This week, we had the pleasure of interviewing Mr. George Georgas of Johannesburg, South Africa. Although born in the United States, Mr. Georgas, at the young age of 18, moved to South Africa with his family. Mr. Georgas offers insight from historic South Africa to present day culture. His perspective is inclusive of popular night life and dining experiences, must see tourist sites and many activities that can be enjoyed young or old on any budget. He reminds us that South Africa is not all that different than any United States city in terms of city-based opportunities, cultures and experiences.
TTI: What are some activities that are worth the cost?
Mr. Georgas: There are so many acitivies in Cape Town that are worth the cost. Not only is it possibly the most beautiful city in the world, but; it also has a wealth of things to do. For example, taking the cable car up Table Mountain. Traveling the Cape of Good Hope where the two oceans meet, and spending time on the waterfront also offer immerse culture and beautiful surroundings. Some other must see attractions in South Africa include The Apartheid Museum and of course the beautiful beaches. There is also much nature to explore such as checking out the Game Reserves to see the big five and watch wildlife in it's natural environment. Lastly, Cape Town is known for producing some of the best wines in the world. There a countless beautiful vineyards to visit that are well worth the trip.
TTI: What are some of the local's favorite hot spots?
Mr. Georgas: Some great hot spots are at Camps Bay for a great beach bar and beautiful views. Another hot spot would be Long Street to experience the night life.
TTI: What is one recommendation you would give to a friend traveling to Cape Town (or South Africa) for the first time?
Mr. Georgas: My recommendation is that you are not going to see lions or elephants walking around the streets. South Africa is to Africa is as New York is to the United States. We have major cities, and a variety of cultures. I can't stand when friends from the States ask me if there are any elephants roaming. Bear in mind the first heart transplant done in the world was done here in 1967 by Christian Barnard. We also have Wifi.....
TTI: What is one thine most tourist aren't prepared for when they visit Cape Town?
Mr. Georgas: The one thing most tourist are not prepared for is the weather. Cape Town is extremely windy and does have a winter. Pack accordingly as June, July and August are the coldest months. Cape Town has bitterly cold winds and rain during this season.
TTI: Is there a specific food in Cape Town (or South Africa) that one should try?
Mr. Georgas: Cape Town has a variety of incredible restaurants and range of great foods. In particular, the dish Pap is a local dish of mielie meal (finely ground corn) which is traditionally served with Chisa Nyama (to us, a BBQ, but done over flames with unique spice mix). The Pap is served with a spicy tomorrow and onion mix with peaches and chili called, Chakalaka. Another traditional dish is called a Potjie Kos, a stew type dish with either lamb, chicken or beef cooked in a large black cauldron over fire. It's amazing! The South African work for BBQ is Braai, which is something we all enjoy while watching rugby over the weekends. For dessert, you must try Koeksuster, an essential twisted donut deep fried and soaked in syrup.
TTI: What is one thing that makes South Africa different from other countries?
Mr. Georgas: The cultural diversity and how far the country has come since democracy and freeing of Nelson Mandela in 1990. Also, the South Africa held their first Democratic Elections in 1994. South Africa is still a very young democracy; but, it has come so far in a short period of time.
TTI: If you had one day in Cape Town, what would you do?
Mr. Georgas: If I had one day in Cape Town, I would spend my morning on the top of Table Mountain, have lunch at Camps Bay and if I have time, I would travel to the Cape of Good Hope.
TTI: What is your country famous for?
Mr. Georgas: Nelson Mandela is without a doubt the most famous figure in South African history including the chaos of apartheid and the riots that ensued just before he was freed. South Africa is also famous for its variety of landscapes such as, oceans of Cape Town and Durban, Felt of Krueger National Park which houses all of the biggest game such as lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and buffalo.
TTI: What is something you can do if you're on a budget?
Mr. Georgas: You can do most of the activities above from the perspective of being a back packer. Back packers can get very good prices on shared accommodations. The US currency is very strong, so a dollar goes a long way here.
TTI: What are some of the local's favorite hot spots?
Mr. Georgas: Some great hot spots are at Camps Bay for a great beach bar and beautiful views. Another hot spot would be Long Street to experience the night life.
TTI: What is one recommendation you would give to a friend traveling to Cape Town (or South Africa) for the first time?
Mr. Georgas: My recommendation is that you are not going to see lions or elephants walking around the streets. South Africa is to Africa is as New York is to the United States. We have major cities, and a variety of cultures. I can't stand when friends from the States ask me if there are any elephants roaming. Bear in mind the first heart transplant done in the world was done here in 1967 by Christian Barnard. We also have Wifi.....
TTI: What is one thine most tourist aren't prepared for when they visit Cape Town?
Mr. Georgas: The one thing most tourist are not prepared for is the weather. Cape Town is extremely windy and does have a winter. Pack accordingly as June, July and August are the coldest months. Cape Town has bitterly cold winds and rain during this season.
TTI: Is there a specific food in Cape Town (or South Africa) that one should try?
Mr. Georgas: Cape Town has a variety of incredible restaurants and range of great foods. In particular, the dish Pap is a local dish of mielie meal (finely ground corn) which is traditionally served with Chisa Nyama (to us, a BBQ, but done over flames with unique spice mix). The Pap is served with a spicy tomorrow and onion mix with peaches and chili called, Chakalaka. Another traditional dish is called a Potjie Kos, a stew type dish with either lamb, chicken or beef cooked in a large black cauldron over fire. It's amazing! The South African work for BBQ is Braai, which is something we all enjoy while watching rugby over the weekends. For dessert, you must try Koeksuster, an essential twisted donut deep fried and soaked in syrup.
TTI: What is one thing that makes South Africa different from other countries?
Mr. Georgas: The cultural diversity and how far the country has come since democracy and freeing of Nelson Mandela in 1990. Also, the South Africa held their first Democratic Elections in 1994. South Africa is still a very young democracy; but, it has come so far in a short period of time.
TTI: If you had one day in Cape Town, what would you do?
Mr. Georgas: If I had one day in Cape Town, I would spend my morning on the top of Table Mountain, have lunch at Camps Bay and if I have time, I would travel to the Cape of Good Hope.
TTI: What is your country famous for?
Mr. Georgas: Nelson Mandela is without a doubt the most famous figure in South African history including the chaos of apartheid and the riots that ensued just before he was freed. South Africa is also famous for its variety of landscapes such as, oceans of Cape Town and Durban, Felt of Krueger National Park which houses all of the biggest game such as lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and buffalo.
TTI: What is something you can do if you're on a budget?
Mr. Georgas: You can do most of the activities above from the perspective of being a back packer. Back packers can get very good prices on shared accommodations. The US currency is very strong, so a dollar goes a long way here.
Can You Name This Country? picoftheweek #6
Guess this country!
Where in the world are we heading next week?
Tell us your guesses below and we'll reveal our location on Monday!
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