International travel can be a real adventure, but it takes a whole lot more planning and packing than a national trip. The main difference is that you require your passport for international travel, but it doesn’t stop there. Visas, insurance, and even vaccinations can all be necessary, and if you haven’t got them with you, you’re in for a rough time. Being fully prepared for international travel is essential, as there are far more things which can go unexpectedly wrong.
Passport and Visas
Obviously, you’re going to need your passport to cross international borders, but that’s not all you’re going to need on the legal side of things. Some countries also require visas or visa waivers in order to be allowed to cross the border. For example, those visiting the United States will require an ESTA, on which you can find more information here. There are even visa waivers which are being introduced for travelling through European countries. Before you travel, be sure to check out the visa regulations that your nationality faces in your destination country, as they tend to differ for different nationalities. Your international driving license is also essential if you will want to hire a car at your destination.
Travel Insurance Details
Travelling internationally without insurance is not a wise move. If your trip is cancelled, flights are seriously delayed, or you become ill or injured, it’s good to know that you have a security net of insurance to get you through the potentially high costs you could incur. When you travel, be sure to pack the details of your insurance, including what is and isn’t covered, and a contact number, including country code, should you need any help while you’re abroad.
There is nothing quite like long-haul flights to test someone’s character, especially if you face any delays in the airport on top of this. For this reason, entertainment isn’t just a luxury; it’s an essential. Books or a Kindle are a must, but a tablet or phone on which you can catch up with your favourite televisions series, watch films, or play games will really help to pass the time. The beauty of modern travel is that we can fit all of our entertainment into the palms of our hands, making travelling light easy.
Essentials
Some travel essentials include any medication you might need to take, including antimalarial tablets – you definitely don’t want to forget those. A small first aid kit, including bite and sting relief, will also come in handy. A plug adaptor is one of those things that’s easy to forget, but absolutely essential, so make sure that goes on your list. Suncream and aftersun are musts, and over the counter pain relief such as paracetamol never goes amiss either. Climate appropriate clothing is really important, so make sure you do your research before you go. Top tip: even if you’re going somewhere hot, take a light jacket, as the drop in temperature in the evenings might catch you out.
International travel is a fantastic adventure, but when you’ve got everything totally prepared, it’s far more likely to run smoothly.
Do you remember a time when you had books, TV, camera, computer, game consoles, calendar and phone that were all separate entities?
Now, you can get all those entertainment items in one place; your pocket.
It’s uncommon to have a phone that isn’t part of the smart technology brand and we would give up anything and everything just to own a modern smartphone. The ease of use, instant access and ability to have everything in one place at one time makestravelling so much easier.
The cell phones of today are portable entertainment systems which also provides the practical aspects of making a phone call and sending a text message. You are no longer stuck without communication when you are abroad on the beach or trekking across Europe on a gap year.
The ability to pack lightly when you travel is essential. Carrying bulky cameras and Go Pro devices can be a pain when you are busy and want to have less in your bags. With so many updates on devices, camera quality is second to none on smartphones. The ability to zoom, focus and take photos that aren’t blurred is right there in your pocket.
On long journeys, you can read, play games, listen to music and make mini movies; it’s all the entertainment that you will probably need. Want to be able to watch the latest films while you sit on that long cross-country train? Download MovieBox now!
The only issue that you will probably have due to the amount of entertainment piled into one phone is the battery life; but that’s what chargers were invented for right?
Aside from all the entertainment uses of a smartphone; the ability to store tickets, booking confirmations and travel documents is so handy in a phone. Making sure you have a portable charger like this one can make a world of difference if you are stuck at a hotel and you can’t prove your hotel booking. In fact, phones do run out of battery quite quickly in some cases and you’ll need some rescuing with a portable charger.
With social media now readily available anywhere and everywhere you go; check points along your travels on your social media apps can also allow your friends and family to keep an eye on your last location. This means that if something goes wrong while you’re abroad, you can be looked after.
Travelling alone is not an easy thing to do, nor is it the safest thing to do. With a smartphone, you can keep in constant touch with people, even if you aren’t texting or talking twenty-four hours a day. Your checkpoints can also give you information on the nearby restaurants, hotels, attractions and hospitals, and you’re never going to feel like you’re too far away from things that you need when you’re abroad.
Indeed, travelling around the globe can be a huge discovery and when you’re travelling light, you’re not only saving money on baggage and tickets, but with your smartphone; you can find the best food, hotels, and discounts without having to find an internet café. Build your travel playlist for those long hikes and enjoy your music without needing to bring a separate MP3 player.
Travel light, travel safely and be entertained while you do it!
Bangkok is a city in Thailand that’s frequently visited by Singaporeans and most of us would usually go there to shop, eat, and sightsee.
During my recent trip to Bangkok, we wanted to make merit and do some good; hence, we went to Yi De Tang (otherwise informally known as the Coffin Temple where Ruamkatanyu Foundation is based) to donate money so that coffins can be purchased to help in the burial of dead bodies that are found and unclaimed by family members.
When a death occurs at an accident scene, the rescue team from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation will help to clear and clean up the site. For victims who are without relatives, coffins will be provided from the funds that are donated by donors. Most of the people working at Ruamkatanyu Foundation are voluntary workers and although the devotees are mostly Thai people, there are also a sizeable number of devotees that come from Malaysia, Singapore and many other places.
Many Thai people believe that coffin donation for the dead is the act of making merit because the coffin is meant for the unclaimed or unidentified bodies so as to give them a proper burial. The amount of monetary contribution is according to one’s free will and it is said that the expenses required for burial or cremation and rituals with a piece of white cloth amount to 500 Thai Baht.
If you’re travelling to Bangkok and you would like to do some good merit by donating money out of goodwill; do visit Ruamkatanyu Foundation at Yi De Tang. They are open 24 hours a day although most people would prefer to visit during the day.
How To Get There
You can take the Metro and alight at Sam Yan station. Thereafter, head towards exit 1. Another famous temple among local Thai, Wat Hua Lamphong is located next to Yi De Tang (Ruamkatanyu Foundation).
Step-By-Step Guide To Making Merit at Yi De Tang (Ruamkatanyu Foundation)
Upon arrival at the temple, head to the counters on the left and wait in line if there’s a queue. At the counter, tell the person attending to you that you wish to donate money for the purchasing of coffins and let him/her know of the amount that you wish to donate. When making the monetary contribution, a pink colour merit slip will be provided to you to fill up your name and signature, together with a duplicate of the official receipt.
Enter the passage on the right of the donation counter where the wooden coffins are displayed and at the stationery counter where you see glues, apply glue on the back of the pink colour merit slip. Once done, make your requests and wishes by prayer before the coffins and then paste the pink colour merit slip onto any coffin.
Hold onto the duplicate official receipt and pick 20 incense sticks from the incense rack to offer prayers to the deities inside the temple at the right side of the donation hall.
Offer 1 incense stick each at the left and right side of the temple’s main entrance, and then offer 3 incense sticks to all the deities inside the temple according to the number sequence in ascending order.
Once all the joss sticks have been offered, burn the duplicate official receipt into the incense bowl that is placed at the right side of the altar. If you cannot find the incense bowl, you may ask someone from the temple. Finally, strike the 3 hanging bells 3 times each followed by the drum and then end your prayer.
Since you’re at Yi De Tang making merit, you might as well seize the opportunity to visit Wat Hua Lamphong as they are located adjacent to one another.
What’s the best way to discover a new country?
Or, better yet, what’s the best way of experiencing a new part of a city that you thought you already knew?
Well, if you want high class service and unforgettable and unique experiences, lifestyle management services are for you.
Fancy having a putting lesson with Tiger Woods? Or how about getting onboard a submarine to explore ancient shipwrecks and coral reefs in Western Australia?
We at A Winsome Life are pleased and excited to announce the launch of our new luxury concierge services!
What’s The Excitement All About?
With immediate effect, we will be offering our valuable clients a multitude of luxurious and exclusive VIP lifestyle management and travel services.
What Sort of VIP Lifestyle Management and Travel Services?
The possibilities are endless. Some of the luxurious and exclusive VIP travel experiences can include the following:
Spend the day at the Rolex headquarters and Meet the CEO
Pioneer of the wristwatch since 1905, Rolex is at the origin of landmark innovations in watchmaking, including the first waterproof wristwatch- the Oyster. Visit the Rolex headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland to learn about the company’s brand, design and manufacture. Then, spend a few hours with the CEO, Mr Jean Frederic Dufour.
Price: P.O.A
Private Video Message from Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano is one of the biggest names in professional soccer, and one of the biggest sports stars in the world. He is the most expensive soccer player in history thanks to his huge, record-setting 80-million EUD transfer contract. Get the chance to have a customised private video message from the global soccer star and Portuguese international player.
Price: P.O.A
Paris VIP Travel Experience
Welcome reception at Chanel high-end Jewelry store on Place Vendome and personalised shopping experience.
Private visit of the Coco Chanel apartment at the Ritz Paris (subject to availability).
Exclusive private tour of the Coco Chanel private apartment on top of the Chanel boutique Rue Cambon.
New Michelin-star dining experience.
VIP tickets to the Opera Garnier and behind-the-scene tour.
One-of-a-kind after hour visit of the renowned Chateau de Versailles.
Luxury private transfer to/from hotel.
Price: From 16,500 EUD per person
*Accommodation is not included in this package.
Hong Kong VIP Travel Experience (New Year Eve Special)
Private guided walking tour of Hong Kong landmarks to learn about its history.
Roundtrip helicopter transfer to Macau and full day private guided tour of the old Portuguese colony with local expert (lunch incl).
New Year Eve Michelin-star dining experience.
Private shopping session with a personal shopper to discover Hong Kong’s fashion.
Private Tai Chi session with a Grandmaster.
Full day private yacht charter to discover islands around Hong Kong.
Private harbour cruise against the backdrop of the spectacular Hong Kong Symphony of Lights show.
Luxury private transfer to/from hotel.
Price: From 9515 USD Per Person
*Accommodation is not included in this package.
London VIP Travel Experience
VIP tickets to a London Opera or Theatre with pre-show dining and after show behind-the-scene tour.
Exclusive private after-hours tour of the National Gallery followed by cocktails and canapes in the private Trafalgar Room.
Private shopping session with a personal shopper in a luxury Bentley.
Michelin-star dining experience with private tour of the kitchen and meet and greet with the chef.
New Year Eve Michelin-star dining experience.
2-hour private consultation at Floris London to create own fragrance.
Private tour of the Windsor Castle with expert guide (transfer inclusive).
Private 30 minutes helicopter tour of London (at night or during the stay).
Luxury private transfer to/from hotel.
Price: From 8745 GBP per person.
*Accommodation is not included in this package.
These are just some of the endless possibilities that we will be able to offer to our clients and we are confident that demands for such exclusive travel experiences will increase over time in Singapore.
Why settle for less when you can experience world class lifestyle concierge that includes everything from shopping, restaurant arrangements to transportation (yes, we can even charter a private jet for you)?
As a busy professional, you understand the need to be efficient and effective with your time. After all, it’s probably what got you where you are already. With lifestyle concierge, you don’t have to worry about tedious tasks or time consuming waits. You have a professional – someone committed to you – that you can trust and rely on. Lifestyles management is exactly that; someone to manage and book things while you concentrate on maintaining your status and lifestyle. Think of it as a personal team who is dedicated to your exact needs.
Best of all, you can use lifestyle management services for so many aspects of your life. It’s not limited to solely business or travel, but an overarching service that you can always fall back on. That means while you’re out there taking care of business or having fun, your team is behind the scenes working around the clock to make sure that everything goes smoothly.
When it comes to finding the great things in life, Singapore lifestyle influencers like us are the way to go as well. We’re talking about real people, ones that understand your needs and ones that you can relate to, with a little bit of flair thrown in. So if there’s something that you need or if you need to be inspired, look to us for the right influence.
Who knows, pretty soon you may be the one influencing the life of others!
Singapore is truly a must-visit destination because it offers an exciting and interesting travelling experience; although sometimes the price to pay can be a little too high. In order to enjoy Singapore at an affordable price, travellers should book their transportation and accommodation online and make the most out of various promo codes and coupons. Moreover, when traveling in Singapore, the adventurers at heart can fully enjoy themselves at a lower price, if they follow these money saving tips:
1. Booking Accommodation Through A Specialised Website Like booking.com
For the best accommodation deals in Singapore, it is advisable to consult a website for booking hotels and other similar accommodation. The best of such websites is Hotels.com, which offers an exquisite amount of accommodation possibilities for any place in the world, Singapore included. Travellers can make a telephone call or create an account and then search for the most affordable hotels, apartments or resorts on the desired dates in the year. to get the most out of the website, one can indicate the desired hotel class and guest rating, as well as the preferred facilities within the accommodation. Once all of this has been decided, detailed descriptions of all available accommodations in Singapore will be presented and one can choose the most appropriate option. Hotels.com also offers reviews from previous visitors, so travellers can get acquainted with these first-hand impressions on a place of stay and be certain of the sincerity of its overall review score. When choosing a district of stay in Singapore, it is advisable to look specifically in the area of Little India, where lodgings are especially affordable.
2. Careful Planning Of The Transportation
Another vital point to consider when travelling in Singapore is to book for a cheaper form of transportation so that you can save some money for other activities. The most inexpensive option is to book for a transportation with Avis, a company which specialises in providing travellers with easy car rentals. All one needs to do is to indicate the pick-up location and the location of return, the dates and times of the pick-up and return, and then proceed to select a suitable vehicle. By renting a car from Avis, one can save money and have complete freedom in deciding exactly what landmarks in Singapore to visit, and also when to visit. Furthermore, using the available coupons and promo codes for companies like Avis will further cut the travel costs in Singapore and ensure that travellers can get the best discounts.
3. Careful Consideration Of The Choice Of Food And Drinks
In Singapore, it is advisable to avoid alcohol, fancy restaurants, and as well as bottled water, because they can be quite expensive. To save money, it is best to drink from the tap, which is considered safe, and if you wish to, drink alcohol only during happy hours, as there are many discounts and offers available during the happy hours period. For inexpensive meals, one can turn to the local hawker centres, wet markets and Chinatown, all of which offer delicious food at reasonable prices.
4. Finding Free Fun
Visitors can find many different activities in Singapore which are free of charge, but yet interesting. For anyone who enjoys exploring the nature, entrance to the Singapore Botanical Gardens is free of charge and there are many unique native flora that you can find there. Culture enthusiasts can enjoy free concerts and occasional art exhibits at the Esplandade over the weekends. At Marina Bays Sands, travellers can take pleasure in amazing light shows and experience the wonders of Singapore at nightfall.
Editor’s Note: This is going to be a super long blog post with quite a lot of pictures.
We travelled to Hua Hin, Thailand for our honeymoon and it is a really scenic place with pristine beaches all over the coastal area.
Currency
The Thai Baht is the currency of Thailand and like the pound, it originated from a traditional unit of mass. At the time of writing, we assume 1 Singapore Dollar to be approximately 25 Thai Baht. For the best exchange rate, consider heading down to The Arcade at Collyer Quay.
Getting to Hua Hin
If you want to get to Hua Hin from Suvarnabhumi Airport, you can purchase bus tickets from the ticketing counter that is located at Level 1 Gate 8 of the airport; alternatively, an easier option is to book your bus tickets online (which we did) via Airport Hua Hin Bus.
The bus service from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Hua Hin operates daily with 6 departure times and early booking is recommended.
What amazed us about the bus service is the 24-seater luxury coach itself. It is really comfortable and there’s more than sufficient leg space. There’s even a toilet on board the coach.
In case you’re wondering, the journey from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Hua Hin Bus Station took about 3 hours. While there are other alternative forms of transport to Hua Hin (e.g. car), we found taking the bus to be the most economical and the most comfortable.
Travel Tip #1: Before you take the bus to Hua Hin, go to the nearby convenience shop and stock up some snacks and drinks to munch on during the long bus journey as there are no pit-stops during the bus ride.
Getting Around Hua Hin
We arrived at Hua Hin Bus Station in the evening and went to Villa Market Hua Hin to pick up the Nissan Elmera Eco that we rented to get around Hua Hin. The car rental rate that we paid was SGD$220 for 4 days of usage.
Driving in Hua Hin is relatively safe (even safer than driving in Bangkok). The roads are easy to navigate around and Google Maps worked quite well for us to get around Hua Hin and Cha-Am (a district north of Hua Hin). In case you’re wondering, Thailand practises the right hand drive so if you have been driving around Asian countries, it shouldn’t be a problem. Drivers in Hua Hin aren’t that aggressive but as always, practise defensive driving and always check your blind spots!
Travel Tip #2: If you have already decided on the places that you want to visit in Hua Hin, open up Google Maps and saved all these places before your trip so that it will be easy for you to navigate around. With Google Maps on your mobile phone, you save money by not having to rent a GPS set from the car rental company.
Accommodation
For our accommodation, we took the path less travelled and stayed at The Restro Hotel, a boutique hotel with a retro theme to it. We booked a superior room for 3 nights of stay through Agoda and in total, we paid SGD$285 which is inclusive of breakfast.
The owner of the hotel is a young gentlemen and he was very polite and thoughtful. Breakfast was also a hearty affair and the room that was assigned to us had an industrial theme. The last we heard, the hotel now has a pool and if you are keen to stay there, do book early because they are always running at a 100% occupancy rate!
Local Attractions
There are plenty of attractions in Hua Hin and it was a pity that we did not have enough time to explore Hua Hin. There were so many things that we wanted to do in Hua Hin and getting around was easy since we rented a car to drive there.
For The Shopaholics
There are a couple of night markets in Hua Hin and when we were there, we visited two night markets; the Grand Night Market and the Cicada Market. The Grand Night Market is small and quite typical of most Thai Night Markets. The souvenirs are quite common and there wasn’t anything much that were unique. Street food vendors are abundant if you’re shopping for food.
In case you’re wondering, the Grand Night Market is situated next to the Grand Hotel on Petchkasem Road and is open daily from 5pm to 11pm. Do note that they are closed on Tuesdays though.
As for the Cicada Market, we enjoyed shopping over there because there are some pretty unique finds over there. What’s more, it is the place for the artsy fartsy! The only downside is that Cicada Markets only opens on Fridays and Saturdays from 4pm to 11pm and Sundays 4pm to 10pm; so if you want to visit, be in Hua Hin over the weekends. If you’re staying at The Restro Hotel, you can walk to the Cicada Market and it should take you no more than 15 minutes .
For The Thrill Seekers
If you’re a thrill-seeker and you are planning a visit to Hua Hin, you can consider visiting Siam Milsim and Sky Club Asia.
SIAM MILSIM
At SIAM MILSIM, we went for the ATV Tour and we had a go at their shooting range. It was a pity that we missed SIAM MILSIM’s Zombie Infection event because it is their signature event which is essentially a full 9-hour war simulation game complete with authentic combat uniform, big airsoft guns, boat, jeeps, truck, real zombies (actors) and yes even insurance too.
I must say; safety was well observed throughout and Damien who was our instructor at SIAM MILSIM, makes sure that we know the weapon handling commands and safety procedures before we enter the shooting range to do some shooting. Personal protection equipment were also issued prior to the shoot and there will always be an instructor next to us to ensure that we were doing the right stuff.
As for the 4 Wheel Drive (4WD) ATV Tour, it was an entirely new experience for both Jacqueline and I. We really enjoyed ourselves and we had a great time admiring the beautiful scenery around Hua Hin’s mountain. Yes, we rode up the mountain!
What is super amazing about SIAM MILSIM is that for most of the activities less the shooting range; they will have a dedicated staff who will take pictures and videos of you which you can then share on your own personal social media platforms after your visit; and yes, its complimentary. We definitely hope to visit SIAM MILSIM again!
SIAM MILSIM Open Every Day : 10am – 7 pm Address: 10/469 Huahin 94, HuaHin, 77110 Prachuap Kirikhan Thailand Telephone: 091-6970821 Email: info@siammilsim.com
Sky Club Asia
If you want to soar into the sky for a truly amazing flight experience; you might want to consider checking out Sky Club Asia, a paramotor flying training centre in Thailand. For just 3,900 Thai Baht (approximately SGD$150), you get a 20-minute safe, comfortable, and exciting flight experience where you can enjoy panoramic views of Sam Roi Yod National Park and along the beaches of Dolphin Bay, Pranburi.
To be honest, we were extremely lucky that we got the chance to fly because the weather was rather erratic when we visited Hua Hin. In order for us to have a chance to fly, we had to change our itinerary a couple of times so that we can accommodate the ideal day and time for flying which was very much dependent on the weather conditions as well. The flight takes off at one of the air strip in Hua Hin (which is a 25-minute drive from Hua Hin City Centre).
If you want to fly with Sky Club Asia, do contact them way in advance so that they can advise you on the possible flight dates and times when you visit Hua Hin. Should you not be able to secure a flight or should your flight be cancelled at the eleventh hour, do not despair because the pilot truly cares for your safety and will only fly when the weather permits.
Sky Club Asia Operating Hours: Appointment Only Phone: 08 740 11113 Email: info@skyclubasia.com
For The Nature and History Buff
Pansook Farm
We drove North of Hua Hin to Cha-Am and stopped by Pansook Farm (also known as 1000 Sook Food and Farm on TripAdvisor) where we spent half a day there for some photo opportunities. From its name, one could well guess that Pansook Farm is an actual farm and just so you know, there is an entrance fee which will cost 50 Thai Baht (approximately SGD$2) for an adult.
At Pansook Farm, there are many different kinds of animals and you can actually feed and touch them. In fact, there are many such farms in Cha-Am but in the interest of time, we only managed to visit Pansook Farm.
If visiting farms isn’t really your kind of thing, you can visit the many pristine beaches at Hua Hin. Takiab Beach is one such beach and it is within walking distance from The Restro Hotel.
The Hua Hin Railway Station which is still operating as a legit train station is also an attraction not to be missed.
For The MasterChef Wannabes
We have always enjoyed eating Thai food and because we really wanted to learn to cook some authentic Thai food, we enrolled ourselves into a 1 Day Thai cooking course with Thai Cooking Course Hua Hin.
Although there are 3 menus available, there is no fixed schedule as to when a particular menu will be taught. For the course that we attended, we learnt to cook and prepare Pad Thai, Tom Yum Goong, Thai Green Curry with Chicken, and Khanom Lod Chong (a jackfruit and coconut dessert).
The course fee for 1 adult is 1500 Thai Baht (approximately SGD$60) and it includes a morning guided tour at Hua Hin’s Local Market, a recipe book, a certificate of completion, transportation to and fro the hotel (if it is located within Hua Hin Town), and a sumptuous 4-course Thai meal.
What we really love about the cooking class is the fact that we got an entirely hands-on session after a demonstration by Beau (our instructor). The class size is kept small and this allows for maximum class participation and guidance by the instructor who was really patient with answering all the questions that we had.
After the class, we could not wait to hone our culinary skills and we are really glad to have attended the course because we can now cook authentic Thai food by ourselves. Just so you know, all of the Thai ingredients that we used at the cooking class can be found in Singapore too!
In Summary
Honestly, we enjoyed ourselves in Hua Hin and we really wished we could have spent more time there. In fact, we will definitely consider visiting Hua Hin again and check out other places that we have not had the chance to visit. We hope that this comprehensive travel guide to Hua Hin, Thailand has been really useful and if you have any questions or comments for us, do feel free to do so below!
Ok, I know the title of this blog post might sound rather cheesy or maybe I sound like I am going to market and sell WorldVentures DreamTrips but no, I am not going to do that. Rather, I am going to share 3 travel services that you might find useful when planning for your next staycation/vacation/holiday or whatever you call it. Klook
I first chanced upon Klook in August this year and I must say, it was and is still a worthy find because they offer some very interesting itineraries and attractions at really attractive prices. For my upcoming honeymoon to Thailand, I bought entrance tickets to Art in Paradise Bangkok, Nanta Show, and Safari World Bangkok and they were pretty value for money.
Honestly, what I really love about Klook is that they also offer some out-of-the-ordinary itineraries and tours. Some of such itineraries and tours include a Hangover Tour in Bangkok, a Submarine Adventure in Jeju, South Korea, and a Tokyo, Japan Helicopter Cruise!
In 6 days’ time, I will be going for a Paramotor Flight in Hua Hin, Thailand and I am very excited about it. Can’t wait to share our honeymoon itinerary when we’re back from Thailand!
Well, if you are planning for a unique holiday, you might want to consider booking some of the unique tours that Klook has to offer! I’m sure Klook has something that will interest you.
OneThreeOneFour
Want to book your dream wedding photoshoot anywhere in the world but don’t know where to begin?
OneThreeOneFour comes to the rescue! Founded by the dynamic couple, Scott and Eve, OneThreeOneFour is a Singapore-based start-up that allows couples to discover and book wedding photographers from anywhere in the world.
I know some couples (us included) like their wedding photos to be taken overseas and it can be quite a tedious process to search for a trustworthy and reliable wedding photographer especially when they’re based overseas. If you have been to wedding shows, you might have come across some overseas wedding studios selling their wedding photography packages but what you are probably concern about is whether they will close shop and part with your hard earned money.
With OneThreeOneFour, you can find specially hand-picked and verified wedding photographers from around the world and browse through their portfolios. What’s more, you can chat with the photographers, confirm the photoshoot date, book and make payment all on OneThreeOneFour!
So… if you are planning to have your wedding photos taken overseas, OneThreeOneFour might be just the platform to begin your search and when you’re done with all those photoshoot, be sure to also check out Klook for some wacky tours and itineraries.
ZenPass
How would you like if you could receive four mysterious 3 Days 2 Nights travel holidays a year for just SGD$99 a month (SGD$1188 a year)?
Well, the idea of a subscription service is not new especially since subscription boxes are a pretty big hit but a travel subscription is almost unheard of and what makes ZenPass so interesting is that you won’t quite know what you will be receiving or where you will be going until 1 month before your flight.
Every three months (subscribers would have paid SGD$297 by then), subscribers will receive 3 different combinations of 3 Days 2 Nights package that includes flights and accommodations to a destination in Southeast Asia and there won’t be any itinerary. Out of those 3 different choices, all you have to do is just choose one and you’re ready to go!
And what if none of the 3 Days 2 Nights package offered isn’t to your liking?
ZenPass guarantees that you can get all your money back if you don’t like the options presented to you and you are given the flexibility to cancel anytime!
Should you like the idea of a mysterious 3 Days 2 Nights flight and accommodation package that cost SGD$297, do also set some realistic expectations because for such a price, I hope you are not expecting 5-star accommodations and first class flights.
Want to be well-travelled?
Sign up for ZenPass here and because you’re travelling somewhere with no itinerary, you might want to check out Klook to see if they offer any interesting tours at your destination!
Ok, in case you’re wondering, I’m not trying to hard sell Klook or anything like that. In fact, Klook, OneThreeOneFour, and ZenPass are all start-ups and I feel that all three of them complement each other really well.
In fact, A Winsome Life (our start-up that provides Personal Concierge Services) complements all three start-ups too and it is with great pleasure that we share about their intriguing and useful services!
Alright, that’s all for now.
Counting down to 3 more days before we leave for our honeymoon!
Travel hacking is a term that is used to describe ways that travelers can save by using free deals, airline miles, elite benefits, and rewards. Traveling abroad can be very expensive; however, by using various methods for saving before and during your travels, it is possible to save a significant amount of cash. Travel hackers save while using rewards and miles, when checking into motels, while dining out, on transportation, and the secret is to know how!
The following tips are designed to help you make the most of ‘travel hacking’ on your next trip abroad.
Hacking Flights:
There are several ways to save money on airline tickets. The best way is to combine numerous strategies. Watch for great deals; many specials are available for short periods of time so it helps to stay flexible and open to the best opportunities. Use airline aggregators to check multiple sites and play with dates and times when you search. Once you have found a deal, go to the airline’s site to see if they offer even lower prices. Compare currencies, altered routes, and less familiar carriers that fly into smaller airports. Use frequent-flier credits when possible and fly for free! Many credit cards and member groups such as the PPS club provide exclusive benefits and privileges for travelers.
Hacking Accommodations:
Next to the cost of airfare, your accommodations are a major expense. Once again, there are several ways to ‘hack’ the costs. One way is to bid online for great rates through a travel navigating site. Once you’ve established the dates, start comparing other user’s winning bids on rooms and start bidding accordingly. Many credit cards provide bonus-points that can be redeemed, sometimes for cost-free accommodation. Additionally, ‘couch-surfing’ and ‘freeloading’ sites may help match you up with an amenable host. Other options include staying in hostels, house-sitting, ‘garden-camping’, and working for free room and board.
Hacking Food:
A good ways to save on food is to eat where the locals eat and purchase food from street vendors and local shops. Often you will experience some of the world’s best dining while seated in an outdoor café or in a ‘street stall.’ Many restaurants provide lunch specials and buffets. By moving your main meal to midday, it’s possible to save a significant amount. Whenever possible, buy fresh foods from markets and prepare your own dinners.
Hacking Transportation:
Tourist cards offer an ideal way to hack transportation expenses. Many of these cards provide free transportation around the cities via tramways, trains, ferries, and buses. Or you might want to share a rental car and split the costs, or get paid to move someone else’s car from one location to another. Whenever possible, walk!
Hacking the Extras:
Many credit cards provide bonuses on tourist attractions and amenities. It’s easy to hack the price of extras by watching for specials, locating free events, and by purchasing tourist cards for the cities where you plan to stay.
Plan ahead, save on airfare, check out the best deals, use credit card discounts, rewards, and exclusive benefits, and watch for free deals. Travel hacking has never been easier. Not only will you be able to make the most of it on your next trip abroad, the amount that you save can help you save toward future travels!
I have been to two Australian cities, Gold Coast and Rockhampton, and on those two separate trips that I made, it has left such a deep and lasting impression on me that I would definitely want to visit Australia again.
Although I have never visited Sydney, the state capital of New South Wales and the most populous city in Australia, I have heard so much about the place and should there be an opportunity available for me to have an all-expense paid trip to Sydney, I would definitely jump at the chance without any hesitation.
If I get to go on a 5 Days 4 Nights trip to Sydney, here’s 5 things that I must absolutely do:
• BridgeClimb to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge for breath-taking views of the harbour.
• Relax and enjoy a pampering overnight stay in a Bed & Breakfast nestled on the edge of the magnificent Jamison Valley overlooking the Blue Mountains National Park.
As you probably can see, I am an adventurous adrenaline-junkie whom adores the nature a lot and if you’re like me, how would you like if you can win some Scoot travel vouchers to Sydney?
Follow Scoot’s globetrotters, Paula and Dominic, for a ball of a time in Sydney & Surrounds at Fly Scoot’s Website and you can win a trip to Sydney just by guessing the amount of dollars [down to the cents] that Dom & Paula have spent on both Stretch and as well as Splurge activities for each episode.
Who knows, you might just be one of the two lucky winners to win the exact activities that you’ve guessed the price for plus Scoot travel vouchers to Sydney for every episode!
Here’s the first episode of Dom & Paula having a blast in Sydney, Australia and just so you know, there are 4 more days till the first contest ends.
Should you you miss out on the first contest; fret not because there will be 3 other remaining contests that will be taking place. Just be sure that you don’t miss out on the subsequent episodes which will be released on the following dates:
Episode #2: 19th May 2014 – 1st June 2014
Episode #3: 30th June 2014 – 13th July 2014
Episode #4: To Be Announced Soon!
Since there are 4 episodes altogether, that gives you 4X the chances to win so do “like” Fly Scoot’s Facebook Page to be kept updated about the contest.
Yesterday, I was at the office of Google Singaporefor the “Travel with Google” media event and I picked up a few interesting insights and tips about using Google’s products. As there are quite a number of Google products to be mentioned, I will just be highlighting a couple that I feel would be a great help for your travel needs.
Obviously, every IT-savvy individual knows what Google is and as far as I know, we have been Googling about almost anything under the sun. Now, if you’re an iPhone user, does that mean you can’t enjoy Google’s products? Absolutely not! Most of Google’s products are available on both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
While we won’t be explaining much about the Google Cultural Institute in this blog post, you must absolutely check it out because it is a really cool microsite by Google and I instantly fell in love with it! There’s just so much interesting facts, history, and cultural information that’s available on Google Cultural Institute!
With mobile technology advancing so rapidly and society becoming more affluent, almost everyone has access to a Smartphone and trust me, your Smartphone can be your best travel companion. Remember those days in the past when you have to pack tons of gear into your luggage whenever you travel? Gears like maps, camera, foreign language phrasebooks, and even thick guidebooks? Yes, travelling was quite a cumbersome affair; especially if you’re on a free and easy trip! However, thanks to mobile technology, you can now cut down on those unnecessary weight and go on a mega shopping spree without worrying about excess baggage.
Staffs from Google Singapore were conducting a hands-on demonstration for us.
Here are some tips on how Google can help you be a better world traveller.
Google Now
Google Now gets you just the right information at just the right time. This is useful for everyday life, but especially useful when traveling because Google Now can get you information about your new surroundings.
For instance, Google Now can help you uncover some great activities, by showing you events happening around you, suggesting websites for you to explore as you research things to do, and nearby photo spots to visit. You will also see other cards designed for travel, like the currency conversion, translation, and flight status cards.
Google Maps
Remember when you had to figure out if you were in quadrant A5 of page 67 in whatever book of maps you were using? Those days are long gone, thanks to Google Maps on your mobile device.
You can get indoor views of many malls, shops, and restaurants to scoop out that perfect shopping and dining location.
Google Translate
Google Translate allows you [and your interlocutor] to speak into the app, or handwrite, or even take a picture to input the language that you want to be translated. If you were ever stumped on what to order at a Japanese countertop sushi restaurant, fear no more; you can just snap a photo of the menu text, brush your finger over the bit you want translated, and voila, you now know what to order!
Google+
With Google+ you can automatically upload photos and videos as you take them using Auto Backup. With Auto Backup enabled, photos and videos taken with your smartphone are automatically uploaded to a private album on Google+. No more wrestling with cables! Once uploaded, you can easily share them later from your phone or on the web, and if you’re worried about incurring excessive data charges, you can also have the option of backing up your photos when you’re connected to free WiFi-hotspots.
Books on Google Play
Stuck on a train with nothing to do? Google Play comes to the rescue! Home to the world’s largest selection of e-books, you can read them anywhere you like; on a tablet, phone, or e-reader. The best part is, your bookmarked page stays in sync across all your devices!
These are just some of the products from Google that I find really essential and helpful for frequent travellers; but of course, there are other products that are equally useful such as Google Trends, Google Hangout, and Google Drive. For now, here are just some products for you to start exploring with!
Should you find this blog post helpful, do share it with your friends and do stay tuned to us because we will be sharing about the other products from Google that are not listed here.
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