Travel

Fun Facts You Need To Know Before Moving To Dubai

moversWhile moving abroad or simply to another neighborhood can be really stressful, and a lot of people do not think too much about moving until they are ready to move themselves, the statistics about moving tells otherwise. In fact, there is a huge number of individuals and families who relocate every year either for personal or job related reasons. The following are some interesting facts about moving:

  • In Dubai, an estimated 92% of the city’s population are expats.
  • Majority of the conversations that start in Dubai is “where are you from and what are you doing here” this is attributed to the fact stated above.
  • In Dubai, you can get arrested for being drunk. Although Dubai is a party city, technically, you can’t leave the bar drunk.
  • Totally normal – seeing a lion or a cheetah in the passenger seat right next to your car. So don’t get scared.
  • When moving to Dubai, always prepare yourself to be shocked, awed, confused and surprised. The city is ever changing. A non-existent building somewhere might suddenly pop out after a month. Dubai is full of surprises.

Trivia info resource: http://easytruck.ae

Fascinating Facts About Barcelona

barcelona-838680_960_720Barcelona is considered the world’s 4th most popular city for selfies. A recent study analysing more than 6 million tweets, Instagram uploads, and Facebook posts found out that the city came in at number 4.

Other Interesting Facts

According to the National Geographic, Barcelona is the best beach city in the world. However, its beaches were not actually used for leisure until 1992. Before that, its coastline did not exist. The city converted the seaside area into a 4.5 km of beach when Barcelona was redeveloped for the Olympic Games in 1992. In fact, some of the sand was imported from Egypt.

Once Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia is completed, it’ll be the world’s tallest church building. The basilica’s construction began in 1882, funded only by ticket entry fees and public donations. By 2026, it is expected to be completed.

Barcelona is one of the top destinations for LGBT travellers worldwide. Sitges, a small town that is 40 minutes from Barcelona, is home to the first gay disco in Spain. Today, this town hosts some of the wildest parties like the Sitges Gay Pride and Sitges Carnival.

Flamenco dancing is not popular in Barcelona. This Spanish dance originated in southern Spain. The Catalans do not actually appreciate it as much as in other parts of the country. They favour La Sardana, their own traditional dance. Still, you can watch several amazing Flamenco shows in the city today.

The famous sports club in Barcelona is FC Barcelona. This is best known for its football team. It has a seating capacity of 100,000 people, making it the world’s biggest privately owned stadium.

Trivia Info Resource: www.simplybarcelonatickets.co.uk

Most Popular Countries To Move To

pathway visasDid you know that besides USA and Canada, there are a number of other countries that are considered immigration-friendly?

Brazil

The country is popularly known for Christ the Redeemer statue located in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil is one of the biggest and diverse countries in the world. It is also considered one of the easiest places to immigrate to. Brazil is multi-cultural, having waves of immigrants from all over the world. Living in Brazil, you will not only savor the sun and the beach, you will also enjoy affluent living and lifestyle because of its roaring economy.

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The UAE is popularly known for their man-made islands and skyscrapers. Considered an oil-rich country, it has the world’s highest proportion of foreign-born residents. Because of its high employment demand and a strong economy, a lot of skilled overseas workers are enticed to work and move to the country.

Australia

The country is popularly known for its Kangaroos, Koalas, and Surfing. Not only this country easy to move into, it is also one of the safest and one with the most livable climate and highest standards of living in the world.

New Zealand

New Zealand is popularly known for the Southern Alps and the natural beauty of nature. A lot of immigrants choose New Zealand because it allows a relaxed pace of life. In addition, the country is open to the influx of overseas workers.

Trivia Source:  http://pathwayvisas.com/

Testing The Waters: What You Need To Do Before Moving To A New City

eImmediately jumping into the pool without even trying to stick your toes to test the water is a bad idea. The same principle applies to moving to a new city. It needs a lot of planning and thinking. Here are some tips that can help you out:

Testing and checking things out

  • Prior to your move, it is important to set a few weeks or months if available to check out the city and see how things turn out. To achieve this, you can either stay as a guest to a friend or relative who lives in that city or look for a temporary sublet in the neighborhood you’re considering for your new residence. This way, you’ll have the time to experience the city as a resident.

Choosing the neighborhood

  • When relocating, it is important to avoid immediately purchasing real estate unless you are absolutely sure you want to set permanent root in that community. The things you need to look for in your new neighborhood are:
    • Apartment rental rates
    • Strategic placement of the location for job opportunities and social life
    • Kid/pet friendly apartments
    • Safety
    • Sublet opportunities
    • Roommate opportunities (if your moving alone)
    • Quality of nearby kids’ schools
    • Childcare
    • Doctors/dentist
    • Pet sitters
    • Stores

Job

  • Before moving, it is ideal that you already have a job lined up. If not, the following will be of great help and importance:
    • Look for job recruiters in the city and seek for their assistance.
    • A readily available local address of a friend or relative for job application.
    • Always be available for job interviews.
    • Put networking to work in helping with your job search.

Trivia Info Resource: www.intouchrelocations.com

Important Considerations When Looking For Hotel Accommodations

Finding the right hotel accommodations that will meet your needs and expectations is almost like finding a needle in a haystack. Some may find it easy but most people don’t.  If you’re the type of traveler that has particular preferences, finding the hotel that will suit you, well ahead of your scheduled trip, would serve you best.

10

For the seasoned traveler, the hotel preference is normally based on the following criteria:

SAFETY: This is a top priority. It is advisable to stay at hotels that are strategically located near police stations, first aid stations, clinics or hospitals, and even fire stations. Make sure to check if the hotel you’re booking include 24-hour security, has enough hotel staff to assist you in whichever way, with pools that are constantly guarded by “life guards”, and most importantly, have great fire proof plans and fire extinguishers on hand.

CONVENIENCE: Finding a grocery store, a pharmacy or even a parlor should be possible if you are the kind of traveler who would put convenience in your preference list. Hotel accommodations are now being marketed by the convenience that they offer to their hotel guests. Most hotels can be found in the middle of the metropolis or downtown area wherein good restaurants, shopping centers, recreation centers and relaxation centers are within an arm’s reach.

BUDGET: Most travelers won’t argue with this. Most hotels offer packages wherein discounts may be availed if you stay for more than one night or longer. For a lengthy stay like a month or two, hotel accommodations may offer much lower rates and additional perks.

Info Trivia Source: http://fairfaxwashingtondc.com

Interesting Facts About Washington, DC

George WashingtonWashington, DC is in the mid-Atlantic region – approximately 90 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean, north of Virginia, south of Maryland, and 233 miles south of New York City. The Potomac River separates it from Virginia.

It was in 1791 that Washington, DC was founded. Before it became the capital of the United States, other cities which served as capital will include Philadelphia, Annapolis, and New York City. Its name was taken from George Washington who was the first US president. The Columbia in District of Columbia stands for Christopher Columbus.

Washington, DC is not a state or city. In fact, it is not even part of any other state but rather a unique “federal district”, specifically created to be the seat of government.

District Vs. State

Similar to those living in states, DC residents pay local and federal taxes; however, they don’t have a voting representative in Congress. DC residents do have representation but know that the representative cannot vote – it can only sit on committees.

If there is a presidential election, the Electoral College will give Washington, DC similar number of votes as the smallest state, even when it has a larger population. As compared to other states, it will also get special orders regarding how to spend the money if DC receives federal funding.

It is the US president who will appoint DC’s local judges. Today, there is an elected mayor along with 13-member city council. Though the mayor and city council are the ones governing the city, Congress will still review and can change DC’s laws and budget. Congress won’t review the laws and budget of other states.

Trivia Info Resource: fairfaxwashingtondc.com

Some Facts About The City Of Boston

When visiting a certain place, it is very helpful to know some facts and interesting trivia to fully enjoy your stay. When planning to visit Boston, learn a few things about the place and enjoy what the city has to offer. Check out some facts about the city of Boston below.

– The deepest tunnel in North America called the Ted Williams Tunnel is located in Boston.

– It was in Boston when two thieves pose as policemen to steal 12 paintings worth $100 million collectively. This is the largest art theft in US history.

– Boston’s original name was Shawmut. It was the local Native Americans who named the place.

– It was in Boston where the first college (Harvard) in North America was established.

– Boston’s official dessert is the Boston Cream Pie dessert at the Omni Parker House.

So there you go, some facts about Boston. If you are planning to visit the place in the coming days, make sure to do a little research as to the best hotels to stay and the best places to check out.

Trivia Info Resource: theenvoyhotel.com

Most Expensive Vacation Resorts In The World

WigwamArizonaVacationing is a wonderful activity every member of the family can enjoy. However, planning a vacation can be expensive. Expenses can get even worse if you plan to have a vacation in one of the world’s most expensive resorts. Listed below are some of the following.

Grand Resort Lagonissi

Located at Athens, Greece; the Grand Resort Lagonissi is known to be the most expensive hotel in the world costing $6,040/night. Eventually, you will be satisfied with the services since you have your own private butler, chef and pianist.

Burj Al Arab

The Burj Al Arab is also known to be one of the most expensive resorts in the world. Sleeping in this resort for a night will cost you $3,533. But, before you enter the resort, you are welcomed with fireworks from the bridge to announce your arrival.

St. Regis Resort Bora Bora

Booking for an accommodation in St. Regis Bora Bora will cost you $2,818. Fortunately, you can enjoy a fun dive in a saltwater private lagoon full of native stingrays.

Little Palm Island

The Little Palm Island is located at Little Torch Key, Florida. Reserving a night can cost you $1,251. Apart from that, the island is only reachable by boat or seaplane. And, this island is not ideal for techy individuals since there are no TVs in the rooms and cellphones are not permitted in public areas.

Trivia Info Source From: Wigwamarizona.com

The World’s Most Expensive Hotel Accommodations

DoubleTree by Hilton Berkeley Marina

How much can you spend for your hotel accommodation? With tens of thousands of dollars, you can pay down payment for your home or you get just one glorious night in a hotel suite. Here are the world’s most expensive hotel accommodations:

With nightly rate starting at $69,000, did you know that the Royal Penthouse Suite in Hotel President Wilson, Geneva Switzerland is the most expensive hotel suite? This is a 12-bed, 12-bath suite featuring bulletproof glass windows, armored doors, human-sized safe, helipad access, and a private elevator. This suite is the favorite of heads of state, visiting dignitaries, and mostly VIPs.

Next to this is the Royal Villa at Lagonissi Resort, Athens, Greece. With nightly rate from $47,000, you will be flown to Athens on a private jet. Features include indoor and outdoor pool, personal trainer, private chef, and personal pianist.

Third on the list with $45,000 a night rate is the Ty Warner Penthouse Suite at Four Seasons Hotel, New York. This 4,300-square-foot suite offers the greatest luxury in the city. You would see a 360-degree view of Manhattan.

Running fourth is the Shahi Mahal Suite at Raj Palace, Jaipur, India. From $40,000 a night, you will be able to enjoy this 6-bedroom suite that has ivory and gold furniture, a private theater, a library, and a dining room.

Trivia Info Resource: www.doubletreeberkeleymarina.com

Essential Camping Items You Need

EBHPWhen talking about camping, individuals usually think of the abundant nature, wildlife and spectacular sceneries. When camping, you can also enjoy creating camp fires to make cold nights warmer and more comfortable. However, before venturing out into the wilderness, it is important that you prepare yourself. Thus, listed below are some of the essential camping items you need to bring.

Pack of matches

Creating a camp fire is one of the highlights of camping. Of course, you’ve watched numerous movies where individuals can create fire using just flints, dried leaves and dead branches. In real life, creating fire can be very hard. With this said, it is best that you bring a pack of matches to help you create fire.

Ropes

Ropes are also essential when camping since you can make use of ropes in many ways such as a clothes line, a support for your tent or to tow an individual out of a tight situation.

First aid kit

You will never know when accidents occur. Therefore, it is essential that you always bring a first aid kit. With this, you are rest assured that you can properly clean scratches and bruises.

Pocket knife

Finally, a camper always needs to bring a pocket knife. A pocket knife, also known as Swiss Army knife, features different tools that can be used in a variety of ways to make camping more efficient.

Trivia Info Source From: www.ebhp.com.au