Travel

If you are thinking about visiting Greece this year, Paros could be one of the places you have explored and done some research on. It may not be as famous as other Greek islands such as Santorini or Mykonos, but it is definitely a firm favourite amongst tourists and is a very busy island. Here we give you some of the main reasons you should visit Paros this year.

A Bit about the History of Paros

First, we thought we’d give you a little bit of insight into the history of Paros. It has been previously known as Mykonos-lite as it is similar in some ways to that, but it is mysterious in it’s own way. It has lots of history dating back to neo lithic times. Paros, unlike some of the other Greek island has a one size fits all approach, much like a supermarket – you will find something for everyone. There is a lot to get through and enjoy, so if you had just a few days planned there – you might want to extend your stay to make sure you can fit everything in.

It has Great Nightlife

If you have some partying planned – then you will be happy to know that Paros has some great nightlife. Paros is a lot cheaper than other islands when it comes to going out and about at night, which is good for those of you who are on a budget. You can visit islands such as Paroikia and Naoussa within Paros where you will find there is always something going on. You can enjoy everything from party boats, foam parties, beach parties and more. Paros is the perfect place to kick back and have fun with some friends.

Fantastic Accommodation Options

There are some beautiful hotels in Paros, and you can usually book on different types of board (i.e half-board, full-board, all-inclusive etc). Alternatively, you may also want to opt for a villa. There are lots of Paros Greece villas for rent and suitable to all types of budgets and requirements. You can also be flexible in your length of stay with these, and it is perfect if there is a large group of you all going on holiday together or a family. BlueVillas has some great deals on luxury villas in Greece. This is more than ideal for your relaxing visit for Paros.

You Can Steep Yourself in Greek History

People tend to associate Greece in general with history – and Paros is no different. You can explore the likes of the Monastery of Panagia Ekatontapiliani which can be found in Paprika town. It is arguably the best preserved Paleo-Christian monuments in Greece and is surrounded by 3 chapels. The church dates back to the 4^th century A.D. You can also pay the Paros archaeological museum which was founded in 1960 – where you will find amazing exhibits from the excavations of Paros and Antiparos. These are just a couple of places you can visit in Paros if you are interested in history.

It has Some Fun Outdoor Activities

If you are a little on the adventurous side – you will be happy to know that there are some great outdoor activities to enjoy in Paros. A fun fact is that it hosted the Windsurfing World Championship 3 times. Some of the watersports you can take part in include: canoeing, jet skiing, waterskiing, scuba diving, kite surfing and more. Diving is also incredibly popular at Paros. You will find that there are lots of diving centres throughout the island. If you go on a diving trip, you can enjoy looking at some of the underwater creatures. There is also the Paros Park-a-thematic park where you will find some fantastic hiking trails and mountain routes. This is actually quite relaxing and a great way to get in touch with nature. Birdwatching has become popular during these hikes – or if you want to set your sights on some underwater creatures – then there are lots of boat trips that you can embark on.

There are Lots of Beaches

If you are looking for a beach holiday – then you will absolutely love Paros. There are a few to choose from though, so make sure you do your research and opt for the one that’s right for you. One of the most popular beaches is Golden beach which is perfect for those water sports enthusiasts. Santa Maria is also great for water sports, and also features a nice beach bar with music. If you are going to Paros to party – then Punda beach will be right up your street. There is some amazing scenery to enjoy at their beaches – and you can also look forward to crystal clear waters for swimming.

The Delicious Food

Make sure you have an authentic experience at Paros and enjoy some traditional Greek cuisine. You will find that most restaurants will have this and will only add to your time away. Seafood is a specialty in Paros, so you will find it served a lot, however in traditional Greek style. Make sure you check out some of the local food during your trip.

There are Always Festivities

Whether it is high season or low season – you can bet there is something going on in Paros. There will always be some celebration to look forward to. This could come in the form of music, parades, performances, food and drink festivals and lots more. Before you book your holiday to Paros – do a little bit of research online to find out what celebrations are in place the time of year you are thinking of going.

If Greece was on your list of destinations for 2019, but you hadn’t yet decided on an island – Paros could be the one to go for. It is packed full of activities – that there’s something for everyone to enjoy whether you are going with your family or a group of mates. Hopefully we have helped you on your way with your decision.

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New York is a bucket-list destination for many travellers around the world. However, getting there is often expensive and supporting yourself can be even more expensive! New York is not a cheap city and you need to have plenty of money ready before you go. Nevertheless, it is possible to enjoy everything New York has to offer on a budget. Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can save money now.

Plan Carefully

When it comes to saving money, most of the work is done in the planning stage before you even set foot in New York. You can often pick up great deals on flights to New York depending on the time of year. Some airlines run great deals at certain times of the year. You might also get a great deal if you fly somewhere else in the Americas first and then fly onto New York. Check out some great flights here; https://www.flyporter.com/en-ca/book-flights/where-we-fly/usa/new-york.

Choose Somewhere More Residential

If you are thinking about where to lay your head at night then you need to consider heading out to the more residential areas if you want to save some money. You can often find better deals in the Village or Tribeca than you would if stayed in the vicinity of Times Square. You may even find things cheaper if you stay outside Manhattan or even in New Jersey. Even factoring the cost of travelling into New York each day will be peanuts when you otherwise consider that you could be shelling out top dollar for a grimy city centre hotel. We know which option we would rather choose.

Of course, one of the best ways to save money is to stay in a hostel instead of a hotel. You can find amazing hostels all over the New York area. What’s more, they may end up being nicer than some budget hotel rooms. If you are looking to get the most for your money, a hostel might be a great way forward if you aren’t afraid to share.

Stay Away from the Tourist Traps

Yes, it would be cool to venture up the Empire State Building and grab a selfie in front of the Statue of Liberty. However, both of those things are quite expensive to do. Why bother when you can instead grab just as good a picture from the Staten Island ferry? So many people neglect to visit this ferry but it really offers some tremendous views and a chance to sit and watch the world go past. If you want a little breather from the madness of New York, this ferry might be able to offer it to you.

Know About the Discounts

Many people want to check out the various exhibits on show at the Met but few people want to pay the entrance fee. However, the Met is free on Fridays after 4PM. These nights can be quite popular (who doesn’t love a freebie?) so get there either on the early or the late side to avoid the queues.

If you want to head into some of the more popular tourist attractions, look into the City Pass. With this handy card, you can get into either 3 or 6 attractions depending on which variation you go for. You can head to popular sites like the 9/11 Memorial Museum or the Museum of Natural History with this card. It could save you some money if you need it and you don’t have to miss out on some of the best attractions the city has to offer.

Travel Like the Locals

Carrie Bradshaw might only travel in yellow cabs but the budget traveller cannot afford to do so. Thanks to the rise of Uber, transport around New York might be a little more affordable than usual but you should still make sure that you only use it in an emergency if you are trying to save money.

Instead, make like the New Yorkers and head down into the subway. You can get nearly everywhere in the city using the subway and the places you can’t get to are probably not that far of a walk away. If you are going to be in New York for a little while, think about getting a 7-day Metro Card as that might save you quite a bit of money. Everyone uses the subway so you are probably going to see some interesting sights while you are down there. However, it is also a great way to get a little closer to the everyday people of New York so enjoy it.

Head to Central Park

Central Park is probably on top of a lot of people’s lists when it comes to New York but few people know how wonderful it truly is. You could probably happily spend an entire day relaxing and exploring there without any issue. There are 36 acres of paths, trails, and scenery to explore. Even if you aren’t much of a twitcher, bird-watching is a must as the park is home to many different species.

If you would rather people-watch, head to Sheep Meadow. It is a 15-acre field where locals and tourists congregate when they can to play games, practice acrobatics and just take some time to chill. Another attraction you should try to find is the Alice in Wonderland statue. She is a bronze statue of this famous little girl and her pet cat and she is loved by both locals and tourists.

The final place you should definitely visit in Central Park is the Conservatory Garden. It takes influence from 3 European styles – English, French, and Italian – and is a beautiful place to spend some time. It is also, however, extremely popular with wedding shoots so be prepared to stop and start on your walk or get ready to feature as an unwanted addition to some happy couple’s wedding album.

Dig in

New York has some of the finest cuisine in the world and, even on a budget, you can enjoy it. Head to one of the many food trucks to grab a great meal for a low price. With everything from falafel and kebabs, to the iconic New York pizza, to amazing vegan dishes and more, you are spoilt for choice.

Another great alternative is to head into the city’s ethnic areas. From Chinatown to Little Italy, there are many places where you can find authentic cuisine made by those who can do it best. You don’t have to break the bank out here too. There is always some little restaurant tucked out of the way which is full of happy patrons and ready to bring you the best food you have ever tasted.

New York has a reputation for being a city which is expensive and busy. While it is always going to be busy, it is only expensive if you want it to be. It is perfectly possible to enjoy New York on a budget if you are prepared to be strict with yourself and make certain sacrifices here and there. The Big Apple is waiting for you so don’t be afraid to take the plunge and plan your trip there today!

Some years ago, there were not many options available in hospitality. Tourists relied on hotels, motels and inns when they were looking for accommodation. This is no longer the case as we now have access to so many options that can be considered, including vacation rentals. The problem with vacation rentals is that few people know what is actually available. Just take a look at Capital Resorts Group reviews and there is a pretty big possibility you will be surprised about what vacation rentals actually offer.

Choosing vacation rentals is actually recommended in so many cases these days. They are normally located really close to tourist locations and offer numerous amenities you just think about getting at home. Let’s talk about the main advantages associated with vacation rentals and you might very well look for one for your next vacation.

Flexible Stay Duration Options

It does not matter if you are a tourist or a business traveler. In many cases you need some sort of flexibility associated with your stay at a specific destination. Hotels respect many rules that make them highly inflexible. You do not get to make requests that would be accommodated. Vacation rentals are quite different. They give you the option to choose how long you stay, together with so many interesting extra perks, like requesting a microwave oven if you want it.

Negotiating Rental Rates And Amenities

How many hotels do you know that give you the possibility to negotiate prices? With vacation rentals, the communication is normally with the owner so it is so easy to find some incredible possible discounts, especially in the event that you stay for a longer period of time and you want to negotiate. Travelers can easily end up affording places they normally cannot spend money on. Rental accommodation agencies actually ask questions about the budget and then negotiate for clients.

At the same time, you can talk with the vacation rental owner or agent to personalize what is offered. There are many that allow you to choose some extra amenities that are not even listed when you see what is included. Do you need a DVD player or some extra electric cords as you have many gadgets to plug at the same time? There is a pretty good possibility that this can be taken care of.

High Comfort

This is an advantage that should be obvious for every single person out there. We are talking about getting access to a complete home, as opposed to only a room as with the hotel. Even if you rent an apartment in a hotel, the stay is generally not as good as it can be in a vacation rental. Remember the fact that you will be the only one that stays in the home. There won’t be any other guests that you need to worry about. Privacy is quite high and flexibility is as it should be. You get to choose what you do every single day and comfort levels are higher than with all the regular accommodation options available for tourists.