Travel and Vacation

Waterloo Station is the gateway to the famous South Bank district of London. This area is the cultural hub of London, and visitors will find a large number of theatres, magnificent buildings and other attractions to explore here. To find out more about what to see and do in this vibrant area of London, check out the following guide to Waterloo on a weekend.

Waterloo is home to the impressive Hayward Gallery, which showcases the work of a large number of artists that hail from London and various other parts of the UK and Europe. Perhaps the most famous landmark here is the impressive Queen Elizabeth Hall, which can be reached on foot. The iconic gigantic wheel of the London Eye can also be found in this district. Taking a ride on the London Eye is a great way to see this area from a different perspective and take in all of the striking buildings quickly and conveniently.

Culture vultures will want to take the time to catch a performance in one of Waterloo’s many magnificent theatres while they visit this part of London. The National Film Theatre hosts a wide range of different types of performances throughout the year, while the Old Vic Theatre is often praised as being one of the best theatres in the whole of London. The large and lovely Royal National Theatre is also a great place to watch a performance at any time of the year.

Visitors can wander through the South Bank district to reach Covent Garden, which is a great place to pause to enjoy a spot of shopping while exploring the city of London. The alternative shops that can be found in SoHo also attract keen bargain hunters during the daytime. After the sun sets over the city this district is transformed into a trendy place to enjoy a beer or sit at the bar of one of the vibrant watering holes that can be found scattered throughout the area and sip a colourful cocktail or two.

People who plan to take the time to really get to know this fascination part of London should consider checking into Travelodge’s hotel in Waterloo. People who book their accommodation through Travelodge are sure to secure a great deal, and booking can be done online from the comfort of your own home.

Are you planning on doing some travelling this upcoming Summer? If so then you better start planning your trip as soon as you can! With so many places to visit and so many things to see, it’s hard to make a decision especially if travelling in a group and on a strict budget. Many people decide to go travelling whilst in their “GAP” year, or just after they have finished their university studies. It is a great way to “find yourself” and to experience other countries and cultures before settling down into a job that it’s hard to get out of.

The most common and popular form of budget travelling would be to stay in a hostel. Couchsurfing is another way of seeing a city for next to nothing; however it can be unsafe and unsecure if you don’t know the person you are staying with very well. Of course you can check out the host’s profile page before arriving, however you never know what to expect. There is also the question of comfort and privacy when couchsurfing, surely you want to be comfortable and have your own space while away?

Either a trip around Europe, South America or Asia, you will have the experience of your lifetime! However while away, tourists may get caught into the trap where they spend much more money than necessary. Sometimes paying for a simple hostel can prove to be quite expensive, which is why looking for alternative accommodation may be beneficial to you, your friends and to your wallet. Ever thought about actually renting either a room or an apartment instead of booking into a hostel or sleeping on some stranger’s sofa? With Wimdu you can. Whether a flatshare in Berlin, an apartment in Venice or a B&B in Edinburgh, Wimdu has lots of alternative affordable accommodation to choose from to make your visit an amazing experience. Most travellers want to see the city from a local’s perspective – so why not consider renting a room or an apartment from a local, who can give you great advice about the area? Travelling with friends and family is so much fun, however make sure you plan your finances properly so that you get to experience everything you intend to!

For most people, Bangkok is one of those places where just the name is enough to conjure up images of a fascinating far off place. That’s a pretty good description, in fact. Bangkok is indeed a fascinating place, and cheap flights to Bangkok aren’t too difficult to find. Bangkok is unique in many ways, and there are many good reasons for visiting it, such as:

Shopping – Bangkok is a shoppers paradise. The range of goods available is incredible and the prices are temptingly low for most visitors. There are many large shopping malls and department stores in various downtown areas, such as Siam Square, selling all the famous brands of clothing, technology, etc. There are also countless markets selling an equally diverse range of goods, not all of which are genuine, as the extra low prices confirm.

Sightseeing – Bangkok has no shortage of places to visit. The famous Temple of the Emerald Buddha in the grounds of the Grand Palace is just one such destination well worth a visit. The architecture and designs of both temple and palace are incredibly ornate and strikingly beautiful. Close by, just across the river, is the spectacular pagoda of the Temple of the Dawn. The Floating Market on the outskirts of Bangkok is justly famous as a vibrant spectacle of colour and local commerce.

Good location – Bangkok is well located. Its position on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand, and being more or less equidistant from the northern and southern ends of the country, make it ideal to use as a base from which to visit other places in Thailand. Just as cheap flights to bangkok are quite common, flights out of Bangkok are also refreshingly inexpensive. The domestic Thai air routes are served by modern aircraft operated by companies, such as Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways. Train and bus services are also very well organised, comfortable and, again, pleasingly inexpensive.

Nightlife – Bangkok’s nightlife is legendary. Red light districts, such as Patpong, Soi Cowboy and Nana Plaza are filled with bars offering entertainment of all the kinds expected in world-famous red light districts. More normal pubs and clubs around the city are plentiful and pleasant, many geared to various age groups or styles, such as reggae bars, rock cafes, Irish pubs, etc.

Ease of getting around – Although traffic jams are not uncommon in Bangkok, there are countless ways of getting around the city that make the traffic jams mostly irrelevant for the visitor. Regular taxis are everywhere and inexpensive, motorcycle taxis can cut through any traffic jam with ease. The ubiquitous ‘tuk-tuk’, or open 3 wheeled taxis, provide a more exciting ride through heavy traffic. Express boats operate up and down the river all day during daylight hours, and provide great views of river life, passing rice barges and floating restaurants or even royal barges training for an up and coming royal ceremony on the river.

Bangkok has such a variety of experiences to offer that no visitor could ever complain of boredom.

1. Keep Cash Concealed – When you pull out a large number of bills to pay for something, you become an instant target for anyone who is interested in taking your money from you. Keep your cash stashed in a hidden money belt or a deep inside pocket, and only pull out what you need to make a purchase. Another way to minimize the impact of a theft is to divide up your cash into several different pockets. That way a thief might get all the money from one pocket, but there’s a good chance they won’t be able to grab the money out of all of your pockets.

2. Be Aware of the People Around You – While you are walking through tourist sites, notice the people in the crowd around you. Sometimes simply making eye contact with a stranger will make you a poor target for pickpocketing. The last thing a thief wants is for someone to be able to recognize them. Also, making sure you don’t carry cash is a good measure to prevent this – use safer alternatives like cheques, or even getting credit cards, which are easy to acquire.

3. Carry Bags Across the Body – If you carry bags with long straps, place the strap across your body while you are walking. A bag that is hung from a single shoulder is easy to snatch and run away with. If the bag is positioned across your body from one shoulder to the other hip, it is nearly impossible to grab it quickly and get away.

4. Do as the Locals do – When you’re in an unfamiliar area, pay attention to the way the local residents behave. Cross the street with someone who is local, especially if you’re in a city that has poor traffic signals. If most of the residents ride bicycles or mopeds, consider choosing something two-wheeled rather than a rental car. The locals live and work safely in this environment every day and they are your best guide when you’re not sure what to do next.

5. Don’t Leave Valuables in the Hotel – Hotel rooms are vulnerable to theft, even when they are locked up tight. If you must carry something valuable, take it with you when you leave your room. When you absolutely must leave something important or expensive in the room, don’t leave it out in plain sight. Tuck it into a drawer underneath your clothing or stash it in a locked suitcase in the closet. Hiding your valuables doesn’t guarantee they won’t be stolen, but it does make thieves work harder to carry them off.