Dundar Hotel

For any and all bird enthusiasts out there, the Okavango Delta is certainly the place to be. While all of Africa is home to hundreds of different species of birds – with several of them being migratory visitors from Eurasia – several of the birds that you’ll see on an Okavango Delta safari can be found almost nowhere else in the world.

Different Species of Birds
The Okavango delta is home to over 400 species of birds, most of which can only be found in Africa. Some of the most spectacular birds that bring travelers to the area include:

- The Crested crane
- Hammerkop
- Ostrich
- Lilac-breasted Roller
- African Fish Eagle
- Pel’s Fishing Owl
- Sacred Ibis

Some of the most common birds that you’ll see in the area includes the goliath heron (which is known as being the largest heron in the world), and bee eaters. Prior to departing on your safari, make sure that you ask your guide for a list of the birds that you’ll be able to spot during your tour.

Easy To Spot
With such a rich density of birds in the delta, you’ll have no problem spotting several of these special species while on your Okavango Delta safari . Many can be seen with the naked eye and from long distances. Some travelers are treated to amazing displays during their meals or while lounging outside after a long day of traveling.

Don’t Leave Your Binoculars Behind!
Though the birds may be easy to spot in the Okavango Delta, several of them can move so quickly or are quite shy of humans so you’ll certainly need a good pair of binoculars to accompany you on your travels. Make sure that you choose a pair that gives you a fairly good range of distance, yet are durable enough to withstand being dropped, bumped, and thrown around a little bit.

With 12 World Heritage sites out of the country’s 45 located in Tuscany, villas in its different cities and towns are definitely a convenient base from which to view and learn Italy’s great contributions to world history through art and architecture.

This is why those wishing for an educational holiday filled with art and history should see Tuscany! Villas, palaces, churches and other structures straight out of the Medieval and Renaissance periods abound, as well as museums filled with great art from some of the world’s greatest artists. Add to that the picturesque views and settings one can enjoy on the way, great food, wine and friendly people and it’s easy to see exactly why it’s one of the country’s most popular destinations! Where to go first? Here are two great suggestions.

Pisa

Contrary to popular belief, there’s more than just the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa to see in this charming riverside town. Tuscany villas connected with history and its most famous and important figures, monuments that include chapels, cathedrals, palaces and more, the scenic River Arno, with its quaint bridges and other views are among the sights one can enjoy in this Tuscan town.

The Piazza del Duomo, also called the Campo dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles)–is the town’s most popular tourist spot and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of twelve located in the region. In this square, amidst one of the biggest groups of Romanesque buildings stands four great monuments from medieval times:

• Torre Pendente di Pisa, otherwise known as The Leaning Tower of Pisa – the town’s most famous attraction
• The Duomo or cathedral, an impressive edifice with four tiers of galleries, marble inlay, bronze doors and mosaics
• The Battistero or Baptistry, a round Romanesque structure built in the 12-13th century with an early Renaissance pulpit
• The walled cemetery known as Campo Santo Monumentale, with its impressive collection of frescoes and sarcophagi

Florence

With a historic centre that has been declared a World Heritage Site, this city–known as the birthplace of the Renaissance– is definitely one of the most popular places to visit in the region. Tuscany villas, cathedrals, churches, palaces and gardens from the Renaissance and Medieval times are a definite part of the itinerary for millions of tourists that come annually. One of these, the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (called the Duomo), is the biggest cathedral in the city and an important piece of architecture. Its famous dome, designed and built by Filippo Brunelleschi, took four million bricks to build and is considered an architectural wonder ahead of its time. Other must-see sites are the 11th century Baptistry. Giotto’s bell tower, as well as the Medici palaces and gardens.

As one of the art and design hubs of the Renaissance in Tuscany, villas, galleries and museums dating back from this period are wonderful settings to indulge one’s art and history cravings as they are filled with many famous paintings, sculptures, monuments and other important masterworks from the artists of that time such as da Vinci, Michaelangelo, Raphael, Botticelli, Giotto and more.

Taking off to a luxurious, exclusive resort with your new husband or wife is one of the best kinds of honeymoon holidays that you and your loved one can enjoy. Offering complete privacy and unique experiences that you’ll never forget, you want to make sure that you’re completely prepared for your trip away before setting off to your romantic honeymoon destination. Here are some things that you’ll need to pack in order to fully enjoy your honeymoon.

Don’t Forget Your Hats!
Though you may be planning to spend at least some of your time indoors, you’ll likely be spending several daylight hours outside and enjoying everything that the African landscape has to offer. In order to keep yourself fully protected from the blazing hot sun, make sure you and your loved one pack a crushable, brimmed hat that includes a string so it can be easily hung around your neck. Nothing can ruin your time at a romantic honeymoon destination like sunstroke can, so come prepared.

Bring Two Pairs Of Sunglasses
Sunglasses can be pretty hard to find when out on honeymoon holidays on a safari, so make sure that you bring a second pair. A lot of travel savvy tourists will pick up two fairly inexpensive pairs of sunglasses that you can often find in pharmacies or at mall kiosks so that they don’t risk losing their favourite and most expensive pair.

Pop Some Bubbly
This is your honeymoon – make the most of it! Don’t forget to make the trip truly memorable and bring or order some champagne or a fine wine to help you unwind after a long exciting day on your safari. Most romantic honeymoon destination lodgings will gladly provide you with a list of top wine and champagne choices that you can then bring up to your room to enjoy privately, or you can sit amongst the wildlife outside by a roaring fire to really top off your romantic evening.

Looking to choose just one of the luxury hotels Turkey has to offer? Learn more about how to narrow down your choices.

From the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar to the ruins of Patara and the lagoon beach of Olu Deniz, Turkey is a country that is blessed with dozens of astonishing places to visit and sights to see. Whether you want a relaxing beach holiday, an exciting cultural experience or an active adventure holiday, Turkey can accommodate your needs. It is also blessed with a huge selection of high quality places to stay, and choosing just one of the many luxury hotels Turkey has to offer may be a hard thing to do.

Here are a few of the factors to consider when selecting your accommodation.

Large or Small?

The character of a hotel is often affected by its size, and it’s up to you whether you go for a boutique hotel or for something larger. For many people, the intimacy of a boutique hotel is an essential part of their holiday experience. Then again, the larger hotels, such as the Ciragan Palace in Istanbul or the Cappadocia Cave Resort and Spa usually have spectacular facilities and expansive grounds. The luxury hotels Turkey has can accommodate your specific needs, so make sure you choose one that suits the kind of holiday that you want to have.
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For many people, Europe represents the trip of a lifetime, which means when you plan a trip there, it’s imperative you prioritise all your options so they’re realistic with the time you have available.

After doing the essential stuff like making sure you have a valid passport, it’s time to plan an itinerary. Hopefully some of these top five tips can help plan a trip to Europe effectively.

1. Make sure you establish a budget.

Yes, it’s tedious, but unless you have a clear idea on where your money’s likely to be spent, and how much you have in the first place, you’re not going to be the happiest traveller when you’re phoning relatives for loans barely halfway through your trip.

Things to consider as you plan a trip to Europe are travelling in the off-season, meaning avoiding school holidays and the peak months where possible. If this isn’t possible, consider booking cheaper accommodation. Of course, a few nights at The Ritz in London’s a dream for anyone, and we’re not suggesting you don’t go for it if your budget allows for it or the occasion demands it, but you can still see the city from the hotel down the road.
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