The Galapagos Islands is a name that almost every traveller has heard of, and while some people have experienced this amazing destination in South America, there are many who have not. With some of the most diverse wildlife species on the planet, this exotic location is a haven for nature fanatics and enthusiasts.

As part of Ecuador, you do not need a visa. Simply arrange travel to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, your headquarters for island exploration. This is a tourist destination, and is extremely accessible to all levels of travellers, from the most seasoned backpacker to the relatively green clinger-to-hotels. Guided tours are available to all parts of the islands.

This is an experience of a lifetime. The location of the Galapagos Islands are unique in that they are positioned between three ocean currents, which gives it a climate found nowhere else in the world. The wildlife and rich, vibrant environment give rise to a phenomenon of life as the extraordinary creatures of this island area thrive in such a way that will have you gasping in wonder.

The islands first came under public scrutiny during the scientific voyage of the “Beagle” by Charles Darwin during the 19th century when he was inspired to formulate his theory on natural selection and the evolution of the species. It was here where the ideas sparked most prominent within his mind, no doubt because of the aura of amazement one gets when surrounded by so many natural wonders.

This part of South America is a must-see destination. You will never regret coming here, and the experience will change you. It may not be as earth-shaking as Darwin’s theory of evolution, but it will absolutely leave you a different person than when you first arrived.

There is nothing like taking a trip to a new and unexplored place. Of course, it’s also fun to return to a favourite place from years past. Before you go, make sure your travel documents are in order. There are some you may not need but isn’t it better to be safe than sorry?

The first document you should possess is a valid passport. A passport shows your photograph and pertinent information to establish your identity when crossing national borders. In some parts of the EU, an electronic ID card is required for identification. The UK ID cards are about the size of a bank card and have your photograph and personal information embedded in it. Each card also has a unique Identity Registration Number and is encoded with biometric information, possibly including fingerprints, iris and facial recognition data. Some people object to the ID cards, thinking that they are just a little too “Big Brother”. Currently, citizens of the following countries are required to carry the ID cards: Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Spain, and Portugal.

Visas are not required to go to Ireland but they are required for many countries, particularly if you plan to stay for an extended amount of time.

There is another option to a visa. An Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) can be issued for business or tourist travel in some countries, such as Australia.

Also check to ensure that vaccinations are not required for your destination country. To check what travel documents you may need, be sure to check an official government office. Data online or as printed in travel books may be outdated or simply incorrect.

Applying for travel visas can be tricky. Naturally, the requirements vary from country to country. Whilst almost every country requires an individual to have a valid passport, some countries also require the addition of a visa or travel permit. 

Due to immigration requirements constantly changing, some travel visas and permits may be subject to change, so it is best to check with the official government office that handles the document in question. Data online or printed in travel books may be outdated or simply incorrect.

Certain countries do require visas. Some only require them for specific lengths of time, such as those visiting for 30 days or more. It is important to be prepared for your holiday with the correct type of travel visa (if required), because some countries may refuse entry or impose fines – or both. Nothing ruins a holiday faster than being turned away at the gate.

Since nearly everyone needs a passport to travel to a different country, it is important to make sure that it is valid and in date. One of the most common mistakes people make is to wait too long to apply for their passport. The passport agency in the UK states that it takes at least 3 weeks to process a passport, except for urgent requests, which incur an additional fee. Unless it is a last minute offer or an emergency, apply for your passport (or renewal) well in advance to make sure that you will have it in hand before you leave on your holiday.

If you do not have a passport, you may be eligible to receive a Certificate of Travel, but be sure to check with the destinations embassy to verify that this document is valid.

Perhaps one of the most beautiful destinations within Europe is Austria. But it’s not just the scenic mountain views and pristine landscapes that bring visitors to this jewel of the once-splendid Hapsburg Empire. The country is alive with the sound of music … literally. Strauss, Brahms, Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert, Hayden … these men all lived and performed in Vienna, Austria.

There’s something about the surrounding countryside that exudes magic. And no place is better to begin your experience than in Vienna, heart of the country. This place started out as a Celtic settlement on the banks of the river centuries ago and quickly became one of the Roman Empire’s key bases in the central European region. Due to this strategic location, Vienna rose from mere rustic village to the centre of an empire as the Hapsburg dynasty rose out of the ashes of the Roman Empire and led her into the 19th century.

For the modern traveller, no city is more luxurious. You can fly in direct to Vienna, and from there you can head into the heart of the city. The restaurants are excellent, the wine is delectable, and the public transportation system is one of the best in Europe. You can shop to your heart’s content, and if you want to experience a romantic trip around Vienna, take a horse-drawn carriage to fully immerse yourself in the experience.

Vienna is hands-down one of the more beautiful and romantic getaways within Europe. The combination of magical surroundings, operas and ballets, food, wine, and atmosphere make for an experience unlike any other.

A more extreme location than Easter Island cannot be imagined, but it is perhaps given an unfair reputation as being a place that only the highly intrepid adventurer can get to. What people don’t realize is that regular transportation to and from the island is easily scheduled via the airport in Santiago, Chile. And for South American trips, this is by far one of the most original.

Located some 3,800km off the western coast of mainland Chile, Easter Island is world-famous for being one of the world’s most isolated places, and for the giant Moai statues that rise from the earth like stone men. The entire island is an open-air national park that protects the statues and the archaeological sites on the island, and for a relatively untouched landscape, you will be hard-pressed to find better.

The main town is Hanga Roa and it has all the accommodation of a normal tourist spot. In fact, tourism is what keeps this little island going. Hotels, restaurants, rental cars, jeeps, dirt bikes, bicycles, or even horses … all of these are ways you can explore the island. And while most of the “hot spots” can be taken in during a day trip, spending a few days here is a really unique experience that most travellers will probably never get a chance to partake of.

Most of the accommodation is in the form of guest houses, and their owners will generally arrange to have someone meet you at the airport to pick you up. Many of them offer guided tours of the island, which can really help in taking it all in with as little hassle as possible.

When people think about heading to the Orient on a Far East holiday, one of the destinations that comes up is Shanghai. This east coast city is China’s largest, and also boasts the busiest port. It is also probably the most important industrial and commercial centre in China. Business is the name of the game for most Shanghai residents, and they are world-renowned for their fashion as well international interests in all things business-related, and the nightlife within Shanghai is unrivalled.

But Shanghai is also a living, breathing museum. The city is a treasure-trove of European and Japanese architecture combined, and the magnificent Yuyuan Garden attracts thousands of visitors year-round with its winding walkways laid out nearly 500 years ago. Bamboo groves, hand-crafted doors, graceful and elegant furniture, all in Chinese style, make this one of the premier hot-spots for your visit here in the city. There is also the Yuyuan market, and the Shanghai Museum.

Many people want to visit the Longhua Pagoda and Temple, and most importantly, the Jade Buddha Temple, established in 1882. The two jade statues entombed within the Jade Buddha Temple are famous amongst followers of the Buddhist faith, and ceremonies are regularly held here.
 
There is also an arts complex containing the Shanghai Museum, and the Grand Theatre as well. Hotel accommodation ranges from luxurious to budget, and getting around within the city is fairly easy with its broad range of taxi services, car rental agencies, and otherwise.

For a Far East holiday, consider Shanghai for a proper Orient experience that will leave you dreaming of the scent of jasmine tea and wondering when you can find time to go back.

For a traditional medieval experience unlike any other in Europe, The Black Forest in Germany is host to some of the most breath-taking scenery on the planet. Everyone who is anyone has come here to enjoy the serenity of the surrounding countryside, from the ancient Roman emperor Caracalla, to Napoleon and even Mark Twain.

The most central town is Freudenstadt, which is the headquarters for first-timers, and the trail-head for the hundreds of miles of hiking, biking, and trails that wind their way through the surrounding countryside. Visitors here can also rent guest lodges in the neighbouring villages which are dotted throughout the region, allowing access to all areas of the forest by rental car, bicycle, or on foot. You will probably have a more personal experience if you rent a guest lodge, and you can cater the trip to your personal desires.

The Black Forest is famous for its ham and cherry cake, along with the traditional skills of woodcarving, glass-blowing, clock-making and jewellery-making, all of which are still practiced today by the local residents of the region. Tourism is their main source of income, and things are very much done the way they have been done for years here. This is a very traditional place – a peaceful, serene region that is almost like taking a step back in time.

The vast array of birch and pine slopes make The Black Forest one of the most beautiful places in all of Europe, and should you make your holiday destination here, whether honeymoon or otherwise, you will be pleased with the results.

For a honeymoon package that will leave you not only with memories of the experience of a lifetime but which will also plunge you into the depths of the most vivid and colourful places on Earth, consider a romantic African honeymoon on a safari – which will take you to some of the most amazing locations in the world. This is the time for the two of you to enjoy the experiences of a lifetime together.

The whole point of a safari honeymoon is to find an exotic location that sounds like fun as well as finding an exclusive, extravagant lodge where your wish is their command. Revel in the joy that is two weeks of exclusive safari experience that sends you off on a wildlife adventure of a lifetime as you trek across the African landscape on a journey that will not only leave your adventurous side satisfied, but will indulge your senses as you enjoy luxury accommodation at the lodges along the way.

Any honeymoon is about romance and an experience that you can look back on for the rest of your lives. Without a doubt, an African safari honeymoon package is one of the most exhilarating and breathtaking honeymoons you can ever dream of.

Lauded as the cultural capital of Europe, Paris is perhaps one of the most well-known cities in the entire world. Everyone has heard of it, and the first thing that comes to mind for any visitor when they hear her name whispered is “city of romance”.

Ideas on just how it got that reputation are as varied as the people who will explain it to you, but one thing is for sure: Paris is so chock-full of experiences that you will never be able to cram it all in to just one visit to this amazing capital city.

Paris has been a major city in Europe since the middle ages, but in recent years it has become more than just a capital. It is one of the premier tourist destinations in the world. Visitors flock from all around the globe to visit the Eiffel Tower, spend a day at Disneyland Paris, or visit the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa.

The food and wine within Paris are without match. Nowhere else in the world will you find such a broad array of wines and cuisines. The love of food and wine has long been a reference point when talking about the French people, and nowhere is that more evident than in the capital. Here you will experience delights that will send shivers down your spine as you sample the elegance of world-class cuisine and Bordeaux.

Paris is the throbbing heart of Europe’s cultural scene. No matter the reason why you come here, you will leave a changed person, with feet that are just ready to set foot on her streets the next time. 

Taxis and public transportation are the best way to get around while in Bulgaria. Trams are common in most cities, although the regulations of each will vary depending on your location.

Tickets are required to be purchased at kiosks. If they are closed, there are new automated ticket dispensers on the trams. However, they do not always work. The driver of the tram will always issue tickets upon request. If you purchase a ticket via the kiosk or the driver you need to use the puncher located on the tram wall to punch your ticket. Each tram has a unique hole-puncher, and people will randomly board the tram to check tickets. If you are caught without a ticket or a ticket that bears a punch from another tram line, you will be fined.

If you travel by taxi, especially in Sofia, always check the rates on the window of the cab before you arrange for transportation. Certain agencies within the city are notorious for rigging their meters to charge ridiculous rates to unsuspecting foreigners. If a cab does not have a fare sticker visible, avoid that cab. The best cab agency to use is OK Cabs, available at this number: 973-2121. They have the cleanest cabs and they are strictly regulated so you will never be ripped off. Be warned that many of the competition use similar signs and ads on their vehicles because OK is such a popular cab agency with foreigners. For your safest bet, simply call for a cab rather than hailing one down on the street.

The subway and bus system are a bit outdated, but are still the easiest way to get around.