Author: Igor

  • Making The Most Of A Weekend Break In London

    Heading to London for a weekend break? Here are just a few activities for helping you to make the most of your visit of the UK’s capital.

    See the sights with a guided tour

    Guided tours are some of the best ways to see the city sights – they’ll take you on the best route and you’ll get to learn plenty of facts that you might not gain travelling alone. There are all kinds of tours available including walking tours, bus tours and boat tours. Some of the walking tours are free but tend to cover a smaller area. Bus tours meanwhile can take you all around London whilst boat tours can let you see all the sights along the Thames. It’s worth looking out for themed tours such as ghost tours and Jack the Ripper tours (both of these tours can be taken at night adding to the spookiness!).  

    Visit the museums

    London has many historic and grand museums including the Natural History Museum, The British Museum and The Science Museum, as well as a number of art galleries. The great thing about these museums is that many of them are completely free to enter making them a great attraction if you’re visiting London on a tight budget.

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    Attend a West End show

    The West End is one of the most renowned theatre districts in the world. Here you can catch all kinds of theatre productions from Shakespeare plays to musicals featuring star-studded casts. You can buy London theatre tickets online – for the best chances of getting a seat, you should book early. That said, it is possible to get last minute tickets.

    Get a drink at the top of the Shard

    The Shard is currently the tallest building in Europe and it offers some of the best views of London you’ll experience. You can grab a drink at the top and take in the sights. The Shard even hosts silent discos at night that could be worth looking into. Be wary that ticket prices and drink prices are sky-high – you may want to save your pennies for this experience.

    Eat street food at the Borough Market

    Borough Market is a great place to grab a bite to eat – here you’ll find many stalls offering quality food. The market has been featured in many movies and it offers a truly authentic London feel. And whilst the prices aren’t cheap, it’s a lot cheaper than eating out in a restaurant.

  • 4 ways to reduce business costs

    Assuming you wish to expand your business or save some money, it is crucial for online retail businesses to learn how to reduce their costs by taking control of their finances. There are many options you can implement to improve the profitability of your enterprise. Here are 4 ways to reduce business costs that could help you save money. 

    Image via Unsplash

    Reduce your shipping costs

    If you are currently using a delivery service to ship items to your customers, don’t be scared to switch to a more competitive company as you would do for your home energy or mobile phone contract to get a better deal. There are many websites that you can use to compare quotes from different couriers such as Parcel2Go. Once you’ve decided on one, you need to consider the different postal options, some options may be better for your business than others. Some delivery companies are really open and willing to help you work out the best way to pack your goods efficiently to save some money. 

    Create in an internship program

    Having an internship program within your business can be a great way to save money foremost but also to find some new talents for your team. One way to do this is to contact local universities to help students that are currently looking for work experience aware that you are looking for someone, or you could easily put an advert online. Internships are a great win-win for everyone involved so it’s definitely something you should look into. 

    Look into energy saving solutions 

    Sometimes, saving money is as simple as looking into how you behave as a customer. For example, look into your utility bills to see how much you spend on your energy and consider options like ITP Packaging. Then, try to switch to energy saving bulbs but also computers and other electronic devices with an energy green label. They may cost a bit more at first, but they will definitely save you some money in the long run. 

    Ask for a discount!

    If you’ve been in your industry for a long time and have been using the same suppliers for numerous years, then don’t be shy to ask for a discount. You would be surprised to realise how many suppliers are willing to do that to keep their customers happy. We would advise to always check your suppliers’ competitors just to make sure you are always offered the best service you can get. 

    Reducing costs can be hard at times however sometimes it can become necessary in order to keep your business and save money.

  • Exploring Liverpool: The City on the Coast

    Liverpool is a city punching up. Not quite London but iconic in its British-ness, the seventh largest city in the UK is growing, offering tourists and locals alike a walkable city that is full of surprises. If you’re in London and are debating whether or not you should spend a few days in the northern part of the country, hop on a train and take the two hour ride to Lime Street Station. While we’ve briefly touched on Liverpool’s most intriguing qualities before, it’s a city worth revisiting. It offers you a reprieve from the bustle of the bigger British cities without asking you to compromise on culture, excitement, or style.

    Stay

    Hard Days Night Hotel

    Liverpool is most famous for the four lyrical sons it produced in the mid-1900s. If you’re looking to indulge in a little bit of Beatle-mania, then this is the city for you. The place you’ll want to stay, as well, is the Hard Days Night Hotel. With standard and deluxe rooms available, you’ll also have the option to stay in rooms styled after Sir Paul McCartney and John Lennon. The art work and design of each room makes it feel like a little slice of home as well as a luxurious space within which you can take a load off and enjoy a piece of musical history.

    The Nadler Liverpool

    The Nadler Liverpool takes you to the heart of downtown Liverpool and lets you embrace the industrial history of the city. Built into a historic industrial building erected in the 1850s, the exterior may not catch your eye, but the rooms available in this space are beautiful and perfect for an evening’s rest. It’s easy, though, to take advantage of this hotel’s central location. The Nadler is a short walk away from Liverpool’s Chinatown and ten minutes from Lime Street Station.

    Eat & Drink

    Ziferblat

    Want a truly unique eating experience? Ziferblat in Liverpool, is happy to provide. Originally located at the Royal Albert Dock, Ziferblat’s anti-cafe can be found on Bold Street as of Easter 2019. What makes this place one of a kind? You don’t pay for the food you eat when you come to Ziferblat. Instead, you pay for the time. Come in and enjoy the buffet of comfort food and delicious snacks while on a tour of the city. For just a pound, you’ll get eight minutes inside the shop. If you’re feeling less frugal, of course, you can stay as long as you want. Either way, Ziferblat is a hidden gem in Liverpool that will challenge the way you think about eating out.

    Shop

    Royal Albert Dock

    For an aesthetically-pleasing walk around and opportunity to eat, drink, and shop, you’ll want to head down to the Royal Albert Dock. This attraction spreads out across the Liverpool waterfront and offers spectacular views as well as access to a number of small shops that you can visit at your leisure. Get a coffee at Costa and fine leather goods from The Leather Satchel Co. Whatever your need, the Royal Albert Dock at Liverpool is likely to have it and more to boot.

    Visit

    Liverpool is an exceptionally walkable city. If you’re looking to get out of town for a little bit, though, there are plenty of nearby attractions that are a short drive away. The good news is that driving through the UK isn’t terribly difficult so long as you take precautions to remain safe on the roads. The drive from Liverpool to the Norton Priory Museum and Gardens, for example, makes for a lovely trip. This sight is ideal for tourists interested in exploring the UK’s wealth of Tudor history or exploring the expansive ecology of the still-existing gardens and orchards. Walk through the ruins of society that was once. Enjoy the lush scents of the rose garden. Some time away from the bustle of the city will undoubtedly do you good, and once you feel settled, you can always head back to Liverpool for another adventure.

    Liverpool is full of unexpected wonders. Experience the unusual or dive into the home of some of music’s biggest influencers. However you want to spend your time, Liverpool is a city that is more than capable of providing you with a good time.

  • A Guide to the Best Lakes to Visit in Austria

    If you’re looking for a beautiful and scenic place in Europe to go walking, then you should definitely consider Austria. From stunning mountain peaks to peaceful lakeside vistas, there is no shortage of natural beauty here. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing walk or an adventure outdoors, this country has plenty of options. Plus, if you are planning on staying longer due to work obligations or you are a student looking for some time abroad, you can always stay in various apartments provided by HousingAnywhere, to immerse yourself in the culture and beauty. Without further delay, here are some of the best lakes to visit in Austria for walking and exploring

    Achensee 

    Often referred to as “Tyrol’s ocean” because of its massive size and “Fjord of the Alps” for its high water quality, Achensee is one of the most popular lakes in Austria. It’s also one of the largest Alpine lakes and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Walking along its shoreline with your family or friends is a truly wonderful experience. The lake is also very close to Innsbruck, so it’s easy to get there by car or train.

    Hallstatt

    This picturesque town on Lake Hallstatter is known for its postcard-worthy views and ancient architecture. Here you can explore narrow cobblestone streets lined with quaint houses and soak up the atmosphere from centuries past. Be sure to take a boat ride on the lake; it’s one of the best ways to take in all the scenery around you. You can also take leisurely walks around town and learn about local culture and history at its many museums.

    Zeller See

    This lake near Salzburg has been a popular destination since Roman times. Today, visitors come here for swimming, boating, fishing, and more. But if you’re looking for more relaxed activities like walking around the lake, then Zeller See won’t disappoint either. The area around it offers plenty of trails that lead through lush green forests filled with wildlife—the perfect place for an afternoon stroll.

    Gruner See

    Gruner See (Green Lake) is located in Styria region of Austria near Graz city. It’s considered one of the most unique places in Europe thanks to its turquoise-green waters set against sprawling meadows full of colourful wildflowers. Several well-marked walking trails around Gruner See will take you through lush forests as well as give you amazing views over the lake itself. So, grab your camera and get ready for some breathtaking photos.

    No matter which lake you visit, walking in Austria will be an unforgettable experience. Each one offers something unique—from stunning mountain peaks at Achensee to postcard-perfect views at Hallstatt, from boating opportunities at Zeller See to spectacular wildflower meadows at Gruner See—so why not try them all? We hope this guide will help make your decision easier when planning your next Austrian adventure.

  • Sustainable Travel: School Initiatives in 2023

    If you are the parent of a teenager, school breaks can be a challenge to organise and if you and your partner both work, your son or daughter has a lot of downtime. Enter sustainable travel expeditions, where UK students visit a European country, yet this is travel with a difference; the students are shown how to calculate CO2 emissions for every form of transport.

    Carbon Emissions

    This is the key factor of all travel and in order to be sustainable, you have to find out how much carbon the trip will generate and every one of the many student trips to Europe reduce more emissions than it generates, which is ‘climate positive’. Once the students know the amount of emissions, they look for ways to reduce that; every student plants at least 5 trees on every expedition, while the group leader is in a support role, as the students plan every aspect of the trip. This knowledge can be used in daily life and each student promises to educate at least 3 of their family and friends, spreading the word to include all generations.

    Eco-Friendly Expeditions

    Sustainable travel expeditions involve engaging the students in green initiatives, offering eco-friendly solutions by working with local environmentalists. A project might include helping to set up solar panels to provide power for the local community; tree planting is one focus’ the tour operator has alliances with all the green groups in Europe and you can choose a tour that is right for your child. Click here for sustainability solutions in Antwerp.

    Challenging & Stimulating

    When a student joins an expedition, it is hands-on all the way with all students contributing during the planning stage; encouraging students to plan the logistics helps them to understand emissions that are generated by various forms of travel. Learning how to be climate positive when travelling is a very valuable skill to have and this is the future if we are to survive this ongoing climate crisis. There is a leading UK company that organises sustainable travel trips worldwide, with many European destinations that are ideal for the school summer break.

    Broadening Student Perception

    A trip to a European country will offer a glimpse of another way of life and looking at things; we all need to travel in our early years, as this gives us a balanced view of the world and we can explore other cultures and traditions. Of course, the trip is fun-based and offers many challenges and when the students return home, they have a different outlook and will lead by example, always concerned about carbon emissions.

    Online Solutions

    If you would like to learn more about sustainable travel expeditions, Google can take you to the UK’s leading sustainable travel trip organiser and you can browse the many destinations in Europe and Asia. Once you find a trip that your son or daughter likes, make an online booking to secure a place in the expedition.

    Help your child understand the importance of eco-friendly travel and they will one day thank you for opening a door.