Category: Travel

  • Discovering Edinburgh with MINI

    Discovering Edinburgh with MINI

    To celebrate the launch of the new MINI Cooper automatic, the British car manufacturer approached us and asked to design a driving route around some of our favourite places in Edinburgh.

    What we love the most about MINI is how the company combines the tradition of this iconic British car model with the latest innovations and trends. We think that Edinburgh is also the perfect example of how old and new can work together and we’ve wanted to reflect that in the itinerary we’ve created. From the latest coffee shops and fashion stores to the quaint beauty of the Old Town and the magnificent views from Calton Hill, have a look at the map at the bottom of the post and plan your visit to Edinburgh with Future Positive and MINI!

    9 AM – Brew Lab

    Start your Edinburgh road trip at Brew Lab, a specialty coffee shop serving single origin brewed coffees and espresso. The custom made espresso blend created and roasted by Has Been is brewed using traditional methods that bring out the coffee’s best characteristics. With pastries from local bakery Le Petit Francais, as well as cakes from cake shop and café Lovecrumbs, Brew Lab makes a perfect spot to start your day in Edinburgh.

    6-8 South College Street

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    10 AM – Old Town

    Edinburgh’s Old Town is the oldest part of the city and one of the most popular with tourists. While you’re here, it’s worth exploring the majestic buildings of Edinburgh University including the Old College and McEwan Hall in Bristo Square. Take a stroll down the Royal Mile, at the centre of the Old Town, leading from Edinburgh Castle to the beautiful Holyrood Palace. Also, don’t be afraid to explore the narrow streets and hidden courtyards around this part of the city as it’s where many great small restaurants and cafés are located.

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    12 PM – Stills Gallery

    Stills Gallery is Scotland’s Centre for Photography. Located just off the Royal Mile, Stills hosts four exhibitions each year that showcase the work of photographers and artists from around the world. Photography enthusiasts can also enjoy facilities such as dark rooms and a digital lab, as well as attend a wide range of courses throughout the year. The exhibitions at Stills are free and the gallery is open daily from 11AM – 6PM.

    23 Cockburn Street

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    1 PM – Timberyard

    Family-owned Timberyard has been opened for just a couple of years but it’s already one of the most talked about restaurants in the city. Aware of sustainability and the environment, Timberyard uses ingredients from small and local suppliers, breeders, producers and growers. Enjoy the delicious menu and don’t forget to explore all the different spaces of the restaurant, including the yard and the growing patch, where the owners grow their own herbs.

    10 Lady Lawson Street

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    2:30PM – Dick’s

    Continue your trip around Edinburgh and stop for some shopping at Dick’s. This menswear store opened in Edinburgh’s Stockbridge neighbourhood in 2012 with the idea of bringing together a curation of selected menswear collections, accessories and homewares. Dick’s supports small and independent manufacturers who produce quality products that will stand the test of time.

    3 Northwest Circus Place

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    3:30PM – Life Story

    Keep on shopping in Broughton, another great area for discovering small businesses in Edinburgh. Life Story is a design concept store owned and run by designers and partners in life Fee and Adam Storey. The store stocks carefully selected lifestyle products, art, lighting, homewares, furniture and taxidermy.

    53 London Street

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    4:30PM – Calton Hill

    Park your car and get ready for a little hike to Calton Hill, one of Edinburgh’s most iconic attractions. From the top of this mount you can enjoy spectacular views of the whole city, including the Old Town, Arthur’s Seat and the North Sea. Calton Hill is also home to contemporary art gallery Collective and numerous buildings and structures such as the National Monument and the Nelson Monument.

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    6:30PM – The Compass

    Drive down Leith Walk and arrive to Future Positive’s neighbourhood, The Shore. Known for its excellent food offer, The Shore is a hidden gem for many tourists. Although it is hard to choose, one of our favourite restaurants in the area is The Compass. This gastropub offers great dishes at affordable prices – don’t leave without trying the desserts! The Compass’ kind staff and relaxed atmosphere make it the perfect last stop for the end of your trip.

    44 Queen Charlotte Street

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    Route Map

    Do you have any additions to our road trip? Share your Edinburgh favourites with us in the comments section below.

  • Herb Lester Associates Travel Guides

    Herb Lester Associates Travel Guides

    Since we introduced the City Guide section on Future Positive, we pay a lot of attention to city guides available in bookshops. When travelling, we try to avoid the most touristy spots in the city and always look for places that will let us experience the city as it really is.

    While planning our next trip, we came across Herb Lester Associates illustrated guides. These compact guides present a great curation of places with tried and tested tips on how to get around the city and make the most out of your trip. Each map presents a digestible selection of shops, cafes, places to eat, galleries, museums and parks – perfect for a weekend away.

    We’ve already got our hands on the Barcelona guide. Have a look at their website for a full list of cities across the globe!

    www.herblester.com

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    Images via Herb Lester Associates

  • Packing The Essentials For Your Next Vacation

    If you’re going to be heading on vacation soon, you need to make sure that you have packed everything that you need. You don’t want to get to your destination, only to find that you don’t have something that you’re going to need while you’re there. This can put a damper on the whole vacation, especially if the item is important. In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the essentials that you’ve got to make sure you have packed, so keep reading down below if you would like to find out more.

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    Clothes

    The first thing that we’re going to mention is clothes. You need the right clothes for the type of climate you’re going to be in which means doing your research beforehand to ensure that you’ve got everything. If you’re going somewhere that there is a lot of heat, you need to pack things that are loose-fitting such as maxi dresses and flowing skirts. This way, you won’t have clothes that are stuck to you when you start sweating, and the heat has a way to escape so you don’t end up roasting. 

    If you’re going to be in a cold environment, then you need to be sure that you’re packing sweaters and coats. You don’t want to get cold while you’re out there, so wrapping up warm is your best option.

    Travel Documents

    The other thing that you’re going to need is travel documents. If you are heading to a country that you need documentation for, you don’t want to forget this at home. This includes your passport, any paperwork that you need such as a visa and anything else that proves you have been cleared to enter the country. If you forget to take these documents, then you might find yourself being denied entry from the country, which ruins the entire trip.

    Depending on what country you’re going to be going to, you need to ensure that you have applied in advance to have the right documentation. If it hasn’t been sent to you around two weeks before you are due to depart, get in touch with the awarding body to see why you haven’t received it yet.

    Extra Bits

    All of the other extra bits that you need could include things like suncream, sunglasses, and any extra equipment that you think you are going to need. We highly recommend that you make a list of the things that you need to take so that when it comes time to pack, you can tick them off one by one. There are some items like adapters and phone chargers that you will be able to purchase when you get to the destination, so this isn’t so bad if you forget them. But, to save yourself money, it’s better if you can just remember in the first place.

    We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now know some of the essentials that you’re going to need for your next vacation. Good luck, and we hope that you have a fantastic time.

  • Three Cities That Should Be on Everyone’s Travel Bucket List

    If a city break features on your travel bucket list, then Europe is a great place to start looking. Home to some of the most diverse and interesting cities on the planet, you could be doing anything from exploring ancient ruins to attending some of the world’s most epic festivals.

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    Stock photo from Pexels

    With the introduction of ETIAS it’s easier than ever for residents of non- EU countries to visit too, you can find the requirements for an ETIAS online if you would like more information. Here are just a few of the cities in Europe to consider for your next trip.

    Rome, Italy

    For history, culture and architecture

    The world’s most famous masterpieces, architecture, and sculpture can be found in the numerous galleries and museums of Rome. If you have an interest in buildings and architecture, then this fascinating city certainly won’t disappoint. You have the ancient buildings of Pantheon, The Colosseum, St Peter’s Square, Navona Square and the Spanish Steps in comparison with the new and exciting architecture of modern Rome. This old/ new contrast is one of the reasons Rome is such an exciting place to visit. You also have the religious aspect; Vatican City is the political and religious center of the Roman Catholic religion. It is believed to be situated on Apostle Peter’s burial place and makes for an intriguing place to explore.

    Paris, France

    For shopping and romance

    Paris is famous for its incredible shopping experiences and is considered to be one of the most fashionable places in the world. Visit towering department stores which are home to fabulous designers; it’s a place for a shopping spree and to part with your money! Paris is also famous for being incredibly romantic, making it the perfect place to whisk off a loved one for a vacation or mini break. If you’re planning to propose then doing so in Paris is likely to earn you some serious brownie points! And of course, you have famous galleries and landmarks to discover, from the Louvre to the Eiffel Tower.

    Barcelona

    For parties and nightlife

    If you’re looking for a destination where you can let your hair down and party until the wee hours, then there are few better places than Barcelona. Known for its epic nightlife and great nightclubs and bars, it’s a party lover’s dream. But it’s not all about the evening, during the day you can meander around the city taking a look at its markets, churches, stadiums and other gorgeous architecture. The city is rich in history containing several Roman archeological sites. So as well as having an amazing party adventure, there’s plenty of opportunities to learn something new too.

    These three cities highlight just how different each destination within Europe is. Whether you want history and art or parties and festivals, whether you want sun or snow- there will be a city in Europe that’s perfect for you to discover.

    Have you visited any of these cities? Which three European Cities are at the top of your travel bucket list?

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  • Are You Thinking About Planning a 2022 Adventure?

    The beginning of a new year presents us with a new opportunity to improve our emotional, psychological, and physical well-being. Many of us had a terrible year in 2020 and 2021 thanks to the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak and restrictions that came alongside it. Now that 2022 is in sight, and COVID-19 is beginning to ease off just a little,  you can look forward to a year with a few more travel possibilities. However, you must still plan your excursions carefully and avoid traveling to areas where the virus is still burning fiercely.

    Organizing your trips to the great outdoors in advance will allow you to escape the crowds, keep in shape while traveling by trekking, and soak up Mother Nature’s healing beauty at your leisure. Here, we look at what to do in order to organize an outstanding outdoor adventure in 2022, whether you are taking a short local excursion to a national park, a long cross-country road trip, or a journey to a natural wonderland somewhere else in the world.

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    Visiting a national park? Find out when the best time to go is

    Organize your 2022 outdoor excursions by season and determine the optimal time to visit each and every site on your dream travel itinerary first, before anything else. Make a list of the places in your own country, in adjacent countries, and in other countries where you would like to see scenic views, and then start traveling there to see it. Keep your budget in mind the entire time you are doing this so that you can more easily prioritize your trips and avoid overspending.

    As a general guideline, if you are visiting national parks and want to avoid the crowds, you will want to travel during off-seasons when the kids are in school and the parents are at home. If you are going with children, you should try to arrange for them to be excused from school for this trip so that you may have a calm journey in the presence of nature. It is important to remember, however, that weather conditions vary widely between areas and countries, with some seasons being particularly harsh. Before making a decision on a date, double-check the current weather conditions and forecasts in the area.

    Formulate a plan once you know where you are going

    Once you have decided on a place, it is time to take your investigation to the next level and meticulously plan your trip. Take a look at the sheer vastness of the natural park or the region you are planning to visit, and you will quickly realize that figuring out where to begin and how to make the most of your time is going to be difficult. If you are traveling with children, you will need to be especially prepared and have a clear plan in place so that you can always take a break, return to your hotel or trailer, and simply remain on top of the requirements of your children.

    To that aim, make a list of all of the places you wish to see and then divide it up by days and kilometers, taking into consideration any potential diversions. In order to avoid getting off the main path after you arrive, you need to keep track of your time and make sure that you never stray from your timetable.

    Make sure to review the up-to-date travel guidance before you embark on your journey as well.

    Make sure you pack essential equipment

    When enjoying the great outdoors, it is important to be prepared for any situation that may arise. While there is not much you can do if you come face to face with a wild beast, there is a lot you can do if you need to light a fire, give first aid, or find your way when you are lost. You can look at some of the equipment you might need on  EcoGearFX.com.

    Other essentials include a large first-aid kit, reliable flashlights with batteries, rope,  a portable water filter, and your standard camping and fire-starting equipment. You don’t want to get bored but you also don’t want to get hurt or lost in your quest for adventure. outdooradventurernetwork.com will give you tips that can help you have a successful, fun camping trip.

    Get insured and take safety precautions

    When visiting any location, whether urbanized or rural, your primary concern should be your own personal safety and those in your party. Whatever your travel arrangements are, whether you are traveling alone or with family members, you must maintain a constant emphasis on keeping everyone safe and well. Having said that, you must also obtain adequate insurance coverage in order to safeguard yourself against all eventualities. Obtain the appropriate travel insurance and ensure that the insurer’s policy on outdoor travel and activities is compatible with your goals before embarking on your excursion. The last thing you want to do is be injured while rock climbing or canoeing and find that your insurance does not cover such risky activities.

    Take the tech

    Last, but certainly not least, just because you are embarking on a wilderness adventure does not mean that you should completely detach from the outside world. It may be tempting to leave your tech devices at home, but it is critical that you bring them with you in order to stay in touch with loved ones, continue working if you are a remote worker, and stay in touch with emergency services if you are out in the remote areas.

    Keep in mind to pack a durable smartphone that can endure all types of outdoor situations. If you are traveling abroad, remember to bring a local SIM card as well as a portable Wi-Fi hotspot with you, or even a satellite phone if you are going somewhere where you are unlikely to get a signal.  Purchase an additional power bank to keep all of your devices charged as well, and you should be good to go.

    You want to finally start traveling more in the new year in order to reconnect with Mother Nature, your loved ones, and your inner self, and you want to do so as soon as possible. With these suggestions in mind, you can easily plan an outdoor adventure that will be remembered fondly.