Travelling Cheap » Cheap Attractions

Peninsula Festival

travelling b — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:48:19 +0000

A cheap way of travelling to new places combined with an entertaining factor is visiting Peninsula Festival in Targu Mures, Romania. The Transylvanian town is the host of a complex festival having the same organisers as Sziget Festival from Budapest.

Peninsula Festival takes places every summer on the banks of River Mures (just outside the town of Targu Mures, in the heart of Transylvania) and it gives visitors access to 3-4 stages, swimming pools, camping areas, activities like bungee jumping, climbing, paintball, bazaars, beer gardens and sandwich bars (international “cuisine” like kebabs, gyros, hamburgers or goulash).

The bands and artists who were at the Peninsula Festival throughout the years are: Above and Beyond, DJ Tiesto, Prodigy, Nine Inch Nails, Tricky, Therapy, Europe and many more bands from Romania, Hungary, Holland, Slovakia etc.

The fee for all the 4 days of the festival is around £40, a beer costs around £0.60 (check out the place called The Beer Pharmacy), a sandwich £1. The entrance ticket grants visitors free access to the nearby swimming pools and to a lot of free activities.

Affordable holidays in North Cyprus

travelling b — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 12:23:17 +0000

Northern Cyprus is a very popular tourist destination in Europe. It is the favourite destination of many Europeans because this part of the island doesn’t go through extreme weather changes. The shores of Northern Cyprus never get too cold even in winter and hot summer months are still tolerable.

Reaching Northern Cyprus is very easy as there are major airlines that go to and from the island everyday. Turkey is the best starting point by air and by sea. If you’re looking for an adventure and have time to spare, travelling by sea from Turkey is usually three hours but the trip is worth it because of the breathtaking view of island.

Cyprus is very popular for its beaches but there are a few beaches that stand out in the north. A good example is the Golden Sand Beach which is located next to the beautiful Turtle Beach. Tourists and locals enjoy the sands and observe the sea turtles. The cities of Kyrenia and Famagusta also have a good number of beaches for everyone to enjoy.

Historical structures are never lacking in this part of the island. Kyrenia Castle and the Old City of Famagusta is a must for those interested in the island’s history. The city of Beylerbeyi is well known for its gothic religious structure and the small town of Vouni is home of the palace ruins believed to have been built as early as 500BC.

Combine these interesting places and beaches with easy to access transportation and relatively affordable rates, many tourists can’t find a reason to avoid this beautiful island in Southern Europe.

Underground attractions

travelling b — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:50:48 +0000

There are travellers who tried cruising, hiking, hitchhiking, diving, couch surfing and backpacking. Travelling Cheap suggests a different approach (and it is relatively cheap, depending on your country destination): underground tourism but not on your way to work in a crowded tube but in a salt mine.

A cheap European destination would be Romania which has beautiful overground and underground attractions: the salt mine in Praid (Transylvania) or in Slanic Prahova (in Wallachia).

Praid Salt Mine – the salt reserve in this mine can provide salt for the whole Europe for hundreds of years. The salt is around 20 million years old and the salt mining is believed to have started in 64 BC when the Roman emperor Marcius Ancus introduced the tax on salt. This salt mine is 1200 m long, has a height of 16-20 m and it has playgrounds, a buffet, a small museum, large alleys for walking and a church.

You get the impression you are in a different world between the greyish walls of the mine. The temperature in the mine is constant (around 16 degrees C) and many people visit this salt mine because the air has therapeutic effects on respiratory diseases. The access into the salt mine is done by regular bus services and from the bus station you have to use the stairs to go deeper into the mine. The entrance fee is around EUR5-6 but you can spend a whole day in the mine and don’t forget that the salt for your lunch is free. Close to the mine entrance there is a shop selling various salt products – bath salts etc. Near Praid there is a small village called Corund which is famous for its ceramics with specific decorations – you can get your salt shaker here.

In Slanic Prahova you can also visit the salt mine galleries with impressive salt sculptures and amenities. The spa resort of Slanic Prahova has several springs and lidos with salty water and a unique Salt Mountain.

Time travelling

travelling b — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:15:14 +0000

A good way to spend your holiday is visiting museums. You can find them all around the world in big cities or small villages. From natural history museums to straw hat or toys museums, wherever you go you will find interesting places and things to discover.

In the United States, more precisely in Bristol, Conn. there is the American Clock & Watch Museum which exhibits the finest collections of clocks and watches manufactured in America. The oldest clock in the museum dates from 1680 and the oldest watch dates from 1595. The visitor will admire more than 1,000 clocks and watches and what is amazing – some of them are still running. Children will enjoy the Mickey Mouse or Bugs Bunny clocks while sophisticated adults will admire elegant watch straps made of different materials.

In Zurich you will find the Uhrenmuseum Beyer showing different pieces: hour-glasses, table clocks, clepsydras or oil-clocks. Take your time and visit L’Artisan du Temps Watch Museum in Fougeres if you will travel to France. This museum was born from Alain Le Floch’s passion for watchmaking. The museum is situated in a beautiful 16 century building and your visit there will actually start with a visit to the workshop where you can see the watchmaker at work.

Deep in the Black Forest in Furtwagen you will find another museum: The German Clock Museum containing collections that are 155 year-old. The museum in Furtwagen also exhibits one of the earliest quartz clocks from 1928.

Getting married in Morocco: The Imilchil Festival

travelling b — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:08:20 +0000

The Imilchil Festival is an engagement festival held in Morocco for 3 days, usually during the month of August. It’s a 3 day instant marriage celebration in the High Atlas Mountains that is filled with traditional costumes and traditional and exotic music.

Imilchil is one of the most popular festivals in Morocco. The festival has its origins in a legend of two lovers from different Berber tribes who were forced to separate. The story is somewhat like Romeo and Juliet whose families want to separate them from each other and this led to their suicide. The 2 members of different Berber tribes killed themselves by drowning and after their death their families had decided to give their children the freedom to marry whoever they wanted and they chose to.

The celebration after the wedding ceremonies is filled with great foods to celebrate the newly wed couples. The marriages used to be celebrated in Agdoud Village for three days from Friday to Sunday together with a market for vegetables, clothing and animals.

Lots of tourists choose Imilchi during this festival to get a glimpse of the heritage of Morocco and a glimpse of their great and amazing culture. Once you’re in Morocco, make sure you check out some of the nearby regions as well and appreciate their very different character from region to region.

Medieval Festival in Sighisoara

travelling b — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:04:05 +0000

Sighisoara is a popular touristic destination in Transylvania well-know for its citadel, a 12th century Saxon edifice which is still occupied and is listed as a World Heritage Site. Sighisoara is the birthplace of Vlad Tepes, the ruler who later on was named Dracula by the historians of that time. The town of Sighisoara is fascinating, tourists fall in love with it and return here time after time.

Step back in time this summer and be a part of the medieval festival in Sighisoara, Transylvania. This summer the festival is taking place between 24-26 July.The narrow streets of the medieval town will be invaded by knights, minstrels, pupeteers and ladies in medieval costumes. There will be music, dancing and theatre as well as competitions with a medieval touch.

The names that will perform at this festival are: Dizzi Dulcimer (UK), Raiceiros (Spain), Tee-Kubis (Estonia) and many more who will perform medieval music and dances. All the performances are free to attend. All you have to do is walk on the streets and you will find something interesting to watch.

You can find cheap accommodation in Sighisoara, the prices for guest houses are around Â£19-20 per day. The cheapest we found is Pensiunea Chic, with prices starting from Â£11/day per person but if you prefer a camping site you can get even a better price.

Free fish buffet in Iceland

travelling b — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:44:11 +0000

Iceland folks celebrate a lot during the summer. In June they celebrate the Seafarer’s Day focused on the life of their seafarers and that means you’d be seeing lots of open-sea related exhibits of different sort. Enjoy a vast variety of seafood too and take a look at some of their most interesting old ships exhibited in their harbour.

They call this festival as Sjomannadagur which is translated to Seafarers’s Day!

Enjoy swimming or rowing while competing for the top prize. Feast on their delicious seafood and enjoy their awesome parades. Enjoy their parade music and just feel the excitement in the air. People come from different countries to Iceland just to enjoy this festival and there’s no wonder why. It’s just really so much fun that you’d want to celebrate again year after year.

In July there is a classical musical event in Reykholt and in August there is a Big Fish Day in Dalvik which is (again) about fish and food. The reason for this celebration is to get many people together to taste the free fish buffet. Now that you know what is going on this summer in Iceland, start packing and enjoy your holiday!

The attractions of Vancouver

travelling b — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:26:08 +0000

Vancouver is probably one of the best cities in Canada. It is a real beauty and you’ll find lots of beautiful parks here. It’s also a great place to go sailing, hiking or skiing. Aside from its natural beauty, it’s diversity is also distinct. Enjoy Chinese, Korean, Filipino food and much more but the city itself has a style of the West and that’s really what makes Vancouver what it is.

Stanley Park is a beautiful park that you really shouldn’t miss. The Granville Island is great! You can enjoy eating the delicious food and have a mini ferry ride from False Creek. The Indian Arm is just a few minutes away and here you can brace yourself for some kayaking fun. You’d love the great landscape there. Take your time to admire Vancouver Library Square a reminiscence of Rome’s Colosseum or to see the tallest building in Vancouver – Living Shangri-La (201 metres).

There are many other top destinations in Vancouver such as museums, parks and beaches. You’ll surely have a great time on your stay here and live life the way Canadians do. The cheapest hostel accommodation in Vancouver starts from EUR13.81.

Festivals in Henley-on-Thames

travelling b — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 07:00:49 +0000

Henley-on-Thames is a beautiful town in Southern UK accessible through land and, more popularly, via the ships cruising on the river Thames. Well known for The Henley Bridge, tourists visit this magnificent 18th century.

But aside from the magnificent built structures, Henley-on-Thames is a popular tourist destination during the summer season. One event is especially exceptional in the calendar of the locals as they celebrate the Henley Food Festival.

On the day of the festival, cruises that come from Benson as well as Chertsey visit the town to allow tourists to enjoy great food in town. Every year, Henley-on-Thames features some of the country’s best chefs to ensure that the quality is beyond par. The festival also features a competition for amateur chefs so that they could be recognized among the best in the region. The said festival is complemented with live music and free taste of food in the competition and exhibition.

The town is also popular for The Henley Royal Regatta. This is an annual regatta competition featuring the best sportsmen coming from different colleges in the UK as well different rowing clubs in town and other parts of the county. The competition is a well known event even before 1851 when the competition was given the Royal title. The competition is held on the straight portion of the River Thames.

Cozumel Carnival in Mexico

travelling cheap — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:13:35 +0000

The Cozumel Carnival is Mexicoâ€™s version of Mardi Gras Festival. The people of Cozumel celebrate their festival 3 days before Ash Wednesday and they celebrate it with a bang.

Itâ€™s one wild carnival and many tourists come here to experience the party. Itâ€™s fun and very entertaining that you just canâ€™t help yourself from dancing. Youâ€™ll hear the drums from far away and as you get closer, your excitement will just be too overpowering as you hear the drums beat louder and louder. They play different types of music all at the same time depending on where you are as different bands play along the whole time.

The Cozumel festival is a colorful festival. There are street parades, street dancing, amazing and colorful costumes and of course, street carnivals. The world seems to stop moving during this festival and people here stopped worrying about work or their own lifeâ€™s problems and they all unite to celebrate and just have fun.

It seems like the entire community participate in the festival. The schools and clubs are having their own busy schedule while they prepare for their costumes or their floats and the dancers are busy preparing for their street dance. There is of course a competition and the best in the event would win a great prize! This way, many would join every year and would keep on joining to aim for that prize while, at the same time, making it a lot of fun for everybody else.