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3 Best Value Disneyland Annual Passes

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Ramon Perry
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disneyland annual passes

Disney is the Happiest Place on Earth, if you believe the Disney site. Family memories that last a lifetime are created every day at Disney Parks. Disneyland Annual Passes can be a great way to create your own precious Disney memories, but do you know which passes offer the best value?

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy for more information.

Types of Tickets

The main ticketing options can be grouped as follows:

  • Annual passes
  • Single day or multi day tickets
  • Visit one park or multiple parks / park hopper tickets
  • Special packages: transport, accommodation, special events etc.

The following prices are valid as of February 2018. They change on a regular basis so it is best to check the current prices and benefits before purchasing your Disney theme park tickets.  Children under 3 are free in all Disney Parks listed below.

Parks and Tickets

Walt Disney World Resort, FL

  • Includes 2 x Disney Water Parks, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, and Disney’s Oak Trails Golf Course

Annual Passes

Multi Day Tickets

Special Packages

Recommendation

Dollar for Dollar, you would need to visit Disney World Resorts frequently to make the Annual Pass worthwhile. The Annual Pass includes $169 unlimited Disney PhotoPass downloads, and discounts up to 20% on dining and merchandise. Even factoring this in the multi-pass is probably the best value if you plan on less than 20 trips to DWR within a year.

The Water Parks Annual Pass on the other hand is outstanding value, because multi-day tickets are not available. Single day tickets cost $63 per day for ages 3-9, so if you plan on spending more than 2 days at WP an annual pass is the best option.

Disneyland Resort, CA

  • Includes Disneyland Resort and Disney California Adventure Park

Annual Passes

Multi Day Tickets

  • 5-Day Ticket with Parkhopper, PhotoPass & FASTPASS (Ages 10+) $370 + tax
  • 5-Day Ticket with Parkhopper, PhotoPass & FASTPASS (Ages 3+) $351 + tax

Special Packages

Recommendation

If you plan to visit Disney World Resorts at least 10 times in a year you should seriously consider the entry level Disney Deluxe Annual Pass. The Annual Pass includes unlimited Disney PhotoPass downloads and FASTPASS, which cost $50 on the 5 day ticket. Also included is discounts up to 10% on dining and merchandise.

Disneyland Resort Paris

  • Includes Disneyland Park, Walt Disney Studios Park

Annual Passes

Multi Day Tickets

  • 4 day ticket with admission to 1 park per day (Ages 12+) €226
  • 4 day ticket with admission to 1 park per day (Ages 3-11) €180

Special Packages

Recommendation

The Discover Annual Pass is actually cheaper than a regular 4 day pass. So if you plan to visit Disneyland Resorts Paris more than 3 times in a single year you should definitely consider purchasing an Annual Pass. Annual Passes are excellent value in Paris.

The Annual Pass options are quite complex using a 4 tier ticketing system. You would then need to carefully consider each option to see which is the best fit for you.

Tokyo Disney Resort

  • Includes Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea

Annual Passes

Multi Day Tickets

Special Packages

Recommendation

If you plan to visit one of the Tokyo Disney parks more than 16 times in a single year you should consider purchasing an Annual Pass. Annual Passes are quite expensive in Tokyo, however Disney is almost a way of life for many people in Japan so it’s easy to see many people getting good value from the Annual Pass.

When we visited Tokyo Disney Parks were were surprised to learn that the FASTPASS entry was included in our ticket cost. You can read more about that by clicking HERE.

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort

  • Includes Hong Kong Disneyland Park

Annual Passes

Multi Day Tickets

Special Packages

Recommendation

If you plan to visit Hong Kong Disneyland Resort more than 3 times in a single year you should definitely purchase Hong Kong Disneyland Annual Pass(es). Especially if you are flexible with your dates. Compared to USA, Hong Kong Disneyland Park tickets are great value.

Great news if you’re a senior in Hong Kong – you can get an annual pass for about $40 US per year!

Shanghai Disney Resort

  • Includes Shanghai Disneyland

Annual Passes

You are fresh out of luck in Shanghai because annual passes are not available.

Multi Day Tickets

Special Packages

Recommendation

Although Annual Passes are not available, entrance prices are moderate so don’t be too concerned.

Which Passes are the Best Value?

Daily Tickets

Here’s a comparison of the ticket costs based on XE.com exchange rates on 13-Feb-2018. The below list shows the cheapest at the top, the most expensive at the bottom. Surprisingly there is not a huge variation in the daily ticket prices, but park tickets from Hong Kong are a clear winner.

Disneyland Annual Passes cost chart
Disney Multi-Day Ticket Comparisons

Annual Passes

The below list shows the best value at the top, the worst value at the bottom. Note the column “Number of visits to make an AP worthwhile“. This column estimates how many visits it would take to make an Annual Pass cheaper than multi-day tickets.

Disneyland Annual Passes comparison chart
Disney Annual Pass Comparison

 

Overall there is a massive variation in the Annual Pass costs. Here are the 3 best value Annual Passes:

  1. Florida Water Parks represents the most outstanding value of all parks.
  2. Paris is surprisingly good value in second place, if you can afford to be flexible with your days.
  3. Hong Kong is in third place, and is great for overall Disney value.

Note that the prices do not include extra costs associated with booking fees. Also there will be various added bonuses made possible with the variety of ticket inclusions, such as discounted good neighbor hotels, dining and merchandise. Parking fees may also be a major consideration on some passes.

Should You Get an Disneyland Annual Pass?

If you plan on going to the Disney Park a lot, consider buying an Annual Pass. A lot means 3 or 4 times outside of USA, and 10-20 visits in the USA. Annual Pass tickets generally go up in cost every year. There is no guarantee that they will be around forever, and in fact Disney has already phased out many types of Annual Pass Tickets. Best to get them while you can.

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Using a Yosemite Webcam to Plan Your Trip

By
Ramon Perry
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0
Yosemite Webcams - Glacier point

Yosemite National Park is a national treasure and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is known for majestic waterfalls, giant hanging valleys, magnificent lakes and domes. Next time you visit Yosemite, you should check the weather conditions before you go using a smart Yosemite webcam.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy for more information.

Take a Virtual Tour with Yosemite Webams

These days it’s simple to virtually visit Yosemite National Park. You can see movies of images uploaded every 30 seconds to show the conditions in real time. Or you can watch a movie of the year so far, made up of 1 image per day at 12 frames per second! Read on for a bunch of links to various Yosemite Webcam resources.

Yosemite Falls Webcams

Incredible Yosemite falls is actually 3 falls in 1 – Upper Yosemite Falls, Middle Cascades and Lower Yosemite Falls. One of the tallest falls in North America with a drop of 2,425 feet, the falls are easily accessible with a 5-10 minute easy walk from the massive carpark.

Yosemite Webcams Yosemite falls
Spectacular Yosemite Falls seen from the walking path in

Webcams:

  • Yosemite Falls still image – Click HERE
  • 24 hour time lapse movie of Yosemite Falls  – Click HERE
  • Yosemite Falls 2018 movie – Click HERE

Half Dome Webcams

Half Dome is probably the most iconic rock formation in the entire park. This webcam shows the floor of the Yosemite Valley with half-dome in the background. Here’s a link to a Half-Dome hike to see just how spectacular this area of the park is.

  • Half Dome Still Image – Click HERE
  • Awahnee Meadows towards Half Dome 24 hour time lapse movie – Click HERE
  • Awahnee Meadows towards Half Dome 2018 time lapse movie – Click HERE
  • Half Dome from Sentinel Dome 24 hour time lapse movie – Click HERE
  • Half Dome from Sentinel Dome 2018 time lapse movie – Click HERE

Yosemite High Sierra Webcams

This webcam is located at an elevation of 8,000 feet, giving a nice view of half-dome and the surrounding high country.

Yosemite Webcams glacier point
Yosemite High Country

Webcam:

  • High Sierra Still Image – Click HERE

El Capitan Webcams

Located up high near the Wawona Tunnel, offering a nice view down into Yosemite Valley.

Yosemite Webcams tunnel view
El Capitan as seen from Wawona Tunnel

Webcams:

  • El Capitan still image – Click HERE
  • Inspiration Point 24 hour time lapse movie – Click HERE
  • Inspiration 2018 time lapse movie – Click HERE

Yosemite Ski & Snowboard Area (Badger Pass) Webcams

Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area is accessed from Glacier Point Road, and is the oldest ski area in California. It’s also one of only 3 National Parks which has a ski-lift.

Webcams:

  • Snapshot of Yosemite Ski & Snowboard Area – Click HERE
  • Badger Pass Daily time lapse movie – Click HERE

Tuolumne Meadows with Fairview Dome Webcam

Tuolumne Meadows are 8,600 feet in elevation, and is accessible by a road that crosses the southern end of the meadow.

Webcam:

  • Tuolumne Meadows still image – Click HERE

Combined View of All Yosemite Areas Webcams

Here are some more general webcams which will give you a full round-up of Yosemite National Park.

Webcams:

  • 3 Camera Yosemite time lapse – Click HERE

  • A great resource for seeing all areas – Click HERE

Yosemite Vacation Travel Guide

Here’s a great introduction to Yosemite for those planning to go there for the first time.

If you would like to see more of our trip to Yosemite National Park and our visit to Housekeeping Camp, click HERE.

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Quick Travel Guide to Sofia

By
Ramon Perry
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Travel Guide to Sofia

Sofia, Bulgaria is certainly a lightweight in the tourist routes of Europe. Not my tourists bother travelling to Bulgaria, however this is such an amazing and inexpensive city that we think you should seriously consider visiting.  Before you go check out this Quick Travel Guide to Sofia.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy for more information.

What to Do in Sofia

Sofia was released from Communist rule in 1989, and many of the tourist attractions in Sofia still have a strong communist influence. Also being the second oldest city in Europe, there is a lot of early history to explore dating back to Roman times. Here are our recommendations for the top things to do in Sofia Bulgaria.

Alexander Nevski Cathedral: This massive cathedral is said to house 10,000 people, and is adorned with magnificent paintings on all the domes interiors. The Cathedral is free to enter, but no photography is allowed inside. This cathedral is one of the most impressive landmarks in town, and at the top of the list of things to see in Sofia.

Vitosha Boulevard: Sofia is not exactly renowned for shopping however, the main shopping street Vitosha Boulevard is well known for the cafe scene and people watching. It’s also the cheapest place to pick up your souvenirs.

Rotunda of St. George (Sveti Georgi): This is the oldest church in Sofia and it is a little tricky to find, because it is now completely surrounded by Soviet style administration buildings. It was built in the 4th century and is well worth searching for. Curiously it doesn’t appear on many lists of Sofia tourist attractions.

Serdika Ruins: In the city center of Sofia you will find the Serdika Subway station. And in the subway station you will find the preserved archaeological ruins of Serdika, a Roman site dating back to around 5th century AD. Be sure to take a tour inside the ancient Church of St Petka of the Saddlers, right next to the subway entrance.

Yellow Brick Road Walking Tour: No it’s not the site of an Elton John song. It’s a series of yellow brick roads which run through the center of Sofia, which just happen to pass by all the major tourist attractions in Sofia city center. They Yellow Brick Road walking tour is an awesome way to fill in 2 or 3 hours.

 

Day Trips from Sofia

Sofia is surrounded by mountains in a very pretty part of Bulgaria. Be sure to take a day trip into the mountains to enjoy the natural beauty of this area.

Mount Vitosha: The oldest nature park on the Balkan Peninsular, Mount Vitosha is nearby Sofia and offers outstanding views of the entire city. There are even chair lifts and snow runs in winter. This is the most popular of all Sofia day trips for locals and tourists alike.

Rila Monastery and Boyana Church: Both of these religious sites are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Rila Monastery is about 2 hours away and is by far the more interesting of the 2, with its jaw dropping fresco murals from the Ottoman period. Most organised Sofia day tours will also take you to Boyana Church, conveniently located on the outskirts of Sofia.

Where to Stay in Sofia

Staying right in the city centre is the way to go. That’s because most of the major tourist attractions in Sofia are actually in the city centre. And most sightseeing can be done by foot. Sofia is very reasonably priced. For our money, apartments in Sofia city centre are the way to go, when it comes to convenience.

Cheap Accommodation in Sofia

Whilst there are great hotels in Sofia, we recommend renting a great big apartment, and live like a local. We found this great City Apartment on Agoda, right near the city center.

Mid Range Accommodation

The North Tower Apartment is a home style apartment in an amazing location, near one of the best shopping streets in Sofia. It is also right near the main Serdika subway station, and the 500 AD Serdika ruins.

Affordable Luxury

InterContinental Sofia Hotel is right across the road from the biggest attraction in town, the Alexandar Nevski Cathedral. 5 star luxury at an affordable price. This wins our award for the best hotel in Sofia.

Finding the Best Deal

We always recommend that you shop around for a great deal, and this Booking deals finder is a great place to start.

Booking.com

Quick Travel Guide to Sofia

P922 Travel Guide to Sofia infographic

Plan Your Trip to Sofia

Read More about Sofia

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11 Spectacular Spots on Wenzel Walk Luxembourg City

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Ramon Perry
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Wenzel Walk Luxembourg City

Luxembourg City has a rich history dating back to ancient Roman times. More recently during the French Revolution, it was named the “Gibraltar of the North” due to it’s inpenetrable fortifications. Come with us on the Wenzel Walk in Luxembourg City, which discovers the history of this fascinating World Heritage area.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy for more information.

Circular Wenzel Walk

The Wenzel Walk takes you on a journey through time. Here the Old City, Bock Casemates, defensive ring walls and Luxembourg Fortress are examined up close.

Here are some options for picking up an essential guide map for the Wenzel Walk.

  • To begin with a useful PDF file can be downloaded by clicking HERE.
  • Secondly you can pick up a printed leaflet at the Luxembourg City Tourist Office, place Guillaume II.
  • Finally our awesome Hotel Central Molitor had stacks of free maps in the reception area. Check your hotel leaflet rack for a map.

Video of Wenzel Walk

Here is Part 1 of my Wenzel Walk video. The route closely follows the official guide map route.

There is so much to see in this area that it has been divided into 2 videos. Part 1 covers the Bock Casemates and the Bock Promenade. Then, crossing the Alzette River, Part 2 covers the fortifications on the opposite side of the river, and a walk along the Alzette and Petrusse Valleys.

11 Sensational Spots on the Wenzel Walk

1. The “Old Town”

Wenzel Walk St.Michaels Church
St.Michael’s Church

The Old Town is located right next to the Bock Promontory on top of the hill. Here you will see many magnificent old buildings including St.Michael’s Church, the oldest church in Luxembourg built-in 987.

2. Bock Casemates

The Bock Casemates have a history dating back to 963. Entrance is only 4 Euros, and these are not to be missed. In fact these are the number 1 attraction in Luxembourg City, and they give you awesome views over the Alzette Valley.

Allow about 1 hour for a good look through the Bock Casemates, which are open from March to October.

3. Alzette River Valley

Wenzel Walk bock casemates
Alzette Valley from inside Bock Casemates

On the whole the Alzette Valley can be seen from several vantage points. Overall the best vantage point is from the Bock Promontory, which is the starting point for the Wenzel Walk.

4. Castle Bridge

Wenzel Walk castle bridge
Castle Bridge

This magnificent old bridge was built in 1735, replacing the old timber drawbridge structure. Uniquely it is a double tiered structure, which you walk through if you enter the Bock Casemates. Consequently Castle Bridge connects the Upper Town to Bock Promontory.

5. Grund Gate

Wenzel Walk Grund gate
Grund Gate in the Centre

Built by the Spaniards in 1632 this is located just near the river crossing.

6. Wenzel Wall

Wenzel Walk Wenzel wall
Wenzel Wall

Part of the defence ring of the city, originally 875 metres long with 37 towers and 15 gates. In fact there is a small section of well-preserved wall and towers left, and you can actually go inside a couple of these towers.

7. Moat near Wenzel Wall

Wenzel Walk moat
Moat near Wenzel Wall

In front of Wenzel Wall, this was discovered in 1992 by Archaelogists together with a medieval wooden bridge.

8. Krudelspuert

Wenzel Walk World Heritage area
Krudelspuert on the Right

Old building dating back to 1395.

9. Neumünster Abbey

Wenzel Walk Abbey
Neumunster Abbey

Also dating back to the 16th century is this old church building.

10. Second Gate of Trier

Wenzel Walk Gates
Second Gate of Trier

Built in 1590, another magnificent old gate which formed part of the cities fortifications.

11. Jacob Tower, the “Old Gate of Trier”

Wenzel Walk Jacob Tower
Jacob Tower

An old gate to the Wenzel Wall, which formerly had a drawbridge and a cannon casemate.

Prefer to Take a Guided Tour?

Finally if you prefer a guided tour through Luxembourg City, here are a couple of great options:

  • Firstly, Visit the Luxembourg City Tourist Office, place Guillaume II. Specifically they have many different guided tours including Wenzel Circular Walk : Tour for groups. Click HERE for more details.
  • Secondly, Take a paid guided tour, like the Luxembourg & Dinant: Full-Day Sightseeing Tour from Brussels. Click HERE for more details.

 

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Best Beaches in Philippines – White Beach

By
Ramon Perry
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large canoe at White Beach, Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines

Some of the best Philippine Beaches are found well off the main tourist map. Think of brilliant white sand, turquoise blue waters and lazy coconut trees. Philippine Beaches are tropical paradise, and White Beach is one of the best.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy for more information.

Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines

With so many amazing beaches, Panglao Island is fast becoming the premier tourist attraction in the central Visayas area of the Philippines. One of the main attractions is the nearby Balicasag Island with its world-class SCUBA diving. This tiny island is perfect for anyone looking for an amazing tropical SCUBA diving getaway.

The main tourist area on Panglao Island is Alona Beach. Here you will find countless dive resorts and beach side accommodation. Alona Beach is beautiful but it’s fast becoming a little too crowded for some people. There is another white sandy beach just around the corner that few tourists ever visit. It’s called White Beach, and it’s where the locals go.

shady tree on White Beach, Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines
Whites and Greens has a nice shady tree on the beach

Where is White Beach?

If you ask tourists about Panglao Island, 9 out of 10 will think of Alona Beach. It’s about a 30 minute drive from Tagbilaran City, the capital of Bohol. On the southern side of Panglao Island is Alona Beach. Just east of Alona Beach is White Beach. Check out this video for easy to follow directions.

White Beach is a stunning piece of fine white sand about 3km long, whilst the more popular Alona Beach is about 1km in length. To get to White Beach it’s easiest is to follow the signs to Amarela Resort. It is fairly difficult to find with just a small sign to guide you. It is a true hidden Gem.

starfish spotting at White Beach, Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines
Starfish spotting is one activity

What is at White Beach, Best Beach in the Philippines

At the Western End of White Beach are two of the most prestigious beach resorts in Bohol – South Palms Resort and Bohol Beach Club. These resorts are exquisite and have privatised their section of the beach. The price tags are quite hefty as well.

In the central section of White Beach, next to Bohol Beach Club, is Dumaluan Resort. This is where the true locals go for a holiday, and it consists mainly of inexpensive nipa hut style accommodation. It’s a great beach however it can get rather crowded on weekends with local families.

Move along the beach and you find the mid-range beachside resorts, where there is a mixture of locals and foreign tourists. This is where you find Panglao Grande Resort, one of our favourite locations. It is flanked either side by several smaller sized resorts. The beach here is awesome, and much less crowded than the Dumaluan and Bohol Beach Club sections of the beach.

bohol beach club on Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines
The busy end of White Beach at Bohol Beach Club

Moving Right Along

Keep moving along White Beach to the east and you will find many more resorts, however they start getting more private, smaller and more exclusive at this end. There are undoubtedly some amazing experiences to be had in this collection of resorts.

All of these beach resorts generally have their own restaurants. Anybody is able to walk along the beach and find many dining options to suit different tastes and budgets. The variety is enormous, from luxurious fine dining at the expensive western end to budget local cuisine in the Dumaluan area of the beach.

Panglao Grande Resort offers some delicious mid-priced dining options. Here you can find great meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They will also cook outside of normal hours if you ask nicely! People are very friendly and accommodating in this part of the world.

high tide at White Beach, Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines
High tide at Whites and Greens Resort

Activities at Whites Beach

Massage

Between Dumuluan and Panglao Grande Resort you can find a nice beach massage for about 450 pesos per hour per person. Here you get to lie on the beach and listen to the gentle splashing of the waves whilst getting the massage of your choice.

Scuba Diving

Bohol Beach Club has full dive shop facilities. Balicasag Island dives are the most popular however there is a large variety of less popular dive sites available. They can even take you to Oslob to dive with the Whale Sharks. They have the full range of dive equipment for hire or purchase as well. I have personally SCUBA dived at the nearby Balicasag Island, where the local turtle population is particularly impressive. I counted 16 turtles on my first dive alone!

kids playing on White Beach, Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines
Here’s an all time favourite activity

Water Sports

Dotted along the beach are a variety of water sports. Banana boats, jet skis and catamarans are all available for hire. Many of these are open to price negotiations so they are a good way to hone your bargaining skills! Beware, because tourists are always at premium prices. A tourist with good negotiation skills can probably bargain them down to around half of the original price.

Island Hopping

Island hopping is perhaps the most popular activity along White Beach. There are dozens of boats available and they are very easy to book a seat, or hire the whole boat. Just ask any of the locals along the beach where to book a boat and they will undoubtedly steer you to the right person. This is the normal way in Philippines, where word of mouth is king! Cost is generally 2,000 – 3,000 pesos per boat load of people for a half day trip.

Dolphin spotting is the main attraction for those who go island hopping. Dolphin spotting is best during the calmer waters of the morning, when you will see many dolphins playing around the boat. Snorkelling is another popular option on island hopping tours. There are countless shallow reefs in the area to snorkel upon. 

island hopping from White Beach, Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines
All aboard the island hopping boats

Snorkelling

Snorkelling directly from the beach is another outstanding activity. Just jump in the water and paddle about 100 metres off the beach where you will reach the drop off. This is a great spot for SCUBA diving as well, with a small wall dive. Snorkelling straight from the beach is best enjoyed by bringing your own mask, snorkel and fins.

You can also buy snorkelling equipment at various dive shops in the Alona Beach area if you don’t happen to have some with you. I noticed a couple of large well equipped dive shops opening along the Circumferential Road near Alona Beach in 2016.

Panglao Grande Resort

This is a cute little resort. Previously called Whites & Greens, it was renamed to Panglao Grande Resort in 2017. In case you didn’t know it, the Philippines is well known for the friendliness of the local people, and this beach resort is no exception. And it has loads of lovely local atmosphere thanks to the design of the accommodation.

The accommodation is in the style of palm frond roofs and nipa huts. They look like little native grass huts from the outside. However on the inside they are spacious and air-conditioned. The beach pretty much comes right up to the door and all rooms have easy access to the main beach, which is typically about 20 metres away.

There is wi-fi through the whole resort, however on our stay we would have to sit out on the main lawn to access it reliably. There is a mobile phone tower nearby and mobile signal is generally quite strong at the resort.

I recommend bringing your own bottled water. They do sell the smaller 500mm bottles at the restaurant, however this is definitely not the cheapest option to take. I recommend dining at the restaurant for all your meals.

Breakfast will cost you 200-300 pesos per person, and evening meals about the same. We were quite impressed with the food quality overall.

White Beach Panglao Grande Resort
White Beach Panglao Grande Resort

Overall Impressions of White Beach

Panglao Grande Resort is a great resort to stay at for those who like some peace and quiet. It does not get too crowded and you have a magnificent section of beach to yourself. There is even some good areas of shade to sit under on the hot beach, a blessing on a hot day.

Not many foreign tourist know about this section of beach, which is surprising because the actual beach and water is every bit as good as the more popular Alona Beach.

The secret is bound to get out one day, and large-scale development will undoubtedly come along soon. With the construction of a nearby international airport on Panglao Island now in progress, the clock is ticking.

My advice is to book yourself a quiet little holiday here before it gets developed. Booking is easy on Booking.com, where you will usually find a deal competitive with the best prices available. What are you waiting for!

sunrise at White Beach, Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines
Yet another beautiful sunrise at White Beach

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Train From Copenhagen Airport to Copenhagen Central Station

By
Ramon Perry
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Train From Copenhagen Airport to Copenhagen Central Station

After battling the airport crowds the last thing you need is a confusing transfer from the airport to your accommodation. Discover the tips you need to catch the train from Copenhagen Airport to Copenhagen Central Station.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy for more information.

Which Train to Catch?

The most popular way to exit Copenhagen airport is by train. It is cheap and convenient, and takes less than 20 minutes from the airport to the city centre. The trains runs non-stop during the day and evening.

There are 2 different train lines to choose from, the Train and Metro. Deciding which one to catch is key, and it depends on which side of the city you are travelling to.

  • Train – refers to the Copenhagen S-Train run by DSB. This serves the urban and regional areas and has 170 km of tracks.
  • Metro – refers to Copenhagen Metro 24/7 Mass Rapid Transit System. The Metro has 20.4 km of tracks on 2 lines, M1 and M2.

Train From Copenhagen Airport to Copenhagen Central Station

The very first step is to figure out which station you are going to.

  1. If you’re going to Nørreport Station (a main hub in the city centre) – catch the Metro to Nørreport Station.
  2. If you’re going to Copenhagen Central Station – catch the Train to København H Station.

Note that the airport train station is called Kobenhavns Lufthavn or Kastrup.

Catching the Train

The Train station is located in Terminal 3. There’s a free shuttle bus from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3. Trains run at 10 minute intervals during the day, and about 1-3 times per hour at night. A trip from the airport to the city takes 13 minutes on the Train. See below for options to purchase a ticket.

Catching the Metro

The Metro station is located in Terminal 3. There’s a free shuttle bus from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3. Trains run at 4-6 minute intervals during the day, and at 15-20 minute intervals at night. A trip from the airport to the city takes 13 minutes on the Metro. See below for options to purchase a ticket.

Train Fare from Copenhagen Airport to Central Station

You have several alternatives to purchase your train fare. Children are generally half price on public transportation in Copenhagen.

Public Transport Smartphone App

Download the app DOT Mobilbilletter to your smart phone. All you have to do is sign up using your mobile phone number, connect your credit card, and the rest is simple. I love this app, and so do the locals.

Download the app here for Apple or here for Google Play.

DSB Ticket

You will need a 3 zone ticket to get from Copenhagen Airport to the city centre. These can be purchased inside the airport at the ticket machines or the DSB office counter. Ticket machines do not accept notes, only credit cards and coins.

  • Single tickets are valid for 1 hour and cost 36 DKK (about $6 USD) for 3 zones.
  •  24 hour cards cost DKK 80 (about $13 USD) for 4 zones on all modes of public transportation.

We experience a 10 minute wait in the airport vending machine line, then realised we were in the wrong line, then a further 20 minutes in the next vending machine line. Do expect lengthy delays.

Copenhagen Card

The Copenhagen card gives free access to 79 attractions, and includes public transportation. Costs for 24/48/72/120 hours is 53/74/89/120 Euros.

You can purchase a Copenhagen Card HERE.

You can also download a Copenhagen Card app onto your smart phone here for Apple or here for Google Play.

City Pass

City Pass is your best option if you are planning to do lots of sightseeing around Copenhagen for 1-3 days, but don’t want to pay entrance fees to major attractions.

  • Adult 24 hour City Pass zones 1,2,3 & 4 costs DKK 80 (about $13 USD)
  • Adult 72 hour City Pass zones 1,2,3 & 4 costs DKK 200 (about $30 USD)

You can purchase a City Pass online HERE.

Here is an excellent video by Judy in the Clouds further explaining all the ticketing options.

Taxi Fare from Copenhagen Airport to City Centre

Taxi fare is 350-300 DKK. That’s about $40-50 USD. Taxis accept credit cards. This might be a better option if you have 4 people and not much luggage.

Uber

Uber is generally a cheaper option than the taxi. Cost is 160-20o DKK to Copenhagen Central Station ($25-35 USD), or 140-180 DKK to Norreport station ($20-30 USD).

What is the Best Value Option

The DOT App is by far the easiest way to purchase tickets for using the Train or the Metro. Prices are basically the same as the City Pass, but the app is more convenient. The DOT app is very user friendly and much Much MUCH easier to navigate than the vending machines at the airport.

On our visit to Copenhagen we actually did most of our sightseeing on foot, as it’s a fairly compact city. Thus we just purchased a single fare from the Airport to the city centre, and were happy with that.

I recommend you purchase a train ticket online or on the app before you arrive, and head straight to the Train or the Metro train station in Terminal 3. You will avoid the long lines for tickets and maximise your time in this wonderful city of Copenhagen.

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Flying from Bangkok to Doha on Qatar Airways

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Ramon Perry
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Bangkok to doha the lamp bear in doha airport

Bangkok is a great starting point for exploring South East Asia. Doha is a great starting point for exploring Europe. So what happens when you join the two?

Bangkok to Qatar on Qatar Airways

I have been through Suvharnabhumi airport dozens of times due to my work in South East Asia. I can tell you that the transit time through security is very hit and miss. Sometimes you will get through in 20 minutes, other times it’s more like 90 minutes. On this occasion we were at the longer end of the spectrum, with our flight leaving at the busy 7-8am time slot.

We only just made our flight in Bangkok thanks to a 40 minute queue in the customs and immigration area. Then our gate was right at the far end of the airport, which is close to a 20 minute walk! We only just made our flight in time. But at least we didn’t have to wait in line at the gate!

The Qatar Airways Flight

Qatar Airways was voted the World’s Best Airline in 2017 by Skytrax! Their planes are immaculate, and their staff is amazing. The entertainment systems on board are second to none. The food is top class and the seats are comfortable enough. Absolutely no complaints from us regarding the flight.

One thing I will say about Qatar Airlines is their carry on baggage weight limits are SO STRICT. On some airlines we get away with carry on baggage weights far exceeding the 7kg limits. Thai Airways and Philippine Airlines are a couple that are fairly easy to get away with extra weight.

But Qatar Airways do not let you exceed by a single gram. They weigh everything and do not allow any extra weight. We were thankful that we were very tedious with our pre-flight weighing and packing on this occasion, but still needed to do a little bit of re-organising at the counter.

Arriving in Doha

We had a very comfortable trip, and I finally found my car in Qatar. A nice shiny black Ferrari. Yes there is some kind of car lottery on display in the grand foyer of the airport, right near the giant Lamp Bear. This is the main centre part of this huge modern airport, amid a vast range of duty free shops.

We found the 23 foot high “Lamp Bear” rather peculiar, and it left us scratching our head. Apparently it symbolises childhood memories, and somehow invites travellers to travel. We didn’t quite get that vibe, we just thought it was a little bit weird. Oh well, such is the way with travelling.

It definitely expands you mind and exposes you to new experiences. The Lamp Bear in Doha Airport is definitely a new experience, and a pleasant way to jump into your next adventure.

Check Out Our Full Adventure VLOG Series

You can check out our whole VLOG series by clicking the below links.

Or better still, subscribe to our YouTube channel by clicking HERE.

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Santa Barbara Whale Watching on the Condor Express

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Ramon Perry
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Whale Watching Boat Santa Barbara

Our Whale Watching trip aboard the Condor Express in Santa Barbara was sensational! We travelled out into the Santa Barbara Channel about this modern high speed craft. On board we encountered a hungry Humpack Whale feeding on a school of herring. There were many Dolphins, Sea-Lions and Pelicans joining in on the feeding frenzy also.

Where to Start Your Santa Barbara Whale Watching Trip

Santa Barbara Channel is the place to start your very own Whale Watching adventure. Head on over to the Condor Express website and book your very own trip. In addition to this you can read the daily Captain’s Blog.

On the blog you see what sort of whale sighting they encountered the previous day. You will also get to see what the conditions are like, however it is quite a sheltered part of the coast thanks to the Channel Islands just off shore.

All Aboard on the Condor Express

Firstly we checked the Condor Express website and found that there were plenty of Blue Whales in the area on the day we went Whale Watching. After all, who wouldn’t jump at the chance to see the biggest animals on the planet, up close in the wild!

This is an opportunity not to be missed, and we were had our tickets booked for the very next day directly from the Condor Express website. It was that easy!

From there we steamed over the the Channel Islands, where we got up close to a Sea Lion colony in their natural environment. Then after spending some time exploring these islands we began the trip home across the channel.

We encountered a Mako Shark finning the surface, a large pod of dolphins and a glorious replica Spanish galleon under sail.

The Condor Express Whale Watching Boat
The Condor Express Whale Watching Boat

Memorable Travel Adventure

Overall this was a memorable family travel adventure under glorious May conditions in Southern California. In fact we thoroughly recommend the Condor Express for your next Whale Watching adventure.

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How to Catch the Copenhagen to Malmo Train

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Ramon Perry
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Copenhagen to Malmo Train

Catching the Copenhagen to Malmo train is easy, and it’s a great way to see Sweden in a day trip. Denmark and Sweden are connected by the Oresund bridge, and in less than an hour you can be enjoying Swedish delights.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy for more information.

Copenhagen to Malmo Train at Malmo station
Malmo Train Station is hip and well appointed

Alternatives to the Malmo Train

Bus

The bus is the cheapest option, and there are up to 15 buses travelling this route daily. Buses normally take 1 hour for the 28km journey making them a slower option than the train. The train is also a more convenient and efficient option.

The most popular is Flixbus. The GoEuro website is a useful site for comparing different fares.

Car

Driving a car to Malmo is simply a matter of taking the E20 though the tunnel and across the Øresunds bridge. It will take minimum 45 minutes, probably best to allow 1 hour to allow for traffic. The cost is 50 Euros bridge toll per regular car per single trip, so it’s a rather expensive option. Up to date prices can be found on the Øresundsbron website.

Where to Buy Tickets for the Copenhagen to Malmo Train

The train is the fasted and most popular option. It only takes about 40 minutes to travel from Copenhagen Central Station (København H) to Malmo (Malmö C), or about 25 minutes from Copenhagen Airport (Kastrup Lufthavn) to Malmo (Malmö C).

To purchase tickets you have a few different options.

Copenhagen to Malmo Train copenhagen central station
Copenhagen Central Station

DSB Website

Purchase online on the DSB website. This is a great option if you wish to avoid the hassle of figuring out the ticket machines at the train station.

Train Station Ticket Machine

Purchase at the train station ticket vending machine. Not our preferred option, as we found the DSB ticket machines quite difficult to figure out. At Copenhagen Central Station we used this option but called on the assistance of a Train Station Attendant, who helped us through the ticketing process. It was fairly easy but quite time consuming.

Note that we experienced 20 minute delays at Copenhagen Airport lining up for the DSB ticket machine.

Train Station Ticketing Office

Both Copenhagen Airport and Copenhagen Central Station have ticketing offices, however you may lose some time lining up. We saw lines of typically 10-20 minutes at these ticketing offices.

Third Party Website

Use a third party website like RailEurope of GoEuro. We really like the GoEuro site, especially how it compares bus, train and airfare options.

Malmo Train Timetable

The train from Copenhagen to Malmo Train generally departs every 20 minutes in both directions. So generally speaking there is no need to check the timetable. If you wish you can check train times on the DSB website.

Copenhagen to Malmo Train station list
Google Maps version of the train we caught

Where to Catch the Copenhagen to Malmo Train

You have 4 options to get on the DSB train to Malmo

  1. Copenhagen Central Station (København H)
  2. Orestad
  3. Tarnby
  4. Kastrup Lufthavn (Copenhagen Airport)

Passport Checks

You will need to bring your passport for the border authority ID inspections. This happens whilst the train is travelling, the Border Authorities will work through the train doing a quick passport check whilst you remain seated.

Why Not Travel on to Lund?

Copenhagen to Malmo Train lund station platform
Getting off the Copenhagen Train at Lund

A great alternative is to travel to the next town, Lund. Lund is a university town, much smaller than Malmo. It has a charming, medieval feel about it, with lots of historical buildings to admire.

We found Lund to be a more beautiful and interesting place to visit than Malmo. In fact, we first travelled to Lund, spent about half a day there, and then stopped at Malmo for about 2 hours on the way back to Copenhagen.

If you do go to Lund, make your first stop the Lund Tourist Centre  at Botulfsgatan 1A (Stortorget) in central Lund. They can give you a free walking tour map, in which you can set off on your very own self-guided 2-3 hour walking tour of the major attractions.

Tourist Attractions in Malmo

And here is a short video showing some of the attractions of Malmo

There is lots to see in both Malmo and Lund, and it makes for an awesome day trip from Copenhagen. Now that you know how easy it is to catch the train, what are you waiting for?

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Santa Barbara County Courthouse California

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Ramon Perry
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Santa Barbara County Courthouse

One of the highlights of our 2 day stopover in Santa Barbara was the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Join us for a  video tour of the County Courthouse, the Museum of Natural Science and Stearns Wharf. Let’s see what Santa Barbara has to offer the curious tourist!

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy for more information.

Santa Barbara County Courthouse

The Santa Barbara County Courthouse is Spanish Colonial style architecture and is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Santa Barbara. Visitors can climb the clock tower to get a magnificent view of the Santa Barbara surrounds.

The courthouse looks super old, but actually it is relatively new. It was completed in 1929 and can be described as “Spanish Colonial Revival Architecture”. It has now been designated an official National Historic Monument.

The courthouse is free to visit, and you can climb all the way to the top of the tower. It is open from 8am to 5pm on weekdays and 10am to 5pm on weekends. A great idea would be to meet in the mural room on the second floor for the free daily tour. Be there at 2pm daily, or 10:30am and 2pm on weekdays.

The address of the courthouse is 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara.

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

Outside this museum there’s a 74-foot Blue Whale skeleton. This is a wonderful specimen for kids to see what a real Blue Whale looks like in the flesh (or without flesh). Several exhibit halls are found inside, where visitors are shown all about the wildlife, topography and human history of Southern California, especially the Santa Barbara region.

I just love the motto of this museum – inspire a thirst for discovery and a passion for the natural world. This was one of our first stops in our California Road Trip, and we learnt all about the natural treasures and found a passion to discover more. We learnt lots about the local animals, the land, the plants and the native people. The primary theme of the museum is animals, with huge displays of wildlife and stuffed animals.

The address of the museum is 2559 Puesta del Sol, Santa Barbara.

Stearns Wharf

The main wharf in Santa Barbara is named Stearns Wharf. The Wharf offers great views of Santa Barbara and the surrounding hills. There is free parking (2 hour time limited) and plenty of eating options at the wharf. We chose to eat at a lovely restaurant called Moby Dicks.

You can watch a variety of yachts, paddle boards, kayaks and jet skis all strutting their stuff in the surrounding waters. While we were dining Clarc was lucky enough to see paddle-boarders get swamped by the wake of a power boat.

I would have to say that Stearn’s Wharf is a foodie’s wharf. There are quite a few dining options, with fish and chips probably the most popular. You are treated to probably the finest view in all of Santa Barbara whilst you dine. It is well worth planning to come here specifically for a special meal on your trip to Santa Barbara.

The address of Stearn’s Wharf is Cabrillo Boulevade, Santa Barbara.

Tip: To read more about our visit to Santa Barbara, please check out our blog post by clicking HERE.

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