Hobbies · Holidays

Holidays for The Retirees in Your Life

Holidays for The Retirees in Your Life
Photo by Jorge Fernández Salas on Unsplash

A lot of us spend our lives daydreaming about what adventures we’ll have when we finally retire. Without the restrictions of limited annual leave or having to travel during school holidays, and with a lifetime of experience and wisdom behind you, the choices of where to go are limitless. If you’re planning a holiday for the retired people in your life, here are some suggestions:

Golf Holidays

If your retirees are are into golf then they could do a lot worse than opting for golf holidays in Spain. Most packages will include your flights, accomodation and also your green fees and passes, so you can get a fantastic deal with everything covered. They’re perfect for retirees who love to golf as it means they can do so in a lovely climate, surrounded by stunning views.

Cruises

For many, relaxing on board and watching incredible scenery drift by is a favourite aspect of cruising — all the more so for passengers who aren’t as mobile as they once were. The idea of a scenic cruise is that you can still get a lot out of the voyage even if you are unable to get off the ship much, which is why the Norwegian coast, the wild shorelines of Alaska and river cruises are so popular with older travellers.

Rail Holidays

Many retired couples love having adventures on luxury rail journeys as they get to explore many places in comfort and style. There is a luxury rail journey for everyone, from mountain and sea rail to East coast US cities by rail. You can explore whole countries such as Australia on the Indian Pacific which goes from Perth to Sydney via Adelaide where you will see the Blue Mountains, vineyards, goldmines and the contrast of busy cities to ghost towns all in one adventure.

City Breaks

City breaks are a fantastic way to explore Europe, especially as flights are short and there are a wealth of amazing destinations at your doorstep without the long haul. Some of our most popular city breaks include Venice, Barcelona, Prague, Athens and Paris. Your break can be tailored to your specific needs if you want to explore certain areas, take a gondola, a ferry to the Greek Islands or the beach in Barcelona, whatever you want from your city break it is all yours.

Driving Holidays

Famous for becoming the first completely paved highway in the United States, a drive along Route 66 burns rubber as you pass through America’s most iconic spots – Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Texas and Chicago. And, while the incredible states will impress, so too will the off-the-beaten-track sections that wind through huge expanses of awe inspiring nothingness. Spanning over 2,400 miles and crossing eight states, the typical driving route kicks off in Chicago and finishes in California.

Family · Holidays · Home

Moving to Greece – All you need to know

Moving to Greece
Photo by Matthew Waring on Unsplash

The country of the Balkan Peninsula is one of the most desirable nations to be visited. Thanks to its history, charm and proximity to European regions, it is the ideal destination to move. Would you like to live in Greece? Here’s the complete guide on how to move to Greece.

Learn Greek

One of the essential requirements for a smooth move to Greece is understanding the Greek language. That is, you must have listening understanding, speaking and writing skills as this will help you function better in the Mediterranean country.

Compared to other nations, in Greece they expect your resume or CV to have at least three to five pages, where it must specify studies and work experience. Everything you write should be supported by certificates and you will need to include medical evidence and a cover letter.

Find a job

Although getting a job in Greece can be difficult, this does not mean that it is impossible. Usually, immigrants are hired in sectors of agriculture, manufacturing and construction. If you want to move through the labor modality, you must get a job before starting your trip, or, be in the process of being hired.

In order for an expatriate living outside the European Union to apply for a job in the nation, the employer will have to prove that she could not find any person in the country or in the EU who is suitable for the job.

Apply for a visa

If you found your ideal job in Greece, or you are doing the documentation to formalize the contract, this is the ideal time to apply for your visa. These are the documents that you should have on hand:

  • Valid passport, which should not be close to three months of expiration.
  • Passport-type photographs.
  • University qualification test.
  • Bank vouchers that prove that you will be able to support yourself while they pay your first salary.
  • Proof of valid health insurance.
  • Proof of accommodation, it can be in your own or rented property.
  • Criminal Record.

If you are going to move with a pet, you must apply for a pet passport. For this permit you must have documents on hand that certify vaccines against rabies that have not been applied in a period of less than 21 days and routine vaccines.

Sign up for health insurance

It is law that your employer contributes for you so that you can get a health provider or medical insurance in Greece.

Apply for a work permit

You must request this permit within the first 30 days of your arrival in the country. To process it, you must have a social security number from the Social Security Institute and a local tax record from the Tax Office.

In addition, to request this permission, you must have:

  • Passport and photocopies of it.
  • Four passport-type photographs.
  • Proof of international medical insurance (i.e. it should cover Greece, or you can get insurance that works only in the nation).
  • Residential address.
  • Financial capability.
  • Salary certificate.
  • Certificate from a hospital that guarantees that you do not suffer from any serious and contagious disease.
  • Proof of payment at the required rate from the Tax Office.

Open a bank account

To open a bank account in the Mediterranean country you must be over 18 years of age. Even if you want to get your account before moving, you can do it. You just have to go to a branch of a Greek bank that is in your city. Unlike other nations, Greece offers expatriates checking, debit and savings cards.

In order to request a bank account you must present an ID and a local address in Greece. If you require additional help is preparing to move to Greece book online a meeting with professional lawyers who will help you with the process. Are you ready to move to Greece? Sure hope so!

Holidays · Travel

Five Reasons to Tour the UK by Train

Five Reasons to Tour the UK by Train
Photo by Denis Chick on Unsplash

With restrictions on international travel still in place for many countries, there’s never been a better time to spend some time travelling around dear old Blighty! There are lots of places in the UK which rival the rest of the world in terms of beauty and many people never bother to tour our shores, choosing instead to travel abroad for their holidays. With that in mind, we thought we’d look at some of the reasons that travelling the UK by train is a great idea:

Better for the Environment

We all know that visiting new places is exciting, but have you ever thought about your carbon footprint while travelling? Rail transport is actually the most environment-friendly way to travel. The greenhouse effect of gas emissions per kilometer on railway transport is 80% less than cars. In some countries, less than 3% of all transport gas emissions come from trains.

Look at the Views

It’s great being a passenger in a car as you can look out of the window at all of the wonderful views on your journey. However, being a driver means that your view is a lot more limited for reasons of safety, so drivers rarely get to enjoy the scenery. If you travel by train, you can spend the whole journey taking in the view, and you’ll often get to see things that you wouldn’t be able to from a motorway.

No Limit on Luggage

While we aren’t suggesting that you should pack everything including the kitchen sink when travelling by train, you’re not limited by a baggage weight limit. This means that you can pack more if you travel by train than you can if you travel by plane, which saves a lot of worrying and weighing suitcases before you leave!

Efficient Routes

When you travel by road, you’re at the mercy of roads, traffic and all sorts of other things that make your journey long and potentially stressful. With trains, you generally go in a pretty straight line from A to B and you don’t have to worry about traffic or other road users. It’s also usually much quicker because of this. Many people who travel by train find it the most relaxing way to travel.

Stay Connected

Charge your phone or camera batteries, watch a movie or get some work done… it’s all possible on board the train. And what’s even better: more and more train companies are installing Wi-Fi so you can even post live updates as you journey by train. Knowing that you won’t affect your car battery by charging your devices is a bonus and taking advantage of free wi-fi also means that you won’t have to be concerned by huge data charges.

Holidays · Travel

Things to Do in and Around Richmond, Yorkshire

Richmond CastleAs I’ve said before, while I’m not in any hurry to get out amongst the germy masses and expose the kids to COVID, I am looking forward to get out on some day trips and short breaks, once things are safe again. Before lockdown, my Mum and I were actually talking about getting us all away on holiday together and renting somewhere for us four, my Mum and Dad and my sister and her fiance.

One of the places I found while I was looking was The Green Door Holiday Cottage in Richmond, which is a luxury cottage in Yorkshire. Usually, we’d head for the south coast for family holidays to places like Cornwall and Devon, but the thought of taking our travels north actually really appeals to me. With this in mind, I started looking at some things to do, in and around Richmord, for when we eventually get to take our trip.

Richmond Castle

Richmond Castle is an English Heritage site, right in the heart of Richmond and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding Dales. Even better, if you’re an English Heritage member, you and anyone included in your membership will get in for free, so you’ll be able to enjoy a lovely educational day out for very little outlay.

Foxglove Covert Local Nature Reserve

According to TripAdvisor, “Foxglove Covert Local Nature Reserve covers 100 acres of moorland edge adjacent to Cambrai Lines at Catterick and has a remarkable mix of habitats and species. The reserve contains semi-natural woodland, heathland, flower-rich grassland, streams, ponds, a lake, willow and Alder carr, coniferous woodlands and wet meadows. The patchwork of habitats across Foxglove Covert Local Nature Reserve is home to more than 2440 species. At the heart of the reserve is a modern, purpose-designed Field Centre, a great place to start your visit and learn more about the wildlife of Foxglove Covert.” Sounds like a wonderful place for a walk and a picnic!

The Forbidden Corner

The Forbidden Corner was originally a private folly. However, after popular demand, the site has been opened up to the public with four acres of all-out weird! Discover a unique labyrinth of pathways, tunnels, chambers and galleries throughout the woods. They’ll present a barrage of tricky challenges, including the occasional spray of water! Just keep your eyes peeled for the secret brass circles which reveal hidden markings and direct you on your mission. There’s also a lovely picnic area for when you need a break from the fantasy.

Family · Holidays

Rule Britannia: 4 Reasons A Staycation Beats Holidaying Abroad

Rule Britannia: 4 Reasons A Staycation Beats Holidaying AbroadPixabay – CC0 Licence

Are you annoyed because you can’t go abroad this year? Do you wish for things to return to normal so that you can get on with your life? The COVID-19 pandemic has been pretty brutal, and it’s hard to adapt to the “new normal” that people keep on harping on about.

However, as with every storm, there is a silver lining. You may not want to take the risk and book an international holiday, yet you can still experience a Great British breakaway. Before you reflexively answer, you should take a look below.

These are the reasons a staycation beats a holiday abroad.

The UK Is Varied

If you think you know the United Kingdom inside and out, you’re mistaken! Sure, there are some things that you don’t like, and some places you’re not keen on visiting because they don’t sound pleasant. On the flip side, many destinations will make you feel as if you’re vacationing in the Mediterranean or French Riviera. From Devon and Cornwall in the Southeast to the Lake District and Chesire in the Northwest, you shouldn’t be hard-pressed to find an affordable beauty spot that you have never experienced before. Just open your mind as well as a map of Britain!

You’re Helping Local Economies

The economic effect of your holiday isn’t an element that you focus on too hard. Sure, you realise that you spend more cash on a break than usual, but that’s about it. Of course, as the Coronavirus crisis has highlighted, the travel and tourism industries are vital to economies around the world. During a pandemic where thousands of small businesses are struggling to stay open, it’s nice to know that your money is giving them an opportunity to avoid filing for bankruptcy.

It’s Less Hassle

A staycation isn’t stress-free by any stretch of the imagination. However, it isn’t as hasslesome as packing for a two-week trip and heading to the airport at 3 am! For one thing, there’s no reason to fret about the beauty products and medicines in your suitcase. Premium CBD oil for every day wellness is 100% legal in the UK, as are your paracetamol and Ibuprofen tablets. Then, there’s the fact that you can move on if you’re unhappy. A foreign holiday is rigid – once you arrive, you have to stay until your return flight date. At home, you can get back in the car and head home. It’s that simple!

A Staycation Is All You Have

Yes, you may prefer the idea of an exotic holiday in a luxurious destination, yet it isn’t feasible. Currently, the best option is to stay at home where you know you can get home without dealing with an insurance provider and forking out a fortune on flights and accommodation. It’s not as if your hometown will end up on an international watchlist while you’re away! Remember that you need a break, especially when times are tough, so a staycation is an ideal way to unwind.

Where do you stand on the staycation debate?