Do you have a rental property? If so the chances are that you advertise it by using Homeaway, Airbnb or one of the similar sites that list short term rentals. You might also have your own website. But how can you go above and beyond to promote the accommodation you...
You’ve probably heard about people who do this. With all the various home rental service that exist today – such as Airbnb – it’s easy to find people who want to stay in your home when you’re travelling. And many people find that...
Are you putting off travelling because you have no companion? There’s really no need. Today there are so many facilities that are available for anyone who chooses to travel alone. And there are, it seems, two types of solo travellers – those who prefer...
Amongst the many walking tours of Edinburgh available to visitors there is one which stands out from the rest. Gareth Davies has an advantage no other walking tour guide of the city has – a four-legged assistant! Edinburgh is a remarkably dog-friendly city and...
Have you ever considered enjoying a cooking class when you’re on your trip? Or even having a culinary class vacation? If so, the internet makes it easy. Today we have two websites to recommend to you – one that organises cooking classes and vacations in...
If you are one of our younger readers, you might have never sent a postcard. This might surprise older readers but many of us remember the days when we’d buy postcards to send to our friends when were were visiting cool locations – and then promptly forget...
BCycle wants you to imagine a world where it’s easy to get around. It wants you to imagine a world in which car ownership is the exception rather than the rule, a world where emissions are things of the past and where our transport is greener and cleaner. BCycle...
Jorge Sanchez is officially the second most travelled person in the world. He has been around the world seven times and judging by the map on his website, has been just about everywhere in the world. Now in his sixties, he started travelling when he was just thirteen...
This great travel accessory covers many bases – especially when you’re flying. I used to have several problems when flying – particularly on long haul flights and the Sholdit solves them all. They were: Keeping warm in the cold plane Managing to have...
I don’t know about you but one of the joys of travelling – for me – is finding bars and cool places to eat. And this is particularly the case when those places have a history. Harry’s New York Bar in Paris is an excellent example. The...
No, not Rabbie Burns, Rabbie’s Tours! Taking a tour of Scotland in one of Rabbie’s minibuses is an excellent way to see the country. Departing from either Edinburgh, Glasgow or Inverness Rabbie’s will get you up close and personal with what makes Scotland so appealing...
There are many great gift ideas for travellers but how about helping your recipient to afford the travel itself? These days, more and more of us are looking for experiences rather than products to clutter up our lives and our homes so giving travel as a gift is an...
As you know, Airbnb is a service that is run on trust. The guest trusts that the host will provide them with pleasant accommodation and the host, in turn, trusts that his or her guest will be respectful of their property and possessions. With this in mind, both the...
Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city and the UK’s third largest (and once known as ‘the second city of the empire’), has many fine art galleries and museums but one of the most popular is undoubtedly Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum which houses one of Europe’s...
If you are thinking of taking a vacation in Scotland and want to do it in style then you couldn’t do better than spending a few days travelling on the ultimate in luxury rail transport – the Belmond Royal Scotsman. Not to be confused with the Royal Scot or the...
For a couple of years now teenagers and young adults have apparently reduced their usage of their phones when they want to take photographs. Sure, they still use their phones – the photographs can so easily be shared on social media – but the Instax camera...
I’ve always loved to travel – when it’s for pleasure. I never thought that I’d become jaded – but when you travel a lot for business it can be – and I really never thought I’d say this – ‘oh, not the Bahamas...
It’s no secret that I’m a red wine drinker and – I have to admit – even more so when I’m on vacation. There are so many wonderful restaurants, vineyards, wine cellars and there’s nothing to beat sitting sipping a glass watching the...
Monaco is one of the most glamorous and expensive places in Europe. This tiny principality is home (and tax haven) to the rich and many more see it as their luxury playground. So is it worthwhile or even possible for us lesser mortals to visit? It’s certainly...
If you’ve used Airbnb, or browsed the site, then you’ll know that guests can leave reviews for their hosts and vice versa. This is an excellent system as it keeps everyone accountable. Increasingly, I’m seeing online questions from guests whose hosts...
Travel is one of the best experiences in the world. But different circumstances and travelling to out-of-the-way places can mean that we can’t always maintain the hygiene standards we are used to at home. Of course, if you’re near the beach, a clear river...
Wouldn’t you, or someone you know, love to attend a chocolate masterclass and learn how to make the most delectable chocolate treats? At the risk of started the Third World War here I have to say that I think that the chocolate from the other side of the pond is...
A vineyard in Italy has created a free wine fountain for those who are walking the Cammino di San Tommaso, a popular route for pilgrims. The Dora Sarchese winery commissioned the well-known Italian architect, Rocco Valentini, to create the fountain – which means...
Now look, guys. This is an article for females, okay? Girls, I don’t know about you but I think that men have one rather important advantage over us – yes, just one 😉 And if you’ve ever been hiking, boating, camping or enjoying time in the outdoors...
Approximately one million people stayed in Airbnb accommodations last night. The same will happen tonight, and tomorrow, and the next night …. and it’s more than likely that every single one of those people had or will have a great stay with no problems....
Here at TRAQUO, we’re firm believers in packing light. And another pet peeve is the whole idea of ‘living out of a suitcase’. This is why we’re delighted to have found this great solution. If I’m travelling and staying in my accommodation...
It’s true. There are over a thousand bed and breakfast establishments throughout Italy that are willing to offer you free accommodation. Some of these are in rural villages, some are in well-travelled towns, some are set on sparkling lakes. Others may be by the...
If you’re vegetarian and travelling to a country in Europe for the first time, how will you fare? The answer is that wherever you go, you can be sure to find plenty of vegetarian and vegan restaurants. But as a non-meat-eater myself, I prefer to experience more...
How long can you go away for with just a carry on bag? A weekend, a week, a month even? Just wait until you see the video below. I am pretty confident that I could travel for weeks if I could fit over a hundred items into one single bag – couldn’t you? The...
Travelling light, which is what most of us prefer to do, causes one major problem – that of washing your clothes when you’re on your trip. If you don’t, then you might have the following problems to face: Dirty laundry getting mixed up with your...
I suppose there are McDonald’s and pizza places everywhere in the world now. I wonder if they have them in Timbuktu? Probably. But to me, one of the great pleasures of travelling is sampling the local cuisine. This is especially the case if you’re visiting...
Today there are only a handful of people in the world who know the secret of making su filindeu – Sardinia’s secret pasta. This pasta has traditionally been made for a local religious festival and the recipe has been handed down within the same family for...
If you’ve seen this 1980s romantic comedy film, then you know exactly which scene I am talking about here. But was it filmed in a real place? And can you go there? The answers are yes and yes. Katz’s Deli at 205 E Houston St., New York, was where the...
One of the nicest aspects of living or vacationing in the Las Olas area of Fort Lauderdale is indulging in a leisurely breakfast right on the boulevard. You can see our recommendations featured on the map below. Let’s start at the eastern and of the boulevard...
I like Airbnb, as both a guest and a host. It’s a wonderful service and has a huge variety of fascinating places to stay all over the world. But these days, scams are everywhere. And remember, this is no fault of the Airbnb itself – respected institutions...
More and more people today are hosting guests in their own homes. Often, it’s friends or relatives who are staying with you. Many have found that renting out their spare bedroom or separate suite using Airbnb or similar sites helps them to earn money to maintain...
This is an aspect of travel that not many people talk about. But if you’ve travelled far and wide, you’ll know that not every country in the world has the facilities that you’d expect to find at home. They say that every adventurous traveller has at...
One of the great pleasures of travelling – especially when you’re going abroad – is enjoying sampling the local cuisine. But for many people, this can be more stressful than we realise. I’m taking here about those who have food allergies or who...
Most tourists who visit Scotland will take the usual well-travelled routes to see Scotland’s ancient castles and historical sites, swing by Loch Ness hoping for a glimpse of ‘Nessie’ or take a driving tour following Scotland’s spectacular coastline with its...
Have you seen any of those TV programmes that have been cropping up in recent years regarding the cleanliness – or lack thereof – in average hotels? If you haven’t, see the video below as an example. See how serious, even deadly, bacteria can lurk...
Have you thought about being an Airbnb host? I highly recommend it and it’s a great way to make some extra money. But have you got what it takes? It sounds easy, doesn’t it? It’s fun too – you’ll get to meet people from all over the world...
As a travel enthusiast and Airbnb host, I read many blogs and forums relating to the subject. And I find that many travellers simply do not prepare themselves adequately for their travel experience, especially if they are going abroad. Travel is one of the most...
Coming to Edinburgh? No vacation trip to Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city, would be complete without paying a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia, Scotland’s most popular visitor attraction. Launched in 1953 Her Majesty’s Yacht Britannia was a much-loved favourite of...
When I say cosmetics bag, this Lay-n-Go drawstring bag is perfect for all those small items that you need to access when you’re travelling. And although it was developed for cosmetics, the non-make-up-wearing man will find this ideal for his toiletries too. Have...
Miami is a fascinating place. It has an intriguing history too and yet many people find it a little overwhelming because there’s simply so much to see and do. The answer to this problem is to take a look at the various tours that are available in the city...
The only people I know who genuinely love travelling by air are those who fly first class. Yes, that would certainly make the whole experience simply lovely. But that’s not something that most of us can afford. Many people don’t like to travel by air. I...
When we travel these days, we have to spend more time in the airport than ever before. We have extra security measures, earlier check in times and of course, airports are busier than ever before. This can make air travel much more stressful than it was in years gone...
Many visitors to Scotland look forward to savouring a ‘taste of the country’. Food and drink like atholl brose, cranachan, the fine malt whiskies of Islay or even Scotland’s ‘other national drink’ may be consumed and the historic castles of Dunrobin, Edinburgh and...
Did you know that there is the most useful travel accessory that costs nothing? It also takes up hardly any room in your luggage, it’s lightweight and I recommend that you always travel with several of these, whatever your travel plans are. What’s more,...
For many of us today, sitting on a beach for two weeks is just not our idea of a good vacation. Many travellers these days want true experiences that they’ll remember for all their days. And here at TRAQUO we love discovering them for you. That’s why...
What could be more relaxing than drifting down a French canal in a luxury barge – through wine country? An eight-day cruise from G Adventures allows you to do just that. The luxurious modern barge accommodates twenty two people and features stylish cabins and an...
One of the things I really enjoy doing when I’m travelling to another country is shopping. I’m not referring to buying designer goodies, or even souvenirs – simply buying bread in a local bakery or wine from a vineyard is exciting for me. I enjoy...
Peshtemal towels have been growing in popularity for a couple of years now but have you ever realised just how great they are when you’re travelling? They are very stylish and are even more convenient when you’re travelling than when you’re at home....
Travelling is a wonderful thing to do but it can become stressful if you’re worrying about the safety and security of your travel essentials. Your vacation can be ruined if you lose your passport, your tickets, your cash, your ID documents – and in my...
On August 31st, 2016 a scheduled passenger aircraft left Fort Lauderdale Airport and less than an hour later was in Cuba. This was the first time in fifty years that a commercial flight had flown from the to Cuba from the USA. And Cuba has been on many...
I think that New Orleans is one of my favourite places in the USA. I certainly considered living there at one time and probably still would if I wasn’t seriously addicted to the South Florida weather 🙂 There’s so much to see and do but the highlight of...
Recently I’ve been talking to people in Mandarin, Greek, Danish, Russian and more. No, I’m not a linguistic genius – my language capabilities stop at school-taught French plus being able to ask for a glass of wine in most European languages 😉...
Many Americans have asked me this question. The ‘tipping culture’ in the USA is widespread and well-understood but few people from the US understand the British way of showing your appreciation – especially in pubs. It’s likely that just about...
I know how hard it can be to get out of bed when it’s still dark outside, especially when you’re on vacation. But if you’re staying on the East Coast of Florida, then it’s well worth it, if only on one day, to watch the sun rise. I don’t...
Are you guilty of over-packing when you’re travelling? I used to do that all the time but no longer – thanks to some of the amazing products and clothing lines available today. Take the photograph you see above. See how many dresses are there? Actually,...
Are you thinking about using Airbnb the next time you travel? If so, you’ve made an excellent choice. Airbnb offers such a wide selection of accommodation types so whatever kind of place you’re looking for, you’ll find just the right place for you. A...
So many people visit the UK and only see London. London is a great city but there’s so much more to see in the British Isles. Today, I’m recommending that you take a trip north – to the ancient city of York. The city was founded by the Romans and...
