Sometimes you got to be little creative when you’re planning your trip or just when you want to cut down those unnecessary things while on your holiday. You wish to enjoy your holiday to the fullest, right? Of course you can rely on incredible discounts offered by Makemytrip on flights, hotels, bus, trains and more if budget is your stopping you from making plans. This India’s best travel company will not disappoint you when it comes to budget traveling. Well, in this article, you will see various useful travel hacks that were picked by travel enthusiasts along the way. Check out the below travel hacks.

How to deal with packing your clothes?

Want to fit more things in your suitcase? Rolling your clothes will get this job done. It’s simple, instead having a separate shelf for everything that you put in, roll your clothes avoiding folded piles. This will save more space. Also, you can put your lingerie within your rolled clothes for a more optimal saving option.

No last-minute hotel bookings?

Don’t rely on this unless you are not sure of your destination. Always, book your hotels in advance which is close by your travel destination. If you wish to get better accommodations at budget friendly prices, then we suggest you to check out OYO Rooms first. This platform gives you a detailed information about various hotels, unbelievable discounts at ease.

Pack in the most clever and brilliant way

So want your baggage to be released quickly and handed to you correctly? Try out this trick – put a fragile note on your baggage. This is a great way to ensure that your baggage is put at the top and handled a bit more carefully by air services. And so, will be released quickly.

When in Rome, do as Romans do

Although this is a general saying, we like to follow this and suggest you readers to follow this – get out of your comfort zone and figure of things how you can explore that new place in an unconventional way. Know what type of dress or tradition does the country you visit follows. This can ensure that you will be more comfortable while enjoying all the must-do activities in the new place.

It’s one of the big occasions for parents, they want to make sure that their kids enjoys their special day. It’s a special day also for parents because it will bring back all the memories of when their child was born. To make sure that the day goes with out a hitch, everyone is happy and it ‘s a day to remember, we have put together a great list of things to help you along when you start planning.

If you follow these tips then you can rest safe in the knowledge that the birthday boy or girl and all of they friends will be smiling from ear to ear.

Location

So your child has said that you they want to have a birthday part, it’s time to dart thinking about where the location will be. If it’s going to be a big party then with a load of children running around then you will be best off having an outdoor party. The best idea, in our opinion, is to have a smaller party which is much easier to manage. Having the party at home, if you have space, makes things a lot easier because it’s easier to take care of everyone and you know that you will have a private space. If it’s going to be an outdoor party then maybe you will choose the local park or swimming pool – again this is difficult to manage so you might ask a few other parents to help you out. You can of course hire a local hall which will make everything a lot easier and you don’t have to do as much tidying up afterwards!

What’s the theme?

We all know the saying ‘it’s my party and i’ll cry if I want to’ and oh how well do we know how kids love to cry at their own party! So it’s always a very good idea to let the birthday boy or girl decide on the theme for their party. Whatever they choose, from a disney classic to astronauts, you can easily make it happen with a few simple decorations, fancy dress and some themed food. Look out for groupon vouchers which will save you a few pennies if you can use them on costumes.

The activity list

Once you’ve got the theme and numbers you expect at the party you can start drawing up the schedule for the party. It’s better to over prepare than be under prepared. You don’t have to do all of the activities or games you have planned, but it is always better to have something up your sleeve if the kids start to get restless of bored. For most of the time kids are happy to run around and play together, there’s no harm in having the party classics at hand to save the party though!

London is an incredibly popular tourist destination, and is also one of the most expensive – it can be off-putting when some attractions cost upwards of £100 for a family to visit, but there’s no reason you can’t have a good time in London on a smaller budget – in fact, some places cost nothing at all and are great fun for the whole family. Let’s take a look at some of our favourites.

1. The National Portrait Gallery, St. Martin’s Place, WC2

Photo: Julie Kertesz

The National Portrait Gallery boasts an amazing collection of original portraits in a variety of mediums and styles, from the Middle Ages to the present day. Some exhibits sometimes charge an admission fee, but the permanent collection is always free and features paintings, photography, drawings, sculptures, and more by a wide range of famous artists.

2. Richmond Park, Richmond, TW10

Photo: Bruno Girin

This delightful park is the largest of the capital’s eight royal parks, covering over 2,500 acres of unspoiled woodlands, grasslands and hills. Designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a National Nature Reserve, Richmond Park is home to around 650 deer, as well as other wild animals including foxes, birds, bats, shrews, mice and voles.

3. The Science Museum, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7

The science museum is open daily from 10am until 6pm, and is a wonderful place to visit for all ages. With over 15000 objects on display, there’s something here for everyone, whether it’s the Apollo 10 command capsule, Stephenson’s Rocket, or the amazing interactive ‘Who am I’ exhibition. Great fun for adults and children alike.

4. Changing of the Guard, Buckingham Palace, SW1

For a quintessentially British display of pomp, ceremony and tradition, look no further than the Changing of the Guard outside Buckingham Palace. The ‘Changing the Guard’ or ‘Guard Mounting’, is the process involving a new guard exchanging duty with the old guard which happens every day between April and July, and every other day for the remainder of the year. It occurs at 11:30am, but make sure you get there by 11:15 to get a good viewing spot.

5. Barbican Conservatory, Silk St, London EC2

This hidden gem in London’s famous Barbican Centre, the conservatory is open on Sundays and is home to exotic fish and over 2,000 species of tropical plants and trees, and is the perfect way to enjoy a lazy Sunday afternoon with friends and family, especially during the winter, as the heated greenhouse provides all the enjoyment of the outdoors without anything so harsh as the famously bitter British weather! The conservatory is sometimes closed on Sundays for special events, so be sure to check the timetable at http://www.barbican.org.uk/visitor-information/conservatory.

Ask at your London hotel reception for more info.

Now that summer is just around the corner, it’s time to plan your great British summer. And here’s a list of some of particularly British events and attractions to entice you!

Stately homes

Britain enjoys a global reputation for its many historic houses and stately homes. And there are many ways to enjoy these beautiful buildings apart from the traditional guided tour.

Hampton Court Palace may be famous for being occupied by Henry VIII, but it will also host a great selection of outdoor concerts this summer with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra presenting an evening of Fanfare and Fireworks on 13 June.

The great British pub

The pub is the epicentre of many a long summer’s evening. With the relaxed balmy nights of summer enticing us to sample the delights of the pub garden, it’s a good time to check out the Telegraph’s list of the best British pubs with gardens.

And the British pub is also a great place to try your hand at some traditional pub games such as pool, billiards and darts. If you’re looking to reacquaint yourself with the great British pub sport of darts, then check out the Coral site for the latest facts, scores and predictions.

Country living

The great British countryside really comes to life in the summertime. And if you’re seeking a slice of traditional country living, then the Ryedale Show in North Yorkshire on 28 July will give you all of the sights, sounds and smells you could wish for.

With livestock competitions, craft stalls and dog shows providing an interesting insight into the nation’s farming heritage, it’ll give you a new-found appreciation for life in the country!

A day at the beach

The British seaside in summer is always a great place to see the population reacquainting themselves with the sun as thousands flock to a number of seaside destinations.

Traditional Victorian seaside resorts such as Blackpool and Scarborough will offer you all of the kitsch delights that only a day at the British beach can provide. But if you’re looking for something a little more stylish, then Cornwall not only boasts the impressive Tate St Ives art museum, but also the English National Surfing Championships in the charming seaside town of Newquay from 2 to 4 May.

Get medieval

And finally, if you’re looking to really celebrate Britain’s heritage, then pay a visit to the quaint Gloucestershire town of Tewkesbury between 11 and 12 July where there is Europe’s largest medieval festival.

The Tewkesbury Medieval Festival has been running for over 30 years now and offers historical re-enactments, an authentic medieval market and even the occasional dragon-keeper!

Dublin has a bit of a reputation in travel circles as a warm (the people, not the weather), friendly and welcoming city. It’s the sort of city you can visit and never want to leave. From the bustling shops on Grafton Street and O’Connell Street to the lively bar scene at Temple Bar, Dublin has no shortage of things to keep you entertained as you visit ‘The Fair City’. If you are in a rush though and are planning a weekend break to the capital city of Ireland, here’s a few things to be sure to take in.

How to spend 48 hours in Dublin

Get the right hotel

Dublin hotels are plentiful and finding the right hotel can be a challenge. You need to think location and budget. Unlike other cities in Ireland, Dublin is pretty large, so if you want to see as much of the city as possible, think about locating somewhere near the city centre. If city centre is your desired location then look for hotels that fall within the following postal / zip codes – Dublin 1, 2 or 4. Dublin does have a great public transport system, so even if you are staying outside of the city centre, you will be able to get into town pretty easy using the bus, train (Irish Rail and LUAS) or tram lines (DART).

Take the city bus tour

The best way to see Dublin in a short space of time is by hoping on to one of the city’s popular tourist buses. The Dublin City Sightseeing Tour and Dublin Bus Tour will provide you with a 2 day ticket to travel round the city getting off and on as you please. Popular stops along the way include Trinity College, Grafton Street, Temple Bar, The Guinness Storehouse, Jameson Distillery, Phoenix Park and Kilmainham Gaol. The bus tour will certainly keep you busy for a day (or two depending on where you plan to visit), and in some instances the bus driver acts as a tourist guide, and a very entertaining one at that.

Dublin nightlife

So you’ve spent the day exploring the city by bus, now it’s time to enjoy the city at night on feet. For most first time visitors to Dublin, the first stop for exploring the local bar scene is the famous Temple Bar area. Temple Bar has many bars and restaurants located within the area and can be a good way to spend a few hours sampling the bar atmosphere and enjoying the traditional Irish music on show. As it is a popular tourist hangout, the price of drink can be pretty expensive, but if you’re only looking for a few beverages and some entertainment then you’ll be hard pushed to beat Temple Bar.

Dublin offer much more than Temple Bar though if you’re looking to sample the nightlife in your short trip. For those of you keen to explore some of Dublin’s most popular nightspots, get along to Harcourt Street and Copper Face Jacks and Krystle nightclubs. Dame Lane and Baggot Street are also popular spots with the locals while bars like Pygmalion at South William Street and 37 Dawson Street on Dawson Street are also worth checking out. One thing you can guarantee about Dublin is that you won’t be stuck for somewhere to enjoy a night out. From traditional bars and craft beer bars to cocktail bars, wine bars and nightclubs, there’s something for everything in The Fair City.

Dining out in Dublin

So day one is over and now it’s time to get some breakfast or lunch and set you up for day two in the city. As you’d expect with a major European capital city, Dublin has a great choice of places when it comes to dining out. Popular spots for breakfast or lunch include Bibi’s Café, Coppinger Row and Brother Hubbard, and if it’s a sweet treat that you are after, look no further than Queen of Tarts on Dame Street. If you’re looking for suggestions to dining out at night, Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud on Upper Merrion Street is the pinnacle of dining in Dublin. It is Ireland’s only 2 star Michelin restaurant. If you’re looking for something a little different, check out Bite on Frederick Street, The Green Hen in Exchequer Street or Fire Restaurant on Dawson Street.

Dublin and the great outdoors

Dublin can be hit and miss when it comes to the weather, but if you are fortunate and get blue skies and clear weather for your stay, be sure to take a stroll around St Stephen’s Green, a large park in the centre of the city. Take your time and stroll through the park, taking in the magnificent gardens as you go. If you have time, take a trip out to Phoenix Park, a park that is larger than both Central Park in New York and Hyde Park in London. Phoenix Park is also the home of Dublin Zoo, another area well worth visiting.

Other notable places to visit

If you’re looking for something different to do in Dublin on your stay, be sure to check out the Little Museum of Dublin, Dublin Wax Museum, Croke Park (home of the Gaelic Football Association) and the National Leprechaun Museum.

So as you can see, there’s lot’s for you to do when you visit Dublin. For more information on things to do and places to visit in Dublin, visit www.visitdublin.com.

The holiday season is upon us, when everything and everybody prepares the wonderful celebrations of Christmas – every nation in its own way. In Europe most major cities organize traditional Christmas fairs around this time of the year, and some go even further, completing the fairs with celebrations and other traditional activities that happen at Christmas time. Here is a short selection of the most interesting ones that you must visit if you happen to be in Europe around this time of the year.

The Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen

The Tivoli Gardens is one of the “must-see” sights for visitors in Copenhagen (Denmark) all year long, but in December it transforms into something even more attractive – a veritable winter wonderland. Besides the thrill rides and the stalls selling traditional Christmas food and drinks, along with hand-crafted merchandise, the garden itself transforms into something taken out of a fairy tale, with dozens of decorated Christmas trees and thousands of lights flickering all over the place. A wonderful adventure and some traditions mixed with the surroundings of a modern European capital city – a must visit for those traveling in Denmark in December.

The Budapest Christmas Fair

The best place to soak up some Christmas spirit along with some exotic Hungarian traditions during the holiday season. The fair has over 100 participants, with stalls selling hand crafted, traditional foodstuffs, drinks (go easy with the “palinka” – it’s real fire water!) and ornaments, all approved by a jury as being hand-crafted and traditional. The fair is spiced up with traditional songs and dances, showing the nation’s Christmas traditions and colorful national wear.

The Christmas Markets of Paris

Oh, Paris, the wonderful capital city of France – what can be more romantic than a visit to the City of Light during the holiday season! Paris is home to a series of Christmas events and fairs, including the Gourmet Christmas Fair at the Palais Brongniart, the Christmas Markets of the Champs Elysées, the Marché de Noël de la Place Saint Sulpice or Marché de Noël de Montparnasse. You can even visit Versailles, the wonderful palace of the Sun King (Louis XIV of France) for a special Christmas fair between December 5th and December 26th this year, visiting the architectural wonder of the old Paris and the traditional Christmas fair at the same time. There are several Christmas fairs to choose from – the only problem is how to make time to visit them all.

On a personal note – I think the best way to visit these wonderful examples of Christmas fairs is by train. Riding a train during winter has its specific atmosphere, seeing all the mountains and plains covered in snow makes the trip add to your Christmas spirit. And if you get bored on the way… well, classic slots can produce hours of fun, and they can chase the boredom away.