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7 things cruise passengers should never do

7 things cruise passengers should never do
Cruising is a unique and holistic experience. One can never be bored as it comes with in-house activities like facials, spa treatments, an unlimited buffet, and indoor and outdoor activities. But if you have never been on a cruise before, the experience can get overwhelming. While there are many things you can enjoy doing on a cruise, there are specific things that you should avoid altogether. This article will help you identify some of them. Never forget to carry an ID card It is suggested to carry a passport or an identity card on a cruise, but sometimes it’s not practical or too expensive to get one. On most cruises, you have to show your birth certificate and photo ID before you board. A driving license should also work. But no matter the destination, always carry your ID card. Never arrive too early Cruise lines have a boarding time (typically 12 to 4 pm) wherein you can show up anytime within the period to board the ship. Some cruises have a “staggered” check-in where you check in online with a selected time to board. If you arrive early, you might be told to come back to the terminal at your scheduled time.  Never miss the muster drill Muster drills are no fun, but they are mandatory for your safety.

10 things to avoid in the Mediterranean as a tourist

10 things to avoid in the Mediterranean as a tourist
Exploring the world is always exciting! Whether it’s new cuisines you are looking forward to, visiting new places, or just lounging around at the beach. One way of making your trip abroad more enjoyable is by being prepared, right from choosing the correct time to travel or carrying extra cash. If you are planning a vacation to the gorgeous countries in the Mediterranean, here are ten things you should avoid: Relying on your credit card Credit cards offer convenience to users, but it is easier to get around with cash in the Mediterranean. For example, payments at hotels and big restaurants can easily be made using a credit card. Still, it is essential to carry some money when you visit smaller markets and local vendors. Forgetting to pack layers The weather can be a little unpredictable if you’re traveling in October. Ensure you carry light and warm sweaters to prepare you for everything nature has in store for you. Visiting during the high season Save money on your trip by planning your vacation during March, April, May, October, and November. Avoid traveling to the Mediterranean in July and August if you want to skip the crowds. Not checking for labor strikes Strikes are quite common in Mediterranean Europe.

11 best Christmas gift ideas for women

11 best Christmas gift ideas for women
With Christmas only a month away, it is the perfect time to brainstorm ideas for the perfect gifts the women in your life would love and appreciate. Be it your mom, sister, friend, or significant other, there is a chance you are scratching your head trying to find the best Christmas gift for her. Buying a gift that touches their heart is more important than a perfect one. Check out a few options here. Jigsaw puzzle Gift the women in your life the power to unwind for a few hours. Jigsaw puzzles are an ideal way to step away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and just be focused on the task at hand. It is also a great family activity. Robot vacuum You can do her no greater favor than relieving her of her cleaning and vacuuming duties. Go big this time and present her with a robot vacuum cleaner that will save her some time and effort. Coffee maker Starting the day right is crucial to set the tone for the rest of the day. Make sure hers is always starting off the right way with a great coffee maker. Put it in a basket with some of her favorite blends to make this Christmas special.

Top 6 hotel booking websites

Top 6 hotel booking websites
Accommodation is usually one of the most expensive aspects of any vacation. Though booking a hotel has become easier than ever, the sheer number of platforms and offers can overwhelm most travelers. In general, the best websites feature great deals, numerous room options, and results based on your preferences. Here, we’ve listed top hotel booking websites that can help you get an excellent room at a reasonable price. Booking.com Booking.com has become a go-to hotel-booking website for millions of travelers worldwide. It’s reliable, easy to use, and offers eclectic search results, consisting of hotels, apartments, hostels, and guesthouses. Plus, the platform provides impressive deals year-round that can help you book inexpensive accommodation in any destination around the world. Additionally, Booking.com offers excellent customer service. HotelsCombined HotelsCombined is a top-rated metasearch engine, also referred to as an aggregator. This means it compares listings from hundreds of websites, including top travel agencies and major hotel brands, and puts them in one place. The website makes it excellent for last-minute bookings. One of the highlights of HotelsCombined is that it offers a “Best Price Guarantee,” which promises customers a refund of the difference if they find a hotel listed cheaper elsewhere on the web.

8 most popular tourist destinations in Italy

8 most popular tourist destinations in Italy
Italy has earned its spot as one of the most popular tourist destinations. Rich in culture, history, art, and tradition and famous for its spectacular cuisine, the country has much to offer tourists. From rolling green hills in Tuscany to busy piazzas in Rome to gorgeous beaches in Amalfi to opulent living quarters in Lake Como, the country has something for every type of traveler, and here are must-visit options. Amalfi Coast With steep cliffs overlooking clear blue waters, the Amalfi Coast should be on every traveler’s list of must-see places in Italy. A rugged coastline, colorful villages, picturesque towns, winding alleys, hidden coves, sunny beaches, hikes along ancient footpaths, and fresh seafood are all hallmarks of vacationing in Amalfi. Pompeii One of the most famous archaeological discoveries, Pompeii, a city frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, gives visitors an insight into life in Italy in 79 AD. Ruins of homes, the amphitheater, forum, and thermal baths with intricate mosaics and frescoes will be one for the travel journals if one makes sure to visit when on vacation in Italy. Tuscany If an Italian experience is on the cards, one cannot and must not turn down a visit to Tuscany to enjoy Tuscan cuisine and admire Renaissance art.

6 travel mistakes to avoid when in Europe

6 travel mistakes to avoid when in Europe
Every destination has its own charm, offering its unique different cuisines, tourist spots, architecture, and etiquettes. It’s always a good idea to do some research before going to a new country; it makes travel easier and hassle-free. After all, vacations are meant for relaxation and creating beautiful memories. This article shares some common mistakes travelers should avoid while touring Europe, the continent of royal castles, exquisite cuisines, quaint villages, and appealing architecture.  Solely relying on plastic money If you think carrying your card is the way to go on travels, think again. Most cafes, restaurants, bars, tourist spots, museums, and public transportation still mostly accept cash over plastic money. Withdraw an amount that should help take you through most of the trip. This way, you avoid stacking withdrawal fees. However, only carry the required amount for the day. ATMs let you pick denominations, and after your first day in Europe, you should know which denomination mix works best in the country you’re in.  Forgetting to claim your VAT tax refund This is an important note to make, especially when making large purchases. You will need a VAT tax refund form at the airport when traveling back home. This piece of paper could reward you with a 19-25% cash refund on all purchases from 0 to 175 euros.

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4 key things to consider when choosing a new garden fence

Having a fence around one’s property can serve multiple purposes, such as providing privacy, safety, and keeping away animals or keeping pets inside. Choosing the right fence that is compatible with the house can be a challenging task. Therefore, it is important to take some time to consider the various options available on the market before installing a fence. Moreover, there are several important factors to take into account when selecting a new garden fence. Legal responsibility and planning permission This is one of the most crucial aspects that must be considered before deciding on anything else regarding fence installation. If this issue is not sorted out initially, one may end up spending a lot of money and time in the building and installing the fence, only to cancel everything later on.  Therefore, it is important to understand who would be responsible for replacing or repairing a fence if it is a shared entity between two neighbors. This can be found out through property deeds that provide details regarding which boundaries are the legal responsibility of which neighbor. In addition, it is a good idea to have a discussion with one’s neighbors before starting the work. Also, one needs to figure out whether planning permission is required for the new fence. Privacy and security For homeowners who live in urban or suburban areas, security and privacy are two of the key things they need to consider before building a new fence. If one’s home is on a quiet street with fewer people passing through, an open and breezy fence panel like arched top pailing fence panels may work well. But for those living across busy roads or a locality that has a lot of people and traffic moving around, higher fencing styles such as traditional Close Board Fencing Panels or Waney fence panels should be considered.

10 Designer Perfume Deals to Expect for Black Friday 2023

The much-anticipated Black Friday sale is only two months away, so one can start preparing their shopping list. Besides clothing, appliances, furniture, and other essentials, people with a fondness for alluring fragrances can buy perfumes during this time. Labels like Chanel, Armani, and Bond No. 9 are known to have fantastic offers. Based on last year’s trends and current prices, we’ve listed ten Black Friday designer perfume deals one can expect in 2023. Floral fragrances 1. The Dioriviera by Dior embodies a fresh and fruity fragrance. It’s designed to convey modern and romantic impressions inspired by a rose garden. It also emanates a slight warmness of a pleasant, sunny day. Since the Dioriviera launched earlier this year, it’s hard to say how much it will be discounted for Black Friday. However, last year’s trends indicate premium Dior perfumes like these will likely sell for at least 10% less. Both men and women can use it. 2. Jimmy Choo’s Blossom Eau de Parfum spray was marked down by 50% last sale season. It usually costs $60, but one could pick it up for just $30 at Macy’s. This spray c ombines juicy berries, fragrant florals, and creamy sandalwood, creating a sweet, lively party scent perfect for the holiday season. It comes in a striking fuchsia bottle with a dimpled pattern and diamond-shaped lid. 3. The Armani My Way Eau de Parfum combines floral and woody notes. One of the key ingredients, orange blossom, is extracted from hand-picked bitter orange fruits. This perfume currently costs $155 on the brand’s website. However, for Black Friday last year, sites like Beauty BFF let customers save 30% on Armani perfumes with a coupon code. One can hope such offers repeat in 2023. Fragrances for women 4. The Chanel N°5  Eau De Parfum spray has been around since 1921.

4 benefits of wearing a body shaper

Body shapers or shapewear are undergarments that create a smooth foundation beneath clothes by providing a firm, thin layer of compression. They are often worn to create a smooth silhouette across the bust, hips, waist, and thighs. Shapewear is available in a wide range of shapes, styles, patterns, colors, and types, including body briefs, control camisoles, long-leg shapers, corsets, waist cinchers, and so on. The right shapewear can offer the following benefits: Smoother silhouette Whether one is planning an outfit for a casual day out, party, or a formal event, wearing a body shaper underneath can help elevate the look. The right shapewear can smoothen the seams and hide clothing wrinkles so that the outfit looks well-fitted and sharp. It will give a smoother appearance along with a toned silhouette. Further, aging is a natural process that causes muscles to lose their elasticity and suppleness, making the skin prone to sagging. Here, shapewear can help firm up the appearance of loose skin. Improved posture A full-body shaper that covers the complete torso compresses the body and offers a snug fit. This helps in keeping the back straight and maintaining a good posture. The long-term effect of maintaining a good posture while wearing compression shapewear is that one gets used to naturally sitting, standing, or walking with their back straight, even when not wearing shapewear. This may help in alleviating back and shoulder pain while improving the posture. Helps with sweating Thermal body shapers are special types of shapewear designed to stimulate sweating. These are usually available in the form of vests, pants, shorts, and bodysuits. Most of them tend to focus on the midsection. So, those who do not sweat enough while working out can opt for these body shapers that increase the natural body heat and perspiration around the waist and midsection.

Top 10 Tablet Deals to Explore on Black Friday 2023

Black Friday, one of the most anticipated retail holidays of the year, is right around the corner. This year, it falls on November 24. With early-bird sales and holiday season excitement comes the need for preparation. With each Black Friday bringing with it discounts on everything, from kitchen appliances to phones and tablets, one can add all kinds of electronics to their shopping list. So, here are some tablets worth considering on Black Friday 2023: Slate tablets The slate or standalone tablet is the most traditional variant while also being the most popular option. Here, the gadget comes with a big touchscreen, ranging from 5 inches to 13 inches. While these are usually regular-sized tabs, one may also be able to find mini tablets. 1. On Black Friday, shoppers can expect amazing deals on slate tablets, but one must keep in mind that the prices can differ depending on screen size, features, and other specifications. An already affordable tablet, the Lenovo Tab M8, sold for just $79 at Walmart last Black Friday.  2. Last year, shoppers got a $230 discount on the Samsung Galaxy 14.6-inch tab at Best Buy. This deal is worth following up on this Black Friday. 3. Those looking for affordable Samsung tablets can consider the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8. This gadget carried a $60 discount last Black Friday, selling for just $139. With a 10.5-inch display and 32GB of memory, the tablet can be a great Android option for students. 4. Additionally, Lenovo’s 10.6-inch slate tablet model has previously carried a post-discount price of $139 on the brand’s official website during the shopping season sale. With 4GB RAM and 128GB storage, this tablet is great for students and professionals, making it worth considering this shopping season. 5. The Lenovo Yoga tablets have previously sold for $319.99 during the holiday season.

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Black Friday 2023 – Top 10 Smartphone Deals to Watch Out For

Black Friday 2023 – Top 10 Smartphone Deals to Watch Out For

Even during non-festive periods, smartphones sell like hotcakes in online and offline stores. Most tech enthusiasts routinely feel the need to get their hands on the latest models of their favorite smartphones. With Black Friday 2023 still several weeks away, shoppers can check out the features of their favorite smartphones. All the estimated deals listed in this article are based on the existing retail discounts, and buyers can expect similar bargains this Black Friday. High-range smartphones 1. Different variants of Apple’s iPhone make up the top 4 of the bestselling smartphones in the country. On many retail sites, devices such as the Apple iPhone SE 5G are being sold with discounts that range from about $200 to $250. This means that there is a high percentage chance that similar or better deals will likely emerge for such devices when Black Friday looms closer. The Apple iPhone SE 5G offers fantastic features such as lightning-fast processors, 5G connectivity, 4K video recording capability with 60 FPS, the unique Dynamic Island display, IP67 water resistance, and many more. 2. Samsung’s Galaxy devices come second in the sales pecking order after Apple’s iPhones when it comes to the smartphone market leadership. With the presence of Black Friday looming on the horizon, users can expect great deals on their favorite Galaxy smartphones. For instance, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is available on many retail sites with existing discounts ranging from 10% to 15%. Shoppers may possibly find such (or better) discounts during the upcoming sale period. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is a one-of-a-kind foldable phone packed with incredible features such as a massive display, dual-app viewing, immersive gaming experience, super AMOLED screens, and many other niceties. 3. A device that is likely to offer massive discounts during Black Friday is the Google Pixel 7.
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10 Incredible Black Friday Deals to Expect on Laptops in 2023

10 Incredible Black Friday Deals to Expect on Laptops in 2023

Laptops combine the power of desktops with the portability of smartphones, making them suitable for several tasks. But this is also why they tend to be pricey. Unsurprisingly, many wait for sales like Black Friday to buy the model of their choice. Below are ten types of laptops and the Black Friday 2023 deals one can expect on them in the coming months. The discounts listed are based on last year’s sale and current prices. 1. Dual-screen laptops Unlike older dual-screen models, newer ones are much more efficient and non-gimmicky. They have secondary displays with anti-glare capability that perfectly complement the primary screen. A great option is the ASUS Zenbook Pro Duo UX581. It comes with a 15.6-inch 4K UHD NanoEdge touchscreen glossy main display, a cutting-edge Intel Core i7-9750H Quad Core Processor, and a 14-inch 4K matte touchscreen for seamless scrolling and usability. Last year, Amazon sold specific variants of the Zenbook Pro Duo for a discount of 15% in the run-up to Black Friday. 2. Gaming laptops Gamers need laptops that are responsive, less prone to overheating, and armed with high-end graphics cards. In short, they seek devices that will not leave them high and dry in the middle of a high-octane, graphics-heavy game by being laggy and annoying. Thankfully, several gaming laptops tick these boxes, an example being Lenovo’s IdeaPad Gaming 3. The device has incredible features, such as the latest AMD Ryzen 6000 Series processors, GeForce RTX 30 Series GPUs, and Rapid Charge technology to boost battery by 40% in just 15 minutes. Amazon reduced the price of specific IdeaPad Gaming 3 models by $300 last Black Friday, so gamers can hope for similar savings in 2023. 3. Chromebooks Those who prefer the ultra-reliable Chrome OS can check out Acer’s Chromebook 315. It has a powerful Intel Celeron N4020 dual-core processor, a full HD IPS touchscreen, and over 12 hours of battery life!
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