Travel

Spain Travel

A Complete Guide to Traveling to Spain!

Spain has always been an alluring destination for travelers. Its stunning architecture, rich history, and delicious cuisine have captivated the hearts of many. With plenty of must-visit destinations and top attractions to explore, traveling to Spain is one of the best decisions you’ll make as a traveler. In this blog post, we’ll take you through some of the must-see destinations, top places to visit, and delectable food to try while in Spain. We’ll also talk about why booking with a travel agent like Proficient Travel is an excellent choice and how you can request a quote.

Madrid

Madrid, the capital of Spain, is a magical city that mesmerizes all its visitors. It is famous for its iconic plazas, museums, and royal palaces that enchant visitors with their grandeur and history. Some of the must-see attractions in Madrid include the Prado Museum, the Royal Palace of Madrid, and the Retiro Park. Besides, Madrid is widely known for its nightlife and cuisine, where you can find some of the best tapas bars offering a fantastic selection of Spanish dishes.

Barcelona

Barcelona, a coastal city in Spain, is known for its stunning architecture, beautiful beaches, and rich cultural heritage. The city is famous for its art and architecture, including the works of Antoni Gaudi, such as the Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, and Casa Batllo. Besides the architecture, Barcelona offers visitors plenty of shopping destinations, restaurants, bars, and beaches. A visit to Barcelona is never complete without trying some of the city’s famous dishes, including the Paella, tapas, and churros.

Seville

Seville, located in southern Spain, is a city that will take you back in time. With its stunning architecture, narrow streets, and traditional flamenco dance, Seville is a perfect destination for travelers who want to experience traditional Spanish culture. The must-see attractions in Seville include the Alcazar of Seville, the Seville Cathedral, and the Plaza de España. The food in Seville is delicious and offers some of the best seafood and meat dishes in Spain.

Valencia

Valencia, located on the southeastern coast of Spain, is a city that blends the modern and traditional elements perfectly. It is famous for its beautiful beaches, delicious food, and magnificent architecture. Some of the must-see attractions in Valencia include the City of Arts and Sciences, the Valencia Cathedral, and the Central Market. Valencia is also famous for its traditional dish, the Paella, which visitors must try.

Why booking with a travel agent is a smart choice?

Booking with a travel agent like Proficient Travel is an excellent choice as it saves time, money, and ensures that everything has been taken care of. Travel agents have in-depth knowledge of the tourist destinations, hotels, flights, and transportation in Spain. They can customize your itinerary according to your interests and budget, ensuring that you have a hassle-free and enjoyable vacation.

Spain is a country that has something to offer for every traveler. From its rich cultural heritage to its beautiful beaches, stunning architecture, and delicious food, Spain is a destination that will leave you mesmerized. Must-see destinations include Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, and Valencia, where visitors can explore museums, palaces, beaches, and try regional cuisine. Booking with a travel agent like Proficient Travel ensures that your itinerary is customized to your interests and budget, accordingly. So, what are you waiting for? Request a quote from Proficient Travel and embark on a journey to Spain today!

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By Proficient Travel, 7 monthsOctober 15, 2023 ago

Tahiti vs. Fiji: Some Tips to Help You Choose

Thinking of a trip to a beautiful island in the South Pacific, narrowed it down to Tahiti or Fiji, and can’t decide? Here we outline a few similarities and differences, and what to expect when choosing your south pacific trip to help you make the best choice. One thing to note – there are no direct flights between Fiji and Tahiti so a combination trip would require you to visit another island.

Things that are similar about Tahiti and Fiji:

Getting There:

To get to Fiji or Tahiti from North America, you will need to travel via Los Angeles. There’s one airline for each country (Fiji Airways, and Air Tahiti Nui). Both are overnight flights, arriving into your island early in the morning. (Air Tahiti Nui also has a day time flight). On arrival, neither destination requires a visa for North American travellers.

Weather/Seasonality:

Both Fiji and Tahiti are year-round destinations, with their driest season between May and September.

Activities:

In both countries you can enjoy a variety of activities – swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, paddle boarding, cultural trips, boat excursions, and even skydiving. Both countries also are great places to indulge in at the spa and get a massage.

Some Differences between Tahiti and Fiji:

Geography:

Fiji is made up of 333 islands (some very small!) organized into seven island groups. Tahiti (official French Polynesia) is made up of 118 islands.

Culture:

While both countries are located in the South Pacific, they each have a unique culture. There’s no way to quickly simplify each one here (you need to go see for yourself), but each country maintains its traditional heritage. In Fiji, you can witness a traditional Fijian fire dance or participate in a Kava ceremony. In Tahiti you can also witness their Polynesian heritage through dance, handicrafts, tattooing, and music.

Language:

The official languages in Tahiti are French and English, in Fiji it’s English (although they also speak Fijian and Hindi).

Accommodation:

Tahiti is the home of the luxurious, Overwater Bungalows (OWB). In the most popular islands (Moorea, Bora Bora), you have a variety of resorts to choose from that offer OWB with direct access into the lagoon. Fiji has just one resort with an OWB but it does have Fijian “Bures” – beautiful bungalows with a thatched roof, typically one of the higher room categories, as well as a wider range of accommodation choices from moderate to luxurious.

Food & Eating Out:

On select islands in Tahiti, such as Bora Bora, you can choose to dine in a local restaurant. In Fiji, you typically dine at a resort for all your meals. In Tahiti, food has a French influence, but expect to find a variety of cuisines – the islands offer restaurants with French, Polynesian, Italian, and American food. Seafood is plentiful, with the national fare being ‘Poisson Cru’ (raw fish marinated in lime and coconut). Plus, many restaurants offer a gourmet dining experience, sometimes with as many as seven courses. Fijians utilize fresh, local ingredients in their cuisine which consists of rice, taro, coconut, and fish. With an Indo-Fijian culture, you’ll also experience tasty, colourful curries and cuisine infused with spices. We recommend you try a Lovo, a feast of meat, fish, and vegetables that are steam-cooked underground.

Island Hopping:

In Tahiti, it’s very typical to island hop on your itinerary and visit 2 to 3 islands in one trip. This is less common in Fiji, where most visitors choose one resort and spend the majority of their time there. It’s a little more difficult to hop around in Fiji compared to Tahiti.

If you’re looking for an island paradise, turquoise-colored lagoons, stunning sunsets, lots of water sports, and a place to relax, both Fiji and Tahiti are ideal choices, and both destinations are recommended for honeymooners, couples, and divers. If the criteria above still doesn’t help you make a decision, contact us and we will help you decide 😉

We specialize in personalized travel planning – bespoke itineraries curated especially for you. From the elements of budget, time, destinations of choice, and types of experiences requested, to the style of accommodations, and the various modes of transportation preferred, we are on hand to personalize your trip to your own specifications.

Start planning your South Pacific Trip! (or anywhere in the World)

By gyna, 4 yearsMarch 4, 2020 ago

Travel

Planning a Trip to South Africa

From the fascinating cities to the enthralling game drives and breathtaking scenery—is sure to offer you an experience of a lifetime. South Africa is a massive country with worthwhile attractions from end to end. There’s so much to see and do, the country can quickly overwhelm you with options when planning your trip to South Africa.

It helps to know what you want out of your trip before you begin. Do you want to see incredible landscapes, track magnificent animals, sample South Africa’s lauded wines?

While it’s near impossible to see everything on a single South Africa trip, here are some ideas of the different sides of South Africa.

Cape Town, from the dramatic silhouette of Table Mountain, to the wildlife-rich peninsula where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic, Cape Town occupies one of the most dramatic natural locations in the world. If it’s your first time in South Africa, you absolutely should spend a few days in Cape Town.

Venture outside the city to see a colony of African penguins and beautiful Cape Point Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its rich and unique flora.

South Africa boasts a wealth of great safari options, from the wide plains of Kruger National Park, to beautiful Pilanesberg, to the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, and iSimangaliso Wetlands in KwaZulu-Natal, to smaller reserves on the Cape.

Many travelers consider an African safari one of their dream, “bucket list” experiences, but a safari on a South Africa trip takes careful planning in order to be successful. That includes choosing your destination, your standard of accommodation, the experience you want to have and many other factors.

When choosing your Safari destination when planning a trip to South Africa, know that there is a huge difference between a National park and a private game reserve. National parks allow unlimited numbers of visitors and vehicles on their roads. Drives are also confined to those roads, and restricted to particular hours, usually sunrise to sunset (ie: No night drives or off-roading). This can mean traffic jams, spooked animals, and a sometimes frustrating inability to go in for a closer look.

Most private game reserves allow no more than 2-3 vehicles at any animal sighting. This ensures the animals aren’t overwhelmed by visitors and vehicles. Private game reserves also restrict access to their own vehicles, and set their own hours. So night drives and off-roading are both common. This makes a huge difference if you’re hoping to see (mostly) nocturnal hunters like leopards. They also often permit guided bushwalks, and are usually located on the edge of national parks, so you can enjoy all the same animal sightings with greater comfort and flexibility.

At the Victoria Falls you can experience a natural wonder of one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Victoria Falls presents a spectacular sight of awe-inspiring beauty and grandeur on the Zambezi River, forming the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

High on the must-see lists of most visitors to South Africa is the Garden Route, and with good reason: you can’t help but be seduced by the glorious natural beauty. The distance from Mossel Bay in the west to Storms River in the east is just over 200km, yet the range of topography, vegetation, wildlife and outdoor activities is remarkable.

The wine regions of Stellenbosch and the Franschhoek Valley. Since French wine-making techniques were first brought to South Africa, the country has made the most of its idyllic climate and launched some of the world’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and more. Even if you’re not a wine buff, the region is so beautiful, it’s a worthwhile experience.

Johannesburg is the place to go to mix big-city culture, shopping, dining and nightlife with outdoor adventures, up-close wildlife encounters and visits to historical sites. Explore caves and nature reserves, or visit a traditional village by day, then enjoy dinner at a hip cafe or five-star restaurant.

If you are traveling for your Honeymoon or a Romantic trip, South Africa offers the most luxurious and romantic lodges and hotels.

“All creations start as a dream, but only the most cherished dreams become creations.”

We specialize in personalized travel planning – bespoke itineraries curated especially for you. From the elements of budget, time, destinations of choice, and types of experiences requested, to the style of accommodations, and the various modes of transportation preferred, we are on hand to personalize your trip to your own specifications.

Start planning your Trip to South Africa! (or anywhere in the World)

By gyna, 4 yearsFebruary 25, 2020 ago

Travel

Honeymoon in Greece

Newlyweds and couples looking for the perfect romantic escape will find their bliss in the area’s picture-perfect settings. Nestled between the crystal blue Aegean and Ionian Seas and the sparkling Mediterranean, Greece offers both the rich culture and the peaceful allure of a seaside paradise. Dreamy sunsets, turquoise blue seas, diverse landscapes, and enchanting history set the stage for your perfect Honeymoon in Greece.

A honeymoon in Greece and the Greek Isles is your chance to discover an ancient civilization, soak up the sun and meet friendly, fun-loving people. Whether you want to enjoy the views on a terrace café, lie on a deserted sandy beach or explore ancient monuments, Greece’s diverse landscape provides the perfect setting for your dream honeymoon.

Things to do on your Honeymoon in Greece

Candlelight dinner
Enjoy a red sunset cruise
Rent an ATV
Party in Mykonos
Flying Dress Photo Shoot
Take a caldera cruise
Go wine-tasting
Explore ancient Athens
Visit Meteora if time allows it

We specialize in personalized travel planning – bespoke itineraries curated especially for you. We use our connections across the globe to ensure you receive added value amenities, personalized attention, and an exceptional trip based on your wishes and desires. Our expansive range of Greece island hopping custom packages as well as Greece cruises are created to personalize the ideal Honeymoon you’re looking for in Greece. From the elements of budget, time, destinations of choice, and types of experiences requested, to the style of accommodations, and the various modes of transportation preferred, we are on hand to personalize your trip to your own specifications. Private transfers, candlelight dinners, SPA treatments, culinary experiences, sunset catamaran dinner, hand-picked deluxe hotels and champagne waiting in the room are merely a few of the fine details that we incorporate into such a special occasion.

As our tailor-made arrangements include all travel, transfers, accommodations, tours, and personalized experiences, you don’t have to worry about anything else other than enjoying your perfect Honeymoon in Greece.

Start planning your Dream Honeymoon in Greece! (or anywhere in the World)

By gyna, 4 yearsFebruary 13, 2020 ago

Travel

Tips to travel to Israel

You may have a few questions before planning a trip to the Holy Land; like… is Israel safe to travel? What should you wear?

Here are some things you should know before your trip

Pack appropriate clothing & be mindful what you wear

One of the most important tips for travel to Israel is to be mindful of what to wear. Whilst Israel is a mostly liberal country, there are varying dress codes and requirements throughout the different cities and regions. In Tel Aviv you can literally wear what you want; in Jerusalem holy city/mount of olives/markets etc – modesty is expected; and Nazareth, as an Arab city, appreciates shoulder to knee coverage. (Tip: always have a scarf/shawl handy for emergency coverage)

Keep safety in mind

Life on the ground in Israel is on the whole safe and peaceful. All Israeli citizens are subject to conscription and national service meaning that is is normal to see members of the armed forces as young as 18 patrolling the streets with machine guns, but this is comforting rather than confronting. As with any destination in the world, visitors should excise natural and normal levels of caution and awareness.

Don’t worry about the passport stamp

Tourist visitors to the country no longer have to be concerned with receiving the troublesome Israeli passport stamp. (FYI – Due to tensions in the region, there are several Arab nations who do not allow visitors into their country if they have previously visited Israel). Instead, on arrival you will have your photograph taken and a barcode issued which is given to you, along with your personal information, on a small blue identity card. This tourist card is to be presented to all hotels or car rental agencies to prove you are on a tourist visa and is important for business to record for tax purposes (as tourists are exempt). It is important not to loose this card (which is just smaller than the size of a credit card) but it is not the end of the world if you do – you’ll just have pay tax. On your departure from the country you’ll be provided with another version of the card, except this one will be pink. You can keep them both as souvenirs, but I would recommend not carrying them inside your passport in case you inadvertently hand them over at a subsequent border crossing.

Can you drink tap water?

Whilst tap water is safe and drinkable in Israel (except at the Dead Sea), it’s mineral composition is likely different to what you are used to and may make you feel queasy. As an alternative, bottled water is readily available, and the majority of hotels and hostels have a drinking fountain that you can refill your own.

The Dead Sea – The lowest point on Earth

You can’t visit Israel and not take a dip in the Dead Sea. Known throughout the world because of it’s high salt content which allows visitors to float effortlessly, and for the therapeutic mud which forms at the edges of the water. However – DO NOT SHAVE for a few days before visiting – open pores (or any broken skin) don’t half sting when submerged in salty water.

Is tipping part of the culture of Israel?

Tipping in Israel is discretionary but expected, similar to most of the Western world. The Going rate is between 10-15% with 10% being the lowest, 12% average and 15% for great service.Waiters and bartenders are generally paid a low salary with the majority of their earnings coming from tips. However, tipping taxi drivers, on the other hand, is not usually expected.

LEARN SOME USEFUL WORDS BEFORE YOU GO

When in Israel you’ll see and hear English, Hebrew and Arabic, but learning a few words of Hebrew will certainly put you in good stead with the Jewish locals.

Shalom – Universal for hello, goodbye and a few things in between. It’s direct translation is “peace”
Bevakasha – Please
Toda/Toda Raba – Thank you/Thank you very much
Chen/Ken & Lo – Yes & no.
Sababa – Cool / Great / Alright / Sure
Beseder – a simple OK (but one that isn’t too over enthusiastic!)
L’chaim – is what you say for ‘Cheers’ & the literal translation is “to life”
Slicha – Excuse Me / Pardon me / Sorry
Tov is Hebrew for “good”: ie. Mazel Tov (Good Fortune) or Boker Tov (Good Morning)
Lehitra’ot – See You Later

Extract from maketimetoseetheworld.com by Vicki Garside https://maketimetoseetheworld.com/israel-travel-tips/

By gyna, 4 yearsNovember 21, 2019 ago

Travel

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Things that are similar about Tahiti and Fiji:

Getting There:

Weather/Seasonality:

Activities:

Some Differences between Tahiti and Fiji:

Geography:

Culture:

Language:

Accommodation:

Food & Eating Out:

Island Hopping:

Start planning your Dream Honeymoon in Greece! (or anywhere in the World)

You may have a few questions before planning a trip to the Holy Land; like… is Israel safe to travel? What should you wear?