Travel Articles Archives

5 Best Private Museums Around the World, Worthy of a Visit

October 12, 2017

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For art buffs, museums are the ultimate high in any travel itinerary. With art being as expensive as it is, not everyone can own a piece, but they can definitely appreciate the finest pieces around the world at museums and art galleries. Did you know that there are private museums too that you can visit?

Of late, a lot of art has been acquired by private collectors and it has not gone down well with art lovers who feel this puts the art beyond everyone’s reach. So, several private art collectors are not fanatically private about their collections. For one, they earn huge tax benefits from hosting private museums and also, being art lovers themselves, they want to share it with others who feel the same way about art. So, most of them display their collections or a part of them for anything between a few day, to a few months or throughout the year to the public. From Russia to America, here’s a list of 5 Best Private Museums, around the world that are a must visit.

1. Neon Muzeum, Poland

Image courtsey: Neon Muzeum’s Facebook Page

A modernist museum that houses, you guessed it, neon signs that become defunct, it is an interesting way to peep into the history of commercialisation. An initiative by Ilona Karwinska, a London based photographer, and David S. Hill, graphic designer, they set it up to form a sanctuary for doomed neon signs. During their period of boom, neon signs were a sure sign of success and became a cultural symbol of a modern, open society. Apart from the obvious function of advertising products and services, they became landmarks in their own right. With over 200 neon signs, 500 letterforms, documents, blueprints and pictures for these neons, it forms an incomparable experience for someone interested in design, typography and its history. In about half an hour, you can get a feel of post war Poland. Surely among the best private museums, as Neon Muzeum has been recommended by Lonely Planet as a ‘Top Choice’.

Fee: 8 – 10 złoty
Neon Muzeum: ul. Mińska 25, Soho Factory, Building 55, Praga, Warsaw, Poland. P: (+48) 665 71 16 35

Also Read: Top things to do in West Hollywood and Las Vegas with Kids
Also Read: San Francisco with Kids: Family-friendly Itinerary

2. Steve’s Weird House & Museum, Online Virtual Tour

A very oddly satisfying victorian house, it is possible to tour Steve’s Weird House & Museum online with a 360 degree virtual tour. It is weird, no doubt, as it is covered with art in all its entirety, ceilings included. Given the over-the-top decor, it is strange but at the same time, it is a museum as it houses unique artefacts that you probably won’t come across elsewhere. The VR panoramas show siamese twin animals, two faced animals, wreaths woven from human hair, many statues, paintings, antique furniture, exotic taxidermy, funeral paraphernalia, hundreds and thousands of rare and unusual books, a toaster museum, futuristic gadgets and furniture, and many things that defy labelling.

Fee: Free virtual tour
Steve’s Weird House & Museum: Private residence, Seattle, Washington, 98104, United States. Email: [email protected]

3. The Broad, Los Angles

The Broad, a private museum in Los Angles

Image courtsey: The Broad’s Website

A contemporary art museum founded by Eli and Edythe Broad who are a philanthropic power couple in Los Angles, The Broad boasts of 2000-plus artworks. Located in the $140 million, 120,000 square foot building designed by Diller Scofidio and Renfr, and Gensler, it is one of few museums to offer free admission. It also rotates temporary exhibits and loans them to other museums that keeps audiences enthralled. Since opening in September 2015, it has had more than 1.2 million visitors.

Fee: Free with online advance booking but it is advisable to book early
The Broad: The Broad, 221 S. Grand Ave., Downtown Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA. P: 213-232-6200

4. The Waterfront Granary, India

: Image courtsey: The Waterfront Granary’s website

: Image courtsey: The Waterfront Granary’s website

Among the first of private museums, The Waterfront Granary is also a hotel in Kochi, India. The granary dates back to 1877 and is replete with many century old manuscripts, artwork, photographs, sculptures and furniture. The ancient Mattancherry Bazar forms the backdrop for this serene property next to the Cochin waterfront. The Ebrahim brothers shifted to Cochin from Gujarat in the early 1800s and brought with them rich family history memorabilia that now forms a part of this museum hotel.

Fee: Free with a Room at the Hotel
The Waterfront Granary: 6/641, Bazaar Road | Mattancherry, Kochi (Cochin) 682002, India. P: +91 484 2211 777

5. Private Museum Music and Time, Russia

Above images courtesy: Private Museum Music and Time’s website

As the name suggests, musical instruments and time keeping machines like antique watches and clocks are aplenty here at the Private Museum Music and Time. It was set up by the popular illusion artist and magician, John Mostoslavsky, the collection was started in early 1900s and now spans three buildings. With a stunning 1,000 bells and 10,000 records, the museum encourages engagement by doing away with glass guarded displays. Rather, you can revel in the vibrant music that the guides create out of these bells and other instruments. The museum also carries TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence, putting it right there alongside the best private museums world-wide.

Fee: 60 – 160Rbl
Private Museum Music and Time: Volzhskaya Emb., 33a, Yaroslavl 150000, Russia. P: +7 485 232-86-37

So visit these and be entertained!

Travel Problems: Common Vacation Fails & the Solutions

July 28, 2017

The holiday high is a condition where you continue in the merry state for days after you are back. But if the holiday plans go awry at any stage, it can cause untold misery. Be it a lost or stolen passport or luggage, a travel tummy or underwhelming accommodation, each is a happiness buster. But you can still save the day, or even better, avoid these common travel problems from the word go.

1. Travel Problem: Shortcomings in services by tour operator

Beautiful images of sandy beaches, lofty mountains and dazzling cities serenade you from travel brochures tantalisingly displayed at travel agencies. During the actual trip, things could all be very well, or you could miss out on a number of promised activities. It may be a sub-standard hotel, lesser or improper meals than agreed upon, or a host of other issues.

How to avoid – No harm in succumbing to charms of brochures, but check, recheck and verify their credentials and reputation. It is best to go to an agency through a reference, or to one that is reputed. Get everything in writing and don’t agree upon anything verbally. If something sounds ambiguous, clarify and get it down in so many words.

How to deal with it – While still vacationing, try and approach the people in charge there. This could be the hotel staff, the cruise staff or the travel operator’s local contact and see if something can be done to ease the issue. If nothing satisfactory is done, collect evidence to back up your claims. Once you are back from your less than perfect holiday and itching to get even, analyse how bad the situation is.

If it was a stray incident in an otherwise smooth trip, consider if you can let it go. If you can’t or the issue was too big to ignore, approach the travel agency as soon as possible after your return. Don’t get confrontational and be reasonable to enable a smoother resolution of things. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you can complain to the head office of the agency in your town, approach an association of travel agents or take legal recourse.

Also Read: San Francisco with Kids: 4 Day Family Friendly Itinerary
Also Read: 8 Useful Tips for Flying Long-haul with Kids

2. Travel Problem: Shortcomings in privately made bookings

If you are net savvy, a bit of research on the internet can get you great deals at dreamy hotels and apartments. But there is a chance that when you arrive, it could turn out to be your worst nightmare. With no third party involved, you are left to resolve the issue on your own.

How to avoid – Go through customer reviews and ratings on reputed websites (make sure the reviews don’t all originate on the same date with similarly glowing reviews, to rule out fake reviews). As an example, Airbnb marks the most reliable hosts with a ‘Superhost’ tag. Chances of going wrong with a Superhost, should be minimal if not nil. If there is an option to pay on arrival or pay a part of the money during or after your stay is over, take it.

How to deal with it – Take it up, politely, with the owner or management. If they turn down your request, you may not even get a refund. Try to contact the local tourist office or approach agencies that rate these establishments. In times when a rave review can make your season, a bad one can break it and they are well aware.

3. Travel Problem: Missed, cancelled, overbooked or delayed flights

You got caught in traffic? Did your earlier flight get delayed? Was there a change in schedule you didn’t know about? Are your valid air tickets useless as there are no seats left due to overbooking? Travel problems like this actually happen more often that we would think.

How to avoid – Don’t miss a flight on account of waking up late or getting stuck in traffic. Always have a back-up plan in case you miss your alarm (such as a wake-up service at the hotel desk). Factor in traffic and then leave a lot of room for unanticipated security check delays and avoid travel problems. It is always good to check in online, a day or half before your flight and have a seat number assigned wherever possible. Sign up for flight alerts in apps, messages or email to keep updated about any changes.

How to deal with it – You may have to shell out some extra bucks for a new ticket. Changes in schedule can leave the rest of your program in doldrums but with canceled or overbooked flights, you can only take the alternative offered. If it was the airline’s fault, do check the rules so as to make sure that you get adequately compensated.

4. Travel Problem: Lost or stolen passport, or custom issues

It is bad, but there could have been travel problems. A lost passport or arriving at customs to find your passport is not valid is indeed worrisome.

How to avoid – Always keep your passport with you when you are travelling. If your passport is in your luggage, then stolen luggage means a stolen passport. Have a photocopy of your travel documents with someone back home. Keep a copy with you in a different place, as an attachment in an email or a pdf on the phone. Also, double check the required validity from the expiry date of your passport for your destination.

How to deal with it – Do a thorough check of all your belongings and see if you can find it. If not, contact your local embassy immediately. Apply for an emergency passport and head back home. Carry some identification with you, along with passport sized photos for easier processing.

5. Travel Problem: Lost or stolen luggage

One of the most common travel problems; it could get stolen from right under your nose as con artists abound in tourist hubs. It is easy to misplace it and remember only when you are far, far away or the airline could lose it.

How to avoid – Take a picture of your luggage before you leave for easy identification in case you need to report it to the authorities. Split up your utilities so that you are not left stranded. Label your bags well and prominently. Retain your baggage tags until you get your bags.

How to deal with it – File an official complaint at the airport if it is lost or stolen at the airport, or with the local police. You can hope for the best solution to these travel problems and wish for a reimbursement.

6. Travel Problem: Stolen cash or credit cards

Well, we all know these can be nearly impossible to recover. All you can do about silent cash is bid it a silent goodbye. Credit cards on the other hand, need to be blocked at the earliest. This makes sure you do not incur huge costs for purchases you did not make.

How to avoid – Stash your cash and cards in different places instead of all together. Good old traveller’s cheques are still the safest way to avoid travel problems. They can be replaced if you keep a record of the details. In Singapore, you can purchase them from American Express or major banks, but they are slowly being phased out. Keep jewellery and valuables safe in crowded areas, or better still don’t take them along.

How to deal with it – Get your complaint registered and then block your card. Get travellers cheques reissued and ask someone back home to send you some money by bank transfer.

7. Travel Problem: Getting sick

This is a sure shot vacation spoiler. You not only miss out on holiday fun but are stuck in a new place with no contacts and no help.

How to avoid – Be a stickler for eating only at clean places where crowds can be seen, which to an extent implies fresh food. Stay away from un-packaged water, ice cubes, raw foods, etc. Remember to buy insurance before your trip and make sure it covers illness, injury and accidents.

How to deal with it – Keep yourself hydrated, keep electrolyte sachets on you, eat light and seek a doctor at the earliest. If you have an injury, high fever or other serious ailment, rush to the hospital.

Vegetarian on Vacation: Discover 4 Amazing Benefits

July 24, 2017

Vegetarian on Vacation; Hearty vegan comfort foods include risottos, stews, pastas, sandwiches and more

Thinking of turning vegetarian on vacation? Anywhere in the world, it’s not the end of the world. There are vegetarians everywhere and if they can make it work, so can you. Just do a bit of homework about places that serve vegetarian meals and you shouldn’t have any problem. But why would a non-vegetarian want to give up a carnivorous lifestyle, especially when travelling? Turns out there is more than one reason to; four, in fact –

1. New Place, New Perspective

In an all new place, the environment is different and you are on the happy plane of vacation high. When you give up meat and go vegetarian on vacation, you choose a different food pattern. A new food pattern exposes you to a whole new world of tastes and textures. A new place will have several different foods you can try, many of which may be indigenous to that place.

On a meat diet, you probably go for all the meats that you have eaten all your life, barring a few exotic sea foods. Instead, just imagine the freshest vegetables, nuts and fruits, in a range of dishes you never knew existed! Chances are, you will miss the fragrant palak paneer (spinach puree with cubes of cottage cheese) in India; unknowingly bypass the awesome vinegret salad (diced cooked vegetables like beetroots, potatoes, carrots, onions, sauerkraut, pickles) in Russia/Ukraine; or erroneously skip the hearty vegetarian tartiflette au reblochon (potatoes, reblochon cheese, onions, white wine and spices, with mushrooms substituted for bacon) in France, unless you’re looking for vegetarian fare.

Also Read: Top 5 Veganism Myths Busted

2. Not just a Vacation, a Health-cation

While you have a good time, it doesn’t hurt to become healthier. Vegetarian diets could help you lose a bit of weight, lower the bad cholesterol and, reduce your cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes risk (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition). A study by EPIC-Oxford has shown that fish eaters, vegetarians and vegans have a lower BMI than meat eaters. The Journal of the American Heart Association has reported that vegetarians have lower levels of bad cholesterol. At the same time, meat eaters significantly reduced their bad cholesterol when they turned vegetarian. All while you enjoy being vegetarian on vacation.

3. A Good Time to Try a New Way of Life

If you have ever felt empathetic towards other forms of life on earth, go veg. Instead of wondering about trying a meat free existence, this is the perfect time to actually do it. When you are stress free, in an environment that is not demanding in other ways, you can give a new way of life a try. With many different ways to eat vegetarian food than you probably knew back home, a vacation is a great time to try vegetarianism.

Also Read: Go Vegetarian in Jaipur: Lip-Smacking Veg Eats

4. An offbeat Experience

Even if you are vacationing at a spot that you have been to already, going vegetarian will afford you an entirely different outlook. You stay away from the usual hangouts and tread the path less taken. You are bound to stumble upon a few gems where other vegetarians flock. Away from the pizzerias and the burger joints, you may discover a cozy little local veg cafe. And the highlight is that these are mostly frequented by the locals for their dose of a lovingly prepared veg meal.

So go ahead and take the plant based diet route on your next holiday, and you will not regret it.

Related Articles:

Go Vegetarian in Jaipur: Lip-Smacking Veg Eats

Top 5 Veganism Myths Busted

5 Ancient Vegetarian Foods Seeing a Revival

7 Foods that are Going Extinct

8 Useful Tips for Flying Long-haul with Kids

June 28, 2017

We’ve all probably had to fly long-haul with young children at some point and there’s a very good chance that you were worse for wear when you actually got to the other side. While planning ahead (and having nerves of steel) does help, there is only so much you can do. Be prepared for things not sticking to the plan at all and you might just come out less traumatized than you were expecting.

Oh, and perhaps reading our list of useful tips might help a little too, as we try to take some of the trouble out of family travel.

Travel as light as possible

(But don’t forget the wet wipes)
If you’re juggling two or more little ones, a nappy bag, a purse and possible activity bags for the kids, you’re going to lose something or someone at some point. Pack as little as possible and keep cabin baggage to a bare minimum. For your hand luggage, consider a backpack, so you can have your hands (comparatively) free. Always keep things as simple as possible – but remember to keep the medicine bag close to you.
Comfort first, fashion later

Leave the jeans or smart clothes for another time. Dress little ones in soft clothes like their favourite t-shirts and pyjamas, and add a sweater or jacket when you need to. Keep socks on and you should have a happy little toddler on your hands (for some time at least).
Pack snacks

You know this already – little snacks and a small variety of them are great for diffusing the worst of situations. If it helps, pack a meal for your children if they are fussy eaters – you can save the kids’ meal for yourself for later.
Trust your gut when it comes to jetlag

When you (or your wife) were pregnant, you probably had the entire country giving you advice on do’s and don’t dos. Ditto when it comes to jetlag and sleep depriving children before the long haul so that they sleep through the entire flight. You know your child best and what happens when the child is over-stimulated and cranky. I suggest keeping to your child’s schedule and worrying about jet-lag if and when it hits. (That said, sleep-depriving kids before a flight from Singapore to San Francisco, recently worked wonders for a friend, so much so that she was able to get her kids on American schedule from day 1. So, if you think your kids can handle it, go for it. Like I said, you know your children best).
Pressure drop means ear aches

Go candy! Pack a lollipop or boiled sweets for toddlers to suck on during take-off and landing to help with the ear ache that comes from a drop in cabin pressure. This is also the one time I don’t refuse my kids gummies and jelly candies. Give babies their pacifier (if they take one) or a bottle of milk or water if they aren’t on solid food yet.
Pack an activity bag

A little toy, colouring book and colour pencils, stickers, reading books or activity books – pack whatever your child likes to keep them entertained for a little while on the plane.
Stick to regular toilet breaks

With toddlers and pre-schoolers, the time between “I don’t need the loo” and “I need the toilet NOW” is often very short. To minimise the chances of toilet accidents, stick to regular toilet breaks, especially during ‘off-peak’ hours.
It’s ok to use devices

Even if your kids are only allowed the iPad or the tablet occasionally, it’s an absolute boon when you need to take a break, eat something yourself or just distract the children for a little while.

And last but not least, don’t forget to breathe. You’ll probably do much better than you think you could. You’re going on holiday so don’t worry if things aren’t as perfect as you want them to be. Happy travelling people.

9 Most Frequent Packing Faux Pas to Avoid

June 27, 2017

Ever had a phone charger that won’t work because your sunscreen wrecked it, or been stuck with a battery-less camera? Ever had to pay a hefty fee for extra baggage as you ‘thought’ the luggage looked within limits? Fret not, for it has happened to all of us, sometime or the other. But the thing is that it doesn’t have to. As long as you can carry your luggage (try it) and the seams all seem to be in place, you shouldn’t have a problem if you follow these tips –

Keep essentials on you

Keep all important documents, including your passport in your handbag, with photocopies in your luggage and with someone back home. A toothbrush and important medication are also best kept on you.

Package the leaky & delicate stuff right

Try not to pack full size bottles of everything as – a) If you are going for longer, you can buy them there, b) They add to the weight, c) That much more stuff that can leak and cause problems. Even the travel sized packs are best stowed inside Ziplock bags, between layers of clothing to buffer any bad handling. This includes all make up, toiletries, dainty jewellery, and anything with a liquid or gel consistency. If in doubt, double pack.

Don’t over-pack . Or under-pack for that matter

Lay clothes out on the bed so you can mix and match outfits to see what works. Pick a couple of neutral coloured bottoms that would go well with most tops. Make sure you pack extra pairs of underwear. And always pack swimwear. You might think that you’re not headed to the beach so why bother. But, when you reach your resort you realise it has one of the nicest pools and you are itching to jump in. It doesn’t take much space and can mean the difference between sitting by the pool and having a ball.

Also Read: Travel Problems – Common Fails and Fixes

Double check the medicines

Check up on the rules and regulations governing medicines to comply with the destinations you are flying to and even a transit station, in case you have them in your carry on. Make sure you pack all your medication with the prescriptions and keep emergency medication on you. Try to keep them together in a pouch so as not to arouse unnecessary suspicion.

Carry an extra outfit in your carry-on

Luggage could get delayed or lost for a number of reasons. Keep a set of compact and lightweight clothes in your handbag, just in case.

Always check the destination’s weather beforehand and never leave without a jacket

A rain shower can bring down the temperatures quite quickly and make the evening weather much cooler even in summertime.

Weigh it, measure it

Even though it might look okay, weigh it and measure the dimensions and make sure both are within permissible limits. Each airline has different criteria regarding weight limits – if you’re going to take different airlines during your trip, make sure you check the luggage guidelines for all of them. Stick to the lowest permissible limits in case of multiple airlines.

Also Read: Flying With Kids – Keeping it Stress Free

Shop in proportion to your luggage

You don’t want to pick up the life-sized wooden cats that would look so good in your living room if you are travelling with just handbags. Even if you have a big suitcase and the space is already maxed out, resist the urge to shop unless you want to buy additional luggage.

Keep an extra big folding bag

If you know you will find it hard to resist shopping, be ready before hand. Stash a collapsible bag in your suitcase and voila, you have space for all that you shop for. Just remember to stay within your baggage allowance.

# Bonus – Pack well in advance

Make a rough list of all that you need and if you are unsure, download a checklist online. Pack a few days before you are scheduled to leave as there are going to be many things that you will remember even after you have zipped up the bags. Add those that you need to buy to a list on your phone and collect those that need to be picked up from around the house. Pair up cameras and charged batteries, phones and chargers, outfits and accessories, etc.

Bon Voyage!

Travel Problems – Common Fails and Fixes

Category: Travel Articles