A flat share may be a new experience for you, especially if you are heading off to university. Living at home with mom and dad doesn’t quite teach you the necessary skills to live on your own with a roommate. It isn’t always possible to share a flat with a friend or acquaintance, and living with a complete stranger is common for people seeking to spread the cost of rent.

Unfortunately, sharing a kitchen, bathroom, and living room with a new person can have its problems. A flat share can be a culture shock for some that have never had to deal with a roommate before. Surviving a flat share is a skill, but not everyone can cope with living with another person.

Here are some key tips to remember when renting a flat that will keep both you and your roommate sane.

Choose your roommate carefully

You may not have the luxury of choosing your roommate. Students at university may be put together with other individuals without much thought. This can be difficult as you are unaware of the other person’s habits and lifestyle.

If you have the option to choose your roommate, it can save you plenty of headaches later on. The best flat mate isn’t always your best friend. You may find that living in the same space with your best friend ruins the chemistry the two of you have.

It is important that both roommates understand each other’s lifestyle. Living with someone who is up all night or comes in at all hours of the early morning may not suit your 9 to 5 job or going to school.

Respect privacy

A bedroom becomes a special place when flat sharing. It allows each roommate to escape from the other or the communal areas of the flat. Having a private space can save a relationship and keep both flat mates from falling out.

When sharing a flat, you must respect your roommate’s privacy. Don’t go into their room without knocking and being welcomed in. It sounds simple to knock before entering your roommate’s room, but it can be something you are not used to living at your parent’s house.

Communicate for a perfect flat share

One of the most important aspects of any relationship is communication. You may not be close friends with your flat mate, but living together means you will see each other regularly. Good communication can keep the two of you on good terms. It can also prevent issues from coming up from time to time over problems with the living arrangements.

Modern technology makes it possible to communicate more easily than ever. A WhatsApp group is perfect for anyone with multiple housemates. Of course, the best way to sort any issues you have sharing a flat is to speak face to face. Major issues should always be communicated in face to face situations allowing all parties to understand the problems.

Hang out with each other

You may think that flat mates spend all of their time together when they are not at work or school. That isn’t always the case. Flat mates may become friends over time but often, still have their own friends. Spending time together, especially when first moving in together, can help build a relationship between flat mates.

New roommates can plan a few different events such as a film or video game night to get to know each other. You could even plan a small party allowing a few friends to come over and meet each other. There are even more activities new flat mates can enjoy such as playing mini-golf, going to the cinema, or even just hanging out at the local pub.

Make rules for a perfect flat share

Sharing a flat isn’t always fun. To make the relationship and flat share work, however, you must come up with some rules to abide by. One of the biggest problems flat mates have is with cleaning. Oftentimes, cleaning the house can drive a wedge between people in a flat share.

The easiest way to avoid problems is by creating a list of cleaning chores for each person. Each flat mate will be responsible for certain areas of the accommodation. You may prefer to create a rota allowing each other to take turns completing chores. If rules are put in place from day one, you won’t have a problem later on.

Buying items for the flat

There is nothing worse than purchasing toilet paper only for your flat mate to use it all up. Even worse is when they don’t replace it. You may feel like you are paying for your roommate to live comfortably. This can be aggravating and another reason why communication is key.

Making lists of essential items needed for the flat is a great way to keep all parties pitching in. You may create a kitty that everyone contributes to with money. You can then use the house kitty money to get those important things like toilet paper.

Surviving a flat share can be difficult. It is a new experience and one that no schooling can train you for. These tips should help you survive your next flat share and come out better off when you move.

What to look for when renting a room?

Finding the perfect room to rent can feel like an impossible task. Although it can be difficult sometimes to rent a room without getting stressed, but it can be done. So we have compiled for you a short cheat sheet, to make your life easier.

You need to remember that your accommodation is the place you will spend most of your time after work or university. Locating the perfect place can have a major impact on your mental and physical health.

Renting a room isn’t as daunting a task as it seems. It just takes a bit of time and research to locate a place that ticks all of your boxes. Before heading out to find your next room or flat, these tips will help you create a strategy to locate the best place possible.

Research

Finding the ideal room to rent begins with research. Too often people look online for accommodation and select the first thing they find. This inevitably leads to problems down the line. Research is the most important part of searching for accommodation. You will spend more time reading through adverts and scrolling through pictures of flats than actually viewing them in person.

Online research also prevents you from wasting valuable time visiting properties or speaking with estate agents trying to sell you on a place you don’t want. Searching allows you to narrow down your options quickly. You can filter searches to see rooms that fit into your budget. You can also find accommodations that are located conveniently near your work or university.

Good research saves time and money. Getting bogged down looking at the physical properties doesn’t just waste time but can frustrate you.

Visit shortlisted property in same day

Researching properties allows you to narrow down the ones that tick your boxes. After creating a shortlist, you can plan to visit the properties and make a selection. Dedicating one full day, or a weekend, to visit the properties gives you the chance to see everything and make a decision.

Estate agents will try to sell you on a property when visiting. They may pressure you to make a decision by claiming the property is being viewed by other people. While this is often a tactic used by estate agents, properties do go quickly. You may have to act fast and seeing all the properties in the same day gives you the chance to compare them right away.

Finding accommodation doesn’t have to be a long, drawn out process. Visiting the shortlisted properties in the same day is one way to make the process go quickly. It is also a tactic that prevents you from missing out on the room you really want to rent.

Ask questions and make sure the room is for you

A room can tick all the boxes at first but once you have signed the contract and moved in, it may not be the accommodation of your dreams. Estate agents and landlords may not disclose everything about the room to you without being asked first.

When viewing a property, you should ask questions about any aspect of the property that is important to you. Good Internet connection is vital for many people these days.

If you are a student or work from home, you need to know the Internet connection is strong. You may also stream your entertainment and need the connection to stay, well, connected. The property may not have good Internet connection nor mobile phone reception.

A viewing gives you the chance to ask questions about the room that you need answers for prior to moving in. It is also the time to check the accommodation.

You should check the taps to ensure they work. Flush the toilets to ensure they clear and re-fill properly. Look through the wardrobes, cupboards, and test out the doors to see if they work or if there is damage. Any damage should be pointed out to the estate agent or landlord.

Location, location, location

Location is often just as important for a person when renting a room as the accommodation. It is vital to survey the area when visiting a property. You should locate the public transportation links and stops if that is how you travel to work or university.

The public transport routes should be appropriate for your daily travel. You don’t want to select a room that adds to your commute and makes it a hassle. Look for amenities such as shops, supermarkets, restaurants, and pubs in the area. The area should fit all of your needs.

When searching for the right location, one of the worst decisions you can make is selecting a property on a busy street. A street-facing room can make it difficult to sleep or concentrate at night. It may even limit your privacy as people can see in the windows.

You should also shy away from rooms above restaurants, bars, cafes, and any other businesses that stay open late at night.

These tips should help you search for your next room to rent. Creating a strategy can save you time and money. It can also prevent you from renting a room you later regret.

Yes it is back the Pure London 2019 international trade fair for fashion and fashion accessories is scheduled to take place in London from Sunday 10th February to Tuesday 12th February 2019.

As always it will present the latest trends, styles and colors of the coming season.

A number of fashion shows and events will offer the visitors an insight and overview of the latest trends in the fashion industry.

For those who have not been to the Pure London fair before it will be an opportunity to discover the hottest emerging brands, designers and trends as well as experience an outstanding womenswear trade fair.  

The Pure London Fashion fair has been hailed as a contemporary and trend setting womenswear fashion show, attracting visitors from all over the world, who come to London to place orders, pick up fashion trends, information and get inspired by fellow fashion designers.

The Pure London Fair will present to visitors more than 800 international brands.

For one more year the Pure London fashion show, the UK’s largest gathering of fashion buyers, will be hosted at the Olympia Exhibition Centre in London.

Pure London Speakers

This year the organizers have invited the activist and design icon Katharine Hamnett as a keynote speaker for the upcoming February event.

According to Pure London organizers, the English fashion designer behind the “Choose Life” T-shirt will be delivering – quite unsurprisingly – a “hard-hitting” keynote speech about the fashion industry.

Katharine Hamnett will be at Pure London’s main stage at 3.20pm on Sunday 10th February, where she’ll be interviewed by futurist and entrepreneur Anne Lise Kjaer.

How to get to the Pure London at Olympia Exhibition Centre

London Overground

Kensington (Olympia) is on the London Overground network. It’s one stop from Shepherd’s Bush (Central line) or West Brompton (District line). The venue is next to the station.

Bus

The following buses all stop within a very short walking distance from the Olympia Exhibition Centre

• Bus number 9 which runs to and from Aldwych and Hammersmith.
• Bus number 23 which runs to and from Westbourne Park and Hammersmith.
• Bus number 27 which runs to and from Chalk Farm and Turnham Green.
• Bus number 28 which runs to and from Kensal Rise and Wandsworth.
• Bus number 49 which runs to and from White City and Clapham Junction.
• Bus number 391 which runs to and from Fulham and Richmond.

Coach

National Express: National Express offer round the clock services into the centre of London. When you arrive at London Victoria Coach station. Then get the District Line to West Brompton, and Kensington (Olympia) is one stop away on London Overground.

EasyBus

EasyBus is the cheapest way to get to Olympia London from Gatwick Airport and Luton Airport with direct services operating every 15 minutes, throughout the day and night.

The easyBus will drop you around the corner from West Brompton, and Kensington (Olympia) is one stop away on London Overground.

Hotels near the Pure London Fashion Fair

88 Studios

Address: 88 Holland Road, Kensington, London, United Kingdom

88 Studios is situated in London and is close to nearby attractions, such as Olympia and the Design Museum. It offers 4-star accommodation with air-conditioned rooms.

The hotel has 35 rooms and has been recently refurbished. Staff are available 24 hours a day and can assist with booking tours and tickets.

The hotel’s rooms are comfortable and offer a kitchenette that is equipped with a microwave and a refrigerator. They are also equipped with ironing facilities, a shower and a hair dryer.

It is only a brief stroll from Kensington Olympia Railway Station, allowing easy access to other parts the city. The hotel is also located near the area’s well-known clubs and pubs, plus Holland Park is a 20-minute stroll away.

The Crown & Sceptre

34, Holland Road, London, Kensington, London, United Kingdom

The Crown and Sceptre offers traditional accommodation in London and is within a 20-minute walk of West Kensington Tube Station. It is situated a short walk from Olympia.

The hotel has 5 traditional rooms that are filled with a range of essential facilities to ensure guests have a comfortable stay. After settling in to their room, guests can discover the local area with use of Kensington Olympia Railway Station, which is a short stroll from the hotel.

To make sure the day gets off to a good start, a continental breakfast is served daily at The Crown and Sceptre’s restaurant.

The Crown and Sceptre is situated amongst the area’s popular sightseeing attractions, including Kensington High Street, the Design Museum and Holland Park, which are within walking distance. Oxford Street is within an easy drive from the hotel.

Hand and Flower Hotel  

Address: 1 Hammersmith Road, Hammersmith, London, United Kingdom

Set just a short stroll from Olympia, this Victorian inn offers both a bar and a restaurant. Known for its ideal location, it is close to London’s tourist attractions and is minutes on foot from Kensington Olympia Railway Station.

This elegant inn provides a range of facilities, such as meeting rooms and free Wi-Fi.

Hand and Flower Hotel has 8 modern rooms offering all the essentials to ensure a comfortable stay.

A satisfying breakfast is served each morning at Hand & Flower, and there are numerous restaurants and eateries nearby.

Hand & Flower Hotel London is within walking distance of the Design Museum, Holland Park and Kensington High Street. It is within walking distance of West Kensington Tube Station, which allows easy access in and around London.

K West Hotel & Spa            

Address: Richmond Way, Hammersmith, London, United Kingdom

Situated in London, K West Hotel & Spa provides stylish 4-star accommodation, as well as a Turkish steam bath and a sauna. It is located a brief stroll from Shepherd’s Bush Pavilion, the Bush Theatre and O2 Shepherds Bush Empire.

This contemporary hotel provides 24-hour room service, facial treatments and valet parking. The in-house spa offers a variety of treatments and a chance to relax.

K West Hotel & Spa London features 219 air conditioned rooms filled with all the essentials to ensure an enjoyable stay. They are also equipped with heating, ironing facilities and cable/satellite channels.

Guests staying at K West Hotel And Spa London can sit down to a unique dining experience at the in-house restaurant, suitably based for those who want to stay close at mealtime. There is also a variety of breakfast options on offer every day.

K West Hotel in London is surrounded by the area’s well-known sightseeing attractions, including Holland Park, Olympia and Westfield London, which are within walking distance.

The hotel is located within a 20-minute stroll of Hammersmith Bus Station and White City Bus Station, which allows convenient access in and around London.

MStay Russell Court Hotel

Address: 9 Russell Road, Kensington, London, United Kingdom

Situated in London, MStay Russell Court Hotel offers stylish, 3-star accommodation close to Olympia. Guests can also enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi.

A 24-hour reception, luggage storage and an express check-in and check-out feature are just some of the available services at the hotel. It also offers a safe, a ticket service and a tour desk.

The modern rooms at MStay Russell Court Hotel are air-conditioned and include ironing facilities and wireless internet access. The hotel also has several connecting rooms to accommodate families.

On-site dining options include a restaurant, which is a convenient spot to have a meal. There is also a variety of breakfast options on offer every morning.

MStay Russell Court Hotel is close to Kensington Olympia Railway Station, making it easy for guests to travel around London and its surrounding areas.

The hotel is also located near the area’s well-known clubs and pubs, and Holland Park, the Design Museum and Kensington High Street are a 20-minute stroll away.

Seraphine Kensington Olympia Hotel  

Address: 225 Kensington High Street, Earls Court, London, United Kingdom

This modern hotel is in Central London, a short stroll to Kensington High Street. Guests can also enjoy free wireless internet.

This chic hotel provides a concierge, 24-hour room service and a 24-hour reception. Also available for guests are a safe, luggage storage and a tour desk.

All rooms are air conditioned and equipped with a laptop safe, cable/satellite channels and an iPod docking station. All have a flat-screen TV, an in-room safe and a private bathroom with a hair dryer.

On-site dining options include a restaurant, which is a convenient place to enjoy a meal. In the evening, guests can wind down in the cosy lounge bar.

Best Western Seraphine Kensington Olympia Hotel is within walking distance of Kensington Palace, Holland Park and Olympia. It is within a 20-minute stroll of Earl’s Court Tube Station, which allows convenient access in and around London.

Hilton London Olympia 

Address : 380 Kensington High Street, Earls Court, London, United Kingdom

Located in London, Hilton London Olympia provides stylish, 4-star accommodation close to Olympia. The various amenities this luxury hotel offers include a coffee bar, an executive floor and an express check-in and check-out feature.

This London hotel was constructed in the 1960s and was recently refurbished to ensure every comfort to its guests. Staff are available 24/7 and can assist with booking tours and tickets.

Rooms at Hilton in Olympia are contemporary and provide cable/satellite channels, a mini bar and a flat-screen TV. They offer a private bathroom, wireless internet access and a bathtub.

During their stay at Hilton London Kensington Olympia, guests can dine at Society and relax with a drink at Society.

Hilton London Olympia Hotel London is surrounded by the area’s well-known sightseeing attractions, including Kensington High Street, Holland Park and the Design Museum, which are a short walk away.

The hotel is within a 20-minute stroll of Earl’s Court Tube Station and West Kensington Tube Station, which allows for convenient access in and around London.

Hellenic Hotel by Saba

Address: 77-79 Shepherds Bush Road, Hammersmith, London, United Kingdom

Hellenic Hotel London is set in London and is within a short walk of nearby attractions, such as O2 Shepherds Bush Empire. It also offers free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour reception and an express check-in and check-out feature.

Equipped to ensure a comfortable stay, rooms offer tea and coffee making facilities, a refrigerator and a seating area. They are also equipped with cable/satellite channels, a hair dryer and a shower.

Attractions near Hellenic Hotel London include Hammersmith Apollo, Olympia and Westfield London. It is within a 20-minute walk of Hammersmith Bus Station and Kensington Olympia Railway Station, which allows for easy access in and around London.

The Helenic Hotel London offers exceptional value for the Pure London Fashion Fair.

Have you ever been to the Greenwich Wintertime Festival?

From the 1^st to the 31^st of December, London visitors and residences would have the opportunity to visit the Greenwich Wintertime Festival that would take place at the Old Royal Naval College. The well know Maritime Greenwich World Heritage site would be at the center of the festival welcoming visitors from all over the world.

Regardless if you are a first-time visitor to the festival or not, take a couple of hours off to explore the festival and the Christmas market. It is also highly recommended to stop by the Greenwich Wintertime ice rink to watch the ice skating show and if you are brave enough you can get onto the ice rink yourself!!!

At Hotels Fairy to make things easier for visitors of the Greenwich Wintertime Festival, we have handpicked 3 London hotels with amazing hotel deals.

Novotel London Greenwich

Less than a 20-minute stroll from Deptford Railway Station, Novotel London Greenwich provides guests with an ideal base while in London. It is located a brief walk from the National Maritime Museum and the Cutty Sark.

This 4-star hotel offers meeting rooms, 24-hour room service and free Wi-Fi. Staff are available 24 hours a day and can help with booking tours and tickets.

Rooms are stylishly furnished and include in-room movies and mini bars. They all offer a flat-screen TV, tea and coffee making facilities and a private bathroom.

A Superior Queen bed with a sofa is on sale for 219 Pounds, but it can be yours for only 139 Pounds per night. That’s more than 35% off!!!

The Greenwich Hotel London

The Greenwich Hotel London is situated on the Catherine Grove street and provides recently renovated rooms and free wireless internet. It is ideally positioned for those wishing to discover the area’s attractions.

This 4-star hotel offers a concierge, luggage storage and a 24-hour reception. Honeymoon suites are available for those looking for some added luxury.

The modern rooms at The Greenwich Hotel London are air-conditioned and offer an in-room safe, a flat-screen TV and free wireless internet access. They each have a radio, ironing facilities and a desk.

A double room usually available at 193 pounds per night can be at your disposal for only to 119 Pounds. That’s almost 40% off standard price!!!

Staycity Aparthotels London Deptford Bridge Station

Situated less than a 10-minute stroll from the Deptford Railway Station, Staycity Aparthotels London Deptford Bridge Station provides guests with an ideal base while visiting London. Guests can also enjoy free internet in all areas.

There are a variety of facilities at the property on offer to guests, such as luggage storage, a concierge and a gym. There is off-site parking for guests with a car. Just minutes from nearby bars and clubs, this 3-star property also allows guests to easily explore the best of the local nightlife.

Staycity Aparthotels London Deptford Bridge Station has 98 modern apartments that are filled with a variety of essential facilities to ensure guests have a comfortable stay.

A standard room cost 161 pounds but if you click the link above you can book it for only 97 Pounds!!!

That is 64 Pounds off the standard price. This is a great offer as the hotel is less than 1.5 km from the Greenwich Wintertime Festival.

Entry tickets to the Greenwich Wintertime Festival start at 15 Pounds per person for adults and 8 Pounds for kids. The Ice Skating Package starts at 20 Pounds for adults and 14 Pounds for kids.

OK imaging this, you just finish work and you are on your way home when your better half calls to ask if you like pumpkins??

Of course I do like pumpkins, what kind of question is that?

Long story short last Saturday morning, we took our 2 year’s old Labrador Max, and we went to Ormskirk to pick up some pumpkins.

Yes, that was the sign on the fence “ Pick your own pumpkins ” £4 each or 3 for £10. We’ve got 3 massive pumpkins for £10 and there was plenty of choice!!

There was also a big crowd in the field, younger and older visitors, families with kids running around and playing but most of them were choosing and picking up pumpkins.

I never saw so many pumpkins in my life, like the sky open and it rain, it rain pumpkins!!!

If you wanted you could even queue for a wheelbarrow to load your pumpkins and take them to your car. It was a great fun walking around the farm. There was also a van selling drinks and snacks, hotdogs, etc.

With the pumpkins in the car we drove off trying to decide what to make first. Our first choice was a Thai pumpkin soup and it was amazing.

To pick your own pumpkins at Poplar Farm you need to get there between 9:30 to 17:00, the farm is open everyday including weekends until the 31^st of October.

The full address is A5147 Delph Lane. Downholland, Haskayne, Nr. Ormskirk, L39 7JJ.

If you wish to make it a long weekend away from home you can even book yourself into small hotel in the area. A quick search at Hotels-Fairy.com we found the “Innkeeper’s Lodge Ormskirk Aughton” at £65. There are around a dozen or so hotels and B&Bs in Ormskirk.

As you know by now Hotels Fairy is a UK hotel comparison website. However, we do like to go beyond the hotel price comparison aspect and offer unbiased local travel advise and tips. Recently one of our fairies spent a month exploring Vietnam in the South East Asia! So here is a unique survival guide to Vietnam by Hotels-Fairy.com

Vietnam is a country that has gone through multiple of wars in the last century and as result the local economy has been devastated. However, Vietnam tries to develop itself and to move forward. And it does that, in a very fast pace.

You can see the optimism on the faces of the people on the streets, huge buildings under construction, thousands of tourists visiting every corner of the country and new roads being opened every day (there is still a lot of work on the last one).

Vietnam offers a variety of experiences to any kind of traveller visiting the country. From amazing forests, rivers, caves and wild animals to a wonderful cuisine able to satisfy even the most demanding guests!

But as always the dream of a perfect adventure or easy going vacations can easily be turned into a hell’s trip if the traveller hasn’t made the correct preparations or doesn’t follow some simple rules.

Travel Insurance

The first and the most important advice for any travellers is to check that their travel and medical insurance covers them for a trip to Vietnam or if they don’t have one, to purchase one before their trip.

Be sure to check all the small print in the contract (for example some policies don’t cover accidents occurred by motorbikes) and that the policy that is purchased is the correct one for their individual needs.

Most public hospitals (which in some areas are not that easily accessible) offer basic or inadequate health services and the private clinics are quite expensive even for western standards.

Stay healthy in Vietnam

Make sure you have packed a small medical kit with all the medicines you might need since some medicines may not be available in the Vietnamese pharmacies.

Also make sure you are aware of any allergies that you might have, Ensure that you have the correct medication for them and that you are 100 per cent certain, that you know exactly what you are eating if you are allergic to any food ingredients.

If that’s not possible due to communication issues with the local food vendors choose to eat something simple, so you can be sure that you would not fall ill afterwards. A good doctor or a decent hospital may be hours and hours away from you.

Transportation Guide to Vietnam

Unfortunately dozens and dozens of travellers I have met during my stay in Vietnam had many parts of their bodies covered with ‘Vietnamese Medals’ which is nothing else than bruises, scars and signs of motorbike accidents.

The roads of Vietnam and the way of driving have nothing to do with what you are used to, no matter where you live. The roads are very narrow, there are no lines, and the only law that exists, is the law of the jungle: only the strongest survives.

Big trucks will overtake other trucks and vehicles on the small narrow roads leaving you only centimeters to drive or sometimes you even have to drive on the side of the road in the gravel to avoid an accident.

If you are intended to use a motorbike (and you would most definitely will) make sure you pay some more money to hire a decent motorbike, and a good helmet. Also make sure you drive very carefully and on the right side of the road.

No matter how strange it sounds use the horn a lot. A LOT!

Every time a persons try to cross the road in front of you, every time you want to overtake a car or a bicycle, every time you haven’t got a good sight of a turn or any time you feel it needs to.

The locals do it a lot and very quickly you will understand that it is a necessity. Never underestimate what a careless second of driving in Vietnam can cause, not only to your trip but your life as well.

Another option if you are a new motorcycle driver is to use the Easy-Riders. Easy Riders are experienced drivers that will drive you safely to any touristic sight you want for a small fee.

Make sure they are suggested by other travellers or your hotel’s reception. Every city has its own Easy riders club and you should better contact them online when you organising your trip.

While in the big cities, try to move around with taxis that belong to reputable companies. If you are in a rush and you can’t wait make sure you arrange the price from the beginning if a taximeter is not present.

My advice in general is to better wait for a reputable company’s taxi to arrive.

Also be aware of the trick that many local taxi drivers do by asking at the beginning of the ride fifteen but in the end asking for fifty. Use your fingers or better write down the price you agree to pay on a paper.

It might seem funny but crossing streets in big cities of Vietnam can be much more challenging than what you might think.

Dozens of non-stop motorbikes and cars cross the street continuously leaving you wondering how you will be able to pass on the other side of the road. The best way at the beginning is to just follow the locals.

Day after day you will be more used to their ways. Just make sure you have a steady walk and you are not making big directional changes that will confuse the drivers.

Cross the street slowly and constantly looking both sides (there are no one way streets for Vietnamese drivers) and you will see that all the traffic will move around you.

Cash handling in Vietnam

Before setting off for Vietnam make sure you contact your bank to let them know about your trip, in order to be able to withdraw cash from ATMs abroad without any issues.

Quite often banks flag unusual credit card transactions as suspicious, if they originate in a country away from the cardholder’s residency.

It is also a good idea to have an alternate way of withdrawing and receiving cash, just in case you lose your credit cards. Like Western Union, PayPal, Traveller Cheques, etc.

On your arrival buy a local company SIM card for your mobile phone. It will save you a lot of money and you will be able to access useful apps (such as Google maps, Facebook, Hotels-Fairy.com or Maps Me) any time you want.

Shopping in Vietnam

Vietnam has amazing souvenirs to offer. Spices, statues, plates, paintings, hats, clothes, bags, anything you can possibly imagine.

Unfortunately though most of the sellers believe that since you are a tourist you can afford to pay many more times the value of anything you wish to buy.

Always follow the rule of ‘three bargains’ and never hurry too much to buy anything. Ninety percent of the time you will find the same things on sale the minute or day after.

The three bargains rule means that when you want to buy something always bargain at least three times in different shops and in different areas. This way the last time you will bargain you will definitely know which is the least price you can pay.

Be warned though! If you spend too much time bargaining with a single seller and make him bring his price really down and you don’t buy he will get furious.

No matter how hard you will bargain you will always pay much more than the locals but Vietnam is so cheap that you don’t need to worry about spending some extra cents.

At the end of the day it is part of the experience and good karma points since you help poor people earn a living. That’s why some travellers try to use Homestay (staying with local people instead of a hotel) or buy souvenirs from small shops and not the big well-known brand shops.

Health and Safety in Vietnam

Pick pocketing in Vietnam is not a common thing but unfortunately not an unknown activity as well. I speak from my own experience since I had my cellphone stolen in Dalat which made me really sad and my trip much more difficult.

So make sure you always have your trip money in a different (and safer) place from the place you keep your daily cash to spend. A money belt is also a very good idea, try not to leave your stuff unattended or your bags with open zippers.

Bring one or two padlocks from home to use them if you need to. If you are at a beach and want to swim always leave someone to watch your stuff, or ask two different groups of people to watch them for you.

Since the tourism industry has risen very fast, many companies with low or even nonexistent health and safety standards operate in the country.

If you choose to go for cannoning, or trekking in the jungle or to do any activity that requires technical equipment and instructors or guides don’t try to save a couple of dollars by choosing an unknown or the cheapest  company.

Spend a couple dollars more and have fun in a safe way. Recently there have been quite a few fatal accidents involving tourists going to excursions with unauthorised travel guides.

During your travelling in Vietnam you will find many more things you need to be aware and careful, so don’t just rest with only these advises. But if you follow all of the above you will definitely be on a good start.

Vietnam is an amazing country. Be smart, cautious and have the best time of your life!

About the author

Spyros Skouris the author of the article “A Survival guide to Vietnam – Travel advice for first timers” can help you arrange your dream vacations on your visit to Athens in Greece.

He also owns an apartment in Athens which is available to rent on Airbnb.

The island of Mykonos is one of the most famous travel destinations in Greece. And there is a good reason for that. It’s an amazingly beautiful island offering its visitors a huge variety of things to do while holidaying on the island.

Quiet and remote beaches, some of the best restaurants in Greece with the most famous chefs. A lovely city full of white and blue houses and many small shops selling some of the best and most exclusive brands in the world.

But let’s not fool ourselves!! We are all going to Mykonos for the PARTIES!!!!!

There are hundreds of bars and clubs where you can dance from the sunrise until the sunset. World class bartenders offering you tasteful cocktails and the most famous DJs making sure that you will get close to dehydration from the long hours of dancing.

How to get to Mykonos

The island of Mykonos is easily reachable from Athens by plane (45 minutes) which will cost you around 100 Euros during the high season (if you book earlier you can find much better prices) and by ferry from either Piraeus or Rafina port taking approximately 3-5 hours and costing around 35 Euros.

You can easily reach the airport or Piraeus port by Metro or bus while Rafina port is a little more tricky.

During the summer season, you can also fly to Mykons from most of the European cities, there are direct flights from London, Vienna, Rome, Brussels and many more.

Once you arrived at the airport, the transfer time to the town is approximately 10 minutes.

There is no public transport service operating from the airport, so if you have not booked your own transportation you will have to get a taxi which will cost you around 15 Euros to Chora (the capital of Mykons) or around 20 Euros is you go a little bit further like Panormos or Agios Stefanos.

Stay Safe in Mykonos

I will definitely suggest you stay in Mykonos city (Chora) since all the clubs and bars are located there and you wont have to spend time driving at night where the roads are dark and full of drunk drivers.

Also parking places during the night is a big issue as well.

When you visit Mykonos its better to rent your own transportation since public buses get really full and most of the times it involves a long waiting time.

Be aware though. Every day there are many accidents with motorbikes being driven by tourists. The roads are very slippery and the extreme heat makes them even worse.

The lack of experience in driving on the Greek roads, the narrow roads, the steep turns and the hundreds of people driving drunk makes it a dangerous ‘cocktail’.

So drive carefully and make sure you assign someone from your group to be the driver at night (so no alcoholic drinks for the driver) or even better take a taxi on the way back.

It will cost you some more Euros but at least you will be much safer.

Mykonos Beaches

Event though Mykonos is very famous for its party beaches there are many beaches that will definitely be a good choice for a day that you want to recover from a hangover, just being able to sit on the beach away from the loud music for change.

Visit the Panormos beach with the golden thin sand and the very beautiful restaurants, Ornos or the very famous Psarou or Paragka beach where you can sunbath on your sunbed having the most famous celebrities next to you (if you can afford it since they are both quite expensive).

Some other beaches are Agia Anna, Platis Gyalos and Agios Ioanis.

Mykonos Party Scene

And finally to the party beaches!!! The two most famous beaches are Super Paradise and Paradise beach.

The most crazy parties are happening in Paradise beach in Tropicana club where the party start at around 15:00 and last until 23:00 and they go really crazy!

Watch your stuff, secure them well in pockets with zippers because they can easily fall down while you dancing.

Better have shoes with you since it gets really crowded and you don’t want to get stepped over or even worse to step on any broken glasses that might not have been collected from the floor.

Once Tropicana closes there are many other small bars around but I would suggest you get back to Mykonos city, refresh and get ready for the bars in the city.

In the city of Mykonos there are hundreds of bars and clubs where you can enjoy every kind of drinks you like. Some of the most famous bars are Scandinavia, Semeli, Space club and Mykonos club where you can go crazy until the next day’s morning.

Don’t forget to visit the most beautiful part of Mykonos called Little Venice where you can enjoy you drink next to the waves.

If you have time and a car or motorbike, do not forget to visit Cavo Paradiso Club (which is above the Paradise beach) This is one of the most famous clubs in Greece. The club opens in 02:00 am and goes on until 10:00 a.m.

The club has no roof, it has been built on top of a cliff on a cape and the view while you are dancing is just amazing. You can actually observe the sun rising while you dancing, which makes it a unique experience.

Also you need to remember that every summer the best DJs from all over the world arrive at Cavo Paradiso Club for music festivals and special musical events that are spectacular.

Make sure you wander around the city during the day light as well and don’t forget to go to the famous windmills to take some pictures and the famous pelicans roaming around the streets of the city, but try not to bother them too much for photos, since they can always get angry and bite you!!

Mykonos is one of the best islands of Greece to visit and I definitely suggest you do so. Maybe it’s a place little more expensive than the rest of the Greek islands but it definitely deserves it, especially if you are a party animal.

The Mykonos party scene has attracted a lot of attention in Europe and beyond. These days Ibiza and Majorca are not the only summer party destinations for the young ones or the young at heart.

So get your sun cream, your best clothes and your best friends and get wild in Mykonos!!

About the author

Spyros Skouris the author of the article “Mykonos: The Absolute Party Experience” can help you arrange your dream vacations on your visit to Athens in Greece.

He also owns an apartment in Athens which is available to rent on Airbnb.