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7 tips to organize your trip to Peru

Travel to Peru: 7 travel tips

When thinking about traveling to Peru, many people come to visit the sacred city of Machu Picchu or the Nazca lines, but the country has many other charms to offer. If you are going to organize a trip to Peru there are things that you should take into account when planning it. That's why today we give you 7 tips or previous considerations to make your trip perfect.

Machu Picchu views in Peru

  1. Visa

Peru is a country of free access for Spanish or British tourists (and many other nationalities), therefore a visa is not necessary for tourism and the maximum stay is 183 days. To enter the country it is necessary that the Passport has a minimum validity of six months. So if your Passport expires before six months from the date of your trip, remember to renew it to avoid any problems.

  1. Vaccines

At present the sanitary and hygienic conditions of the country have been modernized and there are no mandatory vaccines to enter. However, there are some recommended vaccines, especially for travellers who will visit the Amazonian areas, such as yellow fever, hepatitis A and B, and typhoid fever. In addition, there are also medicines to prevent malaria, dengue and Zika virus.

Mosquitoes are the transmitters of many of these diseases. So keep in mind bring an effective repellent.

What you can do is going to your nearest International Vaccination Centre (link for Spain) and there you can check everything you need. They will provide you all the information you need based on the route of your trip.

  1. Travel insurance

It is advisable to have travel insurance whenever you are leaving Spain. There are many companies with travel insurances that cover cancellation, loss of luggage, illness, hospital admissions, accidents,… Prices are usually not very high and it is worth paying to be protected against possible unforeseen events.

  1. Traveller registration

In the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there is a register of travellers for tourists traveling outside the country. In this register the travellers are registered, the dates and the place of stay as well as the contact data in the country. In this way, the Ministry can contact you in case of emergency.

  1. Altitude sickness

Altitude sickness is a disorder that you can manifest, to a greater or lesser extent, from 2,400 meters above sea level. In some of the most tourist areas of Peru this altitude is exceeded, so it is important to know what it is and how to cope.

The symptoms of altitude sickness are fatigue, exhaustion, headache, nausea, vomiting,… To reduce it, it is best to acclimate and not make efforts during the first days. Also, you should avoid copious or very heavy meals, alcoholic beverages and you must maintain a good hydration.

  1. Currency and payments

The official currency of Peru is the Peruvian Sol. In many tourist places it is also possible to pay with US Dollars, but it is always advisable to take local currency because when paying with another currency it is possible to pay a higher price. In Eurochange you can buy Peruvian Soles and thus have some cash to pay the expenses that arise during the trip. In cities and many tourist sites you can pay with a card or withdraw cash from the ATM, but keep in mind that the prices and commissions they apply can be very high.

  1. Plan the itinerary

Peru is a large country and has many different things to see: the northern zone and the Amazon basin, the coast with its desert landscape or the mountains with their vestiges of the Inca civilization. There is a lot to see, so we recommend that you choose the places you are going to visit well and that you decide the route in advance to make the most of your stay. Of course, keep in mind that in Peru the pace of life is not as busy as in other countries and it may be the perfect opportunity not to cram the trip, disconnect and enjoy the country.

 

We hope these tips will help you to organize your trip and enjoy your trip!

Prepare your holidays in Malaga!

Enjoy the best activities in the province of Malaga

If you are going to make a trip to Malaga, you will discover a land of charms throughout the year. Between the months of May and September temperatures are warmer and it is the ideal time to relax on its beaches, sunbathe and do endless water activities such as diving, boat trips, kayaking,…

Caminito del Rey - Malaga
Caminito del Rey – Malaga
 
 

During the rest of the year the temperatures also allow to know their towns and cities, discover their natural landscapes and enjoy all their tourist attractions.

Flamenco show
Flamenco show
 
 

In our money exchange offices in Benalmádena and Torremolinos you can buy tickets to various Malaga attractions such as the Sea Life in Torremolinos, the Bioparc in Fuengirola, flamenco shows, museums, excursions, …

Don’t miss out on anything in your visit with the convenience of buying all the tickets at the same place.

For further information, you can contact directly with our branches:

Eurochange Torremolinos: (+34) 952 053 656

Eurochange Benalmádena: (+34) 952 964 758

Eurochange Cala de Mijas: (+34) 952 494 237

 

Enjoy your stay!

Alhambra - Granada
Alhambra – Granada
 

What do you know about … China? Chinese New Year

Information about Chinese New Year celebrations

Last Friday, February 16, 2018, the Chinese New Year took place. Thousands of Chinese around the world celebrated this day and in many places the celebrations will last until March 2.

Chinese New Year

Why is the Chinese New Year celebrated in February?

Actually, the date of celebration of the Chinese New Year varies every year with respect to the Western (Gregorian) calendar. Although it will always take place between January 21 and February 21.

This is because the Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar with the year divided into 12 months and between 353 or 353 days. To adjust this difference with the lunar calendar, every three years a month is added, resulting in a year of 13 months and 383 or 385 days.

The first day of the year, always coincides with the first new moon closer to the period between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.

For these reasons there is a mismatch between the dates with the Western calendar and also never falls on the same day.

Oh! And since they started using this calendar much earlier than the Western one, this year 2018 is for them the 4716. But not everything is so different, at present their weeks also have 7 days and their days are divided into hours, seconds and minutes.

 

How is the Chinese New Year celebrated?

The celebration begins the first day of your calendar, the New Year or Spring Festival as it is known in China. And it ends on the 15th of the first month with the celebration of the Lantern Festival.

Like Christmas in the West, the Chinese New Year is celebrated as a family. In fact, there are so many people moving in China and China during this time of year, that this movement has its own name: the spring movement.

Before the last day of the year, it is tradition to clean the house to eliminate bad luck and enter the new year on the right foot. In addition, the different decorations always refer to attract good fortune.

The last night of the year, the most important dinner of the year takes place, where typical dishes are usually prepared for dinner with the whole family. After dinner, it's time for fireworks. It is also traditional to give a red envelope, which symbolizes good luck, to the younger ones with some money.

And of course, you should not miss these days of celebration, honor the ancestors. Depending on the place the customs and offerings vary, but you should never forget the ancestors in this celebration.

 

We hope you learned a little more about Chinese traditions with our post!

And remember, if you are going to travel to China and need to exchange Euros for Chinese Yuan, you can buy them right now on our website and receive them in 2-3 days.

Basic prices in… Stockholm (Sweden)

We give you some indicative prices of the Swedish capital

If you are planning a trip to Sweden, you may wonder how much money to take. When we think about traveling to Sweden, as with other countries in northern Europe, we think that it is a very expensive country. It is true that it is not the most affordable country to visit, but today we are going to give you some indications so that you have a more real idea of ​​the country's prices. Although everything will depend on the area you visit and the style of your trip (it is not the same a backpacker trip than going to a 5-star hotel).

Gamla Stan street with caffees and restaurants

 

To eat

As it could happen in any other destination in the world, in Sweden you can find restaurants for all budgets. Among the cheapest options are fast food restaurants, pizzerias, kebabs or breweries where you can eat and have a beer for 150 or 200 SEK (15 or 20 Euros) per person. In medium-priced restaurants, dishes can cost between 150 and 300 SEK (15 and 30 Euros). Of course, it is very common to see the "special’s of the day" or Dagens Rätt. It usually includes salad, a drink and coffee and costs around 100 SEK (10 Euros).

On Tripadvisor you can see a list of Stockholm restaurants sorted by type of cuisine and prices.

 

Cultural visits

Many of the things to see in Stockholm are free: stroll through Gamla Stan, see the Stortorget square, stroll through its parks and gardens, contemplate the views of the islands,…

Vasa Museum

But if you are passionate about visiting museums and immersing yourself in local culture and art, in Stockholm you will find a large number of museums that you won’t want to miss. Here you have the prices of the main ones:

 

The visit to these museums would cost you about 110 Euros. So if you want to see everything possible for the lowest price, think about the option to buy a Stockholm Pass. This card allows entry to 60 tourist attractions, unlimited trips on the tourist bus and a city guide. Prices range from 595 SEK (63 Euros) for one day to 1,295 (137 Euros) SEK for 5 days.

 

Displacements

One of the charms of Stockholm is to know the city on foot. Stroll through its streets, cross the bridges that connect the islands and enjoy discovering its charms. But there are several options when it comes to moving around the city.

From April to October you can rent a bicycle with the City Bikes service. There is a season card that costs 250 SEK (26 Euros) and one for three days that costs 165 SEK 17 Euros.

If you buy a Stockholm Pass card to visit the tourist attractions of the city, you can also add a Travelcard. Prices are 125 SEK (13 Euros) for one day and 250 SEK (26 Euros) for three days. This transport card allows unlimited travel throughout the public transport network of the city: bus, train, metro, boat or commuter train. In addition, with this card transportation to and from Arlanda airport costs only an extra 120 SEK (12 Euros) per way, instead of the 280 SEK (29 Euros) that the Arlanda Express costs, for example.

Visiting the islands that surround Stockholm is a totally recommendable experience. You can visit inhabited islands or the smallest ones where nobody lives. The tickets for a single trip go from 50 (5 Euros) to 150 SEK (15 Euros). There are passes for five days for 445 SEK (47 Euros) or even a month for 790 SEK (83 Euros).

 

At the hotel

The average price of a double room in a central hotel in Stockholm is between 950 and 1400 SEK per night (100-150 Euros). Although you can also find hostels and B&Bs for cheaper prices.

 

Tips

One of the issues that most worries some travelers is the tips, since there are places where leaving a tip is frowned upon. But this is not the case in Stockholm. Although it is not mandatory, in bars and restaurants it’s usual to give around 10% of the total price. In hotels it is not very common to give tips, but it is left if we have been attended to any special request or the deal has been very good. And as for transport, in taxis it is common to round the price as a tip.

If you want to learn more about the customs of Sweden or discover more things to see and do during your trip, we recommend that you visit the Swedish tourism website: Visit Sweden.

 

One last tip

The prices in Euros that we have given in this post are rounded and calculated with the price of the day of publication 0,10596 €. A simple trick to calculate how much each thing costs once you are in Sweden is to multiply the price in SEK by 0.11 (which is more or less the price we pay for each Swedish Krona). So if you see something that costs 10 SEK, the approximate price in Euros will be € 1.10. Something that costs 100 SEK will be 11 Euros. Simple, right?

Stockholm panoramic views

If you already know that Sweden is going to be your next destination, buy your Swedish Krones at the best price on our website. You can pick them up or receive them at your home in 24-48 hours.

Have a good trip!

New Year’s Eve in New York

If you are going to spend New Year’s Eve in New York, have a look

With the arrival of the month of December we begin to think about Christmas and New Year's Eve. There are those who return home to spend a few days with the family, there are those who flee to deserted islands to avoid seeing ornaments or listening to Christmas carols and there are those who plan a trip to emblematic places, to get the Christmas spirit and enjoy a movie New Year's Eve.

Today we are going to give you some recommendations if you are going to receive the New Year in one of the cities where Christmas and New Year's Eve are lived in a more intense way: New York.

New Year's EVe in Times Square, New York

New Year's Eve (New Year's Eve)

On December 31st, the day is short, since shops usually close earlier than usual so that everyone can enjoy the evening. And you will find many plans depending on the environment you are looking for and your budget.

The most popular option is to receive the New Year in Times Square. In the square a crowd of people congregate, reason why it is habitual to see people reserving site from the morning. One payment option is to buy a ticket for some of the private parties that take place in the buildings of the plaza. During the hours before midnight the atmosphere is festive, with the balldrop in the One Times Square building the New Year arrives, followed by fireworks and concerts to enjoy for hours.

If you prefer a not-so-popular option, in Brooklyn's Prospect Park you'll find the perfect place. You can enjoy a more family atmosphere, with live music, entertainment for children and adults, hot chocolate and fireworks at midnight.

And if you're passionate about running, a good option is to participate in the NYRR Midnight Run in Central Park. It is a 4 mile race that begins just with the arrival of the New Year and fireworks. The entrance to the area of ​​the race is exclusive for runners and guests, but if you don’t participate you can watch the race and encourage the runners and enjoy the fireworks in the rest of the park.

In addition to these options, you can also choose from a large number of private parties where the ticket can go from 100 Dollars per person to where your budget comes. There are many types, from a cruise with dinner and open bar to parties with dance and music until the wee hours of the morning.

As for dinner, there are restaurants that close this night and there are others that open offering a closed menu for this occasion. The normal thing is to book in advance, even the most fashionable ones may not have free tables since months before. Another option is to get carried away, walk around and find somewhere to eat something before the party. Keep in mind that the time for dinner is around 5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

One last advice: dress for cold weather. Temperatures can even drop below 0 during the night. If you are going to be in the street, walking or waiting for fireworks in a park, you will need to take warm clothes so that you don’t remember that New Year's Eve just because of the cold you went through.

If you are going to travel to New York to enjoy Christmas or New Year's Eve, remember that you will need to exchange your Euros into US Dollars for your cash expenses. At Eurochange you can buy them right now at the best rate and pick them up at our offices or receive them directly at home in 24-48 hours.

And enjoy your trip!

Trip to Toronto, Canada: what to do and what to see

Things to do and to see in Toronto, Canada

Toronto, Canada

 

The city of Toronto is not the capital of the country, but it is the largest city in Canada and there you can enjoy a vibrant urban scene on the shores of Lake Ontario. We encourage you to get to know this city and plan a trip that will surely be worthwhile.

Culture and sports in Toronto

Royal Ontario Museum
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto – Canada
 
 

In the city you will find a large number of museums such as the Royal Ontario Museum, where you will find art, culture and natural history exhibitions; the Ontario Art Gallery with pieces of art from various origins from the 1st century to the present; or the Ontario Science Center where you will find exhibitions of geology, natural sciences, astronomical science, technology, anatomy and communications among others. In addition the cultural and sports agenda is great and varied: theater, musicals, ice hockey and a great variety of shows await you.

What to see in Toronto?

CN Tower
View of the CN Tower, Toronto – Canada
 
 

Among the places to visit, the first on the list is the CN Tower, from where you can have a panoramic view of the whole city and the more daring you can take a walk outside (Edge Walk). You should also visit the St. James Anglican Cathedral, a neo-Gothic building from the 19th century.

Other places to visit in the city are Chinatown, where you can taste Asian cuisine; the Distillery District, which has gone from being a quarter with almost abandoned factories to being a trendy district with shops, restaurants and cafés and a wide cultural offer; the St. Lawrence Market is one of the largest markets in the world and qualified by National Geographic as No. 1, where you can stroll, buy and eat as a citizen; and the Kensington Market, a more bohemian and alternative quarter where you can eat, drink, buy second hand items and enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere.

Going on with the food, if you are a passionate about the gastronomy, you can choose to do one of the food tours that are offered in the city. These types of visits are becoming very popular and help visitors to know not only the gastronomy, but also neighborhoods and restaurants outside the typical.

And if you prefer to have a picnic, you can organize a visit to the Toronto Islands and enjoy nature. There are ferries that will bring you several times a day. Depending on the season you will find different activities to do: beaches, bike and kayak rentals, an amusement park,…

Something you should visit as a curiosity is the PATH of Toronto. It is a network of underground galleries over 30 kilometers under the city, where you will find shops, restaurants and services, as well as connections with some metro lines.

Niagara Falls

NIagara Falls
Niagara Falls
 
 

And during your visit to the city, you can’t miss the opportunity to take a trip to Niagara Falls. The falls are about 130km from Toronto. To get there, there are organized excursions, train and public bus service or you can also rent a car for a day and go your own way. The Niagara River, 56km long, separates Canada from the United States and on its way are the three falls that make up Niagara Falls with a maximum height of 64 meters: the Canadian Falls, the American Falls and the Bride’s Veil Fall. In addition to the waterfalls, in the area you can enjoy other entertainments and, if you like wine, don’t forget to try the local wines that are the pride of the area.

If we have already convinced you to prepare a trip to Toronto, remember that during your visit you will need Canadian Dollars for your expenses there. At Eurochange you can buy Canadian Dollars at the best price.

Have a good trip!

 

4 European cities to visit in autumn

Have a look to these 4 european cities ideal to visit in autumn

With the arrival of autumn the days begin to become shorter, the temperatures begin to fall, the trees begin to dye of ocher and it seems that already must to be ready for the hibernation. But don’t be discouraged, the end of summer may involve planning a holiday or autumn break in one of these 4 European cities where you will enjoy these months before winter.

Zurich, Swizerland
View of Zurich, Swizerland
 
 

Zurich

We stayed in the northern part of the Alps, but this time it's Zurich's turn in Switzerland. As usual the gardens and parks on the banks of the river change the landscape. A good option is to rent a car in Zurich and spend a day touring Lake Zurich, getting to know the little towns that surround it. The drive from Zurich to Uznach (at the other end of the lake) doesn’t reach 60 kilometers and is a good way to get around the city.

Wroclaw, Poland
Caffes in Wroclaw, Poland
 
 
Gnomes in Wroclaw, Poland
Gnome figurines in Wroclaw, Poland
 
 

Wroclaw

Wroclaw, southwest of Poland, is one of the youngest cities in the country where you can enjoy a milder climate than in the northern cities. Its historic centre has been rehabilitated in recent years and is a perfect city to walk and cross the many bridges that cross its canals as if it were one of the Northern Venices. One of the biggest tourist attractions is to locate the gnomes of Wroclaw. These are figurines of gnomes with a profession and a history that you can find in the streets of historic centre.

Bergen, Norway
Brygge quarter, Bergen, Norway
 
 

Bergen

Located in south-western Norway, Bergen is the second largest city in the country, surrounded by the impressive landscape of the Norwegian fjords. The Bryggen quarter is the most colourful and photographed place of the city with its wooden houses. And very close to it is the Fish Market where you can buy and even taste typical and fresh products. And if you are looking for a walk in the mountains, don’t miss out on the opportunity to do some mycological route and discover the great variety of mushrooms in the area.

Edinburgh, Scotland
View of Edinburgh, Scotland
 
 

Edinburgh

The second largest city and capital of Scotland is one of the best European cities to visit in autumn. Its parks, gardens and green areas begin to change colour and lose their leaves. Strolling through its streets or taking a trip around, can be two good options to enjoy the autumnal landscape. In addition, during the autumn months there are many celebrations in the city: the festival of storytelling, the Samhuinn, Halloween, Guy Fawkes night, St. Andrew's Day,…

 

If you have decided to prepare a break to visit one of these cities, remember that you will need to change your Euros to the corresponding currency. But it is not a problem, in Eurochange you will be able to buy the currencies that you need with the best rate and total availability.

5 different museums to see in London

Discover these 5 London hidden gems, visit not typical attractions

When planning a trip to London we realize there are a lot of places to see, attractions to visit, pubs where to take a pint and markets to walk around. And it is true that there are places that are a “must” on a visit to the capital of the United Kingdom like seeing Big Ben, climbing the London Eye, entering the Tower of London or visiting the British Museum. But today we propose a visit to 5 different museums in London, if in addition to seeing the typical, you want to enjoy other visits outside the conventional circuit.

 

Sherlock Holmes Museum

Sherlock Holmes Museum
Entrance to the Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221 Baker Street.
 
 

In fiction, Detective Sherlock Holmes lived at 221 Baker Street. In real life, this is the address of the Museum dedicated to this character. This home is decorated as it would have been in Victorian times (the famous detective would have lived there with Dr. Watson between 1881 and 1904). There you will find personal objects of the two characters as well as notes and objects from their published cases.

Information and prices

 

Churchill War Rooms

Churchill War Rooms
Maps room at Churchill War Room
 
Photo from the website of the museum.
 

Winston Churchill played a decisive role in the outcome of World War II. And if you want to learn more about this historical character and how it was lived in London, you must visit Churchill War Rooms. In this museum you will see the bunker where Churchill and his team work and even slept and the rooms where they worked with secret material. Some of them have not been altered since the day they were closed in 1945. You can also make a tour of his life and the influences he has had until today.

Information and prices

 

Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising

Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising
Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising
 
Photo from the website of the museum.
 

The products we consume, their packaging, labels and advertising are a part of our lives and our day to day life. In this museum you will see a compilation of more than 12,000 objects that will take you from the end of the 19th century to the present day. Cereal boxes, beverage cans, cleaning products, disks, household items,… are some of the examples of products that you will find. Don’t worry about coming from a different country, you will be surprised by the brands we have in common.

Information and prices

 

Pollocks Toys Museum

Pollock Toys Museum
Pollocks Toys Museum
 
Photo from the website of the museum.
 

This museum has a collection of mainly Victorian toys: dolls, teddy bears, doll houses, small toys, toy theaters, soldiers, puppets, etc. In the museum are also exhibited pieces from the first owner of the store, Benjamin Pollock, who made and printed a part of the toy theaters.

Information and prices

 

Old Operating Theatre

Old Operating Theatre
Old Operating Theatre
 
Photo from the website of the museum.
 

This is the oldest operating theater in Europe that exists and is located in the roof of the Church of St. Thomas, that was part of the Hospital of St. Thomas. In this space is the old operating theatre. In this form the operating table occupies the main place, surrounded by steps from which medical students followed the operations. There is also an herbalist where medicines were stored and made from extracts of herbs and plants to treat patients.

Information and prices

 

See our map to see the museum's location

 

If you are going to prepare your trip to London, don’t forget to buy the Pounds you need in advance. At Eurochange we have total availability and we deliver home delivery in 24 hours.

4 National Parks in the United States

Discover 4 National Parks in the US where you will enjoy the natural spaces

When thinking about a trip to the United States, most travellers come to mind New York, Miami, Las Vegas, Los Angeles or San Francisco. And it is not surprising as they are 5 of the most visited cities in the country by foreign tourists. But the United States has much more than big cities as it has 59 National Parks in its territory (in addition to a large number of reserves and natural parks). Today we present 4 of them in which you can enjoy nature with very different climates and environments.

Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon
 

It is one of the most well-known National Parks in the world and is located to the north of the state of Arizona. It has two entrances, one south "South Rim" and one north "North Rim". In accordance with the time of the year the north access is closed by the snow. You can visit by your own, with extreme caution as it is a cliff, or hire some guided excursion to not miss anything (hiking, rafting or helicopter flight are the most popular ones). In the Park you will find plenty of places to do a good panoramic photograph, but in the Skywalk you will find an unrepeatable experience: you can walk on a glass walkway located at more than 1,200 meters above the ground.

More information

 

Denali National Park and Preserve

Denali Nationa Park
Denali Mountains
 

We go from an almost desert environment to a park located in the south of Alaska that remains a good part of the year covered with snow. In this park you will find Mount Denali, the highest peak in North America. If you are not a mountaineer, we discarded the hard climb to the mountain, but don’t worry, there are many activities to do both in winter (cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sleigh rides or snowmobiling) and summer (hiking, cycling, fishing, camping or attending some of the guided tours with the forest rangers). A curiosity: the film "Into the wild" tells the story of Christopher McCandless who survived alone in this park for 4 months. The bus where he lived still on the park and is one of the most photographed places in it.

More information

 

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park

Sequoia National Park
Road crossing Sequoia National Park
 

This National Park is located in the State of California, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. In it is Mount Whitney, the highest summit of the United States outside Alaska, in addition to a huge forest of giant sequoias. In this forest is the largest tree in the world, a sequoia known as General Sherman, which measures 83.8 meters high and about 11 meters in diameter at its base and is about 2000 years old. In the Park there are several routes and excursions that can be done by car or on foot with the option to make the trek with a ranger that explains the whole route.

More information

 

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park
Hot springs at Yellowstone National Park
 

Yellowstone was the first National Park created in the United States. It is a natural territory that has undergone few alterations with the passage of the years. It is located mainly northwest of the State of Wyoming although its extension also reaches areas of Idaho and Montana. In this Park live several species of terrestrial animals like bears, wolves, moose and buffalo, besides being home of the bears Yogui and Bubu protagonists of the cartoon series. It is a perfect place to camp for a few days in summer and to make hiking routes discovering this jewel of nature where you will also find hot springs and geysers, one of which is the best known in the world, the "Old Faithful". And if you visit in winter, you will enjoy a spectacular environment covered by a white mantle. Without cars, with skis or snowmobiles, you can enjoy what they call "Winter Wonderland".

More information

 

If you are planning a visit to one of these Parks (or someone else) visit the National Parks Service website. In this web you will find all the necessary information about accesses, activities, tips and even alerts that may exist at any given moment in each Park.

Although in the wild nature expenses will not be the same as being in a big city, keep in mind that you may have to pay tickets or excursions in cash. In addition to the souvenirs that you can buy and take home. So prepare your trip by buying the Dollars you need in advance. You can receive them at your home or pick them up at the office with the nearest collection service.

And don’t forget to follow the tips and recommendations of the rangers to make your visit perfect!

5 things you should not miss out on in Warsaw

We tell you five things you can do during your trip to Warsaw

Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. If you are going to visit it this summer, we help you to add the essential 5 things to your visit.

Restaurants in the Old City
Restaurants in the Market Square, Old City Warsaw – Poland
 

The Old Town (Stare Miasto)

The Old Town is the birthplace of the city of Warsaw. It is not the oldest area since it was completely destroyed after World War II and was rebuilt stone by stone to regain its pre-war appearance. It is a World Heritage Site since 1980. A quick search in Google and you can see a lot of pictures of its appearance now and then.

The Old Town is located between the Vistula River and the old wall that runs along Podwale Street. In the center is the Market Square, surrounded by cafes and restaurants. You can walk its streets with shops and restaurants, visit the Cathedral of San Juan or take a walk of Kings by the Royal Palace.

Palace on the Isle
Palace on the Isle, Lazienki Park, Warsaw – Poland
 

The Royal Route

Speaking of walks of Kings, you can take advantage of the good weather of summer to tour the Royal Route. Whether on foot or with a rental bike, this is a pleasant walk of about 10 kilometers surrounded by buildings, palaces, churches and monuments.

From the 16th century the Polish Kings used this walk to move from their usual residence, the Royal Castle located in the Old Town, to one of their summer residences: the Palace of Ujazdów, the Palace on the Isle or the Palace of Wilanów .

The walk begins at the Royal Palace and runs through Krakowskie Przedmieście, Nowy Świat, Plac Trzech Krzyży, Aleje Ujazdowskie, Ulica Belwederska, Ulica Jana III Sobieskiego, Aleje Wilanowska.

Warsaw Uprising Monument
Warsaw Uprising Monument, Warsaw – Poland
 

Recent history

Warsaw was one of the hot spots during World War II as it was one of the world's cities with more Jewish population and also by the creation of the largest Jewish ghetto in Europe. As the capital of Poland was a strategic point for the reception of Jews from other parts of Germany or occupied Poland for their subsequent deportation.

If you want to learn about the darkest passage of the recent history of the city and the country, you can visit the Museum of the Uprising or the Museum of History of Warsaw.

Art Museum
Art Museum near the Vistula, Warsaw – Poland
Photo from: Artmuseum

 

The most up-to-date Warsaw

Leaving behind the past of the city, at present it is one of the European capitals where you can enjoy the most contemporary culture.

You can enjoy the Museum of Modern Art with two buildings where creativity reigns: the old one on Panska Street 3 and the modern one opened in the spring of 2017 next to the Vistula. The most modern can not miss the Neon Museum, a space where all kinds of neon signs are rescued and restored by their owners.

And as for nightlife, the city is not far behind. You will find from pubs and bars from normal to clubs where you have to dress well queue to enter. There is also a great offer of places with terrace and outdoor spaces that come in very well on summer evenings. In Warsaw Insider magazine you will find a long list of places to go depending on what you want every day.

Neon Museum
Neon Museum, Warsaw – Poland
Photo from: Neonmuzeum

 

Museums and more museums

In addition to all that we have told you, in Warsaw you will find a large number of museums for all tastes.

You can review the most important cultural manifestations of the country from the Chopin Museum dedicated to the life and work of the composer, to the Ethnographic Museum, where a review of the history of the country through its inhabitants and their traditions.

If you are interested in science, you can visit the Marie Curie Museum, where you will learn about the life and work of the Polish scientist. It is also advisable to visit the Copernicus Scientific Center where children and adults will enjoy exhibitions and demonstrations.

And for those who love the evolution of technology, Warsaw also offers several options such as the Museum of Technology, the Museum of Military Technology or the Railway Museum where you will see a real review from the first rudimentary devices to the most current technology.

 

If you already have everything prepared for your trip to Warsaw, do not forget to change your Euros to Polish Zlotys. You can buy them now and pick them up at your nearest pickup office or we can send them straight home.

Enjoy your trip!

How many Pounds should I bring to London?

If you are planning a travel to London, we help you to solve your doubts

When preparing a trip abroad, one of the most common doubts is how much money to carry in cash. Traveling through the Euro zone, there is no major problem, since you can pay with card without commissions, conversions or extra expenses. But in countries with different currencies, we must think a little more. If you are going to travel to London and ask yourself how much money to bring in cash, we help you to solve your doubts with this budget for 7 days per person.

Big Ben - London
Big Ben – London

 

Transportation

The easiest and quickest way to get around the city is the tube. London has one of the world's largest (and on-time) metro networks.

The simple ticket costs around 5 Pounds, so it is best to buy tickets for the day or a Travelcard for 7 days, if your trip is going to last more than three days.

A 1-day metro ticket for zones 1 and 2 (where most tourist attractions are) costs 6.60 Pounds and the 1-day Travelcard for the same areas costs 12.30 Pounds. The Travelcard for 7 days for zones 1 and 2 costs 33.00 Pounds.

The advantage of buying a Travelcard is that you can use different public transports: tube, bus, tram,… if they are in the area for which you have paid.

As for transportation to and from the airport, there are several options. These are the usual prices for train travel from Airports to Central London with return included:

  • Heathrow: 37.90 Pounds
  • Southend: 16.20 Pounds
  • Gatwick: 35.60 Pounds
  • Luton: 18.00 Pounds

If you need to use the taxi service, keep in mind they are a bit expensive. If you travel with more people the expense is divided, but with the other transports you can easily reach any place you want to visit.

SUMMARY:

  • 7Day Travelcard: 33.00 Pounds
  • Transfers from and to the Airport: 27,00 Pounds

Food and drink

This point depends a lot on the budget and tastes of each one. It is true that there are bargains and places that only Londoners know where food is good and cheap, but as a rule we usually go to the places that we have of passage in the most tourist areas, so let's do a rough calculation with the average prices.

A fast-food restaurant (McDonald's, Burger Kinf, KFC,…) can cost between 5 and 7 Pounds per person. A complete meal (main dish with salad, potatoes or rice) with a pint in a pub costs about 10 or 15 Pounds. A pint of beer, around 4 Pounds. And you also have the option to buy some food in a supermarket or in street stalls where you can eat for 5 Pounds per person. And if one day you want to indulge yourself, you will find many restaurants of good quality where you can taste typical dishes or international cuisine from about 25 or 30 Pounds per person.

If your accommodation doesn’t include breakfast you will always find a Starbucks, Costa Coffee or Pret a Manger where you can have coffee and something to eat. You will have to add about 5-6 Pounds per person per day.

SUMMARY (6 dinners and 6 meals):

  • 4 meals in a typical English pub: 50,00 Pounds
  • 2 fast-food restaurant meals: 12.00 Pounds
  • 3 dinners in typical English pub: 38,00 Pounds
  • 2 dinners with food of supermarket or street position: 20,00 Pounds
  • 1 dinner in restaurant: 50,00 Pounds
  • Make 3 breaks to drinka pint (soda, wine, …): 12,00 Pounds
London Tower Bridge
London Tower

 

Sights

Many museums in London have free admission so you can enjoy art and culture for very little money. In addition, one of the main charms of the city is to walk it, to visit monuments, to go to street markets,… where you will not have to pay any entrance. However, in other tourist attractions you will have to pay tickets. We show you the usual prices (there are passes for several attractions that come cheaper or discounts with the Travelcard).

British Museum: free except for special exhibitions costing about 17.00 Pounds

British Library: the entrance and some exhibitions are free and the pass for the other exhibitions costs about 14,00 Pounds

National Gallery: free admission

Museum of London: free admission

Ride on the London Eye: 39.00 Pounds

Buckingham Palace: 23.00 Pounds

London Tower: 21.50 Pounds

Westminster Abbey: 22.00 Pounds

SUMMARY:

  • Free entrance to the mentioned museums (without exhibitions of payment): 0,00 Pounds
  • Tickets to other attractions: 105,50 Pounds

Whims or unforeseen

When calculating your budget, keep in mind that there may be expenses with which you had not counted. Although almost anywhere you can pay with card, remember that you can be surprised if the rate set by your bank is bad or if they charge a commission for paying in another currency.

In addition, there are things you can’t pay with a card like a second hand T-shirt in Camden Market, a roll of cinnamon in the Portobello market or some postcards to send to your family.

For this type of expenses you can take about 50-70 Pounds per person.

Total budget

Transport: 60,00 Pounds

Meals: 182,00 Pounds

Attractions: 105,50 Pounds

Whims / Unforeseen: 60 Pounds

TOTAL RECOMMENDED: 407.50 Pounds

This budget is an approximate average of the money that is usually spent spending a week in London and, as we have said, depends on tastes, prior organization and what everyone can afford.

We hope that you have been guided to calculate how much money to take on your trip. Remember that you can exchange the leftover banknotes back to Euros in any of our exchange offices, so don’t worry about carrying too many Pounds.

Buy Pounds Now!

Do you think we have forgotten any important expenses? How many Pounds have you spent on your trip?

Cheer up! Your comments can help other travellers plan their trips better!

5 things you can’t miss in San Francisco

Things to keep in mind before planning a trip to San Francisco

This year you have a good opportunity to visit the city of San Francisco (California) as it is the 50th Anniversary of the Summer of Love and the city is prepared to celebrate it with flowers in the hair and exhibitions, literary events, concerts and recognition to the most important moments of that historic summer of 1967.

But in addition to all the events that you can find on the website created for this anniversary (Summer of love) there are other things you can’t miss out of this vibrant city.

Golden Gate view, San Francisco, California
View of the Golden Gate bridge wit the city in the background
 

Take a walk through the Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate is one of the most famous bridges in the world. Since its construction in the late 1930's, its red structure has been photographed millions of times. The bridge is just under 3 kilometers long linking the city of San Francisco with the Marin County. Crossing the other side you will have fantastic views of the bridge with the city in the background. Keep in mind that there is usually fog in the bay, we hope you have a clear day for your walk.

Painted Ladies, San Francisco, California
View of the typical Victorian houses of the city
 

Contemplate the "Painted Ladies"

Another of the biggest attractions of the city are the "Pinted Ladies”. Don’t worry if you don’t know what we are talking about, as soon as you see the typical picture of those Victorian houses painted in various colors next to each other, you will recall images from television series and movies in which they appear as Full House, Mrs. Doubtfire or The Princess diaries.

Cable Car, San Francisco, California
Cable Car line
 

Walk around the city

Sometimes there is nothing better than walking the streets of a city, sitting down to drink something at a café or reading a newspaper in a park to impregnate you with the true spirit of its inhabitants. Undoubtedly, a good way to see San Francisco is on board its classic "Cable cars" that should not be confused with the tram network, which also exists. There are three lines of "Cable cars" from where you can cross centric streets and go up and down the famous slopes of the city.

Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, California
View of Alcatraz Island from the ferry
 
Cells inside Alcatraz Jail, San Francisco, California
Corridor and cells inside Alcatraz Jail
 

Enter a cell in Alcatraz

Although it’s not an attraction that stands out for its beauty, don’t stay with the desire to visit the one that boasted of being the safest jail in the world. The prison received in its interior famous prisoners and hosted numerous shoots of Hollywood. During this visit you will learn a little more about the history of the country and its most dangerous criminals too.

Muir Woods, California
Walk among redwoods in Muir Woods
 

Hug a redwood

The redwoods are very long-lived trees (they live between 2000 and 3000 years), very tall (more than 100 meters from the surface) and very thick (around 7 or 8 meters in diameter). They are also characteristic species of the west coast of the United States. One of the spaces where you can walk among these millenary trees is Muir Woods Park, about 15 km north of the city. Too close not to visit.

If at this point you are already fantasizing about your next travel to San Francisco, don’tt forget that you will need to change your Euros to Dollars before your trip and in Eurochange you can buy US Dollars at the best price.

Have a good trip!

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