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48 Hours In Bruges

We recently spent 4 days enjoying the Christmas festivities in Belgium and spent 48 hours in Bruges checking out the fairy tale city.

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Bruges Ice Skating

Maybe that’s what hell is, the entire rest of eternity spent in fucking Bruges – (Ray, Colin Farrell, In Bruges)

Sorry Ray, I have to disagree.

Bruges is a fairy tale.

Ice Skating at Christmas Markets in Bruge

The only problem is that the historic city centre is overrun with tourists. There are just 20,000 residents living in  this section of Bruges and on a busy day the tourists far outnumber them. You can see why the locals get pissed off at tourists wandering into their path as they cycle around the city.

Everywhere we looked we were confronted with people from the UK. And they all had the same idea as us… Christmas markets.

We specifically chose to spend 48 hours in Bruges for the Christmas Markets (and Belgium was a country we hadn’t been to yet). While the Edinburgh markets are great, we wanted to experience a “genuine” Christmas market. However I think we were kidding ourselves in assuming it would be any different. Same wooden booths, same lights, same gorgeous smells wafting through the chilly air and the same people.

Don’t get me wrong. We loved every minute of it. But if you are looking for a traditional Christmas market then you might as well head down to your local one.

So while the markets were a disappoint, Bruges was anything but.

The walled city centre is a World Heritage Site of UNESCO with a canal system dissecting Bruges into small pockets of one way narrow streets and lanes. We love small cities that can be covered on foot or bike and Bruges ticked all the boxes with pedestrians and cyclists dominating. Unfortunately Bruges is not yet completely car free although it is in the pipelines so watch your back as you stroll around.

With all the canals Bruges is often referred to as “The Venice of the North” but is also well known for its chocolate, beer and lace. I definitely like 2 out of the 3.

Our hostel was set along half a block with their own bar (no surprise there) so it was quite a scene. On arrival we were told by the Aussie at the counter that we were sleeping directly above the bar! All this with a smile and thumbs up. Being a group of Aussies and Kiwi’s I guess we were supposed to be stoked…

Exploring our room further we quickly realized that not only were we above the bar but we could see between the floorboards to the bands heads! Even with several glasses of mulled wine and Belgian beers to help we knew there would be no sleep tonight so Adela used her persuasive powers to get us moved.

Enjoying a Bratwurst at the Bruges Christmas Markets

Venturing into the heart of Bruges with foot long bratwursts in hand we wandered through the Christmas markets. A beautiful area that was located in the central square surrounded by historic buildings and overlooked by the Belfry tower made famous from “that” movie. With 366 stairs to the top it may seem daunting but every 50 or so steps your climb is broken by a landing. The views at the top also made it worthwhile. Overlooking the city you get the sense you could glimpse the rest of Europe stretching away to the east.

View from the Bruges Belfry Tower

The only problem is that you don’t want to hang around up there too long. The bells rang loud and true and never seemed to cease. And boy were they deafening.

What amazed me is that they don’t just plug in an iPod and let it play. They actually employ some bloke with a fancy name, a Carilloneur, to play on the wooden hand keyboard. He must love his job to climb those stairs every day. You can actually watch him through his little window about 3/4s of the way up bashing out the latest hits from Lady Gaga. Okay the Lady Gaga part is fake but he does play with great gusto.

Mercifully the lines were not too bad so we were in and out relatively quickly. We had heard reports that you can stand around for half an hour or more waiting to gain entrance.

Walking the city streets and canal banks you don’t want to carry a map. Our favourite part of the trip was spent wandering the maze of alleyways away from the tourist hordes. Stumbling upon hidden cafes and bakeries makes up for hours you will spend enjoying the simple surrounds.

And for a quick day excursion from Bruges hire yourself a bike and ride along the canals out of the city in any direction. We ventured out to Damme which used to be the port for Bruges. While you may not be able to spend hours here it is nice to get out of the hustle and bustle.

To top it all off, at night the city looks like a Roman candle with the buildings draped in decorative twinkling lights. Swans drift lazily under the spotlit bridges that zigzag across the canals while couples stroll hand in hand huddling close together to stay warm from the winter chill.

While two days were plenty long enough I wouldn’t mind spending the rest of eternity chilling out In Bruges.

How can this really be hell Ray?

Bruges by night

Cole is one half of New Zealand's leading adventure travel blogging couple who have been wearing out their jandals around the world since 2009. He loves any adventure activities and anything to do with the water whether it is Surfing, Diving, Swimming, Snorkeling or just lounging nearby on the beach. You can follow Cole on Google+. Or consider following us via RSS Feed, Twitter, Facebook and subscribe to our Newsletter.

Europe

What is the best casino cashback bonus Ireland has to offer?

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Bonuses are a big feature of online casino play and are something that you don’t get at brick-and-mortar casinos. Online casinos in Ireland offer different types of incentives that can put a little back in a player’s pocket.

One of those is a cashback deal, which is one of the newer types of casino bonuses to hit the scene. Here, we explore just what casino cashback deals are, how they reward players and look at the many shapes and forms they come in.

 

What are casino cashback bonuses?

To clear the air a little bit about the best casino cashback bonuses Ireland, there is more than one type. This variety gives players the opportunity to choose the ideal rewards scenario.

 

Welcome bonus cashback

On landing at any of the leading online casinos in Ireland, such as Slotbox or SpinAway, a welcome bonus offer will greet new players. These are incentives designed to hook people up with a bonus just for walking through the virtual casino doors.

These are usually linked to the initial deposit on the account. A casino will match a certain amount of the value of a deposit by crediting bonus cash – and perhaps some free spins thrown in.

 

Reload cashback

A similar way to get cashback at an online casino is through reload bonuses. These work in the same manner as welcome bonuses, but just under their own steam and are available for existing players. Top up an account and a certain amount, perhaps 50%, will be matched as a bonus.

 

Cashback on losses

Casino cashback is a rewards program that credits a certain amount of lost stake back. How much is paid will depend on the terms of the offer and how much stake has been lost. These commonly operate on a weekly promotional basis.

 

Casino cashback factors to consider

There are different components to cashback offers at online casinos. It will come down to the type of offer, but some common elements to look for are:

Cashback percentage terms

The definition of how much can be credited from a single online casino bonus can differ from site to site. For a cashback on losses deal, it could be a 50% return of lost stake at one casino, and 30% at another. Welcome bonus cashback deals will also be determined by percentage of the initial deposit.

 

Time period

The validity of bonuses at online casinos is a major factor as well. Welcome bonuses generally have to be claimed within a couple of weeks of registering an account. The full completion of wagering requirements will also have a time limit. It boils down to terms not being met and the bonus being voided in a use-it-or-lose-it scenario.

 

Maximum payback

Of vital importance is what the maximum payback may be. The terms of a 50% cashback deal that’s capped at €200 are vastly different to one that credits 100% but is capped at a maximum of €50. It’s all about the individual player, their overall budget and what’s realistic in terms of wagering requirements.

 

Wagering requirements

Wagering requirements are found on most online casino bonuses, particularly welcome offers. These are the terms of how many times a bonus amount has to be matched before it’s released as real cash.

As an example, a €10 bonus at x35 wagering requirements would need €350 staked in real cash before the bonus is released. Sometimes, the wagering requirements specify that both the deposit amount and bonus amounts must meet wagering requirements.

Types of rewards

The most common form of credit to an account through a casino bonus is in the form of bonus cash, but it’s not the only form:

 

Bonus cash

Bonus cash, tokens or whatever it is, is not real cash. Players normally hold a bonus balance and a real cash balance. Bonus cash may be restricted to certain games and can’t be cashed out, nor can any winnings from it, until wagering requirements have been fulfilled.

 

Cash

At online casinos, cash is cash. If there is money cleared in an account, then it holds its true value. That cash balance can be played or withdrawn.

 

Free spins

Another type of credit that can be received at online casinos is free spins. Sometimes these are packaged as extra incentives with bonus cash or are standalone feature rewards. These also won’t escape the grasp of wagering requirements, but usually only on the winnings and at a much lower turnover than bonus cash.

A small selection of the best cashback bonuses

 

Slotbox

Slotbox has a cashback bonus through its welcome offer for newly registered customers in Ireland. With wagering requirements on the lower end of the scale, it is a good one to check out. Slotbox has a tremendous range of games from leading providers, with 24/7 support and VIP rewards.

 

SpinAway Casino

There are more than 1,000 slots to explore at SpinAway Casino. There’s a wide variety, plus a big range of live casino features as well as Irish Lottery and bingo. An available cashback welcome bonus includes some free spins.

LuckyDays Casino

Crypto-friendly site LuckyDays also gets in on the cashback offer, where a bonus can be claimed across each of the initial three deposits on an account. The first of those is a 100% matched bonus. Further reload bonuses and a loyalty program add more.

 

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Europe

Paris on a Budget: Best Cheap Eats in Paris

While Paris used to be regarded as an expensive city, you can now enjoy Paris on a Budget. Use our guide to find the Best Cheap Eats in Paris.

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Although Paris has a reputation for being one of the most expensive cities globally, the rumors are now unfounded. In 2012, Paris dropped ten places in the Mercer cost of living survey. And with the Euro looking weak, now is probably a good time to find cheap flights and discover the city of love on a budget.

Eating in Paris can catch a lot of tourists out. Avoid the expensive restaurants serving fancy dishes like salmon wellington and snooty maître d’s on the Champs Elysees and follow our guide for the best cheap eats in Paris.  Spend less on food and possibly splurge on friendly hotels in Paris instead!

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Girl eating croissant in Paris

Best Cheap Eats in Paris

Best Cheap eats in Paris, Eiffel Tower at Night, Paris

Head to the Marais

Famous for its selection of ethnic eateries, the trendy Marais area of Paris is perfect for picking up a quick snack.

Check out L’As du Falafel, where you can grab a flatbread bursting with golden fried balls of falafel, smothered in hummus and accompanied with red cabbage. For €4 to take away, you can’t argue with that. Simply head to Chez Hanna down the street for equally tasty food at similarly low prices if it’s too busy.

Best eats in Paris, The Louvre, Paris

Enjoy an Oriental baguette.

Vietnamese food is popular in France, and nowhere can you see the fusion of two cultures more clearly than at Saigon Sandwich in the Belleville district of Paris.  Their specialty, banh mi, is light and crusty French baguette filled with flavors of South East Asia.

There are only a few options (poulet, boeuf, Maison, and unique), but for €3 ago, you could happily sample them all.

Find French food on the cheap.

Believe it or not, there are some restaurants specializing in French cuisine that won’t see you stumbling into your overdraft. Les Temps des Cerises is one of them.

Described by Yelp as a “Dive Bar,” nothing could be further from the truth.  Run by a cooperative, it attracts a distinctly bohemian crowd. The menu is small, but the food is prepared from ingredients that sing with freshness and high quality.

View from the top of Arc de Triomphe

Eat like a local celebrity …

Rumour has it that Pierre Herme, one of Paris’s most celebrated pastry chefs, visits the Belleville restaurant Le Baratin. The prices are surprisingly low for the delicious Argentinian fare.

Time Out Magazine recommends the tuna carpaccio with cherries or the spicy basque lamb. Pop in at lunchtime for the prixe fix menu. At €18 for three courses it’s hard to complain.

… or eat like a local office worker

Bistro Victoires is a favorite amongst Paris’s locals. It doesn’t look like much from the outside, and the wine list leaves a lot to be desired, but when you sit down to enjoy some of the best steak frites in Paris, all else will be forgiven.

Portion sizes are enormous, and the waiters often remind patrons that if they order a starter, they won’t be able to tackle the main course. Despite being a famous location steps away from the Palais Royal, it still manages to be a hidden gem.

Champs-Elysees Sunset

What are your tips for finding the best cheap eats in Paris?

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Europe

Travel Tip: Train to Pisa from Florence

Whether you spend a half-day or full day in Pisa, we recommend that you Train to Pisa from Florence. It’s the fastest and cheapest way to get there.

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train to pisa

Traveling by train is one of the best ways to see the beautiful countryside of Italy. The train from Florence to Pisa takes about an hour, and the journey is stunning. The route takes you past vineyards and medieval villages, through tunnels and over bridges, with breathtaking views of the Tuscan hillsides. You can even see the Leaning Tower of Pisa as the train approaches the station.

Woman traveling by train looking out of window

Upon arrival in Pisa, you can explore the historic center and visit the famous cathedral, before enjoying a leisurely lunch overlooking the River Arno. With its stunning scenery and convenient location, a train trip from Florence to Pisa is a great way to spend a day in Italy.

Leaning tower of Pisa, HDR, Italy

How to get to Pisa from Florence

You have a couple of different options for your own half-day trip to Pisa from Florence depending on how you like to travel. But if you are like us and enjoy travelling around Italy by public transport, then you will definitely want to train to Pisa from Florence.

Train to Pisa from Florence

Florence and Pisa are less than 100 km apart and the easiest way is to train to Pisa from Florence. The entire trip one-way takes approximately an hour depending on your route with no transfers.

Trains leave from Florence S.M.Novella for Pisa Centrale a few times every hour. The closest train station to the leaning tower of Pisa is Pisa San Rossore, but it’s not worth the extra time or transfer required. Pisa itself is small and it takes less than 30 minutes to walk to the leaning tower from Pisa Centrale.

Plus you get to explore more of the city such as the River Arno lined with beautiful stately homes.

Pisa River, train from pisa to florence

If you want to book online then a one-way ticket by train to Pisa from Florence will cost from €7.80 (US$10.40) in 2nd class. It is important to make sure that when you are searching online via the Italian train booking site, Trenitalia, you search for “Firenze” rather than Florence.

The train schedules are very easy to understand so we recommend booking your ticket from the self-service machines on the train platform. The return journey is just as easy in reverse. Just watch that you don’t miss the last train around 10pm most days and carry cash with you for the ticket.

Finally, validate your ticket before boarding the train. We forgot a couple of times but used the typical “I’m a stupid tourist” line to get out of any fines.

Bus to Pisa from Florence

Another option is to catch the bus to Pisa from Florence.

There are two main bus companies, Terravision and Autostradale, run regular buses to and from Pisa Airport and Florence Airport into the Florence city centre, they don’t actually go into Pisa itself. The train to Pisa from Florence is so reliable, fast, and cheap, that you may not want to consider this option.

However, there are some advantages to taking the bus. You will see a lot more scenery from the window of the bus, and it’s definitely cheaper; sometimes you can find fares as low as 4 Euros, especially on Fridays.

Travel Guide to visiting Pisa from Florence

Driving to Pisa from Florence

If you have hired a car or scooter in Tuscany then you might look at driving to Pisa from Florence. However, even though the distance is less than 100km, the trip will still take approximately 1 hour.

Aside from the fact that the train to Pisa from Florence typically takes less time than driving, you also have to avoid the crazy Italian drivers. Not to mention trying to find a carpark in two of the most popular cities in Italy. Impossible.

Travel to Pisa from Florence by train, Leaning tower of Pisa HDR

Guided Tour to Pisa from Florence

If you have been enjoying the sunset in Florence and all the city has to offer then you might want to take in a guided tour to Pisa from Florence. Not only do you get a great guide to learn all about the history of the area, you also don’t have to worry about getting to Pisa from Florence.

You might want to check out this guided tour around Pisa or get a little bit more adventurous and try out a segway tour in Pisa. Perfect for the family and it will keep the kids entertained between stops.

If you have a whole day, and haven’t managed to fit in a hike around Cinque Terre, then we recommend looking into the Pisa and Cinque Terre day tour. Lasting roughly 12 hours, you will travel from Florence to Cinque Terre, with a 2 hour stop in Pisa to see all the main sights.

We also reckon guides help you get the best photos, as they have seen all the poses.

Adela funny jumping Pisa

Tell us below if you have taken any funny photos in Pisa!

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Meet Cole and Adela

Cole and AdelaWe have been wearing out our jandals (Kiwi for flip-flops) on our travel adventures around the world since 2009. We think our blog is thought provoking and a little witty. But we have been proven wrong before. Find out more about us here...

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