In 2016, San Francisco welcomed 4.41 million overnight visitors, according to Statista. Despite the elusive fog, Pacific Coast sights and scents continue to make this hilly city a hot tourist destination. The suggestions below are sure to guide you through San Francisco’s bests.

Serenity in the Commotion of Visiting a Big City

Image via Flickr by Goodnight London

Want to escape some of the city crowds and spend time in some of the more tranquil parts of town? Be sure to book the ideal getaway using InterContinental Hotels Group to find San Francisco hotels with proximity to one of these harmonious corners of the city. 

If a pamper day is in your future, look no farther than Kabuki Springs for a relaxing spa experience followed by a serene experience in the communal baths. Once you’ve allowed Asian-style treatments to calm your senses, continue to indulge them throughout the city. Let nature spoil your senses with a stroll through San Francisco Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park. Fifty-five acres of an urban arborist oasis showcase over 8,500 different types of plants from around the globe. Raise your awareness of and appreciate the olfactory delights in the Garden of Fragrance, designed in 1965 as a garden experienced entirely by smell and touch.

Alluring Seaside Sights

For urban views with a coastal twist, be sure to scale the 210-foot tower in Telegraph Hill for 360-degree views of the city and bay. This fluted tower, funded by and named for Lillie Hitchcock Coit as a memorial to the city’s volunteer firefighters, has earned itself a spot on Foursquare’s The 15 Best Places with Scenic Views in San Francisco. If you’re looking for a more natural location for beautiful views, Corona Heights Park is the place to be in the city. The metropolitan skyline receding into the vast sea provides the ideal landscape to discover.

Venture out for some fitness with a view and take a walk or jog over the Golden Gate Bridge. At 1.7 miles one way, you’ll receive a great workout while gazing upon the San Francisco Bay, Gulf of the Farallones, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and the city of San Francisco itself.

Tempt the Palate

The restaurant possibilities in San Francisco are endless; however, some key establishments deserve your attention. Start your day with a classic American breakfast or brunch at Sweet Maple. With friendly, attentive service, and top-quality locally sourced organic ingredients, you won’t wonder why everyone raves about the Millionaire’s Bacon or the Big Hip deep-fried French toast. Any restaurant with a bottomless mimosa and bloody mary option is a great place to start your morning.

The El Techo is the one-spot stop for beautiful rooftop patio views, vibrant decor, street eats, and thirst-quenching cocktails. Line up early to gain a spot at this highly coveted eatery. If it’s stylish seafood you’re looking for, look no farther than Waterbar. If the spectacular water views and magnificent seafood alone don’t pull you in, then their high standards of sustainability, variety, and excellence for the sourcing, preparation, and presentation of food will.

Exploring this city is a way to overload the senses and create lasting memories embedded deep within your being.

There are millions of people around the world who love to travel and take a trip at every chance they get. If you are one of these people you are most likely very aware of how important travel insurance is. But were you also aware of the option to buy an annual travel insurance policy? This type of policy is perfect for anyone who travels frequently and is looking to save money on travel insurance. A lot of companies will have different annual policies available, so it is certainly worth looking into if you are a frequent flyer.

You may be wondering if an annual insurance policy will be the right choice for you, as there are some benefits and some drawbacks depending on your travel frequency. A lot of this is going to depend on the numbers and figures, but there are other things to consider too. We have put together a few things to think about before you decide on your travel insurance policy.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits of buying travel insurance on a yearly basis.

Who Doesn’t Like Saving Money?

This may sound pretty simple to most people, but who doesn’t like to save a few bucks here and there? Depending on how often you travel, an annual policy could end up saving you big time. If you take numerous trips per year look back at your records and add up how much you paid for insurance on each individual trip. The number you come up with may be larger than you think, as things can add up fast. With an annual policy, you know exactly what you are going to spend each year and will be covered for every trip you take. This may add up to big savings when comparing all the separate insurance purchases.

It’s So Easy!

Another great benefit to buying a yearly insurance policy is how simple it is to deal with. If you only have one company and one policy to deal with, it is going to be much easier if you have to talk to someone or even make a claim. You will be more familiar with what your policy offers as you won’t have to relearn things every time you take a trip. You are basically streamlining your insurance for the year and this is going to cause less stress and headaches when you go on holiday.

You Never Know What Will Happen

We could really say this about everything in life, but you really can’t plan and prepare for everything. Having an annual policy in place may very well keep you protected from the unknown all year long when you are out of the country. If you have a medical emergency when you are away you want to make sure your policy is in place, and with an annual policy, there is no chance of forgetting to take out travel insurance as you are already protected. It is much nicer to have year-round protection for emergencies that don’t happen than to have something happen and then be stuck with the bill.

Do You Travel Enough?

Only you can decide what type of travel insurance policy is going to be the right choice for your situation. There are a lot of factors to weigh up when deciding on the best policy, so be sure not to rush your decision. Take a look at the benefits versus the cost with an annual plan and you may find yourself in a position to save money and have a more convenient insurance experience. You have a lot of different choices when it comes to travel insurance, so be sure to do your research.

So you are planning to travel to Ireland but have no idea on what to expect? Well, you need not worry as this is just a destination like any other. Having said this, it is always important to understand the traditions of a country and their way of life to avoid misunderstandings and awkward situations. The Irish people are known to be laid back, relaxed, and genuinely welcoming. However, it is important to understand the dos and don’ts in Ireland to help you socialize much better.

Meeting and greeting people

When meeting new people in Ireland, always keep it casual. You will be surprised to learn that the Irish are generally talkative and love engaging even with total strangers. In most cases, such discussions will revolve around the weather as there is so much to talk about the weather in Ireland. However, you do not want to touch on politics unless you want to engage in a long and heated discussion on the same.

Handshake or a kiss?

The Irish may use several forms of greeting, but the most preferred is a casual handshake. This is especially so for strangers. However, friends and relatives may go for a kiss on both cheeks. So unless you are already acquainted, keep it casual to the handshake and you will be good to go.

Ordering and paying

For as long as you will be in Ireland, you will have to interact with the food service or pub personnel.  Usually, these settings do not have table service. When you get to a bar, for instance, you will order and pay for your drinks then decide on whether to take them home or simply sit at a table to drink. Notably, Irish bars do not have the tab system. As such, expect to pay for your food or drinks as and when you are ordering.

Tipping

Tipping is a universal practice, and Ireland is not an exception. However, most restaurants in Ireland prefer to apply a service charge which technically replaces the tip, but in cases where you still feel the service has been good, a 10 – 15% tip is acceptable. Some more casual restaurants will, however, have a bowl or plate where you can leave your tip, and this can be distributed among the staff. As much as most of those in service do not necessarily depend on tips for their income, they will still appreciate the gesture nevertheless.

Smoking

Ireland banned smoking in public spaces in 2004. This includes places like restaurants, bars, offices, shops, public transport and all other public indoors places. As such, you can only smoke in your home or in designated smoking zones.

By following these customs and traditions, you can expect to have a good time in Ireland. To be on the safe side, make friends with the locals who can help you better understand other aspects of their culture ranging from religion to politics and general knowledge. With all said and done, Ireland is a great place to visit and you can be sure of having a good time during your stay at Donegal Thatch Cottages.

In this fast-paced world, all of us are in a headlong rush to achieve our goals as fast as we can. For students it is achieving the highest marks, for some adults it means working longer hours for that Christmas Bonus. However, in the end, it does take a toll on you and the sheer stress of it can drive anyone crazy. That is why you might need a good long break that relaxes and revives you for the next quarterly. And what better way to relax than dive deep into the heart of comfort and pampering by opting for the best villas to rent in Morocco, ones that massage away the weariness from your bones?

Located at the Northern part of Africa and lining the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, Morocco can offer you just that and then some. Pastel hued with its turquoise waters and palm trees and ceramic arts, Morocco continues to rise in demand amongst people who want something different from the European experience. 

At the heart of its seemingly boho and eccentric cities, are resorts and villas lined up to offer you that luxurious experience that you have been craving. Many of these exude the local culture yet combine with it the world class luxury of exotic gastronomic delights by master chefs and sensually deep massages and restful evenings at the sauna. And if you wish for some privacy and a place away from the din of the city, here are our favourite luxurious villas that combine the best of all these worlds:

Villa Acqua

This stunning villa has three bedrooms with three ensuite bathrooms that can accommodate up to six guests. It is located in a secluded area within the one of the medieval cities of this country. This seclusion offers you privacy to enjoy your luxurious getaway in peace. It is an ideal vacation spot for a large group or a small destination wedding. There is an L shaped pool lined with lush olive and palm trees and you can dive in to wash away the sweltering heat of the day. Or maybe an afternoon of music and Barbeque calls more to your soul. Head to the Petanque court invites you for afternoon games or enjoy golfing the lush golfing fields. After a full day of spas and massages and wines that make your taste-buds dance, link arms with your partner and watch the sun set beyond the palm trees, as you sip on delicious cocktail concoctions that the staff brew for you.

Villa Noelle

Located in Tassoultante, Morocco this villa provides a high scale private estate for you and your family. You will be enthralled by the well-maintained gardens and lush greenery of the palm trees. Noelle is designed in such a way that it reflects the Moroccan culture and its art. The villa buildings are splashed with colours that complement yet contrast each other and breathe culture and class. Local pieces of art adorn the rooms and expert chefs offer up platters full of one gastronomic delight after the other. End the day by lounging by the pool with your friends, wine in hand and the wind in your hair and swishing among the olive branches.

Amelkis

This exquisite villa can accommodate up to twelve guests in its six spacious bedrooms. The villa is located in a lush park which doubles up as a golf course and provides a comfortable stay for both golfers and families. Amelkis provides a lot of amenities and horseback riding is just one of them. Amelkis is not just for relaxing, though, and, for the ones who seek a little adrenaline everywhere, you can join the Equestrian club and zip through the expansive grounds atop glorious beasts that are friendly and fierce. The best part? Amelkis is known for its expert chefs and the delicacies that they offer up on platters to its guests. And once you are done enjoying all that, you can head to the spa with world class amenities and enjoy massages that pamper your heart and your aching muscles.

Loka

Loka is a uniquely styled villa that classily combines comfort with sheer serenity. Located in a secluded area just outside the city’s cultural centre and golf courses, it gives all the access and amenities that come with living near the city yet does away with all the din and noise of the busy streets. The villa itself is grand and spacious and has ample sample for anyone who wants to read a book beneath a palm tree in peace. It can house up to sixteen people in its lush expanse yet it never seems crowded, making it one of the best options if you are travelling in groups. The villa breathes old imperial air with its palatial and grand interiors. Also, world class spa facilities for you to let the stress out of your system. Palm trees line the pool and one can just lounge there with book and wine or take a dip in its sparkling blue waters. And after a long day of play and shopping, you can satiate the wolves in your stomach with scrumptious delicacies that the kitchen staff prepare fresh for you and only you. Bring a perfect end to the night with friends by your side and cocktails in hand and the roaring fire in the fireplace queitly ushering the cold nights away.