How Much Will You Pay To See Landmarks During Lockdown?

30 May 2020

It’s a very strange time we’re living in, our daily lives have been turned upside down, our social lives are non-existent and our priorities have completely changed. Just one of the impacts of this crisis is the housing market, with property buyers unable to view new homes and sellers unable to shift houses.

With buyers now spending a substantial amount of time inside their homes, we realize now more than ever what is important to us when it comes to making an offer. Practical aspects such as nearby schools, ground rent, and full searches to determine if possessory title insurance from LawSure could soon be replaced with priorities such as space for a home office, nearby parks and exercise routes, and a garden that can safely allow social distancing when buying a new home.

For some of us feeling isolated, we are taking comfort in the views our homes can benefit from, whether this is a beach, mountain, or famous landmark. While others are now wishing they had put more thought into what their windows look out to.

With the summer holidays approaching and the idea of enjoying these warmer months like we once did diminishing, we curiously look into how much we would have to pay to benefit from a property that allows us to see some of the UK’s favourite landmarks.

Do you think it’s worth paying this much to be one of the exclusive few who can still enjoy these sights, even in lockdown?

1. Big Ben

Big Ben

If you want a private view of the world’s most famous clock tower, it certainly will cost you. Just under £30 million will provide you with a secluded roof terrace on top of your property where you can enjoy the ringing of Big Ben morning, noon, and night.

Built-in 1859, the tower has been an iconic part of London’s skyline for over two centuries and is a hot tourist spot of holiday photos. You can spend as much time as you please taking selfies of Big Ben if you are willing to pay the premium price.

However, you do also get seven bedrooms, an indoor pool, snooker room, home cinema, and countless other entertainment rooms. If you can afford this epic lifestyle, you’ll probably find something more fun to do during lockdown than staring across the horizon.

2. The Tower of London

Even for those with little knowledge of London know about The Tower of London. Depicted in countless period dramas for its grisly history of executions and the main target of modern-day villains for attempting to steal the crown jewels, it’s as famous as the royal family.

The last execution was performed in 1941, this was by firing squad and thankfully not the infamous guillotine.

While £30 for an adult admission ticket may seem steep, wait until you hear how much it costs to live nearby.

An apartment on the opposite side of the river bank recently sold for £9,500,000 and came with a private riverside terrace that allows spectacular views of the iconic London skyline.

3. Windsor Castle

So far the above properties may have two of the most iconic landmarks in England but during the lockdown, they are lacking the one attraction that brings millions of tourists to the UK every year.

The royal family, more specifically Queen Elizabeth II brings a substantial amount of revenue to businesses across the UK, but at the moment, she isn’t even in London.

Her majesty is spending quarantine in Windsor Castle, the favourite of her many homes. You can purchase a home of the same streets as the gates to the castle for just under £1.5 million.

You may think it is a bargain as you’ll be rubbing shoulder with royalty and can even boast that you share the same postcode. However, this price only gets you a small terrace house with a very modest garden and no parking.

A high price to pay when you’ll probably be shunned away if you ask your royal neighbour if you can borrow a cup of sugar.

4. Edinburgh Castle

Castles sweep the countryside in the UK and Edinburgh Castle is certainly one of the most iconic.

From a fortress to a prison in the 1700s and now a tourist attraction, the castle has certainly had its fair share of uses.

The most famous event that takes place today is the New Year’s Eve firework display that attracts over a million visitors from all over the world. If you love the idea of an epic firework display but loath large crowds of people, you could always purchase a nearby property to benefit from a private viewing.

Firstly, you’ll need £1,388,500, this will get you an apartment overlooking the castle with a balcony for that perfect view.

Although for that price, we might just settle to watching them on TV instead.

Ben Nevis

Staying in Scotland, Ben Nevis is the tallest summit in the UK and is located in the picturesque Highlands. The average house price in this area is £200,000, not bad right?

While many properties are at this mark, they don’t sit at the base of this impressive mountain. If you want to witness this every day, you’ll be looking at £600,000.

The valley is vast enough for you to get a little more for your money though, the houses are significantly larger than most in the area and your £600k will get you eight bedrooms.

Blackpool Tower

Try to think of a classic British beach holiday and you’ll immediately think of Blackpool. The iconic arcades, donkeys and nightlife are famous as the quintessential English summer holiday.

Teamed with Blackpool Tower and you couldn’t get a more postcard-perfect spot. As a built-up area, there are plenty of homes that you can see the tower from, especially as it’s grand height.

Blackpool Tower was once the tallest structure in the UK, standing at 158m. It’s not dwarfed by the current record holder, The Shard, at 310m.

If you want to always feel like it’s summer, it will cost £100,000.

So do you think it’s worth forking out this kind of cash to be able to feel like a tourist on holiday every day? Or are you happy to save those pennies and wait until the lockdown is lifted and pay general admission? Perhaps your window skyline is so tiring, any chance in scenery would be a good one, no matter what you can see!

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10 Must Haves for Travel Photography

Readying your gear for your travel photography trips is something you have to plan ahead. You have to think of the best way to fit all your needed gear. This way, you can keep your baggage as light as possible. If this is a problem for you, you’re in the right place as we deliver you our 10 must-haves for travel photography. This list is based on experiences of photographers from their multiple trips. 1. Good Travel Backpack For a travel photographer, the backpack is as essential as all the equipment inside. Even backpack manufacturers focused on creating specialized backpacks for cameras and its accessories. There are many to choose from, and here are some recommendations for your travel backpacks. 2. The Right Travel Camera For a travel camera, choices are also limitless, but here are points to consider before buying one: First, for a travel camera, the size and weight matter. Your camera must be handy so that you can hold it easily during traveling. The low light performance check is a must. A travel camera must have fast lenses and effective sensors. With them, the quality of the image stays better even in low light conditions such as in travel photo scenes. Also, a decent zoom is a plus for your camera. It should adapt to your shooting style and capture quality images even from a larger distance. 3. Lenses Camera lenses are the next purchase priority after cameras. There are various lenses with various functions. For a beginner, the variety may be overwhelming. But don’t worry, we can recommend the so-called “walk around lens,” the 24-70mm lens. The 24-70mm lens offers diversity and functionality. From wide captures to close-up portraits, this lens is the one that many photographers start with immediately. Its range makes the 24-70mm lens a remarkable companion for various types of photo shoots. For a more advanced selection of lenses, you can read more here. Just make sure to purchase lightweight lenses to keep your travel as convenient as possible. 4. Filters These small accessories may be unnecessary, but filters can have benefits. They can offer your camera lens some protection and control of lights entering into the camera lens. Here are the various filters and their functions: The UV Filters will protect the lens glass by blocking ultraviolet rays. More than that, it also blocks dirt from getting into your lens, which can scratch and destroy it. Having this accessory is a cheaper alternative than repairing your lens. Graduated neutral density filters are useful when taking shots at sunrise and sunset. This works by evening out the light in the scene so that one part will not look too bright or too dark as compared to the rest of the photo. Neutral Density Filters are used to darken the scene and are useful during the daylight when the sunlight can be a harsh element in your photos. Finally, the Polarizing Filter is used for suppressing glare or reflections. It is a necessity when you take photos of reflective surfaces such as water, metallic objects, and glass. 5. Stabilizers Most travel photographers see the tripod as one of the most important accessories in their travel. You’ll need a stabilizer every time you take photos of scenes with low-light conditions since the camera has to be steady to take sharp photos. The Gorilla Pod is also complementary to your travel shots. Although it works as a smaller version of a tripod, it has bending legs that you can mold to mount on tricky areas. 6. Batteries Having spare batteries is always a necessity when traveling. It is better to spend more with batteries, rather than running out of power during your shoot. If your camera’s standard batteries run out quickly for you, try out large capacity batteries like V-mount and Gold-mount batteries <do-follow>. These batteries hold bigger charges and can charge multiple devices, too. 7. Storage Like batteries, it is recommended to bring multiple storages for your photos. A typical suggestion would be having memory cards with at least 32 to 64 GB of storage. This is because your photos in RAW format take a large amount of storage space. Moreover, having extra backup storage for your shots, such as Solid State Drive (SSD) will also give you peace of mind. 8. Your Smartphone Of course, your smartphone is a powerful tool in travel too. It can work as different devices in one. The variety of apps available and the features of smartphones today makes it multi-functional. This gadget can work as your organizer, map, another camera, editor, and a communication device to various media. With powerful smartphones today, simple errands and tasks can be done with them, rather than having a laptop with you. A laptop can work wonders too, however, depending on your needs. 9. Laptop Having a laptop with you can be another option for backup storage for your photos, as well as a tool to keep you connected. Moreover, with the right laptop specifications, your laptop can be your travel editing tool to touch up your photos immediately while on your trip. Sometimes, a laptop is not ideal for travel because of its bulk on your baggage. However, if you include it on your checklist, make sure that your laptop is powerful. It should come with a processor and graphics card appropriate for running photo and video editing software. Also, the monitor should be built to be color-accurate, so that photos are displayed close to reality. Finally, the laptop battery should suffice the screen time you need. To help you out, here are recommendations for laptops suited for travel photographers. 10. Cleaning Supplies for Your Camera Aside from protective devices for your camera, cleaning tools can help preserve your camera lenses too. Some tools are Microfiber cloth and Pecpads that wipe off the dirt in your lenses. Without cleaning them, the dirt may show up in your photos. Another option for cleaning is a Rocket Blower, which can blast dust and debris. Conclusion These 10 must-have items for photography will surely help you choose your starting gear. These essentials will not only help you take good photos but will also help take care of your devices and keep them safe during your travel.

7 Amazing Hiking and Camping Sites You Should Visit

For outdoor adventure lovers nothing can feel more exhilarating than the idea of exploring a new hiking or camping spot. Whether you are looking to escape to travel to a remote mountainside base camp or a vast lake amongst the trees, you can camp anywhere in the world. Because camping means freedom and adventure. Here are seven new camping sites that you may not have considered yet. Shenandoah National Park, USA: Just outside of America’s capital, Washington, D.C., about 75 miles away, you’ll find Shenandoah National Park. Here you can experience wilderness and breathe fresh mountain air while enjoying time learning about the history and nature of this national park. The main road to get to the park is Skyline drive: a winding, narrow road with a gorgeous view along the way. You will see eye-popping vistas and various beautiful waterfalls in this breathtaking national park. The park sits on 200 thousand acres of land protected to preserve the wildlife and scenic views. There are plenty of areas for rustic camping and hiking, though cell phone reception may be limited during your visit. Because the park is open throughout the year you can decide whether you’d prefer hiking in the summertime or have a snow trek during the winter. The Alps, France: With crystal clear lakes and snow-capped mountains, this is the perfect destination for skiers in the winter months. When the snow thaws the Alps become one of the world’s most beautiful camping and hiking destinations. Hikers and campers arrive from around the world to experience the gorgeous villages at the foothill of the mountains and the fresh air of the Alps. This area is perfect for hiking, skiing or enjoying a beautiful starlit evening among the mountains. If you are not a skier then you can still enjoy the quaint towns or even relax in a thermal hot spring during the day. Mount Everest Base Camp, Tibet: Admire fantastic views of the world’s largest mountain on a campsite constructed to protect the environment around Mount Everest. While you can spend the trip in an attempt to hike to the summit of the largest mountain in the world, you can also just enjoy the camping experience surrounded by one of the most beautiful views in the world. Though it may be difficult to sleep at high altitudes due to shortness of breath here you can witness the night time starry sky with no light pollution to dilute it. And you can sleep in if you’d like because the sunrise is delayed by the surrounding mountains. If you are feeling particularly adventurous you can climb the 20,540 feet to the summit of the mountain for one of the least seen and most coveted views in the world. The Isle of Arran, Scotland: The largest island in the Fifth of Clyde offers a little bit of everything that you’d hope to experience on a Scottish island. From beautiful coastlines, lush forests, and mountain peaks, you are sure to experience something on the Isle of Arran that you’ve never seen before. Along with brilliant camping and hiking, you can also witness various cultural festivals and enjoy the local cuisine. The island is known for great beers, cheeses, oatcakes, and various confections. You can sample traditional Scottish whiskey at the Arran Distillery and then take a hike around the island to enjoy the many wildlife on the island, including deer, seals, and otters. The Isle of Arran is a once in a lifetime getaway that you’re sure to enjoy. Karijini, Australia: Located just 1,055 kilometers from the state’s capital of Perth is Karijini National Park. It is the second largest national park in Western Australia. Here you can explore the parks many gorges, waterfalls, and canyons while witnessing the local wildlife of red kangaroos and geckos. The landscape has been carved by water over billions of years and allows for rock climbing, kayaking and plenty of hiking trails from beginner to expert. At night you can sleep under the stars in a beautiful landscape. If you aren't sure where to start with your journey to this scenic national park, there are companies that can help you plan how to spend your visit. Charter North Tours offers a variety of guided excursions for solo trips, couples, and even groups. Patagonia, Argentina, and Chile: Southern Chile and Argentina are home to Patagonia comprised of the Andes mountains, deserts, and grasslands. It is one of the few regions with coasts on three oceans, with the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Southern Ocean to the south. Here you can visit Torres del Paine National Park or Tierra del Fuego. These areas with picturesque mountains and gorgeous scenery that switch between mountain peaks, glistening lakes, and deserted grassland offer a plethora of various hiking and camping locations. Traveling in the off-season will reduce your costs tremendously and you will be able to avoid the crowds that come with seasonal travel. Sahara Desert, Morocco: This scenic hot and dry climate is perfect for a camel trek along the desert dunes. Spend a night under the starry African sky before spending your days hiking the dunes and trying your hand at sandboarding. Sandboarding is an extreme sport similar to snowboarding that includes riding down a sand dune on a board. You can spend your evenings having an authentic Berber dinner and camping in a traditional Berber tent. Enjoy a scenic sunrise over the seemingly endless sand dunes before hiking through the ancient villages to begin your camel trek. It is the ultimate bucket list trip. Any of these destinations will provide you with a once in a lifetime vacation. Whether you prefer mountainous views or sand boarding in a desert climate, these destinations are sure to give you something that any outdoor adventurer would appreciate. Read Also: 4 Best Destinations In Western United States Planning A Family Vacation As The Kids Grow Up Five Of The UAE’s Gardens And Parks Why Should Ladakh Be Your Next Travel Destination? 5 Important Things You Need To Bring Camping The Best Vanuatu Resorts For Your Accommodation

How to Plan A Trip In 5 Simple Steps?

Have you been dreaming of a trip but have been unable to plan and execute it effectively? This article will discuss how to prepare for a journey in five simple steps so that we can put an end to the cluttered and streamline your vacation to pure bliss and perfect harmony. In most cases, holidays begin as a beautiful idea, but they may become a nightmare if you don’t manage them well. You have to put a lot of brainstorming and thought into the process of organizing your tours. Most people overlook this step, but it manifests itself through the unseen hurdles. With some little effort and preparation in the maintenance of a personalized trip planner, you can overcome over 90% of your hurdles as a traveller. Here are some of the tips that will guide you through this process. 5 Simple Steps To follow: 1. Pick Your Destination Several things can inspire you to pick your travel destination. Most of the things that trigger the desire to visit somewhere are external factors. Some of them may be photos that go viral on social media, the scientific setting that you see in a movie or a story from a friend about his last trip. You need to keep in mind several things as you choose a travel destination. You may have little to debate when your mind thinks about visiting a forest, mountains, or beaches. However, you need to pick the right destination depending on the season if you desire to have a successful holiday. Check the best time for visiting the desired location. The ideal seasons for visiting mountains and beaches differ significantly. You will enjoy some places in a luxury budget more than others. You can get good discounts on flights and hotels when you visit a luxury place during the low seasons. As a traveller, you have to put safety top on your priority list. The other factor to consider as you plan a trip is ease of accessibility. The level of access can make you visit a place or cancel the tour altogether. Most popular destinations have good highway infrastructure, daily trains, and flights that support the influx of tourism. 2. Determine the Duration of Your Trip There exists a thin line between enjoying each moment at your tour and getting bored. There isn't a predefined duration for staying in a specific location. It all depends on the purpose of the visit and the plan of the traveller. Therefore, you need to estimate the number of days that you will be visiting a particular location correctly. A road trip may take longer than a flight one because you use a lot of time travelling. However, you may desire to go by road to explore the region. You can also make shorter trips on weekends as long as you plan your time well. Urban destination trips involve more sightseeing than visiting a tropical town and hence will require more time. It is always good to give yourself an extra day especially if your tour lasts for over seven days. It will cater for delays in trains and flights, weather hold-ups, traffic jams, and change of heart to add yourself one more day in a particular location. 3. Book Train, Flights, or Bus Tickets and Accommodation The next step is to book tickets for your bus, train, or flight in advance. Most of these tickets are subject to availability and prices fluctuate over time. You can avoid extra cost by making your bookings in good time. Only book non-refundable and cheap train and flight tickets if you are 100 per cent sure of your holiday plans. If not, you’d instead book refundable tickets if you are booking in advance. Use Google flights tracker to monitor flight charges because they keep on fluctuating over time. If you plan a trip during the peak season, expect a surge in the accommodation and flight charges. You can earn some cash backs and rewards by using your credit card to book hotels and flights. 4. Plan the Course of Action and Day-Wise Activities It sounds adventurous and fascinating when you make your tour plan on sudden gut-feeling and impulse. However, you may have several days on this trip in which the schedule may go haywire because of doing things the last minute. Get a rough idea of the activities that you will want to do depending on the time that is at your disposal and budget. This ingredient will help you to understand how to plan a trip effectively. Try to keep most if not all your transfers between destinations in the evenings or night. It will give you enough time for activities and sightseeing during the day. Booking activities like safari rides, boat rides, adventure sports, and water sports in advance may help you to get some discounts. Keep one to two activities during the day if you want to have a relaxing and tranquil holiday. Some destinations close popular tourism activities like scuba diving, boating, and skiing during the offseason. Make sure you check the availability of these activities. 5. Make all the Necessary Adjustments and Pack Diligently Once you are done with your booking, pack your luggage bearing in mind the external factors that influence your location. Weather unpredictability, festive season, and the socio-political scenario can have adverse effects on your travel plans. Do a bit of research as you plan for your trip to avoid making alterations in your touring plans. You can carry an extra jumper pair of jeans, a sweater, or shirt if you are visiting a rainy or cold destination. You can also carry things like mosquito repellent, lotion, and sunscreen to prevent skin-related diseases. Research about the destination that you will be visiting as part of responsible tourism and cultural sensitivity. It is advisable to read about the do’s and don’ts to avoid showing any disrespect and causing conflict to the locals of the destination you are visiting. Conclusion The vocational experience can change you for good. The most important thing is knowing how to plan a trip if you want to enjoy your travel with no unfortunate occurrences or malice. Read Also: Make The Most Of A Business Trip To Chicago Getting Ready For A Trip To Costa Rica Medicare Pros And Cons: Everything You Need To Know Before Enrolling