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England Planning a Trip travel guide

Things to do in Manchester

Manchester is one of the most important cities in England, known for its nightlife and incredible architecture. It is also one of the most gay-friendly cities in Europe. If you plan to travel to Manchester, here are some things to do.

Learn some history live: Castlefield

In the inner city of Manchester, you’ll find remains of what used to be the Roman for of Mamucium. Five main areas have been reconstructed and can be visited: the Roman Gardens, the Vicus – civilian settlement outside the fort – , the North Gate, the Defensive Ditches and the West Wall. There are canal-side bars and restaurants, so if hunger strikes, you can relax and have a bite to eat.

A day in Chinatown

Whether you want to get something to eat, plan to wonder around for some shopping or just want to kill some time, head to Chinatown. On Sundays, you can pick up wonderful herbs from here. It’s located behind the Town Hall and really close to The Village.

Clubbing in the Village

Even if you are not in the clubbing scene, an evening in a bar is something you should try while in Manchester. The staff at the hotel/hostel will be able to tell you some of the hottest bars and clubs or whether you can find something to suit your tastes.

Visit the Museum of Science and Industry

Adult or child, you’ll love this interesting museum which shows impressive machineries, such as a working waterwheel. You can also see the booking halls of one of the first passenger railway station (on the route to Liverpool) , learn about Castlefied – the Roman Fort – and many more. It is open daily from 10 a.m. Entrance to the museum is free.

See the city from above: The Wheel of Manchester

London has London Eye and the Wheel of Manchester is this city’s take on the idea of getting a bird’s eye view of the surroundings. Admission fee is £8.50 for an adult (£5.00 for a child). You get to see the city from the height of 60 min and the ride takes about 13 min. It is open daily from 10 a.m.

A museum for the (big) boys: Imperial War Museum

If war vehicles, weapons and war memorabilia are what interest you, then don’t miss this museum. Entry is free and the museum opens at 10 a.m.

Market Street

If you are looking for food , great shops and fun, then this is the place to check out. The pedestrian street is filled with stuff which will easily diminish your vacation money, but it’s so worth it.

Tour Old Trafford

If you are a football (soccer) fan, then this is an exciting thing to do. Of course, you can watch a match but if you happen to travel when no matches are played, then a tour of the famous pitch is the next best thing. The Museum & Tour Centre is open daily from 9:30 a.m. The museum and tour ticket is £15.00 for an adult (£10.00 for juniors). More details here

Visit Manchester Cathedral

The current cathedral dates from Medieval times but was extensively renovated and , as a result, looks much newer. It is a working church so pay attention to the visiting hours (unless you plan to attend the service). Personal guided tours of the cathedral and grounds can be requested. Find the details here .

Aerial Extreme at The Trafford Centre

If you want something different than museums, markets and cathedrals, then Aerial Extreme is a good choice. It’s a combination of amusement park with a challenge of your fitness, which will get your heart pumping.

Photo credits : Castlefield , Chinatown , The Village , Museum of Science , The Wheel , Market Street , Old Trafford , Manchester Cathedral

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Panama travel guide

Cheap Hostels in Bocas del Toro

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Bocas del Toro is a paradise on the Caribbean West region of Panama. While most visitors come here during the dry season – December to April -, the area can be visited year-round. The city is small enough to tackle on foot but you can also rent a bicycle or a scooter to get around.

With hotels in Bocas del Toro being on the pricy side, it’s a good idea to look for hostels or hostel-like accommodation when planning your vacation in this tropical paradise.

Don’t worry that you’ll have to spend your nights in a room with 20 other travelers. Most hostels also offer private rooms (and in many cases with en suite bathroom), so your privacy doesn’t have to suffer. And, best of all, you get to socialize because chances are you’ll run into the fellow travelers in the common room.

Hostels have the advantage of being located close to the attractions, beaches or right in the city center. So they are easy to get to and easy to get around the city.

Always book the bed or room in advance, regardless of when you plan to travel, but especially if you want to visit Panama during the peak travel season. Take into account that you won’t be staying in huge hostels; actually we are talking small houses, more like guesthouses than hostels. So these book up quite quickly.

Generally speaking, a bed in dorms starts at US$10 per night, while if you prefer a private room, expect to pay from US$12 per night per person.

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Peru travel guide

Things to do in Lima

With nearly 9 million inhabitants, Lima is a combination of many cities, mixing the high end luxurious neighborhoods with the less developed outskirts. In between, one can find the historical district with its many places to visit. Lima is known as the best city in Peru to try the local cuisine.

Here are some things to do while you visit Lima.

Soak up the atmosphere in Plaza de Armas (or Plaza Mayor)

It is the main square in Lima and is bordered by Cathedral of Lima, the Municipal Palace (City Hall) and private office buildings. You can visit the Cathedral and the museum inside. Admission to the Cathedral is US$1.50 for an adult.

Visit an ancient temple: Huaca Pucllana

If you don’t have time to travel to Machu Picchu, then you’ll be pleased to discover that Lima has its fare share of ancient ruins. This one is right in the Miraflores District and has been restored. The temple was built around 500 AD. Admission is US$2.50 for adults and the ruins can be visited from Wednesday to Monday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A quite different museum: Larco Museum

It is housed in a former mansion built on the site of a former pre-Colombian Temple. But what sets this museum apart are the following interesting things: visitors are allowed into the store rooms where they can see items which are not on display; and there is a special room dedicated to the erotic archaeological treasures (a collection of ceramic pots portraying sexual acts). The admission is US$10 and visitors can also see ceramic, textile and precious metal artifacts within the museum.

Learn about the Peruvian history at the Aliaga House

It is as old as Lima itself and comprises a collection of Peruvian art and artifacts. You can see here the sword of Jerónimo de Aliaga used in the conquest of Peru. Tours cost US$40 per person and take about an hour.

Take the catacombs tour at the Church of San Francisco

It’s impossible not to walk for several blocks in Lima and not stumble upon yet another Catholic Church. You’ll recognize this one by the swarms of pigeons residing on the patio. It was built in the late 1600s in baroque style. You can visit the adjoining monastery which comprises a collection of ancient religious texts. The catacombs, however, are the attraction for the visitors. They comprise about 75,000 bodies, many of them exposed. Entrance fee is US$2 and the catacombs tour lasts about 45 min.

Must try food: Ceviche

It is the national Peruvian food and most likely it will appeal to those who enjoy seafood. Ceviche is made with raw fish, lime or lemon juice, onions, chili peppers and sometimes herbs.

Take a scenic train ride

If you happen to visit Lima between April and November, why not consider a scenic train ride all the way to the Central highlands. The Lima to Huancayo train route is magnificent but, unfortunately, not very reliable (it shut down some years ago but now is running again).

>>read more about Train Travel in Peru

The Magic Water Circuit

More than 12 fountains “dance” to music and light. The ticket costs US$1.50 and the show starts at 4 p.m.

Surf

The waves around Lima are safe for any surfer, but places such as Pico Alto and Cerro Azul are recommended for the advanced surfers.

Photo credits: Plaza de Armas , Huaca Pucllana , Larco Museum , Aliaga House , Church of San Francisco , Ceviche , Train trip , Surfing

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Panama travel guide

Cheap Hostels in Panama City

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Panama City , the capital of Panama, doesn’t lack historical sites and also offers plenty of other things to do. Aside from your flight, the accommodation is also a big part of the travel budget and that usually means we tend to spend quite a bit of time finding a place to stay which is suitable for our needs and budgets.

While there are hotels in Panama City for every budget, a good option is always the hostel. You don’t need to stay in a dorm if you don’t fancy the idea because most hostels also offer private rooms. Also, the major advantage of the hostels is that they are located close to the city center and major sites.

Here are some places to consider for your stay in Panama City.

Hospedaje Casco Viejo

This hostel is located in a colonial home in the Old Quarter of Panama City. There’s a luggage room and the towel and linen are provided free of charge. There are self-catering facilities, internet on site and a lounge area for the guests to use. In March 2012, expect to pay US$22 per night in a double private room.

Hostel Villa Michelle

This is a luxurious family guesthouse , located in a secure part of the city. All rooms a totally private and can also be rented long term. Linen and towels are provided free of charge. There is AC and internet on site. The guests can use the self-catering facilities and the swimming pool. In March 2012, expect to pay US$46 per night in a double private room.

Baru Lodge

The lodge is located close to tourist attractions and offers free breakfast, linen and towel. All rooms have AC, free wi-fi and TV. In March 2012, expect to pay US$74 per night in a double private room.

Hostal de Clayton

The hostel offers a complimentary breakfast and the towel, linen and internet are also free of charge. There’s a luggage room and there are also self-catering facilities and washing machines. In March 2012, expect to pay US$89.20 per night in a private double room (garden view).

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Peru

American Embassy in Lima, Peru

Generally speaking, when an American citizen needs the help of the American Embassy, something went terribly wrong. The American Embassy in Lima is meant to offer assistance to the US citizens living in Peru and those traveling to Peru.

The American citizens traveling to Peru are urged to register with the Embassy, so that help is offered better in case of an emergency.

The emergency services offered by the American Embassy include:

  • assistance to the American citizen is arrested in Peru
  • assistance to the American citizens victims of crimes in Peru (including theft and robbery)
  • assistance if an American citizen dies in Peru
  • access to list of lawyers and doctors who speak English in Peru
  • replacement of lost or stolen passport (without appointment during regular office hours)

Emergency contact number

If you are an American citizen with an afterhours emergency, you can call the hotline at: (51-1) 618-2000 (24 h a day).

American Embassy in Lima

Address: Avenida Encalada, Cuadra 17, Monterrico – Surco, Lima, Peru

View US Embassy in a larger map

Phone: 618-2000
Fax: 618-2724
Website

Working hours: Mon to Fri: 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Cusco Consular Agency Contact

Address: Avenida Pardo 845, Cusco
Phone: [011] (51) (084) 231-474
Mobile: [011] (51) (084) 984-621-369
Fax: [011] (51) (084) 245-102

The consular agent is available 24 h for emergency assistance in Cusco and the surrounding area. The consular agent can accept passport applications.

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Panama travel guide

Cheap Hotels in Bocas del Toro

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Bocas del Toro is a very popular vacation destination in Panama, located on the Caribbean Coast. The dry season – December to April – is the high season for traveling to Bocas del Toro , which also means the accommodation tends to be more expensive than other times of the year.

There are accommodation options for all budgets. However, you might not find a place to stay right in Bocas del Toro and , hence, you need to settle for places near-by. But if you are on a tight budget you might want to look into a hostel rather than a hotel. And if you want to travel during the high season, make sure to book the hotel room well in advance.

Here are some hotels to consider for your stay.

Hotel Palma Royale

The hotel is located in the city and constantly ranks high among those who have already stayed here. It is located just 20 m from the sea. All rooms have flat screen TV, AC and fridge.

In March 2012, expect to pay from US$95 per night , double occupancy.

Playa Tortuga Hotel Beach And Resort

The 4-star hotel is located right on the beach in Bocas del Toro. On site, there are: fitness facilities, pool, health club and children’s pool. Breakfast is included in the room price. All rooms have AC, flat screen TV and free wi-fi.

In March 2012, expect to pay from US$145 per night, double occupancy, breakfast included (discounted price).

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Panama travel guide

Cheap Hotels in Boquete

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Boquete is a cozy mountain village, nested between a river and a volcano, and offering lovely weather year-round. It is a heaven for those who enjoy outdoor activities.

When it comes to looking for accommodation in Boquete, you’ll be pleased to know that the city caters for all types of travelers, although there aren’t many hotels in the area. Expect high prices and if you are on a tight budget, choose the hostels. Make sure to book the room in advance, especially if you travel during the dry season (December to April).

Here are some hotels to consider for your stay:

The Riverside Inn

It is located on the banks of Palo Alto River, in a rural setting, just 3 minutes drive away from Boquete. All rooms have AC and private bathroom. There’s a restaurant on site.

In March 2012, expect to pay US$125 per night in a double room, breakfast included. The Loft Suit (sleeps two) is US$100 per night in June 2012.

The Haven Spa

The 4-star hotel is located just 10 min walk from the city center. All rooms have flat screen TV, free wi-fi, coffee and tea making facilities and minibar. The hotel has a gym and spa.

In June 2012, expect to pay US$115 per night in a queen room (sleeps two), breakfast included.

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Accommodation Peru travel guide

Hotels near Machu Picchu

When planning to visit Machu Picchu , first you need to get to Cusco , which is the gateway into the Inca historical site. If you plan to take the Inca Trail, you’ll leave from Cusco (after getting used to the high altitude for 3 to 7 days). Another option is to stay in Aguas Calientes , which is the city with where the trains from Cusco stop and from where you can either take a bus or hike to Machu Picchu. There is also the possibility to stay in Machu Picchu Town, but the prices are typically higher than if you were to stay further away.

>>book a cheap hotel in Cusco or look for cheap hostels in Cusco

Should you decide to stay in Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu Town, here are some good options for hotels near Machu Picchu:

Budget Hotels

Hostal Varayoc

The hostel is located less than 100 m from the railway station in downtown Aguas Calientes. All rooms have private bathrooms, TV and there is free internet access available. Laundry service is available. The Continental breakfast is included in the room price. In May 2012, expect to pay from US$35 per night in a double or twin room.

Mid-Range Hotels

Terrazas Del Inca Bed And Breakfast

This hotel is located in downtown Machu Picchu, surrounded by the mountains. It is just 30 min bus drive from the Inca site and has lovely views of the river. The hot springs are just 5 min walk away and the waterfalls are within 45 min hike. All rooms have en suite bathrooms and TV. The on site restaurant offers panoramic views of the area. In May 2012, expect to pay from US$55 per night in a double room, breakfast included.

Machu Picchu Green Nature

The hostel offers free airport pick-up and free breakfast. All rooms have private bathrooms and some have mountain view. In May 2012, expect to pay from US$58 per night in a budget double room with mountain view.

Luxury Hotels

Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel

The 5 star hotel is located just 20 min from Machu Picchu and offers luxurious rooms with cable TV. There are a restaurant and a bar on site. And the guests can relax at the spa. In May 2012, expect to pay from US$548 per night in a superior double or twin room, breakfast included.

Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge

It offers direct views of the Huayna Picchu Mountain. The 5-star hotel also offers free wi-fi and iPod docking stations. Trips to the site can be arranged at the hotel. All rooms have cable TV and private bathrooms. The on site restaurant offers panoramic views of the jungle. In May 2012, expect to pay from US$925 per night in a standard double or twin room, full board.

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Panama travel guide

Cheap Hotels in Panama City

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Blessed by the nature, Panama’s cities welcome visitors and offer plenty of things to do and see. The capital city – Panama City – doesn’t lack historical sites and also offers a multicultural experience. When planning a vacation here, one of the most important things to consider is the accommodation. Thankfully, the city caters for all types of travelers so you can easily find budget , mid-range and luxury hotels for your stay.

Here are some places to consider from each category:

Budget

Hotel Santana

The 3 star hotel is located in the city’s old town. The Canal Museum is just 500 m away It offers free parking and free wi-fi. All rooms have private bathrooms, TV , minibar and AC. There are a restaurant and a bar on site.

In March 2012, expect to pay US$45 per night for a double or twin room.

Hotel Andino

The 3-star hotel is located close to Albrook Mall. There’s free wi fi within the hotel. All rooms have safe deposit box and TV.

In March 2012, expect to pay US$45 per night for a double room.

Mid-range

Hotel Benidorm Panama

The 3-star hotel is located in the center, close to the Balboa Avenue. There’s free parking and free wi-fi (including in the room). All rooms have AC. The on site restaurant serves Italian food.

In March 2012, expect to pay US$66 per night for a double room, breakfast included.

Hotel Bahia Suites

This 4-star hotel features a rooftop swimming and terrace. The transfer to/from the airport is complimentary. Located just 1 block from the main avenues, the hotel’s on site restaurant offers view of the Panama Bay. All rooms have TV, private bathroom, AC and free wi-fi. Those who want to work out can use the gym. And if you don’t travel with a laptop, there’s the on site internet café at your service.

In March 2012, expect to pay US$79.50 per night in a queen room (sleeps two) including breakfast.

Luxury

Riande Aeropuerto Hotel & Resort

The 3 star hotel is located 5 min from the Tocumen airport and offers free transfer to/from the airport. All rooms have flat screen TV, AC and private bathroom.

In March 2012, expect to pay US$140 per night in a standard double or king room, including breakfast.

Albrook Inn

The 4-star hotel is located about 4 km from the city center, close to the Albrook airport and to the Camino de Cruces National Park. The hotel offers a swimming pool and a restaurant. All rooms have flat screen TV, free wi-fi and AC.

In March 2012, expect to pay US$100 per night in a standard double or twin room, breakfast included. The junior suite (sleeps two) is US$154 per night , including breakfast.

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Accommodation Peru travel guide

Cheap Hotels in Arequipa

Arequipa is a city located in the Southern Coastal Peru, 2,380 m above the sea level. It is surrounded by three impressive volcanoes out of which one – El Misti- can be easily hiked year-round. It is the second most popular city among travelers (after Cusco ).

Together with Puno, Cusco and Naza, it is part of the “Southern Peru Tourist Corridor”, but in contrast to the other cities, Arequipa is a good example of the Spanish and mestizo culture developed in Peru and is not home to any Inca ruins. Spanish colonial architecture can be found all over the city and the churches are a delight to visit.

While Arequipa is not located at such a high altitude as Cusco, you’ll still need to adjust to it, especially if you plan to do any hiking. While El Misti is an easy hike, it is done in two days (and one night).

>>read more about Getting from Lima to Arequipa

Accommodation in Arequipa is plentiful and you can choose between cheap hotels, mid-range hotels and high end hotels, depending on your budget and preferences.

Here are some cheap hotels in Arequipa to consider for your stay:

Inti Punku Lodge

The hotel is located close to the main square and offer free wi-fi and all rooms have private bathrooms. The breakfast is included in the room price. The kitchen can be used by the guests and comprises coffee making facilities. The tour desk offers the possibility to book trips in the area. In May 2012, expect to pay from US$24 per night in a double or twin room.

Dreams Hotel Boutique

It is located in the Vallecito neighborhood and offer free wi-fi. Spa facilities are also available at the hotel. The buffet breakfast is included in the room price. Free shuttle service to/from the airport is available. In May 2012, expect to pay from US$79 per night in a standard double or twin room.

Queen’s Villa Hotel

The hotel is located in a former colonial mansion and is close to the main square. It has a garden, a pool, offers free wi-fi and you can book trips at the tour desk. The terrace offers panoramic views of the city and the volcanoes. The American breakfast is included in the room price. In May 2012, expect to pay from US$93 per night in a business double or twin room. The junior suite (also sleeps two) starts at US$127 per night.

Alwa Hotel Boutique

The hotel offers a terrace with panoramic views of the city and has 9 rooms with AC and LCD TV. The restaurant on site serves Peruvian cuisine and the buffet breakfast is included in the room price. The tour desk on site offers the possibility to book trips to the near-by volcanoes and Machu Picchu. In May 2012, expect to pay from US$72 per night in a double room.

Hotel La Gruta

It is located in a residential area , about 1 km from the historic center. All room have TV and free internet. The on site restaurant offers Peruvian cuisine and the Continental breakfast is included in the room price. In May 2012, expect to pay from US$65 per night in a double room.

Arequipa Inn

The inn is located 15 min drive from the airport and offer free shuttle to/from the airport. All rooms have free wi-fi, LCD TV and private bathrooms. The continental breakfast is included in the room price. In May 2012, expect to pay from US$42 per night in a double room.

Search this map to find cheap hotels in Arequipa, or find even more hotel options by searching with the widget above.

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