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Now is the time for the Christmas Calendar of Only-apartments
The lights in the streets have been lit, nougat and shortbread are in the aisles of the supermarket, organizing dinners for Secret Santa gift giving have begun… what else do you need to convince you that Christmas is here? The Christmas Calendar of Only-apartments! Do you remember the feeling you had opening the windows of your advent calendar every Christmas, waiting to see what surprise is hiding behind the windows of each day? Only-apartments would like to relive that sensation of Christmas with you. We have prepared a special calendar with windows of our apartments and many prizes! Enter the application: open the window of the day and discover what we have prepared for you. Discounts, dinners and even a unique prize getaway for one of our top destinations here at Only-apartments. Discover your first gifts of...
Welcome to Only The World
At Only-apartments we are releasing a new blog. A window that allows you to peak into the world: to learn about your favorite cities, discover new forms of travel and let out your inner traveler. We have so much to tell you! We wanted to organize everything so you can easily access the information you are searching for at all times in a simple and practical way. When you need information on a specific destination, we have prepared the Only-Be category, offering all the important details you must know to feel like a true local of the city you have chosen. You want to be Londoner? Enter Only-Be Londoner and find out the next events, unique plans and recommendations of restaurants, various routes, services and much more. If you want to have a more global vision that helps you decide on your next destination, enter in Do you like travelling? You can review the most featured rankings, compare cities and learn about the latest applications and travel books or simply sign up to our useful tips for your next getaway. Furthermore, we want to invite you to share with us your Only-Be experiences. For this we have created the Guest User section, a section exclusively for world travelers to interchange experiences, anecdotes and stories. Write to us at communication@only-apartments.com and tell us your experience. And to keep up to date on the latest news, changes, events, contests and other corporate actions, you can visit our section of News, where you can also gradually get to know the faces of that hide behind Only-apartments. But Only-apartments is not only for...
Picnics in Berlin
The only things you’ll need are a checkered blanket, a basket full of sandwiches, and a thermos to have your own picnic. In this post, we recommend favorite spots of the “weekenders” in Berlin. Tempelhof, Viktoria, and Tiergarten are some of the green gems that this city has to offer. photo source: midwestliving.com Tempelhof Park is one of the most interesting green spaces in Berlin due to its long history. It used to be an airfield, and was a symbol of the city in World War II, but has now been converted into a park. Back in the day, it was a strategic point for allied aircraft to deliver supplies. It closed its doors, however, in 2008. These days, youth and families from all corners of Berlin flock here every weekend to get in touch with nature in the middle of the metropolis. If it is very sunny, which is unusual, it is advisable to bring an umbrella, since the main concourse was an old airport runway and provides little shade. Viktoria Park is one of the fashionable parks in Berlin. It serves as a meeting place for many, where people sunbathe and play sports, including tai chi and soccer. There are also tables where you can have a picnic with your family, partner or friends. Everyone likes to lie in the sun here, since the sun’s rays are sometimes absent and therefore, sought-after by Berliners. It is very common for people to arrive by bike. Usually these are leaning onto trees or lying in the grass. From here, you can also visit Kreuzberg, a hill...
City Break Survival Guide
City breaks can be a wonderful indulgence, whether it’s discovering a new part of your home country or exploring cities further afield across the world. The illustrious city break is now a staple feature of many people’s holiday plans, as the allure of endless romantic possibilities and the excitement of last minute getaways are unsurpassed. However, city breaks differ from other holidays and need an altogether different style of preparation. With most holidays to urban destinations lasting only a few nights, usually a long weekend, travellers need to make sure they make the most of every second. Here at Only-apartments we specialise in accommodation in the heart of the city, offering premier locations to see all the top attractions and sights with ease. We are the masters of the city break, which is why we’ve put together our top tips for anyone embarking on a short trip to Rome, Hong Kong, Paris, New York and any urban metropolis in between; read on for the ultimate city break survival guide. Change your currency in advance Because city breaks are usually short, people tend to think of them differently than a one or two week holiday. When it comes to organising your currency, for a longer holiday you would probably have the money changed a week in advance. However, when it comes to short city breaks most people leave it until last minute, either forgetting altogether or thinking it is not as important as you won’t be spending that much. This is a school boy error! It doesn’t matter how much currency you are changing, you will always find a better...
How to Alleviate the Effects of a Long Trip
Any journey worth the while should also be an opportunity to disconnect, to wear out ones feet walking, and to recharge ones batteries as well as prepare oneself for best possible return to work. Long flights, which are always uncomfortable and boring, are often the non-economic price one must pay for a well-earned vacation. To minimize the most inconvenient aspects of spending so many hours in the air, here are some tips that will help alleviate the symptoms of the “economy class syndrome.” A good massage on the legs and feet before departure: Ideally, this will get the blood flowing nicely so your legs will better withstand the pressure up there. Both feet and legs tend to get tired on board the aircraft, and if the flight is a long one, they may swell. This can be prevented or at least reduced with a pre-flight massage. During the flight, you can also do a series of exercises which I’ll tell you about later. Drinking water regularly: Being hydrated is very important when flying. Sometimes we lose sense of time up in the air and don’t drink enough fluids. That’s definitely not good. You will be able acclimate and adjust to the pressure better with hydration. Also, it gives you a good reason to get up and go to the restroom, which will allow you to move your legs occasionally. Stretching during the flight: Walking is very good for blood flow and to prevent swelling, and stretching is also a good idea. Muscles that have been placed in the same position in a small space at 30,000 feet are going...
Halloween Plans: London vs. Barcelona
While Halloween is traditionally a celebration of Anglo-Saxon origin, the fact is that more and more cities are joining in. This means that today we can find related activities in both London and Barcelona, for example. If you are going to visit one of these two cities in the coming days and have always thought that Halloween is just a holiday for kids, we recommend you to take a look at these suggestions to celebrate the scariest holiday of the year without resorting to classic “trick or treating.” BARCELONA Halloween is definitely a nocturnal party, so celebrations won’t begin before sundown. When darkness covers the city, it’s time to make your way to the Polaroid Bar, in the Barrio Gótico, to attend the screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, a cult musical from the 70s for which shows have become a production themselves, as viewers interact, dress up, sing and dance to songs like Time Warp. To continue the terrifying celebration, it’s best to move on to the Sala Apolo and join the Pumpkin Electronik Barcelona, a continuation of the famous Piknic Electrònic sessions that took place during the summer but with a terrifying new twist: DJs and alternative music under a cloak of mystery and occultism. And for the hardiest souls or early-rising zombies out there, we recommend continuing the celebration in proper fashion during the morning of November 1, All Saints Day, by visiting one of the nine cemeteries hat open their doors for the occasion (Montjuïc, Poblenou , Sant Andreu, Horta, Sant Gervasi , Sarrià , Les Corts, Sants and Collserola). Poblenou stands out among...
The Best Destinations for Divers
Everything seems peaceful underwater. No uncomfortable noises, no fears, and no contamination, or at least not as much as on the surface. It’s like a parallel world exists down there that is as large as or larger than ours, full of life. I invite you to take a tour of the planet´s most spectacular seabed. The Great Barrier Reef (Australia): This is the largest barrier reef close to the coast. Located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, the reef is over 2,500 kilometers long. And despite its age, it’s also the best preserved reef in the world, having been originally discovered by Captain James Cook in 1770. In this magical spot you will cross paths with fish of all types and colors. Now, of course, it’s under protection due to the deterioration of parts of the inner barrier caused by the warming of the oceans and the human factor. So my advice is to check out the outer barrier. There are boats that transport passengers from Cairns daily. Helicopter Island and Apo Island (Philippines): If the Filipino beaches are idyllic, the seabed goes beyond even that, if that’s possible. The coral is smaller than the Australian Barrier Reef but no less beautiful. Helicopter Island is very close to El Nido, on one of the resort islands of the Philippines. You’ll be able to see abundant sea life, including manta rays, barracudas, clownfish and starfish. While on Apo Island (located in the area of Negros Oriental), it’s very easy to see sea turtles; the area there is known as the “turtle sanctuary.” The water is...
Walking Around the Favelas of Rio de Janeiro
The favelas of Rio de Janeiro are located in the heart of the city, between the beaches of Copacabana and the skyscrapers of the financial district. Not all of them are safe, but there are many you can visit without problems. It is estimated that there are about 1,000 favelas in Rio de Janeiro and most of them have been built on a hill or incline. You will be surprised how many people live in such slums. Today, the homes of about 20% of the inhabitants are located in a favela. But this is not new. Even in the eighteenth century, freed African slaves had taken refuge in the hills of Rio, the Wonderful City. We’ll give you a tour of the most attractive for travelers on foot. Santa Marta: Located south of the city, it is made up of a maze of narrow streets. Located in the heart of Botafogo, it is very safe. Since its “pacification” in December 2008, it has been a must. It’s easy to miss, but worth it. With its bohemian atmosphere, Santa Marta is one of my favorites. It has a special appeal, which is due in part to the inhabitants being so very nice. To get there, you can travel to the top by way of a cable car referred to as the inclined plane. It´s better than walking and is a common means of transport, which happens to also be free. Just going up is an experience in itself, and the views from the top are amazing. You’ll view Botafago, Sugar Loaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer, Copacabana Beach, Leblon, and the...
Quirky Animals Around the World
There are spots around our planet where really quirky animals are hiding. Do you fancy diving with sharks? Have you ever seen how the tarsier monkeys act? Did you know that Tasmanian devils are endangered? Ever wondered how the giant tortoises of the Galapagos Islands live? In this post we recommend some fantastic experiences with animals. Diving with unusual animals: We are talking about the whale sharks of the Philippine island of Cebu (which are vegetarian). Since there’s no risk to your life, it’s not necessary to enter a cage in order to dive with these sharks. You just have to go to the Marine Park of Oslob to enjoy this unique experience. They can grow up to 18 meters and we assure you they are very playful. For about 10 euros per person, a fisherman will pick you up from the shore and you bring you out in a small wooden boat. There’s no need to dive, as you will see them with a mask and snorkel. But if you want to dive with hammerheads and black fin sharks, the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador are the place to be. In the Gordon Rocks area (on Santa Cruz Island) you will see them moving quietly from one side to other. They have so many varieties of food below the water that they completely ignore humans. Or at least, nobody has been bitten in the Galapagos to date. North of Santa Cruz Island it’s also easy to spot sea lions and turtles, both above and below the water’s surface. The largest turtles in the world: We couldn’t talk about the...
