Christmas Travel- Dubai

'Tis the season to be jolly!

What are your plans for this Christmas? 

if you're confused as to where to go, i gat you. in this post, il be listing Christmas travel destinations.

Where to go this Christmas

Dubai

Dubai is number one on this list. Although Dubai is a muslim country, it is one of the most beautiful destinations especially in Christmas season.

There are several activities to do and places to visit in Dubai like the Atlantis The Palm, Burj al arab, Dubai Mall etc, . the Dubai expo2020 is also currently ongoing ad ends in March 2020. There is the annual Dubai new year countdown and fireworks at the Burj Khalifa.

An additional incentive to visit Dubai is how easy it is to get the Dubai visa for African passport holders. it doesn't require a rigorous process at all. You only need your passport data page and a passport photograph and of course, the fees.

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3 days in PORTUGAL

 

What to do in Lisbon, Portugal

I arrived in Portugal on a Saturday night, wen
t out to dinner in a restaurant just across the street to my hotel. afterwards, i went out to the city center. Lisbon nightlife was like i was in the middle of a carnival. there were so many young people out to have fun. I started bar hoping from the famous pink street. Most of the bars were covid conscious and asked for a negative test upon entry, some couldn't be bothered because of the crowd. it was a really fun night

The next day, I bought 2 hop-on hop off bus tour tickets valid for 24hours. I bought it from the road side vendor but later discovered that the bus tour had an office at the Marques de Pombal square which is the bus's departure point. Here, not only were the tickets cheaper, they were directly from the source and hence more reliable. so thats a tip, buy your tickets directly from the Gray line tour office.

Lisbon Tours

There are several City bus tours in Lisbon, the redline (Belem) and the green line (Castle line), Oriente line etc. I settled for the Belem and Castle line. Both lines take an average of 2 hours each, but your ticket entitles you to hop on and off as many time as you want within the validity. Both cost 22€.

Day 1 of Tour

I joined the Redline Tour which takes you through the major attractions in the main avenues and city center, i hopped off at Restauradores, Rossio square, Belem Tower, Monument to the discoveries,  Alcantara docks amongst others

Day 2 of Tour

I joined the green line which takes you through the old narrow streets in the local neighbourhood. here you get to see the Real Lisbon in all of its glory with breathtaking views of the entire city from standing on Portas do Sol and St George's castle. you can hop off to join the famous tramp to the next stop 

Day 3 of Tour

I took the fully guided full-day Palacio da Pena tour out of the City to Sintra, Caiscais beach and Estoril. Tour lasted about 8hours from 9am, we returned around 4/5pm. This cost €86 which includes lunch and entrance ticket to Pena palace.

         
         

       

                                              

           

             

Inside The Pena Palace

Cost of Tour in Lisbon Portugal

Total tour cost £100.

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PORTUGAL TRAVEL

Portugal Holidays

There are many cities and islands to visit in Portugal. I visited the Country's Capital Lisbon. My initial plan was to also visit nearby cities and towns but i was only able to Caiscais, Sintra, and Porto. Other must-see beautiful places in Portugal include Algarve, Obidos, Braga and Estoi. Make sure to check out the Benagil caves. its the location for some of the most beautiful caves in the world. Stay tuned and i just might bring it to you

How to get Portugal Visa

If you are not British or European, getting a visa to Portugal is like getting a visa to any other Schengen country as previously detailed here. You just have to apply through the Portuguese embassy of your resident country.

Without further ado, let me take you through my trip to Lisbon, Portugal

Portugal Airport

I flew to Lisbao, Portugal on British Airways from Heathrow. The entire flight was smooth and short. I was in Lisbon before i could spell my full name. (if you know, you know). It took about 2:45 hours. Although BA insisted on seeing a lateral flow test taken within 42 hours irrespective of my double jabbed vaccine status before the allowed me board my flight. They insisted that i could not use my NHS vaccine certificate, only the European Vaccine certificate was accepted. Portugal immigration did not ask for anything but my visa and duration of stay. Clearance took about 30mins from landing to airport exit 

Portugal Travel restrictions

You need to visit the updated pages for travel restrictions in Portugal like Dfa and Schengen visa info. If you're going from the UK, the gov website provides updated information.

Where to Stay in Lisbon

I stayed at the Jupiter hotel which was about 20 mins from the airport and about 15 mins drive from the City Center. I chose the hotel because of its breathtaking view over seeing the city, its rooftop bar and its in-house Spa, and ofcourse its prime location to restaurants, public transport and close ness to the Lisbao Airport. i Would advice to also check out the Intercontinental located in the center of the city

Views from my Hotel Rooftop

  

Cost of Trip to Lisbon Portugal

I Flew with Airportugal via Heathrow and i must say, i was very impressed with the flight. The flight cost about £120. it can go for as low as £40 for a one way flight if you book in advance.

My Hotel cost about £100/night.

Downside

The only downside I experienced in Lisbon is the food. oh gaaad! I didn't like any of the meals i was served. (I think Maldives is still my best food travel experience so far). I was quite disappointed every night after dinner. Asides that, I loved everything about Lisbon and il totally recommend.

                

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2 days trip to Copenhagen, Denmark.

Travel to Copenhagen

If you find yourself in Copenhagen for 3 days, 2 days or even a long layover, the below post is for you.

Copenhagen is a really beautify city Capital in Denmark, a nice destination for a stopover on your way to a Schengen tour. 

Tourist Visa application requirements to Denmark

If you are a citizen of any of these countries  you will need a visa to get into Denmark, unlike the Maldives which is visa free.

You will need to get a Schengen visa that allows you to go in and out of Schengen countries within your visa validity period. As a general Schengen rule, you will need to go through your first country of entry or through the country you would spend the most days.

You need: 

1. International Passport with at least 3 months validity from the date of your planned trip and one unused page.

2. Visa application form 

3. 2 passport photo 35x45mm.

4. Round trip (dummy) ticket reservation.

5. Proof of Accommodation.

6. Proof of Finance.

7. Other requirements specific to employees, students or self employed individuals can be found here 

8. Travel insurance (Tip: Your travel insurance should be valid for the duration of your proposed visa application. For instance, if you are applying for a one year Schengen visa, your insurance should cover for one year).

Visa fees: Can vary by country and submission processing agency

Visa processing duration : 15 working days or more

How to get around In Copenhagen

Its easiest to take the train (metro), the metro stations are closest to major tourist landmarks. Average cost is 36DKK. You can also take the bus as the city has a well connected transport network There are no mobile/online taxi providers like Uber in Copenhagen, only hail and ride. 

Travel/ entry restrictions

You must have an onward ticket at point of entry.

Danish authorities have stopped the use of country categories by colours i.e green, red and orange. This has been replaced by 2 categories. Third countries from OECD are further categorised into high risk and low risk country. 

Entry is based on reason for travel, eligibility and vaccination status. 

At the time of writing this article, Denmark authorities allow unvaccinated entry for business purpose only. These travellers must 

1. Present a PCR or Covid and will also be 

2. Are subjected to an arrival test at the airport

3. Self isolate for 10 days and possibly stop isolation by day 4 by taking another test. (This is often waved for business travellers with short stay less than 10 days)

Traveling to Denmark from the UK

I was asked for my evidence of vaccination or a Rapid antigen test taken not less than 48hours before departure of a PCR test not less than 72 hours before departure

I presented my NHS vaccine certificate and I was checked in on British airways and moved straight to security. You can find detailed requirements here

Things to do in Copenhagen

Day 1

Copenhagen Zoo:

One of the oldest zoos in Europe and home to over 200 species of animals. You can go round the entire zoo in 2- 3 hours. 

Entry ticket cost 195DKK. it also offers special entry tickets for special activities like feeding some animals and close engagements with them.

Day 2

Halloween at Tivoli gardens, Copenhagen Denmark

This themed park is the 3rd oldest operating amusement park in the world. So many mountain roller coasters and so much to see and do. Many hidden gems and treasure searches with plenty of things to nibble on. (if you know me well, you know eating is major)

I visited the zoo and the Tivoli gardens on the same day and explored the city the next day. I started by taking a boat ride from Nayhaven round the city's waterline and marina. Duration lasted about 2-3 hours. When I was done, I headed straight to the airport in time to catch my flight.

Where to Stay

I would recommend the Marriott because of its prime location. its in the middle of the city and central to everywhere. Plus the view is beautiful!

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