For those used to travelling around Europe with just their passport, visiting countries that require visa’s can be a little confusing. This needn’t be the case however, and once the different visas have been explained, you shouldn’t think of travelling to countries such as the US any differently from taking a trip within Europe.

If you are taking a holiday or business trip to the US you will need a short travel entry permit. There are various ways to get this type of visa, one of which is ESTA, or Electronic System for Travel Authorisation. These are available online depending on the applicant meeting one main condition, that you are passport holder from a country designated as part of the Visa Waiver Programme, or VWP.

The UK is part of this so applying online for your visa is very straightforward. This short stay holiday and visitor visa is valid for 24 months or the life left on your passport, whichever is sooner. The long stay business visas are valid for the life of the passport from the date of issue. The former grants multiple visits of up to three months at a time, and they allow you to undertake various tasks in addition to tourism and business tasks.

These include looking for work or checking out educational establishments, but you are not allowed under any circumstances to engage in paid work you find on your trip, study or undergo training. There are separate visas for these for which the details can be found easily online.

The Scottish region of Perthshire is located right in the heart of bonny Scotland,  and is the perfect place to go to experience the best that mainland Scotland has to offer. The scenery is second to none, there are many places of note to visit, and it is also steeped in fascinating history. Throw in the choice of some of the best family hotels Scoltand, Perthshire provides a heady mix of contrasts that will satisfy even the most discerning of travellers

Known locally as the big county thanks to its vast and varied landscape, you can take in the agricultural east and the towering mountains of the Southern Highlands. Being so centrally located it is easily accessible by train from most of mainland Britain, and while it is only around an hour away from both Edinburgh and Glasgow, it really is like a different world.

If there is a jewel in the Perthshire crown, it has to be the fair city of Perth. There is much to see and do in this picturesque city, and the choice of luxury accommodation available here also makes it the perfect base for a luxurious getaway to the region.

If you are interested at all in the history of Scotland, then you will have the time of your life in Perthshire. This county has associations with some of the best known figures in the long, turbulent history of this wonderful country. Robert the Bruce, Mary Queen of Scots, William Wallace, Macbeth, John Knox, Rob Roy McGregor, Robert Burns and Bonnie Prince Charlie are just some of the famous names from the past linked to Perthshire.

As far as exploring goes, you are really spoilt for choice. You can visit Abbeys, battle sites, distilleries, arts centres, historical houses, lochs, museums, palaces, gardens, the list is endless. Rest assured, if you choose to take a luxury getaway in Perthshire you will never experience a moment of boredom.

Headed to Norway’s most populous city and capital? Then you’ve certainly come to the right place, err...article. Once named Christiania, this city is brimming with a medieval past, folklore and ruins. Read on for some insider tips on how to squeeze the most out of Oslo in a very short time or quick weekend break.

Even if you missed the recent hubbub surrounding the city and its three female Nobel laureate winners, Oslo still has plenty to offer the culturally curious traveler. Oslo may be an expensive place to live but it’s still possible to travel there on a budget.

Although much of old Oslo has been lost to history: fires and redevelopment were the main culprits, you can still get a feel for the city’s distinct character. For instance, check out the Akershus Fortress, which is located right downtown for a taste of the city’s rich culture, medieval history and remnants of painful WWII memories. If you’re aching to learn a bit more about Oslo’s specific place in Norwegian history, head on over to the Oslo City Museum in Vigeland Park. Here you’ll find an impressive collection of paintings (Norway’s largest!) that show the illustrated history of the city for the past 1000 years. And guess what? Both of these cultural sojourns will cost you nothing! You guessed it, they’re free!

If you’re searching for a few alternative Oslo touristic destinations, look no further. What about heading over to Ibsen Museum, which is located in the playwright’s home and features much of his work. Make sure you stop by the fully restored study to step back into time! Want more? We won’t judge you if you’re seriously interested in spending some time in the Norwegian Museum of Magic. Filled with curiosities, this treasure is dedicated to charting the long history of the Norwegian interest in magic – past and present!

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If the traveling bug has bitten you and Brooklyn is your destination then look no further! Filled with charming brownstones, great restaurants, treelined streets and tons of ethnic enclave charm, Brooklyn is a wonderful destination for any curious traveler.

Scour the Interwebz for Deals

If you won’t be in Brooklyn for long, but you can’t afford to stay in a hotel or a hostel check out all the obvious resources like Craigslist and sublet.com for short term stay deals. If affordable accommodation is a must then check out a website like airbnb which allows you to rent a place to stay from a local Brooklynite without breaking the bank. Trust us, you’ll enjoy your stay more tucked away from tourist traps and the like.

Think About an Apartment Swap

Think about it: NYC must be teeming with anxious city folk who are eager to swap your Berlin or London or Shanghai flat for their cozy Brooklyn version. Just head on over to your friendly search engine to locate a few helpful sites. Most apartment swapping sites make it super easy for you by providing detailed descriptions, ratings and copious photos of your host and their pad. Yelp.com even hosts a helpful apartment swap forum so you can get tips and advice from fellow travelers. With the growing number of cheap flights to New York on offer, an apartment swap will probably work out most reasonable, however, you will need to have luck on your side with regards to timing.

For the Intrepid Traveler: Couch Surfing

Who said you had to spend much money for finding a place to lay your head in Brooklyn. If you’re fearless, cash poor and inherently adventurous then why not give couch surfing a go? There are several top-notch, well trusted sites all over the web that make this option pretty pain free. Choose your favorite site, sign up and create an interesting profile loaded with details and pictures so you’ll be as successful as possible in finding a match. Say you’ll be staying in Brooklyn for about 3 months, you should really think about splitting your time between a few cheap sublets, an apartment swap and a stint of couch surfing. Take it from us: your stay in the city will be that much more enriched from all your varied experiences!

If you’re light on cash but still anxious to visit Scotland’s captial, never fear! We’ve created an easy tip guide to help you enjoy the city without breaking the bank.

Skip the Hotels

The easiest way to save while traveling to Edinburgh? Try to stake out the cheapest accommodation you can find. Have a close friend or relative in the city? Hit them up so you can crash on their couch! If that’s not an option, simply head on over to a couch surfing, apartment swap sites or more budget-friendly stay options when looking for late rooms.

Eat Like a Local

When in Ediburgh, eat like native Edinburghers! Instead of eating out for your entire trip, head to grocery stores like Sainbury’s, Waitrose or another local option. Pick up the circular when you first enter the shop to identify what items might be on special offer and fill your cart with these wallet-happy sale options. Trust us, you’ll save a lot of cash by simply cooking at home! If you stay in an apartment in Edinburgh, then you’ll have access to a kitchen that you can make the most of.

Splurge, but Only Rarely

Just because you’re on a budget doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy one touristy spending experience.  With all this scrimping and saving, you’ve probably earned yourself a little splurge. Treat yourself to an ice cream cone, or a motorsport adventure at Xtreme Karting Edinburgh. Since you’ve enjoyed all those homecooked meals, then why not treat yourself to one (and only one!) 5-star meal at an up-market restaurant like Oloroso which allows for rooftop dining and fine French-Indian fusion cuisine.

If you’re on a budget but still have a hankering for all things bon voyage there’s no need to shelv your plans because of cash concerns. We’ve got three handy-dandy tips that will ensure a happ wallet, whether your destination is Paris, Reno or Outer Space.

1. Stay with a Friend or a Do an Apartment Swap. The biggest expense while traveling is definitelywhere you’ll lay your head. Skip the fancy hotels and even shy away from budget-friendly hostels. If you’re a seasoned globetrotter you may have friends littering the map, so call them up and ask to crash on their couch or in their spare room. All you have to offer in exchange is dinner or a nice bottle of vino. If you’re traveling to the far reaches of Shanghai and don’t have a friend in the area, look into an apartment swap. This allows you to exchange your flat for another in a city of yourchoice. Peruse the web for a well-respected site that allows you to vet swappers and check out pictures of their flat.

2. Eat Where the Locals Eat. Outside of your accommodation, chowing down can eat up a lot of your traveling expenses. The easiest way to save money on food involves patronizing local grocery stores and markets. Eat a few meals that you cook yourself so when you want to splurge on a 4-course meal, you’ll have nothing to worry about!

3. Hunt Down the Freebies. Almost every city has something for nothing. Scour the web for free walking tours or city guides. Many cities in Europe have free museum days so you can get a taste of some more refined culture. If the weather is good, why not take a stroll through a local park or arboretum? You’ll happily smell the roses when you think of all the money you’ve saved!

Have a hankering for all things Brandenburg? If you’re heading to this East German city-state with a little relaxation in mind, then why not treat yourself in grand style? What’s wrong with a deep tissue massage, pore diminishing facial or full mani-pedi? You won’t find any objections here! Keep reading for your  ultimate insider guide to Brandenburg’s best luxury hotel spas. Whilst these type of holidays may sometimes be a little steep in price, it may sometimes be possible to get a last minute holidays deal, if you are brave or flexible enough to wait until fairly close to your departure date.

The Villa Contessa

Billed as Germany’s smallest luxury hotel and located in Bad-Saarow, The Villa Contessa serves up wellness and beauty offerings that range from facials to massages and everything in between. So why not tuck in for a couple of nights of cozy relaxation at this intimate hotel spa?

Zeit fur Mich

Germans are fond of their “Wellnessurlaubs” or wellness holidays, so there’s little wonder that Zeit fur Mich, or Time for Me tops our Brandenburg luxury hotel spa list.  Located in Herrenstein, this little gem offers an all-inclusive package that includes a breakfast buffet and an aromatherapy bath, among other relaxation-inducing amenities.

Hotel Sommerfield

Located in Kremmen and just a short drive away from Berlin, Hotel Sommerfield offers a full array of the amenities that any luxury spa hotel spa seeker might want. Fully-equipped rooms? Check. Room service? You got it! Massages, facials, spa sessions and the like? Hotel Sommerfield will certainly have you covered.

If you want to take a rail journey that will allow you to really get a taste for the world then you may want to consider the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express, given the fact that it literally is able to take you around half of the world. Due to this fact, you can easily see a wide variety of cultures, cities, and landscapes all during one trip as you race across eight different time zones to cover a total of 6,000 miles that will take you from Moscow to Vladivostok.

Of course, one of the top sights is the starting point of the trip as Moscow offers plenty of sights of its own including historical landmarks and plenty of complexes that are impressive. The next major sight you will see is Kazan which is located in Tatarstan and literally sits on the River.

Further down you will come to the capital of Siberia which is home to the Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet theatre which is one of the largest opera houses in the world in Lenin Square. These just make up the first few days of travel, and there is plenty more to see throughout the trip making it one of the most exciting adventures you could ever embark on.

Spain is known for its wide selection of music festivals that started with Benicassim and have grown to include a festival for every type of music fan, including dance, rock, pop, and more.

June kicks off the summer with the small one day Daydream Festival in Parc del Forum that may be tiny, but has attracted large headliners such as Radiohead in the past. The Lorca Rock Festival also takes place in June in Murcia and features plenty of headliners of their own makes it worth a stop. Those looking to discover some new bands may want to head to the MetroRock, also in June that offers free entry and plenty of new Spanish rock bands.

The largest musical festival in Spain is held in July and is the Benicassim International Festival which features a mix of mainstream acts and something to delight everyone’s taste. Also popular is the heavy metal Metalway Festival in Basque County that tends to get international acts.

Finally in August is the Azkena Rock Festival, where international acts from the best of punk and heavy metal come together to send off the summer in style from energetic bands in front of large crowds.

Auckland in New Zealand is one of only a few cities in the world that has harbours in two different bodies of water. This sprawling metropolis is home to over 1.4m, and is the largest city in New Zealand and the services of a good tour guide are recommended to see the best that this amazing city has to offer, and not try and find your own way around with a map and a bus timetable. There are a number of cheap flights to Auckland available, depending greatly on where you are flying from and the time of the year.

This is just a rough guide to some of the major attractions worth seeing in Auckland, and may assist those travellers who fancy exploring at t heir leisure. Heading south from Waitemata Harbour you will come across the main street in the city centre; Karangahape Road. From here you can easily get to some of the main attractions in the area, such as Viaduct Basin, The festivals and markets in Aotea Square and the tallest building in the southern hemisphere the Sky Tower.

The landscape is dominated by Mount Eden, a dormant volcano, and the trip to the top is well worth it for the views over the city and some outstanding photographic opportunities. Auckland Domain is a great place to relax for a while and bask in the sunshine, while a trip to One Tree Hill is a popular trip for both tourists and locals.

If you are sporty, there are a great many options to interest you. Eden Park is where the famous All Blacks rugby team play their home internationals, and international cricket is also played here. There are also major sporting facilities for the likes of netball, tennis and rugby league, and time your trip correctly and you may catch a match or game.

Add to this the vast array of museums, art galleries and the beautiful beaches, and it is easy to see why the city of Auckland is so popular.