Must-See Destinations In Cuba


Today on the blog I have a guest post from Simone from www.midlandstraveller.com. Simone writes about business, travel and eco-friendly lifestyle on the blog. Her passions are travelling, going to music gigs and emerging new cultures.

Cuba is one of those countries that most people have heard of, but few have thought about visiting.

However, it is rapidly becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations thanks to a rich cultural history and an increasing relaxation of the American restrictions on the nation, which have affected the whole world.

Brazilians have a lot of respect and admiration for Cuban people. I guess it’s due to our similar way of seeing life with positive thoughts, our common passion for music and delicious food too.

I always wanted to visit Cuba and I can’t wait to start planning my trip to this colourful, cultural and historical country.

There are some amazing places to see and things to do there that it would be great to take you through some of the best that you should check out on your visit to Cuba.

Havana



Havana is likely to be the city you land in when visiting and there are some great sites to see in Havana making it a place worth checking out for a couple of days before you move on.

It is a city of contrasts with a lot of brand new and recently restored buildings sat alongside buildings that look like they are on their last legs and have been for several years. A must-see capital for those into history.



One of the first things you will notice is the proliferation of classic cars. Every traffic light seems to have a lot of them, and in fact, this is one of the best ways to see the sights of the city.

Take a tour in one of these cars. Alongside this, you should check out the many Jazz bars and enjoy some local culture and well as visit some of the museums and exhibitions that detail the cultural heritage of the place.

Santiago de Cuba 

This is a place to go to get a true taste of the Caribbean flavour during your visit. Besides, this is also one of the most popular spots in Cuba and the second-largest city.

If you love Caribbean food, as I do, it’s likely you will love Santiago de Cuba.

It is a place that is full of tricks and troubles, so you need to be on the lookout, but it features an amazing cultural heritage as well as some amazing beaches, restaurants, music and fun activities you are sure to enjoy.

Not to mention, it is also home of the world-famous Buena Vista Social Club.

Baracoa



Here it is one of the hidden gems of Cuba and not a place that most tourists go, but once you do you will love it.

It is a little more isolated than most places in the country, but it is worth the effort to check it out. Baracoa is a classic real Cuban town. It is also one of the wettest places in all of Cuba and it is said to rain every single day here.

The place is stunning to see and is also known as the city of 29 rivers thanks to the amazing natural beauty around. I guess it is worth spending some time exploring and checking out all there is to see and do in this vibrant city.

Particularly all the left-over murals dedicated to Che Guevara.

Final Thoughts 


There are much more to see and do in this amazing destination. Cuba is a stunning place and it is becoming increasingly more accessible to tourists.

These are just a couple of the spots I would put on my list of places to check out when in the country. You will love the cultural heritage and vibrancy of this magical country.

If you want to find out more about Cuba, check out this post on 3 days in Havana. 
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Attention Londoners - How To Do Chores Like A Professional Home Cleaning Company

Ever wondered how professionals do it? They come round to your house and blitz it, leaving it looking superb. This is an advertorial.

London Living is a Life in The Fast Lane

If you live in London, chances are you are a busy professional who is not a passionate cleaner by heart. Odds are you are very time poor and it is highly likely that you have used (or are regularly using) the services of a professional domestic cleaning agency. It's a fact that most London based companies bill by the hour instead of by the session. You might be amazed at how your cleaner manages to get through the chores so quickly, while the same tasks seem to take you just about all day.

So How Do They Do It? 


Stay Focussed 

One of the reasons why a pro cleaner gets the job done quickly is because he or she doesn’t get distracted. This means no phone calls, no checking the email or social media, no conversations with other people – and no picking up magazines or switching on the TV.

Have the Tools to Hand

Cleaners don’t keep all their tools and products in the cupboards and then spend time heading back and forward getting new sprays, dusters, etc. Cleaning equipment that you use all the time should be taken with you – brushes, sprays, rags and the like. Carry them everywhere you go in a professional cleaning apron with big pockets, a trolley or a suitable box or basket.

Streamline Your Cleaning Products

Professionals don’t use one sort of cleaner for the bathroom, another for the toilet, another for the kitchen and another for your dining room. Instead, multipurpose cleaning products are the way to go. You can choose commercial products (sprays, detergents, disinfectants, etc.) or home-made green cleaning products as you wish.

Allow Dwell Time

Some cleaning sprays and disinfectants need time to work. Spray them on and leave them to do the work while you tackle another task. Then come back and wipe where you sprayed. The chemicals in the product will have done most of the hard work for you.

Be Systematic 


Don’t work in a random pattern but have a system. This way, you ensure that you cover all the area to be cleaned. If you’re tackling one room on several levels, work from top to bottom (this means that you don’t end up doing the floor twice).

Use Both Hands

Use both hands as much as you can. You have two hands for a reason. This means that you can spray a cleaning product with one hand and wipe with the other. Or you can use a duster in each hand. This does mean that you’ll have to put down your basket of tools from time to time.

Wear Rubber Gloves

A lot of cleaning chemicals are pretty harsh, which means that prolonged contact with them will hurt your skin. So, protect your mitts with a good set of rubber gloves, like those from unigloves.

Dress the Part

Although you don’t need to wear a maid’s uniform, you do need to wear clothes that (a) allow you to move freely (no long sleeves getting in the way or tight skirts preventing you from moving) and (b) you don’t mind getting dirty or damaged. Old track pants or and T-shirts that have seen better days are ideal.

Stop and Look

When you think you have finished a surface or a room, stand back and get the big picture. Have you missed any spots? If you are tired of cleaning and are looking for cleaning services in the US try Happy Home Cleaning Services. 

If you still think the above is hard work and you'd rather binge-watch Black Mirror on Netflix, then the next step is quite clear. Hop on Google and search for your domestic cleaner. Don't forget to check references from previous employers or speak to reputable recommended companies covering your local area. Good luck!

*Collaborative post
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Gift Buying Tips For That Hard To Buy For Person

Gift buying is never easy. When you are not sure what to get someone, it can be quite a very stressful experience. Even if you know someone very well, you might find yourself scratching your head about what to get them. You know that you need to get it right, or you will be wasting your money, but you can' think of what you need to get. You may even be thinking about buying an experience gift that is maybe something that is once in a lifetime but you don't know where to start. 


We all have that one person in our lives that is hard to buy for though. You don’t want the person you are buying the gift for to just put it away and forget about it, and you certainly don’t want them to feel they need to pretend that they like it just to make you happy.

If you have been scratching your head working out what to buy someone, Here are some gift-buying tips for that hard to buy for person in your life.

Buy some art

If you want to make sure that the gift that you buy doesn’t just end up in the back of a cupboard, get them something to hang on the wall. Why not get some stunning painting art that matches their taste of the aesthetics of their home?

Buy an experience

Memories are the best gifts that you can buy. So, why not buy a gift that creates a long-lasting memory that your friend, family member, or loved one will cherish forever?

Think about buying a gift experience that is a once-in-a-lifetime expereince. For instance, you might want to buy them a ride on a hot air balloon, or a track day driving a Formula One racing car or a Michelin star meal. There are lots of great places and experiences that you can buy vouchers for that can really impress.

Make them a gift

There is nothing more unique than a hand-made gift. If you have a certain skill such as knitting, painting, woodwork, metalwork, or something else, why not make a gift that utilizes your skills. You could paint a picture, make some jewellery, or knit them a jumper. If you're a knitter, you can find a lot of creative free knitting patterns in Yarnie's newsletter that you can use to create the gift. Yarnie offers a needlecraft newsletter that provides free patterns on a weekly basis. By subscribing to the newsletter, you can get a variety of patterns including knitting, crochet, quilt, cross stitch, and even sewing patterns.

A handmade gift will always be well received because you have put time, energy, and thought into creating the present.

Buy a subscription box

Why not buy a gift that they will keep on receiving for a whole year? A subscription box will mean that your friend, family member, or loved one will get a gift every month for a year.

There are countless great subscription boxes available, with something that will suit all tastes. Often, they will include a few small items meaning that they are good value for money.

A gift card

If you are really stumped on what to buy someone, why not buy them a gift card? A gift card can be used to get them something that they know that they will want. You can often use them online too, which means that the gift card is more likely to get used and won’t get forgotten about.

 Let me know, do you have any gift buying tips?
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Why You Should Consider Wearing A Wig

Have you ever considered using a wig? There are many different reasons why you may want to wear a wig and I’d love to talk about it in a little more detail today. Why should you consider a wig? This is an ad.

What uses do wigs have?


Wigs have plenty of uses. Whether you are trying to cover up some hair loss (minimal or extensive), using as a fashion accessory for a night out, using a wig to boost your confidence in yourself, there are plenty of reasons you might be choosing to wear one.

There’s also the possibility that you’ve over styled your natural hair and need to give it some time to recuperate or that you want to follow the latest trend - who can forget when Victoria Beckham debuted the ‘Pob’ and plenty of people followed suit, whether that was by getting their hair cut in the same style or using a wig of the same style.

Famous people such as Cher have been using wigs for years as a way to enhance their look and make it more memorable. They are such a versatile addition to any outfit.

What different types of wigs are there?

Once you’ve decided that you want to try out a wig, then the next thing to consider is the different types of wigs that are out there. You may think opting for a wig is super simple but there are actually plenty of different styles to consider.

There are a few different types of wig - the full lace wig, the 360 lace wig, the lace front wig, the lace wig and the traditional weft wig (also sometimes known as an open weft cap or classic cap).

Wigs can be made from human hair, animal hair or synthetic fibre. Many people tend to opt for human hair wigs, especially virgin hair wigs which are considered to be the best type of wigs in the industry. If you truly want your hair to look smooth, shiny and glamorous, you will want to opt for virgin hair. The high-quality virgin hair has all the cuticles intact and can be treated like your own hair.

Why you should consider a wig

It is safe to say that if you’ve got this far, you’re probably really considering getting a wig. A wig is great for confidence-boosting especially if you are suffering from hair loss. Hair loss can be very distressing and medical intervention to try and halt it or stop it completely can often be intrusive and very expensive. A wig is a great affordable alternative in these cases as you can still go about your daily life without any worry.

Another reason you should consider a wig is if you really enjoy nights out and keeping up with trends. How often do you end up styling your hair the same, wearing the same sort of outfit? A wig adds that touch of glamour and makes your look completely different straight away. Whether you choose long or short, straight or curly, a wig can really pull together a look and ensure you are looking completely fabulous 100% of the time.

I hope this post has been of use to you, helping you to make the right decision for yourself and your hair. What hairstyle do you always wish you’d tried? Why not try a wig?
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Moving Your Office As Stress Free As Possible

If you've done your fair share of moving in your time - both home and business - you will know how it can be very stressful. If you have ever considered having to move all the stuff from your office to another location - you will realise, it isn’t just your own personal belongings that you need to think about. There are so many different things to consider such as your IT equipment, your furniture and your stationery, among plenty of other things. This is an advertorial.


Luckily there are companies such as M25 Movers London that can help you with office removals. Here are my top tips for making your office move as smooth and as seamless as possible.

Hire trusted office movers

You may want to try and do it all yourself but trust me, those trained in office removals are worth their weight in gold. Many removal companies such as this will arrange the move to have minimal impact on your business - helping you to move either in the evenings or at weekends when you are closed.

Movers such as this will also help pack your boxes with great care but quickly and efficiently. Some may even offer storage facilities if your new location isn’t quite ready yet - be sure to ask about things like this when obtaining a quote from them.

Assign everyone a job

If you work in an office, you’ll have plenty of employees or colleagues. Assign everyone jobs to make the move a lot easier. Make everyone responsible for clearing out their own desk or area and ensure that communal areas are sorted as well.

Consider your technology

An office move can be very stressful when it comes to technology. Everything needs to be disconnected properly but reconnected properly at the new property without impacting on the business in any way.

Label your boxes

Just like there are different rooms in your house which house different things, there will also be different areas or rooms for your different office stuff. By labelling the boxes for each different area, you will make sorting stuff out a lot easier.

Think about your communications

Start getting your address changes in place. You will probably need some new business cards, letterheads and other similar things with your new address so consider ordering them before you actually move. Also, get in contact with your clients and let them know your new address and what day you will finally be moved into your new property.

Move non-essential things slowly but surely

Whilst you may be hiring a removal company to deal with the furniture and technological equipment, you might want to consider transporting some of the smaller stuff across as and when you can. Office plants, tea and coffee for the big move day to offer the movers and the staff, these kind of things.

An office move is a big undertaking but it can be a simple and easy process if you bear in mind these top tips. With everyone knuckling down and working together, you will be able to celebrate your new office in no time at all!

 *Collaborative post


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Amazing London Experiences For Families

Today I have a guest post from Mel who runs Melanie's Fab Finds. Mel writes about life in London with a young family. Go check out her blog!

Visiting London with children? Then you'll want to make sure that that visit is a memorable one for all. This city is full of fun activities that are great for kids and families. It's hard to know what to do especially if you search the internet as you'll be inundated with hundreds of options. Here are some great options for the whole family to enjoy.

London Experiences That Families Will Love

ZSL London Zoo

Suitable for families with children of all ages London Zoo attracts thousands of visitors each year. Visitors can see over 500 different species of animals. As well as seeing the animals at the zoo they also offer experiences giving you the chance to be a keeper for a day or have a once-in-a-lifetime animal encounter. It is a great day out and you'll need the day to see everything and make use of the different photo ops and play area. The children loved that they were free to get hands-on with some of the animals too.

A Visit To Wembley Stadium

Wembley Stadium

Image Credit: Billboardeo

If you are planning a visit to London with the family, why not arrange it to coincide with an event at Wembley Stadium? This iconic UK stadium has been in London since 1923, a hundred years this year. As well as hosting events in the past such as the Olympics, and the World Cup, it is used for a variety of sporting and music events. So if you and your kids want to see the latest football friendly or Harry Styles in concert, it is always worth checking out what is on at Wembley Stadium before your trip to London. 

Escape Rooms

These have grown in popularity with both adults and children. There are plenty to choose from and you can do these as a family. Mission Breakout is suitable for a range of ages and is a really unique option when it comes to escape rooms. Located in a disused tube station, this fully immersive escape room challenges players to navigate through, work together and solve clues to escape in time. It's fun, different and ideal for a family day out, especially on a rainy day.

Afternoon Tea


I took my daughters for their first-ever afternoon tea last year at St Ermins Hotel. They had the most amazing time. The food was great as was the service. Both loved being treated like Princesses and it was definitely one of those experiences they'll treasure forever. The afternoon tea was themed which added to its appeal. You'll find numerous themed afternoon teas in London to choose from and it certainly is a relaxed and indulgent way to enjoy an afternoon.

The Crystal Maze

Many adults will recall tuning in to watch The Crystal Maze as children. Now you can take on the challenge yourself. This is great for anyone with families with older children (age 13+). Travel through the 4 adventure zones; Medieval, Industrial, Aztec and Futuristic. Collect as many crystals as you can, the more you have the more time in the crystal dome!!! This fun, action-packed game is certainly popular with an exceptionally high number of 5 star reviews on Trip Advisor. Clearly a fabulous experience worth doing at least once.

The Sealife Centre

Having been last year for the first time my son can't wait to visit again. Here you'll see hundreds of different marine species and come face to face with a giant turtle, sharks, jellyfish and more. The kids loved seeing all the different types of marine life, stepping over the shark walk, and playing on the well-placed activity stations that you'll find everywhere. Amazing for children and adults and perfect to visit as part of a family day out.

So there you have it, these are just some of the great activity options available for days families visiting or living in London. If you are looking for a great place to stay try the Park Grand Paddington Court London and Nannybag storing luggage London to store your luggage when you check out of an apartment.

Have a wonderful visit. We look forward to seeing some of you over on the blog or social media pages.

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Thanks for reading.

Melanie x
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