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The Latest Travel News from the WorldEscape Community

No car in Los Angeles? No problem

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Los Angeles is a city known for its sunny weather, Hollywood landmarks, and long stretches of freeway traffic. One reason why Angelinos are so attached to their cars is because the Los Angeles Metropolitan area requires one in order to travel, as public transportation is not always reliable or far-reaching, though the city is making efforts to expand its rail system. If you are currently seeking accommodations in L.A. but do not have your own car, fear not. Here are three areas close to apartments and other places to stay that do not require your own set of wheels.

Downtown Los Angeles

With its skyscrapers and multiple surrounding freeways, this part of L.A. feels the most like New York City or Chicago—hence, it is so easy to travel on foot! Downtown L.A. is a booming cultural mecca full of restaurants, clubs, and museums. Be sure to visit the historical theater landmarks on Broadway, such as the Million Dollar Theater and the Orpheum, where many of the classic movies of yesteryear first premiered.

The Grove

Save money on parking by taking a bus to this shopping mall in the center of the city, located right next to the world famous Farmer’s Market full of affordable dining options. Walk a few blocks east to visit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, or LACMA, located right next to the La Brea Tar Pits, another popular tourist attraction. Maybe head a few blocks northwest and see a taping at CBS Television City, or enjoy a meal at Canters, a classic deli and diner located on Fairfax Avenue.

Venice Beach and Santa Monica

Located on the city’s west side, Venice Beach’s boardwalk is a well-known tourist destination full of artists, surfers, and plenty of sunshine. Visitors can rent a bicycle or simply walk to the Santa Monica pier, with its seafood restaurants, amusement park, and shopping centers, all of which can be enjoyed on foot.

Pope’s popularity hits travel industry

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Pope Francis’s popularity has grown since he was elected in 2013. As he is set to launch his first trip to the US, a piece of research has shown that his approval rating is growing, resulting in an increase in the number of people who are prepared to travel to see him.

Later this month, Pope Francis will arrive in the US as part of a six-day visit to the country. During his stay, he will take in Washington, D.C., New York and Philadelphia. His trip will include visits to the White House and the United Nations General Assembly. It is anticipated that Roman Catholics and non-Catholics alike will travel from across the country and further afield to stay in apartments and hotels close to where the Pope will visit.

Those who want to get close to Pope Francis during his stay in the US will have plenty of opportunities. In Washington, D.C., he will take part in a papal parade and visit St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. His stay in New York will include a service at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum and a papal motorcade will pass through Central Park. His tour will finish with a two-day visit to Philadelphia, where he will make a visit to Independence Mall and hold a papal mass at the World Meeting of Families.

The growth in tourism is not just confined to the Pope’s visit to the US. There has also been an increased interest in trips to Rome and Argentina, the Pope’s home country.

New app offers safe taxi service in L.A.

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People arriving in a new city sometimes get ripped off by local taxi firms. Travelers might spend time researching a number of holiday apartments in their destination to find the best deal, but they’ll generally jump into the first cab they see without thinking about the cost or their safety.

Los Angeles experienced problems in recent years with unregulated companies taking business away from genuine cab firms. This is no longer an issue now that asterRIDE has launched in the city. This app allows consumers to digitally hail a cab, knowing that they are in safe hands throughout their journey.

Safer and cheaper

Customers using this app don’t have to worry about price hikes at certain times of the day or year. AsterRIDE works with leading transportation companies to keep the pricing the same, even during holiday periods and peak times.

The company doesn’t have their own drivers, which is what sets the app apart from similar ones on the market. You can even decide whether you’d prefer a car, taxi, SUV, or limousine.

Customers who use this app can also take advantage of the instaALERT feature, which increases the safety of riders. This tells your family or friends where you are on your journey, and you can even nominate an individual to be alerted if anything happens on the way to your destination.

AsterRIDE is also available in Seattle, Chicago, Phoenix, and Orlando.

Travel to beautiful Sicily when exploring Europe

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If you’re traveling to Europe on vacation and are searching for a place with great weather, superb beaches, historic towns and monuments, and fantastic scenery, Sicily is a great choice.

You’ll find some wonderful landscapes and beaches in Sicily. Some of the small sandy beaches along the southern coast of Sicily are virtually undiscovered and you could be the only people enjoying their beauty. The locals are friendly and tourism is the lifeblood of the island, so you’ll be welcomed everywhere you travel. Locally produced wines, freshly caught fish, and fruits and vegetables grown in the fertile Sicilian valleys are predominant features of local cuisine. You will find a rich variety of local dishes throughout the island as Sicily has historically been ruled by the Greeks, Arabs, Romans and Normans, so don’t expect traditional Italian meals to be the only type of food on offer.

Some of the wonderful places to visit while staying in Sicily include:

  • Etna, home to the brooding volcano that is the largest active volcano in Europe.
  • The historic markets of Palermo, where you will discover a superb selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, alongside fish, local breads and cheeses. You can stroll through the narrow streets of market towns like Vucciria and Il Capo, or enjoy freshly brewed coffee in one of the pretty pavement cafes dotted throughout every Italian town center.
  • The Greeks founded Syracuse around 734BC and your visit to this beautiful historic city allows you to wander around some spectacular monuments, including Greek amphitheaters and temples. This UNESCO listed site is home to Ortigia, the ruins of the Greek temple of Athena and a Roman amphitheater.

You can book luxury rentals or cheap sleeps if you arrange your own Sicily holiday accommodations. You benefit from the flexibility of choosing your preferred neighborhoods and just how long you would like to stay on this wonderful Italian island.