The Top Memorial Day Parades to attend in 2022

May 11, 2022 No Comments

Memorial Day is fast approaching, and there are many ways in which you can gather with family this year to honor those lost. One of the most popular activities on Memorial Day is attending a parade. There are a host of parades which take place in cities across the country.

Washington D.C

The biggest and most popular Memorial Day parade occurs in the center of Washington D.C. Led by a marching band, this three-hour display alongside the National Mall on Constitution Avenue, features veteran units from each state along with those who were involved in other past conflicts. The procession showcases large floats and balloons. If you can’t make it to view the parade, you can live-stream the event via YouTube, meaning you can sit back and enjoy the parade with your loved ones at home. Travelling into Washington for the parade? Don’t forget to pre-book your airport parking lot space with ParkSleepFly.

Rochester, Wisconsin

The Rochester Area Memorial Day Parade of Heroes begins at 11:30am on May 30th. Following the procession starting at 1:30pm, a ceremony will be held in Pioneer Park at the Rochester, WI Memorial Day Parade. The Rochester parade will have approximately 20 parade entries, including fire trucks, marching bands and individual participants. Invocations, songs and speeches are also to be expected at this event. If you have an early flight into Rochester for the parade, adding a ParkSleepFly hotel only stay at the airport guarantees you a good night’s rest the day before you travel.

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Alongside the Rochester parade, Sheboygan has its very own Memorial Day activities. Located on the Lake Michigan side of Wisconsin, this parade travels through downtown and ends with a ceremony at Fountain Park. The parade includes stunning musical performances and pays homage to veterans and active-duty men and women. If you need a room the night before your flight into Sheboygan with an added parking lot space, check out the options available through ParkSleepFly.

Ironton, Ohio

The first ever procession was held in 1868 and has continued every year since. The parade begins at 10am with the route beginning at Center Street and finishing on 6th Street and Park Avenue. The parade includes 12 divisions, floats, fire trucks and marching bands. ParkSleepFly have a variety of different airport parking options available to guarantee your lot space if you’re flying out to Ohio this Memorial Day weekend.

Doylestown, Philadelphia

Dating back 145 years, this parade is older than the Ironton and Brooklyn parades. The Doylestown parade sets off at 10am, much like the Ironton procession. Entertainment for the whole family includes individual participants, marching bands and community groups. For hotel only stays the night before flying to Philadelphia, ParkSleepFly can help you find the best price for your overnight stay at the airport.

Little Neck-Douglaston, New York

The Little Neck-Douglaston parade has been a tradition since 1927, proceeding at 2pm each year. It is led by Division 1, which includes the Grand Marshal, Division Marshals and other elected officials. This parade is more of a traditional memorial, with the addition of an opening and closing ceremony.

Other things to do on Memorial Day

As well as traveling to see the local parades, there are also a host of other activities to participate in for this long weekend, including: 

  • Checking out any Memorial Day sales
  • Getting together with family on a Memorial Day weekend getaway
  • Planning events with loved ones, such as cookouts or picnics and taking trips or days out are a good way of taking advantage of that extra day off work
  • If you’re in the area why not go to the Arlington Cemetery in Washington DC? The scenic park allows for a leisurely walk around the gardens, whilst also remembering those lost

If you’re wanting to just gather family and friend groups for the weekend, why not host a BBQ with Memorial Day themed treats? Baking at home in preparation for a BBQ is a great way to bring the family together, especially children, you’re also guaranteed a sweet treat at the end of the day. Baking recipes we recommend include New York Cheesecake, Berry Cobbler and Punch Bowl cake. If you have family out of state and are traveling to see them, pre-booking airport parking has never been easier with Park Sleep Fly.

Things to remember for Memorial Day:

  • From sunrise until 12 noon, the U.S. flag is flown at half-staff to remember those who have been lost
  • Rochester, WI has a very popular Memorial Day parade every year and has been a yearly event since 1867
  • Americans are encouraged to participate in a minute silence at 3pm on Memorial Day afternoon in remembrance

Wondering How You Can Celebrate the History of Cinco de Mayo?

April 28, 2022 No Comments

Falling on May 5 each year, Cinco de Mayo has been celebrated by Mexican American communities across the nation with parades, parties, and the best of Mexican cuisine. 

Cinco de Mayo’s history dates back to 1862, with the Mexican Army’s unlikely victory over France at the Battle of Puebla. The holiday really started to become a bigger event in the US in the 1960s, turning the celebratory nature of this date into a true event.

Celebrate the holiday with a taste of Mexican heritage, with ParkSleepFly’s guide to embracing the Cinco de Mayo history.

Visit the biggest Cinco de Mayo parades

Cinco de Mayo is celebrated across the US, with some festivals and parades offering not only an occasion to party but to appreciate Mexican culture’s roots in the US, with regional music and dancing filling the streets.

If you want to experience some of the largest Cinco de Mayo festivals stateside, why not get down to Los Angeles, Chicago or Houston? ParkSleepFly can help you find a great deal on hotel and parking packages wherever you are traveling.

Portland, Oregon, has been celebrating the holiday with its sister city Guadalajara since 1983. You can expect a big focus on the tapatío heritage during the city-wide festival, including a whole host of arts, music and dancing.

Fiesta Broadway in Los Angeles has long been heralded as the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration in the world. Unfortunately due to its continued hiatus, you will have to wait until next year for its big return.

Visit the Battle of Puebla re-enactment

If you’re thinking of staying true to the roots of the holiday, visit Puebla in Mexico to be immersed in Cinco de Mayo’s true history. Alongside the festivals and parades you can count on stateside, you will have the chance to experience re-enactments of the Battle of Puebla.

Tens of thousands of residents participate in the city’s parade. You can anticipate seeing Mariachi bands playing in the streets, as well as dancing and fireworks. The festival draws more than a million visitors every year and it turns into a month-long celebration across the state.

The city of Puebla is the fourth largest in Mexico. With a hive of activities kicking off to highlight its unique place in history, you are guaranteed a trip rich in Mexican heritage and spirit. If you’re thinking of booking your trip to this amazing location steeped in Mexican history, book your travel essentials from ParkSleepFly with a complete hotel and parking package.

Immerse yourself in Mexican cuisine

While you may be enjoying the holiday with a drink in hand, Cinco de Mayo offers the perfect opportunity for you to embrace authentic Mexican food and drink to the full. 

The state of Puebla is renowned for its native mole poblano, which is one of the country’s most typical dishes. It is found widely in kitchens across the state during Cinco de Mayo celebrations, making it the perfect destination for an authentic taste of Mexico. 

Of course, what is a holiday without a sip of the finest tequila, a bottle of cold cerveza or a fruity margarita? Cinco de Mayo is after all an occasion to celebrate Mexico’s victory in battle.

The World’s Best Value for Money Passports

April 12, 2022 No Comments

The passports that offer the greatest mobility for the lowest costs

We all need a passport to travel around the world, but the freedom that comes with your passport can vary quite a lot depending on where you live.

Not only this but the costs of applying for one can differ drastically too, meaning that a passport can prove to be much more valuable for some countries than others.

Taking both the ‘power’ of a passport in terms of the number of countries you can visit, as well as the cost to buy one, we’ve revealed the world’s best value for money passports. 

Once you’ve got your passport ready and made sure it’s safely packed away, be sure to book your airport hotel and airport parking to save time and money at the airport.

Note that countries for which reliable data was not available were omitted.

The world’s best value passports

1. United Arab Emirates

Passport mobility score: 162

Passport cost: $13.61 / £10.35 / €12.31

The passport that comes out as having the very best value for its holder is that of the United Arab Emirates.

Not only does an Emirati passport give its holder the greatest freedom (able to travel to 110 countries visa-free and a further 52 with a visa on arrival), but it’s also the cheapest passport to obtain, costing just 50 dirham, which is equivalent to around $13.61.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation stated in 2017 that it wanted the UAE’s passport to be one of the strongest in the world by 2021 and it seems that they achieved this aim!

2. Sweden

Passport mobility score: 159

Passport cost: $42.47 / £32.28 / €38.39

In second place is the Swedish passport, with a joint-second highest mobility score of 159, as well as costing just $42.47 to obtain, which is relatively affordable by global standards.

Sweden is of course part of the European Union, as well as the Nordic Passport Union, and Swedish nationals can enter 115 countries visa-free (more than any other country) and a further 44 with a visa on arrival.

3. South Korea

Passport mobility score: 158

Passport cost: $43.68 / £33.21 / €39.49

Not far behind Sweden is South Korea, where a local passport will allow you entry to one free country, whilst also costing just under a dollar more to apply for.

A South Korean passport has a mobility score of 158, just one less than Sweden, due to the fact that its holders get visa-free access to 114 countries, as opposed to 115.

The world’s worst value passports

1. Liechtenstein

Passport mobility score: 152

Passport cost: $268.50 / £204.13 / €242.71

At the other end of the scale, the passport that proves to be the worst value for its holders is that of the tiny state of Liechtenstein.

While this passport does allow you to travel to a decent number of countries, with a mobility score of 152, the reason its such poor value is largely due to its cost, with residents having to pay over $260 to obtain a Liechtenstein passport.

2. Mexico

Passport mobility score: 137

Passport cost: $98.14 / £74.62 / €88.71

Mexico is the country where a local passport gives you the least freedom to travel, with a mobility score of just 137, which means that you can only visit 97 countries visa-free and 40 with a visa on arrival.

To compound this, it’s also not particularly cheap to obtain a passport here, with a cost of Mex$2,000, which equates to just under $100 for a six-year passport.

3. San Marino

Passport mobility score: 142

Passport cost: $110.64 / £84.11 / €100.00

Like Liechtenstein, another tiny European country comes in third place, with San Marino having a mobility score of 142 and a passport cost of $110.64.

This being said, San Marino is one of the few European passports that allow you to travel to China visa-free and offers one of the longest visa-free stays there too, at 90 days.

Methodology

Each country was analyzed on the following two factors, with each being given a normalized score out of ten for both factors before an average of these two scores was taken to calculate the passport value score out of ten.

Note that countries for which reliable data was not available were omitted.

Passport Power

A score sourced from the 2022 Passport Index, with points being given based on the number of countries that travelers can visit visa-free or with a visa on arrival.

The Passport Index updates its figures in real-time, these figures were sourced on March 16th and are correct as of this date.

Passport Cost

The cost to apply for a passport in each country, with figures sourced from a variety of sources, which can be viewed here.

The World’s Worst Value for Money Tourist Attractions

March 2, 2022 No Comments

The global attractions that offer the worst (& best!) value for money

Global travel is finally starting to open up once again, with many people looking to book their first overseas vacations in a long time.

And with lots of people eager to tick items off their bucket lists, the world’s major tourist traps will be gearing up for an influx of visitors.

However, before booking your airport parking and your tickets, it might be an idea to step back and consider the costs of visiting these well-known landmarks.

To try and help you out, we’ve taken a look at the entry price to some of the world’s biggest attractions and compared them with how well-reviewed they are, to reveal the worst and best value tourist attractions in the world.

The World’s Worst Value Attractions

1. Empire State Building, New York City

Ticket price: $44.00/£32.57/€38.82

% of bad reviews: 4.2%

Value score: 1.03 out of 10

Taking the unfortunate title of being the worst value attraction is New York’s Empire State Building, the 102-story Art Deco skyscraper that dominates the Big Apple’s skyline.

While it’s undoubtedly an iconic NYC landmark, to head up the tower costs a very steep $44 (and that’s just to the main deck, not the very top). When combined with 4.2% of the building’s reviews being negative, the Empire State Building is named the worst value attraction on our list.

=2. Buckingham Palace, London

Ticket price: $40.53/£30.00/€35.76

% of bad reviews: 3.3%

Value score: 1.9 out of 10

Three attractions were tied with a value score of 1.90 out of 10 in second place when it comes to the worst value attractions, two of them in the UK and one in the States.

To visit the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace will cost you $40.53, with 3.3% of visitors not being impressed with their visit to the home of the Queen.

=2. Stonehenge, Wiltshire

Ticket price: $26.35/£19.50/€23.25

% of bad reviews: 8.0%

Value score: 1.9 out of 10

Stonehenge is a famous UK landmark, although it appears that a number of its visitors aren’t too impressed, with 8% of reviews being negative.

Visitors to the ancient monument have to pay $26.35 to visit, but criticisms found on Tripadvisor include the fact that you aren’t allowed to touch the stones, which one disgruntled reviewer described as “just a bunch of rocks”.

=2. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York City

Ticket price: $25.00/£18.50/€22.06

% of bad reviews: 18.1%

Value score: 1.9 out of 10

The final attraction tied in second place is the Guggenheim Museum in New York, an art museum featuring Impressionist, Early Modern, and contemporary art collections.

The main reason it scores so poorly here is due to the high number of people who left the museum unsatisfied, with almost one in five reviews being either ‘poor’ or ‘terrible’.

The World’s Best Value Attractions

1. Great Wall of China, Mutianyu

Ticket price: $6.31/£4.67/€5.57

% of bad reviews: 0.5%

Value score: 10 out of 10

Not only is the Great Wall of China the cheapest of the attractions that we looked at, with an entry price of just $6.31 for the Mutianyu section, it’s also the one with the fewest negative reviews.

That’s incredible value for money, especially for one of the modern Wonders of the World, with some of the fortifications dating back as far as the 7th century BC.

2. Taj Mahal, Agra

Ticket price: $14.61/£10.81/€12.89

% of bad reviews: 1.0%

Value score: 8.28 out of 10

The Taj Mahal is another iconic landmark in Asia, known for its majestic ivory-white marble and admired for being one of the most beautiful examples of architecture in the world.

It’s also very affordable, with an entry ticket costing just under $15, while just 1% of people who have visited the Taj Mahal have left a bad review, representing excellent value.

3. Forbidden City, Beijing

Ticket price: $6.31/£4.67/€5.57

% of bad reviews: 2.5%

Value score: 7.76 out of 10

Another Asian attraction completes the top three best value attractions, with the Forbidden City in Beijing costing the same as the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall at $6.31. The Forbidden City also only has marginally worse reviews, with just 2.5% being negative.

The Forbidden City is a huge palace complex in China’s capital, at the heart of the Imperial City, surrounded by opulent gardens and temples.

The World’s Worst & Best Value Theme Parks

Theme parks are amongst the world’s most visited tourist attractions, but their high admission prices in comparison to most other attractions make them hard to compare when it comes to value for money, so we’ve taken a look at them separately.

When it comes to the worst value parks, Universal Studios Florida takes this dubious honor, with a day ticket costing $109, but with 7.8% of reviews for the park being negative.

However, Disney theme parks weren’t far behind, with each of the next six worst value parks falling under the Disney banner.

On the other hand, the majority of the best value theme parks were located in Asia, with the best of them all being the Everland Resort in South Korea, with a daily ticket cost of $41.75 and just 2.3% of reviews being negative.

Methodology

Looking at a list of 30 top tourist attractions from around the world (as well as a selection of top theme parks), we took both the ticket and the percentage of bad reviews.

Ticket costs were sourced for a single day’s admission to each attraction for an adult, taking the cheapest available ticket, with prices being sourced from the websites of each attraction. Full sources can be found here.

Reviews were sourced using Tripadvisor, taking the number of ‘poor’ and ‘terrible’ reviews and calculating them as a percentage of the total number of reviews for each attraction.

We then gave each attraction a ‘value score’ out of ten by giving each one a normalized score out of ten for both its ticket price and percentage of bad reviews and then taking an average of these two scores.

25 of the World’s Most Beautiful Landmarks

January 20, 2022 No Comments

Which landmarks are the most beautiful around the world? 

In a world where international travel is opening back up, more and more people are parking at the airport and venturing abroad to tick off the natural and architectural wonders that are on their travel lists. 

From the Eiffel Tower to the Statue of Liberty these landmarks are iconic, but which are the most beautiful?     

We analyzed Tripadvisor reviews for famous landmarks, to see how many people reviewed them using the words beautiful, pretty, picturesque, and stunning to reveal which landmarks people consider the most beautiful.  

Top 5 Most Beautiful Landmarks In The World

1. The Golden Gate Bridge

“Beauty” reviews: 3,163 

This landmark is one of the internationally recognized symbols of San Francisco. It is believed to be one of the most photographed bridges in the world, boasting spectacular views of the San Francisco Bay through the rising fog, so it’s no surprise this landmark ranks first on our list with 3,163 reviews.   

2. The Eiffel Tower

“Beauty” reviews: 3,107

Coming second in our ranking is one of the world’s most identifiable landmarks. This tower has been imitated all over the world, in China, Las Vegas, Greece, and fittingly Paris, Texas due to its beauty. The tower was originally meant to be demolished after 20 years but became such an iconic landmark in Paris that the French government decided to keep it. It welcomes nearly 7 million visitors a year who enjoy spectacular views of the Paris skyline. 

3. Trevi Fountain

“Beauty” reviews: 3,105

One of the oldest water sources in Rome, the Trevi fountain is noted for the intricate and beautiful baroque artwork that surrounds it, with statues representing important aspects of the city. This and the fact it has featured in the classic films La Dolce Vita and Roman Holiday make it a popular spot for tourists wishing to take in its iconic look, as a key landmark in Rome.  

4. Edinburgh Castle

“Beauty” reviews: 3,091

The highest-ranked castle on our list, this iconic landmark dominates the skyline of the old city, perched on top of an extinct volcano. It is noted for its beautiful views over the Scottish city and the pretty St Margaret’s chapel featuring the original ornate arches and more recent stained glass windows.   

5. The Colosseum

“Beauty” reviews: 3,051

This ancient ruin is one of the most recognized landmarks in Rome. It is the largest amphitheater ever built, and the largest still standing despite being nearly 2,000 years old. This ancient architectural marvel draws nearly seven million visitors annually, with 3,051 visitors describing the landmark as beautiful.

5 Most Beautiful US Landmarks

1. The Golden Gate Bridge

“Beauty” reviews: 3,163

Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the US. Stretching a mile across the Golden Gate strait this iconic structure was considered an engineering marvel, being both the longest and tallest bridge built, at the time of construction. It also stands out as a landmark due to its distinctive orange paintwork which complements its natural surroundings, with 3,163 reviewers remarking on its beauty.   

2. Biltmore Estate

“Beauty” reviews: 3,042

Coming second, this national historic landmark in Asheville, North Carolina was the largest privately-owned house in the US taking up 178,926 square feet. The estate is renowned for its beautiful architecture, which 3,042 reviewers agree with. The main house was built in the Chateauesque style featuring sculptural ornamentation both inside and on the exterior as well as the park-like landscape gardening. It now serves as a museum and tourist attraction. 

3. The Empire State Building

“Beauty” reviews: 3,023

This skyscraper is an icon of the New York City skyline. It was the world’s tallest building from 1931 until the construction of the world trade center in 1970. Designed in the Art Deco style, The Empire State building’s height and observation decks have made it a popular destination for tourists, attracting over 4 million a year, 3,023 of which agree the landmark is beautiful. Added to this, its appearance in over 250 TV shows and movies has solidified its status as a cultural icon and symbol of the city. 

4. National September 11 Memorial and Museum

“Beauty” reviews: 2,672

The second New York landmark on our list is the September 11 Memorial and Museum. This landmark commemorates both the 2001 and 1993 attacks on the World Trade Center, documenting its impact and continuing significance. Visitors to the thought-provoking memorial can visit the two reflecting pools which mark where the towers stood.

5. Alcatraz Island 

“Beauty” reviews: 2,497

This former prison is the second San Franciscan landmark on our list. It has become a major tourist attraction, with around 1.7 million visitors annually flocking to experience the rich history of this iconic island, which 2,497 reviewers agree is beautiful. The island also boasts beautiful views of San Francisco and hosts enchanting gardens and grounds. 

5 Most Beautiful UK Landmarks

1. Edinburgh Castle 

“Beauty” reviews: 3,091

This historic landmark is the second most visited paid tourist attraction in the UK, as well as being one of the most iconic attractions in Scotland. The ancient fortress looms over the Royal Mile, providing a pretty view of the city. 

2. The London Eye

“Beauty” reviews: 3,048

This key feature of the London skyline provides panoramic views of the city from Europe’s largest Ferris wheel. Because of this, it is the UK’s most popular paid tourist attraction attracting some 3 million visitors annually. Like the Eiffel Tower, this landmark was also initially considered temporary before popular demand ensured its permanent status as an iconic landmark in the UK capital.

3. The Tower of London

“Beauty” reviews: 3,024

The second historic castle and second London landmark on our list, the Tower of London lies on the North bank of the River Thames in central London. It is noted for its rich history as both a prison and palace. The Tower is also renowned for its beautiful medieval architecture and grounds with stunning views of the modern city, with 3,024 reviewers describing it as beautiful.  

4. Tower Bridge

“Beauty” reviews: 2,446

One of the most iconic landmarks in London, Tower Bridge has approximately 40,000 crossings every day, making it an important part of the city as well as a cultural icon. The bridge has become a popular lookout point for tourists to enjoy views of London as well as experience the amazing feat of engineering and an excellent example of Victorian architecture. 

5. Buckingham Palace

“Beauty” reviews: 2,330

This palace was originally built in 1701 and has been the official residence of the British royal family since 1837. It is considered a place of national rejoicing or mourning for the British people and is full of British history as well as beautiful gardens.