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4 accommodations under $135/night in London, UK, if you can free yourself up over the National Day break in August 2024

Are you dreaming of an escape to London over the National Day break but find yourself fretting over the high costs of accommodation?

Worry no more!

Allow us to share with you four affordable stays, each under $135/night.

Hotel-themed private room in Clapham

Price: $110/night (for 2 persons)

Travel dates: 7 to 11 August 2024

First up on our list, we have this hotel-like escape with the comforts of home, a warm and cozy hotel-styled room in Clapham.

Sink into the super king-sized bed with a breathable memory foam mattress for the ultimate sleep experience, just 15 minutes from central London.

Curl up and binge on Netflix using the 65″ OLED 4K UHD TV, then stock the private refrigerator with all your favorite snacks and drinks.

Though this is a shared accommodation, you’re free to enjoy the communal amenities.

With Clapham Common’s green spaces and lively nightlife right at your doorstep, this is the perfect home base to start your London adventures.

Room for two in a shared townhouse in Walworth

Price: $110/night (for 2 persons)

Travel dates: 7 to 11 August 2024

Or unwind in this cozy shared townhouse in Walworth, where you will have a private room with ample storage and your own smart TV.

Beyond your personal space, enjoy full access to the well-equipped kitchen, two shared toilets, and a spacious bathroom with a bathtub.

Conveniently located on a main road, this Edwardian property puts you just steps from bus stops, a supermarket, a pharmacy, and a gym.

Start your day with a Nespresso cuppa and breakfast items provided, then head out to explore the neighborhood and beyond.

This rental space has everything you need for a stress-free stay.

Minimalist room steps away from Vauxhall Park

Price: $134/night (for 2 persons)

Travel dates: 7 to 11 August 2024

Escape the hustle and bustle of London’s city center with this minimalist room just steps away from the serene Vauxhall Park.

Centrally located, it’s a 7-minute walk to the Vauxhall underground and bus station, putting you within 15 minutes of iconic landmarks like the London Eye, Big Ben, and Oxford Street.

With 4.5 modern shared bathrooms, this space is like a mini hotel, offering your own private unit with a fridge, kettle, and microwave.

Enjoy access to the shared kitchen anytime!

Did we mention it has ranked in the top 10% of homes based on ratings, reviews, and reliability by Airbnb?

Room in a rental unit close to Larkhall Park

Price: $134/night (for 2 persons)

Travel dates: 7 to 11 August 2024

Last but not least, we have this rental room just a short stroll from the scenic Thames River.

This modernly furnished space offers comfort and convenience, making it an ideal space for business travelers or city explorers.

Rest on the plush double bed, dine at the small dining table, and entertain yourself with the included TV.

When it’s time to refresh, the shared bathroom with a relaxing bathtub is within quick reach.

With its prime location, this room offers a balance of urban exploration and peaceful retreat.

Each stay under $135 a night can offer you a space to rest your head while you plan your trip around the UK’s capital without compromising on comfort or convenience. So when you find yourself undecided between getting a hotel room or an Airbnb, remember the little money you can save to change into more pounds to spend on your trip. Bon voyage 😉

4 travel-friendly irons/steamers under $75 so you can look neat 24/7

Wrinkled clothing is a universal nuisance for travelers.

But fear not, there’s no need to look less than sharp when you’re on the move.

We’ve rounded up four travel-friendly irons/steamers that will keep your attire crisp before you step out the door.

Newbealer Dual Voltage Travel Iron (Steam)

Price: $47.76

Tackle your travel wrinkles with the Newbealer Dual Voltage Travel Iron.

This iron comes with three precise temperature settings, ensuring optimal care for every fabric from silk to polyester.

Despite its petite 1oz water tank, the powerful steam functionality will keep you pressing for 5-8 minutes at a time.

The front’s pointed arc design makes quick work of small areas like buttons and collars.

And with a max temp of 160℃ in just 50 seconds, this iron doubles as a handy mini heat press.

The included silicone rest, travel pouch, and measuring cup make this the ideal ironing companion for your on-the-go lifestyle.

Newbealer Travel Iron (No Steam)

Price: $50.27

Or meet your new travel alternative: the Newbealer Travel Iron.

This compact iron shines with its diamond-coated ceramic soleplate that heats up in just 2 minutes to a toasty 150℃.

Dual-voltage capabilities let you iron anywhere in the world, while the featherlight design slips seamlessly into any suitcase.

A handy travel pouch, spray bottle, and silicone rest make this mini marvel a must-have for wrinkle-free adventures.

No more rumpled shirts or creased slacks—just sleek, polished style wherever the road takes you.

The Quilted Bear Mini Iron

Price: $54.85

The Quilted Bear Mini Iron is a travel-ready powerhouse that will keep your fabrics looking fresh, whether you’re on the road or in the hotel.

Its dual-voltage capabilities let you use it in multiple countries, while the ceramic-coated soleplate glides effortlessly over delicates without leaving water marks, thanks to the anti-drip tech.

Heating up in a flash, this micro steam iron puts you in total control with an adjustable temperature gauge for tailoring the heat to different fabrics—suitable even for quilting, appliqué, sewing, and more.

Compact and lightweight, the Quilted Bear Mini Iron is a must-have for the stylish globetrotter or the crafty homebody.

Hulmay Portable Steamer

Price: $74.30

Last but not least, say goodbye to wrinkled clothes with the Hulmay Portable Steamer.

This portable steamer works on all fabrics and heats up in just 10 seconds, providing 20 minutes of continuous steam power.

The 80ml refillable tank and rotatable head allow you to steam horizontally or vertically, tackling even the most stubborn creases with ease.

It also features an advanced heating element and durable metal steel, delivering performance and reliability.

Includes a measuring cup and heat-resistant glove for safe, hassle-free use.

Each of our highlighted irons/steamers offers convenience and efficiency, ensuring that you can step out with confidence, whether you’re heading to a crucial meeting or a dinner date abroad. So, before you pack your next suitcase, consider investing in one of the abovementioned options. They’re not just about smoothing out the creases in your clothes—they’re about making you ready to make the right impression, anytime, anywhere.

Compensation options for airline passengers facing not-up-to-par services

There were around 375 complaints against airlines last year, mostly about stuff like issues with booking systems, double bookings, and lost or damaged luggage.

But what do you do if the compensation they offer isn’t good enough, or you feel like your problem wasn’t addressed properly?

A real-life issue with seats

It was reported in the news recently about this couple from India who were flying from Hyderabad to Australia with a stop in Singapore on Singapore Airlines.

Their business class seats, which were supposed to recline electronically, ended up not working so they had to sit upright the whole flight.

And they said other than the extra legroom, they felt like they got treated like economy passengers even though they paid slightly over $1,000 each for business class tickets.

Anyway, the guy who filed the complaint is actually the director general of police for Telangana.

After going to court in Hyderabad, SIA ended up having to pay them over $3,500 in compensation.

One lawyer noted that if the airline doesn’t fulfill its obligations based on the contract you have with them, you may be able to take legal action against them.

Airlines usually will offer some kind of compensation when problems arise.

In this case, SIA first offered each person 10,000 KrisFlyer miles but they didn’t accept that.

What happens if negotiations with the airline fail?

If you can’t work it out directly with the airline, an expert shared that you could file a complaint with the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE).

They help resolve disputes between companies in Singapore and customers, and any agreement would be legally binding.

You do have to pay a small fee to CASE since they need to cover costs for helping with the dispute.

But it only applies to companies registered in Singapore, though CASE may work with similar groups in other countries too.

About 70% of the time, they’re able to help the two sides come to a mediation.

If mediation doesn’t work, you can take the airline to court.

That’s what this couple from India did in Hyderabad, and the court there ordered SIA to refund a portion of their ticket costs plus offer them extra compensation for things like “mental agony.”

It ended up being slightly over $3,500 total that the airline had to pay.

Here in Singapore, you could go through the Small Claims Tribunals (SCT), which are meant to resolve smaller disputes cheaper and faster than regular courts.

So in the end, the lawyers are saying you should only really go to court as a last resort, and trying to settle it directly or through CASE first would usually be better since dealing with a legal claim can take a lot of time and money that might not be worth it compared to what you could get awarded.

Alternatively, you could try taking it to social media and letting the potential virality do you justice.

‘Seoul Festa 2024’ to kick off on 1 May with various cultural events and programs

Heard about ‘Seoul Festa’ but missed it last year?

No worries as Seoul Festa 2024 is coming right up!

Seoul City is putting on this festival to let travelers like yourself experience all the cool things Seoul has to offer—the food, culture, art, scenery; you name it, they have it.

They want locals and people from around the world to come check it out and it’s going to be centered in two areas—Seoul Plaza and Gwanghwamun Square.

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A post shared by SEOUL FESTA (서울페스타) (@seoulfesta_official)

On the first night, 1 May, there will be an opening party at Seoul Plaza from 7.30 to 9 pm with live K-pop and group performances.

After that, Seoul Plaza will transform into different “party zones” with activities like tea and coffee tastings, dance challenges with influencers, and performances inspired by Korean drama soundtracks on 2 and 3 May.

Meanwhile, Gwanghwamun Square will host all sorts of events and you can participate in programs there too.

They’re also setting up these “Seoul Style Road” areas with six zones focused on Korean culture, fashion, food, and more.

You can try traditional games, shop for souvenirs, get beauty treatments, and chow down on tons of Korean snacks and dishes.

They will have chef demonstrations and influencer cooking too.

On 4 May, the festival moves to Sejong-daero for the Seoul Road Show.

They will turn the street into a stage for performances and you can join in painting and other collaborative activities.

And out in Noeul Park from 4 to 5 May, there will be a picnic zone for Korean BBQ.

You can grill meat yourself after reserving a time slot via the Seoul Festa website and savor dishes made by famous chefs while shopping for local goods at the on-site marketplace.

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A post shared by SEOUL FESTA (서울페스타) (@seoulfesta_official)

The park is set to buzz alive with culinary and entertainment options, including an exclusive gourmet talk show scheduled for 4 May, alongside a sunset concert and street performances set for both 4 and 5 May.

Seoul Festa 2024 is a city-wide celebration with a packed schedule of 18 events spanning both public and private sectors.

The celebration will also include:

Myeongdong Festival, which kicks off on Thursday and runs until 6 May
A drone light show over the Han River starting Friday through to 6 May
Seoul Circus Festival from 4 to 5 May
K-Royal Culture Festival, which begins Friday and concludes on 5 May

The Seoul city government has set its sights on establishing the capital as a must-visit destination by curating several experiences for Seoul Festa 2024, ensuring visitors like yourself are eager to come back for more.

For a comprehensive guide to the programs and events at each key venue during Seoul Festa 2024, be sure to visit seoulfesta.com and their official Instagram account @seoulfesta_official.

Enjoy the fun fiesta if you’re in Seoul from 1 to 6 May!

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A post shared by SEOUL FESTA (서울페스타) (@seoulfesta_official)

SIA & Scoot forced to take longer routes to Europe to avoid Iranian airspace

Travelers on Singapore Airlines (SIA) services between Singapore and most of its destinations in Europe are facing slightly longer flights as the airline avoids Iranian airspace as a precautionary measure amid rising tensions in the Middle East.

Over the weekend, Iran launched over 300 drones and missiles directly at Israel in its first attack on the country, in apparent retaliation for an attack on an Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria earlier this month.

In response to queries, an SIA spokesperson said their flights to these destinations have all been affected by the rerouting:

Amsterdam
Brussels
Copenhagen
Frankfurt
Istanbul
London
Manchester
Milan
Munich
Paris
Rome
Zurich
New York’s JFK and Newark airports

“Some flights may take slightly longer than usual,” they noted, adding that SIA will assist any customers who miss connections due to extended flight times in being rebooked on alternative flights.

All Scoot flights between Singapore and Athens have also been impacted.

Previously, SIA flights between Singapore and Europe would typically fly over Iran.

However, they now must take a more northerly route over Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, and the Caucasus region, leading to longer flight times.

For example, on Monday, SIA flight SQ308 from Singapore to London Heathrow took 14 hours and 3 minutes compared to an average of 13 hours and 39 minutes.

SQ366 from Singapore to Rome was in the air for 13 hours and 3 minutes versus an average of 12 hours and 38 minutes last Sunday.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

With that said, SIA’s nonstop services from New York to Singapore have also adjusted flight paths but do not appear to have been significantly lengthened.

This past Sunday, SQ21 from Newark matched its average of 18 hours and 8 minutes, while SQ23 from JFK only took 6 minutes longer than its typical 18 hours.

Scoot’s Singapore to Athens flight on Monday took 12 minutes more than average as well.

The spokesperson said SIA has not canceled any flights and will continue monitoring the Middle East situation, adjusting routes accordingly.

Mirroring SIA, other airlines including Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, and Qantas have also rerouted flights to avoid Iranian airspace.

On Tuesday, Lufthansa flight LH779 from Singapore to Frankfurt took a southerly route over Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt before crossing the Mediterranean, arriving after 13 hours and 36 minutes compared to the typical 12 hours 30 minutes.

Turkish Airlines, Emirates, and Qatar Airways however continue using Iranian airspace for some flights.

Think you might be affected?

It’s good to check flight statuses on SIA’s website and subscribe to their mobile notifications for the latest updates.

Have a safe trip!

A real-life issue with seats

What happens if negotiations with the airline fail?

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