Year: 2019

Make sure you know what you can and cant do at your holiday destination

When planning a holiday there are so many things that you need to check and prepare for it is very easy to miss or forget something which may end up having a massive impact on your trip/

Whether you are staying on a camp site (tent or caravan), Bed and Breakfast or hotel, they will all have their own rules that need to be adhered to if you have chosen to stay with them. Often if they have a website, there terms and conditions or policies will be displayed on there.

If you are on a camp site, you may find that you are not allowed BBQ’s or that children are not allowed to stay onsite overnight  It may be that the gates are locked after midnight and all of these things could potentially cause you unnecessary grief it you are not made aware prior to your stay. You may also find that they have very strict rules about noise and that they have a quiet policy which means you have to be quiet after a certain time at night.

If you are staying in a hotel, then there may be stipulations about when you can use the facilities and what times meals are served. If you cannot find this information then a quick call to the accommodation provider can often sort it all out quickly.

Do you opt for a Bed and Breakfast or Hotel?

When it comes to booking a trip away whether it be for work or for pleasure, you often have to decide if you are going to stay in a B and B of a hotel.

There are a number of differences between the two and the best way to choose where to stay is to think about what is important to you on your trip away. For example, if you are simply looking for a place to get your head down after a long day at work or out site seeing, then a bed and breakfast is probably the best choice, especially if you want something that is a little more.

If you would rather have the convenience of a 24-hour reception, room service and being able to come and go as you please, without disturbing other then a Hotel is probably more your thing. If staying in a larger establishment such as a chain hotel, you may have facilities such as a spa, bar or restaurant on site. Not all hotels offer the same services, so it is important to check what they offer prior to booking. If you are thinking of checking in late at night or early hours of the morning, then you will need to confirm that the hotel you wish to book offers this.

Does a honeymoon have to cost a packet?

Getting married should be a very exciting time of your life, but often weddings cost a lot of money so couples end up falling out or worrying about how they are going to afford everything. On average a wedding in the UK is said to cost a whopping £24,000 although many people do not spend quite this much. After you get married it is traditional to go on a honeymoon. A honeymoon is essentially a trip away where you can spend some quality time together as a couple.

People say a honeymoon should be a once in a life time experience, going somewhere exotic and secluded, but these all cost a lot of money and you really don’t have to go mad to find a nice location for your trip.

Many people say that a low cost honeymoon is as enjoyable as other expensive holidays that they may have been on. A honeymoon is not about where you are but about who you are with. Try and pick a place that has some meaning to you and your new husband or wife. If you are struggling for money then why not do a few mini trips throughout the year, splitting your honeymoon up in to affordable breaks away.

Camping holidays in Scotland

Scotland is a very diverse country with some really built up areas and some beautiful un-spoilt countryside. If you are looking for a holiday in the UK then Scotland may be the perfect place for you. Or if you want to stay somewhere a little quieter then there is a wide selection on campsites and farmhouses that are surrounded by greenery.

The weather is often a bit cooler in Scotland than in England and they are more prone to snow, especially during the cold winter months. If this is when you are planning your break it is advisable to make sure you allow plenty of time for travel and be prepared to change you dates should the weather take a turn for the worse.

If you enjoy walking, nature and sight seeing then Scotland is a great place to visit. From the middle of England it can take about 6 hours to get to Northern Scotland so be sure to plan activities to do in the car especially if you have children with you. You may even decide to break the journey up by stopping over night half way to give everyone a chance to rest before continuing.

Tips for making business travel easier

When you are travelling away for business you are often travelling alone and that can be quite daunting for people who are not used to it. However there are a few thing that can make it easier to do and actually make business trips more enjoyable.

The fear of eating out alone during your trip can make some people feel nervous and for some they would rather just eat in their rooms than face going to a restaurant alone. However, during the week particularly if you go into a hotel restaurant you will actually see a number of people dining alone so you really wouldn’t stand out at all. You can also do things such as take a book with you or play on your phone to alleviate any anxiety.

Lots of business travellers also struggle with the lack of comfort in a hotel room however by doing things like taking your own pillow and maybe a wireless speaker so that you can put music on you should start to feel more at home.

Boredom can be an issue when your away with work as often the evenings are spent alone in your hotel room however you could venture down to the bar for a drink or you could watch a film and make the most of a bit of chill out time. 

Shopping trip abroad

If you love shopping then you may want to try and fit a bit in whilst on your holiday. There are hundreds of locations all over the world which are perfect for a spot of retail therapy. Whether you are looking for a city break in New York or Paris or a beach holiday in Dubai or Spain, you can be sure to find time for a spot of shopping.

New York is one of the most populated and talked about cities in the world. Being one of if not the ‘fashion capital of the world’, New York City boasts some of the most amazing shopping you will ever find. Take a walk down Fifth Avenue and you will find many mainstream retailers with some luxury designers such as Louis Vuitton and Tiffany’s hidden amongst the pack.

Thailand is another hot spot for those looking to splash the cash, the famous Khao San Road is one of the most famous tourist streets in Thailand, and contains many tourist markets selling clothes, jewellery, and artwork and has many cafes and nightclubs.

There is nothing better than spending the morning shopping for a new outfit that you can model on an evening out in a classy bar or picking up that new swimsuit ready to hit the beach.

Save money and time when travelling

People have to travel for a number of reasons. It may be that travelling is essential in your job to get to meetings or to deliver goods or services. Or it may be that you choose to travel to go away on holiday or to see family and friends. Whatever the reason for travel, no one wants to spend more money than they need to and often the travelling part isn’t very enjoyable, so the quicker route is essential.

When travelling to and from a destination, you can end up spending a lot of money on transport and/or parking fees. Recent studies have shown that booking a last-minute deal to Ibiza for example, may be shown to cost around two hundred and fifty pounds per person but once you have factored in all the other travel costs you may then incur additional costs of over £50 each. This is usually due to adding on transfers to and from the airport at your chosen destination. You may also have to factor in the cost of your luggage which is not always included and can cost another £50 each. This can very quickly add a lot of money on to what was supposed to be a budget holiday.

To save money, you need to plan ahead and be prepared to do some research. Find out exactly what is included in the price of your holiday before you book and make sure when comparing prices you are comparing like for like.

Rather than using pre-booked transport you may find it quicker and cheaper to get a taxi cab to and from your resort.

Unspoilt locations for 2019

If you are in the midst of planning your next trip for 2019 you may decide that you want to explore some of the places that aren’t so popular with the tourists. This doesn’t mean you’re looking for a place that has bad reviews only that you are looking for somewhere that is a bit off the beaten track and has yet to be truly discovered by the masses. There is literally thousands of places that are just waiting to be discovered and enjoyed, some of which may come as a bit of a surprise.
Christmas Island in Australia is just one of these places. It really is an eco-paradise just waiting to be explored and should definitely be on your list for 2019. With tourist figures low compared to other destinations in Australia, this place is a little hidden gem. If you like a bit of sea life spotting then this is the perfect location for you. Not only can you see the magnificent red crabs that migrate here year upon year but also do a spot of dolphin, whale or even shark spotting. There are also hundreds of species of fish swimming around it’s 80km of coastline just waiting to be explored.

Why visit Kos in Greece?

Greece is the perfect setting for a family holiday or for couples or friends looking to enjoy some sun. Their climates follow ours but often with their summers being hotter and winters not quite so cold. The best time to visit Greece is from May to September if you want to get the best weather.

With lots of Greek islands to choose from, it can be hard to narrow down your search to just one island. That being said, Kos is definitely one of the islands that you really shouldn’t miss.

Kos is one of the smaller islands so you will find that it is a lot more chilled out and relaxing than Crete for example. That being said there is still plenty to keep you busy and with the warm welcome that you often receive in Greece, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to restaurants and bars.

If you’re in to your history and culture then you should definitely pay a visit to The Asklepieion. The Asklepieion is the ancient centre of medicine and is located near Kos town. It costs around 10 euros to enter but there is plenty to see once inside. There is not a lot of shade within the Asklepieion, so be sure to cover up and apply the sun cream.

London city breaks

London has a lot to offer if you are looking for a city break in the UK. You will not be bored on a trip to London as there is so much to see and do. Buckingham Palace is a great place to visit, of course you cannot go inside but even from the outside the Palace has a lot to offer. Whilst travelling around London you will see a wealth of historical buildings and monuments. You can head over to the houses of parliament or take a trip up the Thames to see London bridge in all its glory. If you fancy it, London dungeons is spectacular but not for the faint hearted. The dungeons are bought to life by characters who will tell a story as you walk round and involve you in acting out scenes from historical moments. Madame Tussauds is a wax museum with can be found Marylebone, London and can be a great day out for all the family.

London is often easy to get to from the most places in England, although traffic and driving through London can be a nightmare so you may want to opt to get on to the train instead.  With public transport facilities second to none you won’t be waiting for a tube or bus for more than about 5 mins when in the city and black cabs are flying past every few minutes. London is great for romantic breaks away, shopping with the girls or taking family around the museums and to ride the London eye.

As with most big cities, drinks, food and souvenirs are not cheap in London so you may need to be prepared to take a fair bit of spending money with you to see you through your trip.