Archive for November, 2009
Skiing whilst drunk is not only risky but can also be expensive, up to 400,000 young people each year risk invalidating their travel insurance by taking to the slopes whilst drunk, As many as 35% of male UK skiers and snowboarders drink and ski, according to a survey, and 25% of skiers have been affected by drunks on the slopes, with these figures set to increase as discounted ski packages and the attraction of the après-ski party scene, means considerable numbers of 18 – 28 year olds are now booking last minute winter sport breaks.
What causes the après-ski culture to be dangerous is that people don’t realise the effects that drinking has on them, alcohol is more intoxicating at high altitudes and it also causes body temperature to drop at an accelerated rate, increasing the chance of hypothermia. Also figures show that a third of young people will have an accident on the slopes due to drinking this season, the costs of which can be very expensive for example a broken leg can cost up to £25,000 to be treated, been airlifted to hospital can cost £6,000 and repatriation can cost up to £50,000, all of which won’t be covered by your holiday insurance if you were drunk, you will also be liable if you have negligently caused injury to another skier.
Insurance companies are now recommending that people should know their limits and take responsibility for their actions, if they are over the limit they not take to the slopes.
wine by fire
Picture courtesy of gfpeck
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Tel Aviv is a very young city compared to most, it is the first Hebrew city in modern times and this year celebrated its 100th birthday. Tel Aviv or “The White City” as it’s also known thanks to all the Bauhaus architecture there is set against a backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea with beautiful golden beaches and a bustling modern beachfront. Tel Aviv is not just Israel’s largest city but also its cultural center, where you will find museums, theaters, galleries and concert halls, giving you a real flavor of the city and the country. It was built on sand dunes north of the ancient port city of Jaffa in the early 1900’s by Jewish architects who had studded in Europe before they immigrated to the Palestine, hence why the city incorporates a traditional feel as well as a modern design.
With its city streets full of elegant restaurants and exclusive shops you would be more inclined to think that you were in a sophisticated European City that is until you pass local Falafel and Shawarma stalls or wander through a traditional middle eastern flea market before you enter one of the 4 modern shopping malls, where you are sure to pick up a bargain or two.
On a sunny afternoon there is nothing better than relaxing on Sheinkin Street in one of its many trendy cafes or on the beachfront promenade (”Tayelet” in Hebrew), in one of many restaurant’s where you can try out a variety of local cuisine which is a mix of ethnic flavors from the east and west, before heading to the beach when the sunsets for a beach party.
Getting to The White City has never been easier with flights to Tel Aviv offered by a large number of international airlines.
Tel Aviv
Picture courtesy of Dainis Matisons
How much, to whom and when? Rules for tipping vary greatly from country to country, some places it’s the norm to not really tip a lot and others its considered rude not to, so how do you get through this cultural etiquette minefield?
Starting with the easiest, Around Asia it can vary but not a lot, in Japan there is absolutely no tipping here at all, it will cause embarrassment and offence to those been tipped. Then we have the Chinese Government who have set up policy that foreigners will be charged more, most of the time you will only need to tip in restaurants and that will only be about 3% and in your hotel for concierge service and that is normally the equivalent of £1.50. In China there is no need to tip taxi drivers however in Hong Kong you normally need to round the fare up and tipping in restaurants is normally about 10% to 15%.
In the United States tipping is seen as the norm for most services, in restaurants you defiantly need to tip, the standard is usually about 15% however in more up market places you are generally expected to tip around 20%. Taxi drivers will also be expected to tip especially in larger cities like new York where they expect 20% however in smaller places you can generally round up. Concierge services will also be exiting a tip normally around £2 to £5 and if they arrange a more difficult task you normally end up paying around £10 to £15. Canada also follows similar to America but can vary depending on which part, English or French. In Mexico you are also expected to tip for every service you receive as people here do get paid very little for the service they provide.
Around Europe you are mostly expected to tip in restaurants and its around 15% to 20% dependant on service and standard, the only difference is France where in bars you do not need to tip as by law this is included in the price. It’s also the norm not to tip taxi drivers.
If you follow these simple rules and you are generally less likely to be caught out when on holiday.
dollars
Picture courtesy of photos8
Crossing the United Kingdom has never been easier, with such choices on transport car, bus, train, plane and boat which is the best option? Comparing the most obvious choice for someone wishing to travel from Edinburgh to London, which would be plane and train. In the age of the internet buying such tickets have never been easier with options as, been able to buy in advance giving a good reduction on both air and rail travel. For a nice weekend away you would like to get the most out of your time and choosing to leave on a Friday, returning later on, on Sunday.
After checking ticket prices for both there really isn’t much comparison, however the main difference is in time, it can take anywhere in between 4 and 5 hours to travel to London Kings Cross by train from Edinburgh’s main station (Waverley), where as flights to London Heathrow from Edinburgh Airport only take 1 ½ hours, in comparison that quite a lot of time.
There will be some time lost however when you leave Heathrow and make your way into the centre of London on either the Heathrow Express which takes you to Paddington Station and takes 15 minutes, Heathrow Connect which also goes to Paddington Station but takes 25 minutes or if you use the underground on the Piccadilly line which takes up to an hour but does mean you generally get to you required stop easier. So if you prefer not to spend to the best part of you day travelling, going by plane is defiantly a better the option.