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Archive for the ‘Travel Tips’ Category

Sitting at the southern tip of Vancouver Island in British Columbia is the City of Gardens, Victoria. This city of 300,000 merges North American, British and Asian influences into a vibrant setting for a holiday.

If you enjoy exploring on foot, start with a tour of the Parliament buildings, an impressive collection of stone buildings that face the Inner Harbour. Next, take a short walk to the historic Empress Hotel, to enjoy high tea. You might next consider a walk along the Inner Harbour, which bustles with activity all day long. Tourists and locals mingle among the local artisans and buskers. View the aboriginal wood carvers, listen to a steel drum band or get your caricature drawn. If you are in need of a rest, hop aboard the ferry to explore the harbour.

Step back in history at the Maritime Museum and the Royal British Columbia Museum or visit the undersea gardens to explore the creatures living in the harbour. There are plenty of food stands along the Inner Harbour and restaurants abound throughout the downtown core, from sushi to steak, pasta to seafood and tapas to gelato. Stroll north along Government Street to stock up on souvenirs. Take a turn onto Fisgard Street and venture into Chinatown, the second oldest Chinatown in North America. If you are still feeling energetic, sneak down Fantang Alley, the narrowest street in Canada, which was once known for its opium dens. Turning back southeast, enjoy a brisk walk up Fort Street to admire the treasures on display on Antique Row.

Victoria offers many cultural activities to keep you busy during your holiday.

The Algarve on Portugal’s southern shore offers its visitors wonderful weather and fantastic beaches.  It is also a favourite spot for golfers from all over Europe.  The Algarve boasts some top class golf courses, and, for anyone wanting to play their favourite sport in the delightful Algarvian surroundings, golfing holidays.  These usually last from three to 14 days, and are easy to arrange.
 
Golfing holiday packages on the Algarve can include hotel rooms.  Or alternatively, if you have already arranged accommodation, there are specialist golf holiday companies who will arrange tee times to ensure you get as much time as possible out on the course.

Depending on the type of package booked, car hire may be included.  This will ensure that you will be able to visit as many of the region’s courses as possible during your stay.  However, if you prefer not to have to drive during your golfing holiday, transfers can be arranged between the airport, hotel and golf courses.

The cost of taking a set of golf clubs on a flight can be very expensive, so you may instead find it more convenient, as well more economical, to hire clubs on the Algarve.  Some golf holiday specialist companies offer this facility.

Discount fees for courses throughout the region can also be arranged, as well entry to local golf competitions.  Additionally, for those wanting to improve their game, the golfing holiday packages can also include golf tuition.

At the moment many families spending is being squeezed, not leaving a lot to even take a holiday with, especially when you factoring the poor exchanges and rise in fuel increasing costs across the board. So it’s no surprise that families are now turning to all-inclusive holidays to keep their spending low for that all important breaks away.

The great thing about package holidays is that they offer food and drink as well as your flights, transfers and accommodation all in price and you shouldn’t find any additional extras to pay whilst you’re away. In four years bookings have increased by 50%, only a couple of years ago people became travel savvy and book aspects separately for their hols to get a bargain, but price increases across the board have made this a more expensive option, especially for families.

According to of seven million bookings over the past four years by The Co-operative Travel a third of package holidays are now all-inclusive, which shows the popularity of this type of holiday as families face increasing financial pressures but are reluctant to give up their annual breaks.

Once over all-inclusive was considered a luxury holiday, but for a lot of places prices have dropped. Don’t get me wrong though there are still a lot of places to go which offer accommodation at the higher end and these are still quite pricy. But at the moment families can get all-in breaks working out as little as £372 a person for a week in Majorca, however compare that to a typical non inclusive holiday and people can spend that amount alone whilst away, not including the air fare and hotel costs.

Co-operative director of retail distributions, Trevor Davis, said: “The growth in all-inclusive holidays is remarkable and shows no sign of slowing. By next summer, just under half of all package holidays are likely to be all-inclusive if the current trend continues. With holiday budgets still tight, it’s clear that more and more people prefer a fixed cost option, meaning that they can relax during their break without counting the pennies.”

It is important though to thoroughly investigate all-inclusive offer before booking, to make sure you are aware of what’s included and what’s not, so you don’t get any surprises once out there. According to a survey by the Post Office Travel Money, four out of five holidaymakers on all-inclusive holidays had to pay for items they thought would be part of their package. Things like buffet dining and basic drinks, made with non-branded alcohol will most often be included in packages however a lot of places will then charge extra for dining in a la carte restaurants or drinking premium drinks and some even charge for soft drinks.

Sarah Munro, Post Office head of Travel Money, said: “Although it is perfectly possible to stick to all inclusive deals, our research found that in practice only one in five holidaymakers actually spent nothing extra on their trip. Our research made it clear that holidaymakers expected food and drinks to be included but in many cases packages only covered basics like buffet food and local drinks. Two-thirds of the hotels surveyed excluded a la carte meals and well over half did not include cocktails, bottles of wine and branded alcoholic drinks.”

Scarborough is a gem of a seaside town and well worth exploring, but many people may never venture beyond to discover some interesting villages not far away.

The village of Brompton-by-Sawdon, just eight miles away, is a pretty Yorkshire village with some fascinating history. Brompton Hall, which is now a special school, was once the home of George Cayley, who designed a glider that he then flew in Brompton Dale. Cayley is not well known generally, even though amongst engineers he is known as the ‘Father of Aviation’. Richard Branson recently flew a replica of Cayley’s glider in Brompton Dale, inviting young school children along to watch.

Brompton also has a beautiful, ancient church, where William Wordsworth married Mary Hutchinson in 1802.

Travel a little further along the A170 away from Scarborough and you come to Thornton-le-Dale, which was dubbed one of the prettiest villages in Yorkshire in the 1920s and is still very attractive today, having avoided becoming over developed, or over ‘touristy’ in spite of its accolade. It is a small town with ‘chocolate box’ thatched cottages and a pretty beck runs alongside the road. The town still has local butchers’ and greengrocers’ shops, and it can almost seem to come from a different era.

Pickering is a few miles further on – a bustling market town with an ancient church that has mediaeval paintings on the wall. This is the starting point for a trip on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, where steam trains travel between rural villages in the moors.

It can be quite hard to choose the right cruise holiday for your family, especially if you have a couple of kids all different ages. Some cruise ships are designed for families with younger children in mind; however these may not offer much entertainment for older kids or teenagers, who can be quite hard to please. Add to the mix different destinations available and itineraries you could be heading to world war three. So be for you start looking for cruise deals this summer make sure you do your homework on what the ships offer for you and your family.

Many of the new cruise ships have been designed with families in mind, rather than the older ships which tend just to be adapted for the purpose, so on newer ships you’re more likely to find entertainment to suit all ages, even for us adults. The top ships such as Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas packs plenty in from babies and young children right through teenagers and young adults to the old timers. It’s not just entertainment on newer ships which has been designed with families in mind, but also the accommodation. Family rooms are the new rooms on board many new ships and they offer plenty of space, as well as privacy for when you need it.

Destinations are important too, really young children probably won’t get much out of long factual excursion’s, but probably would if you docked somewhere that has a beach, a break from the boat can be needed for both parents and children. Teenagers on the other hand can be very hard to please many people have found Caribbean cruise holidays for those traveling with ‘young adults’. The Caribbean is a great exotic destination and while in port you will find many activities for your teens and the whole family to enjoy, such as water sports or horseback riding, not to mention catching rays on the golden beaches.

Uluru – known to most of the world by its colonial moniker, Ayer’s Rock – is the iconic symbol of Australia, and among the most sacred sites of the Aboriginal people.  Uluru is its traditional name.  Situated right in the centre of Australia, this red giant is 350 metres high, and it is nine kilometres around the base.  It has captivated humans for thousands of years, and continues to do so.

It is a good 800 kilometre round trip from Alice Springs – the nearest large town – to Uluru, and once you leave those town limits, there is almost nothing but you, ruler straight roads, one right turn and the desert.  There are a couple of roadhouses where you should be sure to fill up with petrol – nobody wants to run out of fuel in those parts – but that’s all the civilization you will encounter until you get to the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, where Uluru is located. 

When you start to notice Uluru looming on the horizon, however, you will instantly feel rejuvenated and know that your long drive was well worth it.

The best times to view Uluru are at sunrise and sunset.  One of the qualities that fascinate people most about this geological wonder is how different it seems to appear in differing light, so it is best to view it at both these times, if you can. 

It is possible, depending on weather conditions, to take a number of guided walks and get up close and personal with the big rock; it is also possible to walk to the top, although the Aboriginal people prefer visitors not do so. 

Ayres Rock

Picture courtesy of terencewilquin

UK travel giant, Thomas Cook have seen a slump in their profits and share prices after families have shunned their usual foreign holiday this year. The summer is normally boom time for holiday companies with many families looking to get away, however this year and even the past couple of years the number of people taking foreign holidays, or any holiday at all has dropped.

Whether it’s all inclusive holidays, self-catering holidays, cruise holidays or even camping holidays, they have all taken a hit. This is mainly due to the high fuel prices bumping up costs and family incomes been squeezed that people are no longer able to afford to go away.

Other reasons for slow take up of holidays is also that people are waiting to the last minute to see if they can get a good deal, last year most of the major travel companies famously dropped their prices for last minute summer holidays so I would expect many families are hoping the same will happen again this year.  If not many families will look to stay at home with the family rather than go away.

If you still want to take that foreign holiday with the family then there are a couple of things you can do to make sure you get the most for your money, it is quite hard at the moment to get anything for the pound however if you look at staying all inclusive then you won’t have to exchange as much money. Sometimes you can find last minute rooms for all inclusive, especially if it’s a cancelation, if you book as a package holiday then your flight is also included and it’s not normally too expensive.

Other good holidays for your money also include; cruise holidays, on board the pound is good for food and drink, you only need a bit of spending money like some euros for the port stops, everything else is catered for on board. Like package holidays, you can find great cruise deals online with numerous operators offering different breaks, plus you get the freedom to visit many different fairly cheaply.

The main thing to remember when booking a last minute holiday is that you do research first, package deals offered by tour operators are covered and if you’re not sure what you have booked make sure the company you use is ABTA registered.

When preparing for a holiday abroad it is important that you do not allow your excitement to influence your ability to pack a suitcase. Pool, beach and evening attire is likely to dominate your thoughts, but if you neglect the essentials it could result in a holiday you wish to forget.

If you are travelling to a new country with a warmer climate, you will need a special body spray containing a scent to discourage mosquitoes from targeting you. Mosquito bites should not cause you severe pain but the fewer you receive the less discomfort you will experience during your holiday.

Sun cream will be a vital addition to your suitcase. Do not avoid purchasing it in the UK in favour of when you arrive at your destination as the bottle labels are unlikely to be English which will present you with the awkward task of trying to identify the most appropriate sun cream for your skin.

Different people respond in different ways when adapting to a new environment and a warmer climate and your immune system can often take several days to adjust. Travelling with a small supply of headache tablets will provide you with immediate access to pain relief should you experience any mild ailments during your holiday. If you require prescription medication be sure to check legal guidelines for carrying these before travelling.

An overseas break is always exciting, but do not neglect to pack the essentials because having them will form the foundation of an enjoyable and stress-free holiday.

Holidays abroad are very popular with people in the UK due to the warmer climates that can be enjoyed when compared to the British weather. 

An important aspect of your holiday is the accommodation you choose. It is therefore important that you find the right hotel for your budget to enable you to achieve value for money.  A straightforward internet search will reveal numerous hotels situated in the area you wish to visit and will allow you to explore their price range and find the best value for money.

Do not book the first hotel your search presents you with. The price might be right for your budget, but that does not necessarily guarantee that it is the right hotel for you. You should find a different hotel of the same grade and in a similar area to compare price, facilities and services offered. This comparison will help you to identify the general cost of booking a specific hotel grade within your chosen area.

An internet search will also allow you to locate hotel reviews posted on travel websites by previous customers. Reviews are extremely important due to the insight they provide into the quality of a hotel’s accommodation and service compared with how it was described on its own website.

Once you feel satisfied with the information your search has provided, you can book your hotel with the confidence that you have found the right place for your budget and will receive value for money on your holiday.

Many people within the UK experience a fear of flying. It is not a fear that is considered easy to overcome and prevents thousands of people from travelling by aeroplane each year. The height at which the plane travels is not necessarily the issue, but rather the speed the plane travels on the runway and a constant fear that the plane is likely to experience technical difficulties whilst mid flight.

Such emotions and feelings are extremely difficult to ease. To board a plane without fear you need to approach your journey with a positive mindset. If one of your key fears is the speed at which the plane travels on the runway, you should try and develop the ability to relax your entire body once the plan begins to move. Close your eyes, ease your muscles and allow your body and mind to drift to a completely different location. This will weaken your focus on the speed of the plane and you can decide re-join reality once you feel more at ease.

If you retain a constant fear that your plane is likely to develop technical difficulties, you will need to place an additional emphasis on your ability to simply enjoy your travel experience. A lazy mind can develop into an over active mind. Sleeping, listening to music, or reading are all excellent methods to occupy your subconscious allowing you to remain relaxed throughout your flight.

Overcoming your fear of flying will not be easy, but retaining a positive mindset will encourage you to succeed with achieving your goal.