Monthly Archives: August 2008

Seeing Europe By Rail

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One of the benefits of Europe is that the area has a lot of mass transit. You can take a vacation there without ever having to rent a car, provided you don’t mind riding around with a lot of other people.

Seeing Europe by rail has become a popular and easy way to really enjoy the countryside and get to know fellow travelers. The European train system runs on a 24-hour clock – what most Americans know as ‘military time,’ so learn the system before you take your trip to ensure that you won’t get left behind.

You can also learn about the schedules and be aware of when the trains run by going to the Website for the German Railway. It’s the most comprehensive when it comes to trains throughout Europe.

You can also get schedules at the stations you travel through, and make sure that you go to the right station! Some of the larger cities throughout Europe have more than one, and can have as many as five or six. You’d hate to miss your train because you accidentally went to the station across town. You should also make sure the nameplate on the car you board is for your destination.

Cars are frequently dropped and added at various stops. A little advance planning can give you a much better trip.

Want To Sleep Cheap? Shop Around!

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There are lot of ways to see Europe on a budget, and one of the best ways to do that is to find hotels that don’t cost you a fortune. Usually, you’re only there to sleep and shower and maybe eat breakfast, so there’s really no need to have a lot of luxuries. As long as the room is clean and safe and the bed is reasonably comfortable, what more do you need?

In order to save money on a hotel, think small. The smaller hotels and bed-and-breakfast establishments often don’t cater to tourists as much as the larger ones, but even though you’ll have fewer amenities you’ll also have a lower price tag and a lot of local culture that you can really enjoy.

There are also some moderately priced chain hotels that are now making their way into Europe. You’ll get more amenities there and you’ll still pay less.

A lot of hotels also require that you purchase meals and because of that your inexpensive room can quickly become costly. Those should be avoided. By following these simple tips and shopping around you can stay at a nice place on a budget and have plenty of money for souvenirs, sightseeing, and good meals.

The Top 3 Places To Purchase A Holiday Lodge

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Winchcombe

Winchcombe is best known as being a beautiful, un-spoilt Cotswold town where you will still find traditional butchers, bakers and greengrocers.

It’s also a paradise for walkers, with many marked trails meeting at the town and not forgetting the “Cotswold Way” which goes from Chipping Norton to Bath and claims to be the best marked trail in England.

Covering sixty miles, St Kenelms Way links many sites associated with medieval England’s most important Saint ending at Winchcombe, the Saints’ burial place, finishing at the spectacular grounds of Sudeley Castle.

Derwentwater

This awe-inspiring development is new for 2008, and offers all the beauty of The Lake District, alongside the convenience of having Keswick town centre right on your doorstep.

The beautiful twin lodges available on this site offer the very highest standards of holiday home living, from fully fitted appliances such as flat screen televisions to classic bed linen and soft furnishings.

Boroughbridge

This stunning new development is perfectly situated for both relaxation and exploration. The site offers a peaceful getaway from daily life, with activities ranging from fishing to boating, or even just an undisturbed day at the riverside.

All of the Cotswold holiday lodges at this site are built to the highest standards by real craftsman, with a range of fitted kitchen appliances and units, and a modern bathroom suite which all come together to make your Lodge a home from home.

Fishing is also permitted around the site, when in season. Dace, roach, pike, chub trout and even perch fish inhabit the river that runs alongside the site.

Electrical safety when camping

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Many campers who use tents now want to be able to use electrical products while on a camp site. As we all know tents and campsites aren’t the driest of places especially with the English weather. So how can we safely use electrical items in a damp environment? The camping and caravanning club have put together a great fact sheet for its members called “Using electricity in your tent” that can be found here. The sheet highlights some of the main hazards and risks of using electricity in a tent when camping. In this blog post will cover and discuss some of the points mentioned in the fact sheet.

camping electrical

The first thing mentioned is something we all know but plenty of people don’t take seriously and get hurt from it, water and electricity do not mix. Whether it ends up with someone getting a shock or the electrical item breaking, mixing water and electricity is not a good idea, ever.

When using items in your tent, you need to be aware that tents can leak and will suffer from condensation making a very damp and hazardous environment. The slightest amount of water could break equipment and cause fires or electrocution. This is why regular home items should not be used and specialist proprietary equipment that is designed for damp conditions should be used instead. Specialist equipment that is designed to resist damp conditions should always be used to avoid danger.

You should also note that most household appliances you use everyday are not designed for damp conditions and great care should be used with them. On a side note wires from electrical equipment may cause tripping hazards.

The article provides some do’s and don’ts for camping with electrical items. These include only using equipment when someone is present and supervising it, otherwise always keep them switched off and unplugged. Testing circuit breakers before use is always a good idea as they provide a great deal of protection, and a faulty one could cause accidents. One of the biggest don’t is using household gang plug adapters, they are not designed for the damp and only specialist hook up equipment should be used. Another obvious one is to not leave children around electrical items.

If you are unsure of the suitability of any of your electrical camping equipment, then you should consult a qualified electrician.

Camping in France

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Usually, budget family camping trips are centred around holidaying in a mobile home within the families home country, but there has been an increasing awareness about the spectacular locales offered by France, there is an increasing trend towards budget family camping in France now, too!

A lot of people have not been aware that France has the potential for a budget camping trip; this is because France offers many picturesque destinations as well as activities for a family vacation to be truly enjoyable. Those heading for the Pyrenees (South France) will find many family camping locations that are scenic, serene and cost-effective too.

The first step to making a camping holiday in France a successful one is to start with a good deal on fairly-priced airline tickets (or train tickets, depending on which part of the world you are coming from) that are affordable for the full family trip, since getting to France is typically the costliest part of the trip. Tickets can be bought well in advance of the intended holiday plan time and tickets available off-season (outside of busy tourist times) are usually most affordable. Holiday experts recommend buying airline tickets in the autumn since summer is peak-season most places, and therefore tickets are expensive too.

Once you have bought your tickets you can plan ahead for the rest of the trip by checking for campsite reservations well in advance of your holiday and even if there isn’t much scope for getting a discount here, this step ensures you won’t be stuck with a much higher rate, which is the case with last minute reservations. Make sure you go online to reserve specific campsites; discussing with the local tourism boards about getting back country permits that allow you to choose various camping sites for your family camping France holiday is yet another smart way of getting the right information – and at lower rates.

Fly to the Isles of Scilly

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Enjoy the British Islands like never before with a helicopter flight to the Isles of Scilly. Your journey begins at the Penzance with flights to St. Mary and Tresco. The service flies Monday through Saturday offering fast and efficient flights all throughout the year.

British International deploys two Sikorsky S61 helicopters into flight. You’ll find the cabin very spacious with single seats to the left of the aisle and double seats on the right. Large windows are at each passenger seat row, ensuring that everyone aboard enjoys a wondrous view of the West Penwith Peninsular and other Western approaches in route their island destination. A friendly cabin attendant is always onboard each flight to address any concerns that you may have during the 20 minute journey.

St. Maur Hotel

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Whether you’re looking to enjoy a lengthy vacation or just a short break on the Isle of Wight, the St. Maur Hotel is the place to be. They offer packages for inclusive holidays or just a few nights of bed and breakfast. The St. Maur Isle of Wight hotel can provide comfortable accommodations for whatever your vacationing plans may be.

Located off the coast of England, the Isle of Wight is truly a magnificent sight. Aside from its record sunshine levels and sandy beaches, the island also offers quaint thatched and English Countryside villages. Ideal for couples and families alike, the Isle of Wight has been a major tourist attraction since the Victorian period.

New Road Trip Gadgets Still A Hot Item

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One would think with the price of gas now, road trips would not be a popular vacation choice but it seems the people that make all the fun little gadgets to take on those road trips are still going strong.  Special driving jackets and stylish duffle bags are high on the list of “the” things to have for your driving needs. And let’s not forget the digital tire gauge, various chargers, players, organizers and special tool kits.

Now, a first aid kit for your car is always a good thing but it is really necessary to have a talking tool kit? Well, some people must think so because they are deemed one of the best gadgets for you to make sure your car has it all.

Night vision goggles, fancy sunglasses you name it.  The road trip gadget market is booming!

They’ve even invented gadgets that save gas.  Now, that sounds like one gadget worth investing some money into.

The New Endangered List

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Animals aren’t the only thing that is becoming more and more endangered. With global warming and overcrowding, many animals are finding it increasingly more difficult to find food. In addition, some of the most beautiful places in the world to visit are in danger of slipping away.

Scientists are predicting that most glaciers will be actually gone as soon as the year 2030. If you have always wanted to go on that African safari to see the lions and tigers and bears, you need to make your reservations soon or you will stand the chance of missing out on the lions part of the equation. Lions in Africa are in serious danger of extinction along with the Orangutans of Borneo.

The cloud forests of Costa Rica is being destroyed quickly by climate change and deforestation the farming and development in the fabulous Florida Everglades are taking over and the glades are decreasing in size daily. Someday the Everglades may disappear completely, taking with it many varieties of birds and animals and one of the most beautiful and peaceful places left in the world.

Where Was the First McDonald’s?

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Have you ever wondered where the first McDonald’s was built or the first Subway? WalletPop, a leading finance website, has searched out the humble beginnings of many of our favorite food chains that litter the streets we live on. While the original McDonald’s opened by Ray Croc in 1955 in Des Plains is no longer an operating restaurant, it is still standing and is a museum now. Burger King, which actually was first built one year earlier in 1954, began in Miami.

The rapid rise of chain type food locations lead to the spread of finding something for everyone, bringing a new surge of coffeehouses and juice bars with Starbucks leading the way in 1971 in Seattle. Juice bars were soon to follow. It didn’t take long for chains to find their way into our grocery stores where it is now possible to buy a variety of different brands from chain restaurants to take home and make in our own kitchens.