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November 18th, 2008 admin
1. Use different media to find the best deal
A lot of companies will give large discounts for your custom, in these times of financial unpredictability they have to offer deals for less to tempt potential skiers.
2. Check online
For the latest up to the minute information on Ski holidays to Norway or Ski breaks in France the internet is the place to check. Some companies offer discounts if you order online and not through a travel agents.
3. Hire/purchase equipment from the UK.
Tour operators often offer better deals than resorts when it comes to equipment hiring with some even offering refunds if it can be found cheaper at the resort you are staying at.
4. Purchase your Ski clothing from home.
You will find that the larger more popular resorts will sell their ski gear at very inflated prices leaving you out of money for the rest of the holiday. If you are going to purchase abroad then wait for the sales near the end of the season.
5. Budget effectively.
Ski holidays vary in price and quality, sometimes it is important to check all possibilities to enjoy a cheaper holiday. Sometimes a package holiday is cost effective, sometimes it isn’t and you have to travel with different companies.
6. Think about necessities
Sometimes it seems to be a good idea to book a luxury ski break to a 5-star chalet but switching to a 3-star apartment will soon be forgotten when you and your family are out on the slopes!
7. Haggle your insurance
EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) you won’t be able to get cover for serious injuries in which you may need to be air lifted. No-one wants to worry about problems like this so it is best to get proper insurance.
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October 27th, 2008 admin
Any experienced camper will have honed their list of items they take with them down to a fine art. But for new campers it can be a daunting experience and difficult to know exactly what to take. I would suggest being cautious and take more things than less. There is nothing worse than traveling miles and miles to your campsite to realise you have forgotten something important that could potentially ruin your trip. The area you are visiting and who you are going with will determine which items to take, but there are some basic essentials you should always take that we will list below. We do not advise you should take this as a definitive list and we expect you will need to add a lot more things to it.
Sleeping
- The tent itself
- Related tent items, pegs, ropes groundsheet, hammer
- Sleeping bags and blankets
- Air beds or sleeping mats
- Pillows
Cooking
- Stove/bbq/cooker
- Lighting tools, gas, matches, charcoal
- Pans, plates, cutlery
- Glasses mugs
- Tin opener, bottle opener
- Food storage, coolers
- Bin bags
- Bowl, washing up liquid, clothes
- Food supplies, bread, canned goods, meat, milk
- Drink supplies, Tea, Coffee, juice, bottled water
Clothing
- Waterproofs
- Hats
- Walking footwear
- Gloves
- Sets of cool clothes and warm clothes
- Plenty of spares as you will get dirty or wet
First Aid
- First aid kit, plasters, Paracetemol, aspirin
- Insect repellent
- Sun screen
- Antiseptic
Misc
- Mobile phone
- Camera
- Rucksack
- Torch and candles
- Maps and compass
- Pen and paper
- Entertainment, games, books
- Chairs and tables
This list is in no way 100% everything you need for a camping trip, so carefully think about what you can add to it. Over the years, as you go on more and more trips you will be able to refine your list to optimize you experience.
Read our related post over at squidoo with our Camping Checklist lens
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September 23rd, 2008 admin
Going away for a weekend break in Britain? There are many different places to choose from and you will enjoy your time away at all of them but for a truly great british holiday there is only one place to go. The Lake District. Thanks to the credit crunch the popularity in UK based holidays has increased and many local companies have noticed a large upturn in bookings for a holiday in the Lake District in 2008.
The Lake District is hard to beat because of the sheer gorgeousness of the scenery around you. It doesn’t get much better than walking around the lake district on a sunny day, the atmosphere and vastness of the area gets inside of you and makes you relax within minutes of arriving.
If you are looking for a bit more of an adrenaline rush a Lake district holiday is still the place for you. Activities available include mountain biking, speed climbing and rock climbing. Most pro’s prefer the rough edges of the Eastern Crags for their rock climbing as there are a great number of different routes to climb up. Another favourite is Buttermere but this is not as well known by most tourists.
For biking enthusiasts the Grizedale Forest is one of the best places to cycle in Britain let alone the Lake District. The different routes cater to all abilities so the route you go will depend on how daring you are! Obviously for a popular location there are many places to stay especially if you are there self catering holiday in the lake district but I would advise you to book early as you don’t want to travel and find everywhere is booked!
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August 25th, 2008 Travel Guru
With today’s struggling economy, its important to get the most value for your dollar and vacation. For those who frequently travel by rental car, we have provided a few tips that will help you get the best deal possible.
Compare Prices
The best rental car deals often come with hidden fees. Whether you’re skimming through the phone book or seeking service online, be sure to compare the prices of different companies and make sure that you’re quoted exact figures before making a choice.
Keep Your Eye On The Rates
The rates of rental cars fluctuate just like airfare prices. The difference is that you don’t have to place a down payment on a rental car until you actually reach the counter. If you’re trying to plan things a few weeks in advance, check the rates of different companies from time to time. You just may be able to reserve a nice car for a steal.
Rent The Small Car Available
Everybody wants to ride in luxury yet everyone can’t afford to. If you’re looking to save money, rent a smaller car for your trip. This will ensure a cheaper rental price and will be far more economical on fuel.
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August 24th, 2008 Travel Guru
There was much public concern this year over the number of flights that were canceled by companies like American Airlines and others. While some speculated whether or not is was safe to the fly the friendly skies, it was found that these frequent cancellations were the result of negligence on the part of both the FAA and the airlines.
In the case of Southwest Airlines, flights were grounded due to cracks in the fuselages of their Boeing 737, an issue both parties chose to ignore for nearly year. A representative from the airline reports that this problem wasn’t an issue of safety because the bundle wire was actually secure, but instead, a matter of how the work was done. Despite their claims, Southwest was fined $10 million for this defect, prompting other companies like American Airlines, Alaska and Delta to tightened up in the maintenance department and get the proper inspections to avoid hefty penalties.
Automobile accidents and fatalities still outweigh those in the sky by far. While most airlines have established a good reputation over the past thirty years, there are a few you may want to avoid including those in Indonesia, Africa, Thailand and North Korea.
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August 23rd, 2008 Travel Guru
The most common problem you’ll likely have while on your European holiday is having a taxi driver overcharge you, but there are other scams you may encounter. One of the most popular is the ‘helpful’ local you will want to show you the sites and invite you for a drink at a popular bar. You go, and when the bill comes it’s several hundred dollars and you have to pay it or the gigantic bouncers near the doors won’t let you leave.
Of course, they’re getting a cut of your money. Also be careful of the ‘lost’ tourist whose credit card isn’t working and who seems so pathetic and troubled. He wants your cash or your PIN if you go to an ATM to get cash to help him out. And while you’re at that ATM, take a look and make sure it hasn’t been tampered with so that it will hold your card until you walk away to get help and the thief comes along to retrieve it.
Be careful, too, of foreign money, as some of the most worthless of it can look very similar to the best of it. Don’t get shortchanged because you’re in a hurry or because your waiter thought that you weren’t paying attention. You can have a great European holiday, simply by using a money belt and being aware of your surroundings – don’t fall for tourist scams.
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August 22nd, 2008 Travel Guru
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.
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August 21st, 2008 Travel Guru
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.
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August 20th, 2008 admin
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.
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August 20th, 2008 admin
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.
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.
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