Home Articles Posted by Izy Berry (Page 97)
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5 new travel trends: But which one is for you?
With spring just around the corner, the focus for many people naturally turns to where they’re going to travel to next. And, pretty much every travel company and industry commentator has a prediction about where we’ll all be heading. Here are just some of the destinations and experiences which could be on your travel compass this year:
All roads lead to Rio (and nearby)
Rio de Janeiro http://www.flickr.com/photos/62242291@N04/6054862618/
Much of the world’s attention is turned towards Rio at the moment with the impending World Cup and the Olympic Games. And, with Brazil’s prices expected to rise because of these huge sporting events, other Latin American destinations are set to bask in a little reflected glory. Uruguay, Nicaragua and Peru are all set for increased visitor numbers. You could pick up original art and eat in one of the many parillas, or steak restaurants, in Uruguay’s Mercado del Puerto or head to the tropical Pearl Keys island chain in Nicaragua.
The best of British food
North Devon Foodfest http://www.flickr.com/photos/northdevonfarmer/8122783450/
A VisitEngland survey found that food is becoming an increasingly important part of our travels. Hotels and locations which focus on gastronomic delights are set to gain in popularity. Devon, in south west England, is renowned for its fresh produce, with fresh bread, cheese, meat and seafood on offer at fairs and markets throughout the year, including the North Devon Foodfest, which usually takes place in October. Opting to stay in self catering accommodation like one of Parkdean’s Ruda Park lodges means you can cook up all these delicious goodies in your own kitchen, before enjoying them on the verandah. Or you could take a picnic hamper and spread your blanket on the golden sands of Croyde Bay.
Honoring the fallen
Flanders Fields http://www.flickr.com/photos/janheuninck/5416776332/
With the centenary of the First World War falling this year, hundreds of thousands of people are expected to mark the sombre occasion by heading to famous battlefields in Northern France and Belgium. To remember the fallen, you could visit the In Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres which has invested in a new interactive experience which poignantly sets out the stories of individual soldiers. The Memorial Museum of Passchendaele 1917, in Zonnebeke, has also added new displays and there’s an outdoor trench reconstruction which gives an idea of conditions on the frontline.
Taking to the rivers
Philae temple http://www.flickr.com/photos/allan_harris/3162278435/
While sea cruising may be seen as the preserve of the older generation, river cruising is set to come into its own during spring and summer. New river cruise lines have launched and fleets have expanded to cope with the expected demand. Another centenary due to be marked this year is the opening of the Panama Canal so you could choose to cruise the world’s most famous canal. Or you could travel down the Nile to see Egypt’s famous sites, take a Yangtze cruise through China’s spectacular Three Gorges or sail between Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City on the Mekong. A river cruise can give you a view of a destination which is completely unique.
Get us to the Greek
Yialos, http://www.flickr.com/photos/symivisitor/2989201356/
Greece may have had its fair share of financial woes, like so many other countries across the world, but it seems visitors are now starting to flock back, with numbers from Britain alone predicted to be up by 11%. And, given there are so many stunning destinations to choose from on the mainland and the islands, you’re sure to find a part of Greece that you fall in love with. You could follow in the footsteps of the cast of Mamma Mia and head to Skiathos or Skopelos, although since the movie was released in 2008, it’s become harder and harder to find your own piece of paradise there. Instead, you could choose to get completely off the beaten track, heading to Yialos on Lefkada, which is practically deserted apart from in high season, or to Nas on the north-west coast of Ikaria, which has quirky rock formations and a tiny pebble and sand beach which you will probably have to yourself.
Whether you choose to follow the trends or make your own, there are a world of adventures just waiting to happen and destinations just waiting to be discovered.
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Our Plans for Europe
Ben and I are looking to spend 2 or so months traveling around Europe in September. In part, for him to compete in the World Surf Championships in France, but also for us to find somewhere we might like to live. It’s pretty hard narrowing down where we’ll spend our time as there are so many places I’ve been before that I’d like to return to and other places I’d like to visit for the first time. We’ve spent a few hours researching where we’ll go and how we’ll get around, so I thought I’d keep you all in the loop. This might be helpful if you’re planning a trip to Europe yourself, too.
Photo Credit: Patrick Ciebilski
How We’ll Get Around:
We are planning to travel a combination of long and short distances. For the really long distances we’ll fly, but for everything else we’re going to focus on train travel. The truth is, Ben and I will still be freelance working while we’re overseas, so any time spent in transit is time we could double up by working online. We’ve been researching a few different rail companies and noticed that Rail Europe (now called Voyages SNCF) offers great value passes, especially their Global Passes. I find that trains are much more comfortable to work on than buses, and I love being able to get up and walk around for those longer journeys. Trains tend to have better views out the window too – when compared to cars or buses who are just traveling along motorways.
Where We’ll Go:
We’re still narrowing this down as we’ve got a pretty big list, but for me personally the key places to visit are:
Lisbon (we’re seriously considering moving there)
San Sebastian, Spain
Madrid, Spain
Barcelona, Spain,
Paris, France,
Amsterdam, The Netherlands,
Berlin, Germany,
Prague, Czech Republic,
Vienna, Austria,
Budapest, Hungary
Those are all places I’ve been before. We’re pretty keen to head east and check out other places such as:
Photo Credit: Gustavo Alterio
Italy – I’d really love to go to Venice and Rome. Ben and I are both history buffs so Rome really appeals to use for numerous reasons. Florence also looks great too. I’ve heard that Italy can be quite rough on the budget so we’d probably limit ourselves to just a week or so there.
Greece – Hello Greek Islands and Santorini – both of these places have been high on my want-to-go list for years. One of our readers suggested that Athens might be a good place to base ourselves so we’ll check it out and how prices compare to elsewhere in Europe
Croatia – I briefly visited Zagreb in 2012 and really liked it. Plitvice lakes were one of the most amazing places I visited. This time we’d like to head south and maybe do some island hopping as well as visit beautiful Dubrovnik.
Slovenia – If I’m honest, I only really want to go here to see Lake Bled. It looks amazing!
Turkey – I spent just under a week in Istanbul and loved it. I really wish I’d set aside more time to explore other places. Taking a balloon ride over Cappadocia is pretty high up on my bucket list. I think Ben would really enjoy the charm of Istanbul so I’d love to visit there.
Other places we would like to go if time permits:
Macedonia – I worked with a girl from Macedonia when I lived in Auckland, before I’d met her I’d not even heard of this place. She recently visited home and uploaded a bunch of photos and it really looks great. It’s super cheap too, which is a bonus.
Poland – I am very keen to visit Krakow. I had every intention of visiting when I was an au pair in the Czech Republic, but it was too difficult to get there.
Photo Credit: basil
How We’ll Do It:
Because we’re starting in Southern France, we’ll probably work our way up and to the left by Euro Rail. From Lisbon we’ll fly towards the centre of Europe, depending on the cheapest flights and work our way to the right. I am big on not going backwards and forwards when you’re traveling. Ideally it would have been good to start left and work right or vice versa, but we have to start our travels in France.
Where We’ll Stay:
I’d like to implement a bunch of different travel styles, from nice hotels right down to couchsurfing if the location warrents it. Some parts of Europe are fairly expensive, while other parts are great-value. We’ll use a combination of different accommodation styles to keep on budget. As we’ll be working while we’re overseas, we will be able to afford nicer accommodation which will be exciting.
How Long We’ll Be Gone:
At present, we’re looking at around 2 months. I would personally like to up that to 3, but Ben is a bit apprehensive depending on his racing season for the NZ summer. We haven’t booked flights yet; I tend to book them closer to the time so that we can be more decisive about how long we’ll want to spend over there.
So that’s our Europe plan. I can’t wait. If you have any plans we simply cannot miss off, please let me know in the comments below – we’re pretty flexible and open to suggestions.
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Milan: A City of Breathtaking Buildings
The city of Milan has been an important cultural centre for over two millennia. Founded by the Celts around 400 BC, this thriving metropolis now has well over one million people residing in its city limits and another four million throughout its metropolitan area. Milan is known as a hot spot of fashion, trade, IT, politics and architecture. Stunning buildings, cathedrals and skyscrapers mark Milan’s skyline with styles that range from neoclassical to modern. It is, without a doubt, an architecture-lover’s paradise.
If you’re looking to book a stay in Milan on your next holiday, don’t just do so for the food and the shopping. The culture of this Italian city is alive and kicking in its fabulous buildings. Here are a handful of Milan’s more noteworthy structures to explore the next time you venture into Milan.
Photo Credit: Jose Luis Ogea on Flickr
Castello Sforzesco
This impressive structure was once the residence and ruling seat of Milan’s most powerful family, but these days it is filled with museums and art galleries. A castle whose construction started back in the 14th century, the Castello Sforzesco has seen generations of modifications and an ongoing series of construction that only relatively recently ended. One of its most impressive interior pieces is the ceiling of the Salla Delle Asse, which was painted by none other than Leonardo de Vinci. In 1943, the castle suffered significant damage due to allied bombing, but it was rebuilt. Considering the centuries it has survived and the many facelifts it has undergone, the Castello Sforzesco looks remarkably similar to its 14th century self.
Duomo di Milano
The fourth largest cathedral in the world, the Duomo di Milano is situated right in the heart of Milan. A classic and impressive example of Gothic architecture that began back in the 14th century, construction on this monolithic structure was only completed in the 19th century during Napoleon’s reign. It has over 2000 statues, 96 gargoyles and 135 spires — the tallest of which are over 180 meters from the ground. One of the city’s most popular tourist attractions, this cathedral has taken part in Milan’s most important celebrations, events and religious ceremonies for over six centuries.
Photo Credit: h s a on Flickr
Basilica of Sant’ Ambrogio
Saint Ambrose oversaw the construction of this basilica back in the 4th century, and it is one of the oldest structures in Milan. The original building was called Basilica Martyrum, due to the number of martyrs in the area during the Roman persecution of the Christians. In the 11th century, the basilica was given a facelift whose Roman appearance still marks its exterior. Filled with fascinating medieval art and sarcophagi, the basilica of Saint Ambrose also has an impressive atrium in its centre that is almost as large as the structure itself.
Torre Velasca
Built in 1954 through a collaboration of four different architects, Torre Velasca is a 100-meter-tall, modern building that resembles something of a Lombardi medieval fortress’ defence tower. Narrower on the ground than it is at the top, the skyscraper mushrooms out as it nears its tallest point, which satisfies the need to conserve space at Milan’s ground level, while making more use of the space available in the sky.
Photo Credit: thomas lefere on Flickr
Pirelli Tower
Built in 1950 on the site of the city’s first factory, the Pirelli Tower is a 32-story skyscraper whose base is 1900 square meters. It has a structural skeleton, tapered sides and curtain wall facades, and it was one of the first skyscrapers in the world to forego the more traditional block form. Until recently, it was the tallest building in Milan, and it has inspired other designs, including the Pan Am Building in New York City and the Alpha Tower in Birmingham, England.
Palazzo Reale
Known previously as Royal Ducal, this palace was built by Luigi Vanvitelli in the 18th century. Famous Italian artists designed its interiors, and it is without a doubt, a stunning example of neoclassical architecture and style. Once a political centre for Milan, it is now a cultural one, housing exhibits of modern and contemporary art, as well as being the site for many fashion and design shows.
Few cities have architecture that spans the amount of time and range of styles that Milan does. From the days of Rome’s prominence through medieval times and modern ones, Milan is a city whose buildings house its history and culture — like time capsules along the city’s skyline.
About the Author: Jessica Nair is a contributing writer and travel agent.
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The Lesser-Known Wonders of Turkey
Turkey, an intoxicating mixture of eastern and western culture, draws in millions of tourists each year, all marvelling at the country’s unique culture. You can only truly appreciate the wonders of Turkey by going there and experiencing them yourself. But with the tourism industry so oversaturated, hitting Istanbul’s busy streets can seem like an unappealing prospect.
Fortunately, there are ways to get around the swarms of tourists that descend on Turkey each year. You could always splash out for an all-inclusive holiday. For instance, you could visit Turkey with Club Med and not worry about the crowds. While you do so, be sure to check the less-visited sights of this fascinating country.
GitoYaylası
If Istanbul has become too crowded for your liking, you could always consider an escape to GitoYaylası, a hidden plateau located in the Kackar Mountains. It’s not easily accessible, but if you’re game for an adventure, it’s definitely worth the trip. GitoYaylası will give you the most stunning side of rural Turkey.
It’s really out of the way – you need to take a flight to Trabzon and then drive for an hour to Rize before driving for another two hours. It’s ideal for budding photographers or camping enthusiasts.
Photo Credit: Jean Paul Peters
Polonezköy
Polonezköy is just on the outskirts of Istanbul, an hour’s drive away. Formerly known as Adampol, it’s a small Polish village that boasts some strange architecture, along with some equally strange history. It was the home of Polish refugees who fled their homeland in the 1840s.
The buildings are still decorated with Polish features, which really stand out in their Turkish surroundings. There are some descendants of the refugees still present, albeit numbering less than a hundred.
Lake Van
Not many people have heard of Lake Van, an alkaline inland sea that has been untouched by the passage of time and development. Expect mountainous peaks and loads of gorgeous, historic buildings, like the Armenian cathedral on Akdamar Island. You can visit the island by boat.
There is also a castle high on the hill on the opposite side – ideal to visit if you fancy feasting on some sumptuous views of the lake. Before you leave, make sure you drop in at one of the breakfast halls, famous in the region for local cheese and honey.
Photo Credit: Mustafa Görke Aksu
Mount Nemrud
Out of all the Turkish mountain ranges to visit, Mount Nemrud is the most special. Giant statues of ancient gods surround the mountaintop and archaeologists claim that the site was a tomb for a member of royalty in the 1st century BC. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but doesn’t receive as many visitors as one would expect.
Don’t ever be put off by a visit to Turkey just because you think it’s an overcrowded place. The country has a vast amount to offer, it’s just a matter of finding the sights that are a little out of the way and off the beaten track.
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Europe’s Best National Parks: Lanzarote
To visit Lanzarote is to experience nature in all its overwhelming majesty, from perfect stretches of bright white beach, to the otherworldly volcanic rock formations left behind from the island’s explosive past. It’s a hugely popular travel destination and it’s not difficult to see why; Lanzarote offers everything you need for a memorable time away.
It’s worth taking some time to familiarise yourself with the sights and pleasures Lanzarote has available, to be sure you don’t inadvertently miss something. If you’re still on the fence about whether to make this remarkable island your next travel destination, an overview of its main attractions should convince you. The prices are appealing too — if you hunt around, you can find some really cheap holidays to Lanzarote.
Credits to: Luc.Viatour on Flickr
Natural features
Lanzarote is an island of contrasts, from lush green vegetation to arid black rock. Its dry climate and unique geological terrain mean it has been registered as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, while the year-round warm weather mean that the island is perfect for relaxing on the beach and taking in some sunshine to the sound of gently lapping waves.
Head inland to find the sparse, Martian-like landscapes created by the island’s volcanic past. It is here you can discover some incredible geology and take in many fascinating views. Check out the Timanfaya National Park, with vast stretches of lava rock. Organised tours are available and probably represent the best way to see the extinct volcanoes.
Sights and activities
The late artist César Manrique was one of Lanzarote’s most famous residents and the attractions that he built can be found in the north-east of the island. These include his studio-home in Taro de Tahiche and the settlement in Haría, surrounded by swaying palm trees. These architectural creations are as eye-catching as the natural rock formations.
Credits to: Luc.Viatour on Flickr
Elsewhere there are some outstanding sports facilities to enjoy, whatever your game, and plenty of activities to have fun with off the coast, including surfing and windsurfing. Cycling is also popular in Lanzarote, while the vineyard belt of La Geria, on the road’s central island is definitely worth a visit for the wine connoisseurs among you.
Where to go
The capital city of Lanzarote is Arrecife, where you’ll find a bustling and friendly welcome. The main resort of Puerto del Carmen is nearby, offering holidaymakers a charming promenade and an appealing line of beaches and bays. If you want some nightlife and shopping to go with your sunbathing, then this is the place to go.
Head in the other direction to find Costa Teguise, a more laid-back and chilled-out alternative. If you have a family in tow, then Playa Blanca is one of the best spots to head for and is a touch warmer, though there’s little in the way of a town centre.
Lanzarote provides a refreshingly original spot for a holiday — high-rise buildings and billboard advertisements are banned — and despite the island’s small size (37 miles long by 12 miles wide) there’s still plenty to do if you want to keep busy. It’s certainly a trip that you won’t regret taking.
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My Travel Plans for 2014
Well, well, well… 2013 was a quiet year for me on the travel front. I managed to spend the first two months in Asia, which is one of my favourite places in the world. From September to October, one of my sisters and I ventured to some of my favourite places, including Cambodia, Singapore, Bali, Kuala Lumpur and Sydney. It was a whirlwind trip that I still need to write about, but lots of fun. This year is going to be a little busier on the travel front and I’ve got it planned:
Photo Credit: “Auckland” by Abaconda
A few short jaunts around New Zealand
I miss a lot of friends in Auckland so plan to visit them on the way to do a little exploration of some of the beaches up north. I’ll be heading up in March so hopefully summer’s in full swing by then. New Zealand does have some really incredible beaches, from black sand right through to pale white sand.
A Week in Perth
Considering how close I am to Australia, I really haven’t seen much of it. I’ve only really been to Sydney and Brisbane. Perth isn’t somewhere that’s really captivated me before but my partner is competing there in early April and I’m looking forward to discovering somewhere new.
Photo Credit: “Perth” by Rory MacLeod
A Few Weeks in Bali
We haven’t booked anything yet, and I’m aiming to turn a few weeks into a month, but we’ll see. My partner and I are heading straight to Asia from Perth. Flights are so ridiculously cheap from Perth that it would be stupid not to visit Asia. It’ll be my partner’s first trip outside of NZ/Australia so we’re both pretty excited about that. If you have any must-dos for Bali/Indonesia let us know.
And later in the year…
We’ll head to Europe for a “few” months. We’ll be starting in Montpellier, France and making our way to some of the best parts of Europe. The problem is I’ve been to so many places in Europe that I am really fond of and want to revisit, but there’s also a lot of places I’ve not been to that I’m really keen to see. Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia… We haven’t decided how long we’ll go for, but a lot will depend on how much money we have saved when we booked our flights.
Photo Credit: “Italy” by Pank Seelen
So that’s what we have planned so far. I’d love to add in a little island escape, and maybe we’ll choose a stop over somewhere special on the way back from Europe (Hawaii is very tempting).
What are your travel plans for the year?
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Keeping In Touch Overseas
Thankfully we live in a world of modern conveniences, which impact all areas of travel from sourcing cheap flights online, right through to the ease of buying online phone cards. I can’t imagine the days of having to go into stores to buy phone cards, only to spend a small fortune on calling home for a few minutes. No emails, instead mail would take weeks or months to reach the destination. That’s one of the benefits to traveling now – it’s SO much easier to stay in touch, which is particularly useful if you’re traveling alone. So what are the best ways to keep in touch overseas? Here are my favourite ways to keep in touch.
Photo Credit: yago1 on Flickr
Using Your Smartphone to Make Online Calls:
Whether you have an iPhone or an Android phone there are numerous ways that you can make free international calls. Free calls from Android and iPhone means that you can avoid racking up expensive international calling fees. Using your phone overseas on roaming can be ridiculously expensive, so Apps that allow you to save a substantial amount of money are a lifesaver, especially during the holiday season.
Email:
Email is super cheap (most often free), instant and a very inexpensive way to communicate with friends and family overseas. Email does, however, lack the personal touch that a phone call can offer, but is great for long ranty updates especially when you’re both operating in different time zones. Another great thing about email is that you can easy attach photos or videos to show your friends and family what you’re up to. Many of us rely on Facebook to keep our friends and family up-to-date but email is a lovely way to show someone you’re thinking of them for little-to-no cost.
Email is super cheap (most often free), instant and a very inexpensive way to communicate with friends and family overseas. Email does, however, lack the personal touch that a phone call can offer, but is great for long ranty updates especially when you’re both operating in different time zones. Another great thing about email is that you can easy attach photos or videos to show your friends and family what you’re up to. Many of us rely on Facebook to keep our friends and family up-to-date but email is a lovely way to show someone you’re thinking of them for little-to-no cost.
Photo Credit: April San Pedro on Flickr
Snail Mail:
This is the slowest way to keep in touch, but often the most thoughtful. When I was traveling I would occasionally send postcards or gifts home for holidays or special occasions like birthdays. This can be relatively expensive, but is very personal and thoughtful. If you’re in Belgium enjoying the divine chocolates, why not send a bunch home for your parents to enjoy? Likewise, a beautiful painting from Cambodia would be relatively inexpensive and very thoughtful.
There’s no right or wrong way to keep in touch, but these are my personal favouites. I tend to alternative between a few of these ways depending on who I want to keep in touch with and the time of year. Bare in mind if you want to send packages home for Christmas, it is best to get these sent off as easy as possible. One of the hardest things about travel is missing people, but with these tips for keeping in touch you can minimise that as much as possible.
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4 Budget Holiday Tips
Holidays don’t have to be hideously expensive in order to be special, memorable and relaxing. In fact, budget holidays can offer you some impressive deals, that will allow you to enjoy places at prices you never thought possible. As a backpacker who’s been traveling for a few years, I am very well practiced at hunting out budget holidays. There were lots of things I learned along the way to keep costs down while ensuring a great trip and I want to share them with you. Here are some easy-to-implement tips that could save you hundreds or thousands off your next trip:
1) Look Into Package Deals
There are a number of companies that offer high value package deals, such as Holiday Gems. Now, often more experienced travellers tend to stay away from package deals as they feel they can do better themselves. Truth be told, these companies have access to high-volume deals that a single traveler would not be able to access, resulting in very reasonably priced packages, often far less than you could find yourself. When you’re planning your next holiday, you should see what package deals are on offer.
2) Travel in the “Off Season”
If you can, take some time off during the off season as it will lower prices across the board: hotels, flights and even sometimes activities, will be cheaper. The other bonus? There will be less other tourists, so you’ll get a bit more time to soak in the attractions yourself.
Photo Credit: eGuide Travel on Flickr
3) Be Flexible With Your Flights
One of the biggest costs in any holiday, especially if you’re venturing far away, is the flight costs. If you scan many of the flight routes and their relative prices, you’ll see that prices are generally more expensive on weekends, Mondays and Fridays. During the week, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday tend to be the cheapest prices. The same proves true with hotel prices as well! If you can be flexible with your flights and the dates of your holiday, you can skim quite a lot of the price of your flights.
4) Book in Advance or Really Last Minute
There are a bunch of last minute deals that offer exceptional value – they are simply packages which haven’t reached their quota and need to be filled. This is true with cruises, package deals, hotels and flights. There are also advantages to booking in advance, both in terms of price and being able to ensure you can plan your holiday exactly as you want it. There are benefits to booking either way, so make sure you decide which works for you and get onto it. Last minute bookings are great if you have a bit of room for spontaneity in your plans.
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Dealing With Excess Baggage
There’s nothing worse than turning up to a flight, especially one on a low cost carrier, and having excess baggage. Often excess baggage costs can add up to more than you paid for your flight, which is a nasty surprise and a sure way to ruin a good holiday. If you’re like me then you probably like to collect gifts and little things from your travels, which can really weigh you down. There are a few ways you can deal with excess baggage – some you might have not yet considered, here are some suggestions:
Use World Baggage:
Instead of paying the crazy fees to check in oversized or large luggage with your airline carrier, why not use World Baggage? You can check on their site how much things will approximately cost, so there are no hidden charges. You can choose the method of carriage, which will affect both the speed and the cost. If you’re not in a rush, you can choose a longer method and save some serious coin. If you’re short on time and need your stuff with you as soon as possible, you can try the door to door method. I spent way too much on carting a giant suitcase around the world with me when I moved to the Czech Republic… it’s not something I would do again.
Photo Credit: Bradley Gordon
Wear All Your Clothes:
This is not a practical suggestion for long trips or if you’re planning to move a part of your house across the globe, but if you’ve just come from a weekend trip away and your bag is too heavy you can simply wear all your clothes. It might be ridiculously, slightly uncomfortable and a bit cheeky – but almost anything’s game in a bid to save money. I think it’s a bit odd that airlines charge more for luggage and not for people’s varying weight. But I guess it was cause a bit of an uproar if airlines started charging by a passenger’s weight.
Ask Someone Else to Carry It:
To be honest, this might not go down too well. It reminds me of a time that the host mother I was staying with in the Czech Republic forgot she had a pocket knife in her handbag. It was an expensive one and she’d already checked in her bag so she asked some random people to check it into their luggage. No one was keen. So she asked the flight attendants if any of them would carry it and were met with the same answer. Obviously this was an unplanned accident, but my guess is unless you know someone personally. they’re probably not going to be interested in carrying your stuff for you, especially with airport security being how it is. If you’re traveling in a big group and your baggage is over, you should ask one of the people in your group if they have spare space as it could save you quite a lot.
Transporting luggage around the world doesn’t have to be a nightmare with a little forward planning.
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5 Reasons to Consider a Mystery Trip
There are few things better in the world than a little mystery. Why not combine this with an activity that most people thoroughly enjoy: travel. Mystery Trips are a wonderful way to explore somewhere you might not otherwise visit, all while enjoying a bunch of other benefits. Here are my top 5 reasons to consider a mystery trip for your next holiday away.
1) They Are Romantic
When you book a mystery trip, the only thing you know about it is who you’ll be going with. More often than not, the person or people you travel with make the trip. By taking the focus out of the destination, you can focus on your partner instead. This is perfect for anniversaries or just a special escape.
Photo Credit: Jamie Frith on Flickr
2) You Don’t Have to do Much
If you choose to go on a Mystery Package, your flights and accommodation will be taken care of. This means, you’ll barely have to do any planning for the holiday yourself. Some people find holiday planning extremely stressful, managing the location, hotels and flights. With a Mystery Package this is all taken care of and you can just focus on being relaxed.
3) They Make a Great Gift
If you’re trying to buy a present for friends or family, why not consider a Mystery Package? Everyone loves a good holiday and adding in the element of surprise takes the pressure off you. This is a really thoughtful gift for someone you know who might need a break away from the daily grind.
Photo Credit: Jamie Frith on Flickr
4) You Can Decide How Mysterious Your Trip is
Three days before you fly out, your itinerary is emailed to you, but you don’t have to check it! You could print it out (without looking), seal it in an envelope and take it to the airport with you. You could leave the surprise until you get into the check in out counter, if you want the ultimate in a mystery trip. If you’re a little less patient like me, you can check when you get the email and start planning what activities you’ll do.
5) You’ll Save Money
Because mystery trips are organised by a company, they tend to have deals available with companies, hotels and so on to ensure you get a great value holiday. This ensures your holiday doesn’t blow the budget, while still being a fun surprise.
Mystery trips are quickly becoming one of the most popular ways to travel for those of us who crave a little more excitement in our lives.
