Fed up with paying singles supplements and dining alone? Don’t want to sign up for tacky singles hol
idays or advertise for a travelling companion? Do want un-limited choices regarding where and when to go and discover where locals go and avoid tourist traps? Oh, and possibly travelling on a budget?
The concept of couchsurfing could be the solution for you. It’s a non profit-making organisation / project funded by those who join up and make a donation for doing so. The amount donated is up to the individual, especially because of the disparities between different countries economies. Once you are signed up you can offer your couch (or spare room / camping bed / even floor) as somewhere for others to stay, and of course surf to find other peoples couches for you to stay on. Of course this isn’t for everyone, but there is a definite group of people to whom it appeals. So far they have over a million members in 232 countries and more signing up every day. It has to be said that the majority of members / hosts are young (85% are between ages 18 and 34).
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Posted by Jackie Hewett on Mon 12th January 2009 at 03:39 AM, Filed in India, Travel Tips
These tips should help smooth your way if you are back backing within India, or at least an independent traveler. The tips are based on personal experience of 3 different trips to India.
Essential kit to take / carry during your travels:
• Ear Plugs - especially if you intend to travel by bus at all (see travel below)
• Wet Wipes – including some anti-bacterial ones for your hands before eating
• Loo Roll – if you are caught short and have to use a public facility don’t expect to find any
• Diorite & re-hydration sachets - need I spell it out!
• Bicycle lock and padlock – for your backpack & use it ALL THE TIME!
• Money belt (in preference to a ‘bum bag’ or ‘fanny pack’) – to wear under your clothes & keep your passport & ticket information in it too
• Cereal / energy bars brought from home – better than chocolate as they won’t melt and very handy for emergencies where you really don’t trust the food in your environs
• Mosquito Repellant
• Spare sheet – if you intend to stay in very cheap places
• Mosquito net – again if you indent to stay in very cheap places that may not supply them and in a high malaria risk area / time
• DON’T take expensive jewelry or watches – they will only make you even more of a target
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Posted by Jackie Hewett on Fri 9th January 2009 at 01:16 AM, Filed in Travel Tips
This checklist is designed for use as soon as you are considering booking a holiday and is divided into timely sections
As Soon as Holiday Booked / When Considering Destination
• Check Passport(s) for valid-to dates (often you require the passport to be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of travel) – organise replacement if required
• Check visa requirements – organise if required
• Check immunisation requirements – organise if required
• Check travel insurance – organise if required. Note – annual policies are usually far better value than tour operators / one-off holiday insurances. Also check what cover your credit cards already give you. If a UK citizen and traveling within EU you probably don’t need insurance depending upon the terms within your home contents cover.
• Organise house-sitter
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Posted by Jackie Hewett on Tue 6th January 2009 at 07:29 AM, Filed in Travel Tips
I have divided this checklist into different sections for ease of use – especially for traveling on airplanes
Hand-luggage (assuming you are flying) – general items
• Passports
• Tickets / E-booking reference numbers
• Directions to holiday accommodation – especially if traveling independently
• Details of holiday company contact number if booked through an operator
• Travel Currency / Travelers Cheques
• Credit / Debit Cards
• Drivers License
• Travel Insurance Details & Form E11 (for medical cover) if traveling within EU
• Medications – always pack these in hand luggage in case hold luggage goes astray
• Glasses / Sun-glasses / Contact Lenses / Solutions
• Camera / Video Camera & charger unit
• Mobile Phone & charger unit
• Jewelery
• Journey Entertainment – books, magazines, for teens – games consoles
• MP3 players & charger unit
• House keys
• Flight pillows / socks if you use them & possibly ear-plugs
• Suck sweets – especially for small children during take-offs / landing
• Lip balm
• Travel sickness pills
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Posted by Jilly Bowen on Fri 14th November 2008 at 02:11 AM, Filed in Travel Tips
Where would you like to go for your holiday next year? Back to somewhere you have been to before or how about a different far flung destination?
‘Are you barking mad or what!!!!!’ I here you say. ‘Don’t you read the news you stupid woman, don’t you realise it looks as though we are heading for a world wide recession!’
Of course I do. But hey, what if you can scrape up the air fair, or just want a change of scenery in your own country, plus are prepared to self cater would that make a difference?
What am I suggesting in these tough times?
The concept of Holiday Home swapping.
How does this work?
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