February 23, 2012

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What To Bring And What Not To Bring?

February 21, 2012 By Sam Hodgson

As any seasoned traveller will tell you, clever packing is vital. If you are travelling to some new and wonderful destination then the last thing you will want is to be weighed down or held back by loads of luggage, and it can be freeing to travel light and leave all that excess baggage back at home.

Particularly for those who like to indulge in a spot of beauty therapy every now and then, however, it can be difficult to cut back on certain items, such as beauty and cosmetic products. How do you decide which of your beauty essentials to take and which to leave at home?

A great tip for cutting down on baggage when you travel and still maintaining your usual beauty regime is to take smaller versions of your favourite cosmetic products. So, for example, if you can’t live without your Oil of Olay moisturiser or your foundation, simply take a mini, travel-size version. If travel-size versions are not available, you can buy small travel bottles and containers to decant your favourite beauty products into when you travel.

Another valuable tip for cutting down on excess luggage next time you travel is to take products that perform several functions in one. For example, if you choose a tinted moisturiser that also contains an SPF then you have three products in one: a moisturiser, a foundation and a sun cream. Perfect! You can find hair products that do more jobs than one as well, such as two in one shampoo and conditioners and leave-in spray conditioners that also protect your hair from sun and sea damage.

Follow these simple packing tips when you travel to make sure you look your usual polished self without having to take the entire contents of your bathroom with you every time!

 

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Camping in Tuscany

January 23, 2012 By Sam Hodgson

Italy is a great place to go camping – you can really immerse yourself in the beautiful countryside. Wherever you go, you’re bound to find a friendly welcome and interesting places to visit.

 

However, as a region, Tuscany has something for everyone – it has beautiful hills and valleys and an amazing selection of beautiful towns like Sienna, San Gimignano, Florence, Pisa and Lucca to visit and soak up the culture.

 

Sienna is famed for its annual summer horse race Il Palio, which takes place around the streets and ends in the famous Piazza del Campo.  Watch yourself, though, if you go to watch – it can be manic on the day of the race and safety doesn’t seem to be top of the agenda.  The racing horses are taken up to the altars of churches to be blessed before the race – another spectacle in itself. As well as Il Palio the cathedral in Siena is well worth a visit.

 

San Gimignano is a walled hill town dating back to medieval times.  It has fourteen towers that date from the middle ages and give the town a dramatic skyline.

 

Florence is jammed with beautiful architecture and fabulous museums to explore. You will feel immersed in history while you are.

 

Make sure you get yourself some decent camping gear before you head off – the summer days may be sweltering but the temperature plummets at night. Vango sleeping bags are available in different weights and all pack down really small, so won’t take too much space in your backpack. And if you need good outdoor clothing, check out the Merrell website which has everything you could possibly need.

 

Whatever you decide to do and see in Tuscany, even if you’re camping it’s not worth taking cooking gear as the regional food is so delicious and really good value.

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Top tips for travelling light

January 23, 2012 By Sam Hodgson

If you’re headed off on a round the world trip, it’s more than likely that you’re probably planning to pack as little as possible as taking a back pack is the most sensible option.

When deciding what to take it’s worth spending some time sorting out the most suitable things to take with you.

Firstly, non-crease clothing is a great idea. If you can get round the world without having to always have access to an iron, it’ll mean that you can stay in a bigger variety of places and that you won’t spend so much money on accommodation. It’s also more fun not having to spend time looking after your clothes when you’ll have so many interesting things to see and do.

Choose clothing that can double up for different occasions – a lot of the outdoor clothing brands now make clothes that are as suitable for climbing up the steps of Machu Picchu as for going out in the evenings.  The fabrics are also good for washing out and drying quickly. Fleeces are perfect for providing warmth, and you can squash them down in your back pack when you don’t need to wear them.

What you won’t want to do is load your bag with a huge selection of toiletries. Although you may be brand loyal when you have a whole bathroom cabinet to store your toiletries in, you might have to shake this devotion and adopt some lighter weight bottles for your travels. Buy travel sizes and restock on your way around. Try out some new brands if you have to – check out SuperSavvyMe for reviews on different products you might find along the way. You might also adapt to using some natural ingredient beauty tips on your travels, and not need the bottled varieties. You may find that you’re eating a healthier diet, getting lots more fresh fruit and veg in warmer climates and that your skin needs less attention as a consequence.

When you get home from your big trip, you might find that you adopt this living-lighter mentality on a permanent basis!

 

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Did you use cars on your travels?

January 19, 2012 By Sam Hodgson

Tell me – when you did your world trip or your tour of Asia or South America on your gap year – did you have a car or did you manage without one?

And if your answer is the latter like 95% of other serious travellers in those continents – how on Earth did you manage?

The fact is that in the more developed world, we can actually manage far better without cars than we can in the less developed pars of the world, but it’s in these latter areas that we tend to make better use of buses, trains, boats and just a few taxis. This is something of a contradiction don’t you think?

You may have found the need to hire a car when travelling, but if you did – even this puts you in the really small minority of backpackers.

It was with all this in mind that I resolved not to buy a car when I returned to my native city   following my gap year. In a city, it’s pretty easy to make such a resolution – until you want to leave it to head for the coast for the day or to visit friends and relatives etc. If you want to get to a really specific locale, public transport and taxis are problematic and expensive. But it’s still better for both the soul and for fitness if you bike it everywhere as I’ve been doing.

Part of my reasoning, though, was environmental. I simply don’t like churning out fumes into the atmosphere when I know there are perfectly viable public transport alternatives – or the bike or the feet!

Nevertheless, I’m now the proud owner of a new car. Why is that? Well, it’s because I’ve gone electric!  There’s no conscience-pricking going on here anymore. And I can go where I like without restriction on movement. That’s because my electric car is a Honda FX Clarity. The new car offers unlimited mileage like a rechargeable electric car.

But nor is it a hybrid car. Instead, it’s a hydrogen fuel cell automobile. But make no mistake—the FCX Clarity FCEV is an electric car. The fuel cells combine hydrogen with oxygen to generate electricity which powers the electric motor; perfect!

 

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Are you ready for a hybrid?

January 5, 2012 By Sam Hodgson

Is there really any good reason not to go green in your motoring habits anymore?

You recycle your waste, you walk, cycle or take public transport whenever you can, and you minimise the use of packaging and supermarket bags right?

But do you drive an environmentally friendly car?

This will make a far bigger environmental impact than all the other measures put together, particularly if you love travelling around. And what’s more – it will send the right message to your friends, neighbours, and family – but most importantly of all, your children.

But there are downsides. First of all, hybrid cars are still relatively expensive to buy – but that is changing fast.

For example, a brand new Honda Insight 1.3 (Petrol Hybrid) CVT will cost you less than £17k on the road; and the new car offers over 64 miles per gallon with 101 CO2 (g/km),and zero road tax.

So if you’re thinking about it – there are two basic types of hybrid to consider; the series hybrid or the parallel hybrid. Series hybrids use the combustion engine to generate electricity and that then powers the electric motor which provides the power. With parallel hybrids, the vehicle can be powered by the engine – or from a battery-powered drive-train.

Of course, hybrids are greener and cheaper to run, so can save you money in the long run.

And they reduce greenhouse gas emissions by somewhere around 25% compared to a “normal” car.

Hybrids also depreciate in value much more slowly than petrol-powered cars – yet need no more maintenance than conventionally-fuelled cars.

They work particularly well and efficiently on congested roads and in urban areas as electric motors tend to work best at low speeds.

There are few excuses left not to own one.

 

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Liverpool has it all

January 3, 2012 By Sam Hodgson

Liverpool is famous for The Beatles and football, but there is much more to the city than that.

Whether you are hitting the shops or fancy relaxing with a beer or two and a bite to eat, you are not without choice in Liverpool. The streets are full of shops, bars and restaurants – where to start?

If you are out shopping with your friends, you should definitely check out Liverpool ONE. The shopping centre is relatively new but is hugely popular. As well as more than 160 famous high street stores, the centre offers a wide array of bars and restaurants, including Jamie’s Italian and the award-winning Thai restaurant Chaophraya.

Cavern Walks offers a more up market alternative. It is Liverpool’s only boutique arcade and home to many designer brands. The Met Quarter has previously been called the Bond Street of Liverpool. While you are there, why not indulge in one of the delicate pastries from Patisserie Valerie?

Albert Dock is a great place to catch up with friends over lunch. There is plenty of history at the dock. However, it is also an ideal place to relax away from the hustle and bustle of the main city with a bottle of Foster’s Gold or a nice glass of rosé. Revolution Bar and PanAM are popular hotspots and serve good food.

Concert square is the place to be when night falls. It hosts the city’s best known bars and nightclubs, including the award-winning Alma de Cuba. The bar and restaurant is a vibrant fusion of great food, drink and atmosphere with a Latin American feel. Next time you are in Liverpool, you must check out Alma de Cuba.

Liverpool has the shops, the restaurants, the bars and the clubs – it is no wonder it achieved the European Capital of Culture status in 2008. A visit is highly recommended!

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Doing France on your bike in winter

December 9, 2011 By Sam Hodgson

You may be thinking, having read the title of this article, that doing France on your bike in winter would be sheer folly. But not a bit of it.

Anyone who has travelled around France during the winter months will be able to tell you that the roads are very often choc a block with cyclists – particularly on Sundays and even on the coldest of days.

There are several good reasons for this. One is that cycling is something of a religion to the French – and what better day to worship than on Sunday? Also, France is perfect for cyclists. There are huge flat areas, gently undulating hills and of course the Alps and Pyrenees for those who love hill climbing on their bikes.

Also – the motorists give ultimate respect to cyclists and the camp sites are superb – and compulsory in each Commune (Local Authority area).

During the winter, though, the campsites may be a touch on the chilly side(!), but the Chambres D’Hotes (literally; bedrooms of the host – like guest houses or bed and breakfast places in the UK) are usually superb, whilst there are lots of cheap hotels and hostels to choose from as well – which welcome cyclists.

Cycling in the hilly areas is great if you’re a winter sports enthusiast, too. You can mix and match between your cycling shoes and your crampons if you’re feeling like climbing higher than it’s wise to go on your bike at this time of year – or if your party is daring enough to try some ascents on your mountain bikes, just be sure you have your North Face coats stowed in the panniers!

Filed Under: Europe Travel, Travel Tagged With: , , , ,

Go hiking in Death Valley

November 25, 2011 By Sam Hodgson

There’s something magical and mysterious about the idea of spending time in a place called Death Valley.

Death Valley is one of the United States’ treasured National Parks and it can be both desolate and beautiful.

There are plenty of places to go hiking, and the Death Valley National Park website has heaps of suggested itineraries.

With enticing and intriguing names like Gower Gulch Loop, desolation canyon, Badwater Saltflat and Dante’s Ridge, you’ll be overwhelmed with choice of which hikes to do.

The marked routes take you through colourful badlands, old borax mines, and canyon trailsColorful badlands, canyon narrows, old borax mines. On some of them, you’ll have to scramble down dry falls. There are handouts for all the trails in the Visitor Centre, so there’s little chance of getting lost if you stick to the paths.

The harsh terrain and extreme variations in temperature in Death Valley mean that you should make adequate preparations before heading off on a hike there.

Before heading out, make sure you have enough water and food, as well as protection from the sun (sunscreen and a hat).

Use a layering system for your clothing, as temperatures can change remarkably quickly in Death Valley. A good base layer of thermals will give you core body warmth, and don’t forget to make sure you wear a base layer on your legs too.  Add a middle layer of insulation – clothing made out of microfleece can be very efficient mid layer garments. Finally make sure you have a waterproof shell layer on top to keep you dry, and to protect you from wind chill. Outdoor brands like Craghoppers sell hiking jackets that are designed for different walking environments, and offer different levels of protection against the elements.

Don’t head out on your own without telling someone which route you plan on taking and how long you anticipate being on your hike.

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Walk With Me

November 2, 2011 By Sam Hodgson

Are you thoroughly fed up of just lying on the beach or beside the pool when you head off for your annual summer holiday? Eating, drinking and generally being totally lazy? Much as we all like a bit of down time and a chance to relax and read the latest blockbuster, sometimes it is good to try something different too. If you are planning your next trip and are looking for a holiday with a bit more exercise involved then consider a walking holiday which is ideal for a family group, couples or friends.

 

You can travel with a difference to places you may never have previously considered, and the best part is that specialist tour operators will help you plan an itinerary which is perfect for the ages and abilities of your group. There is also plenty of advice available on what to pack, including reviews of the best trekking sandals, rucksacks and other essentials. Why not get the family involved right from the start and spark your children’s imaginations with the chance to head off the beaten track, visit one of the wonders of the world maybe or just experience different cultures.

 

Favourite destinations for walking holidays include famous mountain peaks such as Kilimanjaro, Ararat, the High Atlas range or for the more experienced outdoor types, Everest. Other ideas might include walks steeped in history and legend such as the Inca trail or the Great Wall of China. You could also combine your walking trip with another interest to further enrich your experience: view tigers in India, gorillas in Uganda or how about the chance to stand on a glacier. The greatest sights in the world really are within reach.

 

For a truly amazing experience and the opportunity to see things you could never have imagined, let your mind roam free and follow it with your feet!

Filed Under: Travel Ideas

Canadian travel

September 20, 2011 By Sam Hodgson

Few people who visit Canada for the first time have any real comprehension of how big the country is.
For those flying in from the UK, Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa – three of the biggest cities in the country – can be reached in about the same time it takes to fly to New York. So it can feel like you’re arriving in a part of the world that’s just an extension of the United States.
But if you have a spirit of adventure, and love traveling by train, one way to get your head around the enormous size of the country is to visit a train station and get hold of a timetable.
Let’s say you’ve arrived in Toronto and you fancy the idea of seeing Vancouver while you’re there. You look on the timetable and it might say “dep. 12.15, arr. 16.45”, which doesn’t look so bad. But wait, there’s a little +3 next to the time – what’s that mean.
It means it arrives at 16.45 … in three days’ time!
Yes, Canada is a big country alright. And there’s no better way of actually appreciating that than taking “The Canadian” – a train that runs from Toronto to Vancouver.
Along the way, you’ll go through Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Jasper and Edmonton. But what you’ll spend most of the time doing is marveling at the outstanding scenery through the window.
Relatively few people will have the stomach for a three-day journey, so most travelers opt to stop off along the way. If you’re getting off in Edmonton, there are many great hotels to choose from, but supposing you want to sample rural Canadian life?
By far the best way of doing this is to pack a tent, and be close to nature. Unless you’re traveling in winter, then even cheap tents will keep you warm enough throughout your trip.
It’s worth doing your research online to find convenient camp sites along the way, but that shouldn’t be a problem as Canada is a very “outdoors” country.

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