Tag Archives: traveling
The Savvy Traveller Survival Guide By Peter John Review
This book on avoiding traveling scams is well written, humorous and full of great advice. Highly recommended.
Travel is one of our favourite activities. From the hustle of bustle of the mega-cities to sleepy mountain towns to the tranquillity and isolation of tropical islands, we love to get out there and explore the world.
But globe-trotting also comes with its pitfalls. Wherever there are travellers, there are swindlers looking to relieve individuals of their money, possessions and sometimes even more. To avoid such troubles, and to get on with enjoyable and fulfilling trips, people need to get smart. This book shows you how.
The Savvy Traveller Survival Guide offers practical advice on avoiding the scams and hoaxes that can ruin any trip. From no-menu, rigged betting, and scenic taxi tour scams to rental damage, baksheesh, and credit card deceits – this book details scam hotspots, how the scams play out and what you can do to prevent them. The Savvy Traveller Survival Guide will help you develop an awareness and vigilance for high-risk people, activities, and environments.
Forewarned is forearmed!
About the Author. Peter John is a lifelong traveller who dabbles in office work while planning his next trip. He has never knowingly scammed anyone, but has been scammed while he travelled more times than he cares to remember. He hopes that others can learn from his mistakes, which are spelled out in merciless detail in this book.
The Savvy Traveller Survival Guide By Peter John
MumsThread: On Traveling in London While Pregnant
I love London so it is quite hard for me to write this piece. Now I love the tube, but it does bring out the worse in people. Everyone just wants to get home and it can be over-crowded and hot. So, excuses for my city over let me get to my point: traveling in London while pregnant is awful. Really awful. The entire time I was pregnant I was only offered a seat a handful of times and only once by a man. The man made his teenage daughter get up for me. I will be eternally grateful to him. Anyone who has ever been pregnant knows that being offered a seat while carrying another human being inside you is a pretty big deal. I had an awful pregnancy with acute morning sickness and low blood pressure throughout.
The truth is, even when wearing the great badge that TFL send free to pregnant women, most people will just bury their head in their book and turn their iPod up louder. The Baby on Board badge will spark good people to do the right thing, but sometimes it seems like there are too few of them.
Not getting a seat wasn’t the worst of it. While on the way to have lunch with one of my role models, the editor of one of the biggest magazines in the UK, I was pushed TWICE down an escalator by a man who wanted to shave a few minutes of his journey. I was walking down the left hand side whilst seven months pregnant. I guess pregnant women don’t walk fast enough for him and he pushed me twice hard, and also tried to shove me out of the way. I made my feelings clear to him, but I was shaking from head to toe. The upside is that a wonderful woman stopped to stroke my back and make sure I was okay while glaring in his direction. I am very thankful to that woman. It really helped me cope. It proves that a little bit of kindness goes a long way.
I still find it depressing that only one man offered me a seat when I was pregnant. He was even a tourist FFS. Add on the fact that, at most, five people offered me a seat in my over 41 week pregnancy then I am going to have to give us an F Londoners. It is not good enough so let’s try for an A+. We are the greatest city on earth and we can do better than this.
Please let us know about your experience of being pregnant in London.
How To Travel The World Without Selling Your Possessions
The date you board the plane, and jet off to the first destination on your world tour, is getting closer! Whilst sitting at your desk, saving up the final pennies to put towards your adventure, you are daydreaming of sitting on a beach in the sun but are actually looking out the window on a drizzly Monday afternoon.
But, as you wish away the time until you touch down in paradise, there are a few very important things you need to sort out – particularly what you are going to do with all your possessions! Perhaps you have already sold some to put towards your travel fund and maybe the situation has encouraged you to have a major clear out. But, there will still be many things that you want to come back to in a year or two, when your travels come to an end and it is back to reality.
So, here are a few ways that you can travel the world without having to sell all your possessions:
1.Rent out your home – furnished
If you are lucky enough to own your own home, then leave all your possessions there and rent it out
Travel Jerusalem: A Modern Guide To An Ancient Wonder
by Holly Thomas. All images by iPhone, copyright Holly Thomas [Twitter, Instagram: @HolstaT]
Jerusalem is in our consciousness from earliest childhood. But it’s a place that, for many of those who have never been, occupies the same mental space as fairy tales. Something which we’ve known of since we can remember, but can’t imagine being real. I’m not religious, and in Jerusalem you are met at every turn with things which described second-hand would sound preposterous. But when you’re there, the history of it all is immediate, indisputable, and alive.
It helps that so much architecture is – against all odds – beautifully preserved. Jerusalem has amplified since the days of crusades and crucifixions and the new city and West Bank stretch far, swaddling villages and towns, including Bethlehem. But step inside the Old City, home to the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the site of the Last Supper, and you’re plunged into another world.
So, you should go to the Old City first
The Old City stands east of the (busy) Hebron Road, which runs through the centre of Jerusalem. The sections of Hebron Road which north and south of the West Bank, and through Jerusalem, are barred to green – Palestinian – license plates. Israeli license plates are yellow. Jerusalem feels safe, and as a traveller, you have nothing to fear.
The first thing you see when you walk through Jaffa Gate on the Western side of the city is King David’s Tower, which was built (bar an extension courtesy of the Turks) by King Herod – a crack architect, it turns out. Every night the sand-coloured building plays host to a light show which tells the 3000-year story of Jerusalem accompanied by music. It’s a beautiful show, well worth spending 30 minutes on to get a sense of the city’s roots. 
It’s a tiny place but the concentration of marvellous things is so high that I couldn’t possibly recommend them all in this space. So here are a few unmissables. Everything is so close together that I promise you’ll discover your own in-between hunting these out:
The Western (wailing) Wall
For obvious reasons, this is the only area of the Old City which you must pass though some security to enter. Standing against a backdrop of the Mount of Olives, and with the Call to Prayer echoing regularly just next door, it is plain why this is a site of high emotion for so many. But it’s so worth seeing. Dress conservatively – knees covered – and behave with respect for the three thousand years of history the wall represents. 
The Cenaculum of the Last Supper
This is just down the street from the Western Wall, but for the full experience, head to the Church by way of the Stations of the Cross. These days the path is lined with shops and stalls, but there are still lasting signs, such as the Church of Simon, built on the spot where its namesake apparently helped a fatigued Jesus make his final steps.
A few treasures in the Church
The first thing you see when you Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the stone of the anointing, where Jesus is said to have been prepared for burial. To reach the site of the crucifixion itself, you must pass through a small, dark archway and climb a short winding staircase. There you’ll find the Alter of the Crucifixion, and next to it a hole in the floor covered by glass, exposing the bare ground below. Be prepared for a crowd, particularly in the evening and on Sunday. 
Descend the other side, and you’ll see what looks like a sensationally ornate hut – that’s the Aedicule, which contains the Holy Sepulchre itself. The Aedicule has two rooms, one holding the Angel’s Stone, which is believed to be a fragment of the large stone that sealed the tomb, and another holding the tomb itself. Be prepared to queue for entry.
The roof
This was my favourite place in Jerusalem. I was lucky in that I met someone who showed me how to get up there, but it wouldn’t be hard to find someone to point the way (you might have to be prepared to buy a trinket off one of the street stall vendors). Go at dawn or sunset, if you can. Unlike the walls walk, the roof is never closed.
Away from the bustle of the tourist-jammed streets below, this is where you’ll feel you’re in the Jerusalem the Romans found. Schoolboys park their bikes up there, people hang their washing (oddly like Edinburgh, Jerusalem is stacked in layers, house atop house atop street), and you can quite literally see everything from a perspective you’d never otherwise have known existed.
Don’t forget the new city
I’ll admit I biased my time in Jerusalem pretty heavily in favour of “old stuff”, but there’s a whole lot beyond that to see if you fancy a dip into the 21st century between biblical ruins. Try the market, unlikely jazz cafes in the evenings, and the adorable hipster quarter. There are a few decent clubs, but if you want a wild one, go to Tel Aviv (about 40 minutes in a taxi). And don’t be perturbed by all the teenagers with guns – they’re in the middle of their compulsory military service.
Further afield
The Holocaust Museum
If you only have time for one excursion beyond Jerusalem’s city centre, make it to the Holocaust Museum. It was the first stop on our trip, and it lingered in the back of our minds until long after we’d left. The building is stark, and beautiful, clean lines which stand in the midst of quiet serpentine grounds dotted with trees, overlooking the valley. Entry is free, but children under ten years old aren’t permitted inside.
Set at least 4 hours aside for it if you can. If you have a day spare, this could fill it. There is a staggering amount to see, plus over 11 hours of video footage playing throughout the main exhibition alone. It’s all riveting, beautifully presented, and will tug powerfully at your heart. The extraordinary breadth and delicacy of the subject matter is handled exquisitely, covering the historical prelude to the Shoah, the Nazi’s rise to power and gradual attrition of Jewish liberties, and at last the gruesome unfolding of the Holocaust across Europe in horrifying detail. 
The collection is acutely personal, packed with details which will knock your breath out. Like mementoes from the ghetto, set next to a video interview describing first-hand the sight of emaciated bodies littering the street, no clothes spare to protect their final modesty. There are letters flung through train windows bidding farewells which were never known, and charred shoes from the death camps piled in a heap on the floor. There is more to take in than you possibly could in one viewing, but once you start you will continue, wrapt, until you are saturated. Make sure that you leave time at the end for the children’s memorial, a cave in the grounds with candles reflected to infinity on its mirrored walls. Also, the Avenue of the Righteous Among The Nations, where you’ll find a tree dedicated to Oskar Schindler and his wife Emilie.
Out of town
Go to the Jordon Valley. Sinking 400 kilometres below sea level is like arriving onto another planet, conversely a drier, hotter, desert Mars-like planet, dotted with thin donkeys and ibexes. If you can, pass Jericho on your way to the beach. It’s one of the oldest cities in the world, dating back 11,000 years. It was Alexander the Great’s private estate, and King Herod later leased it from Cleopatra (who received it from Mark Anthony as a gift). Even if you just drive past it, it’s worth planning your West Bank route around. And you must an hour or two aside for a trip up to Herod’s fortress on Masada. 
Masada (Herod’s fortress)
You can either climb or take a ski lift up the mountain to see this spectacular evidence of Herod’s final paranoia (he built the fortress in -reasonable – anticipation of a rebellion by his long-suffering subjects). The view is unparalleled, and to Herod’s credit as a mad architect, the fortress remains in fantastic condition millennia later. 
See if you can spot the lockers in the wall next to the old indoor swimming pool (really). Also remember to walk right up to the edge (it’s obvious where that is once you’re up there) and shout something into the canyon for a wicked echo. 
The beach
The Dead Sea calls for a couple of hours at most. Spend longer and you’ll get bored, but a dip and a splash is uplifting and delightful. It’s smaller than you’d imagine – so much so that iPhones became confused, and O2 welcomed me to Jordon (which was visible through the mist which hung over the water). The beaches are concurrently small, dotted along the shore, and have a vaguely dated resort-like feel. A hint of Butlins lingers over the deserted playground behind the beach huts. The water, though, is magical. Slather yourself in thick mud, wait for it to dry, and then wade in to rinse it off. You *really* can’t sink, and Jesus’s feats suddenly appear less fantastical as you realise the impossibility of not floating. Lie on your back and you feel supported, safe, and importantly, warm. 
Where to stay
The Arthur Hotel has resided comfortably on Tripadvisor Jerusalem’s top five list for some time now, and it’s instantly clear why. This boutique hotel – just 15 minutes’ walk (or a three minute tram ride) from the Old City maintains an intimate, private atmosphere, tucked down a side street of one of the most buzzing neighbourhoods in Jerusalem. The service is lovely – you hardly notice it’s there until you need something, at which point help materialises immediately. The rooms have an individual, luxurious feel, and are decorated with obvious care, a world away from the homogeny of so many elite chain hotels. Breakfast, served as a daily buffet from 7am-10am, is delicious, with regional delicacies such as shakshuka, grilled vegetables, and fish offered alongside more familiar pastries, cereal and fruit salad. For explorers who have been too busy gaping at their surroundings to stop for lunch during the day, there is also a ‘happy hour’ in the restaurant from 5pm-7pm, where you can enjoy snacks and sandwiches with your complimentary wine.
Final note
Jerusalem is a complicated place, no mistake. There isn’t space here to dwell on the implications that one of the holiest sites on earth, sacred to so many, is perplexed on all sides by strife. There is pain in Jerusalem, both older than the ruins, and newer than the Hebron road. If you ask why it isn’t advised to go to the Mount of Olives on a particular day (this is sometimes the case, though visitors really are the safest people in the city), the answer you get will vary hugely depending on who you ask. Wounds are deep, and though I fell for Israel heart and soul, I think it is necessary to stay mindful of your surroundings. This shouldn’t be a deterrent – on the contrary, it should be an incentive to go to this important and fascinating country. Just be respectful and cautious with your opinions when you are talking to the people for whom it is home. “It sounds silly, to call a four-day trip ‘life changing’,” said my friend on the plane back. “But it was.”
Tips For Long Journeys With Children: Don’t Miss Out On Adventure
Taking a long journey with young children in tow is never easy. Aside from the military-type organizational procedures that have to be followed before anyone can leave the house, the actual journey itself can be stressful and leave parents tearing their hair out! The good news is that there are ways to relieve the stress and keep the journey fairly trouble-free.
Occupying the kids
One of the main issues with any long journey, whether it be by car, train or plane, is that children do get bored. Anyone with regular experience of long trips with kids will know that making arrangements to keep the children occupied is essential. When traveling with kids, it is a good idea to allow them to take along a few games or books. This will help to stave off boredom and is particularly useful when travelling by train or plane where there are usually small lap tables for them to use. It is important to make sure that they do not get out all of their toys and games all at once. They should be rationed throughout the journey so that the children do not get bored with everything in the first half hour. They can pick the toys and games themselves before leaving home, but their choice should be vetted to make sure that they are practical for the trip.
Crayons and pads allow children to color or draw their own pictures. Parents who offer prizes for the resulting creations will find that this helps to keep the children focused for a little longer but need to take care to keep this balanced – each child should win at some point in order to avoid any tantrums!
Get a little creative
Sometimes a standby like books or travel versions of games like Scrabble just will not keep the kids occupied for long enough. This is where parents need to show a little creativity. Children can be encouraged to engage with the journey by talking to their parents about what they can see as they travel – this is a good one for a car journey. Looking out for landmarks can be turned into a game.
Parents can also read up on the places they are going to be visiting and spend some of the journey time talking to the children about them. It is important not to make this sound like a history or geography lesson – it should be as fun as possible. For example, a child with an interest in dinosaurs might want to hear about the natural history museum at the destination. Travel journals are a good option for those who have older children. Children can describe what they see and add things such as postcards and photos during the stay. This can be useful when they return to school and are asked to talk about their vacation!
Any journey taken with children can be challenging but, with a little forward thinking, it can actually go smoothly. Giving the kids activities that are relevant to the destination also helps them to feel a part of the trip and not as though they are just along for the ride.
http://www.roughguides.com/article/20-tips-for-travelling-with-children/
Top 10 Books Most Commonly Left On Flights | Holiday Reads
A good read is one of the essential ingredients for a relaxing holiday, according to 80 per cent* of holidaymakers who always pack one for their travels. Despite this, around 600 books and 1,400 kindles are left on board British Airways flights every year.
The most common is The Holy Bible, accounting for six per cent of books left on board. Some of the more unusual books which have been found include notebooks, personal diaries, wedding sketchbooks and even a cheque book!
The British Airways survey found that books were still the most popular form of reading with three in five taking a book, compared to one in five taking an e-reader. Women are also more likely to own an e-reader (20 per cent) compared to men (15 per cent).
British Airways has compiled a list of the top 10 books most commonly left on flights over the past three months, as inspiration for good holidays reads this summer:
- Gone Girl, Gillian Flynn (Fiction, Thriller)
- King and Maxwell Series, David Baldacci (Thriller)
- The Fault in our Stars, John Green (Novel)
- Capital in the Twenty-First Century, Thomas Piketty (Business/Economics)
- Alex Cross, Run – James Patterson (Thriller)
- The Luminaries, Eleanor Catton (Novel)
- Michael Lewis, Flash Boys (Non-fiction)
- Fifty Shades of Grey (Freed), EL James (Romance)
- Arthur Conan Doyle, The Complete Sherlock Holmes (Novel)
- The Racketeer, John Grisham (Thriller)
Novels are the most common type of book found on flights (22 per cent), followed by crime thrillers, study and learning books, travel books, non-fiction and business and economics. The least likely genre to be left behind are ‘chick flicks’.
Some of the most popular biographies found on board were by John Bishop, Muhammad Ali and, no surprise during the Wimbledon Championships – tennis player Rafa Nadal.
The survey also found that Scottish travellers were the most likely to own an e-reader (28 per cent) – the least likely were East Anglia (nine per cent). Nine out of ten people from the East Midlands were likely to take a book on holiday, compared to just a quarter from the North East. Those from the South East are the biggest readers, taking at least two or three books on holiday.
For those prone to losing books, British Airways has a selection of audio titles in its extensive library collection. It includes Jennifer Saunders biography ‘Bonkers; My life in laughs’, Virginia Woolf ‘The mark on the wall’, Roald Dahl ‘The Great Automatic Grammatizator’, Anton Chekhov ‘The Chorus Girl’ and Charles Dickens ‘Great Expectations’ among many others available on selected long-haul flights in July.
*1,000 people surveyed by OnePoll
London Heathrow Terminal 2 (The Queen’s Terminal) focus on retail… The Plaza Premium Lounge
The world’s leading airport lounge provider, Plaza Premium Lounge, will be opening at London Heathrow T2 in June 2014. Priding themselves on a quality of service which is trusted and welcomed by travellers across the globe, Plaza Premium Lounge is the industry leader in Premium Airport Services. Business travel is constantly evolving and with the current economic climate the centre of attention when budgeting for expenses, today’s business traveller is faced with fewer environments to rest, refresh and re-charge not only one’s own batteries but the energy cells of technological gadgetry used in everyday communication. But this concept is innovative, the company is the world’s first commercial VIP lounge for all travellers, irrespective of their airline or class of travel.
With 16 years’ experience in caring for travellers, Plaza Premium Lounge sets the benchmark for a luxurious and accessible airport experience. The Plaza Premium Lounge at London Heathrow T2 will be the Hong Kong-based company’s first venture in Europe and the only independent lounge at Terminal 2. There will be three phases to the opening strategy. In summer 2014, Plaza Premium Lounge will open in Departures, Lounge A3 (next to the terminal transfer desks) on Level 4. In Autumn 2014, a Lounge will open in Terminal 2 Arrivals and offer day hotel facilities for travellers, completing the phases with another Lounge opening in Terminal 4 in winter 2014.
Mr Song Hoi-see, the company founder and CEO of Plaza Premium Lounge told me “I’ve been a business traveller for many years and it was becoming increasingly difficult to find an environment where I could take time to relax before my connecting flight, perhaps re-charge my cell, take a shower… I realised this was a problem for all travellers, business or pleasure, so I researched the requirements and came up with the concept of Plaza Premium Lounge.”
Open daily from 5am to 11pm, the £38 charge per person allows access for up to two hours which includes a complimentary selection of food and drink including tapas and freshly baked artisanal breads, showering facilities (five luxury shower rooms with full amenities), use of the lounge facilities and business facilities (computer workstations, high speed Wi-Fi, charging sockets and full flight information), and entertainment in the form of TV channels, international magazine and newspapers. Also available at extra cost is a selection of vintage and non-vintage Champagnes at the Champagne Bar, an exclusive treatment menu by British organic spa brand, ILA, in the Wellness Spa and five private en-suite relaxation rooms.
With 110 locations in 29 international airports throughout the world and a development pipeline of 50 more lounges by 2015, Plaza Premium Lounge will become synonymous with luxury service at an affordable price.
To book, email uk@plaza-network.com
Website: www.plaza-network.com