Archive | September, 2010
29. Sep, 2010

The North Face

The North Face

When looking for travel wear price is not always the most important factor. Finding a balance between quality and price can be very tricky, and may seem impossible at times. The North Face is a brand that delivers time after time due to the high quality manufacture and the reasonable price. It may be cheaper to shop elsewhere in the short-term, however in order to gain value for money and a product that will last the distance then The North Face is the right choice.

Many brands in this category also provide good value for money, however where The North Face really excel in in the choice of product available, and the design. There is a clever balance between practicality and fashion. Look at the range of trousers for example. Many offer all the qualities necessary for outdoors; protective and lightweight. The North Face take the design one step further and provide a zip off trouser for easy conversion to shorts.

The range of walking boots and shoes is extensive, with all designs being hardwearing. Footwear is suited to all aspects of the outdoors whilst being nice enough looking to wear on a short trip to the supermarket. All at an excellent price as well.

The key word to describe The North Face brand would be multifunctional. Yes the clothes and footwear are designed to be suitable for the outdoors but comfort and style has not been compromised. The North Face provides outdoorwear as it should be; comfortable and protective but also easy to wear. As all items are reasonably priced (especially when considering the quality of manufacture) there is no need to keep them special for hiking or climbing. They can be incorporated into anybody’s wardrobe as a reasonable and exciting clothing option.

12. Sep, 2010

Five Things Travelers Should Know Before Visiting Egypt

Five Things Travelers Should Know Before Visiting Egypt

Egypt is very exciting…and very different from home.  It is a beautiful country, but be aware that there are certain local laws and customs that you’ll need to adhere to. For instance, did you know that taking photographs of bridges and canals (including the Suez Canal) and of military personnel, buildings and equipment is illegal?  Sometimes, even with the best intentions, travelers can accidentally stumble into a cultural pitfall so it’s wise to do a little research.  Regardless of whether you are on land tours or on  Egypt cruises , here are five things that you should know before you go.

Ask Questions

As travelers we often rely on the advice of locals but, unfortunately, we are also often misled by that advice.  For example, most tourists do not know that the pyramids and sphinx are only a five minute walk from the taxi entrance. However, many taxi drivers and tour operators (who have commission-based partners in this area) will tell you it is “a 5 mile walk” to the pyramids and sphinx and will persuade you to ride a camel or horse to the sites (for a fee, of course!)  Asking questions beforehand can prevent this kind of “tourist trap” and will keep you from wasting time and money.

Be aware

Unfortunately, there are a lot of scam artists who prey on tourists.  They can be very aggressive and annoying. Generally, any local who starts a conversation with you is probably just looking for money. You have to be aware of your surroundings constantly to make sure you do not fall for one of these types of scams.  In addition, as with any busy tourist destination, always be aware of pickpockets and thieves. Nothing spoils a vacation quicker than having your money or passport stolen.

Assess the add-ons

 In most upscale Egyptian restaurants and hotels, a service charge is applied, to which value-added tax (VAT) and municipal taxes are also added. In other words, the price that you are quoted at a hotel or that you read on a menu could be as much as 25% higher when it comes time to pay.  Knowing about these taxes beforehand will insure that you make educated spending decisions and don’t have any unwelcome surprises when you get the bill.

Carry change

Always carry a lot of coins and small bills as you will need to tip many times a day, for all kinds of reasons.  Of course, there are the usual tips for taxi drivers, hotel bell men or tour guides but, you may also have to tip the attendant at the entry of some washrooms to get a few sheets of toilet paper and that is no time to get caught without change in your pocket.

Cover up

Egypt is a Muslim country and it is important that travelers respect the customs of that religion. Ladies should cover their shoulders and upper arms, wear closed-neck tops and skirts below the knees (pants are acceptable but they should be loose). Shorts are not advisable for men or women, particularly at religious sites.  Modesty is the key. Remember that you are a visitor to their country so, respect their culture and cover up.

The most helpful piece of advice is to try and learn a few words of Arabic before you go.   This gesture means the world to the Egyptians and you will find that saying “thank you” in Arabic will bring a smile to everyone’s face.

07. Sep, 2010

Enjoy The Trip

Enjoy The Trip

Camping is a really fun thing to do, but there are some things out there that you should be aware of so you don’t get caught off guard and it ruins your whole experience. When you go camping, maybe more so in the wilderness than in regulated camp sites, you’re in contact with a lot of wildlife – most of it you can’t even see – and this cannot be overlooked. This is why you need to take certain precautions, and be prepared for any eventuality.

But don’t let any of this spoil your fun. Sure there might be a risk factor associated with it, but at most you’ll be left with a couple of mosquito bites and, in the long run, you’ll be happier and stronger for the experience. Camping builds character, not in a “man vs wild” kind of way, but in a sense that it calls upon the spirit of camaraderie of people. When you’re in the camping site, everyone’s equal. A tent may be more expensive than another, but it’s still the same basic principle, and the same things will keep it safe. That’s why, if you have any questions about what you’re doing, people will be more than happy to help you out.

05. Sep, 2010

A Real Family Holiday

A Real Family Holiday

Many holidays offer a family friendly atmosphere, but few deliver on their promises. So many family vacations can turn into fun for the kids, but exhaustion for the parents. It’s difficult to find a holiday that can be just as rewarding for the little ones, as it is for you. Striking the balance of relaxation and fun is always hard, especially on a vacation. If you want to have a true family experience on your next holiday, you have to book a Disney cruise.

Although it may seem that a Disney cruise would be fun for the kids, and nothing more, you may be surprised with just how well this cruise liner can cater to every member of the family. You can have just as much fun as your kids, just not in the same way. Kids can be entertained with any number of activities from early in the morning, to late at night. During that time, you can enjoy a little alone time in the peace and quiet of adult only areas on the ship, which gives you an opportunity to relax and enjoy your vacation as much as they will. No matter what the age of your children are, there are activities on board for them. Teen only areas include video games, music and more, to give them a refuge as well. Enjoy the evening together with your whole family with dinner and a live show. Virgin Holidays Cruises offer a variety of Disney cruise opportunities and can help you book your next holiday quickly and easily.

01. Sep, 2010

Europe’s Terminal

Europe’s Terminal

London is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. At the same time, it is also one of the most busy airport terminal cities in Europe. If you have flown to or from any European country, odds are, you’ve stopped in London. Known for it’s fashion, monuments, history, and sights, there is more to see than what one trip has time for. Multiple journeys to London can result in completely unique experiences, even if you’re just there for a couple hours on a layover.

Because this city is so busy, you will find many different choices when it comes to accommodation. London Hotels span every corner of the city, and can cater to any budget. There are plenty of hotels right near the airport, for those commuting, and there are hotels spread through out the city for the convenience of tourists. No matter where you are, or where you want to go, there will be a hotel near by. All of the biggest and most respected names in the hotel industry can be found in London. You can have your choice of luxurious accommodation options, or those that are budget friendly. London caters to all different types of tourists, from backpackers on a trip across Europe, to business professionals, to those on holiday with their families.

01. Sep, 2010

Where to stay?

Where to stay?

Going to London is an experience desired by many people. But there’s always the problem of what to do, what to see and where to stay when in London.

There are many hotels in London, but that only seems to add to the confusion. How can you be sure that a hotel is as good as advertised? Knowing someone in London that can check it out for you is a pretty good means to figure that out, or simply talking to people you know who have been there and then just getting their advice on it.

But even if those options fail, there are other steps you can take. A travel agent is a good, reliable source, but it’ll probably be somewhat more expensive than it should. Which leaves us with the untapped potential of the Internet. Finding a good site online is a great way to find a good hotel. You can check out what other people have to say about it as a way of telling if what the site advertises is true. For example, I’ve recently booked a hotel based entirely on the fact that people claimed it was really good value, despite it being slightly further from public transport than I’d want to. And it turned out great because, just like advertised, the way to the local metro station was really safe and well lit at night.

01. Sep, 2010

The magical Alps

The magical Alps

If you look at the role the Alps have had in European history, you’ll probably realize that very few other mountain ranges have been so important in shaping the political map of a continent. The Alps separated peoples and served as impressive walls keeping unwanted visitor away, but their backdoors and unbeaten paths have also served as an improbable way for surprise attacks. Few things sound more glorious in Ancient History than Hannibal crossing the Alps with his troops and his party of elephants to sneak attack the Romans where they least expected.

Luckily for us, the invention of more modern ways of transport has made the Alps less of a natural border and more of a holiday resort. We can now enjoy the beauty of one of Nature’s greatest feats as we take several ski holidays to the many resorts that that mountain range has to offer. And each different country that houses the Alps seems to add its own flavor to them. Austrians focus on good food and on organized ski slopes, the Swiss seem to focus more on the landscape aspect of it and on harder slopes for the more passionate skiers, while the Italians are more turned towards the young market, with plenty of snowboarders and late night parties.