Month: May 2010

Lost Your Wallet Travelling

Lost Your Wallet Travelling?

Do you know what you carry in your wallet?

If you are like me, then you keep your most documents in your wallet such as money, drivers licence, credit cards, ID cards etc. So, if you loose or have your wallet/bag stolen, then the impact of such a loss is tremendous. Although we don’t like to think of the possibility things do happen which are out our control so it is best to adopt strategies that will minimise the impact of such loss.

The first obvious strategy is to keep the contents of your wallet/bag to the bare minimum. Only carry the amount of money that you plan to use that day with a little extra. If you are travelling in a developing country such as Bolivia where they mainly deal in cash leave your credit cards with your passport. If you do need a credit card then carry one with you and leave the others back at the hotel safe or where ever your passports are being kept.

I am not a believer of having multiple credit cards but for travel it is a good strategy. I strongly recommend you have two different credit cards which allow you draw money out. That way, if you do loose one, then you will still have the other one safe and sound at the hotel. Make sure that for travel purposes that your partners card has a different number that way if one need to cancel one the other is still active.

Please take photocopies (front and back) of all important cards e.g. credit cards, ID cards and any other official documents. Photocopies will provide you with immediate access to those crucial phone numbers on the back of your card as you won’t always be able to find a phonebook.  Further, photocopies of your ID cards will you enable you to exchange money i.e. traveller cheques and get your ID card replaced easier.

Avoid centralising your funds i.e. have a combination of cash and travellers cheques available for emergencies. If you are only taking credit cards then you need to make sure that you have enough money to get you by for approximately two weeks. The reason for such a long period is that in some parts of the world it may take anything up to six weeks for your replacement card to arrive by either the post.  We had ours delivered by courier and that took over two weeks.

Have a phone card or Skype credits available to call overseas so you can get your cards cancelled and re-issued. Although, most of the financial institutions do have a reverse charge number the problem we found was that the telephone operators either did not provide reverse call services or the queues were so long that the line kept dropping out which cost us more money.

Finally and perhaps the most obvious, carry your wallet on the front of our person. I was carrying mine in my back pocket. I think it became dislodged when I was leaning with my posterior on top of a horizontal metal bar while crouching in a crowded bus.

So enjoy your trip and please safe guard yourself from a possible financial disaster when you travel.

Travel Tips

  • Clean out your bag or wallet and only keep the essential.
  • Carry on the money that you require for that day plus a bit extra
  • Only carry your credit card when you need it
  • Have at least two different types of credit cards or credit cards with different numbers
  • Only carry one credit card at a time and leave the other back with your passport (safe)
  • Take photocopies of your cards and documents
  • Have cash and/or travellers cheques for emergencies – you should have at least 2 weeks worth.
  • Have a phone card or Skype credits to make those important calls back home

Best Places for Your Holidays in Europe

Best Places for Your Holidays in Europe!

Now day’s time is the most important concern for working peoples. I am one of them. Last month I went some European destinations for short holidays with my family and my trip to Europe was fantastic. I was looking for places where we can reach within short period of time from London.

8 hours on a plane is a day wasted but nowhere 2 hours away is warm enough or far enough for me to really feel like I’m on holiday. The suitable flight duration for me was 3-4 hours and looking on the world map, there are plenty of luxurious and relaxing destinations within my suitable time. I went through best travel industries website but none of the travel companies consider that. I decided to research for those facing the same problem like me.

So, which are the best Holiday destinations for peoples those want to fly from UK?

This article may help you find your holiday destinations where you can easily reach within short period of time.

I went through Google search and found following destinations:

1 Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands with impressive architecture, lovely canals that criss cross the city, great shopping, and friendly people who nearly all speak English well. There is something for every traveler’s taste here, whether you prefer culture and history, serious partying, or just the relaxing charm of an old European city. Amsterdam has over a million inhabitants in the urban area, and is in the Province of North-Holland. Amsterdam is not the seat of government, but it is the biggest city and the cultural and creative centre of the Netherlands.

2 Gibraltar This is a unique place for the curious traveler. Take time to explore the caves and tunnels especially those not meant for tourists! The inside of the rock is an absolute labyrinth with the secret internal roads and tunnels 4 times longer than those on the surface. Military presence and security in this otherwise deserted area is strong but almost invisible.

3 Venice is still one of the most interesting and lovely places in the world. This sanctuary on a lagoon is virtually the same as it was six hundred years ago, which adds to the fascinating character. Venice has decayed since its heyday and is heavily touristed, but the romantic charm remains.

4 Riga is experiencing a new Renaissance as the capital of Latvia, and many large-scale restoration projects on old buildings have made Riga one of the most attractive cities in Europe. Most famously, Riga is home to the largest concentration of Jugendstil architecture in the world. Riga has become an increasingly popular destination for Europeans drawn by its old town, its historical importance, and its reputation as having the best nightlife in Europe.

5 The city of Krak?w is the capital city of the Malopolskie province in the southern region of Poland. It covers both banks of the Wisla river. Uplands region at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains. It is Poland’s third largest city, with a population of 756,000 in 2007.

There are lots of beautiful destinations in Europe I can’t describe in a single article. I will be coming soon with more destinations where we can enjoy short holiday breaks or weekend breaks.

Travelling With Cubs When On Holiday

Travelling With Cubs When On Holiday

If Malaria areas, such as the Kruger, are an issue for family’s with very young children, we recommend enjoying a Safari in one of the Malaria free Game Reserves situated in the Eastern Cape or  Madikwe areas of South Africa. Cape Town and the Garden Route host many child friendly hotels and activities and is travelled and enjoyed by all family’s. The Garden Route and Eastern Cape in South Africa is filled with beaches and game parks in close-proximity, a winning combination with children. As many of our Tour consultants are parents themselves, we have an intimate understanding of the concerns of parents and can best advise you how to make your family holiday work for you!

Garden Route for Children

The Garden Route is an ideal destination for those travelling with families – with a host of fun filled and sometimes adrenalin rush activities available for both children and adults alike,

The Garden Route is without a doubt, one of the most popular holiday destinations for those travelling with children.

Interact with Elephants at the Elephant Sanctuary in Plettenberg Bay, marvel at the stalagmite formations in Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn,  play on the beach in Plettenberg Bay or Wilderness,  watch the monkeys in Monkeyland,  observe the Ostrich‘s in Oudtshoorn or enjoy a boat cruise on the Knysna Lagoon –   your children will certainly be entertained !

For more information, visit our Garden Route activity page

The Garden Route also hosts a wide variety of child friendly accommodation – contact one of our travel consultants to design the ideal family holiday for you !

Child Friendly Game Lodges

JACI’S SAFARI LODGE – MADIKWE PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

Situated in the MALARIA FREE Madikwe Game Reserve. These two exceptional, privately owned lodges, run by Jan and Jaci, together with an outstanding team, will exceed all your safari expectations boasting 75,000 hectares of “Top Ten” territory.

Jaci’s provides the opportunity for the perfect family safari as well as introducing children to the wonders and enjoyment of the African bushveld. Children of all ages are welcome at Jaci’s and are especially catered for.

Family Safaris

Our family safaris have evolved from the specialized children’s safaris, as there was a demand from parents to see and enjoy their children’s wild experiences first hand rather than when they returned to the Lodge, so we had more parents on the specialized safaris than children!! The family safari vehicles are only available at Jaci’s Safari Lodge – now enabling us to put families with children ages 5 – 13 years old on game drives with their parents for the morning and evening game drives.
We still have the fabulous “jungle drive” during the day for the very young children 4 yrs and under.

Jungle Drives

“Jungle Drives” are provided for children 4yrs and younger and go out once a day, between the morning and evening game drives. Parents are welcome to join, but they must behave like children! On the “jungle drive” things of interest to children are pointed out, e.g. toothbrush plants, beetles, etc. The information on the drive is aimed at the age/s of the children on the drive.
The “jungle drive” is included in the children’s special rate.

Meals

Children 12 yrs and younger will enjoy dinner in the dining room ( as the evening meal is an adult affair :)) and enjoy a child oriented menu with things that they prefer, like spaghetti bolognaise, hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and lots of vegetables(to keep Mom happy) etcetera. Children 12 yrs and under sharing with their parents will not be allowed to eat dinner in the boma – the earlier children’s dinner is provided instead. On arrival the chef will ask the children specifically what they like and dislike and use this as a guideline when preparing the children’s menu.

General
Child minding is provided free of charge while the parents are on game drive and during dinner.

Children love Jaci’s Safari Lodge – they especially love the idea of “camping” in a tent! One of the things they comment most about are the bugs, they love the variety and are enthralled by these creepy crawlies. Children love the space at Jaci’s Safari Lodge as well as feeling part of the Jaci’s staff family – this sets the pace for how their experience on Safari turns out for them. Jaci’s is fenced off from the Reserve – but it is still the responsibility of the parents to be mindful of potential dangers as Jaci’s is in a wildlife area.

LALIBELA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE – EASTERN CAPE

There is a huge demand for families wanting a safari holiday in a malaria-free area, because of the risks associated with taking children to a malaria-infested area. Lalibela’s location makes us ideal for families travelling with children, who are wanting to combine a family safari with the Garden Route and Cape Town. We have devised a children’s programme which we feel optimises the safari experience with quality family time

Each family is different and children require varying degrees of attention, which is why the emphasis at Lalibela is to be as flexible as possible to ensure memorable family holidays. An overview of our children’s programme is as follows:
In the early morning Lalibela’s child minders come on duty so that parents can leave for their morning game drive. The children are given a chance to wake up, get dressed and be ready for the day.

Breakfast is served and then it is time for the activities of the morning, starting with a short game drive with their own game ranger and in their own special game viewing vehicle, taking care to avoid any close encounters with dangerous game. Parents are welcome to stay behind and accompany their children on the kiddies’ game drive.

The middle of the day is time for the family to spend together. Before the adults go out on their afternoon game drive, high tea is served for both adults and children. The children then head out on their own afternoon game drive and return to the lodge for an early dinner before getting creative with some arts and crafts activities. Young children are looked after by child minders during the adults’ dinner sitting.

Children of all ages are welcome at Mark’s Camp which has 4 twin rooms on one side of the lodge and 4 family rooms on the other side of the lodge.

SHAMWARI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE – EASTERN CAPE

A truly unique, educational and fun family safari
The colonial-style, Riverdene Lodge with nine inter-leading luxury rooms, rim flow pool, supervised playroom, spacious green lawns and jungle gym facility will ensure entertainment for the whole family.

Upon arrival, the children’s co-ordinator will discuss activity options with the family taking the family’s size, children’s ages and the weather into consideration. Child minding facilities are available at an additional cost for children younger than four years as they are too young to join game drives.

Each child will receive an age-appropriate gift pack.

Exclusive visit to the Born Free Foundation Big Cat Rescue Centre
Activities are focused on promoting the conservation of species and the protection of habitat whilst maintaining a humane and compassionate approach to the welfare of animals.

Shamwari Wildlife Hospital
Different types of wild animals or raptors that are being cared for at the time, under special supervision by the Shamwari veterinarian team, for release back into the wild.

Shamwari Film Studio
Children will be given a sneak preview of the film footage of the new “Shamwari – a wild life” series, which is due for airing in August/September 2008 on the Discovery Channel’s Animal Planet.

Exclusive access to one of the Shamwari Film Studio crew members is available to film and produce a high quality DVD of your Family Safari experience. Advanced bookings are essential as the filming and production of the DVD is at an additional cost. You enjoy the moment while we record the memories.

Children can partake in various social, sporting and arts and cultural activities under the supervision of our children’s co-ordinator. Options could include: African bead making, clay making activities, face painting, star-gazing and African story-telling