Tag: Travel

Guest Post: 7 Reasons You Should Travel In A Tuk-Tuk In Thailand

Below are seven reasons why anyone planning a trip to Thailand should travel in a tuk-tuk during their time in the country:

1. Style. Nothing says style quite like a tuk-tuk does. For starters, 3-wheelers are just plain cool. Then there is the vehicle exterior – the paint jobs are quite exquisite and the alloys are comparable to something out of a 50 Cent music video. Add to this the tasteful and sophisticated interior and it’s easy to see why tuk-tuks are regarded as such a stylish means of travel.

2. Comfort. If you’re looking to travel in total comfort, a tuk-tuk is undoubtedly the vehicle for you. Spacious, quiet and air conditioned, you can sit back, relax and enjoy your journey in peace no matter how hectic the outside world may be.

3. Stand Out From The Crowd. Should you choose to travel in a tuk-tuk, you can be assured that you will be part of an exclusive group. With tuk-tuks being extremely rare in Thailand, only a select few are fortunate enough to experience the great thrill of travelling in these fine vehicles.

4. There’s Room For Your Shopping. A bit of a shopaholic? No problem at all. These spacious vehicles are perfect for carrying large groups of people, shopping bags or livestock as is often the case.

5. Safety. Tuk-tuks are very rarely involved in collisions thanks to their drivers care and attention whilst on the road. However, should you be unfortunate enough to be involved in some kind of accident, you can rest assured that these vehicles are extremely sturdy with a safety rating that is comparable to that of a tank.

6. Perfect For All Road Surfaces. No matter what the road surface is like, you can be certain that a tuk-tuk will plough on through even the worst road conditions. Thanks to its powerful engine, huge tyres and advanced 3-wheel drive technology, there is no road too challenging for these magnificent machines.

7. Safe From Thai New Year Traditions. Songkran is a festival in Thailand which celebrates the Thai New Year between the 13th-15th April. Should you be in the country during this time, you’ll quickly notice that one of the traditions during this festival is to throw water over each other – a symbol of washing all of the bad away. Normally you’d be in very real danger of getting soaked but you’ve little to fear when travelling in a tuk-tuk.

June 9, 2012
Guest Post: 7 Reasons Why Volunteering Makes You Cool

Volunteering is something that everyone should take part in at some stage in their lives. It’s an enjoyable and worthwhile experience and benefits others. We should all make time in our lives to help our fellow humans. If you’re still not convinced, here are seven solid reasons you should volunteer abroad.

1. Volunteering Abroad Makes You Well Travelled. If you are a person who loves travelling, and feels the need to seek out further flung places to explore each year, then volunteering abroad is definitely for you. If you are one of the people who likes to brag to their friends that you’ve had lunch with and been accepted into the tiny community of a village no one’s ever heard of, you’ll be right at home when you volunteer abroad. Places like Chisinau or Orhei, Cochabamba, Machu Picchu welcome assistance with open arms, and it’s unlikely your un-travelled friends have heard of any of these towns.

Dave on a double date with his new best mate and their arm candy

2. Volunteering Makes You Feel Awesome Inside. If you have been working the 9-5 and trudging along on the daily commute for some time, in an uninspiring office role for a commercial enterprise, you may feel a little bit like you’re not serving much of a purpose in life. It’s especially common for anyone single reaching the big 3-0 to start to get itchy feet on their career path. Get away and volunteer or teach abroad. You’ll find it hugely satisfying to know that you are helping others to learn and grow and you’ll feel like a part of a community.

3. You’ll Escape The Rat Run. It can be easy to feel hard done by in the UK as the cost of petrol and a pint of milk seems to go up daily, leaving less money in your beer and shoes fund. Getting away from the UK and visiting a developing country to see just how tough life can be for others who don’t have all the creature comforts we do will make you realise you have been taking your rainy days curled up on the sofa in front of “Deal or No Deal” for granted.

4. Your CV Will Be Amazing. If you have been floating aimlessly around the job market along with all the other graduates and unexpectedly redundant workers, you’ll know how tough it is even to get an interview let alone a decent job. Adding a little something different to your CV shows you are adaptable or dependable and will help you stand out from the rest of the applicants.

5. You’ll Have Totally Brilliant New Skills. Volunteering holidays are open to everyone and don’t require any specific skills if you want to take part. However, any skills you might have picked up at high school, in the Boy Scouts or Girl Guides or playing on your X-Box will always be useful somehow. By immersing yourself in a different culture you’re bound to pick up a few words of the local lingo and learn that actually knowing how to tie a reef knot is a good skill to teach to others.

6. Celebs Do It. Yep – all the celebs are doing it – Madonna, Brad & Angelina, Prince William and Kate. Oh and of course Bono, and all the X factor gang who remade the song “Do They Know it’s Christmas?”

7. Volunteering Helps You Be A Better Person. It’s true – if you take in to consideration all of the above, in summary volunteering abroad will increase your geographical knowledge, boost your self-esteem, make you more grateful, boost your employability, enhance your skills and make you look cool. You can’t go wrong really, so get booking that trip!

May 30, 2012
Guest Post: 7 Reasons To Staycate This Summer

1. One Expects Ones Presence At The Diamond Bash. In case you hadn’t noticed, our dear old Queenie will be celebrating 60 years on the throne next month. Now, before you start, I know what you’re going to say, ‘I couldn’t care less about the Royals. The only purpose they serve is as a honey-trap for nostalgia hungry tourists, desperate to relive the days of old, when the monarchy actually had any power.’ Yes, yes, cutting stuff, Mr Opinions. But think of it this way. The Queen is the second longest serving female monarch in HISTORY OF THE WORLD. If she manages another 3 or so years (which is likely, seeing as she has royally appointed medical care) she’ll overtake Queen Victoria and go down in the history books as an incredibly empowering female figure head. And after all, this will most definitely be the only diamond jubilee any of us will be alive to see.

2. London Hasn’t Hosted The Olympics Since 1948. And after this year, it’ll be a very long time before we get the privilege again. That’s not to say we aren’t doing a splendid job, but the financial implications of such a gargantuan privilege have run up a bill close to £24 billion. Since last summer’s riots tore the soul out of the city, a lot of time and resources have gone into restoring London’s international stage status, which is definitely worth experiencing. From the red swirly statue that looks like a blood clot to the ‘fantasticology’ wildflower meadows that run adjacent to the main stadium, London’s had the mother of all makeovers.

3. The Weather Will Get More Exciting, Honest. It’s been a year of radical weather. From the wettest drought on record to a truly unseasonable May, Brits are crying out for the lustre of an endless summer. We are most certainly overdue a hot one and, as much as I want to use words like ‘heat-wave’ and ‘scorcher’ and ‘BBQ summer,’ I can’t, yet. All I can say is this, with wet droughts and dry winters, something exciting is bound to happen. Worst comes to the worst, you’ll save money on sun cream and still have a fun-filled break at a Great Yarmouth Holiday Park.

4. The European Union Is Going, Going… Who knows what will happen, but there are half a dozen countries on the verge of financial collapse and a couple that have already taken the hit. Visitors to Greece, for example, have been told to expect regular strikes, demonstrations, a general threat of terrorism and tear gas at protests. This, in general, is nothing the UK hasn’t dealt with before (minus the tear gas) but tackling these situations in a foreign country can be very testing and dangerous.

5. Hey Shakey, It’s Your Birthday. Shakespeare is 400 this year, Dickens is 200, Bond is 50 and the world’s greatest food invention, the humble sandwich, is 250 years old. There’s a lot of celebrating to do, and us Brits certainly know how to party. In fact, we’re known for it.

6. No Passports Please, We’re British. You heard it here first. If you’re staying in the country that you live in, you don’t need a passport! Jubilation! Not only that, but you don’t have to bother with flights or packing or connections or foreign languages or delays or sunburn or shark attacks. It’s time to appreciate lovely, safe Britain with its familiar quirks, rich diversity and fantastic holiday parks.

7. Stephen Fry Told You To. ‘Why on earth would anyone want to go abroad in 2012? I mean, there are so many events all around the country…’ Well, if the English Treasure bids it, who I am to say otherwise?

May 19, 2012
Guest Post: 7 Reasons To Still Visit Greece

It might be beset by strikes and economic problems but it’s still a great place to visit. Here’s why…

The Acropolis: It will be nice when it’s finished. Photo by Dan Cross.

1. It’s Cheap. It is terrible to think of Greek people struggling with lower wages and higher prices but there are some fantastic holiday offers for Britons to take advantage of by visiting Greece. Some tour operators are cutting the price of Greek holidays by up to 60 per cent. This effectively means that you can get two holidays for the price of one – if you can find anyone to travel with you.

2. Citizen Journalism Opportunities. With strikes and protests common on the streets of Athens there are plenty of fantastic opportunities for British citizen journalists to cut their teeth by recording some great front-line footage. A quick look at internet forums show that many Greek people think that reports of anarchy in their country have been greatly exaggerated. Are they right? There’s only one way of finding out…

3. To Annoy William Hague. British Foreign Secretary William Hague clearly isn’t keen on Britons travelling to Greece. In February he incurred the wrath of tour operators by announcing plans to evacuate Britons from Greece in the event of major civil unrest. Britons have never liked being told what to do and, just like Bluebeard telling his wives that they must never enter his forbidden room, discouraging us from going somewhere just excites our determination to do just that.

4. To Support Our Fellow European Nations. Even a cursory glance at the film Captain Corelli’s Mandolin shows us just how much the Greek people suffered during the Second World War. Now is the time to join together and support a fellow European nation in their hour of need.

5. To Annoy The Germans. The Germans are clearly not happy about bailing out the Greeks. Expressing support for Greece – by visiting their beautiful country – could well provoke the ire of a nation with which it has a troubled relationship (again, see Captain Correlli’s Mandolin).

6. To See Sights Of Great Sporting Importance. Greece is the cradle of sporting civilisation – this is where the Olympics began many moons ago. So British sports fans should feel very at home when visiting the ancient crumbling sites where Greek gladiators fought for their livelihood.

7. To Escape The Olympic Hype. Alternatively, if you’re a Briton who is not keen on sport and wants to escape the Olympic hype this summer then Greece is just the place to visit. Touring the ancient crumbling remains of the country offers the perfect escape route and might afford a frightening glimpse of what London’s Olympic Stadium could look like in a few years’ time!

Author Bio: James Christie writes for airport parking and hotel provider BookFHR. If you’re travelling to Greece, do so in style by booking a hotel near Gatwick for the night before your flight.

April 27, 2012
Guest Post: 7 Reasons To Visit The Lake District

A holiday to the Lake District may not necessarily sound like a barrel of laughs but it is actually a great place to visit. Here’s why:

1. There Are Great Museums And Indoor Attractions. There are many fantastic museums to visit in the Lake District, so if the weather turns bad you won’t be left twiddling your thumbs. If the thought of visiting The Cumberland Pencil Museum, home of the world’s longest colour pencil, makes you feel like sticking pencils in your eyes then The Lakes Aquarium at Windermere may be more your thing. Many of the museums are a great place to learn about local culture like the Maritime Museum or learn about things so truly associated with the Lake District like Beatrix Potter and Wordsworth.

2. Beat The Fat. The Lake District is a fantastic place to get out in the great outdoors. Instead of coming home from holiday carrying extra pounds, a trip to the Lake District is a chance to come home feeling fresh and looking lighter. Even a man’s best friend will benefit from a holiday in the countryside. After all, who would want to be stuck in a kennels all week? Staying in a pet friendly holiday cottage means you can bring your four legged friends along too.

3. It’s Not Far From Anywhere In The UK. The UK is just the right size meaning that you can travel from anywhere in the UK and arrive in the Lake’s in just a few hours. Stick on the sat nav and you will be there in no time. Once you arrive in the Lakes there are so many options of places to stay, from Keswick to Kendal and Ambleside to Windermere. So whatever you fancy there is sure to be a Lake District cottage for you.

4. Support The Local Economy. We all know the UK economy is going through a pretty rough time. So come on, be patriotic and spend your hard earned cash here in the UK. The Lake District economy is estimated to be worth somewhere in the region of £6.5 million a year and tourism in the Lake’s is responsible for keeping over 20,000 people in full time jobs, not to mention all the people employed part-time and seasonally. Come on, let’s look after the UK!

5. Stay Close To Home Comforts. What could be better than a holiday without all the annoyances: screaming kids at the airport, being kicked in the back of your seat on a long flight then having to contend with a different language and strange food? Keep it simple, just get in the car and off you go! Unfortunately, if the screaming kids are yours then you only have yourself to blame!

6. Experience Local Accents. The local Cumbrian accent can be quite hard to understand but local accents are part of what makes the UK great! Sounding somewhere between Lancashire and Geordie, the Cumbrian accent can be very strong. Phrases like ‘garn yam with our lass’ to most of us means ‘I’m going home with my wife’. And when you hear someone counting, you might hear ‘yan, tan, tetherer, methera’. You might need a guide book to understand the locals after all!

7. Country Pubs Are Great! What could be better then ending the day in a quaint country pub with a pint and a home cooked meal? A pub with oak beams and open log fire is a great place to catch up with family and friends. If you like beer (and let’s face it, who doesn’t?) a trip to one of the Lake Districts local breweries could be right up your street. And, naturally, no trip to a brewery would be complete without sampling the produce!

April 22, 2012
Guest Post: 7 Reasons To Travel By Car

Holidays are something that we all need and love; without them we would all go a little crazy! The way we travel is really down to personal preference: should we fly, ferry or drive? We all have different ideas on how to get to our destination, but what happens when we do arrive? Do we sit by a pool all day sipping cocktails or do we explore? This is where we step in and say “book a hire car, see more”! Not yet convinced? You will be after these 7 reasons:

1. No Waiting At The Airport For The Hotel Transfer. There are many a bad childhood memory to be told about landing in the foreign airport at 1.30am, tired and grumpy, waiting what seems like a decade for your suitcase – which always seems to be the last one out – and then standing outside with the rest of the happy campers waiting for your accommodation transfers. Once you have all been ushered on and you’re on route, it appears that not only was yours the last suitcase off, you’re also the last hotel drop!

2. You Can Choose Your Passengers. We’ve all been there; jumped on a bus thinking it will save on the holiday budget and got stuck with a person that proceeds to tell you their entire life story and why they are embarking on this journey alone, or that bloke with the worst personal hygiene ever who smelt; normally he has dreads, those pants that are neither full length or shorts, and a few beads around his neck.

3. Make Day Trips Your Own. Everyone has encountered those annoying holiday reps that speak in a voice high pitched enough for the local dogs to hear and they think we are all stupid tourists that need every single attraction pointed out and explained to us in so much details that we suddenly find jumping of the Eiffel Tower a better prospect than just climbing the steps.

4. Getting Lost And Then Finding Your Way Again. What’s a holiday without a little adventure? Take a car hire Barcelona for example; one minute you could be driving down a busy road and think ‘I’ll just take the next left to avoid the traffic’ and BOM you’re in the dodgiest city area you have ever seen, thinking you’re just about to get car jacked and then you turn another corner and you’re back in the land of camera snapping tourist. Now that’s a story for the grandkids!

5. You Can Find The Best Beaches. You can read a tour guide book to find out where the tourist beaches are, and if you spend a day on one of those you’re likely to get hit by a football from the family next to you and their over active kids, or be attacked by a cheap rubber lilo in the sea. Now book a car hire Gran Canaria an you are free to unearth those hidden coves, known by only the locals. But beware, you could come across a few nudist beaches as well!

6. Make A Little Money On Your Travels. Heading off for the day but have room for two more, why not offer that nice couple that are staying in the same hotel as you a lift? At a small cost of course. This way you can cover your fuel costs for the day without having to dip into your holiday money!

7. Test Drive That Car You Wanted Before You Buy. Granted that most times when you book a hire car you are not sure of the vehicle type until you arrive at your destination. However, some suppliers – if you are prepared to pay that little extra – will let you choose your car when you book. What better way to get to know the handling of a car than to drive it around for a week or two?

*All images are copyright of http://www.globalmediaserver.com.

March 23, 2012
Guest Post: 7 Reasons To Holiday In Cambodia

When celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay visited Cambodia as part of his Great Escape series, he didn’t exactly showcase the best this incredible country has to offer. Amongst other things, he caught and ate spiders and went hunting for frogs to serve as a dish. While we leave the eating of anthropoids to Gordon, here are seven reasons why Cambodia holidays are the way forward.

1. Cambodia Holidays Are Easy On The Wallet. A typical meal from a street vendor will cost you $2 or $3 and from there the price to quality ratio keeps climbing. For $20 you can enjoy three unforgettable courses at ethical restaurants like Romdeng in Phnom Penh (part of a great NGO network). How about a main of Fish Amok finished off with a desert of deep fried sugar-rice dumplings served with ice-cream – sound good?

2. Angkor Wat? Well, actually it is one of the world’s finest religious sites. Yes, this 12th century Khmer and Dravidian temple complex is famous the world over. UNESCO protected Angkor was ‘rediscovered’ by tourism after the last of the murderous regime of the Khmer Rouge left towards the end of the 1980s and into the 1990s. Since then it has wowed tourists from across the globe. It enjoyed a particular spike in popularity after Angelina Jolie bought the dream of geeks – Lady Lara Croft – to the big screen in 2001. Angkor is the perfect addition to your holiday.

3. The People. Despite years of turmoil, from the horrors of the American-Vietnam war through the 60s and 70s and then the abhorrent regime of the Khmer Rouge in the 70s and 80s, Cambodians have faced their challenges with one large and enduring smile. Cambodia is home to hundreds of distinct cultures and its people can be found in the bright (ish) cities of Phnom Penh and (only really famous for being so close to Angkor Wat) Siem Reap. It is however, in the countryside & small towns where you’ll meet the real people of Cambodia. Quieter towns like Battambang offer a more unique insight to Cambodia life and really add that ‘cultural’ dimension to your holiday. As with all destinations just wandering the streets or embarking on a traditional home-stay are great ways to meet the people.

4. Beaches. No holiday is complete without some time in the beach. Cambodia southern coast is truly unique. Ever been to Hawaii, Kuta or Spain and seen what a thousand sun-burned bodies look like? Well, not in Cambodia – you have access to hundreds of miles of unspoiled beaches that offer views like Thailand but with half the crowds. Cambodia’s southern coast has a smattering of resorts. Sokha Beach is the largest and most popular (especially with backpackers) but Kep and Kampot (3 hours from the capital, Phnom Penh) offer solid holiday accommodation and real tranquillity.

5. Access. Getting there is a doddle. Cambodia is well serviced by the busy regional hub airports of Bangkok and Singapore that deal with holidaymakers the world over. After a neon-lit night of fun in Bangkok or cocktail-based revelry in splendiferous Singapore hop aboard your regional connection to Phnom Penh or Siem Reap to begin you holiday of a lifetime.

6. Accommodation. From 5* hotels such as the Hotel De La Paix (a favourite for celebrities!) or Raffles in Siem Reap to cosy home-stays in rural Cambodia, you will not be left wanting.

7. Tonle Sap Lake. No, not like many ‘lakes’ tourists are sold; Tonle Sap is a real lake. Not only is it a ‘real’ lake, it is also colossal!! In fact, it is the largest fresh-water lake in South East Asia. For those that like factoids its year-round average size is 2,700 square km. A visit is a must.

Author Bio: Kian has travelled extensively in Asia. His favourite destination in Cambodia is the town of Battambang and his favourite holiday experience is watching the sunrise over Angkor Wat away from the crowds.

March 23, 2012
Guest Post: 7 Reasons Why Spain Is The Best Destination

Spain may have a reputation for foam parties, fry ups and British tourists who still think it’s fashionable to pop knotted hankies on their heads but that’s not the reality at all. There are a multitude of reasons why Spain is the best destination for you and I promise that there will be absolutely no mention of Magaluf, Benidorm or bull fighting.

1. It’s Close. Far away destinations are all very well but jetlag’s a bitch and ticket prices can be astronomical. Look at it this way, you can snap up cheap flights to Alicante, hop on a plane and be on the beach (or bar) in next to no time. Plus, there’s no need for injections.

2. Fantastic Food. Spaniards don’t mess around with vegetables – they like to stick to the most awesome of the food groups – meat, seafood and carbs. What more could you want from a holiday than mounds of tasty paella accompanied with a mountain of chorizo, bread and cheese? Tapas comes in tiny portions as well so it’s possible to kid yourself into believing that because you are eating from a little plate, you are actually being healthy. I’m just not sure that rule applies after 10 plates!

3. Boozing. Spaniards know how to drink. I read somewhere that Spain comes 9th worldwide on the wine consumption scale with the average Spaniard drinking 38 litres of wine a year. If that doesn’t deserve a high 5, I don’t know what does.

4. Siestas. Any nation which takes a break in the middle of the day for a nap has got their priorities right. No-one wants to be slaving away in the midday heat but the rest of us are too proud to admit it and soldier on regardless. Spain knows what’s up. Just because we’re adults, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t indulge in an afternoon nap – life’s too short.

5. Sun, sea and sand. You’re on holiday – you shouldn’t have to wear much else other than swimwear and flip-flops. The Spanish climate is delightful. Team that with the 3000km of beaches and bath-like water temperatures and you’re on to a winner.

6. Nightlife. In Spain, people don’t even venture out of the house until midnight. Napping during the day gives you more energy to party until the sun comes up…and they do.

7. Attractive People. Her music may be rubbish but when it comes to boyfriend choices, Kylie Minogue knows her stuff. Kylie’s Top Tip – go for the Spaniards. Her latest squeeze Andres Velencoso hails from Tossa de Mar in Catalonia. Other Spanish hotties include supermodel Jon Kortajarena and let’s not forget one of the world’s most beautiful couples – Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem. The Spanish have the dark and brooding look nailed – surely that’s reason alone why Spain is the best destination…

March 22, 2012
Guest Post: 7 Reasons Laos Is The Place For Lovers

If your lover gets a bit annoying, at least you can gaze into the eyes of another

1. It’s Out Of The Ordinary. For couples looking for a destination slightly out of the ordinary, a place to get their married life off to the right start and keep it on track, a Laos honeymoon can hardly be bettered. The whole country is intriguing, mystical and different, offering something for lovers that will create everlasting memories.

2. You Can Feel The Timeless Essence Of South East Asia. Laos is surrounded by neighbouring countries that have embraced consumerism and seen their cityscapes and cultural heritage completely transformed, but in Laos you get to experience the timelessness of South East Asia in a pristine condition. This is a landlocked country, a sort of real-life Shangri-La. Without beaches, it’s true, but with many other compensatory attributes. After all, beaches are not difficult to find, but the riches of Laos are rare indeed.

3. Peaceful City Life… In Asia, Really? Vientiane is the capital, although you wouldn’t think so when you experience its sleepy peacefulness – a world away in all senses from the great capitals of Western Europe with their rush and bustle. In many respects, Vientiane encapsulates the Laos ethos of laid-back agrarianism which many find so refreshing. The people here aren’t too concerned about finding their place in the economic sun and are content to continue as their forebears did without what they consider to be unnecessary distractions.

4. You Get To See Real Monks – And I Don’t Mean The Kung-Fu Kind. For real charm and a slightly more interesting urban environment just head for Luang Prabang, the premier city of Laos and the most popular one with visitors here. The tone of Luang Prabang is set if you rise at dawn and look down into the main street, where monks slowly and silently file down to the old part of town, begging for alms with small silver bowls. But it’s not really seen as begging, more a case of keeping the religious machinery nicely oiled so that the monks’ meditations and prayers will help keep the world spinning and keep the romantic love flowing.

5. You Can See A UNESCO World Heritage Site. The whole of Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage site, so the many picturesque Buddhist temples and beautifully embellished palaces are safely protected from the curse of the developers who have blighted most other major towns and cities in the region. The acres of mosaic walls and filigree gold stenciling are in no danger of becoming packing aggregate in high rise office blocks, and will hopefully continue to delight us for many centuries to come.

6. There Is Peace And Harmony (I Forgot That Even Existed). It’s actually the spiritual ambiance, tangible throughout the whole of Laos and manifested in its many religious buildings and ancient ceremonial customs that makes the country so unique. The sense of harmony and reconciliation – despite its troubled recent history – work perfectly in keeping with the ideals and hopes of a honeymooning couple.

7. Everyone Is Chilled And Smiles, It’s Just A Perfect Place For Romance. The Laos people are unhurried and friendly, always smiling and even in relative poverty unflappably cheerful, an example to us all. One of the delights of a honeymoon here must surely be to sit at a table overlooking the lazy Mekong River with the locals, a glass of chilled white wine in one hand and your partner’s in the other. The river winds through Vientiane before wandering off untroubled and without any hurry through scattered fields and rural communities as it has since time immemorial, and indeed time itself seems to stop in its tracks here and allow a few precious moments of tranquility.

Author Bio: David Elliott is a freelance writer who loves to travel, especially in Europe and Turkey. He’s spent most of his adult life in a state of restless excitement but recently decided to settle in North London. He gets away whenever he can to immerse himself in foreign cultures and lap up the history of great cities.

March 2, 2012
Guest Post: 7 Reasons Why Road Trips Are Awesome

There’s no better feeling than the wind in your hair, the open road ahead of you and some pumping tunes on the radio. You have only two objectives – get from A to B and have fun. Here’s seven reasons why road trips rock.

1. You Get to Drive Something Different. Although you can opt to take your crappy Nissan Micra cross-country – where’s the fun in that? A road trip is the prime opportunity to hit that car hire firm and rent the vehicle of your dreams. Go wild. Cadillac, camper van, Monster Truck – the choice is yours. Just remember three things, it needs to be comfortable, you need to opt for a vehicle with cup holders – so as to ensure that passengers can be hydrated with no risk of spillage – and you need a sound system that goes up loud!

2. Power Rock. Road trips are 25% about the journey and 75% about the tunes that you choose to accompany your epic voyage. This is your prime opportunity to delve into the greats of 80’s/90’s power rock. I mean screeching guitars, high pitched man voices and lots of opportunities for throwing your rock fingers into the air and waggling your tongues ‘Gene Simmons-style’ at the children trying to peacefully watch ‘Lady and the Tramp’ in the next car.

3. Road Trip Games. When else in your adult life do you get to play games? Any sport with a referee doesn’t count. I’m talking good old-fashioned car journey games. There is something about the fact that you are cooped up in a car that makes even the simplest game amazing. In every day life you may see six, maybe seven yellow cars a day and allow them to pass by without comment. Suddenly, simply your location means that the appearance of a yellow vehicle will have you acknowledging its presence with a shrill cry of victory and a short, sharp jab to your partners arm. When else is violence condoned? Ordinarily you may be saddened to see a poor little badger deceased on the side of the road – not when your objective is to spot the road kill before you companions. Embrace the games.

4. Junk Food. No matter where you are travelling, chances are you won’t be able to be healthy. So don’t beat yourself up about it. Drink that Red Bull even when you heart tells you it can take no more. Scoff those Haribo and Pringles safe in the knowledge that they were the only option in the Texaco garage on the M42. And, if you have to, follow those golden arches. This may well be the only time that it is acceptable to step inside the home of that creepy clown and heck…supersize it if you want – you need the energy.

5. Interesting Characters. What’s the one thing that crops up without fail in road movies? Unusual characters. It’s inevitable. Whether it be a minibus full of boisterous football fans on their way home from a match – eager to show you what’s under their clothes – or a handsome cowboy who seduces you and then steals all of your bail money, it will happen so have a contingency plan.

6. Arguments. Whenever map reading is involved, there will be arguments. Use them as therapy, air your woes and criticise your companions’ foibles. Get it out, you’ll feel lighter. See it as ‘On-the-Road Healing’.

7. Saving Money. Your outgoings are petrol and snacks, none of this airport tax malarkey or being charged extra by the cretins at Ryanair for a blanket in their sub-zero plane cabin. These saved pennies can be used to stock up on fun road trip activities or as extra beer money when you finally reach your destination. Bonus.

March 1, 2012