Category Archives: General Travel

Top Tips for Getting the Best Holiday Deals

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We all love a good long, relaxing holiday every now and then. It is even better when you vacation to a different country because you can leave all your worries behind along with bills, taxes, work and social media, which so often governs our daily lives nowadays. However it can be hard to get a good deal on a holiday, particularly at the time when you most need it.

Arranging holidays during the school holidays can be a hassle and can often be more expensive as that is the time when all the families with school age kids are away too! However there are a few top tips from veteran holiday goers that might make booking and flying a little less stressful and a little less painful on your wallet!

Book WELL in advance

In general the further you book a holiday in advance the more likely you are to get a better deal. By booking 9 months or more in advance you can save more money than trying to wing it on a last minute deal. Plus by using a price comparison site or by signing up for coupons you can also add further savings to your booking price. Perfect!

Try holidaying out of season

4260985963_769ea2ecc3Depending on where you are going there will be always sun somewhere throughout the year. If you want to follow the sun, perhaps try booking a holiday out of season. Many places are hot throughout the year and only actually get cooler or wetter in the summer months. By booking out of season, hotels are in lower demand and you can save around 40%, also using mix and match airlines can help. Another bonus of booking out of season is that, if you’re not much of a people person, there will be less families filling up the dining hall!

Book on odd days

Strangely enough if you book your holiday in the middle of the week and aim to fly out on a Wednesday you could save up to 50% on the flight costs, which ends up being a massive saving on your holiday. Many members of the public prefer to go on a Monday to Monday basis, however if you’re self employed or are entitled to a certain number of days holiday per year, there should really be no problem in switching this to a Wednesday as you will get a far better deal on prices this way.

Set up Price alerts

482448873_34df906f47There is a huge list of comparison websites and individual travel company websites, so cast your net wide! By subscribing to holiday websites and setting up price alerts on specific holidays, you’ll receive emails of the latest deals and updates available. This is incredibly helpful if you are flexible about where and when you plan on holidaying and will also help you to find some great deals for family members as well.

Subscribing to price comparison sites as well as individual sites can be just as important as, in some cases an individual subscription may give you access to certain deals not available to the general public, however receiving emails on a price comparison site will normally give you a fair idea of what you would normally pay for a certain type of holiday.

Do the Research

As with anything that takes a little planning and a bit of cash, it is important to do a lot of research about where you want to go, what you want to do when you get there, travel arrangements such as flights, travel from the airport, hired cars while you are out there and more. There may be some instances where booking the flights and the hotel in one deal is beneficial whereas in other situations it may be cheaper – although slightly more complicated – to book and pay for everything separately.

2144933705_20517bedab_zMake sure you browse the market thoroughly before making your decision; a holiday should be a trip to a place that you care about or would like to learn more about. If you are holidaying with the family, try to take into account the individual needs of each family member and weigh up the pros and cons of particular countries if you are having trouble deciding where to go.

In the end if you plan far enough ahead and do significant research while being subscribed to price comparison websites, specific deals, offers and price alerts it will be a lot easier to find ways to book your favourite holiday destinations without having to break the bank. So why not try it today? Be it a week away in the Caribbean sun, an adventurers Egyptian paradise holiday getaway or a hitchhiking trip through Hong Kong, take the plunge and get searching for your next big holiday!

Tips for Travellers to Australia

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With wide open spaces, iconic scenery and a beautiful array of wildlife, Australia is one of the most popular tourist hot spots worldwide. Often very popular with young travellers and those looking to take a gap year out of education to go travelling, part of Australia’s appeal is that it is a completely unknown continent that just happens to speak the same language as we do.

spiderThis may sound like a strange thing but one reason less people travel to see the world is the fear that they will be stuck in an unfamiliar place and they won’t be able to properly communicate their distress. Australia gets rid of part of that fear, as most people speak English. You get the strange new world, without the fear of being stuck up the language river without a paddle.

However, there are a whole host of other dangers just waiting to pull you under the water and while we may be vaguely aware of them we’ve piled together a few top tips for those of you who are planning on hiking it across Australia in the near future.

Stay Clean to stay safe!

Always wash your hands before eating. It may sound like a no-brainer but you’d be surprised at how often people forget about hand sanitation. You can always take a portable hand sanitizer with you if there is nowhere near to clean your hands. When going outside always put your shoes on to prevent scrapes or possible bites and scratches. Make sure to shake your shoes before putting them on just in case little critters have tried to crawl in them overnight!

Know the Climate

SONY DSCAustralia is a hot country! Make sure to take plenty of water for hydration wherever you go and always apply a lot of sunscreen. If you happen to swim at all, make sure to apply sunscreen both before and after swimming as the sun can quickly burn skin if left unprotected. Try to wear a hat to prevent heatstroke, or at least drink water regularly.

There are a lot of insects in Australia, and while some are just a little bothersome, a lot of them like the taste of human flesh! Apply insect repellent along with your sunscreen to avoid nasty bites and scratches and if you need to sleep at night with the window open, make sure you have flyscreens or netted screens to prevent the nasties from coming inside at night!

Safe Swimming

crocorileAlways swim between the designated red and yellow flags as Australian beaches are home to strong underwater currents commonly known as rips. To avoid these make sure to swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim alone or at night. Lifeguards will patrol the beaches but it is better not to take any chances!

When travelling through or near established crocodile habitats there will often be safety and warning signs. Take heed of these and never swim in rivers, tidal rivers, mangrove shores, estuaries or deep pools nearby. If you plan to go fishing or boating, make sure to take expert advice when fishing or boating near crocodile habitats.

Between November and April, the tropical beaches of Australia may be home to marine stingers which can cause discomfort and certain species can even be lethal. Swim within the designated areas and if you are swimming, diving or snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef make sure to wear protective clothing and to pay close attention to the warning signs. Be aware!

Travel Insurance

As with any holiday, having the proper travel insurance is essential. Australia is a little different in that there are a huge number of small critters which can deal a lot of damage in a small period of time. Having good medical insurance is essential, as with backpacking or hitch-hiking you can never be 100% certain that your holiday will be injury free. Depending on your visa type you may be entitled to certain benefits through the public healthcare system of Australia, but a lot of medical expenses will be taken out of your own pocket, so it is essential to have good medical insurance.

Take good care of yourself and make sure you are well prepared before you head out to Australia. You can never be sure of what will happen once you get there but it is better to plan for the worst and hope for the best instead of getting stuck in a foreign country with little or no back-up plan! Just remember to still have fun!

Daredevil Holidays

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A far step away from the lazy holidays which see you relaxing on the beach, some of us just love going on holiday where we can feel a burst of adrenaline. Although holidays are normally for relaxing, fun and exciting holidays where you get a sense of danger can be just as rewarding as they are a reminder of the challenges you faced and overcame. Extreme holidays are not for the faint-hearted and often end up testing your endurance as well as your strength and your ability to do well under pressure. Let us have a look at a few popular daredevil holidays!

 ice climbingIce Climbing
What is better than hiking up huge mountains where you could easily slip and fall to your death? Doing it again in snow and ice! Ice climbing can be used to describe ascending any number of ice formations including icefalls, frozen waterfalls and cliffs. Depending on the type of ice and the gradient, there are different techniques you need to use to successfully ice climb.

Crampons, ice axes and ice screws are a must for any ice climber but depending on where you go you may need extra climbing supplies. The Chamonix Valley is a well known ice climbing venture and is famous for its beautiful ice falls. You can choose from over 200 routes and there are routes for ice climbers of all skill levels.

The Swing on the End of the World
Located in Ecuador this very oddly named swing does exactly as described. Built underneath a small wooden treehouse originally used to observe the active volcano Mr, Tunguruhua, this crude wooden plank of swing provides thrills aplenty. The swing has no harness, no safety net or any other discerning feature apart from a small strap across the front and literally sends riders swinging out into the abyss.

The swing hangs over a deep ravine covered with trees and foliage and if you can get over the initial motion sickness or vertigo – didn’t realise until now you were afraid of heights? Shame – it makes for a stunning view and a great photo spot.

5250487136_04241b5283_mFree Climbing
Free climbing represents true exhilaration. The concept of climbing up massive rock faces and mountains, even dangling upside down at certain points in the climb, without any safety harnesses can be a frightening thing. However if you’re used to hiking and braving the elements and want just that little extra bit of danger, perhaps free climbing is for you.

Only for seasoned professionals, Free Climbing is an excellent way of getting a thrill without having to pay extortionate prices as you would with, say, a skydiving experience. Yosemite National Park is a hotspot for free climbing and has a number of beautiful mountains for both beginners and experts to choose from.

 

 

 

 

 

The top ten holiday destinations to propose

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If you’re planning to propose (or create the right opportunity for that certain someone to think about proposing) then a trip to somewhere significant is the way to do it. Make your proposal memorable with somewhere romantic and scenic. Here are our top ten destinations for proposal opportunities.

paris1)      Paris – a perennial favourite with lovers the world over, France’s capital city has a long history of romance with plenty of spots to do the deed. If you don’t fancy scaling the Eiffel Tower, then maybe you can use the Pont des Arts over the River Seine, or aboard one of the river’s many cruise boats.

2)      Dubai – Hot, exotic, and containing some stunning modern architecture, Dubai is a shopper’s paradise. Dubai is a great choice if you want to combine a proposal with engagement ring shopping. A trip to Gold & Diamond Park and other shopping malls and souks could be on the itinerary! There are a plethora of potential proposal spots in one of Dubai’s many skyscrapers, aquarium restaurants, or fountains.

new york3)      New York – With trans-Atlantic flights faster than they used to be, a short break in New York is more than feasible. A trip to New York feels like visiting a living film set, and where better to propose than atop the Empire State Building, on a helicopter over the Statue of Liberty, or in the world famous Times Square? Shops galore with the peaceful haven of Central Park, New York offers it all.

4)      Venice – Venice is possibly Italy’s most famously romantic city, and attracts around 50,000 tourists a day. It is famous for its waterways and canals, and you can’t go to Venice without taking a gondola ride along the Grand Canal.

norway5)      Norway – if your loved one is not a fan of exotic weather, then a trip to see the Northern Lights could be a winner. There are lots of places to stay where you have a good chance of seeing the lights, and you can also take a dog-sledding tour, or a cruise around the fjords. Please see the website of Visit Norway for the best places.

6)      Dublin – for a proposal filled with fun, Dublin is a lovely place for a bit of sightseeing and bonding over beer. If you need a bit of Dutch courage and feel the ‘luck of the Irish’ would be most welcome, then making your proposal in Dublin could result in success!

7)      London – The UK’s capital and one of the world’s biggest cities provides a whole host of proposal opportunities. The London Eye is a popular choice, or maybe the scenic Trafalgar Square. If you want to add height to your proposal, then a trip up London’s tallest building The Shard is the place to do it.

propose8)      Sydney – for the trip of a lifetime, and one you will never forget, take a trip to Sydney, Australia. Often thought of as Australia’s capital (it isn’t), it’s probably the most recognisable of Oz’s cities. The harbour area with the Opera House is simply stunning, and if you want to introduce an element of peril into your proposal then you can join a climbing tour of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

9)      Barcelona – the beautiful Spanish city of Barcelona in the region of Catalonia is a mix of green space, coast, and interesting architecture created by Gaudi. Proposal sites could include the wonderful Park Guell, or the mountainside park of Montjuic. Ride a cable car to the hillside villages, and if you’re a sports fan, the Olympic stadium and The Camp Nou are worth a tour.

10)  Las Vegas – Not keen on long engagements? Propose in Las Vegas and you can be engaged, married, and on your way home before the hangover has even kicked in. Feeling extra lucky? Try one or two of the many casinos and maybe you can stretch to an even better ring.

Wherever you propose, make it a good one. Good luck!

The Bus to Downtown Vegas

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When someone says they are going to Las Vegas for a holiday, often people think of the bright lights, the never sleeping city, the flashy casinos and huge atmosphere that Las Vegas portrays in all the big films, right down to its 99c postcards. However there is a little place not far from the strip, between the Strip and downtown Vegas, which is so stark in its contrast it is a little scary.

ehtiopiaTake a bus ride downtown and particularly in the evening, you’ll see a sight not far from the Strip, but with a very different atmosphere.

With its mish-mash of shingled roofs and flat roofs, metal fencing, whitewashed walls next to heavily graffiti-d walls downtown almost seems like a ghost town.

Many of the hotel and casino staff of the Strip live here and it is worth the trip to see just how strange the scenery of Las Vegas becomes once you leave the Strip.

Fairy Lights and stark white lights dot around the place but unlike the Strip’s huge flashing lights and billboards, the trip downtown seems almost empty and desolate. The houses are clustered together like a make-shift town and streetlights blink on and off like some apocalyptic future world.

Downtown Vegas itself is much more colourful, with large signs boasting deep fried Mars bars and drinks aplenty, it is hard to believe that in a simple bus ride between the main Vegas Strip and Downtown Vegas, such a desolate little land exists. It may sound creepy but after the vivid life pumping out from the Vegas Strip, this little stretch of land is eerie, fascinating and almost acts as a welcome break to the craziness of Vegas.

downstownIf you happen to be visiting Las Vegas for a holiday in the near future, make sure to take a bus trip to downtown Vegas.

Downtown in itself has a fair few tourist attractions but the bus journey itself is an experience that is chilling, yet interesting.

With Penguin car hire you can choose from thousands of different companies at thousands of different locations to find the right hired car for you or your family while on holiday. We provide a huge database to ensure that you are never left in the lurch on holiday. With a number of different taxi and hired car points available throughout Las Vegas, book a hired car for your next holiday today!

Secluded Beaches of the World

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Part Two of our guide to the world’s most secluded beaches is here with more options for you and your significant other, for a romantic getaway or just to spend some peace and quiet with the family without having to yell at your children in order to be heard above the masses. Many of these locations require a little bit of boating or walking, but they are well worth the effort for even just an hour or a few hours of luxury and complete peace in the most secluded and relaxing beaches in the world.

1280px-Costa_Alegre_JaliscoPlaya Soledad Costalegre Mexico

As this beach is the private property of the Las Alamandas resort, you are sure to be soaking up some rays in peace and quiet should you be willing to make the dirt trek to the beach itself. However you can also reserve a Jeep in advance if you don’t fancy making the trip.

You can also reserve horses for the ride back which will make an interesting end to your evening, although this is not recommended if you’ve never ridden before!

 1280px-The_beach_at_Tortuguero,_Costa_RicaThe Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica

Like most other beaches mentioned in this list it takes a little bit of time and a bit more effort to reach the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica, but with a beautiful range of wild birds, deserted sands and a popular spot to see the nesting turtles of Tortuguero.

It takes around five hours to get to Tortuguero from San Jose, but if you visit in April/May you can see the turtles that come to nest along the sands, which in itself is a sight to behold.

Bonus Beach:
Playa de Benalnatura

This is not actually a secluded beach, in fact it’s quite popular! The strange thing about it is that it is a naturist beach! Not for the faint hearted and definitely for the adventurous, the Playa de Benalnatura, located in Benalmadena is great for naturists and nudists who want to spend a day basking in the sun.

With a beautiful little beach restaurant, toilets, showers and a barbecue area, what more could you want! The small downside is that clothing is generally not optional and you won’t even get served at the bar if not completely nude. This is a 100% nudist beach, so it is best to hire out a car and keep your clothes in the boot before you head down.

Hopefully this has helped inspire some of you holiday goers to visit some of the world’s most secluded beaches in your travels, or even try a naturist beach or two! You might even enjoy it!

 

Visit Las Vegas – Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam

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Although made famous by the thousands of casinos lurking in the giant hotels, bars and shops located across the strip, Las Vegas is a fantastic city with far more to offer than simply gambling all your holiday money away. The Strip is a section of the city that is larger than life, covered with huge structures, artistic portraits and happy-go-lucky costumed characters plus with miles and miles of entertainment lurking within every door; it is so easy to get lost in one of its many hotels.

Las Vegas is a city built in the desert, with sheer sand dunes and stark mountains rising all around it, it seems like a misplaced dot of light on an otherwise dark deserted crop of land. Surrounded by the Mojave Desert and with the Las Vegas Bay to the east, Las Vegas is full of both natural and manmade wonders. Two such wonders are the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam.

Grand Canyon

canyonWidely considered one of the wonders of the modern world, the Grand Canyon that stretches 277 river miles long, 18 miles wide and is a staggering 1 mile deep. The layers of rock shown through the Grand Canyon encompass almost 2 billion years of Earth’s geological history, slowly eroded by the Colorado River winding through the canyon.

The Grand Canyon was actually once home to a number of Native American families who built settlements in the canyon and lived inside its various cave systems. The Canyon is a sight to behold and helicopter rides are offered over the Canyon for a truly spellbinding experience. Taxi rides are available from Las Vegas itself to the Canyon, for a day trip to see the canyon and experience a number of Nevada’s other attractions.

Hoover Dam

Hoover_damOriginally known as the Boulder Dam, the Hoover Dam was controversially renamed after President Hoover as a symbol of his presidency as a ‘great engineer’. It was built over the course of five years during the Great Depression following the idea that building a dam would allow the population to control floods and use the water for hydroelectric power.

The Hoover Dam seals off Lake Mead which is the largest reservoir in America and is a staggering 725 feet high and 1,244 feet long. The dam’s generators now provide power for both public and private purposes in Nevada, Arizona and California and are visited by hundreds of thousands of people each year looking to see one of the largest human structures built to hold such an intense body of water.

The Hoover Dam can be reached by hire car from Las Vegas using one of Penguin’s thousands of hired car searches, or you can book a tour while you are out holidaying in Las Vegas.

Secluded Beaches

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We are nearly half way into 2014 and although the sun has only just started to poke its head through the miserable British clouds, many people are already wistfully dreaming of the upcoming summer holidays in the next few months. There has been a recent increase in ‘staycations’ where people opt for holidaying at home instead of going abroad to visit sunnier tides, however sun, sand and sea destinations are still incredibly popular with those who like to hop on board a plane and fly into the sunset for a week or two.

However nobody likes overcrowding. It’s annoying having to get up at 5am just to save you and your family a set of sun beds, but it is essential otherwise you’ll be stuck sitting on the floor. Beaches are far more crowded during the summer time and on occasion it may be hard to simply enjoy the holiday because of the amount of heads you see bobbing up and down in that perfect ocean view.

So where are some better, less trodden, less crowded beaches to visit? In this two part blog series we’ll have a look at some of the ‘beaches less travelled’ to bring you the most relaxing, isolated holidays that you wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else unless you somehow managed to hire yourself a private island.

Owen Island, Cayman Islands

owenLocated just off the south-western coast of Little Cayman is a tiny islet known as Owen Island. It is only reachable by sail boat or by kayaking, but these waters can get a little windy so it is best to be prepared. You’ll need to travel across the Bloody Bay (sounds a little ominous) but if you’re a seasoned traveller with a little kayaking experience it should be no problem.

The islet contains very few buildings or homes, in fact very little human habitation at all, so it is a great way to feel as if you have your very own deserted island to yourself. Plus the tranquillity of the warm sun and the iconic beach imagery is great for relaxation. Owen Island can be enjoyed by those of all ages and makes a perfect choice for a honeymoon island away from it all for an hour or two.

To get to Owen Island, simply grab a hired car from the and then drive 2 minutes to the south-west coast of Little Cayman. Simple!

 

Easter Celebrated By Different Cultures

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Whether you are planning on staying home for Easter Weekend, or you have decided to take a few extra days off during the Easter holiday to spend time with the kids, different countries and different cultures have individual ways of celebrating Easter Weekend. Although commonly associated with Christianity, Catholicism and the death and rebirth of Jesus Christ, cultures from around the world celebrate the death and rebirth as well as a number of other, related events in their own way.

Verges in Spain

[penguin] easter blogThe Thursday before Easter weekend is known as the night of the ‘dansa de la mort’ in the town of Verges, Spain. The residents dress up in skeletal outfits and re-enact scenes from The Passion while parading through the streets of town, complete with eerie fire torches. The parade starts at Midnight and lasts for three hours until the early morning.

The end of the ‘dansa de la mort’ is signified by terrifyingly designed skeletons carrying boxes of ashes, signifying the death of Christ.

Rome, Italy

Easter celebrations in Rome start on Good Friday, where the Pope will commemorates the ‘Via Crucis’ or ‘Way of the Cross’. At the coliseum a huge cross made of burning torches is burnt, lighting up the sky, while the 14 Stations of the Cross are described in multiple languages for all to hear.

On both Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday mass is held in the evening, and on the Sunday, visitors congregate in St Peter’s Square to be able to receive the Pope’s blessing seen from the church’s balcony. This is known as ‘Urbi et Orbi’ or ‘To the City and to the World’.

Sweden and Finland

[penguin] sweden easter blogEaster time is like a mini Halloween for most of Sweden and various areas of Finland. It was thought that on the Thursday before Easter weekend, witches used to fly to the mountains to congress with Satan. Children would wear rags and old clothes and would go from door to door holding out a copper kettle for treats.

To scare away the ‘witches’ the Swedes would light up large bonfires that would keep evil spirits from entering their homes. Nowadays children still go out ‘trick or treating’ and bonfires and fireworks are set up and let off throughout the town in  keeping with the old traditions.

Whether you need transport in the bustling streets of London, or are looking for a hire car to help you make your way through the roads of Paris, Brussels or even Marrakech, with thousands of companies to choose from, Penguin Car Hire can get hold of a first class hired car to take you where you want to go within minutes.

Holidaying in the Easter

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When it comes to the Easter holidays, although nowadays there is much more diversity when it comes to religion and the meaning of Easter, the Easter holidays are still widely recognised by schools across the country. What this means for your kids is a beautiful fortnight of no school no homework and hopefully some late nights! However what this means for you is two weeks of hastily arranged sleepovers, babysitting arrangements and if you’re lucky, a three or four day weekend to spend with the children.

Although it can be hard many of us choose to keep working throughout the Easter Holidays, even if it means hiring a babysitter to look after your young children during the weekdays. For those with older children it is slightly easier; they have more responsibility, often you can easily trust them to stay home alone without turning the house into a post-war bomb site.

Why not go on holiday then?

The Easter holidays are the perfect opportunity for parents to take some time off to spend with their kids. Sure, trips away may be more expensive during the Easter holidays, but you have a limited amount of time to spend with your children before they grow up and make their own way in the world, so why not make the best of it?

The Mediterranean

[penguin] bournemouth blogWhy not get in some early sunbathing practise? In the UK, the Easter marks the start of spring, where the air becomes slightly less icy and the grass becomes slightly greener.

Unfortunately, spring in the UK also means a lot of April showers and sometimes a Mediterranean getaway can be just what the doctor ordered.

If you are not willing to travel for your sun, you could always wait for a sunny day in the UK and Hire a car to Bournemouth for a cheeky day out at the beach?

Skiing

[penguin] skiing blogIf the sun is not your thing, why not go on a spring skiing holiday? Many ski slopes still keep their courses open in the spring, and as it is known as the ‘late season’ skiing is cheaper than at peak times!

With less people on the slopes both accommodation and course and lift passes are cheaper than if you want to ski in the full throes of winter. Bonus!

Whatever you decide to do for the Easter Holidays, make sure you enjoy it and try to spend at least a little bit of time with the kids. They’re not young forever!