Thursday 26 July 2007

Culture & Cuisine in Barbados

Barbados is such an impressive island, beautiful and relaxing, and a hub for the rich and famous. So what does an all-inclusive holiday in Barbados have to interest foodies? The answer to that is what doesn’t it have? Street vendors amass the streets to sell local favourites such as grilled pigtail, fresh king fish pepper pot and conch fritters. These vendors enable the visitor to pick and choose their food inexpensively, and sample the local food Barbados has to offer.

Dishes bought from street vendors will cost around £2 - £4 per dish. A meal at a mid-priced restaurant will also only cost you between £5 - £15 per person – both will allow you the chance to sample Bajan specialities.

Should you wish to dine at the higher class restaurants on Barbados, ensure you have smart evening wear, you will often be required to dress smartly and may be required to make reservations when eating at some of the finer restaurants on the island.

Whatever dining experience you seek, Barbados caters for all needs and wants, and foodies will simply love the experiences that are there to be had.

Wednesday 25 July 2007

Vaccines for Holidays in Southern Africa

Those venturing on holiday usually go through the normal checklist – travellers checks, sunglasses, sun cream, book, swimming trunks and toothbrush. Travellers must be careful that they do not overlook the most important of these – vaccinations. A must for those looking to venture on holiday in South Africa and many other parts of the world are the routine vaccines to protect you against the illnesses that are prevalent in that country. The last thing you want is for your tailor made African holiday to end in disaster because you forgot to check what vaccinations you should take before you travel.

You should always visit your GP to discuss what vaccines you should take. Below is a guide to routine vaccinations associated with holidays in Southern Africa.

Hepatitis A – A virus which can be passed from person to person, can occur through exposure to contaminated water, ice, salad, shellfish etc. that has come into direct contact with contaminated water and from other sorts of uncooked food that has come into contact with contaminated water.

Hepatitis B – contracted through exposure to blood or other bodily fluids, sexual contact with the local population or exposure through medical care.

Malaria - risks of contracting malaria are high in all countries in southern Africa. You GP will prescribe you the correct anti-malarial drug you need to take, courses often start weeks before departing on your holiday and should be continued for up to 4 weeks on your return.

Rabies – unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas such as camping and cycling areas.

Typhoid – can be contracted through drinking contaminated water or food, or by food handled by and infected individual.

Booster doses for tetanus-diptheria, measles and a on-off dose of polio vaccine for adults.

Checklist for African Holidays

Below is a list we advise you take on holidays in southern Africa:

Insect repellent
Insect Spray
Insect Nets for your sleeping accommodation (often provided by hotels so may be worthwhile checking).
Iodine tablets and portable water filters should bottled drinking water not be provided.
Sun protection lotion, hats (especially for young children – necks should also be covered and the use of long sleeve t-shirts are recommended and should be worn whilst swimming).

The above acts as just a rough guide, to make you aware of what you may be required to take; we strongly recommend you visit your GP to discuss medical requirements, wherever you are planning on travelling to.

Tuesday 24 July 2007

Beach & Safari Holidays

The Times Online have written an interesting post relating to Safari and Beach holidays. They describe the combination as truly unbeatable, with the only hard part being the type of safari holiday to choose.

That is where experts like Africa Sky come in. Africa Sky provide tailor-made safari holidays in Africa where you can truly custom build your experience. Africa is a unique destination; somewhere you can experience the fantastically diverse wildlife on a short or extended safari, and be a short flight away from idyllic tropical beaches where you can fish, scuba dive or simply kick back and unwind on a powder white sandy beach, gazing into the calming warm turquoise sea.

Holidays to Africa are growing in popularity, with the number of tourists set to reach 2 million this year and you can see why. Anyone thinking a safari holiday is all about ‘roughing it’ in a tent is mistaken. The Sable Sanctuary Tree House offers guests the chance to relax in a private tree house with Jacuzzi and personal butler and chef, whilst enjoying the views of the Shimba Valley Hills – absolute luxury.

For tailor-made African Safari and Beach holidays, we recommend you visit: http://www.africasky.co.uk

Luxury Travel and Your Carbon Footprint

There has been much talk recently of individual’s carbon footprint, that is, the level of carbon emissions emitted into the atmosphere as a direct result of our lifestyles.

Many of our everyday actions play a big part in increasing the level of emissions, from the type of light bulb we use, the number of TV’s we have, the cars we drive to the distance we travel each year.

At the forefront of the row has been the extreme level of CO2 emissions from commercial jet planes each year. So exactly how much is our Caribbean holiday costing the environment. A flight to St. Lucia from London Heathrow covers 13,538 kilometres and will produce around 1.5 tonnes of CO2 per person.

It has been estimated by the Carbon Neutral Company that a return flight from London to Bangkok emits 2.1 tons of CO2 per passenger [source] and when you look at the number of passengers on a Boeing 747 [typically 416] this amounts to a total emission of 873.6 tonnes of CO2 on a single flight.

So what can we do to offset the CO2 emissions our lifestyles and yearly holidays are creating? In terms of lifestyle, there are many things we can do, from changing the way in which we drive our cars to turning our television sets off of stand-by when not in use.
In terms of offsetting the emissions caused by our long haul holidays, there are many initiatives in places. The Carbon Neutral Company has produced a carbon calculator with which you can specify your flight route. This then produces results based on the distance travelled and gives you an idea of the level of emissions per person this flight would produce. To make this flight carbon neutral, you are then given the opportunity to purchase a package which funds certain projects set up to produce new technologies that would save the CO2 equivalent to your flight.

This is of course good, but how many trees will you have to plant to offset the monumental levels of CO2 produced in a single commercial flight and how soon will you see the kind of results that will truly offset the kind of emissions that are currently being produced?

Monday 23 July 2007

Post Holiday Trauma

The Telegraph has recently reported on the effects of post holiday trauma, often leaving you feeling like you need another break to get over the one you have just been on.

After a lengthy flight in often extremely uncomfortable coach class (unless you have the funds to fly in style), coping with the effects of jet lag, long queues for passport control, baggage collection and what not, to recover from all of this you need more time off!

So what can you do to reduce the stress factors that can affect your enjoyment of a luxury holiday.

Firstly, booking your flights from regional airports is a start, meaning travel to and from the airport is reduced. Find out what kind of leg room and seat pitch you are likely to expect on certain airlines. This can mean the difference between 15 hours of uncomfortable, sleepless travel, or 15 hours of sleep, relaxing and recharging your batteries for your fortnight away. Seat upgrades are also available on many airlines at a small fee and can also make a big difference.

Plan your holiday to avoid busy times, fly out and land home on a week day, when there is less traffic and people are less likely to be leaving on the same day as you...

Full article here.

Hurricane Season - Washout Holidays

Choosing where to go on holiday for the time of year you wish can be a tough task. Pick the wrong season and your entire beach vacation could turn into a complete washout.

Forbes dot com has recently reported on Hurricane Season Travel Tips - that is, what steps you can take to ensure a holiday to the Caribbean or wherever else you may choose, is not a wasted one.

Forbes reports an estimated 30,000 people's holidays to Mexico were a washout in 2005 as a direct result of hurricanes.

Stanley Goldenberg who is a meteorologist for the Hurricane Research Division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration blames La NiƱa , a cooling whether pattern that is "conductive to hurricanes".

The tips Goldenbourg suggests:


  • Keep an eye on the weather forecasts

  • Mountainous or hilly destinations are a big no no no - rainfall will encourage landslides and may flood valley floors

  • The smaller the region, the better. Bermuda - Yes. Florida - No!

  • His last tip - head north. Storms weaken the further north you are

However, there are some advantages to travelling during this period. Prices are going to be cheaper and destinations are more likely to be less crowded.

It is a risk to travel during these times. Is it worth risking your one luxury holiday in the year to save money? If it pays off, absolutely, but if your entire holiday is a complete wash out, it may be your biggest regret that year!

Our advice. Play it safe! A luxury holiday is a time to unwind, relax and take time out. Plan your holiday carefully, viewing climate guides to ensure the time you are travelling coincides with good weather trends. It may make all the difference!

Whatever you decide, ensure you obtain adequate travel insurance cover that will pay out should the worst happen!