What Does The Future Hold For Holidays

Cheap holidays could get even cheaper and not too far in the distant future. Not only will we be able to save substantial amounts of money but the planning and actually going on holiday will soon be a lot less stressful too. Soon, we will be able to turn up at the airport with no suitcase, hop on the plane and rest assured that our items are waiting for us at the destination. Sounds a little too good to be true? Read on!

3D Printing

This is all going to be made possible through an innovative concept that is 3D printing. High quality suitcases can be costly and put travellers over budget on cheap holidays before they even fly. However, this new method will soon see the back of suitcases and other travel luggage items, as you will soon be able to print everything that you will need.

Janne Kyttanen

Finnish artist, Janne Kyttanen, partnered up with 3D systems and designed a printable collection called ‘Lost Luggage’ featuring bags, shoes and dresses. He is an expert in 3D printing which enables the user to transmit designs and shapes over the internet, so that they can be physically replicated somewhere else. This collection was designed with the holidaymaker that is very time-conscious in mind, as it helps streamline an efficient travel process.

Inspiration

Kyttanen was inspired to create this collection by the Second World War and his own family’s struggles in Finland. Whilst in interview he said,

“Without warning, soldiers from the Soviet army forced my grandparents from their home by gunpoint,’ he explains. ‘For years my mind has raced with the fear and bewilderment they must have felt abandoning their home and possessions. I've always thought, if you had to decide on an impulse what to take with you, then what would your luggage look like in order to accommodate what you couldn't leave behind? What if luggage was obsolete? An antiquated thing of the past? Imagine if all we needed was scaled down to a digital file, and simply reproduced at any location. How would this change our relationship to physical objects?”

(http://www.dailymail.co.uk)

Did you know?

3D printing may seem very futuristic but the concept has actually been around since the 80’s but only came commercially available at feasible prices at the end of this decade. Renowned organisations such as Nike have had a play around with this technology, in order to reduce manufacturing costs, by allowing intricate and complex designs to be created on a large scale. Today, designs and shapes can be created in the following materials:

·         Paper

·         Plastic

·         Metal

·         Rubber

·         Plaster

The only question yet to be looked into and dealt with is what happens after the holiday? Once you have printed the entire contents of your suitcase, what happens with them when it’s time to hop on the plane and return home? Saying this, Kyttanen and his team have plenty of time to look into this and come up with a solution.

So, by 2027 we should all be able to enjoy cheap holidays without the added stress of packing and lugging around a suitcase! For your next holiday, discount centre and comparison websites are the best way to bag great deals. 

(Photo courtesy of National Holidays)

Top 6 Travel Apps You Must Get Your Hands On!

Planning a trip away with friends, a loved one or family can prove to be very challenging. Not only do we all want to grab great value cheap holidays but there is so much to plan in order for it to be a success.

Saying this, thanks to advancements in technology, efficient holiday planning can all be done from a smartphone, tablet or laptop all from the comfort of your bed or sofa. Not only are there numerous travel comparison websites and discount holiday centres to help you find the best possible deal but there also great apps that make your whole holiday experience less stressful and more enjoyable. These are explored below:

Flight Track

This app allows users to check the status of thousands of international flights, with slick, scalable maps and information about departure gates, if there are any delays and what we all dread, cancellations.

WeatherPro

Many of us book cheap holidays to escape to the sun, but even the hottest places do have rain, especially at certain times of the year. WeatherPro gives the user access to over two million weather reports in many geographical locations. The technology it uses is very accurate, so if the app predicts rain for your destination, make sure that your umbrella is with you!

XE Currency

First things first this app is FREE! So don’t bother with the other apps that charge you to install, as there really is no point, as this is quite simply the best! It is very accurate seeing as it uses live currency rates, which makes it no surprise that over 5 million people have already downloaded this app.

Packing Pro

Knowing what to pack for cheap holidays can become a nightmare! However, don’t fret, as Packing Pro will become your new best friend. Tell the app where you are going, the duration, who with and it will suggest everything that you will need to pack. This ensures that you don’t pack to much or too little.

Sunscreen

The red lobster look will never come into fashion nor is it good for your skin and overall health. Download this app and you will know just when you need to top up your sunscreen. Input your skin type and the SPF of the cream you are using and once it has identified the UVI rating in the location you are in, the app will set a timer that will alert you when you need to apply more protection. 

Trip Advisor

Last but by no means least let’s look into Trip Advisor. When looking into cheap holidays, it is a good idea to check hotels, apartments, resorts etc. on Trip Advisor and read reviews before fully committing to a deal. This will also come in very handy if you are torn between deals and need help choosing one. It also finds interesting things to do around your destination and places to eat if you are not travelling all inclusive.

So after you have used an online centre for discount holidays and managed to grab yourself a great deal, make sure that you download these handy apps, to prevent that headache that often occurs when trying to sort everything out!

(Photo courtesy of Holiday Tips)

Don’t Let Travel Sickness Ruin Your Holiday!

Year on year many of us manage to bag great value cheap holidays, in order to escape from the daily stresses of every day work and have a well-deserved break somewhere hot. Whilst many of us can’t wait to hop on the plane and begin our holiday, the less fortunate dread traveling due to travel sickness.

This blog will explore the new invention by a Norfolk farmer, which could see the end to this sickness, so that everyone can look forward to enjoying their great value cheap holiday and not need to worry about this aspect any more. 

In the past

‘Cures’ for sickness caused by travelling in the past have ranged from wearing bracelets to chewing ginger and staring at the horizon to taking tablets. Yes, some of these past remedies have been far from pleasant and what’s more frustrating; none have provided 100% relief.

Now

However, Norfolk farmer Tim Flaxman (ages 53) has claimed to have invented sunglasses that can help prevent the nausea many sufferers experience whilst travelling via plane, boat, car or train. This is great news as not only does this but an end to awful plane journeys for travellers but once you’re on holiday, you are no longer restricted to what you do on holiday. You can book a boat cruise and hire a car to explore without feeling sick, which means your holiday is no longer ruined.

Whilst on the tube Flaxman realised that he could stop himself from feeling sick by covering one eye. It was this revelation that prompted him to develop a pair of sunglasses, where one opaque lens would block vision in one eye.

Understanding the sickness

How do the sunglasses work? Let’s first understand travel sickness. People suffer with travel sickness as there is often a conflict between what you see and what the vestibular system senses. This system helps with a person’s balance and is located within the inner ear. 

So for example let’s take a car journey. Your eyes tell your brain that you are travelling at high speeds but the vestibular system is also telling it that you are sat still. This is very confusing for the brain and prompts the postrema to react. This part of the brain is to blame for being sick.

The sunglasses with one opaque lens puts an end to this process as vision is cut from 3D to 2D and thus reduces movement awareness. Flaxman was very satisfied after testing the product whilst in cars and on planes and boats. Whilst in an interview he said, 

‘These glasses would open up the world to so many people that, even if I don’t make money, that would be a great legacy...’ 

(http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/)

These sunglasses are not available to buy as of yet but rumour has it that negotiations with a company based in England have already started with regards to starting the production.

So, soon enough travel sickness suffers will be able to look forward to good value cheap holidays, without worrying about feeling sick!

Photo courtesy of (College Magazine)

Top 4 Things You Have To Do In Madeira

It is so important to take a break and escape the daily stresses of everyday life. It is for this reason that many of us hop on a plane, to enjoy a long weekend or a 2 week stay in a resort somewhere hot. One of the most popular destinations for cheap holidays is Madiera. Not only can you bag yourself amazing deals here but there is so much to do and see. Below we have explored the top 5 things that you have to do before leaving this beautiful island in the Atlantic Ocean!

Funchal

Cheap holidays to Madeira are not complete without a visit to Funchal. Whilst here you can enjoy explore spacious parks, gaze at stunning buildings such as the 15^th Century Se Cathedral and 18^th Century mansions, whilst strolling along the elegant grey basalt and white marble pavements. Funchal also offers great views from the car. Take a drive along the impressive highways and see deep ravines, impressive skirt cliffs and stunning waterfalls. Definitely make sure that passengers have their cameras at the ready, as they will be able to take some great shots, which you can show off to your friends and family back home.

Scarlet Passion Flower

 

Madeira has some very impressive blooms, such as the ‘Scarlet Passion Flower’, which can seduce pretty much anyone. Make your cheap holiday is unforgettable by paying a visit to The Botanical Gardens located at Quinta do Bom Sucesso, which has stunning views of Funchal. These gardens are home to pretty much every type of tree and plant that is found on the island. Love orchids? Then make sure you check out Quinta da Boa Vista gardens, as this is the home to a renowned orchid collection.

Cable Cars

Dotted across the island are cable-car rides that allow you to take in the views of Madeira from an eagle’s-view perspective. We wouldn’t recommend this for those who are afraid of heights! One of the oldest rides on the island is the climb from Almirante Reis in old Funchal to Monte, which will take you 15 minutes. There are two options to travel back down the hill. You can either take the Monte Toboggan or take the cable car from Monte to the Botanical Gardens. The Monte Toboggan is for those thrill seekers out there as the best way to describe this mode of transport is comparing it to a large laundry basket placed on runners made of wood over cobbles. It is steered by experienced attendants, but bear in mind that they can only stop by using their footwear as breaks! 

Wales, Dolphins, Birds etc.

Madeira is home to a wide range of wildlife, which is why cheap holidays to this island should be accompanied by a wildlife spotting tour on the water. See whales, dolphins and a variety of birds, all in their natural habitat. More importantly, you will have the opportunity to see a monk seal, which is significant seeing as there are only around 500 left in the world. The best place to see these animals is the Deseras Islands – a handy little tip for you!

So whether you are looking for cheap holidays for you and partner, a family or group of friends, we highly recommend Madiera!

(Photo courtesy of Travel News)

Will 2014 Be Your Year To Be More Adventurous?

Go to the same holiday destination every year? Whilst you may have found a great hotel somewhere hot, which is situated perfectly, with the beach and town centre only a handy 10/15 minute walk from your room, isn’t it about time for change? Leaving your comfort zone isn’t as scary as you may first think, just give it a go. Anyway, by sticking to the same place year on year, you are missing out on many more great value cheap holidays, which may end up being better. Need a little more convincing? Then read on:

Save money

Looking into cheap holidays in different destinations can help you to save substantial amounts of money. Holiday destinations that used to be cheap may not be anymore and by not looking around you will miss out on other great deals. Traditional holiday destinations including France, Greece and Spain (to name a few) have become more expensive over the past couple of years. This is especially the case if we take into account the pounds weakness when compared to the euro – it did used to be much better! Don’t worry, there are other destinations that have great beaches and can suit couples, group of friends and families, but they are kinder to bank account. Places such as: Turkey, Egypt and Croatia. The only thing you have to bear in mind is that the plane journey will be a longer – something to consider if you are travelling with youngsters or those afraid of flying.

Submerge yourself in another culture!

If you want to experience and submerge yourself in a culture that is different from the UK, we recommend East European areas, Croatia, Montenegro and Romania to name a few. This can be a true eye opener as outlooks in such areas differ to that of the mainstream western European and you may learn a thing or two. You can also still find great value cheap holidays to such destinations.

Discover a different world

If you still want to stick to all inclusive cheap holidays, you can do put still look further afield, such as; Gambia, Cape Verde or the United Arab Emirates. As soon as you take one step out of the resort you will notice a complete and utter change- this culture shock can (and most probably will) be a good thing!

Great for anecdotes

Finding cheap holidays to destinations with cultural differences can arm you with great stories to tell in any situation. Whether you’re trying to impress someone at the bar or make a good first impression, everyone will want to hear about you having to squat in Asia, dealing with the overly persuasive market sellers in Egypt or how your nerves were tested during public bus rides in South America. 

Calling all foodies!

By going to the same destination year on year, you will be missing out on great tasting dishes. For example, if you only go to Spain, you are missing out on great Italian dishes and vice versa. Also if you haven’t already, you must try Turkish mezzess and Moroccan tagines!

So challenge yourself and go out of your comfort zone; book a holiday to somewhere different! For your next summer holiday a discount centre is your best option, as you will have plenty great deals at your fingertips!

  

(Photo courtesy of Keep Calm O Matic)