Kimberly Fisher's Blog, page 210

Travel Guest Post: Cuba

Cuba is a unique country with vacation destinations like no other. The island’s political situation for the last fifty years has made it one of the most peaceful places in the world. It is a place that can delight and confound in equal measure, making it well worth your visit. Better still, thanks to the tons of information available online, Cuba vacations are very easy to plan.

  The people and culture

Being the largest country in the Caribbean, Cuba is considered as the melting pot for different cultures and races. Most Cubans can trace their roots to either Spanish settlers or African slaves, thus making Cuban culture a rough mix of two cultures. Generally, Cuban people are complex and dynamic, and they are renowned world over for their love for music and cigar. Most Cubans can play at least one instrument with an amazing proficiency, making music an part of their identity and heritage.

  The foods and drinks

Cuba is very rich in marine life; however, seafood and fish rarely top the traditional Cuban menu. The traditional Cuban cuisine is a blend of Spanish and Afro-Caribbean dishes. This cuisine heavily relies on beans, rice, chicken and pork. Fresh vegetables come with seasons, with hotter months having a limited supply of the vegetables. In addition, you need to know that Cubans have a very poor appetite for spicy foods. Here are some of the specialties that make up the typical Cuban cuisine.

•                Chicken and black beans’ soup

•                Congris (black beans and rice)

•                Fried plantains

•                Pork or chicken with rice or French fries

•                Fish in coconut milk, especially if you are in the Baracoa area

  Regional drinks

1. Mojito

This is a national cocktail made from soda water, rum, crushed mint, chopped ice and lime juice.

2. Daiquiri

This is a blended cocktail made from ice, sugar, rum, lime juice and a dash of maraschino.

  Alcohol drinking age

Though there is no formally implemented minimum age for drinking alcohol; one must be at least 16 years old to buy it.

  Visiting the Island

There are two ways to visit this Caribbean island. You can choose to stay at an all-inclusive resort or visit as an independent traveler. Most of the resorts are clustered along the island’s north coast to the east of the capital Havana. The beaches are certainly exotic and the water, crystal clear making them excellent for beach style vacations.

Visiting Cuba independently is quite easy and interesting. You can choose to stay at one of the lovely hotels or interact with the natives by living in a family house called a casa. In addition, there are private restaurants called paladares from where you can get amazing Cuban cuisines.

Things to do and see while in Cuba

1.              Strolling the famous Malecon

Built in the early 1900’s, most tourists enjoy strolling along Havana’s Malecon. This waterfront walkway features up to six lanes of crucial city roadway that serves as one of the city’s main arteries. It is also a popular parade route for most of the Island’s festivals.

2.              Touring the old Havana

Known to natives as La Habana Vieja, Old Havana is tourists’ paradise. The district’s colonial-era structures have undergone several renovations in recent times. The old churches and mansions are some of the top attractions that you should visit while at Old Havana. In addition, the Old Havana is UNESCO’s World Heritage Site, making one of the most must visit sites while touring the Island.

3.              Take to the beaches

The Island of Cuba has more than 3000 miles of pristine coastline with many islands and cays that offer exceptional attractions. Some of the destinations that you can visit for amazing water sports include Varadero, Cayo Largo and Cayo Coco.

4.              Explore the caves

Since their discovery in the 1800’s, the Bellamar Caves have become some of the most attractive tourist spots in Cuba. These caves are located about 60 miles from Havana and 25 miles from Varadero.  Locally referred to as the Cuevas de Bellamar, these caves will certainly blow your mind. While at these caves, you will find ornate crystal sculptures, subterranean ponds and rivers and indigenous pictographs.

5.              Scuba diving

Whether you have dived for years or planning to give it your first try, scuba diving is one of the most fulfilling activities you can do while visiting Cuba. There are several scuba diving centers with trained instructors who can help you through this adventure. You can choose to explore the pristine corals reefs or visit sunken ships from the Spanish-American war.

Cuba is famous for its pristine beaches, musical lifestyle, cigar and cuisine. The Island’s tourism industry has grown significantly over the years and it will certainly be a worthwhile venture.

Author: This is a guest post by Janice Miller who works at itravel2000, a travel agency that offers popular Cuba vacation packages. You can contact her at jmiller@itravel2000.com for more information.

Filed under: adventure, beach, cuba, travel, travel planning, travel tips Tagged: cuba, food, music

Travel Guest Post: Glamping in Cornwall, UK

If you’ve always wanted to go camping but have always had a fear of going to a site with a lack of basic amenities which make going on such a holiday more comfortable, there is a type of holiday which combines the comforts of staying in a hotel with the thrills of staying close to nature. ‘Glamping’, short for glamorous camping, is a type of camping where you get added extras you might not expect to find in a normal tent. There are a few campsites in Cornwall which provide glamping which are worth staying in.

By going glamping with pitchup.com, you can get close to nature without sacrificing a few home comforts at a campsite such as Little Upton Boutique Belltents near Liskeard. Populated by bell tents and a solitary yurt, this glamping site comes with futons or double beds, wood-burning stoves, rugs, cushions and even tea light chandeliers for that extra touch. Each bell tent also has its own kitchen area, and nearby, the farm shop sells produce in the form of eggs, bacon and sausages.

Glamping has a several advantages over traditional camping which are worth taking into consideration before deciding whether you want to go on such a holiday. One of those is that you do not have to go to a block to do washing-up, cooking or cleaning. Many glamping tents come equipped with their own electricity supply, hot water, a bed or two and even some furniture. Another advantage is that you can do more in a glamping tent than a normal one because they tend to be more spacious, meaning that you don’t have to keep going out to have fun if you’re not in the mood.

Filed under: glamping, guest post Tagged: Cornwall, england, glamping, UK

Travel Guest Post: Road Trip Tips

Whether you’re making a long drive for fun or for business, road trips can go in two directions: they can be great fun or they can be your worst nightmare. With a few helpful tips for making a road trip easier, you can make your long car rides pleasant and safe.

Play it safe

Before you start, make sure your car is in good working order. The oil can be changed and all the fluids checked including windshield wiper fluid. Make sure the tires have the right amount of air pressure and that your spare is also in good shape. Bring jumper cables along. Also, check your documents to be sure you have your insurance documents, registration, and driver’s license in the car. While driving, wear your seat belt and don’t speed. It is not fun to get a ticket and have to spend hundreds of dollars on a fine when you are in the middle of traveling.

While you’re driving, pay close attention to your body. If you start to feel sleepy, find a place to pull over. Get out and walk a bit or do some simple exercises to get your blood moving. Coffee or tea can help you stay awake, and water will help keep you hydrated. A thermos or water bottle can usually be filled at roadside restaurants. If you really do need to sleep, either get a room in a motel or sleep in your car. If you sleep in your car, you should park in a busy truck stop and set the alarm on your phone so you don’t oversleep.

It is a good idea to plan regular stops. Even if you don’t feel tired, it is good to get out of the car and walk around or get something to eat or drink. For long road trips, stopping every two hours is recommended even if it is just for a short time.

Make the ride enjoyable

One important point to making a car trip fun is to keep yourself entertained. Take music, audio books, or podcasts you enjoy to help you pass the time and maybe even learn something new as you go. Always remember, though, to make sure any electronic equipment is locked in the glove compartment or someplace else safe when you are not in your car.

If you’re driving with children in the car, it’s important to have games ready to keep them occupied. There are many games children can play on a road trip, but only a few that the drivers can also play. Finding specific numbers on license plates is one. Guessing games are another.

Take a GPS. Getting lost could be the end of a pleasant road trip and the beginning of a nightmare. The same is true of running out of gas; stop for gas before your gauge shows it to be too empty. Adding stress to a road trip will make it a much worse experience, so take small measures to make it pleasant.

It will save time and money, and will probably be more nutritious and delicious if you bring your own snacks and drinks for the drive. At the very least, bring lots of water. It’s fun to stop for meals, but junk food is not going to keep you alert for long and might make you feel ill while driving. You will also want to have a designated trash bag handy for any wrappers or other trash you’ll accumulate. It will keep your car cleaner and will be easy to empty at a stop, making your car a more enjoyable (and less smelly) place to be. You should also remember when you stop for gas or to eat to use the restroom, which will save having to stop at unscheduled times.

Try to be flexible and stay safe. Road trips rarely go as planned, and there may be times when things go wrong. A flat tire, getting lost, no motel when you are exhausted are a few of the things that can be problems, but if you expect ups and downs, you will remain more cheerful and most likely be able to solve any problems quicker and better than if you are angry and upset.

Photo credit: Road trip by Breahn Foster/flickr

 Author: Robert Wilkes is an on the road freelance blogger for TruckersReport as well as a regular poster on their Truckers Forum.

Filed under: guest post, travel, travel planning, travel tips Tagged: road trips, travel travel plans

Travel Guest Post: 5 Luxurious Destinations for Getting Away

London

A world unto itself, the UK’s capital has eclectic neighbourhoods and lots of famous landmarks.  Your first visit (as you will definitely want to come back for more) can include visits to the Tower of London, the National Gallery, and the British Museum. There are always a number of West End (London’s answer to Broadway) musicals on, and for those who would love a more cultural experience you see an opera at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. If you have time, head up Portobello Road, where the famous film Notting Hill was shot, where you can even visit the bookstore where Hugh Grant’s character worked. The best part about flying to London is that you can take flights from there to our other suggested destinations in and around Europe, here’s a list of our favourites:

Sardinia

Sardinia is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and enticing holiday destinations in the world. The island’s Mediterranean climate, with its hot dry summers and mild winters, makes it a perfect holiday destination for most of the year. The island is blessed by thousands of rare animal and plant species. Much of Sardinia is a paradise for wind and kite surfers.

Sardinia’s hilly expanse and endless beaches make the island a perfect arena for visiting horse riders. In the evening when the sun worshippers leave their posts, you can gallop freely across the beach and its shoreline, even if you are a beginner. This is a good way to experience a different side of the island and discover spots that are usually inaccessible.

Among the most popular features of Sardinia are the astonishing cliffs of Capo Caccia and the famous Neptun Cave. Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast) is about thirty miles long and features some of the most enchanting beaches and landscapes in the world. It’s recognised as being a particular haven for tourists seeking the heights of luxury.

Sardinia offers many lovely luxury hotels including several that need a helicopter or boat to reach them. Private Jet Charter would happily supply the helicopter! The most popular airport for private jets is Olbia which gives ready access to the fabled Costa Smeralda.

Madeira

Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean. The Romans used to call it the ‘Purple Islands’ but surprisingly, considering its beauty, Madeira itself seems to have been forgotten after the end of Roman rule. It was rediscovered, possibly accidentally, by Portuguese sailors in the fifteenth century.

Today, Madeira’s benign climate, stunning landscapes and dazzling flowers make it one of the most desirable year-round resorts in Europe. It is also of course world-famous for its fortified dessert wine known as Madeira. Some Madeira restaurants give you the chance to sample old vintages of the wine, including some vintages from the nineteenth century. Superb embroidery is also one of Madeira’s popular exports.

Among the many enticing dishes on offer in Madeira is the delicious traditional Madeira cake containing molasses, a reminder of the days when Madeira was a major centre for sugar production. The Madeiran skewered beef kebab, Espatada, is one of the most delicious dishes of the island’s cuisine. So is the popular deep-water Madeiran fish, Espada, that’s particularly popular fried with plantains on top.

Madeira is particularly delightful in spring. The island’s relative isolation means that while a well-organised holiday destination with a great deal to offer it’s never going to be too crowded for comfort.

The two main airports in Madeira are both readily accessible by private jet direct from Britain. The most likely destination for most holidaymakers is Santa Cruz airport (also known as Funchal airport) on the island of Madeira itself and the other in the city of Vila Baleira on Porto Santo island.

Madeira has many very fine four and five-star hotels, most overlooking the sea.

Morocco

The combination of the mysteries of the North African culture, beautiful views and scenery, and proximity to Europe make Morocco one of the most popular destinations to visit by private jet. One cunning idea if flying there by private air charter is to travel direct to the airport at Essaouira and not flying to Marrakesh and having to spend hours in a taxi to get to Essaouira itself, which is perhaps the best coastal town in Morocco.

What’s so great about Essaouira is that while offering a true Moroccan experience with the landscapes and luxurious hotels you’d expect, Essaouira is actually a real town rather than just a beach resort. The harbour is a hive of activity with fishing nets stretching out on the quayside, boats unloading their catches, fish auctions and stalls serving seafood sizzling on grills.

The Medina remains unscathed by tourism and adds a potent mystique  to the town. Orson Wells filmed Othello here in 1949.

Maui

How about somewhere closer to home? The combination of the beautiful views and scenery, and proximity to the US make Maui one of the most popular destinations to visit by private jet. A good idea would be to fly there by private air charter direct to the airport at east Maui there’s tiny Hana Airport rather than flying to Kahului and having to spend a long time in a taxi to get to Hana, one of the last unspoiled Hawaiian frontiers. The legendary road to Hana is only 52 miles from Kahului, however the drive can take anywhere from two to four hours to complete since it’s fraught with narrow one-lane bridges.

What’s so great is that Hana itself is a small town where Hawaiian traditions are alive and aloha is a way of life, while having access to gorgeous waterfalls, dramatic vistas and flowering rainforests.

Author: This article was a guest post written by Noor Ali from AircraftCharter.com. We specialize in private jet charters and delivering people to their destination in luxurious style. The biggest thanks to the Jet Set Era team for giving us the opportunity to post on such a wonderful blog.

Filed under: adventure, beach, england, europe, guest post, Hawaii, holiday, travel, travel planning, travel tips Tagged: Hawaii, london, maidera, MAUI, private jet

Travel Guest Post: Tips to Avoid a Nightmare Honeymoon

Wedding planning can become so all-consuming that everything else is forgotten, and sometimes that can even mean the honeymoon! A hastily booked package holiday might seem like a good idea when you’re stressing out over bridesmaids and wedding favours, but when the time comes you’ll be wishing you’d put more thought into your destination.

The first step to the perfect honeymoon is to plan in advance; heck, plan it out before you plan the wedding! While your big day will be a treasured memory, imagine how 7 or 14 days of your honeymoon will stick in your memory – you want to remember a great vacation, not a holiday from hell.

Knowing what the both of you enjoy doing will help no end in making the right choice in destination, so make sure you discuss how you see your perfect holiday and what activities you’d most like to do out there. If you both want to laze around the pool all day, great! But if one wants to go rock climbing and sightseeing whilst the other wants to read and sunbathe, you could find yourselves arguing already. Make sure you plan equal amounts of time for each other’s interests so no one feels bored or hard done by.

Research your subject; trawl the internet for reviews and ratings to get a good idea of where to avoid and where to book. You can find invaluable information on hotels online and from reading reviews from other couples and families can help point you in the right direction before making a decision on your own – that way you can avoid being the one giving out bad reviews when you get back home!

Many couples find having someone around to help them sort out their honeymoon can really help ease the stress, and many people even leave their holiday plans in the hands of a travel agent, letting them create a bespoke honeymoon instead. Find a reputable luxury travel agent to oversee your honeymoon while you get busy with your wedding (although if you’re lucky you’ll have a wedding planner too!)

Find out about any phobias or preferences before you book flights, or long cruises; your partner could be terrified of flying, or you maybe be scared of deep water. Whatever the fear, make sure you discuss it well in advance of the actual journey, because no one wants to kick-start their vacation with a panic attack or hysterical departure lounge tears!

Finally, remember that however wrong or right your honeymoon is, you’ve got each other to pull through! So make your trip away fun and don’t sweat the small stuff; you’ve got a lifetime together for that…

Author:Rhiannon Davies is a freelance writer and travel enthusiast writing for eShores, the luxury travel specialising in multi-centre holidays.

Filed under: guest post, honeymoon, travel, travel planning, travel tips Tagged: travel, travel tips

Travel Guest Post: 6 Must Have Travel Apps

Summer weather is upon us and soon thoughts will be turning to family vacations and romantic getaways. If you’ve got a mobile device, put it to good use! There are hundreds of apps available for download that will help you plan your vacation and enjoy the time spent in your city or country of destination. If you plan on traveling this summer, here are six apps that you simply must download to your mobile device before heading out on your vacation:

HotelTonight

Should you get stranded or find that the hotel has made a mistake with your reservations, this app could save you from searching high and low for a place to lay your head. The app is also perfect for those people who like to fly by the seat of their pants, booking getaways at the last moment. You should know that this app only works for same-day bookings; you cannot book rooms days in advance. Users of the app have reported saving a hundred dollars or more on a room by booking at the last-minute!

TripIT

Planning a vacation and making reservations often results in several email confirmations. Instead of printing out every confirmation you receive, send them all to the TripIT app. The app will organize all of your confirmation numbers and details into one itinerary. If you need access to any of your confirmation numbers, simply open the app and look up your information. It doesn’t get much easier than this!

exeter twitterati! by philcampbell, on Flickr”>

Mobile Banking

Almost every major financial institution has its own mobile application. Look for yours and download it to your smart phone or tablet. Having fast access to your bank account can come in handy while traveling. With your mobile app, you can pay bills, check your balances and even transfer funds from one account to another. If you run out of money, some apps even allow you to request money from family and friends. This way, you will always know if you have enough funds to continue to enjoy your trip or if you will need to come up with a way to quickly get more in your pocket.

Yelp

Most people have heard of the Yelp. The popular application is famous for its brutally honest restaurant reviews. What most people don’t know is that Yelp is useful for much more than finding a great place to eat. Yelp can help you find medical professionals, shops and activities in your destination. Once you download and start using the application, you’ll wonder why you didn’t have it before!

EESH by whatleydude, on Flickr”>

XE Currency

If you’re traveling out of the country, you absolutely must download this application. The app can convert any currency into any other currency quickly and accurately. Download the app a few weeks before your trip and keep an eye on it. The app is helpful for those deciding when to exchange their currency for the best deal. You don’t have to wait until you’ve hit the airport or landed in your destination to exchange your money. Keep an eye on conversion rates and head to your local bank when the rates are at their peak.

Google Translate

This is another great app for anyone traveling to a foreign country. The app lets you ask a question or make a statement and then translates it into the language of your choice. You can realistically carry on an entire conversation with this handy application!

With today’s technology there is an app for just about everything. Use this technology to help you to make your travel more enjoyable and to be able to make sure that you are not missing a thing. Make sure to download the apps that you are using well in advance of your trip so that you can become familiar with how they work.

Guest author Larry Wood is a traveling businessman and writes as a freelance blogger while traveling. He recently found a great resource for looking up Manchester hotels which he strongly recommends to anyone heading to Manchester.

Filed under: travel Tagged: travel applications

Travel Guest Post: LuxeFoods in Tuscany

Known and appreciated throughout the world, Tuscan food is simple and natural, made of few ingredients that, skilfully combined together, give life to unique and delicious dishes.

To have the key role is the Tuscan bread, salt-free and strictly prepared with different flavours and shapes. Together with other tasty ingredients, it becomes the basis for many recipes.

Among the starters typical of Tuscan cuisine is the bread, especially the homemade, that gives life to many appetizers like Panzanella, where the bread is combined with tomatoes, onion, basil and cucumber, or fettunta, where the bread is flavoured with oil of olive oil, fresh pressed oils, garlic, pepper and salt. Do not forget, then, the crostini dei butteri, the crostini di beccaccia, the crostini di Pitigliano and the crostoni di cavolo nero, all made with bread, accompanied from time to time, with other typical and special ingredients. Tuscany, and particularly the city of Prato, is the home of the tasty and crisp Cantucci.

To taste, especially in Florence, is the schiacciata with grapes and rags, fried dough covered with powdered sugar. In Pistoia, however, the famous bertoli are, tasty apple slices dried in the sun while the sweet typical of Lucca is the Buccellato, mixed with water, flour, yeast, sugar, aniseed and raisins. Among the sweet typical of the Maremma are reported, however, the Birilli, donuts with honey, and the sospiri, made from sugar and mounted egg white.

In mountain villages the neccis, made with chestnut flour are to be tested and a special cake made of puff pastry flavoured with aniseed, a true delight the palate. Siena, finally, is the home of Gingerbread. Tuscany is waiting to give you a nice stay during every period of the year. Choose from luxury resorts and interesting packages. If what you are looking for is accommodation in Tuscany villas for your vacation, or independent apartments in Italy for rent for short periods, you will find a lot of possibilities that will give you the opportunity to live a unique experience of hospitality.

 

Filed under: food, guest post, italy Tagged: food, italy, tuscany

A Gentleman’s Read Launch

A Gentleman’s Read is the inspirational new online lifestyle magazine for the Modern Gentleman.

Staff has personally hand-selecting the latest discerning interviews, articles and galleries from top independent websites including: Another Something, Dezeen, Gilt Taste, On Plate Still Hungry, Portable, Post-New, The Boilermaker and Trendland. Check out stories on food, wine, fashion, sports and film. Check it out at: www.AGentlemansRead.com.

Filed under: lifestyle Tagged: lifestyle, men

Travel Guest Post: Traveling Abroad Tips

Going to a new country is exciting, but can be scary. Here are some tips for the first timers.

Research

Language: See what they speak
Laws: This can save you, different countries have different rules, and if you’re a college kid traveling to Europe, you’ll want to brush up on their rules.
Driving Habits: Europe is very different from the United States, some places drive on the left side and others drive on the right. If you plan on driving since you’re seeing the country and not just staying in one place, make sure you’re okay with a little change. You’ll also want to brush up on their rules of the road.
Look at Forums: Google the country and see what other people from your country has to say about the place you’re visiting. These will be the best tool to get an idea on how the culture is, they’ll also tell about a place’s customs so you don’t stick out too much as a tourist. These forums can also tell you about hidden gems that are otherwise unknown such as sites, restaurants, and shops to name a few.
Learn Their Holidays: Just see what holidays are coming up that the country celebrates that would take place during your planned stay, they could prove to be interesting to watch.

Plan

Plan your trip to a “T”, if this is your first trip outside your countries boarders, then being “adventurous” isn’t the best idea. By planning your trip thoroughly you can avoid getting lost. If you do stray from your plan, make sure that it’s never more than a block from the site you’re visiting.

Wardrobe

How you dress or more so, what you carry is rather important. Anything with a strap that hangs from an arm is fair game for pick-pockets. The best investment you can spend is buying one of those wallets that you carry around your neck and shove in between your shirt; they also have ones that attach to your belt, both models don’t usually cost more than $20. Never carry anything valuable in your pockets (unless they snap or zip). Europe is notorious for pick pockets especially in their larger cities where there are a lot of people. They also tend to target Americans and foreigners, so don’t look like a mark.

  Don’t Be a Mark

This is the most important tip. What is a “mark” anyone that clearly doesn’t belong with the crowd and doesn’t look like a native. For those that think that they’re Italian or Irish and will blend in to those countries, guess again.

Don’t dress flamboyantly: wear what you’d normally wear around in your country, fashion is pretty universal.
Learn the language: now I’m not asking you to become fluent, but you should cover simple things like:

You should learn the normal greetings
How to say thanks
Yes and No
Ask for directions
Ask if they speak your language (English in this case), this should be the first thing you ask especially if you’re asking for directions or something complex
Ask where the bathroom is
Ordering food
When asking for directions, be wise about it, not everyone is trustworthy, if something looks suspicious, then go with your gut and abandon the plan and seek out a cop and ask them for directions.
Don’t go to any place off the main road or in a square.
For college kids

don’t accept drinks that you can’t see being made, especially from strangers
don’t partake in drugs, this isn’t some PSA nonsense, but more a cautionary thing; you never know what they cut their drugs with and they can easily slip in a sedative or other harmful substance. US College kids make great hostages.
if you come with a group always make sure you have at least with 2 other people (strength in numbers), and appoint one as the “straight-man”, meaning that one person should agree to be sober for the night out.
If you are going somewhere with a local guide, be vigilant, if it looks shady, bail.


Keep talking limited while out in public, if you don’t speak their language then try to talk in restaurants and other public buildings
Don’t give money to the homeless, they’re usually gypsies and will try to steal from you as soon as you pull out your wallet.

Author: Audrey Porterman is the main researcher and writer for doctoralprograms.org. Her most recent accomplishment includes graduating from Ohio State, with a degree in business management. Her current focus for the site involves a criminal justice phd and a simple online history phd.

Filed under: guest post, travel, travel planning, travel tips Tagged: travel safety, travel tips

Travel Guest Post: Planning Your First Skiing Holiday

Taking the plunge and deciding on a skiing holiday is probably one of the best holidaying decisions you will ever make. Nothing beats the pure exhilaration of hitting the slopes for the first time – and when that is combined with the relaxation and comfort of a skiing resort you’ve got the ingredients for a truly memorable holiday.

But to make sure you get the most out of your skiing holiday, it’s important to plan your visit – especially if it’s your first skiing holiday and you’re not yet familiar with ski resorts and holidays on the slopes. To that end, here’s a useful guide to help you plan your first skiing holiday.

Before you leave…

Before you head off on holiday to your ski resort of choice, there are several things you can do to make sure you make the most of your skiing holiday. Sometimes, it’s easy to forget that skiing can be a strenuous activity, and can become even more so when you’re on the slopes everyday. It can be useful to get some exercise in before heading off on holiday. Cardio training like running, cycling and rowing is a great way to keep fitness levels up, which can help you enjoy the pleasures of skiing much more and even progress quicker. To help with this, a lot of gyms run ‘ski-fit’ courses.

As well as general exercise, it is also a good idea to get some skiing practice in before hitting the slopes for real. Whether you are a seasoned skier or a complete novice, a bit of practice beforehand goes a long way when you’re careering down the mountain! Ski lessons are a great way to either ‘keep your eye in’ or learn to ski from scratch before your ski holiday.

What to take with you…

It may be stating the obvious, but skiing holidays are a bit different to the usual city breaks and beach holidays – and therefore need a bit of extra planning.

As well as the usual stuff like passports, local currency and travel documents, skiing holidays need specific insurance policies and a lot of ski resorts will need photos for lift passes. On top of this you need to take along the right skiing equipment. A lot of this, like skis and snowboards can be hired at ski resorts, but it’s a good idea to pack warm winter clothing to make sure you’ve got plenty of options to keep warm. A handy backpack is also recommended so you can take supplies out with you up the mountains and keep you stocked up for the day.

One mistake a lot of first timers make is to not pack sun cream and lip block. Despite the snow and cold weather, the sun can be extremely strong when you’re high up – so high protection is recommended.

If you’re planning your first skiing trip, the above will serve as a good guide to the kind of preparation you need to make before you leave on what should be an exciting and memorable holiday. If you have any other hints or tips to plan a ski holiday, please share them in the comments below.

Filed under: guest post, ski, travel, travel planning, travel tips Tagged: ski, travel, travel tips