Going on a holiday is always exciting but packing for it can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to deciding what clothes to take. For women, the struggle to pack efficiently can be even more challenging, as there are many factors to consider such as the destination, climate, and activities planned. In this blog post, I will share some tips on what clothes women should pack for a holiday, to ensure they are prepared for any occasion.

Research the destination

Day 1 – History and Mystery

We often spend extra money to have a safe and enjoyable holiday, and there is nothing wrong with investing in your own safety. That said, there is no need to spend a fortune just to make sure that the entire holiday, from start to finish, is nothing but enjoyable.

Choosing a package holiday is a great way to start. Packages often put you with a group of likeminded people and make sure you are taken care of throughout the trip. There are other things you can do to stay safe and save money when going on a holiday too.

Go on Tours

Group holidays and predefined tours are more affordable because you are travelling with a group of people, to select destinations or attractions, and with a guide helping you every step of the way. Tours are also safer because of the presence of tour guides and other supporting services.

When you want to explore new cities, for instance, it is much safer and more affordable to go on guided walking tours. You will still be able to see the best of the city without risking getting lost or running into problems along the way.

Research

Before going on a trip, make sure you take the time to research your destination. For example, by finding out where you can find grocery stores near your hotel, it will be cheaper to stock up on supplies here rather than raid the hotel minibar and pay a fortune for water or chocolate. It's also worth researching information about emergency services and pharmacies nearby.

These are small details that can be found easily, but they are the kind of details that will help you when you run into problems during the trip. If you lose your medication, for instance, you will know which pharmacies carry them even before departing.

Get Insured

Taking out a travel insurance policy that provides extra coverage without breaking the bank is a great idea. Travel insurance protects you against common issues such as flight delays and lost baggage, plus it can cover emergency medical assistance when you are abroad. When you think that medical bills in the USA can run into millions it's worth doing.

Staysure offers single-trip travel insurance to help you buy the right policy for your needs and cover the medical conditions required. For many, the reassurance of having travel insurance can make for a more relaxing and enjoyable holiday.

Time Your Trip

Timing your trip correctly is another great way to save money while remaining safe. When travelling during low season, you will be dealing with smaller crowds of travellers, and there are fewer risks to worry about. The trip will be both safer and more enjoyable.

At the same time, you save money on travel expenses when you travel in low season. Hotels and flights are more affordable; local restaurants and tourist attractions offer more discounts and special offers; you can pre-book virtually everything online or organise your tours before departing too. 

Make Final Preparations

There are extra preparations that you can do to be safer when travelling, starting with making sure that you have multiple copies of your travel documents, and that they are stored in different bags. This may seem like a small thing to do, but it will save you in difficult situations.

Carrying extra medications, making sure your carry-on bag is packed with bottled water and snacks and bringing extra charging cables for your devices are also small things that you can do to be more prepared for the trip. With boarding passes being available on a mobile phone these days, the last thing you want is no phone battery.

At the end of the day, being more prepared for the trip is what this is all about. In order to stay safer and save money in the process, give yourself time to do research, find good deals, prepare extra measures, and have a great trip.

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Well, the weather outside is frightful, but that doesn’t mean your vacation can’t be delightful. Here are three great vacation destinations you should visit. So let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. Of course, we can't all travel at the moment but for those who can travel safely, this is for you.

Accessibility is so important. If you have mobility or accessibility problems ensuring your everyday life is accessible is hard enough but finding an accessible holiday can be incredibly difficult sometimes. If you’re looking for helpful resources, My Mobility Guide has put together a fantastic guide with some brilliant resources to help you find the right holiday for you. Here are some other things you should be looking for in an accessible holiday. This is an ad.

So the Summer is nearly upon us, and before long many of you will be going on that much-needed vacation. There always seems to be so many things to remember to be prepared for, doesn't it? So to prepare you for your summer vacation here is a checklist of things you need to do.


1. Travel Insurance

I know it may sound boring but you should get travel insurance from the minute you book your holiday to cover you for any unforeseen circumstances. When you are looking for travel insurance there are two main things to consider in my opinion - do you want basic cover for emergencies or do you want cover for everything? This will of course impact the price.  

If you are taking part in certain sports such as jet skiing or kite surfing check that this is covered on your travel insurance too.

2. Travel Documents

Check that your passport is up-to-date. In some countries, they require you to have 6 months left on your passport. If you do need to renew your passport or apply for your first passport, don't leave it to the last minute as in the busy summer months it can take weeks to get your new passport - any remaining months will be added to your new one.

If you are travelling to Europe and are within the E.U. don't forget to apply for a EHIC which will cover you for emergency medical treatment.   

It always a good idea to take photos of all your paperwork in case you lose them, I save mine on my phone. If you are old school a photocopy will also suffice.

3. Health Care

Do you need any vaccinations for the country you are travelling to? Boots has a good vaccination checker and health advice service so you can see if you need any boosters or vaccinations before you travel. Alternatively, your GP or practice nurse can advise you, and some may be free but some they will charge for.

When preparing what you need to take consider basics like painkillers, insect repellant, antiseptic cream, plastics, anti-diarrhoea medication, suncream, sunburn treatment and antihistamines. 

4. Currency

If you are travelling abroad you will need local currency, so consider the benefits of using cash, a prepaid currency card or using your credit card. I find I use a combination of all three. This article on travel currency from Money Saving Expert is useful for hints and tips. 

It is generally cheaper to order your currency in advance than pick it up at the airport or at the destination. You can order a prepaid card like the Post Office currency card or FairFX card and load money onto it before you go. This has the added benefit of getting the rate at the time of money load, so if the exchange rate is strong on that day you will benefit. I use the Halifax Clarity credit card when I go abroad as it has an excellent exchange rate and it doesn't charge a foreign exchange fee.  

5. Packing

Pack for the weather in the destination you are going to.  I use Accuweather or the weather app on the iPhone to tell me the weather in the destination but as the weather can change I always try to take emergency items like a light pack-a-mac style raincoat if I have room. I also find the air-conditioning can be fierce in hot countries so I pack a cardigan or two as well. 

Check the airline's restricted items, size of hand luggage and weight of checked baggage so you comply with their requirements. Pack your items securely, if you have something valuable like camera equipment check out the flight cases available. If you are taking liquids in your hand luggage, current advice is containers must hold no more than 100ml, and containers must be in a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag, which holds no more than a litre and measures approximately 20cm x 20cm. 

6. Technology

Don't forget travel adaptors or a universal charger. These can be picked up cheaply on Amazon, but if you forget you can always get them at the airport. Ensure your items are charged before you get to the airport. If you are going through US security they can check if your items are charged and if you have a mobile boarding pass don't forget to have your phone charged too. 

Check your data roaming package as well, as you don't want to be hit with a high phone bill on your return. My mobile provider is Three, which has the Feel At Home scheme which means you can use your phone in many European countries as well as the USA and Australia at no extra charge to you. For more details check out their website. If you do have high data roaming charges, to get around this use free Wi-Fi when available or buy a local sim.  

7. When Away

When you are away see if a relative or neighbour can check on your home, water your plants, collect the mail and any parcels to make your home look lived in.

Alternatively, you could consider housesitting where someone looks after your home and your pets. We recently tried being house sitters ourselves and it's a great way of travelling the world for free. The benefits to you if you are being house sat, is that your home looks lived in, your pets are cared for and your home is looked after too. 

Before you go away cancel any deliveries check that the windows are closed, all doors are locked, any timers are set for lights and the heating is turned off. 

8. Airport Travel 

Finally, get to the airport on time. So if you live a distance away, check the driving time on Google Maps, or how to get there on public transport and book your train or bus in advance,   
If you are driving, Google Maps is brilliant as a SatNav as it will update with real-time traffic advice and show you alternative routes if there are delays.

Pre-booking parking at the airport is always cheaper than not doing so. Holiday Extras have a great comparison site for airport hotels and airport parking.  We often like to stay at an airport hotel overnight to take the stress out of getting to the airport on time and to start the holiday relaxed and refreshed.

So these are my tips on how to prepare for a summer vacation. Do you have any?

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Holidays are great! Whether you like to sightsee, or relax, soak up the culture or stay close to your hotel, but one thing we often do on holiday is indulging a little too much. I'm all for this too. Having that extra dessert, or that one too many burgers, but if you travel a lot like me then that indulgence will soon mean that your weight could slowly creep up and you might not want this. Jet 2, the low-cost holiday company asked me to write about my tips on how to stay healthy on holiday so here they are.

Breakfast



Try and have a healthy breakfast as this will stop you eating rubbish for the rest of the day. If you have a buffet breakfast put in front of you, indulge in a full cooked breakfast by all means but try and have your eggs scrambled or poached rather then fried, avoid anything like fried bread and be sure to have fresh fruit, fruit juice, a smoothie bowl or a fruit smoothie if available.

Lunch

If you have had a large breakfast have a light lunch, of soup, salad or fruit. If you are tempted by the regional delicacies of pastries and cakes then have one here instead of lunch, and avoid anything else.

Dinner

If you normally have fries with everything consider healthier options such as rice or couscous if available. Choose white meat such as chicken and fish over red meat such as lamb or beef for a change. Look for dishes that are colourful and have lots of vegetables such as stir-fries and avoid anything too creamy.

Alcohol

If you enjoy a drink then instead of drinking cocktails, beer, wine or lager all night, have a soft drink in between or sparkling water that has no calories, to pace yourself. Mocktails are a tasty alternative to cocktails without the alcohol just be careful of the sugar content.

Food safety

To avoid an upset stomach go to places where the food is freshly cooked if possible. If you are going to a buffet go at a busy time to ensure that there is a high turnover of the food and that it isn't waiting all day on a hot plate. It is especially good if you can watch the food being cooked in front of you. If you are not sure if the water is safe then drink bottled water and avoid foods washed in the local water like salads. This is why it's important to gather all available travel health information on your destination before you make concrete plans.  

Las Vegas is known for its non-stop nightlife and is thought of as the partying capital of the world but it's also a city for top luxury experiences, from helicopter rides over the Grand Canyon, to eating at the top of the Stratosphere in a revolving restaurant. Here is my guide to the top luxury experiences you must have in Las Vegas. 

See the Grand Canyon in style


Rather than take a four-hour drive from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, instead, take a helicopter flight over for a bird's eye view. It's one of my top adventurous things to do in Las Vegas. We were picked up in a stretch limousine from our hotel to be taken to the helicopter port, then before we knew it we were whisked up into the air for a tremendous view of the Las Vegas strip, then over the Hoover Dam.

On touchdown, we had some time to take photos, and then we were treated to a champagne picnic. This trip with Sundance Helicopters was a perfect and luxurious way to see the Grand Canyon, especially when short on time.

Eat at a 'top restaurant' 


Las Vegas is known for its fabulous top-class restaurants, and Joel Robuchon is one of the top restaurants in the world. This three-Michelin-star restaurant in the MGM Grand Hotel has unforgettable food in a luxurious Art Deco townhouse complete with a lush garden terrace and marble floors. The food is beautifully presented and simply astounding.

For a meal with a view, check out the Top Of The World restaurant 800 feet above the Las Vegas Strip. Within the Stratosphere Hotel, the restaurant slowly revolves and has a jaw-dropping view, whilst the food is pricey but fabulous quality - check out the amazing filet mignon steak with a red wine reduction that just melts in the mouth or the sublime lobster thermidor with crab. Perfection on a plate!

Take a gondola ride

Take a romantic gondola ride through the Venetian hotel to transport you back to Italy and the Venice canals. It's certainly a way to see Las Vegas in style! Be serenaded by the gondolier in his best operatic voice and don't forget the Italian tradition of kissing under each bridge for good luck. It's a surreal experience as the skyline is artificial but looks like a blue sky with real clouds.

If you want to pop the question to your other half, the gondoliers are experts at making moments special so be sure to let them know before you get on.

Drive a supercar into the desert



For the ultimate rush, why not drive a supercar through the desert?  Choose a luxury car such as a Lamborghini, Ferrari or Porsche, go through the safety briefing and then put your foot down for some laps on the track. When you are confident,t let them know and you could drive your fast car through the desert and then floor it - safely, of course! 

Mr W enjoyed this ultimate bucket list wish, which is certainly one unforgettable experience for you speed freaks out there.

Max out your credit card at the luxury shops



Las Vegas is known for its luxury shopping, so be sure to bring your credit card when you visit with plenty of credit! The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace has Gucci, Christian Louboutin and Cartier, whilst the shops at Via Bellagio have Prada, Chanel and Tiffany and Co. With over 50 luxury brands, the Shops At Crystals is a luxury shopper's delight, so splash your cash at Bvlgari, Hermes, Tag Heuer or Harry Winston for a shopping high.



If you want to visit Las Vegas, Travel Planners have a range of offers to the USA. Their Las Vegas deals are a bargain with prices from £529 per person for flights and accommodation, and before you know it, you could be sitting by the pool in the Winter catching some of the Las Vegas sun. Money saved could be spent on one of these luxury experiences above, so what are you waiting for?

Tell me, have you been to Las Vegas? What do you think of my top luxury experiences? 

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The UK has some beautiful areas so it is not surprising that staycations are becoming increasingly popular. As the pound weakens you don't have to worry about the exchange rate, the hassle of taking a flight, and concerns about security overseas. One of those up and coming tourist destinations that may not be on your radar is Eastbourne - a secret gem on the south coast of England.

A seaside town with culture


Eastbourne is a large seaside town and borough with a vibrant cultural scene. As well as the lovely beaches recommended in the Good Beach Guide it has lots to see and do for people of all ages. 
The town itself has no less than 5 theatres showing everything from West End shows to local comedians and the award-winning Towner art gallery has a range of events for all the family. Kids are looked after with the Eastbourne miniature steam railway, the Redoubt fortress military museum and the Treasure Island adventure park, which has indoor and outdoor adventure areas as well as pirate-themed mini golf. Aha me hearties!

Superb places to eat

If you are like me and always look for great places to eat on holiday you will be spoilt for choice as Eastbourne has some wonderful restaurants. From casual beachside dining with a touch of class at The Beach Deck on the picturesque seafront to fine dining in the Mirabelle restaurant at the Grand Hotel, recently voted one of the 50 best restaurants in the UK by the Independent newspaper. 
One of my favourite places is Season's brasserie, a restaurant, deli and wine bar. Check out their wine tastings throughout the year and their live music events for a great evening of entertainment.  Of course, you also have the option to get a tasty bag of fish and chips from the many fish bars and restaurants along the prom too or a delicious ice-cream from one of the many vendors.

Great places to drink


Did you know Eastbourne has some great food and drink events throughout the year as well? The Beer and Cider By The Sea festival is on the 26th to the 28th of May this year and the Eastbourne Beer Festival is on the 5th to the 7th of October. At both of these events, you can try lots of delicious hearty real ales as well as listen to live music and be thoroughly entertained.

If you love a glass of wine only a few miles from Eastbourne town is Rathfinny Wine Estate in Alfriston where they produce the outstanding Sussex sparkling wine. You can visit Rathfinny for a wine tour or tasting or visit the historic Flint 
Barns on the estate to enjoy coffee and cake, brunch or Sunday lunch. Cheers!

Around the Eastbourne area
If you want to venture further afield, only a short drive from Eastbourne town is Beachy Head, the highest chalk sea cliff in Britain, and the South Downs National Park with beautiful countryside and pretty little villages like Alfriston, only seven miles away.

The Eastbourne holiday guide

So as you can see Eastbourne is a great place to visit. I hope I have whetted your appetite with this guide to Eastbourne and if you would like more information about the area, check out the online Eastbourne Holiday Guide. The guide is extra special as it is full of great attractions, brilliant places to stay and superb places to eat as well as exclusive offers. Go on, have a peek!

Win a stay in Eastbourne



Today on my blog I am giving you the chance to win a lovely prize - a 2-night stay with breakfast and vintage afternoon tea at the Lansdowne Hotel Eastbourne! Entry is easy through the Rafflecopter application below, for full terms and conditions check out the information on the Rafflecopter app. Good luck and I hope you get the chance to visit Eastbourne soon.

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The Ramsey Lodge is designed for 'upside down living', with the living space upstairs and the bedrooms and bathrooms downstairs. This is a genius idea as you get a terrific view of the beautiful scenery around the park.



Everything in the lodge was perfect. The two bedroom lodge had a double bedroom and a twin bedroom,  one with ensuite bath and toilet and the other with an ensuite shower and toilet room. Upstairs is the lounge and kitchen/diner. The lounge contained a table and chairs big enough for four, two sofas, a flat screen TV and DVD player. The kitchen had a small fridge/freezer, cooker, microwave, dishwasher, toaster and kettle, and all the dishes, pans and utensils you would need to cook and serve a meal. 



The condition of everything was spot on. The bathrooms were incredibly clean, the sofas and tables were in excellent condition, and there were no scuff marks on the walls. The carpet also looked new and was different to when we visited the park last year. You can see Bluestone Wales refurbish and replace on a regular basis.

Activities

The park has amazing activities for kids and I can confirm that the Blue Lagoon all weather water park, looks amazing and has a fantastic looking slide. 

The family adventure centre will also keep the kids happy with mini golf, a climbing wall and soft play as well as a circus zone, messy play area and a sensory zone for babies, all under cover.

You can hire bikes and buggies to get around the park, a good idea if you have little ones or mobility problems as the park can be steep in places.

There is even the Well Spa where adults can have a massage, pedicure or other treatments as well as using the small pool and the different therapeutic rooms. 



The outdoor play area always looks like great fun too!



If you love nature, check out the bug lodge and the beautiful lake with the little ducklings, whilst history lovers will enjoy the history walk with the local historian Terry John which is free.



Also watch out for the bunnies!


This visit we decided to try one of the activities for adults. Now, should we go for the archery, high rope zip line, laser clay pigeon shooting, or indoor rock climbing? As I am not a fan or heights we decided to try one of the shooting activities so after visiting the booking centre we trotted off to the laser pigeon shooting the next day.

Now I am a bit of a crack shot. This is not due to a misspent youth, more to do with a natural ability. I think I was Annie Oakley in a former life. Actually, I don't know how I do it but I'm pretty nifty with a gun, and found this out at a shooting range in Las Vegas, so the pressure was on.

Mr W is a competitive sort, and in everything we do he always has to be the best, and can slyly put me under pressure if I am winning. It was going to be interesting to see who was the Bluestone clay pigeon champion January 2017!





After a quick explanation of how the guns worked, it was on to the practice round. The guns have a little infra-red light that is fired at the clay targets, this then reflects back to the scoreboard. I did well in the practice round, and Mr W was already complaining that his gun wasn't working properly... Forty-five minutes later, we were all finished, and I won against three other people and I don't think I will ever hear the end of it! So if you want to upset everyone in your family I would highly recommend trying one of the competitive sports when you visit.

Food





Bluestone Wales has a small grocery shop as well as a number of cafes and restaurants on site mostly all in the village area.  The shop has a captive audience so prices are on the high side so we would recommend taking most of the food you will think you will need with you. You can get most things you need in the shop though so don't worry if you forget anything or just want to buy food when you are there.


Camp Smokey looked good fun but was not open when we were there. The Farmhouse Grill is a restaurant tailored to families and Ty Coffi is a super little cafe. 


We had a really good meal at The Knight's Tafarn, the pub in the village area. The chicken madras, poppadoms, and nan bread we ordered were really tasty and the chips that came as a side dish were very good too.  

We were surprised that the more upmarket Oak Tree restaurant had changed the type of food they served since last time we went. Instead of a refined upmarket bistro, the restaurant now serves more hearty pizza and pasta dishes. 



We ate there one night and the food was good, not perfect but still good, and the prices were excellent, with main courses being about £10. I had a pulled beef ragu and Mr W had penne arrabbiata, which we both enjoyed. There were no starters other than garlic bread, and it would have been nice to have more choice here. Dessert options were limited to chocolate brownies and ice cream, and again more choice would have been brilliant but the brownie was outstanding and the ice cream great quality.

Service was very good at the Oak Tree restaurant, and this has much improved since the first time we visited Bluestone Wales. As this is the main restaurant for adults, (although children are welcome too) perhaps the lighting could have been adjusted to give a more ambient atmosphere.  I do think however Bluestone Wales have made the right decision to change the restaurant to pizza and pasta, just a few more starters and desserts would have made it better.



Bluestone Wales is well situated in West Wales, being a short drive from Tenby and Saundersfoot, and if you love history Carew Castle is only 7 miles away.  



Bluestone Wales has something for everyone. We saw a real mix of people during this stay, from families with babies to retired couples. The luxury holiday park suits those looking for a family-friendly activity break to those looking for a quiet stay in a beautiful holiday park close to nature. There is also lots to do for free - check out this post on 5 free things to do in Bluestone with a toddler, for example.

I haven't touched on all the activities and events available, but these change seasonally. The park is always changing, updating and improving and Bluestone should be commended for this. With a 4 night midweek break from £149 per lodge in the low season then I think it can be tremendous value for money too. 






Bluestone Resorts Ltd