airport-cartoonEvery now and again a website gets set up that provides the answer to a kew question you can never easily find the answer to.  Such is GatwickParkingQuotes.com

If you have ever tried to park at Gatwick, this site is for you – bookmark it now! Read more

Alecia CaineI’m Alecia Caine and I’ve had a passion for France ever since I’m a little girl when I first heard the French language spoken. I fell in love with this beautiful language and that’s when my love affair with France and all things French began. I guess you could say France is my soul mate. If a place can actually be a soul mate.   Read Alecia’s Blog and find out about her tours for women in France

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sondrioGuest post by Alessandra Bianchi who enjoys the mountain life and writes on travel blogs.

 Many people head to the major cities like Rome, Florence and Venice when they visit Italy on holiday. Others travel down the Italian coast, which is another popular option. However, I’d like to tell you about the place where I live, which is still unknown to many tourists and can therefore provide you with an experience unlike any of the classic holidays in Italy. Read more

Guest Post by Enma Carey

If you’re after somewhere different for your next travel adventure, why not consider China? This vast country has huge amounts to offer the adventurous woman traveller and is a real eye opener for anyone looking to experience new cultures.From ancient Buddhist temples to wonders of the world and bustling mega-cities, China is best described as a country of contradictions, and the only way to truly understand it is to visit it yourself.

The Great Wall

imageIf you visit China then the one thing you cannot miss is of course the Great Wall stretching from Shanhaiguan in the East, to Lop Lake in the West, and in total is thought to be around 21,196 km long. As a result, it’s not possible to view the Wall in its entirety (except from space!), but it is possible to view certain sections of it. Make sure you book a tour with a reputable tour guide who can take you to a section with plenty to see. Walking up to the wall might take around 40 minutes, so some people choose to take a mountain chair lift up to it and take in the sights this way. To get back down, a toboggan ride is a really fun option popular with many tourists.

The Forbidden City

imageAnother must-see in China is the Forbidden City in Beijing. Housed behind walls, this ancient city once housed the imperial palace and is now home to the Palace Museum and consists of 980 buildings. Stepping out of modern Beijing and into the ancient Forbidden City is an experience you will be unlikely to forget, and there are never-ending photo opportunities here, with the fabulous Chinese architecture and art well preserved in many of the buildings.

The Spirit of China

imageAs well as the sightseeing opportunities, China has its spiritual side too. Although a communist country, there are several Buddhist temples in China to visit if you are interested in this side of travelling. Perhaps the closest you’ve ever come to spiritualism is psychic tarot reading or consulting an online psychic, in which case this side of China is well worth discovering.

Guest post by Emma Carey   

challaborough_bayFor many of us, some of the best holiday memories from childhood probably include time spent on a beach and on a campsite. And today, it’s still possible to have those kinds of bucket and spade holidays with our own families. The only difference these days is that the facilities are far superior to what they used to be, and for those of us who aren’t that comfortable with sleeping under canvas now, there are plenty of great alternatives on holiday parks such as renting a mobile home, bringing your own touring caravan or staying in a log cabin or holiday lodge.

For those wishing to camp in the UK are there are holiday parks in South Devon and Cornwall, Wales, and Scotland to name but a few spectacular locations. Read more

When the snow turns slushy and the skies in London stay grey, my friends Hannah and Jennifer look at each other.  ‘It’s time we went back to New Zealand, don’t you think?’

Auckland Car RentalEvery second February,  they wave their English winter goodbye, and fly non-stop to visit family and friends in the warmth of the NZ summer. They have it down to a fine art. They arrive at Auckland, pick up a rental car from their favourite company, and start on their meticulously planned itinerary. They usually cover both islands ,over four weeks, and at the end of their holiday, arrive at Auckland Airport at a good time to leave the rental car. Over the years,  Hannah has proved that the rental car is the cheapest and most flexible option for them.

Campervan Rental in New ZealandAnother English friend, Barbara,  arrived recently at Auckland airport and collected a tiny campervan built for one. She spent her entire year in New Zealand driving from host to host, and sometimes stopping for a few days at holiday parks and camping grounds. Barbara had included several months volunteering and wwooffing in her year, as well as sight seeing. She loved the flexibility and independence of her tiny campervan, but also appreciated being able to stay with people in a real house with a bedroom she could stand up in.

And then there are: Trains, Bicycle and even walking Te Ara Roa (the Long Walkway) Read more

women9When you’re planning a weekend or week away with the girls, it can be difficult to choose a destination that suits everyone in the group that’s going. A big consideration is always cost. What might be a little extra for one person might be a big chunk of disposable income for another, so it’s diplomatic if you’re the person planning the trip to budget on the lower side. You don’t want anyone to feel excluded because they can’t afford it.

One big advantage these days is that there are so many cheap flights available around Europe, thanks to the number of budget airlines in operation. So, if you have a rough idea of when you want to travel, you could start off by finding out which destinations have the best deals. Sign up for email news from different airlines and you’ll get to know about any promotions that are happening. Read more

Guest post by Sarah Jarvis

Congratulations!

hereford1You’re getting married; you’re somewhat neurotic with planning the Big Day, you’re consumed by the importance of seating plans, cake, guest, outfits, favours, invites…. the list is unending. Just when you think that the romance and fun has been drowned in logistics, there’s a shining light that pulls you through – the Hen Night!

At last; one part of the planning that stops you revolving around others and ensures that the limelight finds it’s direction and fixes on the bride and her closest hen-friends, for a memorable occasion that can parallel the wedding itself.

So, should you head to ‘the local’ for a familiar night that you can trust to be fun, as all of the nights you’ve previously spent there? Wear a sash and you’ll inevitably get a free drink or two! Should you don the uniformed fancy dress and head into town to drink your weight in shots, and regret the skimpy outfit once it’s time to suffer the delays of a taxi home? Read more

A guest post by Susannah Perez

packingLet’s face it: for the true fans of fabulous footwear, there’s no travel wardrobe decision more agonising than having to pick which shoes to take along with you on vacation.

It’s a tricky one – you want to be prepared for every occasion, but you don’t want to overload your luggage. Shoes are cumbersome, heavy, and they take up space in a suitcase. But they are a necessity for comfort and style. So what’s a conscientious traveller to do? Read more

trainAmanda Andrews writes this guest blog:

The UK is one of the safest places to travel, particularly as a solo female, but it still pays to take few precautions when you’re travelling alone.

One of the best ways to stay safe on your travels in the UK is to make the most of modern technology by downloading travel apps to your smartphone before you travel.

Here’s my guide to the best free travel apps which guarantee your safety as well as a great trip! Read more