By no means let it put you off going abroad – bad experiences are still the exception, not the rule. Be prepared, though: before you go, make sure you book comprehensive travel insurance and jot down the number of your destination’s local UK embassy and police station. Then, keep your eyes open and avoid some of the most prevalent tourist scams out there:

Currency Conversions

It’s a good idea to get your travel money exchanged before heading to the airport. Exchanging cash in booths or on the street can cost you serious funds – light-fingered employees may short change you or give you back the wrong bills, hoping that you won’t recognise the difference because of the unfamiliar currency.

If you’re forced to get money abroad, get it from a recognised bank and make sure that you understand what each note is worth.

The Midnight Call

You’ve settled down to sleep in your hotel when the phone rings – it’s the receptionist, staying they’ve had a bit of trouble with your bill and need to reconfirm your credit card numbers. Dozily you read out your details – but it’s not the receptionist, it’s a con artist who’s looking to run up a giant bill at your expense.

Also look out for uniformed ‘members of staff’ who approach you in the lobby and ask to photograph your passport – hand it over and you may never see it again.

Friendly Locals

You get chatting to a friendly person who seems to know the area well – they invite you for a drink and a private tour. Of course, it doesn’t do to mistrust everyone but do be careful: if they seem keen on taking you to a specific bar or place it may be because their friends are waiting there to rob you in relative privacy. Don’t let them take you anywhere that’s enclosed.

Fake Cops

A group of policemen approach you to say that there have been reports of counterfeit currency being passed around in the area and ask to check the money you’ve got on you. They sadly inform you your money is ‘fake’ and swap it for ‘real’ cash before disappearing. Later, you find you’ve been left with a wad of counterfeit bills.

A variation on this scam will have a policeman coming to your rescue when you’re being hassled by a local man (in reality, the bogus cop’s accomplice). As the cop waves him away he’ll have a chance to get close to you and lift your wallet.

Taxis

Never, ever take an unregistered taxi – they need a number and a license obviously displayed. In one of the best-case scenarios, you’ll just be overcharged.

Try to establish the fare before you set out on local transport – and make sure you’re not being charged per person rather than for the journey as a whole. It’s important to have a fairly good idea where you’re stopping and insist you be taken there: in some cases drivers work with souvenir touts and will drop you off near their wares.

1. Make sure that you check the total cost of purchasing foreign currency and not just the exchange rate. You should look for the best exchange rate, lowest commission charge, handling costs and delivery fees. You should then work out which company gives you to best saving all together rather than just the cheapest exchange rate as there could be hidden costs to consider. The company that gives you the most foreign currency after all the extras is the one for you.
2. Comparison sites can be a good way to compare certain companies quickly. However some providers have a commercial relationship with the businesses they include on their websites – this could result in opposing and confusing results if you look at a number of different sites. It may be best to do an independent comparison so that you do not overpay as a result of looking at a biased site.
3. You can save hundreds of pounds by using specialist travel sending cards with the cheapest exchange rates. These could give you a better exchange rate than any bureau; however you should always pay the card back in full before the required date to avoid accumulating any interest.   Do not use your debit card when you’re away as these have the worst fees – these can add up to £1.50 every time you spend.
4. Never change your money at airports or ferry terminals as these will give you the worst rates. Yet if this is your only last minute option, pre-order for pickup as this will get you a slightly better rate.
5. Instead of carrying wads of cash to your holiday destination, it is better and safer to obtain Traveller Cheques. These allow you to keep an eye on your budget as you can keep tabs on how many traveller cheques you have cashed in. Also if cheques are lost or stolen, it is a lot more difficult for people to use them than if they got their hands on your cash.

The list is long and the choice hard.

Or is it? If you opt for a cruise with Cunard Cruises, you could tick off several places on your list all at once. This well known and world renowned cruise company has many liners visiting the Mediterranean and dozens of different cruise itineraries for you to choose from. Each one visits a mixture of places and give you the chance to choose not just one place, but a whole selection to visit.

Of course itineraries vary so much that you may have difficulty picking which of these interesting routes to take on your cruise. One very popular route is the 16 night western Mediterranean cruise on the ‘Aurora’.

Setting sail from Southampton your first few days are spent enjoying the wonderful activities and amenities on board the ship before making your first stop in Malaga, Spain. Here you get a full day to enjoy this interesting city, taking in the culture and exploring museums, plazas and theatre. Two days back on board relaxing in the sunshine by the poolside and then it’s Zakynthos, Greece. This stunning southern Greek island has gorgeous beaches, and peaceful bays. The old city is a great place to wander the markets and haggle for souvenirs, and you can enjoy a taste of traditional Greek food in many of the cafes here.

Dubrovnik comes next with its city inlaid with marble and filled with incredible Baroque architecture – some of the finest in Europe. Dubbed ‘the pearl of the Adriatic’ by Lord Byron this is a wonderful city full of ancient charm. Frome here the Aurora sails to Venice where you can explore the city by gondola travelling under the bridge of sighs and seeing the sights as you go.

The Dalmatian Islands and Korcula are next. This gem of an island remains beautifully un-commercialised and offers a really calming and relaxed atmosphere with picturesque town and untouched feel to it. The final stop is Gibraltar with all its history and atmosphere it’s a great place to end your tour of the Mediterranean before spending two more blissful days relaxing on board your ship as you sail for home.

The Cunard cruise reputation is one of outstanding service and relaxed but luxurious comfort. From the moment you step on board till the moment you disembark, you are looked after, pampered and offered an amazing array of interesting entertainments and wonderful excursions as you travel with one of the oldest cruise companies in existence.

Here are some tips that can help you find those fantastic cruise deals.

Book last minute

Many of the best deals are to be found on last-minute bookings; that is, cruises that are due to depart within the next month or two. If you are able to travel at relatively short notice, you’re far more likely to pick up a bargain. Check cruise specialist websites and tour operators when looking for last minute deals.

Deals can be found last minute because cruise companies do not want to sail without filling up their ships to capacity first. For this reason, if there are cabins going spare close to departure, the prices can drop dramatically, meaning you benefit from the reduced rate.

Talk to the experts

By calling or visiting a specialist cruise adviser, you can find out about deals that aren’t necessarily listed anywhere else. A cruise specialist will have completely up to date knowledge about what’s available, as well as a working relationship with the cruise providers, so they’re the best people to provide tailored advice and information about cruises that will meet your specifications and your budget.

You may also be able to find special deals to the specific destinations you want to visit. If you are unsure about where exactly you want to go on your cruise, they may be able to help advise you as to the best options available for your price range.

Focus on the benefits

Good cruise deals are not just about the price of the cruise. It’s worth considering the whole experience you’re getting for your money; cheap cruises should be cruises at a special price, not cruises that compromise on any of the luxury.

Cruises should be about your accommodation, the food, the entertainment, the destinations you visit and everything else that goes into creating the cruise holiday experience. Try to focus on these things more so than the price to ensure your cruise experience is going to include everything you want.

Travel Insurance

Sadly from time-to-time accidents and incidents do happen on holiday, and travelling without decent travel insurance could you see you out of pocket running into tens of thousands of pounds.  Therefore if you haven’t already done so, read more about travel insurance here.

Getting to the Airport

Unless you have someone kind enough to drive you to the airport you will need to consider how you will get there to catch your flights.

By Taxi

Taxis are the most convenient way considering you don’t have to cart your luggage to the train station and it will drive you right up to your terminal.  However most airports are situated on the outskirts of most cities making taxis fares expensive.  Having said that many companies will provide special rates if you call ahead of time and you can actually bargain with different taxi firms to get the best deal.

By Car

Another convenient way to travel to the airport is by car especially if you travel with your family.  But then you need to consider airport parking and how much is it going to cost.  Most large airports in the UK, including Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester Airports have more than one parking supplier to choose from.  By shopping online and paying upfront you can usually save money compared to paying on arrival.  Therefore if you are looking for Heathrow, Gatwick or Manchester Airport parking, look online at various suppliers to find the best deal.

Travelling Around

Okay, so you have arrived at your destination but how are you going to travel around and get from A to B.  Depending on whom you are travelling with and where you are going will most likely determine what method of getting around you will choose.  Here are some considerations to help you plan.

By Foot & Public Transport

You can’t beat getting a true feel of the place you visit by walking around and exploring the local area by foot.  You will truly get a feel for a place by seeing everything up close and personal and most importantly it is good of your health and it is free.  However if you travel to a big city, walking can be tiring and you might not get chance to see everything you desire.  For this reason you might want to search online to find out if there are any weekly travel passes for trains and buses.  In many cities you will find cheaper rates if you pay upfront for a weekly travel ticket.  Moreover if you are travelling with your family you can in some places pay for family passes.  These can save you a lot of money when

By Car

Car hire for many people is a great way to get around, you can stop when you please and go anywhere you want at a time and pace that is suiting for you.  Driving abroad will also give you freedom to explore a wider region and take in the sights of the local areas.  Having said that, if you are travelling as a couple or alone, car hire can be expensive and you might have to pay more for travel insurance that covers you for driving or take our a separate car hire insurance policy.  Moreover if you are travelling for the purpose to meet people and get to know the local area, car hire is probably not for you.

But if you are travelling with a group of people or with your family car hire is a great way for you to get around.  The cost can be divided by each person bring the cost right down.  Buying bus or train tickets each time you want to travel will soon add up if you have to buy for each member.

Overall these hints and tips on planning for your holiday travel extras are just a reminder of what you have to do and plan for, but the main thing to remember is planning is the key for saving money and getting the most from your holiday.

Thanks to Brasher.co.uk we received a brand new pair of Kamati GTX boots which we were happy to try out and give you our verdict.  This travel boot is available in Chocolate Leather or Chocolate Nubuck.  We received a pair of Chocolate Nubuck’s and to test the shoes we went walking in the countryside.

So how does the shoe perform? We have taken a look at some of the things we think make a decent travel shoe, read on to find out more.

Comfort

You can’t beat this boot on comfort.  After a lengthy walk through the countryside we found the shoe to provide comfort from start to finish.  The padded interior gives enough comfort for your foot whilst the Gore-Tex material means your foot can breathe whilst remaining dry.  The boot comes high enough to provide         decent ankle support but not too high to restrict movement.

Weight

This lightweight boot is perfect for travelling as it won’t weigh you down.  Underfoot your legs won’t get tired and within the backpack it won’t strain your back.

Durability

These boots are very well made and durable.  The thick leather sole is solid and provides you with plenty of grip.  The inner shoe seems to be stitched well with a neat finish.

Style

Though ultimately this comes down to personal taste, the Kamata GTX travel boot isn’t the prettiest boot in the cupboard.  That said it doesn’t look bad either and can be worn for multiple occasions as the boot has a smart casual appearance.   Whether you are touring the city or walking through the country, this shoe is suitable for either occasion.

Material

Nubuck leather is made from the outer hide of an animal that has been sanded or buffed to give a fine velvety texture.  In fact it is similar to Suede but the difference is that Nubuck leather is made from the outer skin of the hide, giving it greater strength.  However on the downside the material is easy to mark (as we found out) and when wet will go darker in colour like suede.

Price

These boots don’t come cheaply.  To purchase a brand new pair of boots you are looking at £110.00.  This seems to be a little on the expensive side, but if you are intend on wearing this shoe everyday on your travels you will soon get your money’s worth and you might even appreciate the comfort and durability that comes with it.  After all you want your shoes to last if you intend to do a lot of walking.

Our Conclusion

So does the Kamati GTX boot make a good travel shoe?

Overall we think the shoe would make a great travel boot and would be good everyday travel.  If you are looking for a shoe that will provide you with ankle support, that is lightweight and suitable for multiple occasions, the Kamati GTX boot is for you; that is if you are willing to fork out the £110 asking price.  However we strongly suggest that you purchase the Kamati GTX boot in Chocolate Leather as the Chocolate Nubuck boot is too easy to mark and greater care is needed.  Therefore in conclusion the Kamati GTX boot could be a useful travel shoe to have.

With a wide variety of hotels to choose from, ranging from high end luxury options to budget hotels, the city has something for everyone, no matter the budget. Many of these establishments are scattered across the cultural and financial hub and because there is an endless array of things awaiting discovery, visitors can seldom be short of things to do.

For instance, a good number of luxury hotels in London are located within walking distance of the city’s numerous royal parks, which offer serene and beautiful atmospheres. The open spaces include central and outer city locations comprised of Hyde Park, Richmond Park, the Regent’s Park, Kensington Gardens, St James’s Park and Green Park.

One of the open spaces particularly worth checking out while visiting the city is Green Park, which features 47 acres comprised entirely of wooded meadows. Straddling London’s Hyde Park and St James’s Park, the area offers visitors opportunities to not only relax in its well maintained expanse, but also to drop by the nearby Buckingham Palace, the home of the Queen.

People staying in 5 star hotels in London located near the park can kick off their day by visiting the park before making their way to the palace, which depending on the time of the year they can actually get to visit. The attraction, which serves as both the office and London residence of the monarch, is one of the few working royal palaces remaining in the world today.

During August and September when the Queen heads to Scotland for her annual visit, the palace’s 19 state rooms are open to visitors. The state rooms are particularly worth visiting because they are used extensively by the Queen and members of the royal family to receive and entertain their guests during state, ceremonial and official occasions.

Located near the palace is the ceremonial avenue of the Mall and the buildings of St James’s Palace and Clarence House, which can be viewed in one go. The Mall, which is an avenue running from the palace to Admiralty Arch, not only provides an arresting view, but also leads to one of London’s great attractions: Trafalgar Square.

Positioned in the heart of London, this is one of the most famous squares in the world and should be visited, if for no other reason than to take numerous pictures for that photo album back home. Located in the centre of the square is Nelson’s Column, a monument built to commemorate the death of Admiral Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The column is guarded by four giant lion statues at its base and would be an ideal background to have in any London photo.

Near the square is one of the UK’s many free attractions, the National Portrait Gallery, which houses representations of historically important and famous British people. Founded in 1856, this was the first such attraction in the world and its collection features everything from photographs and caricatures to paintings, drawings and sculpture. Self portraits by the likes of William Hogarth, Sir Joshua Reynolds and other notable personalities can be found in this art gallery.

If such an attraction is appealing, then it may also be worth adding a visit to the British Museum onto the itinerary while staying in hotels in London. Boasting a collection numbering more than seven million objects of human history and culture from its beginnings to the present, the museum is also free to visit.

Other similar attractions in London include the British Museum of Natural History (in South Kensington), the Science Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Imperial War Museum, the National Maritime Museum and the London Transport Museum.

A visit to the English capital should not end without checking out the London Eye, a giant 443 ft high Ferris wheel on the banks of the River Thames. An extraordinary piece of engineering design and architecture, the London Eye is the tallest such wheel in Europe. It is also the most popular paid tourist attraction in the UK and draws more than 3.5 million people annually. Its 32 sealed and air-conditioned egg-shaped capsules provide stunning views of London, with a typical tour lasting around half an hour.

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The two key factors in determining the price of package holidays are timing and location.  In terms of location, the price you’ll pay is not solely determined by the distance you’ll have to travel.  Economies of scale are particularly relevant to the travel industry.  This means that the more popular the destination, the larger and therefore cheaper the bulk-buy for tour operators when putting together holiday deals. Established flight providers Monarch now offer a range of package holidays for example, which means that traditional operators are branching out to offer a more complete service.

If you are not fussy about the exact location of your holiday, as long as you see the sun, you may be able to find the best bargains through last minute bookings. Most people are now aware of the bargains that can be picked up through last minute bookings, with the general rule of thumb being that the later you leave the booking, the cheaper the package will be.  Basically, tour operators offer these deals to ensure that at least some revenue is extracted from any vacant airplane seats and accommodation already paid for in the aforementioned block bookings.  This means that the last minute deals available are determined by trends in mass consumption, and can therefore be fairly random.

If you have a firm idea of where you want to go, however, the opposite advice applies when it comes to making your booking – book as early as possible.  Bookings up to nine months in advance can secure better deals, as again, this helps the tour operators with the block booking process, helping match supply to demand.

Another timing issue that can have a huge influence on the cost of package holidays is when you will take your holiday.  Peak season is largely determined by the school summer holidays, and so holidays at this time will come at a premium.  For those with children, there may be little option but to take the family vacation during this time, so make sure that you book as early as possible.

Part of Europe’s attraction is that it can offer a variety of different destinations for a host of suitors. The summer brings with it scorching heat in the south; with Greece, Spain and Portugal attracting hoards of visitors. Great cities such as Rome, Paris and London are hotbeds for culture and diversity, and central Europe and Scandinavia provide some of the best ski resorts in the world come winter time.

Skiing holidays are about much more than simply hitting the slopes. They can be calm family retreats, or boozy trips filled with hard partying. The chalets are accompanied by bars, clubs and restaurants; there is a whole way of life that goes hand in hand with the skiing and snowboarding.

The Alps are the main destination for skiing holidays in Europe. Here is a selection of some recommended spots.

The Meribel resort lies in the Tarentaise Valley region of the French Alps. It makes up part of the Three Valleys ski area, although after expansion there are now four valleys: the Meribel, the Courchevel, the Orelle and the Val Thorens valleys. Together they make up the largest ski area in the world.

Not only does the area boast just fewer than 300 ski runs, it is also host to the annual Altitude Festival. This event takes place at the end of March and as well as all the skiing and boarding there is to be done, there are live concerts, DJs filling the clubs and terraces and top comedy from renowned stand-ups. For lovers of the partying and banter that can make a skiing holiday, this is quite simply a must-do.

Continuing with the Tarentaise Valley, there is Val-d’Isere. Home to the Winter Olympics in 1992 and the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships the resort is known the world over. Its commitment to chalet architecture and old-fashioned chair lifts gives the resort its quaint feel.

While it may have shrunk in the last few years, the Pissaillas Glacier offers the opportunity to enjoy some summer skiing, while this has been somewhat limited since the glacier’s reduction, it is not totally off the cards.

Val-d’Isère is a perfect combination of off-piste skiing and groomed runs. This selection means that it suits a variety of skills and ability. Powder lovers should definitely head off-piste and get their fix.

In western Austria lies the resort of St Anton. Located in the Tyrolean Alps, this place is not for the faint-hearted. There are some intermediate runs to be done, but really the majority of runs are for the very experienced. Three of the runs, Valluga, Schindler and Kapall offer up to 1,500 metres of vertical skiing and some parts of Valluga are only skied with an expert guide in tow.

The season typically lasts from November until April, and during that time most days will end up at Rendl. This vast slope catches the last of the day’s sunshine and so attracts the late-afternoon crowds. The base is also home to Rendl Beach, a lively bar full of music and dance on its attractive terrace.

To the west, in Switzerland, is Engelberg. Situated in the Obwalden region, this resort has an extra-ordinary season: a real snow-sure resort. The season starts in October and goes right into May. With a variety of runs, it suits all and Brunni in particular is good for beginners.

Despite its long season, the mountains offer opportunities even when the snow melts. Once the white has been replaced with green, there are vast routes through the mountains good for walking, trekking and cycling. So if you want to arrive a bit early, or even stay late, there is still plenty to keep you occupied.

These are a tiny fraction of the resorts available to ski enthusiasts. Different resorts will offer different runs. The more adventurous can go to St Anton and test their fear factor, and those just wishing to pick up the sport for the first time will find a host of resorts with lessons and teachers to help them master their skills.

Enjoy the banter that goes along with ski holidays and cheer up a miserable winter with the fun that’s to be had in the ski resorts of Europe.

If you are one of the increasing numbers of tourists who has arranged to go on one of the best Cambodia tours available, then you are fortunate in that your tour provider will have ensured that you have transport available to move you around this charming country.

Once a party has decided to visit Cambodia and have arranged their accommodation and the time and date that they are going to fly, though, there is often a degree of misunderstanding as to what the situation will be in terms of private transport when they arrive. Being able to hire a car to drive around and see the sights is not always an option.

Unlike many countries around the World, which are perhaps a little more developed for large volumes of tourists, Cambodia is a country that, at present, lacks this provision. Car hire facilities in Cambodia are almost impossible to find and there are several good reasons for this.

The first is that there is not a huge demand for car hire vehicles. Like many countries in the Far East, the motorcycle or bicycle is the most affordable, and therefore popular, way for locals to get around. With tourism still being in its infancy in such places, there is no real sustainable market for large numbers of car hire operators.

The second reason why there are so few car hire facilities is quite simply that the automobiles in Cambodia are involved far more frequently in road accidents than in comparable places in Europe or the Americas. The reason for this is that many of the laws of the road we take for granted in those parts of the World, such as having to use headlights at night, wear seatbelts and have child seats installed for children of a certain age, are not law in Cambodia.

As a result of this, many travel insurance companies will not insure travellers to drive in Cambodia. This salient fact, combined with the poor state of the roads, means that only experienced drivers, in these conditions, are suited to driving regularly on roads in the country.

Fortunately, from that simple fact, a solution presents itself for travellers who want to see more of the country under their own steam. Many providers of accommodation, such as hotels, will often have outside a large rank of private drivers who will ferry a party across the country to a specific site or destination.

For visitors there are two options; you can hire a taxi to take you to some of the most popular tourist spots and hire another to bring you home. This is particularly beneficial if you are staying within the confines of the major population areas, or visiting one of the major tourist attractions where taxi drivers will congregate to ensure they get fares.

The other option is to hire a private Cambodian driver through your hotel provider for the day. These drivers tend to be more expensive but they can also act as a tour guide for your party. All will speak English and because you have hired their services for the day, this means once you have reached your destination, they will wait for you until you are ready to go home. An all day trip usually costs in the region of $80 (£50).

Therefore, seeing Cambodia in your own time via car is possible, with a little forethought and by trusting in local expertise and guidance; all you need to worry about is having a fantastic time!