England Tours: best selection of Great Britain tours and Britain vacations, Britain tours, britain tour packages

Creative Packing Tips

Monday, September 21, 2009

Please share some of your unique ideas!

Bring an extra bag for souvenirs. It’s always handy to pack an empty collapsible suitcase or duffel bag with you. It doesn't take up much room and when returning home you can fill it with souvenirs and even dirty laundry.

One color scheme: When packing to travel, it's helpful to use one color scheme, like black or brown, and maybe just one accent color. It’s much easier to coordinate your wardrobe this way.

Preventing Wrinkles: Place individual items of clothing in dry cleaners’ plastic bags. Your clothes won’t wrinkle! It sounds too easy but it really works. If you’re using a hanging garment bag, prevent creasing of suits and garments on hangers by placing a small rolled-up towel on the inside, where the garments fold. This will prevent the horizontal crease caused by the fold.

Save Space: To keep shoes and boots in shape, fill them with socks. Ladies, consider putting your shoes inside your husband's shoes. They'll be protected and won't take up more space.

A dryer fabric softener sheet in your suitcase will keep your clothes smelling fresh while you travel. Slide a dry fabric softener sheet over your hair to calm down static-electric flyaway hair.

Beauty products that are good for 2 or more uses are great. Elizabeth Arden's 8-hour cream works as a facial moisturizer, lip balm, hair tamer, and sunburn soother all in one. Shampoo can double up as travel wash, and those chubby make up pencils from Clinique can multi-task for lipstick, eye color, and blush. Oil of Olay Daily Facials cleansing cloths are dry, and they remove makeup, cleanse, and moisturize without taking products.

Make-up tricks: Use a stick foundation instead of a liquid. The texture is light, and many of the new sticks are oil-free. The foundation can also double as a concealer and an eyeshadow base. Look for perfume in a solid form as well. The containers are small enough to fit in a purse, yet smell strong. Kiss my Face makes shave lather in a tube – no aerosol cans. Invest in a good lipstick palette with a variety of colors. The palettes are small, and give you a good variety of colors for all skin tones, and cut down on the number of bulky tubes.

Earrings: To bring a selection of earrings on your trip, get an inexpensive felt square at a fabric store (they sell them pre-cut) and simply fasten earrings through the felt and fold. Fasten the roll with a rubber band.

Necklaces: When packing your necklaces, place each one in a straw, by threading one end of the necklace through, and clasping it closed. This prevents the necklace from tangling up. (Use longer straws for longer necklaces, and cut the straw to exactly half the length of the necklace, for shorter ones.)

Creative packing tips from Perillo.

Tags: atlas travel blog , packing tips , travel advice , travel blog , travel tips

Scotland Travel Overview

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Scotland’s terrain is varied and breathtaking. With mountain peaks to coastlines with white sandy beaches, it has lush pastures and extensive woodlands.

The capital of Scotland is Edinburgh. The currency in Scotland, as in England, is the British Pound (Pound Sterling)

Climate and Clothing:

Scotland’s climate is generally oceanic, with no extreme variations. It is generally cool and wet, so even in mid-summer we advise you take some warm clothes and rainwear. Scotland is generally colder than the rest of the UK, especially in the more northerly regions. The west tends to be wetter and warmer than the cool, dry east. In upland areas, snow is common in winter, along with fog and mist.

Manners and Customs:

Scotland is a forthright and friendly place with a long tradition of hospitality which has not faded. Residents of countryside hamlets and the western islands may overwhelm you with their warm and enthusiastic welcome. Tipping is part of the way of life and is expected by most who provide a service e.g. taxi drivers, hotel doormen, and airport and railway porters. As a general guide a 10-15% of the cost of the service should be considered. In hotels and restaurants it’s worth checking whether a service charge has been added to the bill.

Food and Drink:

Haggis is probably the best known Scottish delicacy. It is rich in flavour, however some people are put off as it is made from sheep’s offal. Fresh salmon, trout, herring, game and potato are also commonly featured on menus. Scottish Whisky or Scotch is world famous and is sold around the globe. It has been distilled in Scotland for centuries and was originally referred to as the water of life – uisge beatha.

Best Buys:

Scotland makes some of the world’s best clothing and you’ll find a very good selection of tartans, woollens and tweeds. Edinburgh crystal, shortbread, Edinburgh rock (candy), bagpipes, sheepskin clothing, china, silver jewellery, crystal and whisky are also good buys.

Famous for: Bagpipes, Kilts, Tartain, Military Tattoo

Tags: scotland tour , Scotland tours , scotland travel , scotland travel information , scotland travel tips

England Travel Tips and Information

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

the currency in England is the Pound Sterling (British Pound). Credit cards are widely accepted & ATMs are everywhere.

England is linked to France by the underwater Channel Tunnel.

England has a temperate climate, with plenty of rainfall all year round. Always a good idea to take an umbrella.

Tipping is expected by most people providing a servive, i.e. taxi drivers, hotel doormen & porters. If you are traveling on a tour, keep in mind these gratuities are included in the cost of the tour.

Food & Drink:

The most traditional meal is roast beef (served with Yorkshire puddings), pork or lamb, served with roast potatoes. For hearty flavour, order succulent English pork chops, or ham, baked or roasted. Gammon, a cut of ham is boiled or fried. Main courses are normally garnished with a selection of vegetables – green beans, brussel sprouts, cauliflower or peas and potatoes. Most pubs serve good hearty meals including fish and chips and you may wish to sample traditional English beer (bitter). The water throughout the United Kingdom is safe to drink.

Best Buys:

Shopping in London will more than satisfy the appetite of any shopper. London’s department stores are legendary, the most famous being Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges and for old world architecture and high end fashion, Liberty. Good buys include antiques, clothing (designer and high street), china and glass (Royal Doulton, Spode, and Minton). Most shops close at 5 or 6 p.m. In London, late night shopping is until 7 or 8 p.m. on Oxford Street, Regent Street, Bond Street and Kensington High Street.

Public Transportation:

The London Underground or tube, is the fastest and easiest way to get around town. In central London you are never more than a few minutes’ walk from a station. Each line has a name but you’ll probably find the colours easier to remember. What you pay generally depends on how many zones (1 - 6 zones) you travel through. You must buy a ticket before you travel and put it in the automatic entry/exit gates. The best way to see the sights is from the upper decks of a famous red London bus (Hop on, Hope off tours.) They pass almost all the capital’s landmarks and famous shops. You’ll find it much easier and cheaper to buy a day or weekend travel card, which give you unlimited travel on almost all London's red buses and the Underground.

Taxis in London:

If travelling around London a black cab/minicab is your safest option. You can stop a black cab anywhere provided the yellow ‘for hire’ sign is illuminated. Minicabs are a cheaper option for longer journeys and have to be ordered by telephone. Make sure you ask the price prior to booking. Consult the ‘Yellow Pages’ telephone directory under the heading ‘minicabs’.

Famous for: The Royal Family, Harrods, tea, fish & chips

Tags: england travel , england travel facts , england travel information , england travel tips , england travel tips and information

Scotland Tours 2009

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Here we are in 2009 again hard at work, trying to make the best of challenging times. And what better way to start the year than a YEAR LONG CELEBRATION OF ALL THINGS SCOTTISH...

Robert Burns has always been Scotland's beloved national poet and in 2009 it is his 250th birthday. To mark the occasion, throughout 2009, over 100 events and festivals will take place in Scotland as the home of Burns, Whisky and Golf.

Here is just a small list of the events that will take place in Scotland from April to to St. Andrew's day on November 30:

1. The John Muir Odyssey - April to June. John Muir is considered to be the Father of Conservationism and was a founder of National Parks and one of the most influential people in the world environmental movement.

2. INSPIRED - April to September in Glasgow. "Inspired" is a modern art exhibition influenced by the life, poetry and songs of Robert Burns.

3. Whisky Month - May 1-31 across Scotland. A full month of celebrating whisky, from the spirit festival of Speyside to tasting sessions in one of the oldest distilleries, to a whisky course in Fife, there is something for everyone.

4. The Open Championship - July 16-19 in Turnberry. See some of golf's biggest players today battle it out for the oldest major championship, now at the 138th edition.

5. The Gathering - July 25-26 - Edinburgh - join clan members from around the world to witness Scotland's largest ever Highland Games. Pipers, dancers, parades, and games. It is all there.

6. Edinburgh Military Tattoo - 7-29 August - world famous military parades and theatre, set against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. Trafalgar offers tickets included for all of the TOP tours to Scotland.

Trafalgar Tours offers various tours to Scotland, from the 8 day Best of Scotland to the 14 day Scottish Highlands Islands & Cities. Also, with the British Airways promo, you can save even more now when booking their next vacation with Trafalgar. So, no mather what your interests might be, Trafalgar offers them the opportunity to experience all things Scottish in 2009. Do not forget about the great savings that are available if you book Trafalgar compared to traveling on your own. as well as great discounts for repeat customers, groups of 5 or more people, young travelers and early payment. Make Scotland the destination of choice for your clients in 2009 with Trafalgar Tours.

Contributed by:
R. Dumitru, Trafalgar Tours

Tags: group tours scotland , scotland tour , scotland tour 2009 , scottish tours

Travel Tips: Packing

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Common question asked by clients:

How can they possibly travel for a length of time with just one suitcase not to exceed 50 lbs & one carry-on?

Answer:

You would be surprised how many things can be packed and not exceed 50 lbs. There are some wonderful no wrinkle, light weight fabrics for traveling and you don't need a pair of shoes for each outfit. When staying in the same hotel for more than 1 night, you can take advantage of the laundry facilities they have to offer.

Make a list before packing and make sure to mix and match outfits. Always pack tightly. Scarf or jewelry can change the look or a blouse. Packing loosely will waste space and cause clothes to wrinkle from moving around. Use all the space you have available to you, such as putting socks & under garments inside of shoes.

You can get a great packing list from Frommers.

Keep in mind that the airlines are changing their restrictions and charges often these days. Make sure and go to their web site or call a couple of weeks before travel to get the latest information.

Tags: packing check list , packing list , packing tip , packing tips , travel advice , travel blog , travel tips

Call our England Experts

800.942.3301

Travel Tips and Facts

* Email
Your Name
	* = Required Field