oh I'm excited, this is my favourite pastime, travelling. don't get me wrong, I haven't travelled the world or gone back packing or even gone somewhere non touristy, but I have been abroad quite a lot of times and get depressed if I can't afford to. When I'm at work even though I work in the holiday industry, I picture myself somewhere warm and sunny, and it keeps me going when I'm feeling sad. I work for Blakes Boating in the uk, and it gives me great pleasure to book those boating holidays for the people who might have saved up all year for their special holiday. Thanks for bringing this discussion up, and here's my shot at it.
*~*QUESTION *~*
How many times a year do you travel?
*~* ANSWER *~*
Me and my husband have been going abroad three times a year now for about 8 years ,no we aren't rich, we just don't go out much and don't smoke, nor have kids, so we save our money and go on holiday instead. I do lots of surveys, write on here and other sites, and save all I can. sometimes the old credit card comes in handy, but otherwise, I will scrimp and scrape every penny together to get enough dosh for the holiday in the sun. *~* QUESTION *~*
For how long do you go away
*~* ANSWER *~*
Usually we have one week in March, one week in June, then two weeks in either Sept or October when it's cheaper. where I work I get two free weeks a year in a timeshare property so that helps with the accomodation costs, then we just pay for our flights. my husband would like us to go somewhere for three weeeks, but I wouldn't as the rest of the year I would only have one week left for the whole year. Also I think 2 weeks is enough to be away. I like to getaway, enjoy the holiday, then go home. I feel as though I am missing something if I'm away too long. I miss my creature comforts at home. after a week of being home though, I want to go back on holiday again.
*~* QUESTION *~
Do you stay in your home country or do you go abroad?
*~* ANSWER *~*
We always go abroad, mainly because I don't feel as though I am on holiday unless I get on a plane. Since meeting my husband 10 years ago, he hadn't been abroad before, he has now got the bug for it. He wouldn't consider going in this country unless we were promised good weather. Another thing is he likes cycling, so everywhere we go except for the USA, he takes his bike. The car drivers are much more considerate abroad for cyclists, so he feels happier abroad in somewhere like Spain. We do take shortbreaks sometimes in this country. About four times a year we book into a Hotel in a city and have a good night out, then stay in a hotel then come home. We always have gone in some Cottages in the UK, which I can get from work. Great perks I get don't I?
*~* QUESTION *~*
Do you organise your holidays yourself or do you go to a travel agency?
*~* ANSWER *~*
For the last 2 years or so, I have been using the internet and booking private apartments, or getting them from work. It's not a Travel agency as such where I work, as we don't do holidays abroad, but I do have contacts.
I do find though, that when two people go, it's cheaper to book a private apartment off the internet, then to book a package holiday, as you end up paying supplements for a one bedroom apartment, and then they aren't always as nice as the private ones. I have been using BMI Baby flights quite often lately, they are really good and the procedure of checking in is much better than Easyjet. If you book when the flights just come out for the season, you can get a real bargain. I have just paid £80 each for two weeks to Spain for September, hence that's why we can afford to go three times a year.
*~* QUESTION *~*
Do you prepare your holidays in advance by ing g
uide
books and studying maps?
*~* ANSWER *~
As I always research where we want to go on the internet, I usually start there. I find out where we both want to go first, usually my husband leaves it up to me. Then I study it for a few weeks, then either go into the library for more info, or buy a Berlitz travel book. To be honest though, we never end up doing half the stuff in those books, we just take each day as it comes. We always buy a map when we arrive there, and always end up getting lost anyway. I sometimes read up on www. virtualtourist.com which I am a member too and people share their holiday photos with you, it gives you a good idea what to expect. Also Holiday Truths is another good website, where you can find out the real truth which most travel agents don't always tell you.
*~* QUESTION
Do you travel alone/with family or friends/with an organised group?
*~* ANSWER *~*
Most of our holidays are spent with each other, We prefer to travel on our own, and then meet people along the way. We have had holidays with my parents, which was good, but we feel as though everywhere you go, they go too, and sometimes it can get a bit tense. My dad wouldn't drive, and my husband ended up doing all the driving, so he got a bit fed up. Also when people are in the same accomodation as you, you sometimes have to wait for the bathroom, eat at the same times, etc etc, not always a good idea.
*~* QUESTION *~*
Do you prefer the sea / mountains / plains / cities as destinations?
*~* ANSWER *~*
This is a difficult one. I love to see the sea and the coast, even if we don't sunbathe on the beach. I still like the fact that I can see it, there's nothing more calming than sitting on a bench and watching the world go by, I love to watch people jet skiing, and surfing, not that I would be brave enough to do it myself. I also love going into the Mountains, we a
lways hire
a car, then go high up into the mountains.It feels like a different world up there. The best place was somewhere in france, where the sun was out, but the mountains were snow capped, what a beautiful view it was too. Then I like the cites too, Las Vegas was bustly, exciting and manic. I loved it, but then liked the fact that we could retire to our room and hide from it for a bit
*~* QUESTION *~*
Do you mainly relax or are you an active holidayer?
*~* ANSWER *~*
I can't relax for long as I get agitated at being sweaty.
My husband usually goes cycling in the morning, so I just sit out on the balcony or go round the shops and wait for him to come back around 12/1pm, then we go out for lunch. We sit about for a bit, then get in the car and go exploring. That's probably why I always end up coming home white. I really can't see the point, in going abroad and sitting still all day, you might as well go to Cornwall or something, I like to see what's going on in that country as we might not get back there again and want to see as much as we can.
*~* QUESTION *~*
If you go abroad do you learn at least some words of the foreign language?
*~* ANSWER *~*
Yes, even though I feel unconfident about it, I feel stupid as I can't do the accents right and end up a Spanish /Lancastrian. We always take a phrase book and even if it means a lot of pointing and doing drawings , we always seem to make them understand. We have bought an apartment in Spain, so I suppose this means learning more Spanish now. Every year we are learning more and more words, but I find when they reply back to you, then I get lost in what they are saying, the language is so fast.
*~* QUESTION *~
Are you interested in the cuisine of a foreign country?
*~* ANSWER *~*
Hmm, I really am a fussy eater. The most daring I got and it was by accident was ordering some Oni
on Rings and then they ended up being Calamari Octoupus
. It was disgusting, I didn't eat them anyway thinking they didn't taste of onions, but once I found out what they really were, I felt sick. The nearest I get now is an Spanish omlette. I suppose you would say I'm one of those Brits Abroad who stick to the English Cuisine. Last year though me and my hubbie discovered Tapas, we hadn't ate them before thinking they were all fish dishes and Olives, but our friends suggested we try them and enjoyed thme very much. We had crusty bread with Pork and Garlic Mayo on top, little spicy kebabs, potato croquettes, Tomato and Onions in a sauce where we dipped our bread into. We will be trying that again, aren't we daring?
*~* QUESTION *~*
Which means of transportation do you prefer?
*~* ANSWER *~*
I prefer to fly, then I feel as though my holiday is really beginning. I get bored on Trains, cars etc. I always feel sick on boats especially when it's very tidal. I'm not keen on the checkin at the airports though and feel stressed if theres a long wait, I think Spain is the worst for that, everyting seems very unorganised.
*~* QUESTION *~*
What kind of luggage do you take with you? Have you got problems packing? Do you tend to take too many / too few things with you?
*~* ANSWER *~*
As my husband always takes his bike, we have to limit our luggage, he takes a massive bike box, but he can fit most of his clothes in there. I then take a medium size suitcase if going for a week, or a large one if going for a fortnight. If we are staying somewhere where theres a washing machine, I just pack enough for a week, then wash some clothes for the second week. I always take my vanity Case for all those beauty products I might need, including sun lotions, mossie spray etc.
*~* QUESTION*~*
Do you send picture postcards to your family and friends?
* ANSWER *~*
Yes, even if we are only going for a week. I send my Grandad one, and my parents and brothers, my husbands mum likes to collect them so we always send her one. Holidays wouldn't be the same without me writing a postcard or two. It gives me something to do whilst waiting for the cyclist hubbie to come back. We always buy at least one for our photo album as it reminds us of where we have been.
*~* QUESTION *~*
What are your most memorable moments - good and bad?
*~* ANSWER *~*
Theres too many to mention here. We booked a private Villa in Florida and when we entered the property, I screamed at the size of it, it was the most fantastic property we had ever been in at that time.
Then went to Las Vegas another year and got upgraded free of charge to a grand Suite, all I can say is wow. The helicopter over the strip was fab too, quite rpicey but worth it.
I think the worst time was when we went to Majorca on a package holiday and resort and accomodation was allocated on arrival. We ended up in Calletas not far from palm Nova, and it was a right dump, we paid to stay somewhere else instead, then made a claim against Airtours when we got home, which we won.
*~*QUESTION *~*
Any more places I would love to visit?
*~* ANSWER *~*
Australia I think, to re-visit where I used to live in the 1960's. I lived there for four years and can't remember hardly anything about it. Would love to see where me and my brothers grew up.
There are so many places I would like to visit, heres a few, Hawaii, Niagara Falls, other parts of Greece, only been to Rhodes, Egypt, and loads more.
Hope you enjoyed reading this. I certainly enjoyed writing about it.
Here are some tips to help you get cheap holidays or save more money towards them.
1 Use the internet for searching for holidays. My Travel have wonderful bargains going in their auction site, if you can travel at the last minute. They do have bargains on holidays even a few months before too. Last week I saw 2 pairs of tickets for £41 to somewhere in the sun for 2 weeks. I suppose it's mostly for couples as they sell the tickets in pairs, but usually it shows the accomodation to where you are going.
2 Book with BMI Baby or somewhere similar. They really do give bargain flights if you book at the right time. Keep an eye out when the flights come out, usually they come out twice a year, for Winter and Summer. If you book as they release them, then they are dirt cheap, always book early, or very last minute.
3 Scout the papers like Daltons weekly, Private Villas etc, I have got some lovely Villas, Apartments for half the price as they are rented privatley and not through a Travel Agent.
4 Quit smoking, or only go out every now and again, what you can save on not smoking, drinking is unbeleivable. Instead have a night in, borrow a film and get a bottle of wine, it saves us money
5 Do surveys, and save the money. I do upteen surveys and sometimes get quite good money, then I save that money and watch it grow in my bank account.
6 Get rid of your unwanted stuff in the house. I advertised loads of stuff on Ebay and made hundreds of pounds. It really is a good way of selling stuff.
no more car boots for me, I use Ebay instead. I even buy my pressies on there, especially if someone is selling new stuff for the fraction of the cost in the shops. Then it's more money for hols.
7 Do a part time job as well as your normal job. I do Avon and earn a bit extra there, plus I get cheap cosmetics.
8 Collect the coupons out of newspapers. Sometimes they run offers for free holidays in this country, or even free flights. My friend has had loads of free holidays and they have always been good.
9 Write plenty of travel reviews on here, you never know whos' reading them. I got contacted from a researcher for a TV programme which has just been on ITV. I refused to go on as I was nervous. It was for a free week to Las vegas.
10 Come and work where I work, you get freebies and good discounts.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
IF ONLY I WAS RICHARD BRANSON 
Liked the tips at the end Luci