All posts by Jamie Costello

Jamie is a freelance writer who regularly uses his experiences from work and education to collate his articles. When he's not writing he loves to engage in several sports and spend time with his family.
Travel Tips

4 Travel Tips For A Stress-Free Christmas

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year, where festive jumpers and flaming desserts are everywhere. As Christmas draws closer, many of us are making plans to go back home, head on a much-needed winter break or are simply just travelling around a lot, which means that public transport and roads are likely to be extremely busy. 

This is one of the busiest times of the year, so stress is inevitable, but we all want a stress-free Christmas. If you don’t want anything to ruin your festive spirit, then here are 4 travel tips for this Christmas season. 

Plan, then plan some more

You’ll have a far more relaxed trip if you plan and book your transport in advance. Many rail services reduce their timetables, so if you want to make sure your travel plans go without a hitch, then book as early as possible to make sure that you can get on the train you want. 

Airlines also tend to increase their prices over Christmas, so if you want to avoid incurring any price hikes then Google Flights can help you find the best airfares. When it comes to road travel, be sure to leave as much time as possible to allow for delay or bad weather. Avoid rush hour if you can and use the AA’s traffic news section to find out about any accidents or delays along your route. 

Pack with care

If you’re transporting gifts with you on your travels, then you should be mindful of the different import and customs regulations for your destination and be careful not to exceed your given allowance. Try to avoid wrapping gifts if you can, because if customs officers wish to inspect them further, then they will remove all wrapping. 

If you’re travelling hand-luggage only, then remember that different airlines allow different amounts of liquids, so check with them beforehand. Things such as professional makeup, bath and shower gels, and perfumes all need to be under 50mls and in a clear, sealed bag.

Know your limits

Many of us enjoy a drink or two over Christmas, but if you’re planning on travelling before or after you’ve had a few drinks, then you need to bear the legal limits in mind. We all know that drink driving is both illegal and highly dangerous, so do not get behind the wheel if you have had more than the recommended amount. 

Of course, we all have different tolerance levels, so this is also important to remember. If you plan on travelling in the morning and have had a few drinks the night before, then you may still be well over the legal driving limit. Overall, if you’re driving, it’s best to avoid any alcohol. Airlines are also strict on alcohol consumption and transporting drunk passengers, so try not to have one too many whilst waiting for your flight. 

Be clever about the weather 

Not looking at the weather forecast before you travel is a storm waiting to happen. Decembers tend to be relatively mild in the UK, but there have been years where unusual weather has occurred, resulting in snow, ice, fog and wind – all of which can put your travel plans into jeopardy. 

Whilst you can’t control the weather, it is important that you prepare for it in the lead-up to your departure. Allow plenty of time before you set off, regularly check weather apps and prepare for the worst. If you are travelling by car, you might want to pack a weather kit if you get stuck in traffic and include things such as a blanket, flask of hot drink, snacks, de-freezer for your windscreen and warm clothes, such as socks and jumpers.

Destinations, Europe, Travel Tips

4 Reasons Why You Should Visit Portugal For a Winter Break

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4 Reasons Why You Should Visit Portugal For a Winter Break

If you’re feeling a winter holiday this year, then you’ll likely have many different destinations in mind. Depending on the type of getaway you’re after, whether it be a relaxing beach holiday or city escape, then Portugal is one of the best places to consider for a winter break. Not only does the country have an outstanding reputation for great weather, with almost year-round sunshine, but it is extremely budget-friendly.

portugal

Portugal has boomed in terms of popularity over the past few years, but winter is one of the best times to visit as you avoid the majority of tourists and can still rest assured that you’ll get good weather. With historic towns, beautiful scenery and great food and drink, Portugal truly excels when it comes to a winter break holiday destination.

Guaranteed Winter Sunshine

When winter comes around, many of us long for the warm, long days of summer. Unlike most of Europe, Portugal doesn’t tend to get many dips in temperature or grey skies in the middle of the winter months. Whilst there are some places in Portugal that see snow, the Atlantic coastline sees plenty of sunshine and blue skies all year round.

The Algarve is perhaps one of the best areas of Portugal to visit during the winter, thanks to its location. In November, the average temperature in the Algarve varies between 16 and 20º, which is still warm enough to sit by the sea and enjoy a glass of wine or two!

Low Tourist Numbers

The Algarve has long been a favourite destination for European holidaymakers, but it has been a bit of a hidden secret until recent years. Now, Porto and Lisbon are must-visit destinations for many travellers, with many visitors year-round but, during the summer months, these places are extremely busy.

If you visit during the winter, then you can expect queues for many of the top visitor attractions to be extremely small and it is easier to get into many of the top bars and restaurants thanks to fewer visitors. Whilst the weather might not be exactly what it is in the summer, you will likely have a much less stressful and crowded getaway.

Save Money

As there are fewer visitors in the winter, you’ll find that the everyday expenses that you expect when you go away will be slightly less than they are in the height of summer. Flights are often much cheaper, train fares are reduced meaning you can go exploring the inner cities or coastal areas and you’ll find that accommodation is easier to find between the months of November and March.

Whilst hotel and accommodation prices skyrocket in the summer season, it isn’t unusual to see prices decrease by anything up to 50% in the winter months. This is a perfect time to splash out on something a little more luxurious, especially if you want a couple’s break or are travelling with a group, as often luxury villas Vale do Labo, Vilamoura, and Loule based are much more worthwhile when it comes to pricing in these months. 

Enjoy Traditional Dishes

Portuguese isn’t all that well-known outside of Europe, which considering the magnitude of fresh ingredients included in many of the dishes, is surprising. With a penchant to create simple and delicious seafood dishes and great local wine, the cuisine in Portugal matches the culture – relaxed and enjoyable. Whilst lighter dishes are more common in the summer months, winter sees more hearty dishes come out for the slightly cooler months.

Cozido, which is a type of meat stew, regularly makes an appearance and is served alongside boiled potatoes and vegetables. Each and every region has one or two different traditional versions, so it is unlikely that you get the same once twice – Cozido is a local dish and is unlikely to be found in tourist hotspots. You can still get all of the same great dishes, such as fresh fish, caldo verde and pastel de natas, but be sure to give some of the seasonal choices a try too!