Ultimate Vacation Spots

posted by Travel Cat on Dec 21

It’s the gateway to Europe from the UK – and it has got everything you need for your vacation!

Whether the UK is the start of your journey, a hop along the way or your final destination – you need not worry about anything.  Ashford International in Kent is a hub of efficiency and international arrivals and departures – linking major European cities together by train or plane.

Getting to see the country you live in by rail is totally different to any other means of travel – giving you a glimpse of behind the scenes in cities, to large mansions or tiny villages along the way.  Especially if this is your last view of the UK for a long while!

Want To Leave The UK?
Leaving the UK to start your vacation couldn’t be easier.  First option would be to catch a train from your home town into St Pancras in London, which will then set you on the high speed train to Ebbsfleet, then on to Ashford Railway Station which takes you under the Channel Tunnel and into France.

Secondly, you could take a ride on any national coaches from wherever you are (including if you have just arrived at a major UK airport like Heathrow or Gatwick) and down to Kent.

Thirdly is the option of driving your own vehicle.  Ashford has over 2000 car parking spaces for your use – and it also has one of the largest shopping centers in Europe right on it’s doorstep – giving you a good reason to get there early!

And finally, you can fly to Ashford International Station from a regional airport!  There are also international flights available from here too – if you change your mind about the train! 

Planning That Journey:
Get yourself onto their informative website to see their departure times, prices, seating, connections, packages and hospitality!  They are not short on options!

It’s not just for departures either, Ashford can link you up on your way back from Europe adding that final country onto your ‘check’ list before heading home!

The more flexible you are with your travel dates will get you a better price, and if you can guarantee travel that day – you get huge savings.  Flexible tickets can be more than double the cost of choosing an exact train!

But, whatever suits your needs – this place has the solutions!

posted by Travel Cat on Dec 18

It seems as though we are the cause of the Earths demise if we fly off for 2 weeks in the sun these days!

I can read about all the evidence for global warming and the CO2 that causes it, and I know that flying is supposed to be one of the main ways that CO2 is leaking into the atmosphere, but should we stop flying because of it?

It seemed ‘ok’ a few years ago to buy carbon credits in exchange for your flight to ‘equal out’ the effect of pollution on the atmosphere and everyone was talking about it - but now it seems that that isn’t good enough anymore – it’s just a way to pay to pollute.

So, what can we do?

Stay At Home:
First choice is to stay at home for your vacation – a stay-cation, apparently.  You can find plenty of ways to enjoy time off work near to where you live – for example, camping.

Plenty of people are taking up this option with the rise in living costs and world’s current financial situation, and they are really enjoying it.  Local places are also seeing the benefits of these types of vacation.

Your local woods, parks, centres and communities are getting money and support from your visits which is helping to improve your own back yard, rather than just line the pockets of the big tour operators.

Take Less Vacations:
Why do you need to fly long-haul several times a year?  Why not have one sun-drenched vacation across the globe, but take your other breaks closer to home – visiting family for example.

Or, make that vacation longer, so it’s still only the one flight, but it’s for 3 or 4 weeks – or even 6 months in the case of a gap year!

It would be much better to spend the equivalent of your next 10 vacations in the same place than to fly back and forth every 6 months or so – and you will get so much more from the experience!

Travel Differently:
We can still visit far flung destinations if we choose to travel by boat, train, bus or on foot!  If we plan a route to where we want to go by means other than flying, we are reducing the amount of carbon we chug out into the air.

We can still visit a variety of great destinations, just with less of an impact on the environment.  I know catching a train to South America or to the other side of Europe will still throw out CO2, but it will be less per person than flying.

However, no matter how much you want to, this won’t always be possible for shorter breaks as buses and trains take a lot longer to get to some places than flying.  It isn’t always suitable.

Or:
Worry about reducing your impact in some other way and carry on flying on your vacations!

There are plenty of other things that you do that are (apparently) responsible for climate change, like buying excessive consumer goods, using products that cause deforestation, dropping litter, using coal, driving your car to work alone rather than sharing, voting for non-green political parties, eat too much foreign meat, use wildlife products, and many many more.

Make your choices, and stick to them!

posted by Travel Cat on Dec 10

Welcome to this final Blog Carnival for 2009!

We have a few tips, followed by some inspiring learning and then a fun tale of animal antics!

So, lets start with Debbie Dragon who gives us her take on the top Tips for Car Travel With Children followed by a quick run-down from Winter who has 5 Tips to Take Your Child Skiing.

Pamela Jorrick is teaching her kids from home, giving her the chance to explore some of those great places that schools just don’t go: A Quick Few Days in Monterey, followed by Carmen Bolanos who shares a tale of travel with us with one part of her articles and interviews with Nomading Families Talk About Life and Education | NuNomad Blog.  A great read!

And finally, Katie lets us in on the comings and goings of her family day out – with some great tips and some lovely snaps with her OC Mom’s Activity Guide: The San Diego Zoo!

See you in the new year! 

posted by Travel Cat on Dec 5

Need a vacation right now – but can’t decide where to go?

How about choosing from one of the following destinations in North, Central and South America that are ready for you right now?  Why visit a country when it’s just being itself – why not make a trip to a country when it is at it’s best!

Angel Falls, Venezuela – All Month:
If you want to see the worlds highest waterfall at it’s best, then a trip to Canaima National Park should certainly be on your list!  Especially after the rainy season when the rivers are running at capacity!

Surrounded by massive rocky outcrops and a huge number of fabulous lower (but no less impressive) waterfalls – this will certainly turn out to be one of the most unforgettable trips you take!  Believe me, I’ve been there!

Telluride, Colorado – In The Snow:
This amazing and adventure filled winter sports resort is a great hit with the outdoor types.    Travel to the top of the Rockies to experience virtually every winter sport there is available – or just enjoy the endless views – and don’t forget your camera and woolly hat!

Caymen Islands, Caribbean – Anytime:
If you want to forget that it is winter – then head for these idyllic sandy islands – virtually all to yourself!  Whether it is diving with Stingrays, watching giant iguanas or deep sea fishing – you won’t have a care in the world once you step foot in the sand!

Williamsburg, Virginia – During Advent:
Visit this old colonial town and travel back in time- with a high street filled with history and traditional gifts.  The spirit of Christmas past is here in these streets, so be prepared to get involved in the merriment and festivities surrounded by traditional folk in costume to take you back to the past!

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – New Year:
Bigger than the Carnival in Brazil is the Reveillon – the New Year celebrations!  With a crowded Copacabana Beach and fireworks and music all night – this is certainly one of the best destinations to see in the new year if you like to party!