There is of course no full proof way to prevent your suitcase going AWOL.
However, there are some precautions that make it less likely:
1. If you have a rucksack, ensure that all loose straps are tied in. Loose straps can catch on conveyor belts - resulting in your bag being put to one side.
2. Ensure that your bag or suitcase has a distinguishing feature. Something like a colourful strap can be helpful when determining ownership.
3. Attach luggage labels for both your destination and your home address. Include flight details and destination address.
4. Work on the basis that your luggage will go missing and pack essential items in hand luggage.
5. You can always try and squeeze everything you need into hand luggage. Don’t forget hand luggage dimensions are limited to 22 inches X 18 inches X 10 inches - plus 100 ml bottles of liquid only.
Taking only hand luggage with kids is not advisable. Children under two years of age don’t enjoy any sort of baggage allowance - that includes hand luggage.
Older children tend to be a little careless with carry on luggage - and the last thing you need while negotiating security is rounding up stray bags. Unless of course you have a Trunki.
The golden rule here is to pack your checked luggage light and with the expectation of losing it. Then select your most important items for hand luggage. Leave anything vaguely important at home whilst keeping your clothing to a minimum. T-shirts and shorts can be dirt cheap abroad and they don’t need to last. It’s always crucial to take things like reliable sun cream, anti insect bite creams, calpol / paracetamol etc.
If you have young children under two, you might want to consider offloading some of the mass of baby paraphernalia by having it sent in advance to your destination. Tinytotsaway provide a worldwide delivery service (genius idea!) - pricing depends cost of products plus cost of delivery. Alternatively, Bebebel supplies food, nappies, toys, baby milk to mainland Spain, Balearic and Canary islands. It does take some foresight to arrange these services as the general requirement is 14 days notice prior to departure.
We reported here, about how many airlines appear to be getting dirtier.
To put that in context the EU have produced a list of The World’s Worst Airlines.
Which includes:
Read more...
Posted by Peter Brady on Wed 13th June 2007 at 06:00 AM, Filed in Travel Tips
Ok we’ve all seen some real horrors. Quite frankly it can spoil your appetite when you see some guys packed lunch stuffed into a figure hugging pair of speedos. Ugggh!
Personally, I think there are some simple principles that all men should strictly abide by.
1. Don’t wear anything that’s going to embarrass your children. We’ve all been there when dad parades on the beach with what looks like an excuse for a napkin.
2. Absolutely never, never, ever, ever wear a thong. It’s just simply revolting on a man.
3. Speedos to be avoided at all costs. Their made for Olympic swimmers stupid!
4. Beach shorts that are twenty sizes too small allowing flesh to seriously overhang.
5. Beach shorts that are twenty sizes too big. I don’t have a major problem with this as many shorts go down to the knee which is no bad thing - what I’m really taking aim at is the shorts that are too big around the waist and hang like a tent. Not very flattering.
6. Cowells cardinal sin. Yes that’s right it’s the Simon Cowell hitch up to navel that is a serious no no. It’s entering serious, sad old man territory.
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Posted by Peter Brady on Fri 24th November 2006 at 06:00 AM, Filed in Travel Tips
The National Geographic obviously has a fine pedigree and it is no real surprise that they are using some of their journalistic muscle to launch a new travel based blog.
Offering travel based news and views it will no doubt become a key resource for travellers.
National Geographic say:
National Geographic Traveler aspires to live up to its tagline: “All travel, All the time” and to be the source for the active, curious traveler. One who is more inquisitive than acquisitive. Every department and article is designed to inspire readers to pick up and go—and to provide them with the tools and orientation to do so. Our stories and special sections all combine the Society’s storied expertise with an insider’s point of view.
