Category : Travel Advice

If you think Twitter is only good for keeping up-to-date on the minutiae of the everyday lives of your friends or the latest celebrity feud, you may be surprised by what you’re about to read.

Frequent travellers would do well to consider following the tweets of their local UK airport.  Even those who may just have a casual interest in the comings and goings at airports around the UK may find out some interesting facts.

Twitter's great for travel updates!

Most airports let followers know about current conditions via their Twitter accounts; helpful if you’re preparing for a flight, especially during inclement weather.  The best of the airport tweeters also provide various facts about the history of their airport, or even which celebrities have recently been spotted traipsing through their terminals.  If you’re on the move and you have a WAP-enabled mobile phone, you can take advantage of the real-time updates from the airports, too.

Manchester Airport (manairport) is amongst the most prolific and personable tweeters, letting followers know about local events, contests and a myriad of other facts that may be of interest to the populace.

If you’re interested in the latest news from Liverpool Airport, you can follow LPL_Airport.  They will let you know about new services flying from John Lennon Airport, recent airport events…and they even advised holidaymakers to bring a brolly when it was raining!

Birmingham Airport also maintains a friendly, information Twitter account (bhx_official).  They have links to historical pictures, late-breaking airport-related news and information about local weather conditions.

So there you go…if you thought Twitter was not very useful, or only for those with too much time on their hands, you might need to re-evaluate your opinion and check out the wealth of topical information to be had.

And don’t forget, the gosimply Twitter profile is a great place to find out about the latest deals on Manchester Airport parking, Birmingham Airport parking, parking at Liverpool Airport, and all sorts of other facts of interest to UK travellers.

If you had the choice between parking your car yourself or letting someone (or something!) else do it, what would you choose?

We’re all looking for ways to make our lives a bit easier these days.  Most of us are taking advantage of any little luxuries we can find, including on-board gizmos in our vehicles.  (Remember the steering wheel desk?)

The car manufacturer Lexus introduced a “self-parking” feature a few years ago on their LS 460 L model, which some self-styled comedians over at Automobile Magazine Online had some fun with in this video we stumbled across.

Now, a car that parks itself sounds like a great idea, but not everyone has the capital to spend on a geeked-out vehicle for the super-rich.  Did you know, however, that if you’re in need of airport parking but your funds are in a pinch you can still have a car that virtually parks itself?

Booking a Meet and Greet parking service is the ultimate in convenience, whether you’re travelling with the family, toting loads of luggage or just want to treat yourself and feel like a VIP.  You’ll be met at your departure terminal where a professional driver will collect your vehicle and take it to a secure compound, allowing you to proceed directly to check-in.  Then, when you return from your trip, your car will be waiting for you outside the terminal so you can make a quick getaway.

On gosimply.com, you’ll find meet and greet services providing Manchester Airport parking, Birmingham Airport parking, and parking for just about every major airport in the UK.  So next time you’re jetting off on holiday or a business trip, check out the meet and greet parking on offer and find out what it’s like to have a car that “parks itself”.

For many of us, plans for the post-Christmas getaway are now fully underway. Tickets are booked, hotel sorted and naughty underwear ordered.  Yep – January is fast becoming one of the most popular months in the holiday industry as winter sun-seekers scramble to escape the drudgery of a cold, wet January and the post-Christmas blues.

At a time of the year when most of us are a little cash-strapped, the opportunity to save a little money is a welcome one. Which is, of course, where we come in. You may’ve found cheap flights and a great little budget hotel, but what about your airport parking? Or holiday insurance for that matter?

As with most things in life – the earlier, the better. During peak seasons many of the more popular official car pars at major airports get booked up early by those wanting to capitalise on cheap prices. Working in much the same way as flight pricing – the nearer your departure date, the higher the price is likely to be.

Whilst we here at gosimply will always go that little bit further by comparing the top car park providers and highlighting hidden costs to find you, the lovely customer, the best possible deal – it’s worth remembering that we can only search on available space and prices at any given time.

Oh, and don’t forget – gosimply offer some of the most flexible, value-for-money travel insurance available online. Just promise us you won’t need to use it!

Are you looking to travel and take your beloved pet with you? Whether you’re transporting your pampered Pomeranian who has colour coordinated apparel that would make Paris Hilton green with envy, or your Staffordshire Bull Terrier who could make the scariest thug quiver like Evander Holyfield, it’s always best to keep up to date with the rules and regulations that you need to follow.

The Pet Travel Scheme is a system that allows pet owners in the UK to take their dogs, cats, ferrets and other small animals to other European Union (EU) countries without the need for quarantine (which can be a distressing process for both animal and owner!).

This also means that people from certain countries outside of the UK can bring their pets to the UK without the need for quarantine. So less stress for you and fluffy!

However, in order for this to happen certain rules must be adhered to. The UK does not permit the import of pets that have not been vaccinated against rabies.

These rules are set in place to keep the UK and EU countries free from rabies and other diseases. So don’t forget your Rodolfo like Polly! Make sure you plan ahead and take your companion(s) with you.

Smart pooches and poochesses gosimply.com!

With more and more of you choosing to take time out and see a little of the world before starting University or work – gap years are a handy opportunity to both gain some real ‘life experience’ and learn more about yourself.

Now summer (for what it was worth) has well and truly passed and the long winter months are approaching – we know many of you are either starting to think about or finalising plans for your globetrotting adventures. Let’s face it – who wouldn’t jump at the chance to dodge a dreary, cold British winter? With this in mind, we thought we’d shed a little light on one of the world’s most diverse and stunning landscapes – New Zealand.

Those cheery folk over at the New Zealand tourism authority have recently launched a promotion highlighting the benefits of visiting the land of Kiwi – snappily titled ‘Go All The Way’. The campaign was launched towards the end of September at New Zealand’s first-ever Backpacker Industry Conference held at the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) – in conjunction with a horizontal bungy trial involving  some lucky backpackers, highlighting New Zealand’s appeal as an ‘extreme sports’ destination.

George Hickton, Chief Executive for tourism, said: “Many backpackers from the UK and Europe go as far as Australia in their gap year, but we want to challenge them to complete the journey and `Go All The Way’ by coming down to New Zealand”.

For those of you planning to visit New Zealand (or for that matter Australia) on your travels – our Backpacker travel insurance package is just the ticket. With up to one year’s cover, including optional sports and activities – our travel insurance is as flexible as your travel plans. Oh, and we also offer New Zealand and Australia only cover for cheaper backpacker insurance premiums – how’s that for flexible?

We here at gosimply.com think you could do a lot worse than taking time out to visit one of the most breathtaking set of islands the world has to offer. After all, it’s worth remembering that Director Peter Jackson chose New Zealand as the ideal place to realise the epic, sweeping landscapes of Middle Earth in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy.

Visit those helpful peeps over at www.newzealand.com for help on planning your trip.

With many of us now looking ahead to the festive season, it’s likely that some of you are looking at heading a little further afield than the local boozer to see in the New Year.

If you are planning to spend some time on piste this season, we advise taking a little time out to prepare adequately. We like to think of it this way – just as you wouldn’t dream of hitting the slopes without the correct (or with faulty) equipment, neither should you consider going without comprehensive winter sports travel insurance.

Yet it seems that a large number of folks do travel abroad each season without adequate ski insurance – not necessarily because they’re being foolhardy, but because they don’t realise many standard travel insurance packages don’t include winter sports insurance. This could prove a painfully expensive oversight. Thisismoney.co.uk report that a broken leg (one of the most common injuries on the slopes) could cost you as much as £12,000 for treatment in Europe – we’re pretty sure you’ll agree that’s a painful outcome, in more ways than one!

As usual here at gosimply.com, we’re all about keeping it simple. Instead of just adding cover to a standard travel insurance package – we offer tailor-made winter sports packages covering a multitude of snowbound activities. Better still, for the more adventurous among you, there are additional ‘bolt-on’ options available over and above the standard winter sports package, enabling you to find the right coverage at the right price. Oh, and did we mention you won’t find cheaper travel insurance anywhere else?

For a little more information on the pitfalls of travelling without the correct cover, click on the link below:

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/insurance/travel/article.html?in_article_id=426308&in_page_id=37

Stay safe on the piste. Because smart people gosimply.com.

There are few things more invigorating and life-affirming than stepping out from the relative safety of your daily routine and immersing yourself in a full-on, pulse pounding adventure experience.  From riding wild rapids in Sweden through to cattle herding in the wild west – it’s all about the thrills and spills.

Of course, there’s a little more involved with an adventure holiday than your average trip to the beach, so looking ahead is pretty vital.  As ever, we’re here to help with some handy hints and tips during the planning stages of your big trip:

Who’s in charge?
Thankfully, with a wealth of information available via the internet nowadays, research is a whole lot easier than just taking the brochure’s word for it.  The flip side of course is that anyone can now create a website posing as a reputable tour operator.  Check out who you’re travelling with – look for independent reviews where possible.  Who are they affiliated with?  Do they employ certified professionals?  Is all equipment regularly tested?

Don’t be afraid to ask – your life may depend on it.

Am I covered?
Our cracking Adventure Travel Insurance package offers great coverage to both independent travellers and groups.  Better still, additional packages and options are available, meaning you can tailor your insurance to suit your own individual experience.  Whatever travel insurance package you choose, don’t be tempted to leave home without it.

I’m sure it’s here somewhere…
No matter where on Earth you’re travelling, it’s always best to double-check documentation and inoculation requirements with the Foreign Office before you leave.  Also, ask whether the country is safe – it may sound silly, but the last thing you need is to get caught up in a military coup whilst on holiday.  We’re pretty sure this would ruin your well-earned break, aside from being a potentially life-threatening situation.  Remember – ignoring Foreign Office advice could render your travel insurance invalid.

How much further…?
No matter how fit you consider yourself to be, your body may not be prepared for the type of activity you’re planning whilst away.  If it’s your first time at your chosen sport, ease yourself in with a few training sessions at the local gym.

So, if you’re considering trying something a little more daring than deciding which flavour doughnut to have during your tea break, take time to check out our new all-singing, all-dancing adventure travel insurance package.   Because smart people gosimply.

Traveling through any airport can be a daunting experience, especially with the increased security measures now in place. Here are ten simple tips that we hope will help make your journey more enjoyable:

1) Try to check the status of your flight before leaving home. This can generally be done online but you may have been provided with a freephone telephone number to call for status updates.

2) Be prepared for airport security checks. This means avoid wearing metal (in underwear, as jewelry, belt buckles etc.) Wearing metal will be detected by security scanners and you’ll be required to remove the metal items before being rescanned. Small items of jewelry (earrings, rings, necklaces) will not set off the security alarms.

3) Book as much as you can in advance. If you need to use airport parking facilities, book in advance. If you will need car hire at your destination, book in advance. And if you will need hotel accommodation either before your flight or at your destination, always book in advance. You’ll get the best prices and avoid disappointment.

4) Always arrive early. Gone are the days when you could turn up at the airport just 15 minutes before your flight. These days you need to arrive early. For domestic flights within the UK you will need to arrive at least one hour before your flight. For flights to European destinations two hours is generally enough time and for inter-continental flights you will need to arrive at least three hours before your flight. Always check the arrival requirements with your airline and don’t be late.

5) Pack sensibly. Don’t pack anything dangerous (fireworks, drugs, knives). Always refer to the detailed instructions provided by your airline regarding items that are permissible in your luggage and hand luggage.

6) Print your boarding pass in advance. Many airlines today allow you to check in and print your boarding pass in advance, online. This will potentially save considerable time at the airport so make sure you do this before leaving home.

7) Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Never wear overly tight clothing, high heels or tight-fitting shoes. You need to be comfortable on your flight and your feet are likely to swell so be sure to wear comfortable attire.

8 ) Eat before leaving home. Airport food can be expensive so save some money by eating properly before leaving home. You may also like to find out what will be served on your flight and, if necessary, bring your own snacks.

9) Remove any undeveloped film from your luggage. Make certain to remove any undeveloped film (with a speed of 800 or higher) from your baggage for hand checking. All other film and digital cameras are safe to pass through the x-ray machine.

10) Insure your gadgets. These days many of us travel with several valuable electronic gadgets. Mobile phones, laptops, PDAs and iPods are common. As well as travel insurance it is a good idea that you get yourself some gadget insurance cover for these valuable items. Its also a good idea to backup all of your valuable contact details and data before leaving home, just in case the worst should happen.

Hopefully these suggestions will help you to have a safe, successful and enjoyable trip.

Jetsetters from the Midlands can now enjoy jumbo jet flights from Birmingham to Athens courtesy of Hellenic Imperial Airways and Birmingham International Airport.

The Greek airline will operate a Boeing 747-200 aircraft with 450 seats, and the flights will have onward connections to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

Talal Abureyal, Chariman of Hellenic Imperial Airways, said:  “Birmingham is our first UK airport and we are very excited about launching services in the Midlands. Athens, which is our HQ, is not currently served from Birmingham so we expect that our flights will be welcomed by those travelling for business and leisure, in particular those visiting friends and relatives.”

The new flights are sure to be popular with not only Athens-bound travellers, but also those heading for Saudi Arabia, and with Birmingham Airport parking priced as low as around £30* for a week when you pre-book there’s no need to rely on a taxi or a friend to get you to the airport.

* 1 week’s Birmingham Airport parking commencing 08/26/09.

Do you fancy leaving behind the unpredictable English weather and jetting off to sunnier climes?  Well, you’re in luck.   easyJet is offering outstanding deals on flights from Bristol Airport to the sunny Algarve this summer, making it hard to resist a getaway to the sandy beaches of southern Portugal.

Faro, the Algarve’s capital, offers something for almost everyone.  The old part of the city is still surrounded by Roman walls, and there are also plenty of shops and restaurants to explore.  Of course, if relaxing in the sun is more to your liking, you can make the short trip to Albufeira and laze about on the sand to your heart’s content.  If you’re a golfer, you’ll enjoy choosing from many top-quality courses like Castro Marim Golf, which is situated on rolling hills close to the border with Spain.

To make the deal even sweeter, you can also get one week’s parking at Bristol Silver Zone parking from just £35.99 in August*, meaning you can realise even more savings and concentrate on chilling out and having fun instead of worrying about costs.

* 1 week’s Bristol Airport parking commencing 05/08/09. Price subject to change.