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Packyourbags Latest Newsletter – Issue 47

Chris — Tue, 19 May 2009 15:32:48 +0000

Check out the latest edition of the Packyourbags newsletter, featuring great early summer break deals to Spain, Greece, Turkey and more…

There are great last minute phone only deals to a range of destinations from just £38.00pp per night!

In this edition of packyourbags newsletter enter our competition to win a Gelert Travel accessories pack in time for your summer holiday.

You won’t need to claim for a second home this week, with our great selection of cheap holiday offers!

And this week, in a slightly different looking newsletter, we are providing you with lots more information on our great deals, to help you choose what’s right for you.

You can go online at packyourbags.com or call 0800 652 5986, and we can tailor the perfect holiday for you.

You can follow us on Twitter, we have now started to “tweet” special twitter exclusive deals so head on over to www.twitter.com, sign up or sign in, and follow @talkontravel. Then keep an eye out for our exclusive holiday deals!

Check out the latest edition of the Packyourbags Newsletter Now!

Festival Season – Essential Festival Gear

Chris — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:52:10 +0000

The Festival season is upon us, summer 2009 is going to be a great year for festivals, but what about the weather? In past years we have seen Glastonbury washed out, people swamped knee high in mud, being battered by the wind and rain, don’t let this put you off! Stock up with the latest festival gear so you can party what ever the weather.

Equip yourself for what ever the weather has in store with the latest festival gear, whether you’re just going to a festival for the day or if you’re camping for a few nights, prepare you self. Here are some festival product ideas:

To see more festival essentials visit packyourbags Travel store.

Should Ski Helmets be made compulsory?

Chris — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:42:35 +0000

Following the death of Actress Natasha Richardson back in March 2009 a debate has been sparked as to whether Ski helmets should be made compulsory for all Ski & Snowboarders.

Natasha Richardson was not wearing a Ski helmet but a spokes person says there’s no way of knowing if she would have been protected if she had been wearing an approved helmet.

The Canadian Standards Association says wearing a helmet while skiing or snowboarding can reduce the risk of a head injury by 60 per cent.

In recent months there has been a sharp increase in the number of people wearing a ski helmet.

This winter (08 / 09) Lower Austria made it compulsory for all children under the age of 14 to wear a Ski helmet after the death of a 41-year old woman who had a high-speed collision with the German politician, Dieter Althaus, back in January 2009.

The German Politician was wearing a Ski helmet and survived, while the 41 year old woman died and did not have any head protection.
After this accident, helmet sales increased dramatically throughout Austria & Germany and some shops ran out of stock!

A Change in Attitude towards wearing a Ski Helmet?

The Attitudes to wearing a helmet have changed considerably in recent years.
A Ski Instructor recently published this article:

“Personally I have been wearing a ski helmet for the past seven years but when I first wore one as a ski instructor, the head of my ski school in Switzerland preferred me not to wear one as he felt it sent out the wrong signal.
“It makes instructors look like they are extreme skiers about to jump off cliffs and ski dangerously,” I was told.
Now, though, ski instructors are encouraged to wear a helmet as it is thought to set a good example.

Whether it is made compulsory or not the death of Natasha Richardson is certain to see more and more people opting to wear a helmet on the slopes.

Packyourbags Newsletter – Latest Issue

Chris — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:00:29 +0000

Check out the latest edition of the Packyourbags newsletter, featuring great spring break deals to Italy, Cyprus, Greece and more…

There are great last minute phone only deals to a range of Spanish destinations with FREE insurance.

Follow Talk on Travel on Twitter, we have now started to “tweet” special deals so head on over to www.twitter.com, sign up or sign in, and follow @talkontravel. Then keep an eye out for our exclusive holiday deals!

Check out the latest edition of the Packyourbags Newsletter now

Shewee: You Never Know When You Might Need One

Chris — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:25:25 +0000

Have you ever wonder how are you going to go to the toilet in a jungle, especially when you are on a hiking journey through the mountains? Guys would be easy, as they just need to unzip but for ladies, it is a challenge. To find a secluded area and go to the toilet is not as easy as it seems. You might have to search for some time before you find a really secluded area for your privacy. Some of you might conduct your business behind some bushes while others find trees, but none of these would be comfortable.

However with Shewee, all your toileting problems are gone forever. Shewee is a portable toilet device for ladies. It can be used by women of all ages. Specially designed by women for women, this device is making its way to headlines in newspapers and magazines around the world. Shewee is just as essential as a mobile phone. You can carry it anywhere and use it anytime.

This is a new revolution that allows ladies to go to the toilet anywhere and anytime – fast and easy. It is totally private, and there is no flashing of bare bottoms anymore! You can stand behind a tree, or even use it in an unhygienic toilet and avoid the possibility of unnecessary infections.

Guys are now not the only ones to go to the toilet standing – ladies can do the same. Shewee is what we need to make it happen. Hundreds of people have tried their first Shewee. Shewee is available on most sites selling outdoor gear. You can check out the internet for more locations selling Shewee. Shewee is not only available in the UK, but you can find it internationally in countries such as in Ireland, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Japan and the USA. More countries will be able to get Shewee soon, just keep on checking in.

With Shewee, you can do all kinds of challenging activities such as hiking, camping, scuba diving and even back packing. Shewee is also great for the disabled. Patients in hospital, pregnant ladies, elderly women, injured women and wheelchair users can benefit from Shewee as Shewee is really convenient for everyone. No more worries for those who are active in the outdoors. Shewee is the product to use and trust. Have you tried yours?

Recommended links:
Shewee.com

Recommended products:
Shewee Ladies Wee Funnel
Shewee Extreme
Shewee Survival Box

Why you wouldn’t want to be without a sleeping bag during the winter season

Chris — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:36:15 +0000

A sleeping bag is an essential accompaniment when camping, climbing or hiking, if you are not within reach of a bed. Sleeping bags are designed to provide warmth and thermal insulation. They can protect, to some degree, against the chill of wind, damp and general exposure – but you should really use your sleeping bag within a tent (or a least a bivouac sack, which is a waterproof cover for a sleeping bag) if you are caught short in bad weather.

Most sleeping bags can be rolled up and carried within a rucksack. They are typically square with a zip on one or two sides but generally they do not unzip all the way to bottom because heat is lost through the zipper. Some sleeping bags are specifically designed for the male or female and there are kiddie versions. There is normally a drawstring at the top to aid the trapping of warm air. There is a wide variety of insulating materials for sleeping bags. Goose down or a synthetic fill is generally used to insulate the bags. These are equal at helping to keep warm and help prevent hypothermia. Many sleeping bag shells are covered with a durable water repellent finish, which should guard against moisture reaching the inner.

There are four different types of sleeping bags. The summer season bag, which is suitable for temperatures 35 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, a 3 season bag that covers 10 degrees to 35 degrees Fahrenheit, a cold weather bag that covers minus ten to plus ten degrees Fahrenheit and lastly the winter/extreme sleeping bag that is suitable for under minus ten degrees Fahrenheit.

For the winter season you should choose a sleeping bag that is suitable for the conditions that you may expect while away, so either the cold weather bag or the winter/extreme bag would be best. Carefully consider the temperatures that may occur in the locations that you going to. Choose between a bag for men or women. Are you going to get wet? Down can get wet easily, and thermal insulation would become affected. Synthetic is cheaper and is great for those that experience rain or don’t have much money to spend on a bag. It can become extremely cold very quickly early in the winter, so if you are out for a long expedition ensure that you have a suitable sleeping bag that you can get into before you run the risk of frostbite and hypothermia. In order to avoid the risk of hypothermia ensure that you get into your sleeping bag with full clothes on that are dry, keep the bag zipped up and drawstring tight around your head, make sure you have eaten and are well hydrated – and if possible, use a tent or bivy shelter which can add an extra ten degrees.

You can enhance your sleeping bag’s life by hanging it in a garage or somewhere equally suitable. If this is not possible store the sleeping bag loosely in cotton storage sack to ensure that the insulation does not become permanently compressed, which reduces all heating properties.

Rucksacks: how can you do without one?

Chris — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 09:46:22 +0000

A rucksack traditionally was a canvas backpack that was used by the US Army at the time of the Vietnam War. The bag was used by all the soldiers as it proved to be very handy and was helpful as it provided enough space and places to store most of the required items that were used at the time of war. It is a medium sized backpack that had a string at the opening of it. These days, rucksacks are being used by travellers that are travelling mostly to mountainous terrains, or are going to a place that requires a lot of carrying to be done. These types of carry bags are very popular amongst travellers.

Rucksacks are available in the market in all sizes, which can be bought according to different needs and requirements. Usually, the medium sized rucksacks are the most popular, and they even offer great strength as they generally don’t tear easily in comparison to other bags. In the market these bags can be found in the price range of £200 – 500.

There are not many alternatives to rucksacks available in the market. A simple backpack can help to some extent, as it is also of the same size – with the only difference being in the number of pockets and the strength. Using a rucksack fulfils a special purpose of either going to a place that requires a lot of carrying, or for trekking. So a person is not left with many options in place of a rucksack. If you are going on a holiday, a rucksack may end up being more of a headache, as it cannot keep all the stuff organised inside it, and moreover it may end up being a pain as with large rucksacks, 50% of the weight of the rucksack will be taken up by the hip area of the person lugging it around. So carrying a rucksack for a long walk may result in aches, pains and fatigue. So for this kind of trip, a suitcase should be used, which will provide more safety to the items; also, the carrying of a suitcase is not at all tiring as today most suitcases available in the market come with a wheel that make it possible to drag the suitcase over long distances.

Another potential problem with rucksacks is that they are not waterproof, which may cause damage to many of the electronic gadgets or equipment, as well as other goods kept inside it. So it can be overcome using a normal backpack that is water proof, light weight, as well as nearly as big as most rucksacks are. The only disadvantage being the necessary pockets. Backpacks also offer the same feature as the rucksack – that is the front pocket. A front pocket is one of the things that come in very handy as most of the required items (like papers and cell phones) are kept inside it.

Holiday Advice: Playa de las Americas

Chris — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 11:06:57 +0000

Having a week-long vacation is what everybody wants to enjoy and experience. For a few days, they will be spared from all the paperwork and stress brought about by their job. And when thinking about the holidays, they usually end up going to the typical vacation destinations where many other tourists go to. As a result, they also end up paying a high price for the air fare, hotel rates, and even at the restaurants. So if you want to have a different vacation, why not try spending your holidays in Playa de las Americas instead?

More often than not, tourists want to have a relaxing vacation under the sun. There are numerous natural beaches that can be found here in Playa de las Americas. But there are also man-made beaches that are covered with dark sand as well. Hotels and restaurants are flourishing in areas near the beaches of Playa de las Americas. Therefore, you will not have a hard time looking for a place to stay, even if you do not book a room in advance.

Shopping for souvenirs and other items are part of the whole vacation. And here in Playa de las Americas, there are a wide array of shops where you can purchase duty-free goods including gadgets, clothes, perfumes, and more. One of the best ways to get a great bargain while shopping here in Playa de las Americas is to haggle. Sometimes, the salesmen are quite aggressive when it comes to selling their goods. But keep in mind that there are numerous shops selling the same items and they can offer it to you in a lower price. If you want affordable items, you can head to Torviscas Market during Thursdays and Saturdays. However, you must be an early bird so you can get the best items and avoid the crowds.

Unless you rent an apartment with a kitchen, dining out is probably one of the main activities that you will partake in while you are on vacation. You can choose from a wide array of restaurants. Some of the top-rated restaurants that you must try include the Folias, El Molino, Restaurante Chino Yue Lai, and the Blanco Vista. These are usually quite expensive when compared to the other restaurants that you can find anywhere in the Playa de las Americas. You may also opt to dine at the restaurants near the beach. Stalls sell freshly grilled seafood, where you can also watch TV shows at the same time. The foods at the beachfront restaurants are varied. You may even get to order authentic Indian as well as Chinese cuisines – if you feel like tasting one.

The great thing about holidays in Playa de las Americas is that the nightlight is always thriving. If you are up for a nocturnal holiday, there are tons of nightclubs that you can go to by the time the sun sets. More often than not, these clubs are open until the wee hours of the morning. So you can still stay up until the restaurants are ready to serve breakfast.

Recommended links
Playa de las Americas on Wikipedia
Spain Tourism

Recommended products
Safe Sea SPF 30+ Sunburn Lotion