New Zealand

New Zealand, christened Aotearoa “the land of the long white cloud” by the early Maori settlers, is one of the most far-flung countries on the planet.

Despite this, or maybe because of it, New Zealand is one of the most popular countries for people emigrating in search of a better way of life. With its temperate climate, spectacular scenery and friendly people, it’s perhaps no surprise that the standard of living in New Zealand is considered to be one of the best in the world.

Visiting a large city such as London can be particularly draining on the finances, especially if you have a large family in tow.

Fortunately, it's always good to know there are some worthwhile attractions which are free of charge. One of these is the Bank of England Museum which is open year round.

Whether you are staying in a five star luxury suite or a cheap and cheerful budget hotel, your room may be harboring any number of germs brought in by guests from around the world. Fortunately, germs tend to have a fairly short survival time and the majority are unlikely to cause any adverse health effects.

It won’t be possible to avoid all germs in hotel rooms, but understanding where germs are likely to be found, can help you reduce your chances of picking up any nasty illnesses during your stay.

When I visited the Czech Republic in 1994, it had been an independent state for just a year. It would be another ten years until it joined the European Union. Back then, a trip to Eastern Europe was something a bit different from the usual package tour beach holidays and we didn’t quite know what to expect. Read more ...

When I visited the Czech Republic in 1994, it had been an independent state for just a year. It would be another ten years until it joined the European Union.

Back then, a trip to Eastern Europe was something a bit different from the usual package tour beach holidays and we didn’t quite know what to expect.

Jet lag can ruin the beginning of your holiday, leaving you unable to function properly for days after landing at your destination. People suffer from jet lag after flying long distances.

However, it isn’t the distance traveled that causes jet lag symptoms. It’s crossing different time zones. And, as our body struggles to adapt to the different patterns of light and dark, it leaves us feeling groggy and disoriented and it can take days for some people to properly adjust. I’m all too familiar with the debilitating effects of jetlag.

Traveling on a long haul journey with children can be something of an endurance test. It's hard to keep children sitting down for long and if the thought of being stuck in a plane with them, thousands of miles in the sky, is worrying you, then don't. It really might not be as bad as you think. Read this article to find out how you can survive long haul travel with children. Read more >>

British Passports

Adult British Citizens wishing to travel outside of the United Kingdom, must be in possession of a valid, up to date, ten-year passport, while children under 16 will need a five-year passport.

Renewing a British passport is a relatively straightforward process that can done as long as the current passport remains intact and is a standard UK ten-year passport or else it is a child's UK passport issued before they were 16. Additionally, there should be no name or national status change.

Flying through turbulence can prompt even the hardiest of air travelers to reach for their seat belt. With around 65% of weather-related aircraft incidents attributed to turbulence, it can certainly be problematic. But experiencing the odd bumpy flight is completely normal and in the majority of cases, nothing to worry about. Aircraft are built to withstand far more than even ordinary turbulence, plus pilots are trained to understand what causes turbulence and how best they can avoid it.

The Number 23 bus near its starting point

Route 23 is one of hundreds of public routes on the London Bus network. It is also one of the most interesting from a tourist point of view since its journey takes in many of the popular London landmarks.

The locals who use this route probably don’t take too much notice of what’s passing them by outside the window. But for those visiting London, it can be an inexpensive way of getting around places of interest rather than piling into a tourist bus on a guided tour.